Arthur Sellers Bulletin Archive
We will be taking your orders for the splendid wines from Domaine Roger Sabon to the LCBO on Friday, October 29th. Demand for these wines has been very high, particularly for the 2009 Rhône By Roger Sabon (including very large restaurant orders) and the 2009 Lirac ‘Chapelle de Maillac.
The Domaine Roger Sabon Wines on Offer
Before getting to the wines, I should tell you a little about my impressions of the 2008 and 2009 vintages in the Southern Rhône. The 2009’s are terrific. The growing conditions were almost ideal and although the crop was smaller than normal, the quality is outstanding.
But, 2008 was a very difficult year. It was relatively cool, damp and short on sunlight. As the result, the grapes were very late to mature and many didn’t. The only way to make a good wine was to be very, very selective when it came to the grapes going into the crusher. First rate wineries like Domaine Roger Sabon did what was necessary to produce very good 2008’s. They would normally create a wondrous and highly sought after cuvée called Le Secret des Sabon. But not enough high quality fruit could be gleaned from the vineyards for this iconic wine, so the Sabons decided not to produce it in 2008! The many high quality grapes that would normally go into the Le Secret found their way into the remaining Châteauneuf du Pape cuvées.
A major feature of the well-made 2008’s is that they are drinking very well right now and will continue to do so for the next two to three years – giving you something to enjoy while the more cellar-worth 2007’s and 2009’s mature.
The quoted commentary for the three Châteauneuf du Papes below is provided by James Molesworth in the October 15, 2010 edition of the Wine Spectator (prices in $US).
Robert Parker notes that Domaine Roger Sabon is one of only five “Excellent” Lirac producers. He goes on to say, “A sleepy village next to Tavel, Lirac appears to be emerging from the shadows of oblivion. More and more of the top estates are producing better and better wines.”
My notes … dark ruby with brown glints with an awesome nose of sweet strawberries, perfume, wet pebbles and a hint of pepper; amazing, wonderful in the mouth, very long with a beautiful smooth tannic structure. This is a pleasure to drink now and will go wonderfully with roasts (lamb!) and medium cheeses. Limited availability, great stuff. Please order now.
“Light-bodied, but fresh and pure for the vintage, with tangy red cherry, pomegranate and boysenberry fruit backed by licorice and sweet spice notes. Nicely rounded, with persistent length. Drink now through 2020. 2,000 cases made. $45 90/100 James Molesworth W.S.”
My notes … A brooding brick red with a nose of sweet red fruit, new leather, currants and garrigue that carries forward into the mouth. It is medium-bodied and very, very smooth; silky. Drinking beautifully now, Hélène’s O!France guests loved it. You could cellar this for a few years; but why bother when it tastes so yummy right now? Get yours now.
“Inviting on the nose, with warm fig bread and hoisin sauce notes leading the way for lush cherry preserve, crushed plum and anise flavors. Silky and rounded on the finish, with long, lingering black licorice note. Drink now through 2023. 1,100 cases made. $48 92/100 James Molesworth W.S.”
My notes … This is a lot of Châteauneuf for the money, and ready to drink as well. I have no idea what hoisin sauce tastes like but I too detected black cherries, plums and licorice along with a hint of strawberries and a whiff of pepper. In the mouth it is velvety, well-rounded and medium-bodied with lovely tannins and a long, long aftertaste. This belongs with roast beef, Yorkshire pudding, peas and mashed potatoes. I can hardly wait till it gets here. Why not join me?
“Very stylish and perfumy, with sleek, fine-grained tannins carrying the crushed cherry, red licorice, bitter orange, clove and fruitcake flavors through the nicely defined finish. There’s also well-embedded acidity. Very fine-grained and Burgundian in style, making this deceptively long. Drink now through 2025. 730 cases made. $75 93/100 James Molesworth W.S.”
My notes … this is a bit of a brooding monster; round, rich, strong and very, very elegant. It has a complex, delightful aroma of strawberries, black cherries, tangy spices, wildflowers, old leather and just a touch of black pepper. In the mouth it is quite voluptuous and pleasing with a bit of warmth to go with the Sabon’s lovely tannins. It is surprising long and concentrated. This is really, really good Châteauneuf du Pape and it will go well with wild game, roasts and, particularly, lamb shanks. You won’t find many other top of the line Châteauneufs that are this good at this price. Order your hedonistic treasure now.
Please note that there is a $1 per bottle handing fee included in the above prices.
If you know any fanciers of superb Châteauneuf du Pape and other Southern Rhône wine, we would really appreciate it if you would pass this note on to them.
There is still a week left to reserve your place on Hélène’s Truffle Tour de Provence in early 2011. From Saturday, January 15th to Sunday January 23rd, eight adventurers will savour a truly gastronomic experience in a setting only Peter Mayle could adequately describe. Read all about it in our last Bulletin or get in touch with Hélène for more information and to make your reservations. We’d love to see you there.
Cheers! Jim and Hélène jaswalker@arthursellers.com www.arthursellers.com hbuisson@ofrance.ca www.ofrance.ca
