We are delighted to introduce the first-class, soaring white wines of Château Rives-Blanques. Why soaring? Because two of them can be found in the forward cabins of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Aer Lingus!
Château Rives-Blanques has been owned by Jan and Caryl Panman since 2001. The beautiful estate is located high in the hills south of the medieval citadel of Carcassonne and on a clear day the Panmans have a panoramic view of the Pyrenees from their immaculately maintained vineyards. They are situated on prime grape-growing land in the midst of the AOC Limoux appellation, home to the storied original sparkling wine called Blanquette de Limoux. Read all about the Panmans and their wonderful wines in the attached issue of ‘Selections’.
Since at least 1531, Limoux has produced white wines that sparkle naturally after a second fermentation. They became known as Blanquette de Limoux, Blanquette meaning simply ‘white’ in Occitan. The order at the Abbey of St.-Hilaire where Blanquette originated was Benedictine. Dom (Pierre) Perignon (1638-1715), who according to myth invented the méthode Champenoise, was a Benedictine monk and speculation has it that members of the order brought the secret with them when they migrated north. There is much debate over which area makes the best bubbly, but there can be no argument about which produces the best marketers … a bottle of the delicious Blanquette de Limoux from Château Rives-Blanques is $27.00, while a bottle of Moet & Chandon Dom Perignon currently sells for $208.00 at the LCBO!
We are proud to present the following, most delightful white wines from Château Rives-Blanques:
2006 Blanquette de Limoux – (12.5% Alc. by Vol.) $27.00
It is a beautiful luminous light yellow colour with frothy, persistent bubbles. The deep nose mixes fruity notes and lightly toasted touches of vanilla. The mouth is seductively round, full and deep. It goes wonderfully with pan fried trout, shellfish and oriental cuisine. It has won numerous medals and awards and has been a huge success at our various dinners and tastings. Order your six-bottle case of this most festive wine now.
2007 Le Chardonnay du Domaine – (13.5% Alc. by Vol.) $17.00
It is an intense straw-gold colour with aromas of spring blossoms, white peaches, laurel and nectarines. In the mouth there is also an impression of mint along with garden herbs and peaches. There is a different but nice spicy kick in a finish full of fruit. It is great as a sipper and goes beautifully with grilled white fish or roast chicken. Silver Medal – Concours Mondial de Bruxelles; Best Buy – Brussels Wine Expo. A bargain at twice the price! Order some now.
2006 Dédicace - Chenin Blanc – (13.8% Alc. by Vol.) $24.00
Until recently it was the only Chenin Blanc with appellation status in the whole of the South of France. It has distinguished itself as one of the most interesting white wines from the region. It is pale gold with green highlights. Its aromas are intense and in the mouth it is big and aromatic, quite typically chenin (honey, lime-blossom). You will be conquered by the depth, the elegance and the balance of this wine with its long and fresh finish, lifted by an agreeable touch of bitter.
“Gorgeous … an absolute delight” - Jane MacQuitty, London Times
“A distinguished chenin” - Guide Dussert-Gerber
“The finest Chenin outside the Loire I have ever encountered” - Chris Kissack, The Wine Doctor
Order some of this distinguished Chenin for yourself.
2007 Cuvée Occitania – Mauzac – (13.5% Alc. by Vol.) $24.00
Mauzac is a grape of the Renaissance, referred to in Antiquamareto's Livre de Raison of 1525, but although once widespread, it is grown today only in two appellations: Limoux and Gaillac. Cuvée Occitania is the only 100% barrel-vinified Mauzac in the appellation - and perhaps in the world. It is a golden colour with light nuances of green. The nose is fine, elegant and subtly buttery with notes of white flowers, apples, pears and ripe apricots. The mouth is complex, with a touch of honey in the finish. Pure pleasure! Cuvée Occitania has been included by La Revue du Vin de France in its roundup of the best wines of the millésime in France for the past four years in a row and awarded four stars by Decanter Magazine. The 2007 is the third vintage in a row to be chosen by KLM Royal Dutch Airlines for its World Business Class travelers. Order your first class Mauzac today.
2005 Cuvée de l’Odyssée - Chardonnay – (14.0% Alc. by Vol.) $25.00
It is a brilliant yellow gold with light straw-coloured reflections. The nose is intense and charming characterised by soft notes of vanilla, caramel and oak. The mouth is silky, full and marvellously textured. The freshness is carried by citrus and a touch of bitterness which gives structure to the wine. It is a handsome wine in a modern and technological style. Cuvée de l'Odyssée has been listed amongst the best wines of the year in France for the past five years in a row by La Revue du Vin de France and was included in the dream wine list drawn up by three Best Sommelier in the World winners. The 2005 vintage of Cuvée de l’Odyssée was selected by Aer Lingus for its Premier Class passengers. Winner of the prestigious Médaille d’Or 2007, Concours Mondial de Bruxelles and the Médaille d’Or 2007, Vinalies Internationales. Order your most unique and delicious chardonnay now.
The Blanquette comes in six-bottle cases while the four still white wines come in twelve-bottle cases. Don’t forget to use our ‘Share a Case’ feature if twelve bottles are too much of a good thing or if you would like to create a mixed case of all these grand wines. The prices above include our one dollar per bottle handling charge. We plan to take our Château Rives-Blanques order to the LCBO on Thursday, May 22nd.
We would be grateful if you would pass this note on to anyone else you think might be interested in the original sparkling wine and some wonderful still whites from Limoux.
Many thanks and cheers!
Jim & Hélène
Arthur Sellers & Company
jaswalker@arthursellers.com
www.arthursellers.com
