If you are a fan of the southern Rhône greats - without the price tag – then the Fayard 2010 has all the harmony, seduction and sheer drinking pleasure to wow your tastebuds.

Winemaker Sebastien Vincenti’s loves his terroir and believes that his vines are stronger when treated naturally, including 100% organic manure, no chemcial herbicides, and complimentary planting between rows to prevent erosion, promote microbial life and aerate of the soil.

“The 2010 Cotes du Ventoux Fayard, a blend of 50% Grenache, 30% Syrah and the rest equal parts Mourvedre and Carignan from limestone soils, spends nine months in tank before being bottled. It is a tightly knit, medium dark purple-colored wine offering up notes of kirsch, licorice, earth and forest floor. Some tannins kick in the back, so cellar this cuvee for 1-2 years before consuming. It should last easily for 5-6 years.

“This estate has been one of the world's finest sources of high quality, reasonably priced Ventoux wines for many years. Proprietors Sebastian Vincente and Manou Barthelemy run this biodynamically farmed operation of just over 100 acres, and all the wines are bottled unfined and unfiltered with low levels of SO2. The 2010s are brilliant, largely because of tiny yields and cool nights, which gave the wines more acidity and focus.” eRobertParker.com