Arthur Sellers Bulletin Archive
We’ll be taking your orders for the Grenache-driven and very well-priced Châteauneuf du Pape from Domaine Giuliani to the LCBO next Friday, November 21st. We have been able to ferret out a few more bottles of their superb 2011 Châteauneuf du Pape (Gold Medal - Concours Orange 2013) and have reserved a good supply of its delightful 2012 successor. We have also secured some more of the Giuliani’s premium Châteauneuf du Pape, the cuvée “Les Galets Jeanne” which is produced only in stellar vintages like 2012. Want to try all of these delightful Châteauneuf du Pape? Bernard and Aline have created the Giuliani Châteuneuf Rouge Sampler just for you. We sampled these wines just a couple of months agao and loved them.
Domaine Giuliani
The Giuliani vineyards were established in 1930 and since then succeeding generations have laboured to produce the best grapes possible for the co-operative in Courthézon. But Bernard, the latest Giuliani to take the helm, had grown tired of seeing others reduce the fruits of his labour to mediocrity. So, in the early 2000’s he decided that it was time to produce his own wines. His new cellars were completed in 2005 and the inaugural vintage of Domaine Giuliani Châteauneuf du Pape debuted the following year. Instead of one large property, the Giulianis own a number of choice plots totalling 8.3 hectares in prime south-west Châteauneuf locations like La Crau and Pierredon. As one would expect, they meticulously maintain their vines and hand-pick only the finest grapes for their Châteauneuf du Pape. The grapes are then destemmed and the juice undergoes traditional fermentation and spends at least ten months in oak barrels.
The Domaine Giuliani Wine on Offer
2011 Châteauneuf du Pape Rouge - 14.5% Alc./Vol. $37/222 case of six The 2011 Domaine Giuliani is made from 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre - from vines averaging over fifty years of age situated on their best property. The Giulianis know how to grow great Grenache which is no doubt part of the reason why I adore this wine. It is a deep ruby red and aromas of ripe raspberries, cherries, cassis, smoke, garrigue and spice positively leap from the glass. In the mouth it is certainly not a timid wine. The red and black fruit persist joined by dark chocolate, liquorice and just a hint of pepper. It is full, round, supple and long - everything a fine, young Châteauneuf du Pape should be.
I think it is drinking quite nicely right now, but ideally it should be decanted a few hours before serving (at around 16°C). It will go brilliantly with roast lamb, confit de canard, game, stews and wild mushrooms. But, I feel it will only get better with some time in the cellar which is one of the nice things about ordering by the case – try it now and try it later! It has already won a gold medal at the Concours Orange 2013. Order your very well-priced Châteauneuf du Pape now.
2012 Châteauneuf du Pape Rouge - 14.5% Alc./Vol. $37/222 case of six The 2012 Domaine Giuliani is also made from 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre - from vines averaging over fifty years of age. It is a deep brick red colour and offers up aromas of strawberry and raspberry jam, cherries, cassis, dark chocolate, garrigue, quince paste and Provençal herbs. In the mouth it is full, ample and quite divine. I find it slightly rounder and fruitier at this stage then the excellent 2011 vintage.
John Livingston-Learmouth says this about it: “Dark red; broad, liqueur fruit aroma of full notes – it is sun-soaked, shows mulled fruits such as blackcurrant and blackberry, is weighty. There is also a liqueur fruiting on the palate, a slight hum of power in its centre, the tannins smoothly inset. Violet and peony, floral touches appear on the aftertaste, which glows. Quite a big production overall. From late 2015.”
I find the 2012 to be really quite delightful after a little time in the decanter. It will cellar happily for at least a decade, likely longer. This is a perfect wine to match with roasts, confit de canard and medium cheeses. Order your beautiful 2012 Châteauneuf now.
2012 Châteauneuf du Pape Rouge “Les Galets Jeanne” - 14.5% Alc./Vol. $47/$282 case of six This premium Châteauneuf du Pape, (produced only in top vintages), comes from specially selected parcels of vines averaging well over fifty years of age. Only the best fruit is allowed to mature and the vines are pruned regularly to permit proper ventilation in order to avoid disease and rot. The blend is 60% Syrah, 30% Grenache and 10% Mourvèdre. Eighty percent is matured in tanks and the remainder in small oak casks, all for a minimum of eighteen months. It is deep red with glints of purple and has a vibrant nose of cherries, black currants, raspberry and strawberry jam and a hint of Provençal herbs and vanilla. These aromas carry through in the mouth to be joined by notes of caramel, pepper and roasted coffee. It is full-bodied, very well-balanced and most welcoming. The tannins are soft and melt away as the finish lingers pleasantly. Order your big, bold wonderful Châteauneuf du Pape, at ordinary Châteauneuf prices, now.
Domaine Giuliani Châteauneuf du Pape Rouge Sampler $39/$234 case of six This most decadent six-pack contains two bottles each of the 2011 and 2012 Châteauneuf du Pape plus two bottles of the 2012 Châteauneuf du Pape “Les Galets Jeanne”. Marvelous Châteauneuf du Pape from two superb vintages. What more could a fancier of Southern Rhône wine ask? Order your Châteauneuf treasure trove now.
Coming Next from Arthur’s Cellar – Gold Medal, Well-Priced Cab from Les Cuvées du Firmament
Frank Léonor has done it again with his 2012 Cuvée Horizon Cabernet Sauvignon, a gold medal winner from the Concours International des Cabernets 2014. We have reserved some of it for your drinking pleasure … at only $17 the bottle. Marvellous stuff for the stews and other winter fare we’ll be enjoying during the frigid months to come!
Please pass this note on to anyone you think would enjoy some absolutely terrific, well-priced Châteauneuf du Pape or Côtes du Rhône (is there anyone who wouldn’t?).
Cheers!
Jim & Hélène www.arthursellers.com jaswalker@arthursellers.com www.ofrance.ca hbuisson@ofrance.ca
