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Date July 3, 2010 
Title Back by Popular Demand – The delightful Wines of Domaine de Tara 
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Many of our Members have asked when we would once again feature the absolutely delicious wines from Domaine de Tara again. Well, here they are in all their glory and at the lowest prices ever (thanks to the weak Euro).

Lying at the foot of the picturesque ochre hillside village of Roussillon-en-Provence in the heart of the Lubéron Regional Natural Reserve, Domaine de Tara faces the rolling hills of the Vaucluse, Mont Ventoux and the precariously perched village of Gordes (at left). It is truly spectacular countryside; and, Hélène’s 2011 Tour de Provence will be headquartered in a restored, centuries old castle in the nearby hilltop village of Goult (see below).

Jim at the gates of Tara
Domaine de Tara’s vineyards cover about 25 acres entirely within the AOC Ventoux. The AOC Ventoux area is located in the south-eastern section of the vast belt of Rhône Valley plantations that stretch from Vienne in the north to Avignon. The vineyards are some of the oldest in France. Recent archaeological finds trace winemaking back to around 30 BC. The climate is Mediterranean - dry in the summer and very sunny all year round. The Mistral, the prevailing (and often maddening) northerly wind, provides the vines with remarkable natural ventilation making it easier to farm organically or with minimal, gentle intervention. Eleven varieties of grapes are authorized for the blended wines of the AOC Ventoux.

Patrick and Michèle Folléa are the owners of Domaine de Tara. Each has wine in their veins and longed to have their own little piece of paradise. Michèle’s grandfather was a bouilleur de cru (barrel maker) and during his teens Patrick joined in the vendange at several top-ranked Pommerol estates. In 2006 they found what they were looking for – Domaine de Tara.
Pascale, Mathieu, Michèle & Patrick
Patrick and Michèle have other careers and three children to raise as well, so they needed someone to manage Domaine de Tara while they commuted from Milan (now Paris) on the weekends. As luck would have it, Mathieu Griveau, an oenologist spied the Folléa’s ‘help wanted’ ad and promptly applied. By coincidence Mathieu’s first job after graduation several years ago was at Tara. He fell in love with the property and its surroundings but moved on to Burgundy to broaden his wine making experience. But he wanted to settle back in Provence.

Mathieu made a great impression during his hour and a half long interview. At the end, Patrick asked his new regisseur if he knew anyone who could look after the commercial aspects of the business. By amazing coincidence he did! His wife Pascale, who also adored Domaine de Tara and the glorious Lubéron countryside had been waiting all the time in their car out in the parking lot. She fit the bill perfectly and soon the Griveaus moved onto the estate and took control. The Folléas and the Griveaus make a superb team. Together they are enhancing the fine wine making tradition at Domaine de Tara. Find out more about this fabulous estate at www.domainedetara.com.

Reintroducing the Delightful Wines of Domaine de Tara

Mathieu takes fastidious care of the vineyards and along with local helpers (could another Patrick Folléa be in their ranks?) harvests the grapes by hand. He allows nature to run its course as the grapes mature, adding a helping hand only when absolutely necessary. Yields from the veteran vines average a low 30 hectolitres per hectare.

Domaine de Tara offer two ranges of wines. The red, white and rosé Cuvée Terre d’Ocre are fresh, elegant, richly textured wines where the grapes are quickly pressed and the juice is fermented in temperature-controlled vats. They are perfect for immediate enjoyment. The red and white Cuvée Hautes Pierres are powerful, aromatic wines that receive up to a year in oak casks (one-quarter new) and can be cellared for several years.

We are featuring the full range of wines from Domaine de Tara – the 2009 Terre d’Ocre Rosé, 2008 White and 2008 Red and the 2008 Hautes Pierres White and 2007 Red. In addition, there are two samplers: the Terre d’Ocre Sampler (two bottles each of the Terre d’Ocre rosé, white and red) and; the Hautes Pierres Sampler (three bottles each of the Hautes Pierres white and red). All come in six bottle cases. We have tasted several different vintages of these wines on many visits to the estate and were captivated by them. If you love elegant, delicious, extremely well-made wines don’t miss these ones.

2009 Terre d’Ocre Rosé – 13% Alc./Vol.                      $15/$90 case of six
This delightful quaffer (Vin de Pays de Vaucluse) is made from 80% Grenache and 20% Carignan, all hand-picked in the second half of September. The wine is a delicate, rose petal pink with very expressive aromas of raspberries, strawberries, soft spices and minerals. In the mouth it is absolutely smashing with rich, smooth textures and well-defined fruit sensations. It will go brilliantly with Asian cuisine, salmon dishes and baked ham or serve very nicely as an apéritif. Last year’s O!France guests drank it by the bucketful as they rested by the pool after a long day of touring Provence! While we are ordering this beauty too late for this summer, it will be in top form for next … if you can keep your hands off it that long. Order your bottles of pink happiness now (Gilbert et Gaillard 2011 selection).

