Domaine Roger Sabon
Two red bargoons and three Châteauneuf du Pape.

2020 Le Sabounet – 15.0% Alc./Vol.     LCBO Product No. 232438     $15.10 the bottle

This overachieving Vin de France, a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault, 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 usual Sabon fashion. It is a pretty deep purple with vibrant aromas of ripe red fruit, garrigue, toast and liquorice. It is harmonious, smooth and delectable and is meant to be consumed in the short-term. A veritable bargain if ever there was one!

2020 Rhône By Roger Sabon – 15.0% Alc./Vol.     LCBO Product No. 232388     $19.45 the bottle

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.

2019 Châteauneuf du Pape ‘Les Olivets’ – 15.0% Alc./Vol.     LCBO Product No. 232412     $46.45 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

2019 Châteauneuf du Pape ‘Réserve’ – 16.0% Alc./Vol.     LCBO Product No. 775791     $54.65 the bottle

This beauty from one of Châteauneuf du Pape’s top producers is made from 80% Grenache and equal parts Syrah and Mourvèdre. A bright ruby colour, it offers up heady aromas of Morello cherries, raspberries, blueberries and green olives with nuances of humus and crushed stones. It is full-bodied and lush with silky fresh tannins, ending with a flourish of dried spices (allspice, clove and star anise). It will pair magnificently with all kinds of roasts and grilled meats. Ideally it should rest a while in the cellar, but if temptation is too great, decant a few hours before enjoying. It will keep nicely for at least a dozen years.

Just 1 bottle now, but there are 12 more.

2019 Châteauneuf du Pape 'Prestige' – 15.5% Alc./Vol.     LCBO Product No. 314715     $76.00 the bottle

This premium Châteauneuf du Pape from one of the appellation’s finest producers is made from 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 5% Mourvèdre and 5% other reds.

A bright ruby-garnet colour, there is a purity of fruit to this wine that’s remarkable year after year. The 2019 Châteauneuf du Pape ‘Prestige’ showcases a rich, elegant nose of stewed cherries and blueberries, toast, sweet spices and black olives. The mouth is full and warming, backed by subtle power and a gentle structure. Full-bodied, creamy and lush yet bright, intense and long on the finish. A prime candidate for roast lamb, it has great ageing potential but can be enjoyed now if decanted for a few hours before consuming. It is a terrific effort. Wine Spectator

Sleek, dark and winey, with nice flow and cut to the raspberry and blackberry puree flavors, infused with dark tea and carried by a graphite edge. Lingering anise and fruitcake notes sparkle through the finish. Beautifully done. Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Counoise and Vaccarèse. Drink now through 2036. 94 points James Molesworth - October 2021

Domaine Palon
A brilliant white from a terrific vintage..

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.

Château Malijay
A couple of absolute charmers from Château de Malijay

2019 Le Fou de Malijay - 12.5% Alc./Vol.            LCBO Product No. 779538     $18.20 the bottle

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.

2019 La Princesse de Malijay 12.5% Alc./Vol.          LCBO Product No. 779520     $16.35 the bottle

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.

It would be spiffy if you would pass this note on to anyone you think might be interested in some very, very good Southern Rhônes.

Here’s wishing you a very merry Christmas and a Happy 2022

Many thanks and cheers!

Jim, Hélène and Kate

www.arthursellers.com
jaswalker@arthursellers.com
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kwalker@arthursellers.com

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