This Week's THURSDAY Tasting
Ch. Pesquie
April 11, 2024
Elegance and Purity in the Southern Rhone with Winemaker Fred Chaudier
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This Week Thu, April 11, 2024 Ch. Pesquie, with Winemaker Fred Chaudier In-store, 5 - 6:30pm
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"Easily one of my favorite estates from the up-and-coming Ventoux region, Chateau Pesquie is run by the talented brothers, Alexandre & Frederic Chaudiere. The wines sell for a song, yet always deliver high-quality, loads of character, and impeccably made profiles." - Jeb Dunnock
The wines from Ventoux, a mountain region to the east of Chateauneuf du Pape, used to be thought lesser than the mass of heavier, more extracted southern Rhones because they were lighter and thin.
Tastes change, and wine does too. Three generations of the Chaudiere family have found sites rich in limestone that give finer wines their distinction. They are located at a higher elevation where older vines produce more concentrated and complex fruit. Brothers Fred and Alex Chaudière now lead the estate. Their winemaking at Ch Pesquie gives them remarkable balance and purity.
Primarily planted to Syrah and Grenache, each chosen specifically for their soils and exposure. Ventoux has a cooler micro-climate than the vineyards near the Rhône. Fred and Alex can be guaranteed longer and slower fruit ripening, which is especially important for these two varieties. The vines range from 20 to well over 80 years old.
All these elements: good terroir, older vines, organic farming, and hand harvesting ensure that only the best grapes reach the cellar. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tank. Aging takes place in tank, concrete, or barrel, depending on variety, and the final blends are carefully made to capture the essence of each cuvée: Terrasses is forward and engaging; Quintessence is more structured and built for aging
Terrasses Blanc is fermented and aged entirely in tank. The classic floral and pit fruit flavors and aromas of tits Viognier base are tempered by the crispness of Clairette and the creamy weight of Roussanne and Grenache Blanc.
Roussanne dominates Quintessence Blanc. Pesquie's chalky high-elevation vineyards give it more the character of a northern Rhone – flowers, white peach, and citrus peel with lively acidity and sapid minerality, unlike its fatter, heavier versions from warmer parts of the Southern Rhone.
Terrasses Rouge is mostly Syrah and Grenache. Limestone-rich soils make for a bright, lively wine with enticing red fruit flavors and aromas of garrigue – thyme and rosemary.
Made since 1990, Quintessence Rouge remains one of the region's benchmark wines and a tremendous value. Quintessence is a blend of primarily Syrah with a small proportion of Grenache– all from 50+-year-old vines planted at high elevations. Fermented with natural yeasts, it is aged 18 months in barrel, half new.
Paradou
The label is named after the watermills that once dotted southern France; Alexandre and Frédéric created fresh, light, and pleasing wines. The grapes come from younger vines in the Ventoux and a small network of growers in the rugged regions east and west of the Rhône Valley. The vines, 10 to 60 years old, are tended to respect the environment
The Paradou vineyards are at higher elevations and planted on poor clay-limestone or sandy soils. To make lighter, more drinkable wines, winemaking is simple and uncomplicated. It is conducted in stainless steel tanks or concrete vats to preserve these wines' aromatic charms and crunchy fruit flavors.
Viognier
From cooler vineyards at higher elevations, Le Paradou Viognier comes from vines rooted in rocky hillsides of porous limestone soils to get a mineral wine with bright acidity and no flab. It is aged entirely in tank to retain freshness and purity.
Cinsault Rouge
Cinsault makes delightful rosé wines It brings a lightness and grace to heartier red blends. Fred and Alex love it on its own for its freshness, forthright red fruit flavors, and more moderate alcohol.
White
2022 Le Paradou Viognier Very Good $14.99, Case $12.99
2022 Pesquie Ventoux Terrasses Blanc Very Good Plus $16.99, Case $14.49
2020 Pesquie Ventoux Quintessence Blanc Very Good-Excellent $28.99, Case $24.99
Red
2021 Le Paradou Cinsault Very Good $14.99, Case $12.99
2022 Pesquie Ventoux Terrasses Rouge Very Good Plus $16.99, Case $14.49
2020 Pesquie Ventoux Quintessence Rouge Very Good-Excellent $26.99, Case $22.99
4/11/24 Pesquie Case, two each of the above wines $199
Or mix your own case of 12 at the case prices
Delivery of orders less than $199 might incur a delivery charge
Order by phone at 617.367.8605, or reserve here: order@federalwine.com
Please pass this on to any friends who are wine enthusiasts!
- Len Rothenberg
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FREE DELIVERY!
downtown on orders more than $75;
in Greater Boston on orders more than $199
