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This week we're celebrating the southern Rhône's most renowned appellation, Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Famous among great wine regions for its incomparable terroir of cobblestones (galets roulés) and old-vine, often bush-vine Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault. Once a forgotten, "jug wine" region, Robert Parker recognized the quality here in the 1980's and championed the region among wine critics and fans, elevating its status and demand for the wines globally.
Wineries here can choose to blend from 18 varietals for their reds, whites and rosés, though very little white and rosé is produced. Over 90% of the wine made here are reds and these are full bodied wines with loads of dark fruit, savoury spice and palate satiating power. The wines drink generously as young wines, and most have the capacity for 10 to 20 years of complex development.
Depending on the vineyards' aspect, location, and varietal make-up, as well as the wineries decisions on extraction and barrel program, there are many different styles within the appellation.
Below you'll find the reds from our three Châteauneuf-du-Pape producers. Château Fortia, whose founder was instrumental in developing France's AOC system makes a "classic" meaty, savoury wine; Clos Bellane's from a high-elevation vineyard is a high-toned, elegant style; and Domaine Chante-Perdrix's lies somewhere in the middle, broad, supple and round with loads of fruit and spice.
There's a wine here for everybody who loves Châteauneuf-du-Pape!
For our full list of wines, click here. To order, just reply to this email or give me a call, 437 227 6950 (cell), 416 961 2294 x 29 (office).
Cheers, Chris.
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Château Fortia
Châteauneuf-du-Pape "Cuvée du Baron" 2017
$49.99 per 750ml bottle, cases of 12
$27.99 per 375ml bottle, cases of 12
Château Fortia is not a winery that chases good press on a whim. These are consistent, classic wines that faithfully represent the region's terroir year after year. The 2017 "Cuvée du Baron", which combines 50% Grenache, 35% Syrah and 15% Mourvèdre, was created in the memory of the Domaine's founder, Baron Le Roy de Boiseaumarie.
"Shimmering crimson. Intensely perfumed, mineral- and spice-accented red berry preserve and floral pastille scents show excellent clarity and pick up a hint of incense with air. Silky and expansive on the palate, offering juicy raspberry liqueur and candied lavender flavours that display alluring sweetness and seamless texture. Finishes with solid, spicy thrust, harmonious tannins and an emphatic echo of ripe red fruit."
(93-94) points, Antonio Galloni vinous.com, Dec 2019
"The foudre and tank-aged 2017 Chateauneuf du Pape "Cuvee du Baron" is a blend of 50% Grenache, 35% Syrah and 15% Mourvèdre. There's a leathery note on the nose, which adds a welcome savory note to the ripe blackberry and black cherry fruit. Full-bodied, rich and silky-textured, it finishes warm and generous. Drink it anytime over the next decade."
(92-94) points, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, Aug 2019
For more on Château Fortia click here.
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Clos Bellane
Châteauneuf-du-Pape "Urgonien" 2016
$74.95 per 750ml bottle, cases of 6
(only 3 cases in stock)
The magic of Clos Bellane comes from its location - the coolest and northernmost part of the appellation, in an elevated vineyard that faces east. The grapes can develop slowly, over a long season, and produce balanced wines with energy and freshness. This wine is named from the soil found here, ancient Urgonien limestone.
Stéphane Vedeau hand-harvests organically-grown fruit from vines over 30 years old. Fermentation uses only native yeast, pumped over and punched down, and on the skins for three to four weeks. Following malolactic fermentation, the wine spent 12 to 15 months ageing, 80% in concrete, 20% in one to two-year-old oak barrels. The wine was treated with minimal sulphur and bottled unfined and unfiltered.
"A blend of 77% Grenache and 23% Mourvèdre from mostly limestone-based soils on 1.14 hectares, the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape "Urgonien" is a full-bodied, plush, sexy wine. Garrigue and raspberry shadings mark the nose, while the palate is creamy textured and intense but balanced by mouthwatering acids and a hint of citrus zest on the long, silky finish. It's another gem from winemaker-owner Stéphane Vedeau."
(94-96) points, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, Aug 2018
"Elegant, seamless and ethereally textured it offers gorgeous notes of strawberries, flowers, and sappy garrigue. Gorgeous on all fronts, it glides over the palate with no weight, has silky tannin and a great, great finish. Enjoy this Rayas look-alike anytime over the coming 12-15 years."
(93-95) points, JebDunnuck.com, Oct 2017
For more on Clos Bellane, click here. |
Domaine Chante-Perdrix
Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2017
$48.95 per 750ml bottle, cases of 12
"Covering roughly 50 acres (mostly in the les Galimardes and les Serres lieux-dits), this solid estate is owned by the Nicolet family and they release a classic red and white Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Quality here is consistently good to outstanding." Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, Oct 2014
"Almost as delicious as the profound 2016, Chante-Perdrix's 2017 Chateauneuf-du-Pape offers a harmonious blend of black cherries, red raspberries and fresh blueberries. It's fruit-forward and fun, with supple, silky tannins on the long finish. A blend of 65% Grenache, 15% each Mourvèdre and Syrah and 5% Muscardin, it's wonderfully charming and drinkable."
92 points, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, Aug 2019
"The 2017 Châteauneuf-du-Pape is terrific, showing classic ripe cherry and berry fruits, spice, and garrigue aromas, medium to full body, and a rounded, voluptuous texture. It's beautifully balanced, and while it has the sexy, sunny style of the vintage, it stays pure, complex and, again, balanced. It's going to deliver loads of pleasure over the coming 10-15 years."
92 points, JebDunnuck.com, Aug 2019 For more Domaine Chante-Perdrix, click here.
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Chris McLean
office: 416 961 2294 x 29
cell: 437 227 6950
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