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Hélène and Charles
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It is just about time to place our next order for the brilliant wines from Domaine La Croix Chaptal. Owner Charles Pacaud recently remarked, “How about a special sale for your wine club? I need some room for my most recent production, so I will reduce my prices for the small amount of inventory I have in stock - but just till the end of April.” All come in convenient six-bottle cases and to make the April 30th deadline, we will be closing orders on Thursday, April 17th. These are really, really good wines.
2006 Rosé “Les Sigillées” - 13.0% Alcohol by Volume $18.95
A full-bodied yet subtle rosé made by the saignée method. Beautiful vibrant pink, 60% Grenache Gris, 35% Carignan and 5% Syrah. Aged in new oak. Yields are less than 40 hl./ha. Full, rich aromas of strawberries, raspberries and other red fruit along with a hint of citrus which carries through to the nice crisp finish. This is a very serious rosé that will keep for several years and will go well with pork, ham and Oriental dishes. Latch on to some for the summer months ahead.
2006 AOC Clairette de Languedoc Blanc - Vieilles Vignes - 13.0% Alcohol by Volume $19.95
Made from old Clairette du Languedoc Blanc. The grapes are all hand picked and destemmed, pressed and left in contact with the skins for a very short time. It receives traditional vinification on its lees (28% in new oak and 72% in stainless steel tanks). Total production is only 8,000 bottles. A full-bodied, fresh and very clean white wine with tantalizing aromas of butter, toasted bread, almonds and citrus fruit. Very smooth and finishes with a nice citrus aftertaste. It is a great wine to drink alone as an aperitif and will go well with shellfish, fish in white sauce or soft cheeses. Drinking well now and will evolve to a hazelnut taste in a year or two (it then will go well with white meat accompanied by mushrooms in a white sauce), and later to walnut (then it will go well with a whole range of cheeses). Get it while it lasts!
2004 “Cuvée Charles” Rouge - 13.5% Alcohol by Volume $24.95
This one has the maestro’s name on it, so it had better be good! And it is, with more than twenty glowing citations from the wine press including four stars from Guide Dussert-Gerber. Made from 38% Syrah, 37% Carignan and 25% Grenache, is unfiltered and rests in oak barrels for a full year. The yield is a stingy 32 hl./ha. This is a beautiful, complex full-bodied wine. A brooding dark ruby colour with aromas of raspberries, black currants, wild brush, toffee, chocolate, toasted coffee and kirsch. Beautiful, complex tannins and a long, lingering aftertaste. This fine Coteaux du Languedoc is drinking well now and will age brilliantly for many years. Serve with red meat, game or cassoulet. Order some of this classic, well-priced wine now for great drinking in a few months time. (One dollar less than last time offered!).
2005 “Cuvée Charles” Rouge - 13.5% Alcohol by Volume $26.50
A great wine from a great year. Made from equal parts Syrah, Carignan and Grenache, unfiltered and rested in oak barrels for a full year. The yield is only 32 hectolitres per hectare. Deep ruby with aromas of raspberries, black berries, wild brush, vanilla, toasted coffee and fine spice. It has elegant, complex tannins and a long, lingering aftertaste. Will age brilliantly for many years. Serve with roasts, game and grilled red meat. Snag some of what will surely become a collector’s.
Note: all prices include a paltry $1.00 per bottle handling fee.
Update: Hélène’s Provençal Pilgrimage
It is almost sold out - one beautiful bedroom remains available in the exotic Bastide near Avignon that will be home base for a week of hedonistic experiences - September 13 to 20, 2008. For all of the enticing details, visit www.ofrance.ca.
Please pass this bulletin on to others whom you think would like to take advantage of Charles’ special sale or luxuriate in Provence early next fall.
Cheers,
Jim and Hélène
jaswalker@arthursellers.com
www.arthursellers.com
