Balanced, Beautiful Ventoux
In the foothills of Mont Ventoux, the giant limestone peak that defines the local climate, this family-run domaine has quietly become the reference point for high-quality, affordable Rhône reds. Ventoux sits higher and cooler than the rest of the Southern Rhône, and those elevations allow grapes to ripen fully while retaining freshness, which is increasingly rare in warm vintages. The mistral winds sweep down the mountain, keeping the vines healthy and the wines vibrantly lifted. This is why Ventoux has exploded in reputation: it offers the aromatic complexity of the Rhône without the heaviness.
The Terrasses Rouge is a classic blend of Grenache and Syrah, but the balance between the two is what makes it special. Grenache brings generous red fruit and warmth while Syrah adds spice, structure, darker fruit, and that signature Ventoux minerality. The 2022 vintage was warm, yet thanks to Pesquié’s high-altitude sites and organic farming, the wine shows remarkable energy, with crushed raspberries, violets, pepper, black cherry, and a subtle stony edge that keeps everything vibrant.
For years, Terrasses has been the quiet darling of sommeliers and Rhône lovers because it solves the eternal problem of finding a Southern Rhône red that is both complex and refreshing. It’s juicy enough to drink on release, structured enough to complement richer dishes, and polished enough to satisfy even more traditional Rhône palates. Decades of critical praise have cemented it as one of the world’s greatest values.
Open it now, give it a quick splash of air, it will jump right out of the glass at you. It’s the perfect “house red”, the kind of bottle you always want within reach because it works for chilly Tuesday nights and dinner parties alike. The 2022 Terrasses Rouge is Ventoux at its best: bright, spicy, aromatic, and deeply satisfying, all at a price that still feels unbelievable.
93 Points, Wine Advocate
"To mark 30 years of working with American importer Eric Solomon, the Chaudières and Solomon collaborated to create the 2022 Ventoux Terrasses Eric Solomon 30th Anniversary Cuvée, a 50-50 blend of Grenache and Syrah, aged partly in barriques (30%). Gentle notions of menthol and toasty oak appear first on the nose, then you get plenty of blueberries and dark cherries. In the mouth, the wine is full-bodied, creamy and opulent, with a long, velvety finish, softly dusty tannins and a discreet hint of black olive."
93 Points Jeb Dunnuck
"A special selection cuvée put together by importer Eric Solomon, the 2022 Ventoux Terrasses (Special 30th Anniversary) is based on an even split of Grenache and Syrah that was raised mostly in concrete with 30% in used barrels. It has a richer, denser style in its ripe black fruits, peppery herbs, and graphite-like aromatics and is medium to full-bodied, with a deep, layered mouthfeel and ripe tannins."