Arthur Sellers Bulletin Archive
We will be taking your orders for the truly amazing wines from Domaine de Poulvarel in the AOC Costières de Nîmes to the LCBO this coming Friday, August 10th. Don’t let the low prices, the unfamiliar appellation or the vin de pays status deter you. These are terrific wines and I enthusiastically suggest that, at the very least, you order each of the Samplers so that you too can revel in the yumminess of the Domaine de Poulvarel wines.
Domaine de Poulvarel
Domaine de Poulvarel is owned by Pascal and Elisabeth Glas. In 2004 Pascal, after working with various wine producers for twenty-five years, convinced Elisabeth that it was time to take the big plunge and create their own winery on the old grape growing properties that their families had owned for generations. The estate is located just outside Sernhac, an old Saracen village found near the majestic Roman aqueduct, the Pont du Gard. The vines are old, yields are kept low, the grapes are hand-picked and sorted and the wines are impeccably made in the new state-of-the art winery. Pascal and Elisabeth make very, very good wines that are attracting the attention of the wine press and foreign buyers. They have received 90 pluses from Robert Parker, three stars from the Guide Hachette and a Coup de Coeur from La Revue des Vins de France.
Costières de Nîmes The Costières de Nîmes was established in 1989 and is, to quote Jancis Robinson in ‘The Oxford Companion to Wine’, “… the generally reliable and well-priced southernmost appellation of the Rhône. In French wine politics, it used to be considered part of the eastern Languedoc but the climate, soil, topography – and wines – are closer to those just over the river in the southern Côtes du Rhône vineyards. This is an important zone for the production of Vin de Pays. As in the nearby southern Rhône, Grenache is an important vine variety here, and must represent at least 25% of any red (to qualify as AOC Costières de Nîmes). Syrah and Mourvèdre are becoming increasingly popular in many of the best wines and must each total at least 20 per cent of the blend. This is an appellation in transition, not just geographically between the Languedoc and the Rhône, but temporarily between a bulk wine producer and a source of genuinely characterful, well-made wines”. Excellent examples found at the LCBO are the very good wines made by Mas de Bressades.
Vin de Pays d’Oc Jancis goes on to say, “The most single important vin de pays is Vin de Pays d’Oc, which is France’s prime source of varietal wine. About 85 per cent of all vin de pays come from Languedoc-Roussillon, Provence, or the southern Rhône. The pioneer was Mas de Daumas Gassac, an internationally famous wine which is sold merely as a departmental Vin de Pays de l’Hérault. But there are now scores, if not hundreds of equally ambitious producers of vin de pays, especially in the Languedoc-Roussillon, making some of the best value wines in the world.”
The Wines of Domaine de Poulvarel We met up with Pascal and Elisabeth at ViniSud in Montpelier in February and had the opportunity to try all of their latest vintages … believe me, it was not an arduous task. We are very excited to bring you six wines from Domaine de Poulvarel – three delicious whites and three heavenly reds. In addition, Elisabeth and Pascale have created two marvellous samplers for us – one featuring their white wines, the other their reds. All come in six-bottle cases.
Don’t let the low prices, the unfamiliar appellation or the vin de pays status deter you. These are terrific wines and I enthusiastically suggest that, at the very least, you order each of the Samplers so that you too can revel in the yumminess of the Domaine de Poulvarel wines.
2011 Sauvignon Blanc – 13.0% Alc./Vol. $17/$102 six-bottle case Made from 100% Sauvignon Blanc, this stunning sipper, a Vin du Pays d’Oc has all of the pleasant Sauvignon characteristics with none of the nastiness. It is a clear, pale straw colour and has a lovely, fresh nose of pineapple, tropical fruits, spice, minerals and a hint of coconut. It tastes great too – round, full, fruity with a nice citrus finish. This wine is dangerously easy to drink. Chilled, it will go delightfully with grilled fish and shellfish. It would also be just perfect to sip while preparing a meal or enjoying the patio on a lazy summer’s day. Many who ordered the ’09 version asked for more! It recently won a Gold Medal (I haven’t been able to find out where, but will advise when I find out) and ever since te wine has been flying out the winery door. Very little is left. Order your irresistible dollop of sunshine now.
2011 Poulvarel Domaine Blanc – 13.5% Alc./Vol. $19/$114 six-bottle case This AOP Costières de Nîmes is a more complex wine than the Sauvignon Blanc. It is made from 45% Grenache Blanc, 45% Roussanne and 10% Viognier and is a medium straw colour with light green glints. This has a big nose that includes loads of lively fruit (peaches, pineapple and apricot), honey and floral scents. It is simply wonderful in the mouth – generous, unctuous, and beautifully balanced with a lovely, long citrus aftertaste. This to me is a food wine that chilled will go brilliantly with creamed chicken or fish in sauce. I challenge you to find a more enjoyable white wine for under $20! Order this expressive beauty now.
