Arthur Sellers Bulletin Archive
Les Lys
The irrepressible Olivier Privat along with Eileen and Ray Monahan acquired the old vineyards and winery they renamed Les Vignes du Lys in 2008. For years the winery had sold the majority of its wines in bulk to the SAQ in Quebec. But like their good friends, the nearby Chabriers who also make excellent wines, they knew that with a little care and attention, not to mention oodles of Euros, they could produce excellent wines from the mature Grenache, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscat Petit Grain and Pinot Gris planted on their properties.
The Wines of Les Lys
We are delighted to bring back a perennial wine club favourite, the ‘La Soif’ Rosé - this time the 2011 vintage. In addition we are offering the beautifully made, crisp 2010 100% Chardonnay and the terrific 2010 Duché d’Uzès Rouge. And for those who would like to try them all, there is the Les Lys Sampler which contains two bottles of each. They all come in six-bottle cases.
2011 Rosé “La Soif” - 12.5% Alc./Vol. $17/$102 six-bottle case Strange name, “La Soif” (the thirst) for a marvellous wine whose primary purpose will be to slake your thirst during the dog days of summer. Made from Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault, it is a most refreshing, satisfying rosé that is showing gobs of red fruit with light citrus nuances and a nice crisp finish. While a fashionably pale salmon colour, this is not weak stuff made from young vines. The Syrah is between twenty-five and thirty-five years old and the Grenache thirty-five (average yield is only 35 hl./ha.). And, 2011 was a very, very good vintage for these varietals in southern France. This Vin de Pays des Cévennes comes in a handy screw-top so you can get at it in a jiffy. I love this wine! It will go brilliantly with Oriental cuisine, ham and salmon or by itself on a hot summer’s day. Order your thirst-quenching six-pack of rosé heaven now!
2010 100% Chardonnay - 13.5% Alc./Vol. $19/$114 six-bottle case Aptly made from 100% Chardonnay plucked from 20 year old vines, this is a pure drinking pleasure – no oak and minimal filtration. This Vin de pays des Cévennes is a vibrant light golden colour and offers up delicious aromas of white blossoms, peaches and just a hint of pineapples and citrus fruit. In the mouth it is fresh, medium bodied, beautifully balanced and crisp. It sports a screw-top – just as it should. This lovely white will go wonderfully with shellfish, roast chicken and soft cheese. It is also dandy sipper for whenever you feel like a wee sip. Order your sunshine in a bottle now.
2010 Duché d’Uzès Rouge – 14.0% Alc./Vol. $21/$126 six-bottle case Any time someone carefully fashions a mixture of Grenache and Syrah in southern France you can bet I want to try it, particularly when it is from a top vintage like 2010. The Duché d’Uzès Rouge from Les Vignes du Lys does not disappoint. Made from equal parts of these two succulent varietals, it is a deep purple with flashes of ruby red. Finished off with a bit of oak, it offers up lovely aromas of ripe plums, black cherries, blackberries, Provençal spices and a note of black pepper. In the mouth it is full, vibrant, fresh and surprisingly long. This Vin de Pays du Duché d’Uzès comes with a decent cork and while drinking wonderfully now, it will keep nicely for another five years. This is a big chunk of wine for the money! It will go delightfully with just about anything off the barby, roast leg of lamb or a plate of charcuterie. Order your ready-to-slurp red now.
The Les Lys Sampler – 12.5 - 14.0% Alc./Vol. $16/$114 six-bottle case Why not try all of the Les Vignes du Lys beauties? You get two bottles each of the 2011 ‘La Soif’ Rosé, the 2010 100% Chardonnay and 2010 Duché d’Uzès Rouge in this mixed case. Order your six-pack of ready-to-quaff pleasure now.
Coming Next from Arthur’s Cellar – Domaine Chabrier Fils While in Duché d’Uzès territory we thought we would bring back one of our all time favourites, Duché d’Uzès “La Garrigue d’Aureillac” Blanc, this time the 2011 vintage along with all of your other favourites from Domaine Chabrier Fils.
Should you know anyone who would like to try some terrific wines from the Duché d’Uzès, we would be delighted, nay veritably thrilled if you would pass this note on to them.
Many thanks and cheers!
Jim and Hélène www.arthursellers.com jaswalker@arthursellers.com hbuisson@ofrance.com
