“The wine of Uzès is the best in the realm.”

(Racine – 1661)

We first found out about Domaine Chabrier Fils and the ebullient Chabrier brothers, Patrick (at left with Hélène) and Christophe from our friend and vinous mentor Christian Esparza, owner of the Inter Caves wine emporium in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence (read all about them and their winery in the June 2007 issue of ‘Selections’ and at their website). From our first visit to their modern winery in Uzès we fell in love with these big, bold expressive wines (not unlike their creator, Patrick!), particularly the Duché d’Uzès La Garrigue d’Aureillac Blanc – the wonderful white with the impossible name. It has since become our top selling white wine by far.

We visited the Chabriers again this spring to taste all of the 2008 and 2009 wines (and to participate in a raucous Swiss fondue party). The wines were simply delicious. Believe me, there is nothing to worry about concerning the 2008 vintage from this part of France and the 2009s are sublime.

This Offering of the Wines from Domaine Chabrier Fils

Sampling wine with Patrick Chabrier is very serious business (yah, right!)

Of course we are featuring the splendid 2008 La Garrigue Blanc, the fruitier, unoaked 2009 Vin de Pays Duché d’Uzès Blanc, the most pleasing 2008 Duché d’Uzès “La Garrigue d’Aureillac” Rouge and, for the first time the excellent, value priced 2009 Vin de Pays d’Oc Rouge and most refreshing 2009 Vin de Pays Duché d’Uzès Rosé. These wines come in six-bottle cases. We expect orders to be brisk and we are on a strict allotment basis with the winery whose wines are extremely popular worldwide. We will be taking your orders to the LCBO on Friday, September 24^th.

2009 Vin de Pays d’Oc Rouge – (14.0% Alc./Vol.) $16/$96 per case of 6
This delightful little red sipper is fashioned from 80% Merlot and 20% Syrah. A bright ruby colour with glints of purple, it has aromas of red berries, cassis and vanilla. In the mouth it shows lots of fresh fruit along with mocha and tobacco. It is very well balanced and shows amazing length. It is a simply delightful wine and veritable bargain at this price. It has already won a silver medal at the Concours General Agricole Paris 2010. Order your little red treasure from the land of Oc now.

2009 Vin du Pays Duché d’Uzès Blanc – (13.5% Alc./Vol.) $18/$108 per case of 6
Over the years, this little beauty has filled up the Chabrier Brothers’ trophy cabinet with countless awards. This vintage has already won a gold medal at the Concours General Agricole Paris 2010. It is made from 70% Viognier, 20% Grenache Blanc and 10% Marsanne and is not oaked. The yield is a low 40 hectolitres per hectare. It is a straw colour with hints of pale green. The nose is filled with grapefruit, passion fruit, pineapple and sage. In the mouth it is very fresh, somewhat grapey, beautifully balanced and surprisingly complex. It would go wonderfully with any white fish and, as a special treat, with a pélardon de Cévennes (a wonderful goat cheese from the mountains not too far from Uzès). This is an absolutely superb sipper at a most reasonable price. Order some of this little treasure now.

2009 Vin du Pays Duché d’Uzès Rosé – (13.5% Alc./Vol.) $16/$96 per case of six
This is a really good, punchy Rosé made from equal parts Syrah and Grenache. It is a lovely medium salmon colour with a fresh and lively nose of raspberries, strawberries, vanilla and a trace of violets. In the mouth it is full, round, almost unctuous without being cloying and very refreshing. Not only a hot weather sipper, this lovely rosé will go smashingly well with oriental cuisine, pork (particularly ham) and most omelettes. Order your bottles of cheerfulness now.

2008 Duché d’Uzès “La Garrigue d’Aureillac” Blanc – (13.5% Alc./Vol.) $20/$120 per case of six
This truly wonderful white wine is made from 70% Viognier, 20% Grenache Blanc and 10% Marsanne with an average yield of only 35 hectolitres per hectare. Half of the Viognier was fermented in new oak barrels and left on its lees for a year. It is a Champagne colour with an intense nose of vanilla, almonds and papayas with a hint of hyacinths, anise and lavender. In the mouth it is full, buttery and very well balanced with pronounced flavours of stewed apricots and a hint of pineapple. It is elegant, full and long. It would work well as an aperitif, go wonderfully with any shellfish and, as a special treat be a divine partner with warm goat cheese. Order now – first come, first served.

2008 Duché d’Uzès “La Garrigue d’Aureillac” Rouge – (13.5% Alc./Vol.) $20/$120 per case of six
This luscious red has already won a silver medal at the Concours General Agricole Paris 2009. A high-end red, it is a blend of 80% Syrah, 15% Grenache and 5% Carignan – all aged in various types of used oak containers. It is a beautiful purple colour with violet tints. The nose is complex with aromas of plums, myrtle and roasted coffee beans. The attack (first impression in the mouth) is silky with smooth, agreeable tannins followed by a symphony of ripe berries, plums and exotic spices. It lingers in the mouth, is long and elegant. This is an amazing wine, particularly considering the price. It will go wonderfully with leg of lamb, magret de canard and roast pork. Highly recommended! Try some for yourself and see.

Note: The above prices include a one dollar per bottle handling fee.

We would be most grateful if you would pass this note on to others you think might enjoy some delightful wines from Uzès.

We are off to southern France for the next three weeks to visit several of our wineries, including Domaine Chabrier Fils and to present the pleasures of Provence to Hélène’s tour guests. We will stay in touch via the Internet and, if time permits (all that tasting, munching, chatting and merry-making is time consuming) will send you an update on the 2010 harvest and other topics of interest from paradise.

Many thanks and cheers,

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