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Date April 21, 2018 
Title All Wine Now Available by the Bottle! 
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Dear Arthur's Cellar Wine Club Member:

With the Palons and their treasures
Progress! All our wines are now available to be purchased by the bottle on LCBO.com. This way you can order as many or as few bottles as you want and can mix and match to your heart's content. Remember that shipping is free to your local LCBO store on orders over $50. As evidenced by the photo at the right taken a couple of days ago, we are presently at the source and can vouch that all of the wines listed below are exceedingly good. 2015 and 2016 were stellar vintages in the Southern Rhône. If there is one standout, it is the 2016 Domaine Palon 'Cuvée Esparza' Côtes du Rhône (a bit of a mouthful, but then so is the wine). It is drinking like a very, very good Vacqueyras.

The LCBO's inventory systems are exceedingly problematic. If the wine you want shows "Out of Stock", it very well might not be (I won't bore you with the reasons why). If you encounter difficulties (or just want me to order for you), just drop me a line and I'll see what I can do about it. Be sure to let me know what it is you would like to order and to which LCBO store you would like it delivered.

Here we go:

DOMAINE PALON


2016 Côtes du Rhône ‘Cuvée Esparza’ – Domaine Palon – 16.0% Alc./Vol.  LCBO Product No. 479369    $20.90 per bottle

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This is an excellent Côtes-du-Rhone from a great year. Yes, that alcohol content at 16% is correct. This is a bit of a monster. It is comprised of 69% Grenache, 16% Syrah and 15% Cinsault, all hand-picked and hand-sorted from the Palon’s five acres of vineyards in Vacqueyras. The yield was only 15 hl/ha! It is a dark and lustrous ruby red with hints of violet. The nose is of pronounced aromas of ripe cherries, plums, black currants, garrigue (the fragrant underbrush of Southern France), smoke, new leather, cassis and a hint of pepper. In the mouth it is very big, round and satisfying with delicate tannins and good length. Served slightly chilled (16°-17°C), it will go splendidly with roasts, grilled meats and medium cheeses. It will keep for three to five years.


2016 Vacqueyras ‘Blanc du Bary’ – Domaine Palon - 13.5% Alc./Vol.  LCBO Product No. 479385    $28.75 per bottle

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Crafted from 80% Clairette and 20% Grenache Blanc, all hand-picked from vines averaging more than forty-five years of age. The yield was but 13 hl/ha! It has seen some new oak, but not too much. It is a clear, bright yellow-gold colour with a vibrant nose of grilled almonds, peaches, pears, honeysuckle, vanilla, exotic spices, toast and minerals. It is very smooth and extremely well balanced – lots of fruit offset by a gorgeous acidity. It is fresh, complex and rich with wonderful flavours of peaches and pears. It would be perfect, served at about 8°C, with oysters, other shell fish, fish, goat cheese and rich poultry dishes. Meant to be drunk young.


2016 Vacqueyras Rouge – 15.0% Alc./Vol.  LCBO Product No. 479377     $29.95 per bottle

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This gorgeous, medium-bodied wine is made from 75% Grenache, 16% Mourvèdre and 9% Syrah, hand-picked from vines averaging more than forty-five years of age. The Mourvèdre and Syrah were aged in large oak casks for twelve months. It is a deep, pure garnet with complex aromas of plums, prunes, raspberries, black cherries, currants, new leather, Provençal spices with a note of black pepper and cloves. In the mouth it is fresh and lively with surprising complexity and excellent balance. And, oh those delicate, silky Palon tannins. This wine has lots of character, depth and substance and will go beautifully with roasted fowl and charcuterie. This lovely concoction is a real pleasure to drink right now and will continue to be so for another eight to ten years.


2016 Gigondas Rouge – 15.0% Alc./Vol.    LCBO Product No. 479393     $32.95 per bottle

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This elegant Gigondas is made from 79% Grenache, 15% Syrah and 6% Mourvèdre hand-picked from seven hectares of vines averaging well over fifty years of age. The Syrah and Mourvèdre are aged for twelve months in new oak casks. It is a pure purple with a lustrous sheen and offers up pronounced aromas of blackberries, black cherry jam, pepper, roasted coffee beans, garrigue, pepper, clove and licorice. It is surprisingly big and velvety in the mouth with gentle tannins and a long, perfumed finish. I’d like to see another six months to a year on it to get everything in proper balance. Served just below room temperature, this most impressive wine will go perfectly with magrets de canard, wild game, roasts and medium cheeses. I’d decant it for at least an hour before drinking. It will cellar well for ten to fifteen years.

                       


DOMAINE GIULIANI

2016 ‘Les Notes de Louis’ Côtes du Rhône – 15.5% Alc./Vol. LCBO Product No. 492313       $19.30 per bottle

This glorious Côte du Rhône is made from almost 100% Grenache - and the Giulianis are very, very talented Grenache growers. And, I can’t over-emphasize how good the 2016 vintage is. This robust beauty is a brilliant ruby colour and exhibits a pronounced, lively nose of raspberries, plums and cherries. In the mouth these persist, accompanied by black currents and hints of pepper and licorice. It is big and wonderfully round and supple with silky tannins and surprising length. This stunner will go marvellously with savoury tarts and grilled meats. While drinking well now, it will keep nicely for at least three or four years.


2015 Châteauneuf du Pape Rouge – 15.0% Alc./Vol. LCBO Product No. 492321           $42.75 per bottle

The 2015 Domaine Giuliani Châteauneuf du Pape is crafted 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 and Provençal herbs. In the mouth it is full, ample and quite divine. This magnificent Ch.9 simply screams out for a gigot d’agneau or prime rib of beef. You could drink it now, but be sure to give it a few hours in a decanter; it will last for a decade or more in a storage unit or cellar.


