RHONE VALLEY
CHATEAU VIRGILE
This is a rich and intense Costières de Nîmes dominated by Syrah fruit in the blend. This wine shows an extraordinary amount of character and complexity for a entry-level Costières de Nîmes.
Region: Costières de Nîmes, France Winemakers: Serge and Thierry Baret url: www.chateau-virgile.com/fr
2014 Chateau Virgile Rouge
Family domaine of 35 hectares fun by brothers Serge and Thiuerry Baret dates back to 1748. Mediterranean climate with clay and alluvium soils. Named after the Greek poet Virgil. Notes of blackberry and black current with a touch of cocoa.
DOMAINE FACCHIN
Domaine Facchin is a tiny estate nestled into the hillsides of Condrieu. The domaine at one time stretched from the top of the hill of Condrieu through the town of Verin, all the way down to the Rhône River. The current domaine is built on the remnants of that very large ancestral vineyard that once belonged to Mauricette’s family. In 1984 when they decided to create their own domaine, the vineyards were abandoned and the stone house was in ruins. Little by little they have restored the old stone house and have replanted the vineyards. Through meticulous work at every step of production, they have been slowly refining their style to produce a rich, structured Condrieu. Their work is now paying off, the house that was once a ruin is now a jewel, and the vineyards that were once abandoned are now producing a Condrieu of exceptional quality and finesse.
Region: Condrieu, France Winemakers: Christian and Mauricette Facchin url: patrickallenselections.com/portfolio-of-wines/domaine-facchin
2010 Condrieu “Les Grand Maisons”
Technical Notes: The very low yields and great vineyard sites at Domaine Facchin add additional complexity to these already great wines. The grapes are all hand-harvested (the only possible way to harvest on these steep hillsides). The grapes are then pressed and fermented in 1, 2, and 3 year old French barriques. The wine is then aged in barrel until it is bottled in the spring.
Tasting Notes: The exceptional balance of fruit and acidity in the 2010 Condrieu from Domaine Facchin is a shining example of what Viognier is all about. The nose is full of the vibrant floral notes one expects from Viognier. The palate is rich with tropical, mango and pineapple, fruit flavors. The finish is clean and very mineral, but with no hint of bitterness that is sometimes associated with Viognier. This is an ideal wine for seared scallops, or lobster with drawn butter.
DOMAINE DE SERVANS
Domaine de Servans is located in the town of Tulette, which is situated between the towns of Nyons, famous for its olives, and Orange, famous for its Roman theatre. Tulette is a tiny village of under 2000 inhabitants, completely surrounded by vineyards. Domaine de Servans was established in 1920 by Pierre Granier’s grandparents, Hyppolite and Marie Granier. Pierre’s son Philippe is now the fourth generation of the family to make wine at this domaine. They are fortunate enough to possess 24 hectares of vineyards, among the oldest vineyards in Tulette.Over the last few years they have gone through the process of obtaining organic certification. Their wines are now certified organic by Ecocert.
Region: Côtes du Rhône, France Winemakers: Pierre and Philippe Granier
2015 Côtes du Rhône – Rouge
Technical Notes: The grapes for this wine are organically grown in sandyclay soil in two different parcels: 4 hectares surrounding the domaine; and 4.5 hectares in the quarter called le Moulinas. The yields are 45 to 50 hl/ha and the vines average 40 years in age. The grapes are harvested by hand with a hand triage to select only the best quality grapes. They are de-stemmed and crushed, followed by maceration in temperature controlled tanks. The two grape varietals are vinified separately based on the time at which they are harvested. This ensures that each grape variety is brought in and vinified at optimal maturity. The wine rests in tank and is racked 2 to 3 times over the winter. Tasting Notes: Again in 2015 the Graniers decided to continue to increase the percentage of Syrah in their blend. This increase has given the wine added depth and concentration, without sacrificing balance in the wine. In the mouth, rich blackberry notes give way to red cherry and black pepper spice. Even with the increased percentage of Syrah, the tannins are very supple and round in the finish. This is a classic example of a Côtes du Rhône, ideal for backyard barbeque, burgers on the grill, or even pizza.
