Faiveley’s Top Wine: Les Ouvrées Rodin
Two Killer Collectible Powerhouse Rock Star Reds
A Cayuse Restock
Rosés of the Day
New Wine Spectator Reviews for Two Willamette Pinots
New Vinous Reviews for Top 2017 Nahe Wines
The Return of Beaux Freres Belle Soeurs
Trending Wines
Raymond Lafon: Our Best Value Sauternes, Restocked
The Mystical Origins of Clos de Fées
Faiveley’s Top Wine
Les Ouvrées Rodin Arrives
Produced from some of the Domaine’s oldest vines in a parcel on the Chambertin side of the Clos de Beze, this is a wine that commemorates the family’s relationship with the sculptor Rodin in awe-inspiring fashion. This is up there with any wine from Burgundy—you name it, Faiveley’s top bottling competes with it. Compared to any of its peers (see: Rousseau, DRC, etc) it remains excellently priced. We’re expecting that to change over the next few years, so the 2016 may be one of the last chances to buy this at under $2k per bottle.
Just Arrived, In Stock Now:
Only three bottles remaining
Domaine Faiveley Chambertin-Clos de Beze “Les Ouvrees Rodin” Grand Cru, Burgundy 2016 750ML ($1,499.95) $1,199 special
William Kelley – Wine Advocate 97 points “The 2016 Chambertin Clos de Bèze Grand Cru Les Ouvrées Rodin is showing brilliantly from bottle, unfurling in the glass with a rich bouquet of cassis, cherries, red berries, grilled game, licorice, spices and smoky new oak. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, ample and expansive, with a deep and intense core of sapid fruit that cloaks its satiny but abundant structuring tannins, underpinned by succulent acids and concluding with a seriously long, penetrating finish. This special cuvée hails from a parcel of vines planted in 1966 on the Chambertin side of Clos de Bèze, and its name commemorates a Faiveley family connection with the sculptor Rodin.”
Stephen Tanzer 95-98 points “(like the “regular” Clos de Bèze, this special cuvée from 60+-year-old vines on the Chambertin side of the cru was totally destemmed): Dark red-ruby. Less expressive but slightly riper aromas of purple and black fruits and pungent spices. Then utterly seamless and suave on the palate, offering a lacy, feminine texture with great energy and sophistication. The penetrating red berry and white pepper flavors are amplified by the wine’s mineral underpinning. The endless rising finish combines serious power and refined tannins. Ultimately a bit less expressive and tight-grained than the classic Clos de Bèze but this is even deeper.”
Burghound 94-97 points “(a selection of the oldest vines in one of their 3 parcels). This is aromatically similar to the regular cuvée save for being even spicier and displaying a bit more wood influence. There is almost painful intensity to the super-sleek big-bodied flavors that possess a positively gorgeous mouthfeel due to a mid-palate that brims with sappy dry extract that coats the mouth on the hugely long and impeccably well-balanced finale. While this may change given that these are barrel samples but based on the two that I tasted, this is actually slightly less structured though I emphasize slightly. Either way, this is a seriously impressive effort that should age effortlessly. (94-97)/2034+.”
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Joseph Faiveley Clos de la Roche Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2016 750ML ($299.95) $249 special
Two Killer Collectible Powerhouse Rock Star Reds
Both of these wines are absolutely top class representations of their respective regions and from excellent vintages. Better still, both of these are still under $125 per bottle—a deal given their ability to age and develop. We’ve just received new stock on both of these fantastic wines so you can adequately stock your cellar with enough of these beauties.
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Chateau Canon la Gaffeliere, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2014 750ML ($119.95) $99 special
Wine Spectator 95 points “This cuts a wide swath, with mouthwatering tobacco and warm ganache notes leading the way, followed by a wave of fig, blackberry and black currant preserves. Shows remarkable definition already, even though the structure is strident. Tempting now, but just put this in the back of the cellar. Best from 2020 through 2035. 4,083 cases made.”
Antonio Galloni 95+ points “One of the wines of the vintage, the 2014 Canon La Gaffelière is explosive, lifted and aristocratic in its breeding. Bright Cabernet Franc aromatics give the wine its signature lift and precision. Raspberry jam, rose petal, mint, blood orange, tobacco and pomegranate build slowly on the palate, leading to a super-expressive, finely knit finish. Powerful yet also impeccably refined, the 2014 has it all. The 2014 is 55 % Merlot, 37 % Cabernet Franc and 8 % Cabernet Sauvignon. Don’t miss it. Tasted two times.”
