Domaine de Fondrèche - Mas Rouge 2024

Druvor

60 grenache, 30 syrah, 10 cinsault

Tasting note

A blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre, the 2022 Ventoux Rouge was still aging during my July 2023 visit, with bottling expected to take place in November. Cherries and blueberries appear on the nose, offering remarkable purity of fruit deftly combined with ripe flavors and freshness. It's medium to full-bodied and defined on the palate by silky tannins, bright, lip-smacking fruit flavors and a juicy finish.

The accompanying reviews are a compilation of notes taken over the past couple of years during visits to the estate. Proprietor Sebastien Vincenti is a thoughtful, conscientious vigneron who was proud to explain that the estate has been certified organic beginning with the 2022 vintage.

Speaking of the last few vintages, Vincenti says, "For the consumer, I think 2020 and 2022 are very good—it's possible to drink [them] over a long period of time. Twenty-one is maybe better to drink earlier. I see consistent differences across the cuvées, with the difference being in the tannins."

Proponents of natural wines—or, equally, those not normally inclined to drink them—may want to check out Fondreche's Nature bottling, which uses indigenous yeasts, eschews sulfite additions and is bottled unfiltered if the microbiology allows for it. It's a charming, slurpable red that's just fun to drink. Vincenti is one of the top producers in the Ventoux and a proud partisan for the region, with enough volume to ensure decent availability in many markets. The wines are worth seeking out.

 

Robert Parker Wine Advocate

Domaine de Fondreche sträcker sig över 38 ha på byn Mazan, Mormoiron och Saint Pierre de Vassols. Domaine Fondreche-viner uttrycker domänens filosofi: att plantera rätt vinstock på rätt jord, arbeta på ett manuellt sätt med målet att producera fantastiska viner. Dessa viner erbjuder en mineralitet och en balans av ett friskt fullkroppsvin mellan kraft och elegans. Fondreche vingård är utan tvekan en av de största i Côte du Ventoux. - Om Fondreche är starkt influerad...

 

Located in the southeastern part of the Ventoux with limestone soils that impart a fresher, focused style, Domaine de Fondrèche has undergone a complete revamp of its lineup starting with the 2024 vintage. The estate previously produced multiple cuvées (including the Persia red and white, among others), with 2023 being the last vintage of the older lineup. Going forward, the estate will produce only two red wines: the classic Domaine from all the parcels of the estate (roughly 4,000 cases) and the smaller production, old vine Altineo (around 1,000 cases). The Altineo is a tiny selection of the top terroirs and old vines of the estate. The whites have also been simplified, with the 2024 Persia Blanc being the last vintage of that cuvée. The winemaking is brilliant, as are the wines, showing remarkable purity and a pure, elegant style. Hats off to Sébastien Vincenti for all he's done at this estate.

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Jeb Dunnuck