Arthur Sellers Bulletin Archive
Hélène and I along with ‘cousin’ Robert visited the Palons in Gigondas a few weeks ago and gleefully sampled their latest vintages. It was an arduous task, but it simply had to be done. We followed up this selfless act of devotion to our wine club Members with a fine lunch in Séguret, but that is a delicious tale for another time. Domaine Palon produces wonderful, elegant wines and their most recent elixirs certainly live up to their well-earned reputation.
Domaine Palon
The estate is located just below the fairytale village of Gigondas between Orange and Vaison-la-Romaine in the heart of Provence. The property covers fifteen hectares: seven devoted to Gigondas; five to Vacqueyras; two to Côtes du Rhône, and; one to table wine. The Palons produce a very limited quantity of superb wine each year.
Domaine Palon is a real family affair with a century-long grape growing tradition. Back in 2015, Valérie and Léopold Palon were wine makers in Gigondas and their son Jean founded the Cave Coopérative de Gigondas and served as its administrator from 1956 to 1978. His son, Jean-Pierre took over the reins of the co-op in 1978 (Jean-Pierre’s wife Annie was the financial director) and ran it until 2001, all the while selling his grapes to the same co-op. When Jean-Pierre and Annie’s son Sébastien graduated from oenology school, the family decided to leave the co-op and start making their own wines. 2003 was their first vintage.
Jeb Dunnuck (Wine Advocate) on the 2012 Southern Rhônes
“Gigondas is by far the standout, with extremely high-quality 2012s. In fact, I was shocked at the overall quality of the 2012s from this appellation, and in addition to the normal spice-driven aromatics and big structure that accompanies most wines from the region, the 2012s have beautiful purity of fruit and voluptuous, rounded textures that were hard to spit. Vacqueyras was also successful, more so in 2012 than 2011, with the majority of the releases being more mid-weight, charming and upfront. As a whole, this appellation rarely gets the concentration or structure that's found in the top Gigondas or Rasteaus. Nevertheless, there is a bevy of soft and delicious wines reviewed in this report.”
The Wines of Domaine Palon
We are delighted to once again offer you the wondrous southern Rhônes from Domaine Palon – this time the 2013 Côtes-du-Rhone ‘Cuvée Esparza’; 2012 Vacqueyras Rouge; 2013 Vacqueyras ‘Blanc du Bary’, and; 2012 Gigondas Rouge. Oh yes, the 2011 Vacqueyras and 2011 Gigondas in magnums as well.
For the first time, we are able to offer both the Gigondas and Vacqueyras Rouge in half-bottles (demis). Once again, we are able to offer the Vacqueyras Rouge and Gigondas in magnum format, this time from the 2011 vintage. And, the Palons have created a Sampler for us containing three bottles each of the 2012 Vacqueyras, two bottles of the 2012 Gigondas Rouge and one bottle of the 2013 Vacqueyras ‘Blanc du Bary’. All but the magnums come in six-bottle cartons. We will be taking your orders to the LCBO on Friday, October 24th.
2013 Côtes-du-Rhône ‘Cuvée Esparza’ – 13.5% Alc./Vol. 20/$120 for 6 This is a good Côtes du Rhone from a better than average vintage. It is comprised of 69% Grenache, 16% Syrah and 15% Cinsault all hand-picked from the Palon’s vineyards in Vacqueyras and Sablet. The yield was only 15 hl/ha! It is a dark ruby colour with hints of violet. The nose is of pronounced aromas of ripe cherries, plums, fresh strawberries, garrigue, smoke, new leather, cassis and a hint of pepper. In the mouth it is big and satisfying, although at this early stage I find the tannins a bit harsher than usual. Served slightly chilled (16°-17°) it will go splendidly with roasts, grilled meats and medium cheeses. It will keep quite happily for three to five years. The production of this wine was very low and it is no longer available for sale at the winery. Order your southern Rhône now.
Regular bottles Half-bottles
Palon Southern Rhône Sampler – 13.0% - 14.0% Alc./Vol. $28/$168 for 6 This is a great way to try three beautiful and distinctive southern Rhônes from Domaine Palon. You get three bottles of the 2012 Vacqueyras Rouge, two bottles of the 2012 Gigondas Rouge and one bottle of the 2013 Vacqueyras ‘Blanc du Bary’. A taste of the Southern Rhône just doesn’t get much better than this. Order your six pack of pure elegance now.
2013 Vacqueyras ‘Blanc du Bary’ – 13.0% Alc./Vol. $27/$162 for six I love this elegant white wine. It is comprised of 82% Clairette and 18% Grenache Blanc, all hand-picked of course from vines averaging more than forty-five years old. The yield was but 13 hl/ha! It has seen some new oak, but not too much. It is a bright yellow-gold colour with a vibrant nose of grilled almonds, peaches, pears, honeysuckle, vanilla, exotic spices, toast and the slightest hint of petrol. It is very smooth and extremely well balanced – lots of fruit offset by a gorgeous acidity. It is fresh, complex and finishes with a burst of citrus. It would be perfect, served at about 8°, with oysters, other shellfish and rich poultry dishes. This is very yummy stuff indeed, very reminiscent of a top-flight Châteauneuf-du-Pape white. It will cellar nicely for at least five years. Caution, there is very little of it. Order your scarce and delicious white now.
Order your 2011 Vacqueyras magnums or 2011 Gigondas magnums 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.
It would be really spiffy if you would pass this note on to anyone you think might be interested in some very, very good Southern Rhônes.
Many thanks and cheers!
Jim, Hélène and Kate www.arthursellers.com jaswalker@arthursellers.com www.ofrance.ca hbuisson@ofrance.ca kwalker@arthursellers.com