2011 Poulvarel Les Cantarelles Blanc – 13.5% Alc./Vol. $24/$144 six-bottle case This stunning Vin du Pay d’Oc is crafted from 45% Grenache Blanc, 45% Roussanne and 10% Viognier and spends eight months in small oak barrels. A clear, brilliant golden colour, it has an expressive, lively nose of peaches, green apples, pineapple, white flowers and minerals. In the mouth it is big, beautifully balanced and complex, full of finesse with a gorgeous lingering finish. It is simply screaming out to be paired with a poêlée de coquilles saint jacques persillées. This is definitely a connoisseur’s wine, but the rest of us will adore it too. Order this elegant lip smacker now.
2011 Poulvarel White Wine Sampler – 13.0/.5% Alc./Vol. $20/$120 six-bottle case Talk about refreshing! You get two bottles each of the 2011 Sauvignon Blanc, Domaine Blanc and Les Cantarelles Blanc in one handy case. This is a white wine lover’s treasure trove. Order your white wine six pack sunshine now.
2010 Merlot – 14.0% Alc./Vol. $17/$102 six-bottle case Made 100% from Merlot averaging thirty plus years of age and with a yield of less than 27 hl./ha., this Vin du Pay d’Oc is a dark ruby/purple. The pronounced nose is chock-full of raspberries, blackberries, plums, exotic spices, cocoa and a trace of new leather. All of this carries through in the mouth to be joined by silky smooth, soft tannins, excellent depth and surprising length. I loved it and no wonder it is the top selling wine at Christian Esparza’s shop. It should be drinking perfectly when it arrives in three months and will go smashingly with grilled or roasted meats, pasta dishes, charcuterie and medium cheeses. It is hard to believe that you can get a wine this good at this price; but you can! Order your marvellous Merlot now.
2010 Poulvarel Domaine Rouge – 14.0% Alc./Vol. $19/$114 six-bottle case Made from equal parts Grenache and Syrah, this AOP Costières de Nîmes has all of the savoury aspects of a top notch Côtes du Rhône to which it is closely related. It is a brilliant dark plum colour with ruby glints. The full nose is of black cherries, raspberries, black currants, garrigue, mocha, saddle leather and just a hint of pine. In the mouth it is simply hedonistic - big, smooth and round with lovely tannins and a long, lingering aftertaste that one prays never goes away. It had just been bottled when we tasted it – I can only imagine how good it is going to be in a year or two. At present it needs to be decanted a couple of hours before serving with rib steaks, roasts or game. To top it all off, it garnered the Gold Medal at the Concours des Vins Gardois. Order an incredible red wine value now.
2007 Poulvarel Les Agapans – 14.5% Alc./Vol. $39/$234 six-bottle case Ready for an extraordinary treat?? The 2007 (a wonderful vintage) Les Agapans is a very special and rare wine, released to us as a special treat for the Members of Arthur’s Cellar Wine Club. This AOP Costières de Nîmes elder citizen is made from 100% Grenache from vines averaging well over 100 years of age … talk about gnarly and 100% aged in small oak barrels. It is a very dark purple, almost inky. The aromas explode from the bottle – stewed plums and black cherries, black currant jam, exotic spices, just a hint of pepper and saddle leather. It is a real pleasure in the mouth where the aromas persist – round, full, complex, voluptuous and very long. It is drinking marvellously right now and will last for at least another decade. Sip it like good Cognac or partner it with a well-aged rib steak – crisp on the outside and not too well done inside mind. Order your smashing centenarian now.
The Poulvarel Red Wine Sampler – 14.0/.5% Alc./Vol. $22/$132 six-bottle case Your receive two bottles of the 2010 Merlot, three bottles of the 2010 Domaine Rouge and a bottle of the 2007 Les Agapans all wrapped up in one neat carton. This is a no brainer for anyone who loves well-priced, superb red wine. Order this sublime red wine six-pack now.
Coming Next from Arthur’s Cellar – Champagne Forget Brimont We want to make certain that your favourite Champagne gets here well before the year end festivities, so next up will be Champagne Forget Brimont. These wonderful sparklers are all premier cru wines with a healthy dollop of grand cru grapes thrown in for good measure. These are truly superb fizzes at very affordable prices.
Know anyone who might enjoy some amazing wines from southern France? If you do, please pass this note on and invite them to join the tipplers of Arthur’s Cellar Wine Club.
Many thanks and cheers!
Jim and Hélène www.arthursellers.com jaswalker@arthursellers.com hbuisson@ofrance.com