2015 Châteauneuf du Pape Rouge ‘Les Galets Jeanne’ - 14.5% Alc./Vol. LCBO Product No. 492339         $52.00 per bottle

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. This Giuliani tour de force will go brilliantly with magret de canard, wild game and all roasts. Preferably, you won’t broach it for five years or so, but as Oscar Wilde wrote, “I can resist anything except temptation.” It will keep for many years thereafter. A marvellous premium Ch.9 for the price of a regular bottling.


2016 Châteauneuf du Pape Blanc ‘Cuvée Flora’  - 14.0% Alc./Vol. LCBO Product No. 492347        $40.50 per bottle

This refreshing white is made from equal parts Grenache Blanc and Clairette. The grapes are hand-picked (as they are for all of the Giuliani Châteauneuf du Pape). It is a pale straw colour with golden notes. The nose is full of perfume, roasted almonds, spices and grilled bread. In the mouth these scents are joined by honey and chestnut cream. It is a rich, full, beautifully balanced wine with gentle acidity and surprising length. This most pleasant white will pair wonderfully with fish and meats in cream sauce, medium cheeses and all by itself as an apéritif. It is drinking well now (do decant) and will continue to do so for several years.

DOMAINE ROGER SABON


2015 Châteauneuf du Pape ‘Les Olivets’ – 14.5% Alc./Vol.      LCBO Product No. 466267  $48.75 per bottle

Les Olivets’ comes from an 8.5 hectare plot of vines averaging 45 to 65 years of age. It is made from 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah and 10% Cinsault and is aged in oak foudres for six to eight months.

“The 2015 Châteauneuf du Pape Les Olivets is made from 80% Grenache and 10% each of Syrah and Cinsault (vines averaging 45 to 65 years of age), aged in foudre, concrete tanks and tronconique tanks, its deep ruby/purple color is followed by a medium to full-bodied, textured red that has lots of red black fruits, roasted garrigue and hints of meatiness, sweet tannin and outstanding length. This is a great vintage for this cuvée that should drink well through 2025.” (90 – 92/100) Jeb Dunnuck, ‘The Wine Advocate’ October, 2017


2015 Châteauneuf du Pape ‘Réserve’ – 14.5% Alc./Vol.  LCBO Product No. 466283    $57.95 per bottle
Made from 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre (with vines averaging sixty-five to eighty years of age), the 2015 Châteauneuf du Pape Réserve comes from two terroirs: la Crau and la Grenade. It’s aged 60% in foudre and the rest in larger oak tanks. Elegant, medium to full-bodied, with ripe tannic structure, it has lots of scorched earth, darker berry fruits, smoked herbs and licorice aromas and flavors. It’s not a massive wine, but it shines for its purity and length.” (93 – 95/100) Jeb Dunnuck, ‘The Wine Advocate’ October, 2016

I would give this marvellous Châteauneuf a couple of years before broaching and expect it to evolve wonderfully for the next fifteen years or so.


CHAMPAGNE FORGET_BRIMONT


Brut 1er Cru – 12.0% Alc./Vol.   LCBO Product # 926617                 $48.35 per bottle

This is great Champagne at a great price. The grape composition is 40% Pinot Noir, 40% Pinot Meunier and 20% Chardonnay (all Premier and Grand Cru). A pale golden colour with a delicate nose of fresh green apples, white flowers and hazelnuts, it has a very fresh, deep structure and is well-balanced with good length. What a great way to start any party and also a wonderful accompaniment for white meats.

Here’s what Alison Napjus said about it in the December 31, 2012 edition of the ‘Wine Spectator’ – “Firm and focused by racy acidity, this is lightly chalky in texture, offering tightly knit flavors of ripe Gala apple, anise, black currant candy, fresh ginger and biscuit. Fine balance. $63 (wow, note the price – US$!!) – 91/100”. Robert Parker rated it a 90!


Extra Brut 1er Cru - 12.0% Alc./Vol.   LCBO Product # 926625         $52.40 per bottle

This is really excellent apéritif Champagne in a delicate and refreshing style. Comprised of 50% Pinot Noir, 30% Pinot Meunier and 20% Chardonnay, (all 1er Cru and Grand Cru grapes) this crystal-clear Champagne possesses delightfully persistent tiny bubbles. Aromas of white flowers, citrus, pears and honeysuckle carry through in the mouth. It is beautifully fresh and lively with a long finish. This lovely fizz would be a special treat with lobster, oysters or caviar. Decanter magazine gave it a Five Star rating.


Rosé Brut 1er Cru - 12.0% Alc./Vol.   LCBO Product # 926633         $53.50 per bottle

This is the Champagne for those most festive occasions. It is also an ideal apéritif. Its rose colour comes from adding a touch of red wine from Brouzy to the Forget-Brimont reserve cuvée. The grape composition is 40% Pinot Noir, 40% Pinot Meunier and 20% Chardonnay (Premier and Grand Cru grapes only!). In the glass the beautiful light salmon colour provides an ideal backdrop for its steady stream of tiny bubbles.

Alison Napjus had this to say about it in the November 15, 2012 edition of the ‘Wine Spectator’ – “This offers lovely balance, a finely detailed texture and delicate acidity that focuses the subtle flavors of ripe plum, wild strawberries, and melon fruit. A hint of almond-tinged financier and mineral notes add complexity. $67 (note the price in US$!!) - 91/100


It would be really spiffy if you would pass this note on to anyone you think might be interested in our Arthur Sellers wines.

Many thanks and cheers!

Jim, Hélène and Kate

www.arthursellers.com
jaswalker@arthursellers.com
www.ofrance.ca
hbuisson@ofrance.ca
kwalker@arthursellers.com