Friday Sips

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Galet des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Drop by to sample 3 full-flavored red wines (including a library selection 2005) from the Southern Rhone's most important regions and from One of our favorite producers, Galet-des-Papes. These are Châteauneuf wines that appeal to the sensual side in all of us and happen represent some of the world's greatest bargains that will age and evolve over an extended period of time. Read on!!



2010 GALET DES PAPES CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE TRADITION
$37.99 BTL./$455.88 CASE

Jean-Luc Mayard is the prototypical Provençal farmer. Here is a guy who could care less about how to gloss and market his wines. His best answer to marketing is that those who need it "should make better wines"!

First and foremost is Jean-Luc's commitment to the vineyard which carries over into the bottle. These are extremely traditional Châteauneufs. Since they are traditionally not destemmed, whole clusters that are aged in large vats, they won't show the modern-style manipulated color. The 2010s (and recent vintages) have greater color concentration; maybe less purple hue but with mammoth concentration…deep, dense and profound! The Tradition Châteauneuf-du-Pape is from Jean-Luc's "young vines", those being 50 year old vines! 80% Grenache - 5% Syrah - 5% Cinsault - 5 % Mourvèdre - 5% Vaccarèse, the 2010 is genius, genuine and the utmost reflection of a great vintage. Serious levels of black licorice and blackberry with supporting notes of kirsch and herbes de provence. An androgynous wine that is statuesque, detailed, chock full of spice and revealing fantastic depth and lively characteristics that are hallmarks of the vintage. Make no mistake, this has formidable grip and backbone and always ages impeccably. One really sees this on the assertive and very lingering finish. Ultimately this wine should be cellared and consumed 2015 – 2025+



2010 GALET DES PAPES CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE VIEILLES VIGNES
$42.99 BTL./$515.88 CASE

If you enjoy fishing, you know that a fairy tale often begins with ‘Once Upon A Time' but a fishing story always starts off with ‘This Ain't No Bulls&*t'!! That sentiment is exactly what this wine is, a confident, no BS, full-on wine from 100 year old vines. Jean-Luc Mayard is a man who simply loves his vines and this offering is one of the most underrated and long-lived wine in all of Chateauneuf. The "Vielles Vignes" cuvee is composed of 60% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre, and 10% Syrah and the result is purity to the max! When Bryan visited Jean Luc Mayard in Chateauneuf this past March and tasted this wine, the notes went on and on about how superb it is. Complex out of the chute and immediately impressive. Plum-pepper, Thai spice, tea leaf, hints of smoked meat, plenty of white pepper aromas emerge. There seems to be even more lurking beneath that in time will also come out. Very seductive fruit here, Vinous as hell, quite purple with its mouth presence which builds into virtual riot of spiciness and old-vine texture, all going off from start to back. As experience has with this particular cuvee, it does move in and out of phases of drinkability for its first 4-5 years. Not a problem for this to live 15-20 years and beyond.



2005 GALET DES PAPES CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE VIEILLES VIGNES
PRE-ARRIVAL SPECIAL - $49.99 BTL./$599.88 CASE

Almost two years ago, we were able to offer a library selection, the famed 2001 Galet Vieilles Vignes, and this past March, Jean-Luc offered us yet another, this time from the outstanding, very classic 2005 vintage. Sculpted, stacked and just hinting at tinges of secondary aromas coming through at age 7. Beautiful combination of rhubarb, violet, rosemary, lavender and peppercorn builds from the glass. Penetrates very deeply and offers up its intense old-vine core and personality. Fabulously textured with ample backbone that's enhanced even more with aspects of ardent strawberry, hot-rock and smoky-spicy qualities. Natural freshness and packed with licorice and red tones on the long, luxurious finish that slowly builds. This really comes on as it unfolds in the glass. If you want to drink now, do decant…No problem to age on through to its 20th birthday and probably beyond. Galet wines are chameleons with cuisine - grilled lamb (Tradition) or duck (Vieilles Vignes) in particular.

PRE-ARRIVAL SPECIAL, WINES ORDERED WILL ARRIVE IN LATE NOVEMBER....HERE'S YOUR CHANCE TO TASTE BEFORE ORDERING, TODAY ONLY, 10-12-12!!



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