Tag: Marsanne

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Saturday Sips + Saturday Sips Review Package (6-Pack for $310 All-Included): 3 Expressions of Châteauneuf-du-Pape Terroir From Exceptional Producer

If you like biodynamic wines, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and lauded producers, you’ll find them all at this Saturday’s tasting,

One of France’s most influential vignerons, Jean-Paul Daumen is the fifth-generation owner and winemaker of Domaine de la Vieille Julienne. Jean-Paul began his tenure at the family-run estate in 1990 and immediately began building a reputation as one of Southern Rhône’s most esteemed producers. The estate is comprised of 50 acres, in a single block, on the heights of “lieu-dit Clavin” at the northern limit of Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

Time has shaped these north-facing slopes, placing pebbles, gravels, sands, and red clay over safres (a soft sandstone) from the Miocene Epoch, creating a mosaic of various and subtle terroirs. Jean-Paul exploits these varying parcels to create singular, harmonious, and balanced wines. Each of the parcels are field blends with an average age of 60 years, but the estate also has old Grenache vines over 100 years old.

The vines are cultivated using biodynamic principles. Harvests are entirely done by hand into small boxes to preserve the integrity of the fruit, with a first selection in the vineyard and a second selection when the grapes arrive at the winery. Fermentation is completed with indigenous yeasts and sulfites are used sparingly when bottling. Aging takes place in a combination of foudres and old, oak barrels.

All of this meticulous work in the fields and cellar, combined with exceptionally low yields, are what makes Jean-Paul Daumen’s pure and powerful wines some of the most sought after.

Saturday Sips Review: $310 — 3 Expressions of Châteauneuf-du-Pape Terroir From an Exceptional Producer  

The price for this Saturday Sips Review Package includes tax and delivery, as well as a 15% discount. We will also honor a 10% discount on any bottles you might wish to add to the package.

1 BOTTLE “Les Hauts-Lieux” (Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2016) RED, Regular Price: $99

The 1.1 acre “Les Hauts-Lieux” is the highest elevation and the most sheltered terroir on the slopes. Marlstone soils and shallow safres are covered with quartzite pebbles and very suitable for Mourvèdre vines. A blend of Grenache, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, and Counoise with an average age of 70 years shape a wine that is both vigorous and elegant.

1 BOTTLE “Les Trois Sources” (Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2016) RED, Regular Price: $77

“Les Trois Sources” is 21 acres located mid slope on a mix of safres, pebbles, and red clays. The blend is a classic mix of Châteauneuf-du-Pape varieties including Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, Counoise, Mourvèdre, Muscardin, Terret Noir, Vaccarèse, Grenache Blanc, Bourboulenc, Clairette, and Picardan (average age 75 years) producing a wine with the perfect balance of power and finesse

2 BOTTLES “Lieu-Dit Clavin” (Côtes-du-Rhône 2017) RED, Regular Price: $42 

85 year old vines on the heights of “lieu-dit Clavin” grow in sand and red clay covering Miocene safres. This is the early maturity part of the slopes, producing tender and seductive wines. 13.6 acres grow this blend of Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Bourboulenc, Clairette and Grenache Blanc.

2 BOTTLES “Lieu-Dit Clavin” (Côtes-du-Rhône 2019) WHITE, Regular Price: $42

The white grape field blend of Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Bourboulenc, Marsanne, Roussane, and Viognier is located on the northern, steeper, and cooler part of the “lieu-dit Clavin” in marlstone and limestone soils. Average age of the vines is 65 years old, helping to create a wine of depth and complexity.

A Rare and Stunning Châteauneuf-du-Pape from Domaine de la Vieille Julienne

“Réservé” (Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2016) RED, Special Price: $289

Domaine de la Vieille Julienne “Réservé” is only made in the best vintages and only in miniscule amounts. It is one of the rarest wines of the appellation.

