They’re back – the glorious, well-priced wines from Domaine Chabrier Fils.

We first found out about this winery and the ebullient Chabrier brothers, Patrick (at left with Hélène) and Christophe (read all about them and their winery in the June 2007 issue of ‘Selections’ and at their website) from our friend and vinous mentor Christian Esparza, owner of the Inter Caves wine emporium in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. From our first visit to their modern winery in Uzès (In 1661, Racine said that the wine of Uzès was the best in the realm!) we fell in love with these big, bold expressive wines, particularly the Duché d’Uzès La Garrigue d’Aureillac white – the wonderful wine with the impossible name. It has since become by far our top selling white wine

We visited the Chabriers again last fall with our good friends Marjorie and Paul Alliston and had a chance to taste the 2007 La Garrigue from the cask. It was marvellous; perhaps even better than the delicious, unctuous 2006. We also tasted the juices from the 2008 harvest that had just been placed in the fermenting tanks. Believe me, there is nothing to worry about concerning the 2008 vintage from this part of France.

This Offering of the Wines from Domaine Chabrier Fils
Of course we are featuring the splendid 2007 La Garrigue as well as the fruitier, unoaked 2008 Vin de Pays Duché d’Uzès Blanc. And, for the first time we are offering one of the Chabriers’ excellent reds, the award winning 2007 Duché d’Uzès “La Garrigue d’Aureillac” Rouge. We also have the Patrick and Christophe’s Uzès Sampler – two bottles of each of the three wines on offer for those who haven’t yet tried the brothers’ marvellous wines or just want a couple of bottles of each. These wines come in six-bottle cases. We expect orders to be brisk and we are on a strict allotment basis with the winery whose wines are extremely popular world wine. We will be taking your orders to the LCBO on Friday, July 10^th.

This truly sensational white wine is made from 70% Viognier, 20% Grenache Blanc and 10% Marsanne with an average yield of only 35 hectolitres per hectare. Half of the Viognier was fermented in new oak barrels and left on its lees for a year. It is a pale yellow with an intense nose of vanilla, hazelnuts and dried apricots with a hint of hyacinths, lavender and Mandarin oranges. In the mouth it is full, buttery and very well balanced with pronounced flavours of stewed apricots and a hint of pineapple. It is elegant, full and long. It would work well as an aperitif, go wonderfully with any shellfish and, as a special treat be a divine partner with warm goat cheese. This is a great wine from a great year. Order now – first come, first served.

Over the years, this little beauty has filled up the Chabrier Brothers’ trophy cabinet with countless awards. It is made from 70% Viognier, 20% Grenache Blanc and 10% Marsanne and is not oaked. The yield is a low 40 hectolitres per hectare. It is a straw colour with hints of pale green. The nose is filled with grapefruit, passion fruit, bananas and sage. In the mouth it is very fresh, somewhat grapey, beautifully balanced and surprisingly complex. It would go wonderfully with any white fish and, as a special treat with a pélardon de Cévennes (a wonderful goat cheese from the mountains not too far from Uzès). This is an absolutely superb sipper at a most reasonable price. Order some of this little treasure now.

This luscious red has already won the prestigious Médaille d’Or au Concours General Agricole Paris 2008. A high-end red, it is a blend of 80% Syrah, 15% Grenache and 5% Carignan – all aged in various types of used oak containers. It is a beautiful garnet colour with violet tints. The nose is complex with aromas of cedar, blueberries and black olives. The attack (first impression in the mouth) is silky with smooth, agreeable tannins followed by a symphony of ripe berries, plums and exotic spices. It lingers in the mouth, long and elegant. This is an amazing wine, particularly considering the price. It will go wonderfully with leg of lamb, magret de canard and roast pork. Highly recommended! Try some for yourself and see.

Two bottles each of Domaine Chabrier Fils 2007 Duché d’Uzès “La Garrigue d’Aureillac” Blanc and Rouge and two bottles of the 2008 Vin du Pays Duché d’Uzès Blanc. What a great way to try the Chabriers’ wines (but you’ll wish you had ordered more!). Order your sampler now

Our 1er Cru Rosé Brut from Champagne Forget-Brimont is still available
You can still find this terrific champagne at many VINTAGES outlets across the province for only $53.95 a bottle. Highly rated by the Wine Spectator, it is a perfect wine for those special summer celebrations or for any time you feel you deserve a little self-indulgence. Click here to find the VINTAGES outlet nearest you that still has some of this delicious sparkler.

We would be most grateful if you would pass this note on to others you think might enjoy some delightful wines from Uzès or a very special Champagne.

Many thanks and cheers,

Jim and Hélène
jaswalker@arthursellers.com
hbuisson@ofrance.ca
www.arthursellers.com