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One day a few years ago, before entering the wine business, we were contentedly, if somewhat thirstily travelling along D99, the beautiful plane tree lined road between St-Rémy de Provence and Cavaillon in southern France. We noticed a small sign informing us that Château Romanin was somewhere between us and the craggy little mountains on the right called Les Alpilles. We had seen many bottles of their wine in shops and restaurants around St-Rémy and, given that we were a little thirsty (and it was past noon somewhere), we decided that a visit would be highly appropriate, perhaps even necessary.
We exited through a small gap in the trees, took a little bridge over a ditch and followed a rustic dirt path as it meandered through some pastures and then sharply ascended past an active glider airfield towards the peaks ahead. Against the horizon we could make out the ruins of an old château that once served as a base for a local court (Court of Love) and visiting troubadours. The path became positively serpentine as it wound its way over gravelled soil and rocky outcroppings that suddenly were covered in luscious grape-festooned vines stretching as far as the eye could see. As we approached the end of the road and the side of the mountain, no winery was to be seen! Had we made a wrong turn? Just ahead was a large graded area – at least we would be able to turn around. And then we saw it, chiselled right into the face of the mountain!
Inside Château Romanin was equally astonishing – virtually a cathedral inside a mountain! The main reception area was absolutely, well ... cavernous and you can see what the barrel rooms looked like on the right. But everything was completely modern and spotlessly clean. Since the time the winery was established in 1988 they have followed biodynamic principles; fully organic farming enhanced by the rhythms of nature and the position of the heavenly bodies (in response to cosmo-telluric influences!). And, as we happily determined, their wines were delicious and, yes, positively thirst-quenching.
We visited Château Romanin regularly over the years and occasionally saw their wines on the shelves at Vintages. Imagine our surprise when our good friend and mentor, Christian Esparza, owner of the InterCave wine emporium in St-Rémy contacted us to see if we would be interested in representing Château Romanin in Ontario. Of course we were delighted and we are now equally pleased to introduce you to these fantastic wines from AOC Les Beaux-de-Provence.
Château Romanin
Wine has been produced from the land occupied by Château Romanin since at least 350 BC when the Greek, Theopolis was shipping wine-laden amphorae back home to his county men. Later the Romans took over, hence the name. The area abounds in myths and legends which are wonderfully described on the winery’s website.
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Anne-Marie and Jean-Louis Charmolüe
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The modern day Château Romanin is comprised of 570 acres on the rugged slopes of Les Alpilles. 137 acres are devoted to vines typical of the area, the majority being Syrah, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon and Mourvèdre. The vines range up to almost fifty years of age and the average yield is a low 25 hl/ha. There are also ten acres of olive trees and four acres of almond trees on the property. The wines immediately found favour locally and became strongly demanded in international markets.
In May of 2006 a major transition occurred – Anne-Marie and Jean-Louis Charmolüe sold their iconic Château Montrose (2nd Grand Cru Classé Saint-Estèphe) vineyard in the Médoc and in turn purchased Château Romanin. Talk about a vote of confidence! While committed to the biodynamic principles well-practiced at their new acquisition, the Charmolües are determined to raise Château Romanin to even higher levels (my recent tastings suggest they are succeeding indeed). They are ably assisted in this quest by Manager Pascal Freychet, Oenologists Denis Dubourdieu and Denis Péraldi and a team of up to sixty-five or so at harvest time.