“Mid-August, when the vineyard is deserted, I like walking in the vineyard of “les Trois Sources”, receiving vines expressions, tasting berries. At this time, I must be receptive and I must appreciate all the details. Some years, depending on the context of the vintage, some vines show specific expressions. Exclusively in this case, these more than hundred years old vines of Grenache (90%), Syrah, Cinsault and Counoise get marked and vinified separately, producing the Réservé. — Jean-Paul DAUMEN

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Summer-Aid: $290 “A Summer in Provence” — 6 Bottles from Domaine Hauvette — Red, White, and France’s Best Rosé (All Included and Delivered)

The appellation of Les Baux-de-Provence is unmistakably Provençal. Between olive groves and pine forests the rocky landscape is wild with the fragrant garrigue that marks its wines. Although the appellation is small and relatively new, the handful of winemaking estates there have earned well-deserved praise for their farming practices. As much as 85% of the area is devoted to an organic or biodynamic approach. It is the home of perhaps the most well-regarded estate in all of Provence, Domaine de Trévallon.

Not far behind Domaine de Trévallon in stature is Dominique Hauvette. In the early 1980s Dominique left her job as a lawyer in the Savoie, began studying oenology, and eventually amassed a little over 40 acres of vineyards along with an international reputation for producing model Provençal wines.

Domaine Hauvette is situated at the foot of Les Alpilles mountain range outside Saint Rémy-de-Provence, a small commune perhaps most famous for a little painting called “The Starry Night” that was created by Vincent van Gogh as he was being treated in the psychiatric center at Monastery Saint-Paul de Mausole. As the crow flies it’s about 15 miles from Châteauneuf-du-Pape in the southern Rhône. Indeed, the Rhône River is just a few minutes away.

The limestone foothills of Les Alpilles create a distinct landscape and microclimate. The soils retain moisture during the arid summer months, the legendary Mistral wind cools the vines and expels mold-fostering humidity, and Les Alpilles buffet the vines from potential damage.

Dominique began converting to biodynamic cultivation in 2000 with the goal of growing ideal fruit. At harvest, grapes are picked by hand and sorted in the field. She employs minimal intervention in the cellars, fermenting with indigenous yeasts. Many of her wines are fermented and aged in concrete eggs that allow a continuous flow of liquid during the process as well as stabilize temperature.

Included in A Summer in Provence Wine-Aid Package is one bottle of each:

All prices based on the purchase of a 6-pack (mix-and-match)

“Petra” (Les Baux-de-Provence Rosé 2017) $42

Domaine Hauvette’s current release and rosé doesn’t get much better than this. A perfectly balanced blend of 70% Cinsault, 15% Syrah, and 15% Grenache from a 2.5 acre plot of 15 year old vines. “Petra” is fermented in cement eggs and kept on the lees to provide a wonderfully rich and flavorful wine that pairs with just about anything.

“Jaspe” (IGP Alpilles Blanc 2016) $37

From a five acre plot of Rousanne with an average age of 15 years. Cuvée “Jaspe” is fermented in cement eggs and aged briefly in stainless steel tank. Honeysuckle and ripe orchard fruit aromatics greet the nose before a sip that is simultaneously lush and nervy.

“Dolia” (IGP Alpilles Blanc 2013) $55 

A field blend of equal portions Roussanne, Marsanne, and Clairette from a 1.7 acre plot with an average age of 23 years. Cuvée “Dolia” is fermented and aged in cement eggs. Smoke, wildflower honey, gunflint, and quince tickle the senses before a finish reminiscent of pure stone — a world-class white wine.

“Cornaline” (Les Baux-de-Provence 2012) $45 
“Cornaline” (Les Baux-de-Provence 2011) $49 

A blend of 50% Grenache, 30% Syrah, and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon from vines with an average age of 40 years. Cuvée “Cornaline” is fermented in wood tanks and aged in foudre. Strawberries, cassis, leather, and herbs come together in a glass of wine that is ready to drink today. Pour it just slightly chilled alongside some grilled lamb chops.

“Améthyste” (IGP Alpilles Rouge 2016) $89 

It’s rare to find a wine this ambitious made predominantly of Cinsault. 60% Cinsault, 30% Carignan, and 10% Grenache from vines with an average age of 40 years. Cuvée “Améthyste” is fermented in wood tanks and aged in cement eggs. “Améthyste” is high in amplitude with its aromas and flavors, yet round and on the palate, with a thrilling core of minerality. Drink some now and cellar some for later.

We are committed to providing you with your wine needs in the safest way possible. We do encourage you to take advantage of our back door pick-up or free delivery. We can easily process the payment of your purchase over the phone and load you up without you needing to get out of the car. Or we can deliver it to your doorstep for free (within a reasonable distance of our shop) and leave it there for you to bring in at your convenience.