Mountain Vines, Organic Roots
Some wines show off. Others just quietly overdeliver. Domaine du Fondrèche falls into the latter camp—organic, precise, and effortlessly elegant without needing a megaphone. Tucked into the high-altitude foothills of Mont Ventoux (a place better known for Tour de France drama and very fit cyclists), Sébastien Vincenti has been running Fondrèche since the early '90s with a serious commitment to sustainability. No herbicides, no synthetic shortcuts—just vines, limestone-rich soils, and the kind of obsessive attention to detail that makes somms a little misty-eyed.
Let’s start with the 2024 Fondrèche Organic Blanc. A clean, mineral white made from Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Roussanne, and Rolle. It’s bright and layered with grapefruit, white flowers, and a whisper of salinity from those flinty limestone soils. Lees aging brings beautiful texture, giving this wine substance without any unnecessary weight. It’s made for seafood, light pastas, or especially anyone with good taste and access to a wine glass.
Then there’s the 2022 Fondrèche Organic Rouge, a red blend that’s both polished and grounded. Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre combine for a deep, expressive wine with black fruit, spice, and that signature Ventoux freshness that keeps everything in balance. Aged 12 months in oak and concrete, with no sulfites during vinification and bottled on a biodynamic fruit day—because yes, Sébastien is that committed.
These wines are less about flash and more about finesse, made by someone who clearly loves his vines more than his press releases. Rhône Valley character, mountain influence, and a whole lot of intention in every bottle.
In the words of Jeb Dunnuck, “It’s the finest wines I’ve tasted from the Ventoux.” And I’m inclined to agree.
Generous and quite exotic, with plenty of pineapple and star fruit character, this is a well structured and surprisingly lively dry white for theSouthern Rhone. Long, structured finish with a delicate smokiness. An old-vine roussanne growing on limestone soil. From organically grown grapes. Fermented and matured on the lees in barrique oak casks.
Ripe red and black fruits, peppery herbs, incense, and some floral notes all emerge from the 2022 Ventoux Domaine, a medium-bodied, supple, perfumed 2022 that has fine tannins and a terrific sense of elegance. It's already drinking nicely but should evolve gracefully for 7-8 years at a minimum.
The big black fruit has excellent youthful freshness and the tannins are enough to give this full-bodied Rhone red a very clear line, but are not in the least dominant. A touch of tar and soot add interest to this bold wine. Long, firm finish with a hint of stony character. A cuvee of grenache, syrah and mourvedre from organically grown grapes. Matured in a mix of foudres and eggs.
92 Points, James Suckling
93 Points, Jeb Dunnuck
91 Points James Suckling
