The Tale of a Great Wine
At The Vine, we select wines for our portfolio that speak to a sense of place and about the 
people who make them. In this way, the medium is the message and the wine tells the story of its origins. One of our great storytelling partners is Château Pesquié, whose range of wines speak to the unique terroir of the Ventoux region and to the care that the Chaudière family brings to their craft.
Château Pesquié Quintessence Red was first made in 1990 by Paul Chaudière, with a goal to create a benchmark wine in a region that was then regarded as a backwater of the Rhône. He did it, and 30 years later, with his sons Alexandre and Frédéric at the winery’s helm, Quintessence is still telling its compelling story.
A blend of 80% Syrah and 20% Grenache from 50+-year-old, south facing vines that grow between 250-350 metres above sea level in a mix of clay and limestone soils, Quintessence tells the story of complexity of character, warm, ripe fruit and the elegant balance of high altitude grape growing in mineral-rich soils. From biodynamically farmed, incredibly low-yielding and judiciously selected vines, the wine also describes the winemaker’s preference for the highest quality over quantity. A slow, gentle maceration and fermentation, followed by a thoughtful and precise aging process of 12-15 months in a combination of mostly older French oak writes a chapter of nuance, depth and longevity.
The Chaudière family chose the name “Quintessence” to highlight the exceptional concentration, power and beautiful balance in this wine, a story we are certain you’ll love!
Château Pesquié 2018 ‘Quintessence’ Red, Ventoux
Retail: $32.95 / btl
Wines are sold in cases of 12 bottles unless otherwise indicated. Delivery charges may apply. Some quantities are limited, and are sold on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Wine
Château Pesquié 2018 ‘Quintessence’ Red, Ventoux
91-93 points – Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com
The 2018 Ventoux Quintessence is mostly Syrah (20% Grenache) that was all destemmed and will spend a year in roughly 30% new French oak. It offers an elegant bouquet of blackberries, blueberries, ground pepper, and leafy herbs as well as medium-bodied richness, fine tannins, and a great finish. It’s elegant, fine, and finesse-oriented on the palate, and will drink well in its youth as well as keep for over a decade.
91-93 points – Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate
An assemblage of 80% Syrah and 20% Grenache put together to approximate the final blend, the 2018 Ventoux Quintessence utilized a bit higher proportion of demi-muids than the 2017. The result is that notes of vanilla and baking spices accent the raspberry fruit on the nose, while the full-bodied palate is plush and creamy, finishing long, velvety and simply put, deliciously.
93 points – Anna Lee C. Iljima, Wine Enthusiast
A salty rim lends mouthwatering refreshment to deep, concentrated blackberry and cassis flavors in this blend of 80% Syrah and 20% Grenache. While decadently fruity, it’s lifted and perfumed too, accented by sprays of lavender and smoky tea leaves along with fine, feathery tannins. Delicious young, the wine should hold through 2030.
About Château Pesquié
Château Pesquié is a pioneering estate of the Côtes de Ventoux AOC (appellation established in 1973). The Bastide family purchased the estate in the early ‘70s, and reorganized the vineyards, preserving the best blocks (now close to 100 years old). Their daughter Edith and husband Paul Chaudière joined the Bastides in the mid 1980s, Paul’s family conveniently having 150 years of history in viticulture, and Paul’s father also being a professor of oenology in nearby Orange. In 1989, the family established their own cellars, and stopped selling grapes to the local co-op. Then, in 2003, Edith & Paul’s sons Frédéric & Alexandre assumed responsibility for the estate. Sustainably farmed since the 1980s, the estate moved to fully organic methods in the early 2000s, and now largely biodynamic. Solar panels on the property produce more electricity than the estate uses.
Estate vineyards are located in 3 villages: Mormoiron, Blauvac and Ville-sur-Auzon, where the southern slopes of Mont Ventoux are blessed with outstanding levels of sunshine (up to 12 hours per day in July), yet Château Pesquié has one of the coolest microclimates in the south of the Rhône Valley. This is due to elevation (between 300 and 400 m) and the influence of the mountain. The variation of temperatures between days and nights (diurnal variation) helps create excellent physiological balance in the vines, and colour, concentration and freshness in the wines. The terroir has a great mineral diversity, predominantly consisting of limestone, and the Mistral ventilates, ensuring the cultivation of healthy vines. This remarkable place results in a range of impressive white, rosé & red wines, from traditional Rhône varietals. The wines are Vegan-friendly.
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