This is a joyous current drinking wine from Château Juvenal in the Ventoux region in the southern Rhône Valley in France. Ventoux is typically a grenache syrah blend, but tends to have a little more primary fruit than Châteauneuf du Pape and its name does not attract the high prices of its neighbour. This makes for good value drinking. In the glass, the wine has distinctive aromas of lavender and thyme. The palate is full bodied, the alcohol 14.5 and red fruit and lavender flavours predominate. It expresses its southern Rhône characters well. This wine will suit current drinking to enjoy its fruit. Review Rating: Good to Very Good (★★★☆, 89 points). Website: Château Juvenal. Tasted: May 2024.
