Over-Achieving Cotes-du-Rhone Reds from Domaine Les Aphillanthes - Saturday, Jan 8, 2011 - 12-4 pm

Biodynamic, Côtes du Rhône, Côtes du Rhône Villages, Events, France, Grenache, Grower, Merlot, Mourvedre, Producer, Red Wine, Rhône, Sale, Syrah, Tasting, Vaucluse No Responses »
Jan 052011

Please join us this Saturday, January 8th, from 12PM until 4PM for a tasting of highly-rated and exceptional Cotes-du-Rhones featuring the wines of Domaine Les Aphillanthes.

This estate, located in the village of Travaillan, and run by perfectionist Daniel Boulle, has quickly emerged as one of the most serious Cotes du Rhone producers. – Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Finding this secluded chais (and the glorious wines inside) is one of the great discoveries of my career as an importer. As Robert Parker stated in Issue 131 of The Wine Advocate, the wines of Daniel Boulle “may be the richest Cotes du Rhone I have tasted”. Certainly for me they are. Daniel had, prior to the 1999 vintage, sold virtually his entire production to the cooperative, but urged on by friends and family, he experimented with vinification and bottling for the first time that vintage. The results were very promising, to say the least. What makes Daniel Boulle so special, in my opinion, is his absolute perfection in growing. His yields are minute and the fruit is perfect.

One cuvee of Cotes du Rhone Villages called Cuvee des Galets, 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 20% Mourvedre, from yields of only 20-22 hl/ha (less than half of what he is allowed to produce), possesses a physiological ripeness, concentration and texture unlike any other Cotes du Rhone I have experienced. And that is the least ambitious of his cuvees. He makes another, called Cuvee 3 Cepage of equal parts Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre where all the grapes are harvested at the same time, in October, the time for harvesting Mourvedre. This made the Grenache and Syrah super ripe, and the blend is nearly 15% natural. In discussing it with Daniel Boulle it is clear that this cuvee is very dear to him, being the most difficult to achieve. A third cuvee called Le Cros is 100% Syrah from yields of 17-18 hl/ha. Aged in barrique and demi-muids, much in the fashion of a great Northern Rhone, but with the ripeness and character of the Southern Rhone. The evolution of this wine should be fabulous. His fourth cuvee, in minuscule quantities, is of Mouvedre pur, yields of 15-16 hl/ha and ripeness of over 14.5% (virtually unheard of for Mourvedre in France). – Peter Weygandt

The Lineup:

Domaine Les Aphillanthes Vin de Pays de Vaucluse 2009, List Price $12.99/btl, Sale Price $10.99 – Travaillan, Rhone, France – 30% Grenache, 25% Merlot, 25% Syrah, 20% Mourvedre – 14% abv – Biodynamic - Composed of nearly equal parts Merlot, Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre, the 2009 Vin de Pays is dominated by its berry fruit, but it also offers notions of earth, spice box, and tobacco leaf. Drink it over the next year.

Domaine Les Aphillanthes Cotes-du-Rhone 2009, List Price $17.99, Sale Price $14.99 – Travaillan, Rhone, France – 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre – 14.5% abv – Biodynamic - The impressively endowed 2009 Cotes du Rhones fashioned by proprietor Daniel Boulle from his bio-dynamically farmed vineyard will be hitting the market this fall. The generic 2009 Cotes du Rhone (80% Grenache and the rest Mourvedre and Carignan) achieved nearly 15% natural alcohol. Its dark ruby hue is followed by abundant aromas of berry fruit, earth, cherries, and herbs. Very Provencal/Mediterranean in style, this gutsy, slightly rustic wine is perfect for bistros and wine bars. Consume it over the next 1-2 years. – Rated 89 Points, The Wine Advocate

Domaine Les Aphillanthes Cotes-du-Rhone Villages Le Cros 2007, List Price $25.99/btl, Sale Price $21.99 – Travaillan, Rhone, France – 100% Syrah – 14.5% abv – Biodynamic - The 2007 Cotes du Rhone-Villages Le Cros (100% Syrah) reveals complex notes of creme de cassis, road tar, gamey meat, licorice, and flowers. In the mouth, the wine is pure fruit, with loads of glycerin, sweet tannin, and adequate acidity. While not a classic example of Provence, it is a very successful, mono-cepage offering. Enjoy it over the next 4-5 years. As I have written in the past, this biodynamically farmed estate is a treasure-trove of excellent as well as value-priced wines. Proprietor Daniel Boulle offers a multitude of cuvees, and his 2007s seem to hit all the sweet spots on the palate. – Rated 90 Points, The Wine Advocate.

