Monthly Newsletter - Featuring French Regional Wines

Now Available From K&L Wine Merchants... Monday Sep 11th, 2017 [View in Browser]( [Special French Regional Feature]( a rigorous trip through the Rhône and Loire Valleys in March, we came back with several exciting new producers, some fantastic new wines from our existing producers and a few library selections that are off-the-charts delicious. In a word, 2015 was on everyone’s tongue. It’s tremendous throughout all regions, and you will see some truly amazing wines at all price levels. Not to overshadow 2015 already, but 2016 is equally strong, although in areas like the Loire it is seriously limited in production levels, due to frost early in the season. The quality is outstanding, though. Our trip begins with a look at an association of grower-producer women working in the Languedoc-Roussillon, known as the “Vinifilles.” These artisanal vignerons are making some of the best and even some of the most critically acclaimed wines in the region. Next we look at Châteauneuf-du-Pape and the host of new 2015 arrivals that are sure to excite now and for years to come. We journey down the Loire River and its host of Sauvignon Blancs, Chenin Blancs and Cabernet Francs. We finish with our favorite in-stock 2015 Rhônes from our top Direct Import producers. Keith Mabry - K&L French Regional Wine Buyer [View our electronic newsletter!]( Highlights this month include... Vintage Item Name Score Retail Link 2015 Château de L'Ou Côtes Catalanes Rouge 90 $11.99 [View]( 2013 Vidal-Fleury Côtes-du-Rhône 95 $12.99 [View]( 2015 Domaine des Remizières Crozes-Hermitage 90 $14.99 [View]( 2015 Chateau de L'Ou "Infiniment" Côtes Catalanes Rouge (Elsewhere $30) 94 $19.99 [View]( 2014 Domaine Tabordet "L'Autre Rive" Pouilly Fumé $23.99 [View]( 2014 J.L. Chave Selection "Offerus" Saint-Joseph 91 $29.99 [View]( 2015 Domaine La Barroche "Signature" Chateauneuf-du-Pape 93 $39.99 [View]( 2010 Domaine des Sénéchaux Châteauneuf-du-Pape 95 $49.99 [View]( 2010 Famille Perrin "Domaine du Clos des Tourelles" Gigondas (Elsewhere $80) 94 $49.99 [View]( 2012 E. Guigal "Château d'Ampuis" Côte-Rotie 97 $89.99 [View]( [2015 Château de L'Ou Côtes Catalanes Rouge]( ($11.99) 88-90 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "Moving to the reds, the 2015 Cotes du Roussillon Chateau de l'Ou (65% Syrah and 35% Mourvèdre) offers clean, medium-bodied aromas and flavors of dark berry fruits, spice and pepper. This puppy will drink nicely right out of the gate and will be a value. One of my favorite estates in the Roussillon is Chateau de lOu, which is run with incredible passion and attention to detail by Séverine Bourrier. This is a small estate, yet they release a number of cuvees based largely on different terroirs. Readers that like full-bodied, textured wines that always shows a sense of elegance and purity need to get on this estates bandwagon. (JD)" (04/2016) K&L Notes: Some of our best new relationships often come through referrals from other producers with whom we have already long established relationships. Our sparkling wine producer from Limoux, Françoise Antech, has made many great recommendations over the last few years through her association with the Vinifilles, which have included Domaine de la Reserve d’O and Clos de l’Anhel. When she said, “you must try my friend Séverine Bourrier’s wines from Château de L’Ou,” we listened. And were deeply impressed. Séverine came to winemaking through her own passion for the subject, not having the family history associated with so many winemakers. She studied oenology in school and worked in Bordeaux for a decade. After meeting her husband, they relocated to a property an hour outside of Perpignan in the Roussillon. They began restoring an old château and did some replanting, and rechristened the estate L’Ou, which is Catalan for egg. The property is in an oval-shaped valley that was used as a rest area by herd animals and likely the Knights Templar on their way to various crusades. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2013 Vidal-Fleury Côtes-du-Rhône]( [2013 Vidal-Fleury Côtes-du-Rhône]( ($12.99) 95 points Decanter: "Enjoys a deep nose with white pepper, graphite notes and bright red fruits. The palate is powerful and intense with black cherry and dark, muscular berry fruit, crisp acid and some neat, grippy, slightly salted tannins. The finish is long with berries and spice." (06/2016) Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The 2013 Cotes du Rhone is mostly Grenache and Syrah, and has a classic southern Rhone feel in its earthy dark fruits, pepper, lavender and spice-laced personality. Made in an easy drinking, fresh, correct style, it has plenty to like and will drink well for 3-4 years.Run by Guy Sarton du Jonchay, Vidal Fleury is a perennial source for high quality wines that won't break the bank. (JD)" (12/2015) Wine Spectator: "This still has some guts despite the slightly late release, with cherry and plum paste notes inlaid with a solid dose of roasted alder. A bit woodsy in feel, but the graphite edge adds cut on the finish. Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Carignan. Drink now through 2018. (JM)" (04/2017) Mabry]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: April 12, 2017 Last year, the Vidal-Fleury was one of our biggest Rhone success stories. I initially approached this wine with some hesitation as 2013 is a restrained vintage (which I usually prefer) and Vidal Fleury is a large co-op based in the northern Rhone (which is not necessarily a bad thing). A strong review from the likes of Decanter Magazine can do a lot to sway my attention as my flavor palate and theirs have a tendency to align. So taste it I did and impressive it was. Sumptuous red fruit was surrounded by flavors of Indian spices and potpourri. A delicious wine well worth the price of admission. The wine sold through in less than two months and we thought it long gone. But, a new chapter is written in this story. I recently met with a representative from Vidal-Fleury and lo and behold, they had uncovered about 100 cases in their warehouse on the east coast. My interest piqued, we tasted the sample she had brought along to make sure everything was still in order. Not to be hyperbolic, but the wine showed better than any of the other samples I had tasted previously. Beautiful integration and finer tannins just meant an even more winsome bottle of wine. So here we are again with what has proven to be one of your favorites and definitely one of our favorites and only a limited supply to be had. Take advantage now because it seems unlikely we will uncover more of this beautiful little find. Barr]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: June 23, 2017 We have carried the Rhone Valley productions from Vidal-Fleury for well over ten years, with the bulk of the production selections being the Côtes-du-Rhône Rouge, which have been consistently wonderful near-term drinkers. And, just as I was beginning to wonder when this Northern Rhône Valley house was ever going to release their 2013, it arrived here in June {2017}. They must have felt that the 2013, since it is a much more reserved type of vintage, needed some extra bottle time development to show itself in a much better fashion. And it dose! Medium-deep ruby in color, this Grenache/Syrah base wine offers a lovely, distinctive bouquet of white pepper, anise, and violet-like qualities with undertones of truffles and forest floor to underbrush notes. Lush, broad, round, well-structured, yet balanced palate impressions lead to a warm, fleshy finish that lingers well. Rusty thinks that this Gem is a perfect wine to go with our occasional cassoulet and that I need to bring home several cases of it for our near term consumption for the next three to six years. A REALLY NICE VALUE! ***** 14.0% ABV ***** Green]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: September 15, 2016 Like a trip through memory lane, the Vidal Fleury brings me back to the days of pure and honest Cotes du Rhone at reasonable prices. Holding back from the more modern flashy styles we are seeing so much of, this wine has a lovely texture and weight. Very pretty spices and beautiful fruit showing its Grenache and Syrah, mouth-coating without being cloying and a wonderful slightly rustic finish are all hallmarks of this little gem. I'm taking some home, if you are a fan of classic CdR, you should too! Rodriguez]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: September 14, 2016 Wonderful expression of a Cotes du Rhone! Highly perfumed with, fruit, iron, and light hints of cedar on the nose. It's a very warming, welcoming, aromatic CdR. On the palate, the wine continued on with pretty fragrances, fruit, and hints of beef blood. A lot going on in such an inexpensive wine. You'll be rewarded by taking your time with this shapeshifter of a wine. Cheers! Driscoll]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: September 14, 2016 Here's a Cotes du Rhone for people who appreciate restraint and nuance. The fruit is there, but this isn't a big, sweet, juicy, full-bodied Rhone from a ripe vintage. This wine has acidity, and hints of crushed violets, and dark, tart blackberry. There's a bit of that blueberry note on the finish, but it fades quickly under the earthiness