France; Rhone
August 01, 2009Saturday 4:00pm until 7:00pm (or until it's gone)
$5 per person
Domaine Grand Veneur
Châteauneuf-du-Pape — Côtes du Rhône — Côtes du Rhône Villages — Lirac — Vacqueyras
(Rhône Valley)
The Estate
In 1320 Pope Jean XXII planted the first vines of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, but it was only in 1360 that the wines of the region first gained fame. Oddly, the wine that gave Châteauneuf-du-Pape its original reputation was the Blanc and not the Rouge. The white wine was a favorite of Pope Innocent VI. The Domaine dates back to 1826, having been founded at that time by Mathieu Jaume. Since 1979, Alain Jaume has run the Domaine and now has the help of his two sons: Sébastien and Christophe.
"Popes throughout history have liked their juice, and when the papal see moved to Avignon in the 13th century, that juice was Châteauneuf-du-Pape ("the pope's new castle") made from grapes grown nearby in the Southern Rhône. The castle is a ruin now, the papal court long gone back to Rome, but the wines that bear the pope's coat of arms emblazoned on the bottle are still produced more or less according to the long-standing recipe. Not every winemaker uses all 13 of the grapes in the proscribed blend, though. At Domaine Grand Veneur, an estate that dates to 1826, Alain Jaume and his sons Sebastien and Christophe emphasize Grenache blended with Syrah and Mourvèdre."
- Los Angeles Times
"Improved Châteauneuf with very accomplished, stylish reds since the late 1990s; also very good Vacqueyras and
Côtes-du-Rhône Villages." — Anthony Dias Blue's pocket guide to wine 2006
The Vineyard
The estate is located in the commune of Orange and consists of 50 hectares (123 acres). It covers four different appellations: Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Côtes-du-Rhône Villages, Côtes-du-Rhône and Lirac.
The family produces wines under three labels:
- Domaine Grand Veneur – Estate
- Alain Jaume – Negociant
- Clos de Sixte – New Lirac Estate
2008 Grand Veneur, Côtes du Rhône "Blanc de Viognier" $19.95
100% ViognierSoil: clay/sand with limestone.
Yield: 38 Hl / hectare
Hand-picked harvest. Vinification in stainless steel vats at a controlled temperature of 18°C. Bottled early, 6 months after the harvest.
A golden yellow, clear and brilliant color. A very intense nose of flowers and fruit. Aromas of violet, peach and apricot. The palate is smooth and rich with a very good length.
"100% Viognier, Super-fresh notes of honeysuckle, apricot marmalade, and melons jump from the glass of this medium-bodied, dry, crisp, refreshing white. There is even some underlying minerality. It's a shame we can't find California Viogniers at this quality level and price point."
- Wine Advocate (June 09), 90 pts
2008 Grand Veneur , Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc $36.99
Varietals: 50% Clairette, 30% Roussane, 20% White GrenacheThe vineyard is located on clay-limestone slopes, on soil covered with rolled stones.
Yield: 35 Hl / hectare
Pale yellow color with hints of green. Aromas of white flowers (may blossom, honeysuckle). The palate is well balanced between liveliness and roundness, which brings out characteristics of dried apricot, honey and elderberry.
"A fresh peach- and mineral-driven style, with citrus peel, floral and salted butter notes rippling through the bright, mouthwatering finish. Drink now."
- Wine Spectator (June 09), 89 pts
2007 Reserve Grand Veneur, Côtes du Rhône Rouge $11.95
Varietals: 80% Grenache, 20% SyrahVinification: destemming and crushing. Temperature controlled fermentation at 30°C. Vatting for 10 to 12 days.
Purple-tinged garnet color. Aromas of fresh berries (wild raspberry, blackcurrant, blackberry) and spices. The palate is full-flavored, with silky-smooth tannins. The finish offers notes of licorice and pepper.
"The outstanding 2007 Côtes du Rhône Reserve Rouge (80% Grenache and 20% Syrah) is a killer bargain. A deep dark ruby color is followed by copious quantities of kirsch liqueur, forest floor, licorice, and pepper notes. The expansiveness on the palate, broad, velvety mouthfeel, and full-bodied style are remarkable at this price point. Drink this beauty over the next several years."
- Wine Advocate (June 09), 90 pts
2007 Grand Veneur, Côtes du Rhône Villages Rouge, Les Champauvins $17.95
Varietals: 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre.Single vineyard directly across the appellation boundary of Chateauneuf-du-Pape.
Intense, brilliant garnet-red color. The aromas of woods and ripe red berries are typical of the terroir. The tannic structure is elegant and smooth. The finish is dominated by slight touches of spices and truffles.
A complete wine, rich and fine.
"Equally impressive as the Côtes du Rhône Reserve, Rouge, with slightly more complexity, muscle, and depth, is the 2007 Côtes du Rhône Villages Rouge, Les Champauvins. A more spice-driven, fuller-bodied, earthier effort, it is a rich, well-balanced, full-throttle Côtes du Rhône that demonstrates the heights of quality that were attainable in 2007."
-Wine advocate (June 09), 91 pts
"An outstanding sleeper of the vintage, the 2007 Cotes du Rhone-Villages Les Champauvins is an amazingly good effort displaying a dark ruby/purple hue as well as a big, sweet bouquet of black raspberries, kirsch, pepper, garrigue, and earth. Dense, full-bodied, and ripe, it is as good as many producers- Chateauneuf du Papes. It should drink well for 7-8 years or more."
- Wine Advocate ( Oct. 2008), 91 pts
