AOC Limoux

For centuries Limoux has produced white wines that sparkle naturally after a second fermentation. They became known as Blanquette de Limoux, Blanquette simply meaning ‘white’ in the Occitan language. Locals claim that fermentation in the bottle was developed here long before it was practised in Champagne; dating the production of cork-stoppered sparkling wines at the Abbey of St.-Hilaire from 1531.

Caryl and Jan Panman, Jim and Bruno

In 1993 the AOC Limoux appellation was revised to include Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay in addition to the traditional Mauzac. Vinification in oak is mandatory. The region’s vineyards are so much higher, cooler and further from the Mediterranean influence than any other Languedoc appellation that the INAO authorities classify it as part of the Atlantic-influenced South-West France rather than as part of Languedoc-Roussillon. The traditional grape variety is the Mauzac, locally called Blanquette, but increasing amounts of Chardonnay and to a lesser extent, Chenin Blanc have been planted.

The Exceptional Wines of Château Rives-Blanques

We are delighted to offer you eight very, very good wines from Château Rives-Blanques, three sparkling wines and five delicious still white wines. In addition, the winery has created two sampler cases for Arthur’s Cellar Wine Club – The Limoux Effervescent Sampler and the Limoux Still White Sampler – I recommend getting at least both samplers to see for yourself how superb the wines of Ch. Rives-Blanques are. All of these fine wines come in six-bottle cases.

Jancis Robinson, the highly respected English wine writer is a big fan of the wines of Limoux and Château Rives-Blanques in particular. See her article in the Financial Times of London for the full story.

The prices below include our one dollar per bottle handling fee.

The Sparkling wines from Château Rives-Blanques:

2010 Blanquette de Limoux (12.5% Alc./Vol.)                           $24/$144 case of six
The world's oldest sparkler is still made to this very day in Limoux, under the strictest AOC rules. Blanquette de Limoux is the oldest appellation in Languedoc-Roussillon (declared in 1938), and one of the first in France. It has the lowest permitted maximum yield of any sparkling wine in the country, and is made exclusively from hand harvested grapes. Made from 90% Mauzac and 10% Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc, it is a beautiful luminous light yellow colour. The deep nose mixes fruity notes and lightly toasted touches of vanilla. The mouth is seductively round, full and deep. It goes wonderfully with pan fried trout, shellfish and oriental cuisine. It has won numerous medals and awards and has been a huge success at our various dinners and tastings. “Light, fresh nose with real bite and length – well done, very refreshing” – Jancis Robinson. “A great Champagne substitute” – Steven Spurrier – Decanter.  Order your party in a bottle now.

The Still White Wines from Château Rives-Blanques:

2011 Le Chardonnay du Domaine (13.0% Alc./Vol.)                    $17/$102 case of 6
This little beauty, a vin de pays Haute Vallée de l'Aude, made from 90% Chardonnay and 10% Chenin Blanc is the work horse of the Château Rives-Blanques stable. Don’t let the screw top put you off – it helps keep the wine fresh and youthful. And, 2011 is a great vintage!

Tasting Notes from Cees Van Casteren, Dutch wine writer - “Clean, green-glazed light yellow in colour. Rich aromas of golden delicious apples, peach blossom and clover honey. A floral touch. Also round and ripe in the mouth, with peaches and apricots, good freshness and length. Excellent aperitif wine, also to accompany salad-based meals, pastas, roast chicken with tomatoes, thyme and blanched onion.”
“Scrumptuous” – The Spectator.
Order this lovely, value priced wine now.

2010 Dédicace - Chenin Blanc (13.0% Alc./Vol.)                         $24/$144 case of 6
Dédicace, made from 100% Chenin Blanc is a "modern style of wine" that has been made from 30 year old vines. Until recently it was the only Chenin Blanc with appellation status in the whole of Southern France. It has distinguished itself as one of the most interesting white wines from the region. Fermented and matured for six months in 8% new French oak barrels, it is pale gold with green highlights. Its aromas are quince, green apples, pineapple, wood, vanilla and soft spices and in the mouth it is big and aromatic, quite typically chenin (honey, lime-blossom). You will be conquered by the depth, the elegance and the balance of this wine with its long and fresh finish, lifted by an agreeable touch of bitter.

"Gorgeous ... an absolute delight" - Jane MacQuitty, London Times
" A distinguished chenin" - Guide Dussert-Gerber
"The finest chenin outside the Loire I have ever encountered" - Chris Kissack, The Wine Doctor

Order your classy Chenin now.

2011 Cuvée de l’Odyssée - Chardonnay (13.7% Alc./Vol.)             $24/$144 case of 6
Only hand-selected grapes from the top Chardonnay fields, arguably amongst the best in Limoux are used in the production of this outstanding Chardonnay. Fermented in French oak barrels, followed by 6 months maturation in the barrel (1/3 new), it is a brilliant yellow gold with light straw-coloured reflections. The nose is intense and charming characterised by soft notes of perfumed citrus fruit, vanilla, caramel and oak. The mouth is silky, full and marvellously textured. The freshness is carried by citrus and noticeable tannins. The Panmans suggest that this wine be decanted prior to serving.

Cuvée de l'Odyssée has been listed amongst the best wines of the year in France for the past five years in a row by La Revue du Vin de France and was included in the dream wine list drawn up by the three Best Sommelier in the World winners.
"Soft-edged, smooth, round ..." - Oz Clarke
"This chardonnay charms the senses" - 1,000 Vins du Monde selected by Oenologues de France
"An excellent cuvée of brilliant gold" - Guide Hachette des Vins
Gold Medal – Chardonnay du Monde.

Order some of this truly superb Chardonnay now.

2010 Le Limoux (13.5% Alc./Vol.)                                                  $24/$144 case of 6
This is a new white from Château Rives-Blanques – a blend of Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc and Mauzac under screwcap. The AOC also requires that all the grapes be hand-picked and the wine be fermented and matured in oak barrels. On the nose there is more than a note of sweetness with aromatic pear, peach and green apple character. In the mouth it is full and sweetly endowed with notes of jasmine over the pear. It is full, aromatic, balanced and floral – an ideal companion for a good pâté.

Here’s what a Dutch wine writer says about it “It's a wine that goes beyond a simple 'smells like white peaches' definition. It has so much on board that connoisseurs will call it 'complex'.  That doesn't mean difficult, it means well endowed.  Above all, this is wine; wine that trembles like a leaf, with overtones of a strung violin. Do I hear Mozart? No, it's Poulenc.” Great stuff! Order this opulent beauty now.

Coming Next from Arthur’s Cellar – the Classic 2010 Châteauneuf du Pape from Domaine Roger Sabon

We are thrilled to bring you three Parker 90+ Châteauneuf du Pape from Domaine Roger Sabon – the 2010 Les Olivets, Réserve and Prestige. These are real collectors’ items. There will also be more of the 2010 Rhône By Roger Sabon and we will be introducing the 2011 Lirac By Roger Sabon.