Arthur Sellers Bulletin Archive
We will be taking your orders for the highly rated 2009 Château des Fines Roches Châteauneuf du Pape (‘Decanter’ magazine - January 2012 rated it one of the top three Châteauneuf du Pape for 2009!) along with the lovely 2009 Château du Bois de la Garde Côtes de Rhône Village and the VM-B Sampler containing three bottles of each to the LCBO next Friday, February 3rd. Don’t miss out on these stellar southern Rhônes from a very, very good year.
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.
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!
Please note that the above prices include a one dollar per bottle handling fee.
Coming next from Arthur’s Cellar The ratings are in for the just released 2007 Brunello di Montalcino from Máté Wines and they are stellar. James Suckling rated it 93 pts and the Wine Enthusiast gave it 94 pts. We have been able to secure a good number of bottles for our Members. And, many of those who have tried the 2009 Rosso di Montalcino, 2008 Albatro and 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon have asked for more. Candace Máté has kindly set aside her last bottles for us – at the original price! We will also be offering their 2008 Merlot for the first time.
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