#14 Wine of the Year – Wine Spectator Top 100 2017
Clos des Papes Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone 2015 750ML ($139.95) $119 special
Wine Spectator 98 points “This has a drop-dead gorgeous core of cassis and raspberry pâte de fruit flavors that holds center stage but still allows notes of Lapsang souchong tea, anise, incense and shiso leaf to chime in. Very long, with a sublime feel through the mineral-tinged finish. So seductive already, but this will cruise in the cellar. Drink now through 2040.”
Wine Advocate 97 points “Bottled in May, the 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape is a floral, elegant, unbelievably complex wine. Roses and violets, cherries and stone fruit, cinnamon and allspice and more are carried across the full-bodied yet almost weightless palate, finishing in a swirl of silky tannins and lingering spice. Drink it over the next two decades.”
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 94-96 points “(raised in foudres) Deep ruby. Hugely aromatic red and dark berry, potpourri and floral scents are underscored by smoky minerality and an exotic suggestion of Asian spices. Sappy, focused and impressively deep yet lively, offering alluringly sweet raspberry, cherry compote and spicecake flavors and a refreshingly bitter touch of blood orange. Puts on weight and spreads out steadily with air, acquiring a succulent herb note that carries through the strikingly long, mineral-laced, gently tannic finish. This beauty is shaping up to be among the standouts of this extremely successful vintage.”
A treat from Sicily! Perfectly fresh and elegant—and at a price to stock up with.
Planeta Rose Siclia, Sicily 2018 750ML ($17.95) $14 special
Case-6 Planeta Rose Siclia, Sicily 2018 750ML ($89.95) $71.90 special (that’s only $11.98/bottle!)
Winery note “50% Nero d’Avola 50% Syrah. Our Rosé, fresh and fruity, represents all the feelings of a Sicilian summer. Its colour is that of a summer sunset. The fresh aromas of strawberry make it a marvelously friendly wine, and easy to drink. Enjoy Planeta’s Rosé in good company, as an aperitif with tapas, raw fish, fresh salads or alone with seasonal fruit.”
Arriving Tomorrow:
This exceptional deal comes from the masters of Chateauneuf.
Pegau ‘Pink Pegau’ Rose, Vin de France 2017 750ML ($21.95) $14 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Pegau ‘Pink Pegau’ Rose, Vin de France 2017 750ML ($249.95) $149 pre-arrival special (that’s only $12.42/bottle!)
Wine Advocate 91 points “The plump, medium-bodied 2017 Vin de France Rose is a bit darker and richer than normal, but that’s just fine with me. Raspberry and watermelon flavors pack in more spice than usual as well, giving it more complexity and flavor interest than in the past, including a savory edge to the finish. It should drink well for at least a year.”
Josh Raynolds 90 points “Light, bright orange. Musky cherry, red berry and orange zest aromas show very good clarity and pick up a minerally nuance with air. Chewy, focused and light on its feet, offering biter cherry and redcurrant flavors that take a sweeter turn and deepen on the back half. The mineral note repeats on a long, incisive finish that leaves a hint of juicy raspberry behind.”
Want to see all 75+ bottlings of rosé that are available to purchase right now in our webstore? Just click here for a full list.
A Pair of New Wine Spectator Reviews
For Two Excellent Willamette Pinots
In Stock Now:
The Four Graces Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2017 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special
Wine Spectator 93 points “Graceful and sleekly complex, with pretty cherry blossom aromas that open to poised raspberry, green tea and spice flavors that glide along the finish. Drink now through 2026.”
Wine Spectator 93 points “Dynamic yet tightly wound, with complex cherry, stony mineral and orange peel flavors that build tension and tannins on the finish. Drink now through 2028.”
