How about a 92 point blockbuster red from the South of France, made by the most famous consulting winemaker in Châteauneuf-du-Pape? Oh, and by the way, the Insider-Deal price is only $13.59!
Yes, please, bring it on!
You’ll encounter some of the most wonderful and welcoming people as you travel through the world’s wine regions. It’s no accident or surprise; they’re humble, down-to-earth, hard-working folks who genuinely love sharing the passion for their home, the grapes they grow, and the wine they make. For me, the Forestier and Alban families, owners of Château Juvenal top the list.
Anne-Marie and Bernard Forestier purchased Château Juvenal and its surrounding vineyards in 2001, determined to put the Château on the map as one of the region’s finest estates. In 2011, they merged the property with the Alban family, built a new winery, and focused their attention on Grenache and Syrah-based wines. The families brought rock-star winemaker Philippe Cambie from Châteauneuf-du-Pape onboard as consulting winemaker, completing the formula for greatness.
Ribes du Vallet is a blend of 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah, from 30-50 year old vines, planted on gravel soil mixed with clay and limestone. The vines are located on slopes of southern exposure and harvested manually to ensure proper ripeness. After harvest, the grapes receive an extra-long maceration with many pump-overs to extract the maximum flavor and color.