DOMAINE DE LA BISCARELLE
Domaine de la Biscarelle was born when, in 1984, Gérard Bouyer decided to leave his family domaine and create his own winery. Through hard work and determination, he was able to build a domaine with beautiful vineyards filled with old vines. Domaine de la Biscarelle is located in the prestigious area of Les Grès, within the commune of Orange. The vineyards consists of 22 hectares of vines, 5 of which are appellation Châteauneuf du Pape, in the lieux-dits of Palestor and Cabrières. Domaine de la Biscarelle’s Châteauneuf vines range in age from 30 to 100 years old, with several parcels that were planted in 1904. The remaining 17 hectares are split between two different terroirs in appellation Côtes du Rhône Villages. The Côtes du Rhône Villages vineyards are comprised primarily of 40 to 80 year old vines. The oldest of these Côtes du Rhône Villages vineyards, was once within the boundaries of Châteauneuf du Pape, but was later reclassified as Côtes du Rhône Villages when the boundaries were redrawn in 1936. Until the 2009 vintage Gérard sold all of his grapes and wine to top négociants in the Rhône Valley.
Region: Châteauneuf du Pape, Côtes du Rhône, France Winemakers: Jérôme Grieco
2012 “Début d’une histoire” Cinsault
Vines aged 50 years
The goal is to transcribe the expression of the soil without imposing any artifice
2013 “Les Anglaises” Chateauneuf du Pape
2015 Vin de France “Le Grand Saint Paul”
Technical Notes: Jérôme has chosen a non-interventionist, and perhaps even post-modernist, way to vinify his wines. The grapes are harvested by hand, (they are not de-stemmed), then are fermented and aged exclusively in lined concrete tanks. The wine undergoes a 4 to 6 week maceration, with regular délestages and pump-overs. The wine is then aged in tank for 6 to 9 months. It is lightly filtered, but not fined, before bottling.
Tasting Notes: The “Grand St. Paul” vineyard is contiguous with Jérôme’s Châteauneuf du Pape vineyards. The two vineyards are only separated by a small dirt road. Jérôme’s “Grand St. Paul” vineyard is filled with old Grenache vines, many over 80 years old. The combination of this great terroir, and its very old vines, makes some of the most interesting and complex Côtes du Rhône Villages that I have ever had. The wine is dark, almost black in the glass. Aromas of black cherry, olive, and garrigue spice dominate the nose. In the mouth notes of earth and leather give way to black cherry, plum, and blackberry fruit flavors. This is a serious with that belies its more humble appellation.
DOMAINE CHRISTOPHE SEMASKA
The history of Christophe Semaska is linked to the renaissance in 1988 or a large domaine of the Root Coast: the Chateau de Montlys, a jewel preserved by the revolution of 1789.
Region: Côtes du Rhône, France Url: domaine-semaska.com
2012 Chateau de Montlys Cote Rotie ‘Fleur de Montlys’”
Technical Notes: The grapes for this wine are hand-picked, and de-stemmed, before they undergo a 26 day maceration in stainless steel tanks. The vines grow on exceptionally steep and rocky, south-facing vineyards, composed of clay, mica, schist, and limestone. The grapes are harvested at very low yields of 25 Hl/Ha. Finally, the wine is aged for 30 months in new oak barrels before bottling.
Tasting Notes: “Fleur de Montlys” is a selection of Christophe Semaska’s best vines from the Côtes des Brunes area of Côte-Rôtie. The combination of south facing vineyards, and very low yields, help to produce a dense, concentrated, Côte-Rôtie filled with flavors of black cherry, violet, and licorice. The finish is long with polished tannins and lingering black fruit flavors.