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Bulletin Detail
Date October 31, 2011 
Title Great Southern Rhônes at Great Prices from Domaine Palon 
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I just love the wines of  Domaine Palon - Côtes-du-Rhône, Vacqueyras (red and white) and Gigondas and so did Hélène’s guests at this year’s stay at le Château de Goult – not a single drop survived!. The estate is located just below the fairytale village of Gigondas between Orange and Vaison-la-Romaine in the heart of Provence. The Palons produce a very limited quantity of superb wine each year. There are times when agents from around the world literally send blank cheques for their entire production! Fortunately for us, the Palons prefer to allocate their treasures to a limited number of loyal, reliable customers.  

Annie,  Sébastien and Papi Jean
Domaine Palon is a real family affair with a long grape growing tradition. Valérie and Léopold Palon were wine makers in Gigondas and their son Jean founded the Cave Coopérative de Gigondas and served as its administrator from 1956 to 1978. Now called Papi Jean and well into his nineties, he is still a regular at the winery and continues to enjoy a bottle of fine Palon wine each day (I can only hope for a similar fate!). His son, Jean-Pierre took over the reins of the co-op in 1978 (Jean-Pierre’s wife Annie was the financial director) and ran it until 2001, all the while selling his grapes to the same co-op. When Jean-Pierre and Annie’s son Sébastien graduated from oenology school, the family decided to leave the co-op and start making their own wines. 2003 was their first vintage.

Marie and Jean-Pierre Palon chat with Hélène
Sébastien, who has turned out to be a wine- making magician, looks after the cave while Jean-Pierre manages the fifteen hectares of prime vineyards with vines averaging over fifty years of age. Sébastien’s partner Marie looks after the wineries’ administrative duties and manages the gift shop while the latest addition to the family, their son Noé makes regular guest appearances around the property.


Rating Recent Vintages from the Southern Rhône

Here’s how the ‘Wine Spectator’ (Nov. 30, 2011) rates the recent vintages from the southern Rhône:

2010                94-97               Not yet ready
2009                94                    Drink or hold
2008                88                    Drink or hold
2007                95                    Drink or hold
2006                93                    Drink or hold
2005                97                    Hold
2004                93                    Drink or hold
2003                93                    Hold


The Wines of Domaine Palon

We are delighted to offer you the delightful southern Rhônes from Domaine Palon – 2010 Côtes-du-Rhone ‘Cuvée Esparza’; 2010 Vacqueyras ‘Blanc du Bary’; 2009 Vacqueyras Rouge, and; 2010 Gigondas along with two Samplers specially created for Arthur’s Cellar Wine Club by the Palons. All come in six-bottle cartons. We will be taking your orders to the LCBO on Friday, November 11th.

2010 Côtes-du-Rhône ‘Cuvée Esparza’ – 13.5% Alc./Vol.     20/$120 for six
This is a really, really good Côtes-du-Rhone from a terrific vintage.  It is comprised of 69% Grenache, 16% Syrah and 15% Cinsault all hand-picked from the domaine’s vineyards in Vacqueyras and Sablet. It is an intense ruby colour with hints of violet. The nose is of pronounced aromas of raspberries, ripe cherries, garrigue, smoke, new leather, cassis and a hint of pepper. In the mouth it is big, almost chewy with amazing, silky tannins. This wine is much bigger and longer than one would ever expect from a humble Côtes-du-Rhône – Sébastien has done it again! Served slightly chilled (16°-17°) it will go splendidly with roasts, grilled meats and medium cheeses. It will keep quite happily for three to five years. Hélène’s guests contentedly consumed it in great quantities last month (making a considerable dent into the 6,000 bottles produced) at le Château de Goult! Order your southern Rhône dazzler now.

2010 Vacqueyras ‘Blanc du Bary’ – 14% Alc./Vol.                 $27/$162 for six
 This stunning white is comprised of 82% Clairette and 18% Grenache Blanc, all hand-picked of course from vines averaging more than forty-five years old. It has seen some new oak, but not too much. It is a bright straw colour with a vibrant nose of almonds, peaches, pears, honeysuckle, vanilla, exotic spices and a trace of smoke. It is very smooth and extremely well balanced – lots of fruit offset by a gorgeous acidity. It is fresh, complex and finishes with a burst of citrus. It would be perfect, served at about 8°, with oysters, other shellfish and rich poultry dishes. This is very yummy stuff indeed, very reminiscent of a top-flight Châteauneuf-du-Pape white. It will cellar nicely for at least five years. Only 2,200 bottles produced. Order your rare and delicious white now.

2009 Vacqueyras Rouge – 14.5% Alc./Vol.                              $27/$162 for six
  This gorgeous, medium-bodied wine is made from 75% Grenache, 16% Mourvèdre and 9% Syrah, hand-picked from vines averaging more than forty-five years old. It is a bright, clear ruby with complex aromas of plums, prunes, raspberries, black cherries, currants, new leather, Provençal spices and a trace of black pepper. In the mouth it is fresh and lively with surprising complexity and excellent balance. And, oh those delicate, silky Palon tannins. This wine has lots of character, depth and substance and will go beautifully with roasted fowl and charcouterie. This lovely wine is a real pleasure to drink right now and will continue be so for another five to ten years of years. 15,000 bottles made. Order some for your drinking pleasure.

2010 Gigondas Rouge - 14% Alc./Vol.                                      $31/$186 for six
 This elegant Gigondas is made from 79% Grenache, 15% Syrah and 6% Mourvèdre hand-picked from vines averaging well over fifty years of age with a miserly yield of only twenty-three hectolitres per hectare. The Syrah and Mourvèdre are aged for twelve months in new oak casks. It is a dark crimson with pronounced aromas of raspberries, black cherries, pepper, roasted coffee beans, stone and spice. It is surprisingly big and velvety in the mouth with gentle tannins and impressive length. I’d like to see another six months to a year on it to get everything in proper balance. Served just below room temperature, this impressive wine will go perfectly with magrets de canard, wild game, roasts and medium cheeses. I’d decant it for at least an hour before drinking. 12,000 bottles were  made. It will cellar well for at least ten years. Get a great southern Rhône now.

Palon Sampler - 14% - 14.5% Alc./Vol.                                    $29/$174 for six
This is a great way to try three beautiful and distinctive southern Rhônes. You get two bottles each of the lively 2010 Vacqueyras ‘Blanc du Bary’, 2009 Vacqueyras Rouge and 2010 Gigondas Rouge from Domaine Palon. Order your six pack of pure elegance now.

Vacqueyras/Gigondas Magnum Sampler – 14.0% - 14.5% Alc./Vol.            $64.00/$384 for six
This Sampler is a real treasure for the collector of large format wines. In it are three magnums each of the glorious 2009 Vacqueras and smashing 2010 Gigondas from Domaine Palon. Both wines will benefit from another three to five years in the cellar and will last for a decade or more. Quantities are limited. Get your six magnums of classic Vacqueyras and Gigondas from Domaine Palon now.


Please note that the above prices include a one dollar handling fee.

Coming soon from Arthur’s Cellar
Our next featured wines will be the vaunted Gigondas from Domaine du Cayron and then the terrific Barbera d’Asti from Poderi Rosso Giovanni.

We would be most grateful if you would pass this note on to anyone you think might be interested in some very, very good Southern Rhônes.

Many thanks and cheers,

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