We once again visited Jean-Jacques Sabon at the family’s winery in Châteauneuf du Pape in early February and tasted all of the recently bottled wines from the barrel - the four 2006 Châteauneuf du Pape and the 2007 Lirac and Côtes-du-Rhône. The southern Rhône has been on an amazing winning streak since the 2003 vintage and the two most recent are as good as any. The Grenache in 2007 was sublime. And, this is a very good thing in that all of the Domaine Roger Sabon (www.roger-sabon.com) wines are predominantly Grenache with Syrah, Mouvèdre and Cinsault playing supporting roles (with a little Terret, Counoise, Vaccarèse and Muscardin added to the Châteauneuf du Pape for good measure). The good news is that all of the Sabon wines are delicious. But, with glowing accolades from the wine press including Robert Parker deeming it one of the world’s top 50 vineyards, demand is very high. As a result, our hard fought allocations are small and are likely to get smaller in the years ahead. We will take our order for these few cases (all six-bottles) of wine to the LCBO on Wednesday, May 28.

2007 Rhône By Roger Sabon - 14.5% Alc. By Vol.                $25.00
2007 was another very good year in the southern Rhône and the Grenache was particularly blessed. The 2007 Rhône By Roger Sabon is dark ruby with a nose of red fruits and white pepper. It is beautifully balanced with great fruit and soft, silky tannins. My concluding note … “wonderful”, underscored. Unfortunately, as with the other Sabon wines, our allotment is very small. Order now to get one of only six cases available.  

2007 Lirac “Chapelle de Maillac” - 15.0% Alc. By Vol.                 $33.00
Robert Parker notes that Domaine Roger Sabon is one of only five “Excellent” Lirac producers. He goes on to say, “A sleepy village next to Tavel, Lirac appears to be emerging from the shadows of oblivion. More and more of the top estates are producing better and better wines.” My notes … magenta in colour, an awesome nose of sweet raspberries and perfume and a hint of pepper, amazing, wonderful in the mouth, very long with a beautiful smooth tannic structure. Only nine cases available. Please order now. 

2006  Châteauneuf du Pape les Olivets - 14.5% Alc. By Vol.       $46.00
Robert Parker says, “The 2006 Châteauneuf du Pape Les Olivets reveals impressive ripeness, with classic Provencal notes of toasted herbs, licorice, pepper, and kirsch liqueur. It is medium-bodied, soft, spicy and ideal for drinking over the next 6-10 years. Rating (89-91) Drink 2007 - 2017.”

Stephen Tanzer rated it 91-93. Only eighteen cases available. Order yours now.

The above prices include a $1 per bottle handling fee.

Please pass this note on to anyone you think would be interested in the superb wines from Domaine Roger Sabon.

Many thanks and cheers,

Jim & Hélène
Arthur Sellers & Company
jaswalker@arthursellers.com
www.arthursellers.com