and delicate tannic structure. Good wine for a good price! Pross]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: September 14, 2016 A killer value the 2013 Vidal Fleury Cotes du Rhone truly eclipses my expectation level considering the price of this wine. I was skeptical when I saw the 95 point score attached to this wine but from the very first sniff from my glass I knew this wine was going to be great. Beautiful aromas of wild raspberries, game, iron and crushed geraniums spring from the glass while the palate is full-bodied with flavors of cherry, raspberry kirsch, vanilla and mocha notes. Rich and full this drinks more like a fine Chateauneuf-du-Pape than a Cotes-du-Rhone-but thankfully youre only paying Cotes-du-Rhone pricing. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2015 Domaine des Remizières Crozes-Hermitage]( [2015 Domaine des Remizières Crozes-Hermitage]( ($14.99) 90 points Vinous: "Bright violet. Spice-accented dark berry and cherry aromas show good clarity and a complementary floral nuance. Sweet and penetrating on the palate, offering juicy blackberry and cherry flavors and a touch of salty olive. Fine-grained tannins lend shape to the finish, which hangs on with very good, spice-tinged persistence. (JR)" (07/2017) K&L Notes: The Desmeures family of Domaine des Remizières are fourth-generation winemakers who originally sold grapes to the local cooperative. After completing their winery in 1974, the family began production at their new property. The estate is now managed by Phillipe Desmeures, his daughter Emilie and son Christophe. They have expanded to 30 hectares with vineyards in Crozes-Hermitage, Saint-Joseph and Hermitage. Emilie now oversees the winemaking, with her brother Christophe tending to the vineyards. We were excited to add them to our lineup of Direct Imports last year. The basic Crozes-Hermitage comes from the hills of Crozes, on clay-limestone soils with bits of galets (stones) scattered throughout the vineyards. They use 100% destemmed Syrah grapes, then age in large oak casks. About as close to a pure expression of Syrah one could hope to find from this often-overlooked wine region. Praise for the producer from Wine Advocate: "One of my favorite Crozes-Hermitage estates is the Domaine des Rémizières...This estate needs to be on every reader’s short list." (JD, 12/2015) Mabry]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: September 21, 2016 When Jeb Dunnuck said, "this winery needs to be on everyone's short list," I took notice. I scheduled a visit with oenologist Emilie Desmeures when I was in the Rhone Valley earlier this year. We toured the winery and I saw the gorgeous attention to detail and immaculate cellars. We began by tasting the 2015 Crozes from foudre (large oak cask) and I was instantly hooked. The northern Rhone is where the best Syrahs in the world come from but we mostly associate the highly limited Cote Rotie and Hermitage wines and their higher ticket price with the region. Even basic Saint Joseph and Crozes is usually in the $25+ range. But here was a Crozes-Hermitage we could sell well south of $20 that would get everyone's attention and reintroduce them to a region that is too often thought of as "high-end." The 2015 recently arrived and it is as smoking delicious in the bottle as it was in the cask when I tasted it months ago. The wine is loaded with plush red and black fruit, supple tannins, and a beautiful panoply of spices. This is so inviting and yet so classic. I know you'll want to try it and see what we're all excited about but believe me, if you're a fan of good honest Syrah, you'll be back for cases. Garneau]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: March 15, 2017 Devotees of Syrah from the northern Rhone know that the best values are often to be found in Saint Joseph or Crozes-Hermitage, but this 2015 bottling from Domaine des Remizieres sets a new standard for quality and price. Deeply colored with a lightly floral nose, the wine offers loads of sweet, ripe blueberry fruit and peppery spice. A complete package here with lively acidity and fine tannins, this is an absolutely astonishing value in a northern Rhone Syrah you can drink tonight. Majeski]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 29, 2016 A wine of this quality, at this price, from the heralded Northern Rhone, is virtually unheard of. So I wont hedge my words Syrah is home here like nowhere else on earth, and the wines made from this grape are often priced into three figures. So here we are, with this under twenty dollar, excuse me, under fifteen dollar red, a smooth, aromatic wine, decked out in harmonious flavors of