Arthur Sellers Bulletin Archive
We will be taking your orders for the fine wines from Domaine de Tara to the LCBO on Monday, July 7th.
We have two additional selections to add to the list of Domaine de Tara’s list of first rate wines on offer. One of our members asked if we could obtain the winery’s two delicious late harvest wines not usually available for export – the non-vintage MI-Figue MI-Raisin Blanc (100% Roussanne) and MI-Figue MI-Raisin Rouge (100% Merlot). The answer is yes – see below for more information and to order!
Domaine de Tara
Lying at the foot of the picturesque ochre hillside village of Roussillon-en-Provence in the heart of the Lubéron Regional Natural Reserve, Domaine de Tara faces the rolling hills of the Vaucluse, Mont Ventoux and the precariously perched village of Gordes.
Domaine de Tara’s vineyards cover about 30 acres entirely within the AOC Ventoux. The AOC Ventoux is located in the south-eastern section of the vast belt of Rhône Valley plantations that stretch from Vienne in the north to Avignon. The vineyards are some of the oldest in France. Recent archaeological finds trace winemaking back to around 30 BC. The climate is Mediterranean - dry in the summer and very sunny all year round. The Mistral, the prevailing (and often maddening) northerly wind, provides the vines with remarkable natural ventilation making it easier to farm organically or with minimal, gentle intervention. Eleven varieties of grapes are authorized for the blended wines of the AOC Ventoux.
Patrick and Michèle have other careers and three children as well, so they needed someone to manage Domaine de Tara while they commuted from Milan (now Paris). As luck would have it, Mathieu Griveau, an oenologist spied the Folléa’s ‘help wanted’ ad and promptly applied. By coincidence Mathieu’s first job after graduation several years ago was at Tara. He fell in love with the property and its surroundings but moved on to Burgundy to broaden his wine making experience. But he wanted to settle back in Provence.
Mathieu made a great impression during his hour and a half long interview. At the end, Patrick asked his new regisseur if he knew anyone who could look after the commercial aspects of the business. By amazing coincidence he did! His wife Pascale, who also adored Domaine de Tara and the glorious Lubéron countryside, had been waiting all the time in their car out in the parking lot. She fit the bill perfectly and soon the Griveaus joined the Folléas and the rest, as they say is history. Patrick, Michèle, Mathieu and Pascale make a superb team. Together they are enhancing the fine wine making tradition at Domaine de Tara.
The Delightful Wines of Domaine de Tara
Mathieu takes fastidious care of the vineyards and along with local helpers (could another Patrick Folléa be in their ranks?) harvests the grapes by hand. He allows nature to run its course as the grapes mature, adding a helping hand only when absolutely necessary. Yields from the veteran vines average a low 30 hectolitres per hectare.
Domaine de Tara offer two ranges of wines. The red, white and rosé Cuvée Terre d’Ocres are fresh, elegant, richly textured wines where the grapes are quickly pressed and the juice is fermented in temperature-controlled vats. They are perfect for immediate enjoyment. The red and white Cuvée Hautes Pierres are powerful, aromatic wines that receive up to a year in oak casks (one-quarter new) and can be cellared for several years. They have recently added two festive sparkling wines, the Éclat(s) Blanc and Rosé to their lineup.
We are featuring an extensive range of wines from Domaine de Tara – the 2013 Terre d’Ocres Rosé, White and 2011 Red along with the 2012 Hautes Pierres White the 2010 Hautes Pierres Rouge and the non-vintage Éclat(s) de Tara Blanc and Rosé sparklers. In addition, there are Terre d’Ocres, Hautes Pierres and Éclat(s) de Tara Samplers. All come in six bottle cases. If you love elegant, delicious, extremely well-made wines don’t miss these ones. We will be taking your wines to the LCBO on Friday, July 4th.
2013 Terre d’Ocres Rosé – 13.0% Alc./Vol. $19/$108 case of six This delightful quaffer (Vin de Pays de Vaucluse) is made from 60% Carignan and 40% Grenache, all hand-picked in the second half of September. The wine is a delicate pink with very expressive aromas of raspberries, strawberries, soft spices and minerals. In the mouth it is fresh, tangy and absolutely smashing with rich, smooth textures and well-defined fruit sensations including a citrus finish. It will go brilliantly with Asian cuisine, salmon dishes and baked ham or serve very nicely as an apéritif. Last year’s O!France guests drank it by the bucketful as they relaxed by the pool after a long day touring Provence!. Serve around 10° Celsius. Best savoured within eighteen months of harvest. DECANTER WORLD WINE AWARDS 2014. And, hey, it’ll arrive just in time for Indian summer! Order your bottles of pure pink happiness now.
