CHARACTERISTICS

Medium dark red in the glass with some transparency. A dramatic nose of intense floral notes, including Violet and Hawthorn, a touch of cedarwood and background elements of black cherries and raspberries. The mouth has a smooth, elegant structure with lively black and red berry fruits and herby/vegetal elements. The tannins are soft and move into a long fresh finish. It will age well and should drink for the next 5-7 years easily.

THE WINERY

Even Bakke is a very experienced winemaker from California with an impressive CV. He fulfilled his ambition of having his own vineyard when the family bought an old run down estate in the very north of the Ventoux appellation, in a spectacular setting at the foot of the Dentelles and Mont Ventoux itself. The attraction of the estate was the terroir, with a range of parcels spread between 360 and 420 meters, mostly in Triassic limestone clay, with fractured limestone and sand; hence the new name. With 25ha of mostly Grenache and an average vine age over 40 years, he has fantastic grapes to work with. 2007 was the first harvest and he has farmed organically and with biodynamic principles from the outset. A full certification will follow in due course. For Even, this is not a marketing ploy, it is truly a way of life and it shows throughout everything that is done at the winery. Even is clearly a talented winemaker, who has been able to take the modern winemaking techniques acquired in California and meld them in a natural way with the fabulous vines of this Provencal hillside. His first vintage is proof of this talent.