Great wine, great people … that pretty much sums up Domaine Palon located just outside the picturesque village of Gigondas in the southern Rhône valley. Jean-Pierre, Annie and their talented winemaker son Sebastien Palon are the marvellous people behind the award-winning, highly acclaimed Domaine Palon Côtes-du-Rhône, Vacqueyras and Gigondas (Annie and Sebastien are pictured at left). Read all about them and their winery in the August 2006 edition of ‘Selections’.

We are presenting three very fine and not to be missed reds from this superb winery: the 2008 Cuvée Esparza Côtes-du-Rhône; the 2007 Vacqueyras, and; the 2007 Gigondas. Each comes in six-bottle cases. Annie has again agreed to create mixed sampler cases of the Vacqueyras and Gigondas in 750 ml. bottle and magnum formats for us.

2008 Cuvée Esparza Côtes-du-Rhône 13.5% Alcohol by Volume

$21 per bottle: $126 per 6-bottle case

The Palon Côtes-du-Rhône is always very special, but the 2008 vintage is extra special. This is because it has been named in honour of Christian Esparza (at left with Hélène) who championed, with good reason the Domain Palon wines when they were first starting out. He is also our mentor and has done a great deal to help and encourage us with our vinous endeavours. In fact, when we needed a winery to support our agent’s application to the Ontario Alcohol and Gaming Commission, Christian convinced the Palons to place their Ontario distribution fate in the hands of two totally unknown Canucks. He owns and operates a wonderful wine emporium called ‘Inter Caves’ in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence and would love to see you if ever you get a chance to visit this little bit of paradise.

2008 was a difficult vintage in most of France. A relatively cool and rainy summer meant a very late harvest and yet many grapes still did not fully ripen. The only way good wine could be produced was through very careful grape selection. This the Palons did, sorting through the grapes on three occasions - expensive but necessary. The result is a very good wine, but at the expense of quantity.

This little gem is comprised of 69% Grenache, 16% Syrah and 15% Cinsault from grapes taken from the domaine's vineyards in Vacqueyras and Sablet. It is a lovely cherry red colour with glints of violet. On the nose it has nuances of black cherries, red currants, plums, gooseberries and spices. In the mouth, it is fresh and medium-bodied with pleasant tannins and good length. It is a real pleasure to drink now, but you will be rewarded if you put it away for two or three years. This is a very good Côtes-du-Rhône - lighter and more refined than its 2007 counterpart. It will go well with roasts, grilled meat and would be ideal with cheese. Decant a couple of hours in advance and serve slightly below room temperature. Don’t miss this one. Order a case or two now.

The 2007 Vintage in the Southern Rhône

Before getting to the Vacqueyras and Gigondas, a word or two about the 2007 vintage in the southern Rhône from Robert M. Parker (Wine Advocate Issue 181): “In issue 179, I profiled the finest vintage I have ever tasted in Châteauneuf du Pape - 2007. In my thirty years of evaluating these wines, I don’t think any vintage has achieved the heights of complexity, richness, and overall purity and balance that 2007 did. As I indicated, it is the most successful area in France, although certainly much of that county’s southern viticultural regions, including all of Province and the Languedoc-Roussillon, also enjoyed the exceptionally dry, even drought-like weather and cooler than normal temperatures. In an area known for its heat and ferocious mistral winds, the lack of any torrid heat spells seems to have given the wines an aromatic dimension that is indeed rare. Combine that with the modest yields and the drought-like conditions, and the concentration is also there. 2007 is also a terrific vintage in Gigondas, Vacqueyras, and many of the Côtes du Rhône estates. Given the global economic crises, these wines, which have never been prized for speculative value, represent fabulous bargains for shrewd consumers looking for delicious wines to drink today or, in the best cases, age for a decade or more.”

2007 Vacqueyras 14.5% Alcohol by Volume		$29 per bottle: $174 per 6-bottle case
		$60 per magnum: $360 per 6-bottle case

Here is what Mr. Parker says about this wine: “The 2007 Vacqueyras (a blend of 75% Grenache, 16% Mourvèdre, and 9% Syrah) is excellent. Its deep ruby/purple color is followed by aromas of black currants, black cherries, licorice, smoky roasted herbs, and meat. This full-bodied, plump, succulent effort is a hedonistic Provençal wine that should provide enormous pleasure over the next 5-6 years. Rating: 90-93” He describes the top tier of his rating system: “90-100 is equivalent to an A and is given only for an outstanding or special effort. Wines in this category are the very best produced of their type … there are few wines that actually make it into this top category because there are not many great wines.”

Add some of this is glorious, most collectible wine to your cellar: 750 ml bottles or 1500 ml magnums.

2007 Gigondas 14.5% Alcohol by Volume		$33 per bottle/$198 per 6-bottle case
		$68 per magnum; $408 per 6-bottle case

Unfortunately, Mr. Parker did not get a chance to taste the 2007 Palon Gigondas. However, it is la pièce de résistance from Domaine Palon. At a miserly yield of 30 hectolitres per hectare and with vines that average 40 years of age, it is comprised of 79% Grenache, 15% Syrah and 6% Mourvèdre. This is an enormous, brooding dark monster. A lovely clear deep red, it has aromas of fresh red fruit, cherries, pepper, and roasted coffee beans with hints of licorice and tobacco. In the mouth it is velvety, concentrated and beautifully balanced with a lingering aftertaste of roasted coffee beans. This grand wine will go wonderfully with magrets de canard, wild game, roasts and cheese. It tastes great right now and I know that it will last and improve for many years to come. Get your own classic Gigondas now: 750 ml bottles or 1500 ml magnums.

2007 Vacqueyras/Gigondas Split Case 14.5% Alcohol by Volume		$31 per bottle: $186 per 6-bottle case
		$64 per magnum: $384 per six magnum case

Three regular bottles of Domaine Palon's 2006 Vacqueyras and three regular bottles of their 2006 Gigondas or three magnums of each all in one case. Order this wonderful duo now: 750 ml bottles or 1500 ml magnums.

A $1.00 per bottle handling fee is included in the above prices.

Please pass this note on to anyone else you think might be interested in some superb southern Rhônes from a very special winery.

Many thanks and cheers,

Jim and Hélène
Arthur's Cellar Wine club
jaswalker@arthursellers.com
www.arthursellers.com