2013 Terre d’Ocres Blanc – 13.0% Alc./Vol. $20/$120 case of six Made from a blend of 52% Grenache Blanc, 25% Clairette and 23% Roussanne, this luminous, straw coloured wine with glints of light green has a refined bouquet of grapefruit, other citrus fruits, white flowers and a touch of mineral. It is clean and refreshing in the mouth with a fine balance of fruit and acidity with lingering hints of honey and citrus fruit. It will be a wonderful match for fish and other seafood, Asian dishes, poultry or just plain sipping. This is a smashing wine for the price – it will cellar nicely for up to four or five years. DECANTER WORLD WINE AWARDS 2014. Order your delightful Provençal sipper now.
2013 Terre d’Ocres Rouge – 13.5% Alc./Vol. $20/$120 case of six This gorgeous, fresh red wine is made from equal parts Grenache and with an average yield of only 35 hl/ha. It is bright garnet with ruby highlights. On the nose it exhibits lovely scents of ripe berries, blackcurrants, morello cherries and hints of toasted brioche and pepper. In the mouth it is fresh and richly fruity, balanced elegantly by soft tannins with a finish of exotic spices. Served around 15° Celsius, it will go brilliantly with roasts, charcuterie and medium, soft cheeses. It will keep quite happily for four or five years. It too has been recognized by both the Guide Gilbert et Gaillard (2013) and the Guide Dussert & Gerbert (2013). Order your beautiful, fresh Ventoux red now.
The Terre d’Ocres Sampler – 13.5% Alc./Vol. $20/$120 case of six If you don’t know which of the above marvellous Terre d’Ocre wines from Domaine de Tara to choose, this might do just the trick – two bottles each of the 2013 Rosé, 2013 Blanc and 2013 Rouge. Order your six-pack of value-priced Provençal pleasure now.
2012 Hautes Pierres Blanc – 14.5% Alc./Vol. $25/$150 case of six This very big, serious white wine is made from 56% Grenache Blanc and 44% Roussanne. With a miserly yield of only 30 hl/ha, it is aged in French oak barrels (20% new) for twelve months. I advise that you decant it at least an hour before serving! It is a light golden-yellow with amber highlights. It offers up an intense and elegant nose of grapefruit, apricots, pineapple, ripe peaches and a hint of honey and toast. In the mouth it is full, balanced and extremely pleasing with a lingering, velvety finish that contains traces of citrus and honey. Serve at about 11°C. It will go marvellously with sole meunière, fresh trout amandine, richly flavoured poultry or veal dishes, foie gras and chèvre cheese. There will be no problem keeping this for five or six years ... providing you have stupendous will power. As the ‘Guide Dussert-Gerber des Vins de France’ has said about other vintages of this wine, “Why resist?” Order your voluptuous, classy white now.
2010 Hautes Pierres Rouge – 14.5% Alc./Vol. $25/$150 case of six This AOP Ventoux is a great wine from a great year. Made from 80% Syrah and 20% Grenache with a yield of but 30 hl/ha. Hand-picked during the first three weeks of September, it matured happily in French oak (one quarter new) for a year. It is a deep purple with ruby highlights on the rim. It has an intense, rich bouquet of black currants, black cherries, plums, garrigue, spices and caramel. In the mouth it is full, elegant and very well-balanced with silky tannins and a delicious, lingering aftertaste of blackberries and spice. It will go perfectly with game, roasts and richly flavoured dishes. It will keep nicely for at least ten years and probably longer. This tour de force would be much more expensive from a better recognized appellation. It took a gold medal at the Avignon Wine Challenge (2013) and earned recommendations from both the Guide Gilbert et Gaillard - Gold (2014) and the Guide Dussert & Gerbert (2014). Order your very stylish, most delicious red now.
The Hautes Pierres Sampler $25/$150 case of six These are truly terrific wines at remarkable prices. You get three each of the Hautes Pierres Blanc and Rouge in one handy carton. Go ahead and treat yourself; you’re going to be very happy you did. Order your luxe sampler from Domaine de Tara now.
