Arthur Sellers Bulletin Archive
About Us
Wineries
Wines
Arthur's Cellar
Wine Club
My Shopping Cart
My Order History
My Member Info
My Shares
Join
Order
Delivery Status
Tell a Friend
Friends of Arthur's Cellar
Contact Us

Newsletter
Bulletins
Bulletin Detail
Date March 26, 2016 
Title Oh Boy! 'La Soif' Rosé And Other Fine Wines From Les Vignes Du Lys Are Back! 
Attachment  
Bulletin Untitled Page

Dear Arthur’s Cellar Wine Club Member:

We are delighted to once again bring you the expressive, well-made wines from Les Vignes du Lys. The 2015 “La Soif” Rosé (one of our favourite rosés) is about to be bottled and along with it we have a new white, the 2014 ‘Aillargues’ Blanc (which has morphed from the previous ‘100% Chardonnay’) and two reds, the 2013 Duché d’Uzès Rouge and the charming 2013 “La Soif” Rouge (both returning from last time) and have created a mixed case sampler so you can try them all.  These wines are real crowd pleasers – ready to drink and excellent values. We suggest that you load up your cellar with them!

Les Vignes du Lys

Ray and Eileen  Monahan and Olivier Privat
The irrepressible Olivier Privat along with Eileen and Ray Monahan acquired the old vineyards and winery they renamed Les Vignes du Lys in 2008. For years the winery had sold the majority of its wines in bulk to the SAQ in Quebec. But like their good friends, the nearby Chabriers who also make excellent wines, they knew that with a little care and attention, not to mention oodles of Euros, they could produce excellent wines from the mature Grenache, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscat Petit Grain and Pinot Gris planted on their properties.    
Victoria and Olivier Privat 

Ray is an Irishman and Olivier is pure laine from the Pays d’Oc. They have accomplished a great deal in a very short time to improve the vineyards and are converting to the strict organic regimen. They have also created an up-to-date wine making facility including all of the modern equipment and fermentation systems. Perhaps most importantly, they have retained the services of Emmanuel Gagnepain to supervise their winemaking. Emmanuel is a renowned oenologist who has earned 100 point ratings from Robert Parker for his work at Domaine la Barroche and Domaine Chante Cigale in Châteauneuf du Pape.

Here’s what the very critical French wine press has been saying about Les Lys:

“We have been charmed by the wines. You must come to Blauzac for a tasting but be forewarned; you will stay for more than 30 minutes! ” - Terre de Vins, January 2012

“The renaissance of a vineyard….” - Michel Bettane and Thierry Desseauve

“A remarkable addition to these pages” - Guide Hachette 2012

The Wines of Les Vignes du Lys

We are delighted to offer the 2015 ‘La Soif’, a perennial favourite Rosé … in lots of time for summer sipping. Then there is the new 2014 ‘Aillargues’ Blanc, the luscious 2013 Duché d’Uzès Rouge and the 2013 “La Soif” Rouge as well as a mixed case sampler of all four. These wines (except the sampler) come in both six and twelve-bottle cases. We want to make sure they are here by early summer, so we will be taking your orders for the fine wines of Les Vignes du Lys to the LCBO on Friday, April 8th.

2015 “La Soif” Rosé – 12.5% Alc./Vol.   
$17/$102 case of 6
 $16/$192 case of 12
“La Soif” (the thirst) is a strange name for a marvellous wine whose primary purpose will be to slake your thirst during the dog days of summer. Made from Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault from vineyards converted to organic farming in 2010, it is a most refreshing, satisfying rosé that is showing lovely red fruit with light citrus nuances and a nice crisp finish. While a fashionably pale salmon colour, this is not weak stuff made from young vines. The Syrah is between twenty-nine and thirty-nine years old and the Grenache is thirty-eight (average yield is only 35 hl./ha.). And, 2015 was a very, very good vintage for these varietals in southern France. This IGP Cévennes comes with a convenient screw cap to preserve its freshness (and make it wonderfully easy to get at!). I love this wine! It will go brilliantly with Asian cuisine, ham and salmon or by itself on a hot summer’s day. Order your thirst-quenching six-pack or twelve-pack of Rosé heaven now!

2014 ‘Aillargues’ Blanc - 13.5% Alc./Vol.     
$21/$126 case of 6
 $20/$240 case of 12
Aillargues is the small village located near the Les Lys winery. This refreshing beauty is crafted from 90% Chardonnay and 10% Sauvignon plucked from 24 year old vines farmed organically since 2010. This is pure drinking pleasure – no oak and minimal filtration. This IGP Cévennes is a vibrant golden colour and offers up delicious aromas of white blossoms, almonds, peaches, spices and wet stones. In the mouth it is fresh, medium bodied, beautifully balanced and crisp. This lovely white will go wonderfully with shellfish (particularly fresh oysters), grilled fish, roast chicken and soft cheese (Pélardon au miel). It is also dandy companion for whenever you feel like a wee slurp. Order your six bottles or twelve bottles of sunshine in a bottle now.

2013 “La Soif” Rouge - 14.0% Alc./Vol.  
$17/$102 case of 6
$16/$192 case of 12
This is the first vintage of this wine and it is a most delightful one. Crafted from Grenache, Syrah and Merlot, this splendid little sipper is a medium ruby colour and offers up lavish aromas of cherries, strawberries, exotic spices and just a trace of new leather. In the mouth it is medium bodied, nicely balanced and very pleasant. This IGP Cévennes is drinking nicely right now and will keep for a couple of years. This is a perfect companion for the barbeque or a big plate of charcuterie! Order your lovely little red now – six bottles or twelve bottles.

2013 Duché d’Uzès Rouge – 14.5% Alc./Vol   
$22/$132 case of 6
$21/$252 case of 12
Any time someone carefully fashions a mixture of Grenache and Syrah in southern France you can bet I want to try it. The Duché d’Uzès Rouge from Les Vignes du Lys does not disappoint. Made from equal parts of these two succulent varietals, it is a deep purple with flashes of ruby red. Finished off with a bit of oak, it offers up lovely aromas of ripe plums, black cherries, blackberries, garrigue and a note of black pepper. In the mouth it is full, round, vibrant, fresh and surprisingly long. This AOC Duché d’Uzès comes with a decent cork and while drinking wonderfully now, it will keep nicely for another five years. This is a big chunk of wine for the money! It will go delightfully with just about anything off the barby, roast leg of lamb (a match made in heaven) or a plate of charcuterie. Order your ready-to-slurp red now – six bottles or twelve bottles.


The Les Lys Sampler – 13% - 14.0% Alc./Vol.                                  $19/$114 case of 6
Why not try all four of the Les Vignes du Lys beauties? You get a bottle each of the 2015 “La Soif” Rosé and the 2014 ‘Aillargues’ Blanc along with two bottle each of the 2013 “La Soif” Rouge and 2013 Duché d’Uzès Rouge in this mixed case. Order your six-pack of ready-to-quaff pleasure 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.

Should you know anyone who would like to try some terrific wines from the Duché d’Uzès, we would be delighted, nay veritably thrilled, if you would pass this note on to them.

Many thanks and cheers!

Jim, Hélène and Kate/
www.arthursellers.com
jaswalker@arthursellers.com
www.ofrance.ca
hbuisson@ofrance.ca
kwalker@arthursellers.com