A Syrah-heavy cuvée, the 2019 Ventoux Quintessence is a rich, medium to full-bodied effort offering lots of darker, blackberry-like fruit as well as peppery herbs, chalky minerality, and hints of burning embers. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, this concentrated, nicely structured Syrah that will benefit from 2-4 years in the cellar and shine for over a decade.

Lavish notes of violet, black plum and raspberry preserves perfume this voluminous 80/20 blend of Syrah and Grenache sourced from high-elevation vineyards at the foot of Mont Ventoux. The Quintessence is a consistently fantastic wine at an approachable price point that balances intense fruit ripeness with a firm undertow of salty, stony minerality. A powerful but freshly balanced wine that's at peak now-2029 but likely to hold further.

The dark cherry and plum flavors are sleek and defined, framed with a judicious toast accent and inlaid with dried anise, black tea and singed sandalwood notes on the finish. Syrah and Grenache. Drink now through 2024. 9,600 cases made, 330 cases imported.