“[The] familiar concentration of top-flight winegrowing establishments on the Nahe – to which one can nowadays conspicuously add Gut Hermannsberg – proved once again in 2017 to be this region’s decisive advantage. And any Riesling aficionado looking to buy the best (or indeed best-value) wines of any given vintage will with 2017 once again find the Nahe a happy hunting ground, the best bottlings capturing an impressive balance of density with relative alcoholic levity; ripe fruit flavors with minerally, floral and savory elements; and richness with prominent but positive and animating acidity. Nor was botrytis entirely an annoyance; a small number of outstanding nobly sweet wines were achieved.” – David Schildknecht, Vinous
Weingut Donnhoff Norheimer Dellchen Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Nahe 2017 750ML ($129.95) $99 special
Weingut Donnhoff Norheimer Dellchen Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Nahe 2017 1.5L ($219.95) $199 pre-arrival special, ETA April
David Schildknecht – Vinous 94 points “Iris and ginseng, sea breeze and ripe white peach combine for a site-typical aromatic performance and correspondingly alluring presence on a silken palate. Cool and laid-back in personality, yet possessed of an intricate as well as active impression of mineral matter – stone, alkali above all salts – and with its pit-piquancy deftly-integrated and harnessed entirely in the service of invigoration, this remarkable elixir takes control of the salivary glands as it glides off into a lingering finish that preserves haunting, billowing florality, and whose sense of buoyancy is rare among Grosse Gewächse. For intriguing and subtle complexity, this easily surpasses the three wines of that genre to have preceded it in Dönnhoff’s tasting line-up. If you follow my frequent comments concerning the taste preferences that prevail among his countrymen and many German critics, it won’t surprise you that Dönnhoff says many tasters – most of whom, granted, assess this wine at a much earlier stage than I do – aren’t excited by Dellchen and “find its aromas and sense of buoyancy almost a bit frivolous.””
Weingut Donnhoff Schlossbockelheimer Felsenberg Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Nahe 2017 1.5L ($189.95) $159 pre-arrival special, ETA April
David Schildknecht – Vinous 92 points “Huckleberry and bay, grapefruit and pineapple inform a site-typical nose of penetrating pungency that anticipates this wine’s palpably dense, seedily piquant, invigoratingly zesty and tangy palate performance. Buddleia and elder flower lend alluring inner-mouth perfume. Juiciness of honeydew melon emerges accompanied by rind-like crunch and bitterness; but these are balanced by a coolingly green herbal presence, tangy citricity and pineapple core tingle.”
This is the lowest listed price for a magnum in the USA today!
Weingut Donnhoff Hollenpfad Im Muhlenberg Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Nahe 2017 1.5L ($179.95) $149 pre-arrival special, ETA April
David Schildknecht – Vinous 92 points “A traditionally important core of the Höllenpfad, owned entirely by Dönnhoffs and featuring forty year-old Riesling vines, has been registered under its cadaster name and promoted to VDP-“Grosse Lage” status so as to inform the one of two new Dönnhoff Grosse Gewächse from this vintage. The relatively light, sandy soil and windy exposition of this site not only ward-off botrytis, they also conduce to concentration and phenolic intensity borne of thick-skinned, subtly-desiccated berries. “I always thought this site had Grosses Gewächs potential,” says Dönnhoff, “but I told myself ‘you really need to make wine from this vineyard for ten years before you can conclude that you truly understand it. So here’s the trial run!” (For more historical background on Höllenpfad, consult my note on the Dönnhoff vintage 2014 Riesling from that site.) Given what I wrote about the forceful grip and pronounced phenolics of this year’s “regular” dry Höllenpfad, I confess to having approached this Grosses Gewächs with slight trepidation. But, there is in fact greater primary juiciness, clarity, focus as well as textural allure. Smoky black tea accents pip-inflected pear and zesty lemon in a nose and palate of impressive intensity – yet combined with an alluring silkiness of feel and an abundance of primary juiciness. A crunchy, earthy suggestion of turnip lends further interest. Generous juiciness and citric brightness serve to balance-out the palpable, incisive and sizzling impingement of fresh ginger, radish and white pepper that serve for finishing vibrancy and grip.”
David Schildknecht – Vinous 91 points “Ripe pear garlanded in honeysuckle and peony makes for an enticing aromatic display. The luscious fruit along with billowing inner-mouth floral perfume that feature on a glossy, buoyant palate do not at all disappoint. The finish remains strikingly floral as well as succulently fruity, if without the tension and mineral dimension that rendered the 2016 and certain other earlier Krötenpfuhl Kabinetts downright profound. If you are resistant to this finessed wine’s charm offensive, though, I can only pity you!”
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Weingut Donnhoff Niederhauser Hermannshohle Riesling Spatlese, Nahe 2017 1.5l ($169.95) $149 pre-arrival special, ETA April
David Schildknecht – Vinous 95 points “Lily perfume on the nose of this Hermannshöhle reminds me both of the corresponding 2016 and of this year’s Kirschheck. That is accompanied by ripe, fresh and high-toned, distillate-like notes of pear and quince. The glossy palate is lusciously fruited, billowingly perfumed, as well as seductively glossy and creamy in texture. Piquancy of pear pip and hints of anise add counterpoint, while fresh grapefruit and white peach contribute welcomed bright juiciness en route to a ravishingly-sustained, impeccably-balanced finish. The covering term “mineral” will for now have to serve the strikingly transparent finish, which becomes more intriguing the longer the wine takes on air.”
