We will be bringing your orders for outstanding and very well-priced Côtes du Rhône and Châteauneuf du Pape from Vignobles Mousset Barrot (VMB) to the LCBO on Friday, June 28th. Don’t miss out on these great values from the southern Rhône.

Note: The winery has informed us that the Château de Fines Roches Châteauneuf du Pape Blanc will be the 2011 vintage in that they won’t be bottling the 2012 until the fall. This is good news is that 2011 was a very good vintage for white Châteauneuf du Pape.

Vignobles Mousset-Barrot

Vignobles Mousset-Barrot is comprised of three distinct properties – Château des Fines Roches, Château du Bois de la Garde and Château Jas de Bressy. Catherine Mousset-Barrot inherited the first two over thirty years ago from her father Louis Mousset who originally acquired them in the thirties. Catherine’s husband, Robert Barrot who manages the properties is ably assisted by their daughters Gaëlle and Amélie and Gaëlle’s husband Frédéric Maillet. In 2003 the family acquired Château Jas de Bressy because of its proximity to Château des Fines Roches and for its very old vines.

Take a look at the map to the right, particularly the location of Château du Bois de la Garde in relation to the road just to the left of it. That road, D907 determines what can and cannot be designated as Châteauneuf du Pape. Unfortunately for VM-B, but most fortunately for us, Château du Bois de la Garde is on the wrong side of the road. The Côtes du Rhône and Côtes du Rhône Villages produced there are very, very good.

The 2011 vintage has yet to receive its final numeric ratings from the writers, but here’s what Robert Parker had to say about it in his ‘Wine Advocate’, issue 203, “The southern Rhône’s remarkable succession of top vintages and good fortune dates back to the 1998 vintage. The great years include the 1998s, some 2001s, some 2003s, many 2005s, some 2006s and the two greatest vintages I have ever tasted in thirty-three years of visiting the region, 2007 and 2010. Not to be forgotten is 2009, which is on a much faster evolutionary track than either 2007 or 2010. More recently are the 2011s. These wines have nowhere near the density or power of either 2010 or 2007. Nor is 2011 as consistently excellent as the 2009s, 2006s or 2005s. Nevertheless, they are charming, fruit-forward, front end-loaded, soft, round wines that are surprising high in alcohol as well as consumer friendly. From good estates, they can be very seductive. Given their fruit-forward characteristics, they should be consumed in their first 5 – 10 years of life.”

Great Wines from Great Years

Robert Barrot with daughters Amélie and Gaëlle

2011 Château du Bois de la Garde Côtes du Rhône - 14.0% Alc./Vol.   $20 bottle/$12 case of six
This ready to drink charmer is made from 65% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 12% Carignan and small amounts of Cinsault, Counoise and Mourvèdre. The vines used to make this expressive Côtes du Rhône average over fifty years of age and the vineyards are just across the road from the Châteauneuf du Pape designated appellation (same soil; just situated on the wrong side of the tracks as it were). It is a medium ruby colour with fresh raspberries, leather, white pepper and just a hint of petroleum on the nose.  Unoaked, it displays good balance, is medium to full bodied and has nice round soft tannins.  It is quite long. This is a versatile, elegant wine that will go well with most meats and cheese. You can drink it now (decant a couple of hours in advance) or keep it for the next five years or so. Order some of this easy drinking wine now.

VM-B Côtes du Rhône Sampler              $22 bottle/$132 case of six
This sampler contains three marvellous bottles each of the 2011 Château du Bois de la Garde Côtes du Rhône and 2011 Côtes du Rhône Villages. Order your Côtes du Rhône treasure trove now.

