Arthur Sellers Bulletin Archive
Vignobles Mousset-Barrot
Vignobles Mousset-Barrot (VMB) 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 reft, 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 ‘Wine Spectator had this to say about the 2012 vintage in the Southern Rhône – ‘Analysis: While most of France's major wine regions struggled in 2012, the Rhône stands apart. Vintners are positive after a growing season and harvest marked by dry, sunny weather and well-timed rains. “By end of August some spots were starting to show water deprivation. But a little rain at the beginning of September allowed the ripening process to conclude its course and harvest started at a normal, or maybe a tad late date,” said Michel Gassier, whose Château de Nages in Côstières de Nîmes produces a range of excellent value red and whites. Rhône vignerons have grown accustomed to a pattern of late harvests that stretch into October with good weather, allowing grapes to ripen fully even in tricky weather conditions.’
Here’s what Robert Parker had to say about the 2011 and previous vintages 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
To give you an idea of how reasonably priced the Vignobles Châteauneuf du Pape are, here are the current LCBO prices per 750 ml bottle for the wines of Château de Beaucastel:
Each of the Vignobles Mousset-Barrot wines comes in a six-bottle case, except the magnums which come three to the case. We will be taking your orders for these fine wines to the LCBO on Friday, June 20th.
2011 Château du Bois de la Garde Côtes du Rhône - 14.0% Alc./Vol. $21 bottle/$126 case of 6
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 Côtes du Rhône now.
2012 Château du Bois de la Garde Côtes du Rhône Villages – 14.5% Alc./Vol. $27 bottle/$162 case of 6
This is a very serious Côtes du Rhône Village from a very decent year that many would swear was a very good Châteauneuf du Pape! It is comprised of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah from vines averaging over fifty years of age. It is a medium purple and displays powerful aromas of raspberries and strawberries along with nuances of liquorice, white pepper and resin. No oak; just pure, luscious fruit. This is a very elegant wine with great length that combines the freshness of the Côtes du Rhône with the structure of a Châteauneuf du Pape. It will go beautifully with roasts, meats flavoured with thyme and rosemary and a wide array of cheese. Drink now or hold for up to seven years. Select some for your drinking pleasure now.
2013 Château Fines Roches Châteauneuf du Pape Blanc - 13.5% Alc./Vol. $43 $39 bottle/$258 $234 case of 6
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 Chèvre. 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 - 14.0% Alc./Vol. $42 $39 bottle/$252 $234 case of 6
First rate Châteauneuf from a stellar year for just over $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 delightful Châteauneuf from a superb year now.
2010 Cuvée Fines Roches Châteauneuf du Pape Rouge -14% Alc./Vol. $60 bottle/$360 case of 6
The Cuvée Fines Roches is the flagship of the VMB fleet. 2010 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 plus 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. 92 rated by Jeb Dunnuck in the Rhône Report (Sept 2012). Add some of this wonderful wine to your collection.
Cuvée Fines Roches Rouge Vertical Sampler $65 bottle/$390 case of 6
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 2010, 2009 – rated 93-95 Robert Parker (15% Alc./Vol.), 2007 (14.5% Alc./Vol.), 2006 (14.0% Alc./Vol.), 2005 (14.5% Alc./Vol.) and 2004 (14.0% Alc./Vol.) vintages. Order a cellar cornerstone now!
Château des Fines Roches Châteauneuf du Pape Rouge Magnum Sampler $100 $98 magnum/$300 $294 case of 3
We have secured a limited number of Château des Fines Roches Châteauneuf du Pape rouge magnums from the very best vintages. You get one magnum from each of these stellar years – 2010 (14.0% Alc./Vol.), 2007 (15.0% Alc./Vol.) and 2005 (14.5% Alc./Vol.) . Seize this opportunity to get some really rare bottles of glorious Châteauneuf du Pape and at very decent prices. Great for your cellar or as a gift for any Châteauneuf du Pape aficionado. Order your luxe large format Ch9 now.
The LCBO is the only entity authorized to sell beverage alcohol in Ontario. Arthur Sellers & Company and Arthur’s Cellar Wine Club do not sell or markup beverage alcohol, but rather, arrange for customers to purchase it from the LCBO. Our prices indicated above and on our website include the LCBO sale price plus a fee to cover the cost of sourcing, handling and marketing the wine. The LCBO’s sale prices are available on request.
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, Hélène and Kate
www.arthursellers.com jaswalker@arthursellers.com www.ofrance.ca hbuisson@ofrance.ca kwalker@arthursellers.com