This is the lowest listed price for a magnum in the USA today!
Weingut Donnhoff Niederhauser Hermannshohle Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel, Nahe 2017 375ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special, ETA April
David Schildknecht – Vinous 95 points “Picking for this wine extended a bit farther into October than it did for the corresponding Brücke, and a bit more of what was gathered was botrytized. Despite that, ripe white peach and lime on the nose seem to promise a fresher, brighter palate impression than that conveyed by the Brücke Auslese, this is in fact just what ensues. Billowing honeysuckle perfume, suggestions of green herbal essences, and pungent green tea supply inner-mouth allure, while a remarkable sense of stony underpinnings along with savory sweet-saline suggestions of lobster serve for intrigue and saliva-inducement. This might lack quite the textural allure of the corresponding Brücke, but finishes with sensational, interactive persistence, not to mention promises more to come.”
Weingut Donnhoff Norheimer Kirschheck Riesling Spatlese, Nahe 2017 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special, ETA April
David Schildknecht – Vinous 92 points “Lily and apple blossom perfume on the nose liquefies on a silken, glossy, buoyant palate lusciously brimming with juicy fresh apple and chiffon-like strawberry. The finish, unabashedly sweet, yet delicate, is hauntingly sustained and incorporates a saliva-liberating pinch of sea-salt. “I don’t really want to make every sort of wine in every vineyard,” insists Dönnhoff, who is convinced that the talent of Kirschheck is and will remain in the realm of residual sweetness. “Besides,” he adds with a wink, “with the two new Grosse Gewächse we now have a full six-pack.””
Weingut Donnhoff Oberhauser Brucke Riesling Spatlese, Nahe 2017 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Weingut Donnhoff Oberhauser Brucke Riesling Spatlese, Nahe 2017 1.5L ($149.95) $119 pre-arrival special, ETA April
David Schildknecht – Vinous 93 points “Ripe pear, quince and raspberry, honeysuckle and peony combine for a seductive nose and palate, the latter polished, glossy and billowing with inner-mouth perfume. But the characteristic brightness of Brücke really shows in the animation of a superbly-sustained, luscious yet, focused finish that delivers less sense of overt sweetness than was harbored by this year’s Krötenpfuhl or Leistenberg Kabinetts, let alone by the corresponding Kirschheck Spätlese.”
Weingut Donnhoff Oberhauser Brucke Riesling Auslese, Nahe 2017 375ML ($49.95) $39 special
David Schildknecht – Vinous 95 points “Haunting, intense scents and luscious palate presence of very ripe pear and quince glazed with red raspberry jelly present an intensification of the characteristics harbored by the corresponding Spätlese. At the same time, there is a flower shop-like mingling of greenery and blossoms that not only adds intrigue but also helps coolingly steer the wine away from any impression of over-ripeness. The feel is glossy, subtly creamy, and the wine’s high acidity is subtly experienced as juicy fresh lime, but more prominently in the sense of animation and the way in which residual sugar is held in check. The superbly-sustained finish delivers wafting, almost ethereal floral essences, rich fruit, and a mouthwatering abundance of salt. “We went through the vineyard at least three times and had to throw a lot away in order to arrive at this little bit of Auslese,” reports Dönnhoff, “but it’s not primarily a botrytis Auslese; rather it reflects grapes of high-ripeness so far advanced that they wouldn’t have worked at all for dry wine. Often we need to harvest for Auslese or even Spätlese early-on,” he adds, striking a familiar theme, “because that’s often when there is the purest botrytis, and because we need to have ample acidity for balance. But in the case of this 2017, you could say that it was picked out more or less in the middle of harvest.””
David Schildknecht – Vinous 90 points “Ester-rich, penetratingly high-toned aromas of pear distillate and bruised grapefruit rind are mingled with Pinot Gris- or even Gewurztraminer-like notes of smoked meat and smoky black tea that seem to be typical for Höllenberg. Peach fuzz and piquant pear pip amplify the counterpoint supplied by smoky and stony impingements on a palate of palpable density, leading to a finish of implacable grip. Germany’s prevalent fans of bone-dry, firm, pronouncedly phenolic and relentlessly forceful Riesling will in no doubt be thrilled; the rest of you have been warned. (For more about Höllenpfad, a fascinating and historically renowned sandstone site, consult my note on the Dönnhoff vintage 2014 Riesling from that site.)”
