This branch of the Alary family has been growers for 11 generations. One of their sites is on the choicest parcel of Cairanne, known as the Font D’Estevenas. Here, the latest in this long line of vignerons, Denis Alary, fashions the lineup that has earned him the notation by Robert Parker as “one of the stars of the Cotes du Rhone Village of Cairanne”.
Starting with his Vin de Pays, called La Grange Daniel Rouge, Denis fashions a blend of Grenache, Syrah with a little Cinsault and about 15% 40 year old vines Cabernet Sauvignon. As Robert Parker says it has “the pepper, spice, herb characteristics found in a good Southern Rhone”. The Alary Cotes du Rhone is a blend of Grenache and Syrah in a more full-bodied style exhibiting “classic Southern Rhone character”. The Cairanne is approximately an 85% Grenache, 15% Syrah blend of a “excellent concentration” and classic character of that village appellation. The Cairanne Brunotte is a blend a Grenache and Mourvedre and as the name would suggest is built more for evolving over five to six years. The Font D’Estevanas site in Cairanne gives its name to two of Denis’ top wines. The red is a blend of 60% Syrah planted by Daniel Alary some 40 years ago from cuttings he brought from Hermitage, blended with Grenache and Counoise, some of the Grenache vines being over 100 years old. This is an exotic, richly flavored wine that reminds both of Cote Rotie and of fine Chateauneuf all at once. The Font D’Estevanas Blanc is a blend of 65% Roussanne, 10% Marsanne and 25% Viognier. While lush and very eromatic, is also beautifully balanced and elegant. Starting in 1998 the Alary family kept aside grapes from a parcel, the family purchased in 1860 from a man named Jean de Verde and had thus always been referred to as “La Jean de Verde”. These are 70 plus years old Grenache vines with yield of about a ton and a half per acre, producing an exquisite, sumptuous delicacy weighing in at over 14% natural ripeness. The domaine is also included in the Revue du Vin de France Le Classement as one of the top domaines in France.
Please join us on Saturday, January 29th, from 12pm until 4pm to sample these classic expressions of southern Cotes du Rhone regional wines . . .
Many observers feel that Domaine Alary is the top estate in the village of Cairanne. I agree that they are one of the most reliable. A partial look at their just released wines includes two Vin de Pays cuvees, both excellent values. Readers should keep in mind that 2008 in the southern Rhone is a good vintage that is on a very fast evolutionary track. – Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate
Domaine Alary Vin de Pays de la Principauté d’Orange La Grange Daniel Roussanne 2009, List Price $14.99/btl, Sale $12.99 – Cairanne, Rhone, France – 100% Roussanne – 14% abv – Sustainable - An amazing bargain for a wine made from 100% hand-harvested Roussanne. Orange and waxy honeysuckle aromas jump from the glass of this medium-bodied, richly fruit white that smells and tastes like Roussanne. Most Roussannes at this level of quality sell for 2 to 3 times the price. Consume it over the next year.
Domaine Alary Côtes du Rhône-Villages Cairanne La Font d’Estévenas Blanc 2008, List Price $21.99/btl, Sale $18.99 – Cairanne, Rhone, France – 90% Clairette, 10% Roussanne – 13% abv – Sustainable - The 2008 Font d’Estevanas blanc (a blend of 90% Clairette and 10% Roussanne) comes across like a Chablis from the Southern Rhone. Crisp minerality intermixed with flower, white currant, nectarine, and grapefruit notes are present in this medium-bodied, elegant, delicious white. This tank-fermented and aged 2008 should be consumed during its first year of life to take advantage of its tremendous aromatic character. – Rated 90 points, The Wine Advocate; 90 points, Wine Spectator
Domaine Alary Vin de Pays de la Principauté d’Orange La Grange Daniel 2009, List Price $14.99/btl, Sale $12.99 – Cairanne, Rhone, France – 20% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 20% Cinsault, 20% Counoise, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon – 14% abv – Sustainable - A combination of Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, Counoise, and Cabernet Sauvignon, all planted just outside the domain’s home of Cairanne. Spicy cherries intermixed with saddle leather, resiny pine forest notes, and pepper are present in this full-bodied, chunky, but surprisingly flavorful and well-made wine. Drink it over the next 1-2 years.
Domaine Alary Côtes du Rhône La Gerbaude 2008, List Price $13.99/btl, Sale $11.99 – Cairanne, Rhone, France – 85% Grenache, 15% Syrah – 13.5% abv – Sustainable - A terrific bargain from this vintage. This is the estate’s declassified wine from their home village of Cairanne–this blend of 85% Grenache and 15% old vine Carignan is outstanding. Notes of black cherries, garrigue, loamy soil, spice, and new saddle leather emerge from this richly fruity, medium-bodied, elegant, complex red. It is ideal for drinking over the next 2-3 years.
Domaine Alary Côtes du Rhône-Villages Cairanne 2008, List price $19.99/btl, Sale $16.99 – Cairanne, Rhone, France – 70% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 15% Carignan – 13.5% abv – Sustainable - Ripe and friendly, featuring a forward core of cherry and dark spice notes. A whiff of black tea checks in on the juicy finish, with a nice mineral hint, too. Drink now.
Domaine Alary Côtes du Rhône-Villages Cairanne La Font d’Estévenas 2008, List Price $24.99, Sale $21.99 – Cairanne, Rhone, France – 50% Grenache, 50% Syrah – 14% abv – Sustainable - Always one of Alary’s finest efforts, the outstanding 2008 Font d’Estevanas comes from old parcels of Grenache (50%) and Syrah (50%, all aged in neutral wood). The wine’s dense plum/garnet color is followed by an evolved bouquet of flowers, black raspberries, and roasted Provencal herbs, medium to full-bodied, fleshy flavors, and an irresistible, endearing finish. Enjoy this sexy 2008 over the next 2-3 years. – Rated 91 points, The Wine Advocate
