We are taking our orders for the fine wines of Château Rives-Blanques and Château Saint Jacques d’Albas to the LCBO next Thursday, May 22^nd.

Château Rives-Blanques (www.rives-blanques.com)

2006 Blanquette de Limoux - (12.5% Alc. by Vol.)                            $27.00 ($102 for a case of six)
This special effervescent wine 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 this most festive wine now.

2007 Le Chardonnay du Domaine - (13.5% Alc. by Vol.)              $17.00 ($204 for a case of twelve)
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 ($288 for a case of twelve)
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 Dusser-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 - (13.0% Alc. by Vol.)                 $24.00 ($288 for a case of twelve)
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 ($300 for a case of twelve)
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.

Château Saint Jacques d’Albas (www.chateaustjacques.com)

2007 Rosé - (13.5% Alc. by Vol.)                                                  $17.00 ($204 for a case of twelve)
This fresh dry beauty is made of equal parts Syrah and Grenache. It has a wonderful, vibrant colour and a full fruity aroma. It tastes of strawberries and raspberries and has a nice, crisp lively finish. It is a splendid apéritif, and goes well with mixed grills, paella and Asian cuisine. This is the tastiest, fullest Rosé yet from this winery ... highly recommended. Order some now.

2005 Le Domaine Minervois Red - 13.5% Alc. by Vol.                 $19.00 ($228 for a case of twelve)
From the glorious 2005 vintage, this edition of "Domaine" is made of 20% Syrah, 40% Grenache and 40% Carignan. It has been traditionally fermented for over twenty days and the Syrah aged in barrels for more than six months. This is a very expressive, well balanced wine that is drinking well now and will keep quite happily for several years. It is a Wine of the Month for May at Jake's in Burlington (just south of the QEW on Walkers Line) if you would like to try some before ordering.  Order some now.

2004 Le Château Minervois Red - 13.5% Alc. by Volume                  $27.00 ($162 for a case of six)
This beauty is made from 60% Syrah and 15% each of Grenache and Carignan. The Syrah rests for 12 months on oak. Yields are a miserly 35 hl/ha. This easy drinking, medium-bodied wine is deep ruby with a taste of ripe raspberries, liquorice, Provençal spices, black pepper and a hint of vanilla. Acclaimed by Jancis Robinson, it exhibits a fine balance of fruit and plush, velvety tannins. This goes wonderfully with roasts, poultry and casseroles. Gold Medal - Macon 2007 and Concours des Grands Vins, Languedoc Roussillon 2007. One of James Lawther's Top 10 Minervois to Try, Decanter, March 2008. Order some now.

2004 La Chapelle Minervois Red - 13.5% Alc. by Vol.                       $41.00 ($246 for a case of six)
The 2004 vintage has more structure and is a little less fruit forward than the 2003 version. It is a classic Minervois heavyweight, comprised of 96% Syrah (barrel-aged for 18 months) and 4% Carignan. Made from old vines, it is drinking beautifully now and will keep for many years. Jancis Robinson consistently includes the "La Chapelle" in her lists of '50 Great Value Reds'. It will amaze and delight the most discerning collector. Gold Medal; Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2007. Order some now.

The Red Wine Sample Case - 13.5% Alc. by Vol.                        $24.50 ($294 for a case of twelve)
A great way to try all three of the memorable reds from Château Saint Jacques d'Albas: 6 bottles of 2005 Le Domaine; 4 bottles of 2004 Le Château, and; 2 bottles of the splendid 2004 La Chapelle. Order some now.

The Complete Sample Case - 13.5% Alc. by Vol.                        $21.25 ($255 for a case of twelve)
What a dandy way to try all four of the wonderful Minervois wines from Château Saint Jacques d'Albas: 4 bottles of the very refreshing 2007 Rosé; 4 bottles of the crowd-pleasing 2005 Le Domaine; 3 bottles of the acclaimed 2004 Le Château, and; 1 bottle of the flagship 2004 La Chapelle. Order some now.

The above prices include a $1 per bottle handling fee

Hélène still has the super luxurious master bedroom suite available for her September 13^th to 20^th visit to Provence. Visit www.ofrance.ca for all the details.

Please pass this note on to others you think might be interested in great wine from the south of France or a special visit to Provence.

Many thanks and cheers,

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