It is with a great deal of excitement that we bring you the superb 2010 Châteauneuf du Pape from Domaine Roger Sabon. These are extremely fine wines from an outstanding vintage created by a top notch winery. Simply stated, red wine doesn’t get much better than this. And, for world class wines, the prices are terrific; they are a fraction of the cost of equivalent Bordeaux or Burgundy. We have been able to secure a very generous allotment of these wines in a year when production was very low. However, quantities are strictly limited, so we encourage you to order early to avoid disappointment.

Robert M. Parker, Jr. on the 2010 Vintage in the Southern Rhône

“This is a great vintage that comes close in quality to 2007 in the southern Rhône. Some producers think 2010 eclipses 2007 because of the wines vivid focus and freshness. Throughout the southern Rhône, the hallmarks of the vintage are very dense purple, sometimes even blue/black colors as well as higher acid levels that have not been seen since 2004 and 2001. In fact, 2010’s paradox is that I can’t remember a vintage so concentrated, powerful and rich that also has such zesty acidity. The pHs are lower across the board than in 2009 and 2007, and the acids are higher. The downside is that following the relatively moderate to small crop in 2009, the 2010 crop was very small, largely because 30-40% of the Grenache crop (the dominant grape varietal of the southern Rhône) was lost due to a coulure and millerandage. This has undoubtedly contributed to the level of concentration in the final wines. However, if a producer usually makes 1,000 cases in a normal vintage, his 2010 production will be closer to 500-700 cases.

Weather conditions were nearly as ideal as they were in 2007 with cool nights (which kept the acids up) and warm days. There was rarely any excessive heat, and the often frequent rain events that begin with the fall equinox never materialized. Average Mistral winds were present, but not as excessive as they were in 2008 and 2007.

The 2010s will have significant aging potential, which is obvious in the level of tannins, but the tannins are sweet with exceptional elegance and finesse. The ratio of High extractive and phenolic skins to the juice has produced wines of extraordinary intensity, freshness, aromatic potential and obvious longevity. This is another great vintage that offers an embarrassment of riches for this region that has enjoyed a succession of extraordinary years. Since 1998, the top years have been 1998, 2000, 2003 (for a dozen or so estates), 2005, 2006 (which is very underrated and probably the finest value among all of the appellations of the past 15 or so years) 2007 (the greatest vintage I have ever tasted in the southern Rhône), 2009 and 2010 (which is very close in quality to2007). Add the possible trifecta in 2011, and readers can see why more and more importers and consumers are beating a path to these outstanding wines that offer a terrific ratio in terms of value and pleasure, as well as the potential for moderate evolution in wine collection.”

Domaine Roger Sabon

Didier Négron and Julien Sabon at work

This estate has been making exceptionally high-quality wines for years, but recent vintages seem to have risen to a new level of quality. Moreover, Sabon’s wines have not yet been discovered by the masses, so prices are surprisingly reasonable. Readers should be also be aware that Roger Sabon produces a very delicious Côtes du Rhône and Lirac from vineyards holding those appellations.”

The domaine occupies about seventeen hectares of prime vineyards in some of the best sites of Châteauneuf - Les Cabrières, La Crau, Courthezon and Nalys, and all with "galets roulés" the sizeable stones that soak up the sun and release the warmth to the vines at night. The vines are a minimum age of 50 years, with 90-year-old vines for the Cuvée Prestige. They are mainly Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault and Mourvèdre, but Muscardin, Terret, Vaccarèse and Counoise are also included in their Cuvée Prestige. From 1997, all of the grapes have been totally destemmed. The fermentation takes place in small cement vats and small stainless steel cuves, with pumping over and a cuvaison that lasts for 20 days at a temperature of between 30° and 34°. The wine is matured in foudres and used barriques, and receives neither fining nor filtration

The Domaine Roger Sabon Wines on Offer

We are delighted to offer you three red Châteauneuf du Pape - 2010 “Les Olivets”, the 2010 “Réserve” and the 2010 “Prestige” as well as the white 2011 “Renaissance”. Each comes in a six-bottle case. The “Les Olivet” and “Réserve” also come in magnum format – three magnums to the case. Can’t make up your mind which to select? Why not try them all in the Sabon Châteauneuf du Pape Sampler?

We have also been able to reserve a few bottles of the highly sought after 2011 Le Secret des Sabon. And, a few more cases of the wonderful 2010 Rhône By Roger Sabon have been secured.

While the winery was generous to us, quantities are strictly limited. So please order early to avoid disappointment. These wines are being offered at very favourable prices – consider that a 2010 Château de Beaucastel, rated 92-94 by Mr. Parker currently sells at the LCBO for $88.95 the bottle!  We will be taking your orders for these exceptional wines to the LCBO on Friday, September 28^th.

The tasting notes and ratings by Robert M. Parker Jr. that are included in the following listings come from Issue 197 of his Wine Advocate – 31/10/2011.

Please note that there is a $1 per bottle handing fee included in the above prices.

If you know any fanciers of superb Châteauneuf du Pape, we would really appreciate it if you would pass this note on to them.

Cheers!

Jim and Hélène
jaswalker@arthursellers.com
www.arthursellers.com
hbuisson@ofrance.ca
www.ofrance.ca