licorice, blackcurrant and raspberry, with subtle vanilla oak and integrated tannins. A delicious match for grilled meats and winter stews. Bearden]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: October 06, 2016 Here is a screaming deal for fans of the Northern Rhone and Syrah lovers in general. This starts out with lifted aromas of white pepper, violets and the faintest hint of game before a burst of crunchy blue and black fruits coat the palate. There is no heaviness or rusticity in this fresh and sweet wine, just a long, cool finish ending with a mineral lift. Schroeder]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: September 22, 2016 Its not often you get a wine of this pedigree at such a low price. Northern Rhône Syrahs are the most prestigious and costly in the world and this value-priced Crozes displays the appellation very well: vibrant and concentrated raspberry and blackberry fruit with plenty of earthy spice and full bodied tannins. Aged in traditional foudres for 18 months, the oak element is very subtle and elegant underneath the vibrant fruit. If you enjoy a great Syrah, dont pass this stellar deal up. Turk]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: September 21, 2016 Deliciously smoky, this stellar entry-level Crozes-Hermitage offers all the herbal, chalky, red-fruited intensity youd want from Northern Rhône, plus the benefit of the excellent 2015 vintage, for a fraction of the price. Subtly floral on the nose with notes of black raspberry, the Domaine des Remizières is sophisticated but approachable. If I tasted this blind, I would never have believed it could be under twenty dollars, let alone fifteen! A gorgeous find from a new producer I am so excited to support. Moreira]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: September 21, 2016 A textbook, classic French Syrah, this northern Rhone wine delivers intensity of fruit with loads of minerality as well. Beautiful violet color with lifted aromatic notes of black currants, blackberry and earth. There is a lightness to this wine that I find very attractive. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2015 Chateau de L'Ou "Infiniment" Côtes Catalanes Rouge (Elsewhere $30)]( ($19.99) 94 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "Just bottled three weeks ago, the 2015 IGP Cotes Catalanes Infiniment de l'Ou is the finest vintage of this cuvee to date. Made from 100% Syrah vinified and aged in barrel, its deep black/purple color is followed by a fabulous bouquet of cassis, smoked herbs, graphite and cured meats. Ripe, sexy, unctuous and layered, with moderate acidity and sweet tannin, drink this hedonistic beauty anytime over the coming decade. Even at 30 bucks, it's a killer value. (JD)" (04/2017) 94 points Rhone Report: "Starting out with the 2015s, the 2015 Côtes Catalanes Infiniment de l'Ou comes from vines around the estate and is distinctly different than the two releases from the Agly Valley, offering a ripper, rounded style as well as ample dark fruit, graphite, tobacco and scorched earth. Made from 100% Syrah brought up all in barrel, this big, richly textured 2015 is going to continue drinking beautifully for a decade. (JebDunnuck.com)" (08/2017) --------------------------------------------------------------- [2014 Domaine Tabordet "L'Autre Rive" Pouilly Fumé]( [2014 Domaine Tabordet "L'Autre Rive" Pouilly Fumé]( ($23.99) Nestled in the village of Verdigny, Domain Tabordet is run by brothers Yvon and Pascal Tabordet, who took the reins back in 1981. When the two brothers first took over the estate it consisted of three hectares (7.4 acres) in Sancerre. By 1988 they had added another 4.5 hectares of Sancerre and also added 12 hectares (29.7 acres) in neighboring Pouilly Fumé, just across the Loire River. Wine growing in Pouilly Fumé dates back to the fifth century when the Romans dominated the area. In 1937 it became an official Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) of France. Wine called Pouilly Fumé is required to be 100% Sauvignon Blanc. The soils here have a similar character to those of Sancerre, but one of the defining characteristics of Pouilly Fumé wines is the smoky, flinty aromas (fumé). These aromas come from the high concentration of silex, a.k.a. flint, found in the soil here. By taking a very simple but well-focused approach to farming and vinification, Domaine Tabordet does a really fantastic job of letting the grape and all of its character shine through. