Château Juvenal, Ventoux

Formerly "Ribes de Vallat", "vallat" referring to the ditch between the Forestiers' and Alban family's lands that make up the Juvenal estate. I rather miss the depiction of the artist on the labels which showed an erect painter in the white, slumping back in his chair by the red. Nevermind, the wines are everything you would expect and more. The white is crisp and full, the rosé sweet and delicate and the red is robust and rounded, an excellent wine from the vintage.

All wines are available in unmixed cases only for the purposes of this offer.

2024 Blanc: 13% ABV - 12x75cl for £90 In Bond
2024 Rosé: 12.5% ABV - 12x75cl for £90 In Bond
2022 Rouge: 15% ABV - 12x75cl for £90 In Bond

Often our favourite of the range, the 2022 TPH doesn't sway our opinion. The oak ageing of the Syrah is extremely well-judged - there is no unwelcome aroma, only glorious texture - and the tank-aged Grenache sweet and heady. A joy to drink already, this will keep going as long as you want it to. It wears its high alcohol level very well indeed.

2022 TPH: 15.5% ABV - 6x75cl for £63 In Bond

Is this 100% Mourvèdre? Legally it is not possible to produce a mono-varietal wine in the Ventoux so Sebastien will insist until he's blue in the face that there is a dollop of Grenache here. Hmmm. Whatever, it is a gorgeous Mourvèdre, aged in amphora, which will require some patience to shine. It will be worth it.

2022 "M": SOLD OUT (a few bottles of 2020 in stock)

A new set of wines and a little confusing at first. The name refers to the fact that the wines are made once only so, whereas the name remains the same each year, the wine in the bottle is quite different. If, like me, you need glasses to read the back label of a wine bottle, you will certainly need them to ensure you are selecting the desired vintage.

Yes, it can be that important. Starting with the 2024, this is a youthful, fun red wine intended as an aperitif to be enjoyed slightly chilled. It has relatively low alcohol and bears a secret which is revealed on the back label.

The 2023 is a completely different wine: late harvested, sweet Grenache and a great match for a chocolate dessert, blue cheese etc.

2024 Ephémère: 12.5% ABV - 6x75cl for £36 In Bond
2023 Ephémère: 16% ABV - 3x75cl for £27 In Bond

One of the more complex Muscats available from Beaumes-de-Venise with lots of different fruits coming through. Perfect with chocolate, fruit, foie gras or mixed with some fizz for a delightful aperitif. Everyone likes a sip of Muscat... occasionally. That's why we are offering this by the bottle rather than in multiples but, of course, you are welcome to buy more.

£12/75cl bottle In Bond