It was most pleasant to open this month’s issue of ‘Decanter’ magazine (January 2012) to find that this highly respected British wine publication had rated the Château des Fines Roches Châteauneuf du Pape from Vignobles Mousset -Barrot (VM-B) one of the top three Châteauneuf du Pape for 2009! We immediately got in touch with the winery to reserve some for our Members and to negotiate what we think is a wonderful price for such an august wine - $37 the bottle.

The Winery

Vignobles Mousset-Barrot is situated in the heart of the Châteauneuf du Pape appellation and is comprised 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 more than 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 a Very Good Vintage

We have selected two outstanding VM-B wines from the very good 2009 vintage for you – the Château du Bois de la Garde Côtes du Rhône Villages and the Château des Fines Roches Châteauneuf du Pape. In addition the winery has created a sampler just for our wine club – three bottles each of the two featured wines. Each comes in a six-bottle case. We will be taking your selections to the LCBO on Friday, February 3^rd.

2009 Château du Bois de la Garde Côtes du Rhône Villages - 14.0% Alc./Vol.          $25 bottle/$150 case of six This is a serious Côtes du Rhône Village from a excellent vintage 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. Regrettably, we couldn’t reserve very much – only 150 bottles. Select some for your drinking pleasure now.

2009 Château Fines Roches Châteauneuf du Pape Rouge - 14.5% Alc./Vol.              $37 bottle/$222 case of six Top rated Châteauneuf for under $40? Rare, but it happens. The 2009 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! Here is what the twelve person tasting panel at ‘Decanter’ had to say about it - “Deliciously fruity nose with complex cherry notes. Sophisticated red with a soft, expressive and delicious fruit clarity. A good example of the vintage, it has structured, ripe tannins, fresh acidity and precise Grenache flavours. Drink: 2012-2020   18.33/20” Order what will likely be our bargain of the year!

VM-B 2009 Rouge Sampler                                                 $31 bottle/$186 case of six Having a hard time deciding which of the wonderful red VM-B wines to choose? Why not try three of each with the VMB 2009 Rouge Sampler case? You get three bottles each of: the 2009 Château du Bois de la Garde Côtes du Rhône Villages and the 2009 Château des Fines Roches Châteauneuf du Pape.  Order your half dozen bottles of southern Rhône heaven now.

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