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2014 J.L. Chave Selection "Offerus" Saint-Joseph]( [2014 J.L. Chave Selection "Offerus" Saint-Joseph]( ($29.99) 91 points Vinous: "Deep ruby. Powerful aromas of blackberry, candied violet and woodsmoke, plus a hint of olive that emerges with aeration. Sweet, densely packed and seamless in texture, offering juicy black and blue fruit and licorice flavors given lift and spine by a core of juicy acidity. Spreads out and becomes spicier on the long, sweet finish, which features subtle tannins and a sexy floral nuance. (JR)" (07/2017) K&L Notes: The vineyards used for Offerus are located in two distinct St. Joseph areas. The communities of Mauves, Tournon, and St. Jean de Muzols yield over 80% of the blend and are owned by Jean-Louis. These southern vineyard sites express tightly wound tannins, spice, and power. They add structure and depth to complete the harmony of Offerus. The remaining vineyards are located in more northerly communities around Serrières, and even these are farmed mainly by Jean-Louis, though he doesn’t own the vineyards. This soil produces wines which are more elegant with incredible purity, definition, and focus. This cépage, composed of 100% Syrah, is a gorgeous panoply of baking spices and lavender tones. The brambly black fruit and roasted fig notes provide plenty of open fruit, and the light burnished leather quality adds to the complexity. The 2014 vintage is pretty versatile overall, providing immediate drinkability alongside plenty of structure for some short-term aging. If you open this bottle now, give it an hour or so in a decanter. Then make sure to offer the “Offerus” to your friends with a roasted leg of lamb dusted in Moroccan spices. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2015 Domaine La Barroche "Signature" Chateauneuf-du-Pape ]( [2015 Domaine La Barroche "Signature" Chateauneuf-du-Pape]( ($39.99) 91-93 points Vinous: "(fermented in concrete eggs and aged in foudres and stainless steel tanks) Vivid ruby. Highly expressive cherry and black raspberry aromas are complicated by energetic floral and Asian spice nuances. Sappy, sweet and broad in the mouth, offering juicy, densely packed red and dark berry flavors that become deeper as the wine open up. Stains the palate and shows impressive vivacity on the persistent, floral-dominated finish, which is framed by silky, harmonious tannins. (JR)" (03/2017) 90-92 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The 2015 Châteauneuf du Pape Signature is a blend of 62% Grenache, 18% Mourvèdre, 13% Syrah and the rest Vaccarèse, Clairette Rose and Cinsault. Vinified all in concrete and aged in a combination of foudre, demi-muids and stainless steel, it offers a tight, grippy, medium to full-bodied and beautifully structured style, as well as classic notes of black raspberries, black cherries, crushed flowers and hints of crushed rock. I love its tension, purity and focus, and it has terrific length on the finish as well. (JD)" (10/2016) --------------------------------------------------------------- [2010 Domaine des Sénéchaux Châteauneuf-du-Pape]( [2010 Domaine des Sénéchaux Châteauneuf-du-Pape]( ($49.99) 95 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "Made from an identical blend, the 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape is a hedonistic Chateauneuf du Pape fruit bomb. Super-rich with layers of glycerin and fruit, this full-bodied classic smells like a Provencal open-air fruit and vegetable market. Loaded with slightly blacker fruits than its 2011 counterpart, there are also hints of charcuterie, spice box, cedar and Christmas fruitcake in this full-throttle, rich, concentrated wine. Drink it over the next 12-15+ years. This nearly 65-acre estate is owned by the famous and much loved Bordeaux proprietor, Jean-Michel Cazes. To say that he and his family have done a terrific job improving the quality at this estate is an understatement as it has become one of the go to wines of the appellation since Cazes purchased the property in late 2006. Their vineyard holdings are located in several top terroirs, particularly Le Grand Pierre, Les Reves and Bois Senechaux. (RP)" (10/2012) 93 points Wine Spectator: "Dense and sappy, with lots of kirsch, blackberry cobbler, plum paste and braised fig notes, lined with roasted apple wood, black tea and anise. The long finish has ample grip, but it's well-embedded, leaving a concentrated yet polished feel. A strong showing for this quietly improving domaine. Best from 2015 through 2030. (JM, Web-2013)" 92 points Vinous: "Vivid ruby. Intense raspberry and cherry aromas are given an exotic touch by notes of black tea, smoked meat and dried lavender. Full and plush, with sweet red berry compote flavors and sneaky spiciness. A pliant, polished wine that marries power and finesse, finishing