Arthur Sellers Bulletin Archive
Dear Arthur’s Cellar Wine Club Member:
Per usual, I’d be pleased to order for you. Just let me know what you would like and to which LCBO store you would like it sent.
2019 Le Fou de Malijay (12.5% Alc./Vol.) $18.20 the bottle LCBO Product No. 779538
2019 Le Petit Prince de Malijay (13.5% Alc./Vol.) $18.20 the bottle LCBO Product No. 779512
Château Malijay
The Château of Château Malijay
Château Malijay is a large estate of some 320 acres located in Jonquières between Châteauneuf du Pape and Gigondas. Wine produced there (records show since 1562) is classified as humble Côtes du Rhône. In the late 18th century the estate was owned by a nobleman named André Légier de Montfort. He demolished the then existing chateau, leaving only a tower which dated to the 11th century, and built the stately manor house one sees there today. Subsequent owners came and went, most not particularly interested in making wine. Their grapes were sold to the négociants. Then in 2007, Pierre Deltin, a successful owner of pharmacies and medical laboratories in Marseille, acquired the estate. Everything vinous changed for the better from that point on. Pierre’s daughter Aude, who was educated as a journalist and plied her trade in television in Paris, decided to switch vocations by taking on management of the estate.
Aude, who turned out to be a vivacious and gracious host, met us in the courtyard and took us on a tour of her wine-making and cellaring facilities including a look at that 11th century tower. This is a very, very impressive estate. Then came the best part … tasting! Château Malijay offers three ranges of wine: Notre grain de folie; Notre cœur de gamme, and; Notre savoir-faire. We began with the grain de folie line. First came the 2018 Le Fou de Malijay (Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre) which is a completely charming rosé, pale pink, crisp and loaded with peach and pear aromas. Splendid stuff! Next was the 2018 La Princesse, a very pleasant white (Viognier, Grenache Blanc and Roussanne) loaded with aromas of apricots, peaches and a hint of citrus with a nice crisp finish. A lovely sipper! And then came the 2017 Le Petit Prince, a lively red (Syrah, Grenache and Carignan) that was beautifully balanced, showing aromas of red fruit, spices and a hint of new leather. Very quaffable indeed! I estimate that we will be able to import this terrific triad for about $18 the bottle.
We sampled several more of Aude’s wines, all of them delicious. Two standouts were the 2015 La Part des Anges (Syrah with a bit of Grenache) that reminded me of a good Côte Rôtie and the 2016 Opus de Malijay (equal parts Syrah and Grenache) that was simply marvelous. Aude’s wines were first rate. We can hardly wait to bring them to Ontario.
We would be eternally grateful if you would pass this note on to anyone you think might be interested in a triad of very, very good Southern Rhônes.
Many thanks and cheers!
Jim, Hélène and Kate www.arthursellers.com jaswalker@arthursellers.com mhbuisson@gmail,.com kwalker@arthursellers.com
PS: Follow My Vinous Adventures on Gentleman’s Portion
I have contributed fifty-five posts about our experiences in the wild, wacky and wonderful world of wine to a delightful lifestyle blog called Gentleman’s Portion. The latest is titled A Vineyard in a Lunar-like Landscape. Please join me and my fellow contributors, Nigel Napier-Andrews and David Moorcroft, as we regale you with a good helping of everything great in life.