David Schildknecht – Vinous 92 points “Apple wood, char-like smokiness, along with scents of lichen and moss make for an aromatic display every bit as striking but surprisingly different from that of the corresponding 2016. The palate is pithily-concentrated yet polished, and delivers plenty of juicy apple and fresh lime to complement those elements that carry-over from the nose. The finish lays down a long, stimulatingly undulating carpet of woodsy flavors, and a mouthwatering suffusion of mineral salts.”
David Schildknecht – Vinous 95 points “The nose is dominated by intimations of red currant, red raspberry, lime and grapefruit; though, to be sure, there are also intimations of marine salinity and crushed stone. Once the wine hits your palate, there is a near-electric spark and a rush of bright juiciness allied to mouthwatering salinity and invigorating crystalline stony impingements. There’s also a suggestion of bittersweet inner-mouth florality more typical for Frühlingsplätzchen. A sense of tightly-coiled energy is allied to silken texture and a sense of buoyancy improbable for such a palpably extract-rich wine of around 12.5% alcohol. The vibrant, refreshing, multi-faceted finish delivers tingling, crunchy fresh fruit and myriad mineral notes, tugging not just on the salivary glands but on the cheeks and mandible.”
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David Schildknecht – Vinous 95 points “White currant, grapefruit, almond, struck flint and sea breeze aromatically anticipate the combination of bright citricity, mouthwatering salinity and smoky accents that inform a palpably dense palate. In addition, a sense of crushed stone suffusion and a raw oyster-like animal, mineral and herbal savor add to the dazzling complexity and salivary gland-tugging insistence of this bell-clear, vibrantly-sustained vinous tour de force.”
The Return of Beaux Freres Belle Soeurs
In Stock Now:
Beaux Freres “Belles Soeurs Cuvee,” Ribbon Ridge 2017 750ML ($109.95) $95 special
Wine Spectator 94 points “Impeccably polished and structured, with gracefully expressive cherry and blueberry flavors, laced with black tea, spice and orange peel notes, taking on richness toward refined tannins. Drink now through 2027.”
Diamond Creek Gravelly Meadow Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2015 750ML ($249.95) $188 special
James Suckling 96 points “The aromas of mint, blueberries and blackberries are very intense. Full-bodied, layered and softly textured; yet it delivers a firm and lightly chewy finish. Hot stones, too. This is a wine that will improve with three to four years of bottle aging.”
Wine Enthusiast 94 points “Soy, tobacco and dried herb mark this appropriately named wine, which does indeed have a gravelly, chalky aspect to its texture and taste. From a five-acre vineyard block of the estate, it is endlessly complex and nuanced, despite its full-bodied richness and concentration.”
Winery notes “Our second coolest micro-climate is our five-acre Gravelly Meadow vineyard. Originally a pre-historic river bed, this stony, gravelly soil drains rapidly and the vines struggle for moisture. Gravelly Meadow is our lowest yielding vineyard. The wines are described as “earthy, cedary, jammy and ripe blackberry with a spicy expansive finish.”
Scott Paul ‘Azana’ Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains 2013 750ML ($59.95) $24 special
Case-12 Scott Paul ‘Azana’ Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains 2013 750ML ($299.95) $249 special (that’s only $20.75/bottle!)
Josh Raynolds 92 points “Brilliant red. Fresh red berries, cherry compote and a hint of blood orange on the highly perfumed nose and in the mouth. Juicy and lithe in character, with no rough edges; a suave floral pastille nuance emerges on the back half. Shows excellent clarity and spicy cut on the finish, which hangs on with strong, floral tenacity.”
Casarena Owen’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Agrelo 2015 750ML ($31.95) $26 special
Case-12 Casarena Owen’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Agrelo 2015 750ML ($359.95) $279 special
Wine Advocate 94 points “Tasted side by side with the 2014, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Owen’s Vineyard feels a lot fresher. This is an old, balanced, traditional vineyard that yields wines with very good depth and natural balance. There is perfect ripeness here and a notable absence of those green pepper aromas that often mask the personality of many Cabernets. These old vines yield very concentrated juice and it shows in the tannins and acidity, which show in perfect harmony. 30,000 bottles produced.”