with impressive length and lingering smokiness. (JR)" (01/2013) --------------------------------------------------------------- [2010 Famille Perrin "Domaine du Clos des Tourelles" Gigondas (Elsewhere $80)]( [2010 Famille Perrin "Domaine du Clos des Tourelles" Gigondas (Elsewhere $80)]( ($49.99) 92-94 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "Of course, the real star is the 2010 Gigondas Clos des Tourelles. This wine has surreal concentration, an almost liquid minerality with hints of spring flowers, red, blue and black fruits that represent a broad smorgasbord of dark berries, and an impressive finish that is long, textured and powerful. This wine will need several years of cellaring and should drink well for 15-20 years. (RP)" (03/2012) 93 points Vinous: "Opaque ruby. A heady, seductive bouquet evokes red and dark berry preserves, candied lavender, incense and minerals. Sweet and concentrated, offering spice-accented raspberry and boysenberry flavors and a touch of anise. Silky tannins come on late and add shape and grip to an impressively long, floral-dominated finish. (JR)" (01/2013) 92 points Wine Spectator: "Offers dark, heady plum cake, currant paste and fig notes, thickly layered with ganache and baker's chocolate accents. The hefty finish is a bit chunky and rugged, showing a lot of power now, with well-buried acidity. This should stretch out and gain finesse in the cellar. Best from 2015 through 2022. (JM)" (02/2014) K&L Notes: No standard Gigondas, this winery is an incredible historic estate that was purchased by none other than the Perrin family of Chateau de Beaucastel fame. The property itself dates back to medieval times and the current Provencal home was built in the 17th century. The property is made up of 10 hectares planted predominantly to Grenache with bits of Syrah, Cinsault and Mourvedre in the mix. The Les Tourelles vineyard is located at the foot of the village where they have their oldest vine Grenache surrounded by an ancient wall (a "Clos" in French). The grapes are fermented "whole-cluster" with native yeasts and aged for 15 months in large oak casks. The wine is bottled without filtration. As with all Perrin wines this wine was built to age but with a few years of bottle age on it now, the wine is beginning to show its stuff. (Keith Mabry, Rhone Buyer) Mabry]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: May 30, 2017 By: Keith Mabry | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: 5/30/2017 | Send Email Alex Pross and I were in the Rhone Valley back in March doing some procuring for K&L and one of our best visits was with the Perrin Family's various properties. It was both our first visit to Chateau de Beaucastel, the flagship property, and it did not disappoint. The winery is both historically interesting and as far as production goes, immaculate. It's no surprise that they consistently make one of the best wines in Chateauneuf-du-Pape. We followed that visit with a drop in to the Perrin's other wine production facility just outside of Chateauneuf for a broad tasting of all their other wines. We finished our tour by heading to one of two Perrin restaurants in the middle of the village of Gigondas. On our way into town we had a quick look at the Clos des Tourelles vineyard as you cannot miss it when entering the village. I bring this up because, the Perrin family does not do anything by half measures. Their commitment in the south of France on Miraval is excelling. Beaucastel continues to be the benchmark property in Chateauneuf du Pape. Their appellation wines under the Famille Perrin label are each top renditions of their respective terroirs, Both restaurants in Gigondas are exceptional from their basic wine bar "Nez!" to the finer dining "l'Oustalet." So, when Perrin decides to procure one of the top vineyards in Gigondas, you have to know that the end result will be something truly special. The first commercial vintage of this wine produced is the 2010. Not a bad vintage to start with (it's actually a pretty terrific vintage). We found a stash in the importer's warehouse and made them what seemed to be an insane offer on a take all deal. Wanting to move forward to subsequent vintages, they said "yes." Aside from an exciting price, the key component on our side was to see where the wine stood in its evolution. A quick pull of the cork and the wine was on fire. With a few years of bottle age, the wine has developed great complexity, showing layers of sweet black fruit, exotic spices and burnished leather. Structurally, this wine still has at least another decade plus of evolution ahead of it, but now is a great time to check-in for