Arthur Sellers Bulletin Archive
We’ll be taking your orders for the wonderful wines from Château Saint-Jacques d’Albas to the LCBO this coming Friday, January 23rd. Owner Graham Nutter and his skilled team craft many terrific wines (gold medals for both their 2011 and 2012 Le Château) from their estate in the Minervois apppellation of southern France. These are truly delightful wines that have been thoroughly enjoyed by our Members over the past nine years. And, they are outright steals, not because our old friend Graham Nutter is particularly generous (actually, he is), but because the wines come from the unheralded Languedoc-Roussillon wine region of southern France. If these marvellous wines were to come from the Rhône Valley, Bordeaux or Burgundy, they would considerably be dearer.
Château Saint-Jacques d’Albas
The Languedoc-Roussillon is the largest wine-growing area in the world (a third again more productive than all of Australia). The appellation has a well- deserved reputation for “vin ordinaire” but it also contains oases of high quality wines that are exceptional values. The Minervois is an appellation in the north-western section of the Languedoc and a source of particularly excellent red wines, a fact often proclaimed by contributors to the ‘Wine Spectator’ and ‘Decanter’ magazines. Attention to soil quality, low yields, hand-harvesting and temperature-controlled fermentation can produce wines that are truly exceptional – just like those at Château Saint-Jacques d’Albas.
The Wines
The two Petit Saint-Jacques and Clos de Garric are ready to drink straight away and come in handy screw-top bottles … as they should.
We will be bringing your orders to the LCBO on Friday, January 23rd.
2014 Le Petit Saint-Jacques Rosé – 13.0% Alc./Vol. $16/$96 case of 6 This is an elegantly fruity and refreshing rosé made from 50% Syrah, 25% Grenache and 25% Mourvèdre. Yields were kept under 35 hl/ha. The grapes were all hand-picked and 100% destemmed. A beautiful salmon hue, this crisp, dry, surprisingly complex wine is a perfect summer sipper destined for the back patio or cottage dock. And, is it a delightful companion for Oriental cuisine, baked ham and salmon. This is a terroir-driven, genuine Rosé, not some concocted blush for mass distribution. Don’t let the screw top put you off – it helps you get to the inner goodness that much quicker! Order now and beat the rush for next summer!
2014 Le Petit Saint-Jacques Blanc – 12.5% Alc./Vol. $17/$106 case of 6 This is the sixth year that Ch. St-Jacques d’Albas has offered this wine and what a pleasure it is!! Made from 50% Vermentino (Rolle), 40% Viognier and 10% Roussanne, it is wonderfully complex and aromatic for a little wine. Yields were kept under 35 hl/ha. The grapes were all hand-picked and 100% destemmed. Straw yellow, it exhibits aromas of peaches, wet pebbles and white flowers and finishes with a crisp, dry tang – perfect for shellfish or simply slurping whilst making supper. Order this little white wine gem now.
2013 Clos de Garric Rouge – 13.5% Alc./Vol. $16/$96 case of 6 This over-achieving little beauty is made from equal parts Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre. Basically, this wine is made from younger vines with all of the care and attention that goes into the more senior St-Jacques reds (no oak). Yields are about 35 ha/hl, with mechanical harvesting and 100% destemming. This is a very easy drinking red with good structure and balance. It has aromas of red and black berries, black currants, Provençal spices and a trace of mocha that carry through in the mouth. Of moderate length, it is a lot of wine for the money. It would be ideal with pizza, pasta dishes and roast chicken. Order this lovely, lively lip-smacker now.
Le Petit Saint-Jacques Sampler – 12.5 - 13.5% Alc./Vol. $17/$102 case of 6 Two bottles each of the 2014 Le Petit Saint-Jacques Rosé and Blanc along with two bottles of the 2012 Clos de Garric - all for only $102. This is a vinous no-brainer if ever there was one!! Order your six-pack of pure fun now.
