The quality-to-price ratio on all of Valcombe's wines is off the charts, but that is especially the case with their newly released Les Hauts de Valcombe.
This is a wine that is going to make a lot of Southern Rhone lovers very happy, and I guarantee you it will become a fixture in our Rhone section.
2019 Les Hauts de Valcombe Ventoux Rouge
Fresh, ripe, spicy and savory Southern Rhone at a great price. - 93 points - Josh Spurling
ORDER NOW in our online store.
Chateau Valcombe is one of the qualitative leaders of France's Ventoux region. Brought to us by importer extraordinaire Neal Rosenthal, this certified organic estate is renowned for their fresher and more vibrant reds. Luc and Cendrine Guénard farm their old, well exposed vines in the shadow of Mont Ventoux with lots of care and attention.
The couple firmly believe that great wine is made in the vineyard, and they are equal parts farmers and winemakers, aka vignerons. I tend to agree with their philosophy, and I can tell you with 100% certainty that this wine is a testament to their skills and to the attributes of their vineyards.
The 2019 Les Hauts de Valcombe is a blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah from the estate's north-facing vineyards. These sites get a little less sunshine, and that is what contributes to this wine's fresh, balanced, and agile personality. Fermentation takes place in the traditional cement vats of the region, and minimal sulfur is added, just at bottling.
The resulting wine really grabbed me in a big way. I love the combination of ripeness and freshness along with the balance of fruit, spice, and more complex, savory nuances. Boasting aromas of exotic spices, dried violets, and smoked meat, it really opens up on the palate to reveal flavors of black raspberry, blueberry, plum, and strawberry, finishing with hints of pepper and cinnamon.
Yep, there's a lot going on here, but all in all, this stuff is downright gulpable. Enjoy it this spring and summer with pretty much anything you decide to grill. I strongly recommend taking advantage of the six-pack pricing. You're going to want to have this wine around in quantity, and I suspect it will sell out fast.
ORDER NOW in our online store.
Josh Spurling
Owner, Operator, Wine Monger
Table Wine Asheville