Etienne Pochon - Crozes-Hermitage

Etienne crafts very elegant and surprisingly long-lived Crozes that should be typical of the appellation. Unfortunately,

there are many growers with extensive plantings on the plains who do not possess such a burning desire for quality

and therefore often produce very lacklustre, soupy wines. Etienne vinifies plot by plot from hillside sites, the best of

which are separated for some ageing in oak barriques; these are the red and white Château Curson wines. The

white is a Marsanne/Roussanne blend full of sophisticated almond, dairy and stone fruit flavours that is at its best

for two to three years.

Etienne Pochon	Curson, Crozes-Hermitage Blanc	2005	R 220
Etienne Pochon	Curson, Crozes-Hermitage Blanc	2006	R 220	JR 16+/20

Alain Graillot - Crozes-Hermitage

Alain Graillot founded his domaine in Crozes-Hermitage in 1985 and has rapidly became one of the most in-demand producers in area. Alain owns 50 acres of 30-year-old Crozes-Hermitage vines on the flat alluvial plain between the Rhône and Isère rivers, in well-draining soils of sand, gravel, and stones. Harvest is by hand and the vineyard is farmed organically, employing whole-cluster fermentation and aging in 1-to-3 year old barrels purchased from some of the top estates in Burgundy. In great years he makes tiny quantities of a barrel selection knows as “La Guiraude,” a rare and spectacular wine. Graillot’s wines are structured, quintessential Syrah with excellent freshness and pure berry fruit. In a great vintage such as 2007, these will age well for a decade. 

Rene Rostaing, Verlieu

Rostaing owns 7 ha in Cote Rotie and he produces terrifically traditional syrah wines. The wines are aged in Burgundy and demi-muid barrels with oak playing a secondary character to minerality and depth. The Cuvee Classique is a blend of the terroirs, whilst the La Landonne is the most powerful of the three. The Cote Blonde contains 5% viognier and displays the most elegance 

Rene Rostaing's Langedoc domaine on limestone in Langlade is just west of Nimes within the capacious Coteaux du Languedoc appellation. Elegant and pure wines, the Rouge is a Syrah with small amounts of Grenache and Mourvedre.  The Blanc is 50% Grenache Blanc with 15% Viogner and Rolle (Vermentino in Italy). See here for more info.

Rene Rostaing	Cote Rotie Cuvée Classique	2007	R 455	JR 17/20
Rene Rostaing	Cote Rotie La Landonne	2007	R 765	JR 18/20
Rene Rostaing	Cote Rotie Côte Blonde	2007	R 800	JR 18/20

Rene Rostaing	Languedoc Puech Chaud Blanc	2007	R 140
Rene Rostaing	Languedoc Puech Chaud Rouge	2007	R 225

Yves Cuilleron, Verlieu

Yves Cuilleron	Condrieu 'Les Chaillets'	2008	R 715	WS 92/100
Yves Cuilleron	Cornas 'Vires'	2007	R 780	WS 93/100
Yves Cuilleron	Cote Rotie 'Terres Sombres'	2007	R 825	WS 92/100
Yves Cuilleron	St Joseph 'Amarybelle' Rouge	2007	R 350	WS 91/100

Condrieu Les Chaillets 2008 Racy, with a nicely taut edge to the quinine, quince, fig and pear flavors that ripple through the lengthy, mouthwatering finish. Shows excellent length and precision for the vintage. Drink now through 2014. 1,708 cases made. –JM

Cornas Les Vires 2007 A ripe, suave, modern style, with gorgeous black tea and crushed plum aromas, this is silky and driven, with mouthwatering iron, pastis, black olive and açaí berry notes rippling through the long, full-bodied finish. Drink now through 2016. 291 cases made. –JM 

Côte-Rôtie Terres Sombres 2007 A warm cocoa aroma is followed by plush, silky plum, black currant, fig and mocha notes. The long, sanguine finish lets black tea and sandalwood notes chime in, while staying ripe and fleshy. Drink now through 2015. 1,016 cases made. –JM

St.-Joseph L'Amarybelle 2007 A modern style, with toasty espresso and bittersweet cocoa aromas backed by dark plum and ripe blackberry fruit. Long and velvety on the finish, with alluring sanguine and black tea hints. Drink now through 2011. 2,933 cases made. –JM

Andre Perret, Verlieu

André Perret took control of the family domaine - just half a hectare - in 1982. Like many small vignerons of the northern Rhône, the Perret family were small-scale farmers, growing fruit and keeping livestock as well as tending their small plot of vines. In fact the main concern here was the orchard, but this is now very much a sideline business, because the quality of Condrieu coming from André Perret's property is top-class

More famous for his condrieu, the St Joseph is the epitome of Syrah and shows the class of the vintage. Perfumed, floral and syrah with a good core of sweet fruit. One can taste the traditionally winemaking

Perret

St Joseph

2007

R 195

Domaine Grand Veneur - Chateauneuf-du-Pape

This estate, owned by the Jaume family, has been on fire over the last decade. The wines are made in a polished, civilized, modern style, but they do not lack Provencal or Chateauneuf du Pape typicity. In 2006, they added a third cuvee of

Chateauneuf du Pape, an old vine cuvee that was mostly all Grenache in 2006, but a different blend in 2007. The real

bargain among the Chateauneuf du Papes is their traditional offering. Over the last 4-5 years, Grand Veneur has produced a bevy of terrific Cotes du Rhones, and the following two cuvees are indicative of what they are capable of achieving...

Domaine Grand Veneur	Chateauneuf du Pape, Vielles Vignes	2007	R 835	Parker 95-97+
Domaine Grand Veneur	Chateauneuf du Pape, Les Origines	2007	R 495	Parker 94/100
Domaine Grand Veneur	Chateauneuf du Pape	2007	R 365	Parker 90-93
Domaine Grand Veneur	Cotes-du-Rhone Villages	2007*	R 165	Parker 91/100

* Arriving October

Domaine le Soula, Cote de Catalans (Languedoc-Roussillon)

Owned by the legendary Gerard and Ghislaine of the famous Domaine Gauby as well as Richard Walfords this is one

of the most exciting wineries in the South of France. The land is farmed biodynamically as to give terroir utmost emphasis. The soil on this Catalan venture is likened to the decomposed granite of that of Hermitage in the northern Rhone. The vineyards are also between 450m and 600m high adding to a more elegant style. The Rouge is a blend of Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Carignan. The Blanc a blend of Grenache Blanc, Savignon, Chenin Blanc, Marsanne and Roussane. From a great vintage they will last a decade.

Le Soula	Vin de Pays Blanc, Cotes de Catalanes	2006	R 315	JR 18/20
Le Soula	Vin de Pays Rouge, Cotes de Catalanes	2006	R 315	JR 17.5/20

Signal d'Agly, Cote de Catalans (Languedoc-Roussillon)

Produced by the Signal Hill's (Cape Town) owner and winemaker Jean Vicent Ridon, these are elegant terroir-driven wines. Only 1000 cases are produced in  The Rouge is a blend of Grenache, Carignan, Mourvedre and Syrah whilst the Blanc is an elegant blend of Marsanne, Roussanne, Grenache Gris, Macabeu, Rolle and Malvoisie.

Le Signal	Blanc, Cotes de Catalanes	2005	R 225
Le Signal	Muscat de Rivesaltes 50cl	2005	R 140
Le Signal	Rouge, Cotes de Roussillon	2005	R 225

BIN ENDS

Jamet

Cote Rotie

2004

R 595

Parker 87-89

Prices in Rand per bottle inclusive VAT whilst stocks available