Arthur Sellers Bulletin Archive
We will be taking your orders for the very tasty Châteauneuf du Pape and Côtes du Rhône from Domaine Giuliani to the LCBO next Friday, March 8th. Don’t miss this chance to get some very reasonably-priced, well-made southern Rhônes from excellent vintages.
Domaine Giuliani We first bumped into a bottle of Domaine Giuliani Châteauneuf du Pape at our old friend Christian Esparza’s wine emporium in Saint-Rémy de Provence. It was the 2007 vintage and you can see it here being respectfully cradled by Christian. It was love at first slurp! The Giuliani’s wines have since become favourites with our wine club members and local restaurateurs alike.
The Giuliani vineyards were established in 1930 and since then succeeding generations have laboured to produce the best grapes possible for the co-operative in Courthézon. But Bernard, the latest Giuliani to take the helm had grown tired of seeing others reduce the fruits of his labour to mediocrity. So, in the early 2000’s he decided that it was time to produce his own wines. His new cellars were completed in 2005 and the inaugural vintage of Domaine Giuliani Châteauneuf du Pape debuted the following year. Instead of one large property, the Giulianis own a number of choice plots totalling 8.3 hectares in prime south-west Châteauneuf locations like La Crau and Pierredon. As one would expect, they meticulously maintain their vines and hand-pick only the finest grapes for their Châteauneuf du Pape. The grapes are then destemmed and the juice undergoes traditional fermentation and spends at least ten months in oak barrels.
2012 Les Notes de Louis Côtes du Rhône -14.5% Alc./Vol. $18/108 case of six This delicious Côte du Rhône is made from almost 100% Grenache - and the Giulianis are very, very talented Grenache growers. It is a brilliant ruby colour and exhibits a pronounced, lively nose of raspberries, plums and cherries. In the mouth these persist, accompanied by black currents and hints of pepper and licorice. It is medium-bodied and wonderfully round and supple with silky tannins and surprising length. This stunner will go marvellously with savoury tarts and grilled meats. While drinking well now, it will keep nicely for three or four years. Order your extremely well-priced Southern Rhône now.
2009 Domaine Giuliani Châteauneuf du Pape - 14.5% Alc./Vol. $37/222 case of six The 2009 Domaine Giuliani is made from 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre - from vines averaging over fifty years of age situated on their best property. The Giulianis know how to grow great Grenache which is no doubt part of the reason why I adore this wine. It is a deep ruby red and aromas of ripe raspberries, cherries, cassis, smoke, garrigue and spice positively leap from the glass. In the mouth it is certainly not a timid wine. The red and black fruit persist joined by raisins, liquorice and just a hint of pepper. It is full, round, supple and long - everything a fine, young Châteauneuf du Pape should be.
I think it is drinking quite nicely right now, but ideally it should be decanted a few hours before serving (at around 16°C). It will go brilliantly with roast lamb, confit de canard, game, stews and wild mushrooms. But, I feel it will only get better with some time in the cellar which is one of the nice things about ordering by the case – try it now and try it later! Order your very well-priced Châteauneuf du Pape now.
2010 Domaine Giuliani Châteauneuf du Pape - 14.5% Alc./Vol. $37/222 case of six The 2010 Domaine Giuliani is also made from 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre - from vines averaging over fifty years of age situated on their best property. It is a deep brick red colour and offers up aromas of strawberry and raspberry jam, cherries, cassis, dark chocolate, garrigue, quince paste and Provençal herbs. In the mouth it is full, round and quite divine.
Here’s what Josh Raynolds says about it in Stephen Tanzer’s ‘International Wine Cellar’: “Deep ruby. Musky red berries and herbs on the nose, with subtle white pepper and woodsmoke accents. Lush, jammy raspberry and strawberry flavors display very good depth and sweetness, with no rough edges. Expands with air, gaining a spicy nuance and finishing with a strong jolt of red berry liqueur. 90/100”
At the present time I find the 2010 to be a little more approachable than the 2009, although both are really quite delightful after a little time in the decanter. It will cellar happily for at least a decade, likely longer. This is a perfect wine to match with roasts, confit de canard and medium cheeses. Order your beautiful 2010 Châteauneuf now.
2010 Domaine Giuliani Châteauneuf du Pape “Les Galets Jeanne” - 14.5% Alc./Vol. $45/$270 case of six This premium Châteauneuf du Pape, (produced only in top vintages), comes from specially selected parcels of vines averaging well over fifty years of age. Only the best fruit is allowed to mature and the vines are pruned regularly to permit proper ventilation in order to avoid disease and rot. The blend is 60% Syrah, 30% Grenache and 10% Mourvèdre. Eighty percent is matured in tanks and the remainder in small oak casks, all for a minimum of eighteen months. It is deep red with glints of purple and has a vibrant nose of cherries, black currants, raspberry and strawberry jam and a hint of Provençal herbs and vanilla. These aromas carry through in the mouth to be joined by notes of caramel, pepper and roasted coffee. It is full-bodied, very well-balanced and most welcoming. The tannins are soft and melt away as the finish lingers pleasantly.
Here’s what Josh Raynolds says about it in Stephen Tanzer’s ‘International Wine Cellar’:
“Deep ruby. Deeply perfumed nose offers blackberry, cassis, candied plum and vanilla. Broad and weighty, with the impressive sweetness of dark berry liqueur flavors, complicated by notes of oak spice and vanilla. Finishes long, with velvety tannins and a lingering note of candied dark berries. 91/100”
Order your big, bold wonderful Châteauneuf du Pape at ordinary Châteauneuf prices now.
2009/10 Domaine Giuliani Châteauneuf du Pape Sampler $39/$234 case of six This most decadent six-pack contains two bottles of the 2009 and three bottles of the 2010 Châteauneuf du Pape plus one bottle of the 2010 Châteauneuf du Pape “Les Galets Jeanne”. Marvelous Châteauneuf du Pape from two superb vintages. What more could a fancier of Southern Rhône wine ask for? Order your Châteauneuf treasure trove now.
Coming Next from Arthur’s Cellar – Rosé, Rosé, Rosé, Rosé While it sure doesn’t feel like summer now, it will when these Rosés work their way across the Atlantic and through the labyrinth that is the LCBO. We are going to feature four different ones, along with other offerings from their wineries, in one week time frames to make sure they get here before summer’s first blast of glorious heat. All four of these 2012s have been big hits in previous years.
First will be Domaine de Tara’s Terre d’Ocres Rosé, then the Duché d’Uzès Rosé from Domaine Chabrier Fils followed by the ever popular ‘La Soif’ Rosé from Les Vignes du Lys and Le Petit St-Jacques Rosé from Château Saint Jacques d’Albas.
Regrettably, we will not be offering the Rosés from Domaine Gavoty due to ongoing difficulties doing business with this winery.
Please pass this note on to anyone you think would enjoy some absolutely terrific Châteauneuf du Pape or Côtes du Rhône (is there anyone who wouldn’t?).
Cheers!
Jim & Hélène www.arthursellers.com jaswalker@arthursellers.com hbuisson@ofrance.ca