2012 Château Fines Roches Châteauneuf du Pape Blanc - 13.5% Alc./Vol.   $36 bottle/$216 case of six
This classy white is made up of 50% White Grenache, 20% Bourboulenc, 20% Clairette and 10% Roussanne from vines averaging over twenty-five years of age. A clear golden straw colour, it has a nose of pineapples, pears, white flowers, apricots and honey. It is beautifully balanced in the mouth – smooth, rich and harmonious. It would be delicious with grilled fish, white meat such as veal, and young Chevre. This is a truly lovely white Châteauneuf du Pape that will get even better over the next year or two. You simply won’t find a better white Châteauneuf du Pape at this price. Order your six-pack of pure pleasure now.

2010 Château Fines Roches Châteauneuf du Pape Rouge - 14.5% Alc./Vol.   $36 bottle/$216 case of six
First rate Châteauneuf for well under $40? Rare, but it happens. The 2010 Château des Fines Roches is made of equal parts Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre from forty year old vines. The wine is aged for a year in two to three year old oak barrels. It is a deep ruby and displays aromas of sweet red fruit, exotic spices and a delicate note of vanilla. It is pleasant in the mouth, exhibiting soft, round tannins, medium body and length. This wine can be drunk now, after a few hours in the decanter or in eight to ten years when it will develop aromas of cocoa beans and more vanilla. It would be delightful with game or a coq au vin – and with Black Forest cake or any other chocolate dessert! Order your bargain Châteauneuf from a great year now.

2009 Cuvée Fines Roches Châteauneuf du Pape Rouge - 14.5% Alc./Vol.   $56 bottle/$336 case of six
The Cuvée Fines Roches is the flagship of the VMB fleet. 2009 was a terrific vintage in southern France and it shows in this big, brooding Châteauneuf du Pape. Made from equal parts Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre from the best fruit of the forty year old vines, it saw twelve months of aging in two and three year old oak barrels and foudres. It is a dark ruby colour and exhibits powerful aromas of exotic spices, red berries and a delicate hint of vanilla on the nose. In the mouth it is full and round with great finesse and structure. The tannins are quite pronounced which indicates good aging potential although it tastes pretty darn good right now after a few hours in the decanter. It would be a delight with any hearty stew or wild game. Add some of this wonderful wine to your collection.

Château des Fines Roches Rouge Vertical Sampler                        $40 bottle/$240 case of six
This is a real treat (and a wonderful gift for the Châteauneuf du Pape afficianado).  You get one bottle each of the 2010, 2009, 2007, 2004, 2003 and 2001 Château des Fines Roches Rouge Châteauneuf du Pape. Just think of the tasting party you could have with this Châteauneuf treasure trove. And, only $40 the bottle! Order your half dozen bottles of Châteauneuf du Pape heaven now.

Cuvée Fines Roches Rouge Vertical Sampler                                  $58 bottle/$348 case of six
Normally one would have to inherit such a fabulous collection of Châteauneuf du Pape, but thanks to Amélie you can get six great vintages of her premium wine right now: one bottle each of the 2009, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004 and 2001 vintages. Order a cellar cornerstone now!

Château des Fines Roches Rouge Magnums
We have secured a limited number of Château des Fines Roches rouge magnums from the very best vintages. Seize this opportunity to get some really rare bottles of glorious Châteauneuf du Pape and very decent prices. 

Amélie also has magnums for the same vintages available for the Cuvée Fines Roches at significantly higher prices. Please get in touch we me if you are interested.      

Please note that the above prices include a small handling fee.

Coming Next from Arthur’s Cellar – Domaine de Poulvarel

Domaine de Poulvarel in the Costières de Nîmes make truly terrific red and white wines and they are very, very well-priced. If the came from the Côtes du Rhône a few short miles away, they would cost much more. And, we will be bringing back the smashing Les Agapans Rouge, one hundred percent Grenache from vines averaging well in excess of one hundred years of age. This time it is from the superb 2009 vintage!

We would really appreciate it if you would pass this bulletin on to anyone you think would be interested in some excellent southern Rhônes and/or in joining Arthur’s Cellar Wine Club.

Many thanks and cheers,

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