The Wines of Château Romanin
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| Pascal Freychet and Hélène at VinIsud |
We are delighted to bring you three fine Château Romanin wines from three great vintages – the refreshing 2009 Château Romanin Blanc; the pleasing 2006 La Chapelle de Romanin Rouge and the elegant 2005 Château Roman Rouge. Each wonderfully represents the unique terroir and comes in a six-bottle case. And, to make it most convenient for you to try their wonderful wines, Pascal has created the Château Romanin Sampler –two bottles of each of the featured wines. We will be taking your orders for these fine wines to the LCBO on Friday, July 2nd. |
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2009 Château Romanin Blanc - 13.0% Alc./Vol. $23/$138 case of six
Th is lovely white is made from 100% Rolle (Vementino) with a frugal yield of only 29 hl/ha. It rested on its lies for six months and saw no oak. It is a brilliant clear straw colour with glints of green shining through. There is a pronounced note of almonds and citrus fruits on the nose that follow through in the mouth where the wine is round, fresh and very well-balanced, almost unctuous with lovely minerality. This elegant and complex beauty, served at between 10 – 12 °C will go wonderfully with seafood, roast chicken and mild cheese. Order your unique and splendid AOC Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence white now. You will be delighted you did.
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2007 La Chapelle de Romanin Rouge - 13.0% Alc./Vol. $22/$132 case of six
The 2007 La Chapelle de Romanin is a blend of seven grape varieties – young Syrah (35 hl/ha), Grenache (30 hl/ha), Cabernet  Sauvignon (20 hl/ha) and Mourvèdre (30 hl/ha) and old vines Carignan (25 hl/ha) Cinsault (20 hl/ha) and Counoise (20 hl/ha). This wine is not exposed to oak. It is a brilliant ruby colour. The first aromas that hit you are black berries and black currants followed by exotic spices, liquorice and incense. Black fruit and liquorice follow in the mouth where the sensation is fresh, beautifully balanced and elegant with lovely, soft tannins. This wine is delightful to drink now (with grilled meats, charcuterie and medium cheeses) and will keep happily for six to eight years. Order your most pleasing AOC Les Baux-de-Provence now.
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2005 Château Romanin Rouge - 13.0% Alc./Vol. $31/$186 case of six
 This fine AOC Les Baux-de-Provence is made from Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cabernet Sauvignon and spent eighteen months in tanks and oak vats before bottling. It is an intense ruby colour. The nose is first of strawberries and raspberries mixed with incense and then wisps of spices and blackberries join the melody. In the mouth it is full, unctuous, wonderfully balanced and refined with lovely tannins and the long finish ends with a hint of liquorice. It is also drinking very nicely now and will continue to evolve nicely for another eight years or so. This full, intense wine would be a perfect companion for game, roasts and stews. Order this big, wonderful taste of Provence now.
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Château Romanin Sampler - 13.0% Alc./Vol. $26/$156 case of six
 Pascal’s Château Romanin Sampler contains two bottles of each of our featured wines – the delicious 2009 Château Romanin Blanc; the refreshing and satisfying 2007 La Chapelle de Romanin, and; the very special 2005 Château Romanin. Discover the special charm of the Château Romanin terroir and biodynamic techniques for yourself.
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Please note that the above prices include a one dollar per bottle handling fee.
We would be most grateful if you would pass this bulletin on to anyone you think might be interested in some splendid wines from Provence.
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A Second Magnificent Two Bedroom Rental in the City of Lights!
Our good Parisian friends, Mimi and Diran Loris have just completed creating their second magnificent two-bedroom rental  apartment in Paris. This one is wonderfully located on the exquisite Rue St Honoré a few steps from the Louvre, the Tuileries Gardens and the Palais Royal. It is within easy strolling distance of Place Vendôme, the Paris Opera House, La Concorde, La Madeleine and so much more. Designed by Diran, a Governor General’s Medal winning Canadian architect, this gem mined from a centuries-old building has all of the comforts and conveniences of home (and, perhaps a few more). Take a look for yourself – it is the one on the left on the Parischeri homepage.
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Next from Arthur’s Cellar
 Many Members have been asking for more of the lovely whites, refreshing rosés and robust reds from Domaine de Tara. Located in the magnificent Luberon, close to the ochre town of Roussillon and owned by Patrick and Michèle Folléa, the multiple award winning wines from Domaine de Tara just seem to get better with each succeeding vintage. Wait till you try their latest!
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Many thanks and cheers,
Jim & Hélène
www.arthursellers.com
jaswalker@arthursellers.com
hbuisson@ofrance.ca