2012 Le Domaine – 13.5% Alc./Vol. $19/$114 case of 6 This has become THE favourite wine of a good number of our Members. This edition of Le Domaine AOC Minervois rouge from a very good vintage is made from 60% Syrah, 20% Grenache and 20% Mourvèdre and is as yummy as ever (maybe even more so). The yields were kept to 35 hectolitres/hectare. The grapes were all hand-picked and 100% destemmed. The wine has been traditionally fermented and the Syrah aged in oak barrels for more than six months. This beauty offers up a rich and complex bouquet of red fruits, savoury spices, wet pebbles and new leather. It is smooth and generous on the palate, underpinned by soft tannins. It will go wonderfully with grilled or roasted meats and spicy dishes. This is a very expressive, well balanced wine that is drinking well now and will keep quite happily for several years. Order your supply of our Members’ favourite now – excellent value.
2011 Le Château – 14.5% Alc./Vol. $23/$138 case of 6 This excellent wine from a very good vintage is made from 60% Syrah and 40% Grenache that luxuriated for 12 months in oak. Yields were kept under 35 hl/ha. The grapes were all hand-picked and 100% destemmed. This easy drinking, classy, medium-bodied wine is deep ruby with a taste of ripe raspberries, black currants, liquorice, Provençal spices, black pepper and a hint of vanilla. It exhibits a fine balance of fruit and lush, velvety tannins. It will pair superbly with roasts, poultry and casseroles. A lot of wine for the buck, it will cellar well for at least five to seven years. . It took the "Grand Gold Medal" earlier this year at the Concours Mondiale de Bruxelles 2014. Order your six-pack of pure drinking pleasure now
2012 Le Château – 14.0% Alc./Vol. $23/$138 case of 6 Like the 2011, this terrific wine is made from 60% Syrah and 40% Grenache that rested for 12 months in oak. Yields were kept under 35 hl/ha. The grapes were all hand-picked and 100% destemmed. It is a clear medium ruby with purple glints and offers up rich aromas of raspberries, strawberries, cherry jam, black currants, tobacco, spices and vanilla. In the mouth, it is elegant, generous and very well balanced. It too is medium-bodied with lovely soft tannins and a lingering aftertaste. It recently won a Gold Medal at the International Wine Challenge 2015. The tasting panel’s comments were, “luscious blackberry and vanilla aromas, leading into a superbly smooth and elegant palate. Very classy.” Order your magnificent Minervois now.
2010 La Chapelle – 14.5% Alc./Vol. $37/$222 case of 6 This is definitely the king of Château Saint Jacques d’Albas. Made from 98% old vines Syrah (aged in oak casks for 12 to 18 months!) and 2% old vines Carignan, it is reminiscent of both a fine Côte Rôtie and a smashing Aussie Shiraz. Yields were under 35 hl/ha, the grapes hand-picked and 100% destemmed. An inky dark red colour, black currents dominate the nose with hints of red berries, new leather, pepper, mocha, tobacco, vanilla and just a hint of mint. It is a real mouthful of pleasure, well-balanced, long and satisfying. Best kept for at least a couple of years before slurping contentedly. Only 3,500 bottles made. Rated 91/100 by Gilbert et Gaillard. Order your case of hedonistic delights now.
Graham’s Luxe Red Sampler – 13.5 - 14.5% Alc./Vol. $25/$150 case of 6 A great way to try Graham’s senior reds – one bottle of the 2012 Le Domaine, two each of the 2011 and 2012 Le Château and a glorious bottle of the 2010 La Chapelle. Order your little collection of superb Minervois reds now.
Coming Next from Arthur’s Cellar – the Treasures from La Gramière
Amy Lillard and Matt Kling, a most delightful and independent American couple, have been crafting truly marvellous red wines in the Southern Rhône since 2005. Here’s how they describe their wonderful adventure, “A small two-person winery in the Southern Rhône, farming organically, vinifying naturally, living the good life in southern France.
We love their natural, satisfying wines and many of our members do as well. We particularly enjoyed the 2011 La Gramière (green Label) and the 2009 ‘Peter’s Vineyard’ as well, so we asked Amy if she could pull a few more bottles out of her ‘library’. She kindly agreed. So, we’ll also be bringing you them along with the delicious 2011 vintage of the pure old vines Grenache (and a six-bottle sample of all three). Watch for them next week!
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.
Please pass this note on to anyone you think might be interested in some great wines from the Minervois at very special prices.
Many thanks and cheers,
Jim, Hélène and Kate www.arthursellers.com jaswalker@arthursellers.com www.ofrance.ca hbuisson@ofrance.ca kwalker@arthursellers.com
