Châteauneuf-du-Pape & Meursault

2011 Domaine La Barroche Châteauneuf-du-Pape Signature
Price $79/bottle

The young and incredibly talented Julien Barrot took over winemaking at Domaine La Barroche during the disastrous 2002 vintage. Despite this trial by fire, Julien has since produced one magnificent vintage after another. While this small domaine is relatively new to estate bottling, the Barrot family that owns these 36 acres of prime Châteauneuf-du-Pape vineyards have been established in the village since the 14th Century.

The 2011 Signature is composed of a blend of about 65% Grenache and the rest Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault. The grapes come from several well-known plots with vines on average more than 70 years old, including the Grand Pierre district on the slopes of Rayas where the vines of the famed Château Rayas reside. Vinification is very traditional with the wine being moved by gravity, aged all in tank and larger foudre, and minimal sulfites used at bottling. The result is a concentrated, medium-bodied, seamless wine with plenty of fruit and spice that drinks well now but capable of developing in the cellar for many years.

2010 Domaine Michel Caillot Meursault
Special Price $44/bottle SOLD OUT

You can taste the fat of the sun’s warmth mingled with a mineral finesse in the 100% Chardonnay-based wines of Meursault. The Caillot estate was founded in 1961 and the vineyards cover approximately 32 acres, in Meursault and other renowned appellations, with vines averaging around 40 years old. Since the mid-90s, Michel Caillot (Son of the domaine founder, Roger Caillot, and also the nephew of Pierre Morey, former winemaker at Domaine Leflaive), has been adopting environmentally friendly winegrowing techniques. He is a fanatic for quality and committed to the principles of non-interventionist winemaking.

Fermentation is accomplished with whole clusters and indigenous yeasts. The wines are kept on their lees as long as possible and racked once before bottling. Michel uses little to no sulfites and typically ages wines up to 24 months before bottling (the latter half of that period in neutral tanks to preserve freshness). Michel’s wines are balanced, combining pure citrus fruit, minerality, a creamy texture, and a complex finish.

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Posted on 2014.12.12 in France, Saturday Sips Wines, Burgundy, Southern Rhone