Chateau Juvenal, Ventoux 2024 'Les Ribes du Vallat' Blanc

Very complex and elegant. Lots of tropical fruits intermingled with lime. Good minerality too. An excellent start with a very promising future.

Drinking Dates: 2025 to 2029

Cépagement: 80% Clairette, 20% Viognier (30 year old vines)

Upbringing: ORGANIC. Grapes are cooled to 10°following the harvest. Direct pressing. Fermentation and aged on its lees: 50% in tank and 50% in temperature-controlled demi-muids for 6 months

ABV: 13.5%

'I loved the two whites from Juvenal. Based largely on Clairette, the 2021 Ventoux Les Ribes Du Vallat Blanc has pretty pear, crushed citrus, and honeyed flower notes in a medium-bodied, fresh, mineral-laced package perfect for near-term drinking.' 91/100 (Jeb Dunnuck)

'From 30- to 40-year-old vines grown on granite south-facing slopes; half of the wine is matured for six months in demi-muid leaving no overt oakiness to the aromatics. Full-bodied, rich and opulent style, very ripe and fulsome. Some mango and pineapple juice. Unmistakenly southern Rhône, this is quite a mouthful but it's remarkably balanced considering with a tensile core. Organic.' 91/100 (Matt Walls, Decanter)

'Attractive blend of honeysuckle and quite a bit of bitterness on the end. Impressive persistence. Much fresher and more vital than many southern Rhône whites. Clairette helps, I suspect.' 16.5/20 (jancisrobinson.com)