Ogier Côtes du Ventoux Red (75cl, 13.5%)

A Grenache-based red wine from the Ventoux appellation in France's southern Rhône Valley, produced by Maison Ogier. The house was founded in 1859 and is headquartered in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The Ventoux bottling draws fruit from vineyards on the far southeastern edge of the southern Rhône, where the appellation borders Provence, giving a spice-driven, Mediterranean character. The 2019 vintage earned a Silver medal at the International Wine Challenge. The nose opens with floral notes, ripe blackberry and juniper, with smoke and toasted nuts emerging with time. The palate is soft and fruit-forward, with dark berry, rich red cherry, leather, almond paste and warm baking spice over a medium-to-full body and chewy tannins. The finish is medium, dry, with lingering pepper, plum skin and a faint smoky echo.