In September Hélène treated her Tour de Provence guests to an up close and personal visit to Vignobles Mousset Barrot (VMB) in the heart of Châteauneuf du Pape. Amélie Barrot took us on a walking tour of the stone-laden vineyards, wine-making facilities and cellars and concluded with my favourite part – a tasting session in the château. I can still hear the contented gurgling and sighs of our fellow imbibers as we worked our way through a most impressive flight of VM-B wines. We are delighted to now be able to offer you these beauties along with several others from this venerable estate. But first, a little background:

Vignobles Mousset-Barrot is made up of three distinct properties – Château des Fines Roches, Château du Bois de la Garde and Château Jas de Bressy. Catherine Mousset-Barrot inherited the first two over thirty years ago from her father Louis Mousset who originally acquired them in the thirties (see Selections for background information or visit their website . Her husband, Robert Barrot manages the properties, ably assisted by their daughters Gaëlle and Amélie and Gaëlle’s husband Frédéric Maillet. In 2003 they acquired Château Jas de Bressy because of its proximity to Château des Fines Roches and its very old vines.

Take a look at the map to the right, particularly the location of Château du Bois de la Garde in relation to the road just to the left of it. That road, D907 determines what can and cannot be designated as Châteauneuf du Pape. Unfortunately for VM-B, but most fortunately for us, Château du Bois de la Garde is on the wrong side of the road. The Côtes du Rhône and Côtes du Rhône Villages produced there are very, very good.

Great Wines from Great Years

Amélie Barrot and Hélène

These wines come from wonderful vintages. Robert Parker declared that 2007 in the Southern Rhône was likely the finest vintage he had ever experienced. The 2009 is no slouch either. So far from my tastings I think I like it even better than 2007. The wines are more approachable and perhaps fresher. The 2006 vintage was also very good, but did not quite attain the heights reached by the other two.

2006 Château du Bois de la Garde Côtes du Rhône - 14.0% Alc./Vol.   $21 bottle/$126 case of six
This ready to drink charmer is made from 65% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 12% Carignan and small amounts of Cinsault, Counoise and Mourvèdre. The vines used to make this expressive Côtes du Rhône average over fifty years of age and the vineyards are just across the road from the Châteauneuf du Pape designated appellation (same soil; just situated on the wrong side of the tracks as it were). It is a medium ruby colour with fresh raspberries, leather, white pepper and just a hint of petroleum on the nose.  Unoaked, it displays good balance, medium to full body and soft tannins in the mouth and is quite long. This is a versatile, elegant wine that will go well with most meats and cheese. Order some of this easy drinking wine now.

2007 Château du Bois de la Garde Côtes du Rhône Villages - 15.0% Alc./Vol.   $23 bottle/$138 case of six
This is a very serious Côtes du Rhône Village from a great year that many would swear was a very decent Châteauneuf du Pape! Note that alcohol content!! It is comprised of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah from vines averaging over fifty years of age. It is a medium purple and displays powerful aromas of raspberries and strawberries along with nuances of liquorice, white pepper and resin. No oak; just pure, luscious fruit. This is a very elegant wine with great length that combines the freshness of the Côtes du Rhône with the structure of a Châteauneuf du Pape. It will go beautifully with roasts, meats flavoured with thyme and rosemary and a wide array of cheese. I think this wine is clearly worth the extra two dollars compared to the Côtes du Rhône. Select some for your drinking pleasure now.

VM-B Côtes du Rhône Sampler                                          $22 bottle/$132 case of six
This sampler contains three marvellous bottles each of the 2006 Château du Bois de la Garde Côtes du Rhône and 2007 Côtes du Rhône Villages. Order your little Côtes du Rhône treasure trove here.

2009 Château Fines Roches Châteauneuf du Pape Blanc - 13.5% Alc./Vol.   $38 bottle/$228 case of six
Most of Hélène’s guests declared this classy white to be the highlight of our tasting with Amélie. It is made up of 50% White Grenache, 20% Bourboulenc, 20% Clairette and 10% Roussanne from vines averaging over twenty-five years of age. A clear golden straw colour, it has a nose of pineapples, pears, white flowers, apricots and honey. It is beautifully balanced in the mouth – smooth, rich and harmonious. It would be delicious with grilled fish, white meat such as veal, and young Chevre. This is a truly lovely white Châteauneuf du Pape that will get even better over the next year or two. Order your six-pack of pure pleasure now.

