We will be taking your orders for these scrumptious wines to the LCBO on Wednesday, January 9, 2013 – a few days later than planned so that those returning from the holidays can get their orders in. The 2005 Côte Rousse and 2007 Côte Dorée belong in any collector’s cellar while the 2006 Tradition Boisé is a ready-to-drink value that is ready for everyone’s table now.

Christine Commeyras owns and operates Domaine l’Aiguelière, located in the finest part of Les Terrasses du larzac in the Languedoc. Her wines come very highly recommended. For example, Robert M. Parker, Jr. regarded Domaine L’Aigulière as an ‘Excellent’ producer in his ‘Parker’s Wine Buyer’s Guide’. He has also rated their luxury cuvées, Côte Dorée and Côte Rousse in the mid-nineties as has ‘The Wine Spectator’.

Heavily burdened Hélène and Christine in front of 100 year-old vines!

And, Stephen Tanzer in his ‘International Wine Cellar’ had this to say, “Imagine our surprise when 20 minutes later after walking into this cellar (Domaine l’Aiguelière) in the sleepy Languedoc town of Montpeyroux, we were tasting two special cuvées (Côte Dorée and Côte Rousse) of virtually 100% Syrah whose density and sheer generosity reminded us of Guigal’s La Mouline and La Landonne” (along with La Turque regarded by many wine experts as the finest wines from the Côtes-Rôtie - they retail for hundreds of dollars per bottle). And, as it turns out, Domaine l’Aiguelière’s vineyards are located in Les Terrasses du Larzac near those of Domaine La Croix Chaptal, owned by our old pal Charles Pacaud. Charles speaks very highly of Christine and says her wines are first rate.

Enjoy the Languedoc, from Andrew Jefford:  Decanter  January 2009 (pg 21)

"...Geologically, the Languedoc hills are a synopsis of everything which makes France so propitious for winegrowing... Surely in any other country, those Languedoc hills would have been a star region; their misfortune was to find themselves sharing a nation with Champagne, Bordeaux, Burgundy, the Loire and the Rhône. And too far from Paris.

But where is the best spot in the Languedoc ? My theory is that the Terrasses du Larzac is the greatest spot in the Languedoc... Stone and slopes alone don't make for great wine - as much of Provence proves - but when skilled winegrowers grapple intelligently and sensitively with nature here, the results seem to me to have the same aromatic, textural potential as the best of the Rhône..."

Domaine l’Aiguelière

Co-founder, Aimé Commeyras

Christine’s family has been growing grapes on the Larzac plateau for generations and traditionally sold them to the local co-op. But her father Aimé, who had been president of the Montpeyroux’s growers cooperative, became exasperated by the poor quality of wines that were being produced and decided in 1987 to craft his own. So along with the noted oenologist Dr. Pierre-Louis Teissedre, he created Domaine l’Aiguelière. From the outset they vowed to make the best wines possible from their nineteen different rocky plots lying about a thousand feet above sea level in this far corner of the Languedoc. They followed organic growing principles and intervened as little as possible as nature worked its magic in their vineyards. A similar approach was taken to their winemaking; modern in technique, but guided by traditional practices. The results were sublime Syrah and Grenache based wines of unique character and distinction. In 1997 Christine took over responsibility for the estate and has followed brilliantly in her father’s footsteps ever since.

The Wines of Domaine l’Aiguelière

We are featuring three marvellous red wines from Domaine l’Aiguelière: the 2006 Tradition Boisé; the 2005 Côte Dorée, and; the 2007 Côte Rousse. These were all excellent vintages in the Coteaux du Languedoc, particularly 2005 and 2007. The latter two wines were rated as ‘grands vins’ and ‘real values’ by the highly regarded ‘Revue des Vins de France’ (Le grand vin est le vin des grandes occasions. Sa personnalité repose sur une adéquation parfaite entre son terroir, son encépagement, sa technique de vinification, son millésime et l'homme qui l'a engendré. Une valeur sûre. )

We are also offering a mixed case containing three bottles each of the 2005 Côte Dorée and 2007  Côte Rousse. All come in six-bottle cases; the Côtes are in wooden cases.

2006 Tradition Boisé – 13.0% Alc./Vol                                             $22/$132 case of six
This pure, rich, complex wine is comprised of 60% Syrah and 40% Grenache from vines averaging over forty-five years of age. The yield was a very low 23 to 24 hectolitres per hectare. It rested for almost a year in one year old Nevers and Allier oak barrels (boisé means woody). The oak provides more pronounced tannins and a definite note of vanilla on the nose and in the mouth. It is a brick red colour and offers scents of red fruits (raspberries, cherries and strawberries), blackberries, new leather, pepper, garrigue and just a hint of liquorice. In the mouth it is very well balanced, round and medium bodied with tons of pleasing flavours. Drinking beautifully now, this lovely wine will go wonderfully with lamb (chops or roast), roast beef, grilled steaks and gourmet hamburgers. I think it is an amazing wine for the price. Order your classic Coteaux du Languedoc now.

2005 Côte Dorée – 13.0% Alc./Vol                                       $42/$252 wood case of six
This prestigious cuvée is 100% Syrah that comes from sixty year old vines planted in slate-like soil. The yield is less than thirty hectolitres per hectare and the vinification lasted for 27 days. The 2005 Côte Dorée rested in new Allier oak for almost a year. A deep purple/violet colour, it presents a fine and racy aroma of candied plums, black cherries, black currants, star anise, vanilla, pepper and coffee. Ample in the mouth, it exudes silky tannins, is beautifully balanced and the concentrated finish is full of black berries, liquorice and exotic spices. Wow! It would go marvellously with game infused with truffles (or just about anything). Decant this big beautiful wine at least an hour before serving. It will cellar for years. It received a 16/20 rating (these boys rate tough, this is a very high rating for them; a grand vin) from ‘Revue des Vins du France’. Order your intense and superbly elegant, unforgettable marvel here.

2007 Côte Rousse – 13.5% Alc./Vol                                      $42/$252 wood case of six
The 2007 Côte Rousse is also 100% old vines (over 60 years) Syrah that comes from a plot featuring chalky, clayey soil. Yields are under 30 hl/ha and vinification extends over twenty-eight days. It rested for eleven months in all new Nevers oak. A dark, brooding inky purple, this wine is simply massive (a real fruit bomb as Robert Parker would say). Aromas of raspberries, blackberries, black cherries, pepper, nutmeg, garrigue, chocolate, anise, tobacco, coffee and much more leap from the glass. In the mouth it is fine and racy, concentrated and complex and oh, so satisfying. It is full, well-balanced and opulent with splendid tannins and a very long, lingering finish of spices, berries and anise. It needs to stand in a decanter for at least an hour or two before serving – ideally with some really exotic game (woodcock, wild boar or venison “cuissot de cerf sauce grand veneur”). It too received a 16/20 rating from ‘Revue des Vins du France’. Order your breath-taking beauty now.

Please note that the above prices include a $1 per bottle handling fee; a mere bag of shells considering all the travelling, wining and dining that goes into each selection.

Coming next From Arthur’s Cellar – Domaine des Terres de Velle
It seems that each year Sophie and Fabrice Laronze sell out the latest vintage of their exquisite Bourgogne Chardonnay before we get a chance to offer it. But not this year! We have reserved many cases of the wonderful, reasonably-priced 2011 vintage just for our members. In addition, we have asked the winery to release a few of their older vintages of other Burgundies to start the new year off on a festive note.

Please pass this bulletin on to others that you think might be interested in these marvellous wines from the Coteaux du Languedoc.

Happy New Year everyone and cheers,

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