An expressive white wine from Mont Ventoux, drawing from Grenache Blanc, Clairette and Bourboulenc to create a rare combination of southern richness and cool high-altitude freshness.
Bottler: Saint Jean du Barroux, Chemin de Saint Jean, 84330 Le Barroux / France
In the glass
Colour
Bright, luminous golden yellow with greenish reflections.
Nose
White blossoms, ripe pear and quince zest meet herbal notes of fennel and thyme, underpinned by a fine mineral trace.
Palate
Dense and structured on the palate with juicy stone fruit, vibrant acidity and a long, saline-tinged finish.
Character
Powerful and profound, yet refreshingly clear – a wine of substance that benefits from the cool nights at 400 metres’ altitude.
Pairing
Grilled sea bass with fennel, Provençal chicken with lemon and olives, goat’s cheese tart with honey and thyme.
Notes
Certified organic by Ecocert, from vines over 40 years old rooted in up to six different geological strata; aged in concrete tank rather than wooden cask and, in Gimel’s conviction, it calls for long bottle ageing.
Tasting note
Character
A white wine from altitude that redefines the southern Rhône. Where heavy, high-alcohol wines usually dominate, this Ventoux blend displays a rare freshness and minerality. The cool nights at 400 metres above sea level lend it a precise acid structure and a taut body which, despite its 14% alcohol, possesses a remarkable lightness. A wine of uncompromising intensity that does not pander but demands attention.
Terroir & Origin
At the foot of Mont Ventoux, between 300 and 500 metres in altitude, lies a geological textbook: up to six different rock strata run through Philippe Gimel’s parcels. The vines are rooted in pale, sandy soils as well as darker, stonier vineyard sites – a mosaic that gives the wine its complex structure. The altitude ensures cool nights, a rarity in this sun-drenched region, preserving a special freshness in the grapes.
Grape Varieties & Vinification
A classic southern French blend of Grenache Blanc, Clairette and Bourboulenc. Gimel consistently eschews oak; all wines mature in concrete tanks, placing pure fruit expression at the forefront. Organic certification (Ecocert) and extremely low yields of around 20 hectolitres per hectare reflect Gimel’s philosophy of purity. The winemaker holds back his wines until he deems them ready – for this white, he recommends up to eight years of bottle ageing.
Food Pairings
A wine that calls for Provençal cuisine. It reveals its full potential alongside grilled fish with garrigue herbs, goat’s cheese with honey, or vegetable-led dishes featuring artichokes and fennel. It is also a perfect companion to white meats such as veal or poultry with lemon and olives. Its structure and freshness make it an ideal partner for Mediterranean cooking.
