Domaine de la Vieille Julienne, Cotes du Rhone, France

維勒朱麗安酒莊羅訥河谷丘紅葡萄酒

點擊次數(shù)：4266

Adjacent to the visitors’ parking lot are some of the oldest vines of the estate, 80- to 100-year-old Grenache vines that go into the 2005 Cotes du Rhone, a 500-case cuvee aged completely in ancient foudres. Inky ruby/purple with rather high tannins, crisp, lively acidity, but impressive levels of black cherry fruit along with some pepper and spice, this is a beauty that should actually age for at least a decade in spite of the fact that it carries a humble appellation. This estate in the very northern sector of Chateauneuf du Pape celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2005, but the extraordinary wines have only really come with the emergence of Jean-Paul Daumen as a seasoned and competent producer, over the last seven to eight years. He is now one of the truly stunning producers in all of France and, somewhat unusual for Chateauneuf du Pape, he doesn’t make any white Chateauneuf du Pape. Importer: A Christopher Cannan Selection, various American importers including Michael Skurnik, Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300 and Diamond Wine Merchants, Oakland, CA; tel. (510) 567-9897

The 2004 Cotes du Rhone, which is 80% Grenache and the rest Cinsault, exhibits deep, sweet kirsch liqueur notes, a hint of balsam wood and pepper, and a spicy, medium to full-bodied, soft finish. Its dense purple color and lusciousness suggest drinking it over the next 3-4 years. P.S. I asked Daumen to indicate the yields of his vintages since 1998. Interestingly, he exceeded 30 hectoliters per hectare in 1998 and 1999, fell below that in 2000, and then his two smallest crops were 28 hectoliters per hectare in 2003 and 25 hectoliters per hectare in 2004. Obviously, this is for the entire estate and not just his Chateauneuf du Pape holdings, which are much smaller. Importer: A Christopher Cannan Selection, various American importers including Michael Skurnik, Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300 and Diamond Wine Merchants, Oakland, CA; tel. (510) 567-9897

The 2003 Cotes du Rhone is performing well, tipping the scales at 14.5% natural alcohol. A classic example of Provencal wine with kirsch liqueur intermixed with roasted herbs and sweet licorice, it is a beauty – elegant, dense, rich, concentrated, but silky smooth. Drink it over the next 5-6 years. P.S. I asked Daumen to indicate the yields of his vintages since 1998. Interestingly, he exceeded 30 hectoliters per hectare in 1998 and 1999, fell below that in 2000, and then his two smallest crops were 28 hectoliters per hectare in 2003 and 25 hectoliters per hectare in 2004. Obviously, this is for the entire estate and not just his Chateauneuf du Pape holdings, which are much smaller. Importer: A Christopher Cannan Selection, various American importers including Michael Skurnik, Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300 and Diamond Wine Merchants, Oakland, CA; tel. (510) 567-9897