The Rhone Valley and Burgundy
This Week’s Tasting
Perrin Family Wines– “The Perrin Family’s range of wines enable you to discover the richness of the Southern Rhône Valley and its diverse terroirs. With the same expertise and the same passion as for Château de Beaucastel, the family prides itself in bringing out the true character of each terroir.
The “Famille Perrin” way makes each wine unique: using organic and biodynamic approaches, mastering the art of blending and bringing out the freshness of the Southern aromas.”
Perrin Family Cotes du Rhone Blanc Reserve 2014
Rhone Valley, France
“A blend of Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne, and Viognier. Located on the fresh and light soils of Cairanne and Jonquières. The vineyard is situated between the rivers of Ouvèze and Aigues. Recent alluvial deposits of calcareous origin with variations according to the river path, clayey limestone. Crushing in pneumatic presses, fining of the must and refrigeration. Regulated fermentation in tanks. In stainless steel until June, the period when its bottled after fining. Filtered. Characteristic of Viognier and its floral notes, this is a wine with an incredible freshness and great depth. It will be a wonderful match for Mediterranean dishes and fish.”
$10.99
Perrin Family Cotes du Rhone Rouge Reserve 2012
Rhone Valley, France
“This wine is a blend of Grenache (mainly from our Prébois vineyard in Orange), Syrah from further north (from our vineyard in Vinsobres) and Mourvèdre. The vineyard of Prébois has clayey limestone soils covered with stones. In Vinsobres the terraces are rich in quartz and marl limestone. After the harvest is sorted and destemmed, vinification takes place in stainless steel and oak. Ageing occurs in tanks and Foudre 25% of the year. Classic Côtes du Rhône. Fruity and fleshy with beautiful tannins, it’s a great everyday wine made almost exclusively from our Grand Prébois vineyards (for the Grenache) and our Vinsobres vineyards (for the Syrah).”
$10.99
Maison Louis Latour
“Founded in 1797 Maison Louis Latour has survived the ages and has become a natural custodian of Burgundy’s ancient traditions. Authentic and determinedly independent, the House has always made it a point of honour to remain family owned. A négociant-éleveur with soul, the house is still independent and managed by the founding family, headed up by Louis-Fabrice Latour who is the seventh Louis and the 11th generation of the Latour family to lead the company.
The Latour family Domaine has been built up over the years with patience and determination, and today, covers 50 hectares of exceptional vineyard and includes the largest collection of Grand Cru vineyards in Burgundy.”
Maison Louis Latour Ardeche Chardonnay 2013
Coteaux de l’Ardèche, Rhone-Alpes, France
“Maison Louis Latour is one of the most innovative producers in Burgundy whilst maintaining its traditional image. With a view to expanding the business in 1979, the valley of the Ardèche river with its clay and limestone-based soils was chosen as the ideal location to produce a top-quality Chardonnay wine. The Chardonnay d’Ardèche is aged in stainless steel vats for approximately 10 months. It is a fresh and easy to drink wine. Traditional in stainless steel vats, temperature controlled with complete malolactic fermentation. 8 to 10 months ageing in stainless steel vats. Sparkling pale gold in colour the Ardèche Chardonnay 2013 has a delicious bouquet of honey accompanied with aromas of yellow fruits and apricot. In the mouth it is rounded with flavours of yellow peach and a lovely lasting freshness.”
$14.99
Maison Louis Latour Valmoissine Pinot Noir 2011
Coteaux du Verdon, Provence, France
10 to 12 months ageing in stainless steel vats. “Domaine de Valmoissine is located on the site of the ancient monastery and university of Valmoissine at 500 metres above sea-level. This guarantees sunshine during the summer months whilst remaining cool at night and limits the possibility of spring frosts. The vineyard’s southern exposure gives the raisins perfect maturity at the same time as the Grands Crus of Corton. The yield is small in order to ensure perfect maturity and concentration of the grapes, the factors that create the best quality wines. The Domaine de Valmoissine 2011 has a lovely ruby red colour with garnet tints. It has an intense nose with aromas of Morello cherries. It is harmonious in the mouth with slightly young tannins which will soon become fine and sily-smooth. It is a wonderfully balanced wine.”
$13.99