Domaine Les Aphillanthes Cotes-du-Rhone Villages Vieilles Vignes 2007, List Price $28.99/btl, Sale Price $23.99 – Travaillan, Rhone, France – 100% Grenache – 14.5% abv – Biodynamic - Bold and very ripe, with delicious, almost gushing layers of blackberry, fig compote and boysenberry, all held together by a strong minerally spine and a long, racy graphite finish. Rock-solid and very impressive for the appellation. Drink now through 2011. 500 cases made. - Rated 92 Points, Wine Spectator; 92 Points, The Wine Advocate

Sale prices are net, no further discount may apply.

Posted by Weygandt Wines at 9:33 pm

The French Word for Barbecue is, um, Barbecue - Saturday Tasting and Sale - August 14, 2010

Biodynamic, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignan, Cinsault, Cotes du Luberon, Côtes du Rhône, Counoise, Events, France, Grenache, Merlot, Miscellaneous, Organic, Provence, Red Wine, Rhône, Roussillon, Sale, Sustainable, Tasting, Vaucluse No Responses »
Aug 122010

According to that resource for all knowledge that does not need to be fact-checked, Wikipedia, the origin of the word barbecue, at least according to folk etymology, “is derived from the French language. The story goes that French visitors to the Caribbean saw a pig being cooked whole and described the method as barbe à queue, meaning from beard to tail. The French word for barbecue is also barbecue, . . .” but whatever the origin of the word, the French, like us, certainly do enjoy a good barbecue, and when they do, they often reach for a gutsy bottle of red from one of the Mediterranean regions to wash down their grilled beast. With Labor Day fast approaching we thought it would be a good time to show off some well-priced reds from France that will pair nicely with a variety of food off the grill. Come join us this Saturday, August 14th, from 12PM until 4PM to sample these tasty values and pick some up at discounted prices. The Lineup:

Saint-Damien Cotes du Rhone “La Bouveau” 2008, List Price $14.99, Sale Price $12.69 – Rhone, France – Syrah, Cinsault – 14% abv – Sustainable - The 2008 Cotes du Rhone Le Bouveau (a blend of Syrah and Cinsault) offers a vibrant assortment of black fruit, herb, and earthy aromas and flavors in a medium-bodied, silky package.

Domaine de Fontenille Cotes du Luberon 2007, List Price $14.99, Sale Price $12.69 – Provence, France – 70% Grenache, 30% Syrah – 14% abv – Sustainable - “This has been a consistent winner from importer Peter Weygandt since he first brought the Domaine du Fontenille to the attention of American wine consumers in the early nineties. A blend of 70% Grenache (50- to 60-year-old vines) and 30% Syrah, yields are kept modest, and the wine is aged in concrete tanks for over a year prior to being bottled without filtration. A super-aromatic example of the vintage, the 2007 exhibits loads of pepper, earth, black cherry, and dusty, loamy soil notes. The wine’s fruit, earthiness, and spiciness are all classic characteristics of Provence. Seriously endowed and medium to full-bodied with excellent purity and depth, this Cotes du Luberon should drink well for 2-3 years. ” Rated 88 Points, The Wine Advocate

Les Aphillanthes Vin de Pays de Vaucluse 2007, List Price $13.99, Sale Price $11.89 – Rhone, France – 40% Merlot, 30% Syrah, 30% Grenache – 14% abv – Biodynamic - “A blend of Syrah, Merlot, and Grenache, the 2007 Vin de Pays possesses straightforward, crunchy, chunky, juicy notes of kirsch, black currants, licorice, and loamy soil undertones. This fresh, lively, bistro-styled red sells for a song.” Rated 87 Points, The Wine Advocate

Domaine Font Sarade Ventoux 2009, List Price $13.99, Sale Price $11.89 – Vaucluse, Rhone, France – 60% Syrah, 40% Grenache – 14.5% abv – Sustainable - From the heart of the Vaucluse, inviting aromas of red fruit intertwined with Provencal herbs and subtle spice, with a supple texture. Excellent value here, cleanly made with no rusticity.

Domaine Alary La Grange Daniel 2007, List Price $14.99, Sale Price $12.69 – Rhone, France – Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, Mourvedre, Cabernet Sauvignon, Counoise – 14% abv – Sustainable - It is a classic Mediterranean-styled red revealing loads of lavender, roasted Provencal herbs, licorice, and sweet blackberry and black currant fruit. The greatness of the vintage, even at this low pedigree and bargain-basement price point, comes through brilliantly with the purity, freshness, and deep kirsch, blackberry, and cherry flavors. This is a seamless, medium to full-bodied, beautifully pure, character-filled vin de pays.” Rated 89 Points, The Wine Advocate

Domaine Gardies Mas Las Cabes Cotes du Roussillon 2008, List Price $16.99, Sale Price $13.99 – Roussillon, France – 60% Syrah, 30% Grenache, 10% Carignan – 13.5% abv – Organic - Fermented in cement tanks and older barriques. Loads of focused, juicy red raspberry and cherry fruit aromas, along with hints of chocolate and cedar, and the region’s distinctive spice character greet the palate. An excellent all-around table wine.

Posted by Weygandt Wines at 7:23 pm
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