One of our bestselling Bordeaux bottlings picks up where it left off.
Chateau du Retout, Haut-Medoc 2014 750ML ($21.95) $16 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Chateau du Retout, Haut-Medoc 2014 750ML ($299.95) $179 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 90 points “Delightfully ripe, with an inviting core of plum and blackberry preserves, picking up an anise edge on the finish. A solid alder spine runs throughout, adding length and definition. Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Merlot.”
Wine Enthusiast 90 points “With an unusually high proportion (nearly 17%) of Petit Verdot in the blend, this is both darkly structured and dark in color. It is weight, intense youthful acidity and black-currant fruits. It’s also rich, full of tannins and in need of several years.”
James Suckling 90 points “A leafy cabernet nose leads into quite a poweful and tannic palate with the sleek body of a marathon runner. Better in 2018.”
Peyrassol Cotes de Provence ‘Commanderie de Peyrassol’ Rose 2018 1.5L ($51.95) $47 special
Importer note “For us, this wine is the classic representation of the pink-tinted wines of this region and is the workhorse wine of the estate. It carries a pale rose color, a lovely fruit blossom nose and finishes crisply dry with a stony touch that gives it class and elegance. The grape blend is usually Cinsault, Grenache and Syrah in varying percentages. The average age of the vines is 25 years or more. The Rosés of Peyrassol are made from the direct press method. The grapes undergo cold maceration before being pressed. This gives them their beautiful watermelon pink color. The fermentation takes place under controlled temperatures and is exceptionally long, resulting in rosés that are both lively, fresh and full-bodied. As production has increased at Peyrassol with the additional plantings, we too have increased our purchases.”
Our Best Value Sauternes
Freshly Restocked
Just (Re)Arrived:
“possibly superior to any of the vintages between 2000 and 1991”
Chateau Raymond-Lafon, Sauternes 2002 750ML ($49.95) $29 special
Chateau Raymond-Lafon, Sauternes 2002 375ML ($29.95) $18 special
Robert Parker 92-94 points “I suspect most readers will find it hard to get excited about the 2002 vintage for the sweet wines of Barsac and Sauternes after what appears to be a prodigious 2001. However, 2002 is a very fine year for this region, possibly superior to any of the vintages between 2000 and 1991. The wines possess plenty of botrytis, but neither the impressive definition nor supreme elegance of the 2001s. This is a sweet, full-bodied, fat, concentrated, intense effort that was showing well in September, 2003.” (Oct 2003)
VinopolNote: Raymond Lafon has always represented exceptional value in Sauternes. Some of the estate’s vines used to belong to Yquem and it wasn’t included in the 1855 classification, largely because it was founded in 1850. Raymond Lafon’s wines tend to be age worthy and exceptional value.
“The village elders claim that as far back as they can remember, the tortured looking vines were always considered ‘old’.
“In the distance, the blue cliffs of Vingrau, almost shooting up vertically, have been around for far longer, whipped almost constantly by the winds from the Tramontane. At the foot of the Pyrenees the nearby Mediterranean Sea glistens. And if the fairies still gather and dance during the solstice, they do it here in this unique, different and mysterious place.
“Without taking time to think, but just following my instinct, I chose this place to live fully my passion for wine. After starting as a young sommelier, then owner of a humble restaurant, an apprentice writer on wine and fine food, it was clear to me that when I reached a turning point in my life, I needed to cross over to the «producing» side to finally be able to learn – for lack of understanding – about all the stages a piece of dark wood goes through to give birth, years later, to an unforgettable nectar.
“A few plots of old vines, a pair of secateurs, a weeding hoe and a second-hand back-pack sprayer; the only tools used by many growers in this region, far from the useless profusion of massive means and technology. That’s how I started, on a bright morning in 1997, without any money, or anything at stake, or great ambitions, but full of great dreams. ” – Hervé Bizeul, Winemaker
Just Arrived:
Domaine Le Clos des Fées “Le Clos des Fées,” Cotes du Roussillon Villages 2015 750ML ($79.95) $54.50 special
Wine Advocate 96 points “Eighteen months in new French oak barrels has given the 2015 Côtes du Roussillon Villages le Clos des Fées a certain tightness and discipline lacking in the Vieilles Vignes bottling. There’s still massive fruit and buried complexity, full body and rich tannins, but there’s also firmness of structure that shows the serious, age-worthy side of Bizeul’s winemaking. Vanilla and baking spices accent deep, dark cherries and plums, ending in a long, velvety finish.”