2015 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru “Les Chalumaux”Comtesse de Chérisey
France | Burgundy
$120
Producers
The domaine’s oldest vines and 80% Grenache in the blend are the fundamentals of Racines. Of the two Les Pallières bottlings, this is the one that typically is open younger in its life. The tannins are soft, and the fruit is pure and elegant. Underlying that, though, is something dark and profound—a savory character reminiscent of tapenade. Don’t count it out as a candidate for your cellar.
—Clark Z. Terry
Wine Type: | red |
Vintage: | 2017 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | 80% Grenache 15% Syrah – Cinsault (co-planted) 5% Clairette |
Appellation: | Gigondas |
Country: | France |
Region: | Southern Rhône |
Producer: | Les Pallières |
Winemaker: | Frédéric & Daniel Brunier |
Vineyard: | 65 years average |
Soil: | Red sandy clay, Limestone, Scree |
Aging: | Ages in cuves for 10 months, then in foudres for 7-9 months |
Farming: | Organic (practicing) |
Alcohol: | 14.5% |
Domaine Les Pallières France | Southern Rhône | Gigondas
Les Pallières France | Southern Rhône | Vin de France
Les Pallières France | Southern Rhône | Gigondas
Château de Trinquevedel France | Southern Rhône | Tavel
Domaine Le Sang des Cailloux France | Southern Rhône | Vacqueyras
Domaine Catherine Le Goeuil France | Southern Rhône | Cairanne
The southern Rhône valley is Grenache country. It’s also known for its stones. With a viticulture history dating back well before the Popes arrived in the 12th century and one of France’s oldest appellations d'origine contrôlée, Châteauneuf-du-Pâpe, the southern Rhône is unquestionably one of France’s best known and premier winegrowing regions. The wines have the pedigree and age-worthiness of Burgundy and Bordeaux, but with a rustic, Mediterranean character. Like most wines from southern France, the reds, whites, and rosés are blends. Filling out the Grenache for the reds and rosés, you’ll often find Syrah, Carignan, Mourvèdre, and Cinsault. The common white grape varieties are Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Bourboulenc, Viognier, Roussane, and Marsanne among others. From the alluvial riverbed stones found in Lirac, Tavel, and Châteauneuf to the limestone cliffs of the Dentelles de Montmirail that influence Beaumes-de-Venise (where you’ll find excellent Muscat), Vacqueyras, and Gigondas, great terroir abounds.
Kermit’s entrance in the region came in the mid 1970s on his first trip with Richard Olney, an American ex-pat and friend of Alice Waters. On that trip, Richard introduced Kermit to the Brunier family of Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe. Soon after, Kermit began importing the Brunier’s wines—their Châteauneuf-du-Pape “La Crau” bottling remains a staple of our portfolio today. In the late 1990s Kermit teamed up with the Brunier family to purchase the famed Gigondas estate, Domaine Les Pallières. More than 40 years later, we now import wines from fifteen southern Rhône domaines spanning the entire area of the region.
Château de Trinquevedel France | Southern Rhône | Tavel
Domaine de Durban France | Southern Rhône | Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise
Selected by Kermit Lynch France | Southern Rhône | Côtes du Rhône
Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe France | Southern Rhône | Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Les Pallières France | Southern Rhône | Vin de France
Domaine Gramenon France | Southern Rhône | Côtes-du-Rhône
Domaine Catherine Le Goeuil France | Southern Rhône | Cairanne
Domaine Les Pallières France | Southern Rhône | Gigondas
Frédéric & Daniel Brunier France | Southern Rhône | Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Maxime François Laurent France | Southern Rhône | Southern Rhône
Domaine Gramenon France | Southern Rhône | Côtes-du-Rhône
Domaine Le Sang des Cailloux France | Southern Rhône | Vacqueyras
Trust the great winemakers, trust the great vineyards. Your wine merchant might even be trustworthy. In the long run, that vintage strip may be the least important guide to quality on your bottle of wine.—Kermit Lynch
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