Éclat(s) de Tara Blanc – 12.0% Alc./Vol. $25/$150 case of six This elegant sparkler is fashioned from equal parts Clairette and Grenache by the ‘méthode traditionnelle’. It is a luminous pale straw yellow colour with golden highlights. The nose offers up aromas of white flowers, grapefruit and other citrus fruit and a touch of wet stone. The bubbles are refined and light and in the mouth it is most refreshing with a fine balance between fruit and acidity and leaves lingering hints of citrus fruit. Served chilled, this marvelous fizz is a great wine to ignite any party and is a terrific partner for almost all deserts. Order your party in a bottle now!
Éclat(s) de Tara Rosé – 12.0% Alc./Vol. $25/$150 case of six We just adore this festive pink sparkler. Crafted from 65% Grenache and 35% Carignan, it is made using the ‘méthode traditionnelle’. It is a delicate rose petal pink colour and sports very expressive aromas of summer berries and strawberries with a delicate mineral note. The lovely, refined, tiny bubbles presage a most refreshing and fine balance of fruit and acidity in the mouth – very clean and refreshing indeed. I can’t think of a better way to start off a summer party or to accompany your favourite desserts. Serve around 10° Celsius. Order your very well-priced festive pink sparkler now.
The Éclat(s) de Tara Sampler – 12.0% Alc./Vol. $25/$150 case of six You get three bottles each of the non-vintage Éclat(s) de Tara Blanc and Rosé. Talk about a party pack! Talk about a great price. Order your six-pack of fun and frivolity now!!
NV MI-Figue MI-Raisin Blanc – 13.0% Alc./Vol. (500 ml bottles) $50/$300 case of six This lovely sweet wine is made from 100% Roussanne picked by hand in late November. The yield was a miniscule 8 hl/ha! It is deep amber with gold highlights. It possesses a complex and refined bouquet with scents of honey and hints of sun-dried apricots. In the mouth it is most opulent and warm yet with a welcome freshness with hints of toasted hazelnuts and dried fruits (raisins, figs, prunes). This is an excellent aperitif wine and a perfect partner for foie gras, pastries and fruit tarts. It is drinking wonderfully right now and will hold for several years. Serve well chilled and revel in this hedonist delight. Order your succulent sipper now.
NV MI-Figue MI-Raisin Rouge – 14.5% Alc./Vol. (500 ml bottles) $50/$300 case of six This luscious beauty is made from 100% Merlot hand-picked in Late November. Its yield is only 7 hl/ha! This wonder was matured in French oak barriques for about 6 months. It is a dark, brooding purple and offers up very expressive scents of black and red fruits (strawberries and blackcurrants) and prunes along with hints of coffee and cacao. In the mouth it is opulently sweet with round, braced by refreshing acidity and a long, smooth finish. It is a perfect companion for ripe cheeses such as Gorgonzola, red and black fruit salads and all types of chocolate desserts. It is also perfect for after dinner sipping. It is wonderful right now and will keep happily for several years. Serve well chilled. Order your opulent mouthful now.
Coming Next from Arthur’s Cellar – Domaine la Croix Chaptal
Some of our favourite wines come from Domaine la Croix Chaptal including the robust Les Sigillées Rosé (the red wine drinker’s Rosé), the truly wonderful old vines Clairette du Languedoc (a very serious white) and of course the maestro’s marvellous Cuvée Charles (a delightfully complex, flavourful red that displays the finest elements of the splendid terroir).
Crafted by Charles Pacaud (a true artisanal vintner) from the fruit of some of the finest and oldest vines in the highly vaunted Terrasses du Larzac area in the Languedoc region of southern France, the wines from Domaine la Croix Chaptal are thoroughly enjoyed by connoisseurs around the world. Not only are they delicious, but they are very reasonably priced as well. Look for them next Friday.
Please pass this note on to anyone you think might be interested in some very special, well-priced and well made wines from the AOC Ventoux or a super, personalized tour of Provence.
Many thanks and cheers,
Jim, Hélène and Kate www.arthursellers.com jaswalker@arthursellers.com www.ofrance.ca hbuisson@ofrance.ca kwalker@arthursellers.com