2007 Château Jas de Bressy Châteauneuf du Pape Blanc – 13.5% Alc./Vol.   $46 bottle/$276 case of six
While only a small proportion of the total production of Châteauneuf du Pape is white, it is a glorious and special treat. And, the 2007 Château Jas de Bressy Blanc is a fine example. Made of equal parts white Grenache and Roussanne from vines averaging over sixty years old, it is aged in two and three year old oak barrels for nine months. It is a golden straw colour with a lovely, pronounced nose of pineapple, coconut and peaches with a hint of butterscotch and spices (nutmeg?) on the nose. In the mouth it is round, full, complex and beautifully balanced. My tasting notes conclude with one underscored word – wonderful! Get some of your very own, wonderful white Châteauneuf du Pape.

VM-B Châteauneuf du Pape Blanc Sampler                     $42 bottle/$252 case of six
This sampler contains three luscious bottles of each of the 2007 Château Fines Roches Châteauneuf du Pape Blanc and 2007 Château Jas de Bressy Châteauneuf du Pape Blanc. Order your six bottles of white lusciousness now.

2007 Château Fines Roches Châteauneuf du Pape Rouge - 14.5% Alc./Vol.   $37 bottle/$222 case of six
First rate Châteauneuf for under $40? Rare, but it happens. The 2007 Château des Fines Roches is made of equal parts Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre from forty year old vines. The wine is aged for a year in two to three year old oak barrels. It is a deep ruby and displays aromas of sweet red fruit, exotic spices and a delicate note of vanilla. It is pleasant in the mouth, exhibiting soft, round tannins, medium body and length. This wine can be drunk now, after a few hours in the decanter or in eight to ten years when it will develop aromas of cocoa beans and more vanilla. It would be delightful with game or a coq au vin – and with Black Forest cake or any other chocolate dessert! Order your bargain Châteauneuf from a great year now.

2007 Château Jas de Bressy Châteauneuf du Pape Rouge - 15.0% Alc./Vol.   $45 bottle/$270 case of six
This is terrific stuff!. Made from 80% Grenache, 15% Syrah and 5% Mourvèdre from vines averaging over eighty years of age, it has been aged for eighteen months in two and three year old oak barrels and foudres. It is a deep ruby red and offers elegant aromas of red fruit, pine, leather, a hint of chocolate  and vanilla. In the mouth it is beautifully round, full and long with silky tannins and lots of fruit. I think it tastes great right now, but this wine will age gracefully for another two decades or more. It would be splendid with game or any other rich, red meat. My concluding tasting notes – terrific, superb! Latch on to some for you cellar (or immediate drinking pleasure if you can’t wait – wouldn’t blame you).

2005 Cuvée Fines Roches Châteauneuf du Pape Rouge - 14.5% Alc./Vol.   $57 bottle/$342 case of six
The Cuvée Fines Roches is the flagship of the VMB fleet. 2005 was a terrific vintage in southern France and it shows in this big, brooding Châteauneuf du Pape. Made from equal parts Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre from the best fruit of the forty year old vines, it saw twelve months of aging in two and three year old oak barrels and foudres. It is a dark ruby colour and exhibits powerful aromas of exotic spices, red berries and a delicate hint of vanilla on the nose. In the mouth it is full and round with great finesse and structure. The tannins are quite pronounced which indicates good aging potential although it tastes pretty darn good right now after a few hours in the decanter. It would be a delight with any hearty stew or wild game. Here is what Robert Parker says about it in the October 2007 Wine Advocate:

“The 2005 Chateauneuf du Pape (white label) may be the finest wine Fine (sic) Roches has made in many years. Displaying a combination of elegance, purity, and dense, concentrated, juicy blackberry and sweet black cherry fruit, earth, roasted Provencal herbs, and smoke, this wine has low acidity, sweet tannin, full body, and a precocious appeal. It should drink beautifully for 10-12+ years. 90/100.”

Add some of this wonderful wine to your collection.

VMB Châteauneuf du Pape Rouge Sampler         $47 bottle/$282 case of six
Having a hard time deciding which of the wonderful red VM-B Chateauneuf du Pape to choose? Why not try two of each with the VMB Châteauneuf du Pape Sampler Case? You get two bottles each of: the 2007 Château Fines Roches Châteauneuf du Pape; the 2007 Château Jas de Bressy Châteauneuf du Pape, and; the 2005 Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvée Fines Roches.  Order your half dozen bottles of Châteauneuf du Pape heaven now.

Please note that the above prices include a one dollar per bottle handling fee. We will be taking your orders for these fine wines to the LCBO on Tuesday, December 21st.

We would really appreciate it if you would pass this bulletin on to anyone you think would be interested in some excellent southern Rhônes and/or in joining Arthur’s Cellar Wine Club.

Many thanks and cheers,

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