Arthur Sellers Bulletin Archive
As a reminder, Robert M. Parker, Jr. regarded Domaine L’Aigulière as an ‘Excellent’ producer in his ‘Parker’s Wine Buyer’s Guide’. He has also rated their luxury cuvées, Côte Dorée and Côte Rousse in the mid-nineties as has ‘The Wine Spectator’. And, Stephen Tanzer in his ‘International Wine Cellar’ had this to say, “Imagine our surprise when 20 minutes later after walking into this cellar (Domaine l’Aiguelière) in the sleepy Languedoc town of Montpeyroux, we were tasting two special cuvées of virtually 100% Syrah whose density and sheer generosity reminded us of Guigal’s La Mouline and La Landonne” (along with La Turque regarded by most wine experts as the finest wines from the Côtes-Rôtie - they retail for hundreds of dollars per bottle).
2003 Tradition – 13.0% Alc./Vol $15/$90 case of six
Made from 60% Syrah and 40% Grenache from vines averaging over forty-five years of age. The yield was a very low 23 to 24 hectolitres per hectare. The Tradition sees no oak. Order now.
2003 Côte Dorée – 13.0% Alc./Vol $30/$180 wood case of six
This prestigious cuvee is 100% Syrah that comes from sixty year old vines planted in slate-like soil. The yield is less than thirty hectolitres per hectare and the vinification lasted for 27 days. The 2003 Côte Dorée rested in new Allier oak for almost a year. Order now.
2003 Côte Rousse – 13.0% Alc./Vol $30/$180 wood case of six
The 2003 Côte Rousse is also 100% old vines (over 60 years) Syrah that comes from a plot featuring chalky, clayey soil. Yields are under 30 hl/ha and vinification extends over twenty-eight days. It rested for eleven months in all new Nevers oak. Order now.
2003 Côte Sampler – 13.0% Alc./Vol $30/$180 wood case of six
Three bottles of the 2003 Côte Dorée and three bottles of the 2003 Côte Rousse equals six bottles of sheer heaven! Experience the difference that the type soil and oak can make on old vines Syrah grown only a kilometre or so apart. No cellar (or other wine storage facility) should be without this wooden six-pack of hedonistic pleasure. And what a marvellous gift it would make! Order your six bottles of Coteaux du Languedoc brilliance here.
Please note that the above prices include a $1 per bottle handling fee; a mere bag of shells considering all the travelling, wining and dining that goes into each selection.
Jim & Hélène www.arthursellers.com jaswalker@arthursellers.com hbuisson@ofrance.ca