2008 Terre d’Ocre Blanc – 13% Alc./Vol.                     $17/$102 case of six
Made from a blend of 46% Grenache Blanc, 40% Clairette and 14% Roussanne, this luminous, straw coloured wine with glints of green has a refined bouquet of grapefruit, other citrus fruits, caramel, mint and a touch of mineral. It is clean and refreshing in the mouth with a fine balance of fruit and acidity with lingering hints of honey and citrus fruit. It will be a wonderful match for fish and other seafood, Asian dishes, poultry or just plain sipping. It has earned numerous awards and positive reviews including Revue des Vins de France, Meilleurs Vins à Petits Prix (best low priced wines) 2010. This is a smashing wine for the price – it will cellar nicely for up to five years. Order your delightful Provençal sipper now.

2008 Terre d’Ocre Rouge – 13% Alc./Vol.                    $17/$102 case of six
This gorgeous, fresh red is made from 47% Grenache, 47% Carignan and 6% Syrah with an average yield of only 35 hl/ha. It is bright garnet with ruby highlights. On the nose it exhibits lovely scents of ripe berries, blackcurrants, morello cherries and hints of toasted brioche. In the mouth it is fresh and richly fruity, balanced elegantly by soft tannins with lingering hints of spices. It will go brilliantly with roasts, charcouterie and medium, soft cheeses. It will keep quite happily for four or five years. This is lovely stuff - it received 3 stars*** from the Guide des Vins de la Vallée du Rhône 2010. Order your beautiful, fresh Ventoux red now.

The Terre d’Ocre Sampler – 13% Alc./Vol.                  $16/$96 case of six
If you don’t yet know the marvellous wines of Domaine de Tara, this is the perfect way to do so – two bottles each of the cuvee Terre d’Ocre 2009 Rosé, 2008 Blanc and 2008 Rouge. Order your six-pack of value-priced Provençal pleasure now.

2008 Hautes Pierres Blanc – 14.5% Alc./Vol.                $22/$132 case of six
This very big, serious white wine is made from 55% Roussanne and 45% Grenache Blanc. I advise that you decant it at least an hour before serving! It is a light golden-yellow with amber highlights. It offers up an intense and elegant nose of grapefruit, apricots, pineapple, ripe peaches and a hint of mint and toast. In the mouth it is full, balanced and extremely pleasing with a lingering, velvety aftertaste that contains traces of citrus and honey. Serve at about 11°C. It will go marvellously with sole meuniere, fresh trout amandine, richly flavoured poultry or veal dishes, foie gras and chevre cheese. There will be no problem keeping this for five or six years … providing you have great will power. As the ‘Guide Dussert-Gerber des Vins de France’ has said about other vintages of this wine, “Why resist?” Order your voluptuous, classy white now.

2007 Hautes Pierres Rouge – 14.5% Alc./Vol.               $22/$132 case of six
This is a great wine from a great year. Made from 80% Syrah, 10% Carignan and 10% Grenache, it is a deep purple with ruby highlights on the rim. It has an intense, rich bouquet of black currants, black cherries, plums, garrigue, spices and caramel. In the mouth it is full, elegant and very well-balanced with silky tannins and a delicious, lingering aftertaste of blackberries and spice. It will go perfectly with game, roasts and richly flavoured dishes. It will keep nicely for at least ten years and probably longer. This tour de force would be much more expensive from a better recognized appellation. The Guide des Vins de la Vallée du Rhône 2010 awarded it 4**** stars and noted ‘a wine of great style’. Order your very stylish, most delicious red now.

The Hautes Pierres Sampler – 14.5% Alc./Vol.              $22/$132 case of six
Two absolutely marvellous, scrumptious wines in one case – three bottles each of the 2008 Hautes Pierres Blanc and 2007 Hautes Pierres Rouge. Order your mixed case of very special wines of the Ventoux now.

We will be taking your orders for these delicious wines to the LCBO on Friday, July 16. Please note that our prices include one dollar per bottle handling fee.

For a sneak preview of the new home base for Hélène’s 2011 O!France Tours of Provence, go to www.ofrance.ca!!


Please pass this note on to anyone you think might be interested in some very special, well-priced wines from the AOC Ventoux.

Many thanks and cheers,

Jim & Hélène
www.arthursellers.com
jaswalker@arthursellers.com
hbuisson@ofrance.ca