Arthur Sellers Bulletin Archive
Dear Arthur’s Cellar Wine Club Member:
Treasures from Domaine Palon, Domaine Roger Sabon and Château Malijay are now available on LCBO.com. Quantities are somewhat limited, but there are additional bottles being held ransom in the main LCBO warehouse. Let me know if the wine you want has run out – I’ll see if I can get it for you. Quantities are as of the moment of writing.
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.
Domaine Palon 2019 Vacqueyras ‘Blanc du Bary’ – 15.0% Alc./Vol. LCBO Product No. 112796 $29.75 the bottle
This luscious, refreshing white was crafted from 80% Clairette and 20% Grenache Blanc, both hand-picked from vines averaging almost fifty years of age. The yield was 30 hl/ha! It is a clear, bright yellow-gold colour with a vibrant nose of pineapples, 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 trout almandine, shell fish, fish, goat cheese and rich poultry dishes. Drinking well now and will keep for up to 5 years. 68 bottles currently available
2019 Vacqueyras Rouge – 15.0% Alc./Vol. LCBO Product No. 112788 $29.75 the bottle
This gorgeous, medium-bodied wine is made from 75% Grenache (2019 was a superb vintage for Grenache), 15% Mourvèdre and 10% Syrah, hand-picked from vines averaging almost fifty years of age. The yield was under 30 hl/ha. The Mourvèdre and Syrah were aged in large oak casks for twelve months. It is a deep, pure garnet with powerful aromas of plums, prunes, raspberries, black cherries, currants, new leather, Proven çal 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 wine is a real pleasure to drink right now and will continue to be so for at least another 7 years. 40 bottles currently available.
2019 Gigondas Rouge – 15.5% Alc./Vol. LCBO Product No. 112812 $34.10 the bottle
This elegant Gigondas is made from 80% Grenache (2019 was a superb vintage for Grenache), 15% Syrah and 5% Mourvèdre hand-picked from seven hectares of vines averaging well over fifty years of age. The yield was under 30 hl/ha. 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 ripe blackberries, black cherry jam, plums, pepper, roasted coffee beans, garrigue, pepper, licorice and a note of cocoa. It is big and velvety in the mouth with gentle tannins and a long, perfumed finish. Served just below room temperature, this most impressive wine will go perfectly with magrets de canard, wild game, roasts and medium cheeses. Decant at least an hour before drinking. It will cellar well for at least 10 years. 12 bottles currently available; 36 in reserve.
Domaine Roger Sabon NV Le Sabounet – 15.0% Alc./Vol. LCBO Product No. 232438 $16.50 the bottle
Actually from the 2020 harvest, this overachieving vin de France is a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault. It is an entry-level wine bearing a Mediterranean character with great body and expressive fruit. The grapes were hand-picked and destemmed and vinified in the Sabon tradition. It is a pretty deep purple with vibrant aromas of ripe red fruit, garrigue, toast and liquorice. It is harmonious and delectable and is meant to be consumed in the short-term. Superb with grilled meat and charcuterie. Just 11 bottles available.
2020 Rhône By Roger Sabon – 15.0% Alc./Vol. LCBO Product No. 232388 $19.40 the bottle
The 2020 Rhône By Roger Sabon is another Côtes du Rhône success from Domaine Roger Sabon. It is made from 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah and 10% Cinsault. The grapes were destemmed and hand sorted. It is a brick red colour with pure aromas of raspberries, ripe cherries, smoked meat, Provençal spices and minerals. It is well-balanced with silky tannins and lots of red and black fruit flavours and very elegant! Medium to full-bodied, it will go perfectly with grilled meats, barbeques and charcuterie. It is ready to drink now and will hold beautifully for another four to five years. 42 bottles are available; 48 more are in the LCBO central warehouse.
2019 Châteauneuf du Pape ‘Les Olivets’ – 16.0% Alc./Vol. LCBO Product No. 232412 $47.05 the bottle
This seductive beauty is made form 80% Grenache and 10% each of Syrah and Cinsault from vines averaging 50 years of age. A bright ruby colour with aromas of ripe black cherries, blueberries, raspberries and exotic spices, it is forward and supple. It is a full-bodied, silky textured wine, finishing warm and lush. Very limited production. Needs decanting at present and will last at least a decade. Quite the Châteauneuf du Pape bargain. 51 bottles currently available.
Château Malijay 2019 Le Fou de Malijay - 12.5% Alc./Vol. LCBO Product No. 779538 $18.20 the bottle
This Vin de Pays de Méditerranée is crafted from grapes sourced in the southern Rhône Valley and Jonquières. Made from 50% Grenache, 40% Syrah and 10% Mourvedre, Le Fou de Malijay is a pretty pale pink, a charming wine with citrus aromas that leap from the glass. The mouth is lively and fruity with lovely acidity. This splendid Rosé will pair nicely with salads, melon, grilled vegetables and delicate seafood. Really meant to be enjoyed straight away, it will keep for up to two years. 59 bottles currently available.
2019 La Princesse de Malijay 12.5% Alc./Vol. LCBO Product No. 779520 $16.35 the bottle
This Vin de Pays de Vaucluse Principauté d'Orange is made from grapes sourced in the southern Rhône Valley and Jonquières. A blend of 60% Viognier, 20% Grencahe Blanc and 20% Roussanne, La Princesse de Malijay is a delightful wine - its nose is very expressive with apricot, peach and a hint of citrus. The mouth is lively, crisp and fruity. A fine white to sip at leisure, it will also pair beautifully with charcuterie, tapas or grilled fish. A pleasure to drink now, this crowd pleaser will keep quite happily for another two years. 12 bottles currently available; 47 in reserve.
2019 Le Petit Prince de Malijay 13.5% Alc./Vol. LCBO Product No. 779512 $15.60 the bottle
This Vin de Pays de Vaucluse from Château Malijay is fashioned from grapes sourced in the southern Rhône Valley and Jonquières. Blended from 60% Syrah, 35% Grenache and 5% Carignan, Le Petit Prince de Malijay is a lovely, welcoming wine. Round and balanced, its nose offers beautiful notes of red fruit, sweet spices and a hint of new leather. A delightful sipper by itself, it will pair wonderfully with charcuterie, grilled meats, pasta, stuffed vegetables or soft cheeses. Ready to enjoy now but will keep for 2 to 3 years. 23 bottles available
It would be delightful if you would pass this note on to anyone you think might be interested in some 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
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