you earlier drinkers. Much like their Beaucastel property, Domaine du Clos des Tourelles will represent what is sure to be a new benchmark wine for Gigondas. And like all the other Perrin projects, there are no half-measures, only great wines. Schroeder]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: May 30, 2017 A back vintage from one of my favorite southern Rhone appellations by the renowned producer of the Beaucastel line? I had a feeling this would be good, and it is! The richness of the vintage is evident with robust, savory, ripe strawberry and raspberry jam flavors, with fully integrated wild herb and garrigue notes. It has great weight and richness on the palate and just the right amount of acid to cut all that rich fruit. A+ for style, structure, drinkability, and further aging potential. Pross]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: May 30, 2017 Most of the time when I sit down to write about a wine it is a bit young and could use at least a few more years in the bottle in order for it to truly shine, for once I actually get to review a wine that is in a perfect drinking window! The 2010 Famille Perrin Domaine de Clos des Tourelles Gigondas is a fantastic wine, seductive aromas of fig jam, black licorice and spice cake deftly rise from the glass. Richly-textured on the palate this full-bodied wine displays gorgeous black fruit, plum, cola and spice flavors with silky tannins and excellent grip. The finish is long and supple with lingering notes hanging on the finish for 30+ seconds. An absolute steal for under $50. Smith]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: May 19, 2017 I'm starting to get more and more used to 2010 Southern Rhones. In unbelievable vintage conditions, a serious wine like this gets kicked up a notch into totally different territory. The aroma has a huge amount of depth. On the palate, the structure really takes over. Tannin is hitting every corner of your palate, with acid jumping around the spots in between. This is a proper wine. A tightly coiled spring, packed with flavor that will go, and go, and go. An great example of what is capable in the Southern Rhone with ideal growing conditions. A total powerhouse of a wine that is sure to impress seasoned drinkers. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2012 E. Guigal "Château d'Ampuis" Côte-Rotie]( [2012 E. Guigal "Château d'Ampuis" Côte-Rotie]( ($89.99) 97 points James Suckling: "The nose has a complex array of fine-ground eastern spices, strong cardamom, fine dark chocolate, ripe black cherry and plums. There's even some liquorice. It has a neatly composed and elegant feel on the palate; it really flows long, rippling with spicy flavors and a smooth, dense and creamy finish. Best from 2028 for a decade or more." (10/2016) 95 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The 2012 Côte Rôtie Château dAmpuis is a bigger, richer wine that offers full-bodied richness and a broad, expansive style on the palate. Black raspberries, toasted spices, cured meats and licorice all emerge from this incredibly sexy, complex and nuanced Côte Rôtie, and my notes finish with wish I could drink a glass. Enjoy bottles anytime over the coming 15 or more years. (JD)" (12/2016) 95 points Wine Spectator: "This is lavishly toasted, with a frame of mocha, ganache and black tea notes, matched to a gorgeous core of raspberry pâte de fruit, blackberry puree and plum sauce flavors. Exhibits a long, alluring, polished feel through the finish. This has a ways to go before opening up. Best from 2018 through 2030. 400 cases imported. (JM)" (07/2016) 94 points Vinous: "(aged in new oak for 36 months): Opaque ruby. Mineral-tinged aromas of blackberry, cherry liqueur, licorice and violet, plus an exotic Indian spice nuance. At once weighty and energetic, offering sappy black and blue fruit flavors and hints of candied flowers, smoky minerals and spicecake. Smoothly blends power and vivacity, finishing pure, spicy and long, with repeating spiciness and smooth tannins. This bottling is steadily moving closer, quality-wise, to Gilgal's La La wines, but the price has yet to reflect that. (JR)" (03/2016) --------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------- Follow us on: Check Out Our Blog: [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [On the Trail (K&L Blog)]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [My Account]( | [Wine Clubs]( | [Events]( |[Gift Cards]( | [Accessories]( | [Shipping]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Missed an offer? Check out recent opportunities at our [Email Archive]( page. 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