2018 Petit ChablisDomaine Roland Lavantureux
France | Burgundy
$30
Producers
A glorious ruby robe with purplish glints prefaces this blend of old Grenache with some Syrah from the Visan subzone of the Côtes-du-Rhône. The nose follows with evocative scents of Provence: sun-ripened blackberries, lavender, black olive, garrigue...A dusting of earthy tannins gives this plump, generous red just enough texture and grip.
—Anthony Lynch
Wine Type: | red |
Vintage: | 2019 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | 70% Grenache, 30% Syrah |
Country: | France |
Region: | Southern Rhône |
Producer: | Maxime François Laurent |
Vineyard: | 1.3 ha, 60 years Grenache, 35 years Syrah |
Soil: | Clay, limestone |
Farming: | Biodynamic (certified) |
Alcohol: | 13.5% |
Maxime François Laurent France | Southern Rhône | Southern Rhône
Maxime-François Laurent France | Southern Rhône | Côtes du Rhône
Maxime François Laurent France | Southern Rhône | Côtes-du-Rhône
Domaine de Durban France | Southern Rhône | Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise
Domaine Le Sang des Cailloux France | Southern Rhône | Vacqueyras
Domaine Gramenon France | Southern Rhône | Côtes-du-Rhône
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.
Famille Brunier France | Southern Rhône | Vin de Pays de Vaucluse
Domaine Le Sang des Cailloux France | Southern Rhône | Vacqueyras
Domaine de Durban France | Southern Rhône
Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe France | Southern Rhône | Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Domaine Les Pallières France | Southern Rhône | Gigondas
Domaine de Durban France | Southern Rhône
Domaine Gramenon France | Southern Rhône | Côtes-du-Rhône
Maxime François Laurent France | Southern Rhône | Côtes-du-Rhône
Domaine Les Pallières France | Southern Rhône | Gigondas
Domaine Le Sang des Cailloux France | Southern Rhône | Vacqueyras
Domaine de Durban France | Southern Rhône | Beaumes-de-Venise
Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe France | Southern Rhône | Châteauneuf-du-Pape
When buying red Burgundy, I think we should remember:
1. Big wines do not age better than light wine.
2. A so-called great vintage at the outset does not guarantee a great vintage for the duration.
3. A so-called off vintage at the outset does not mean the wines do not have a brilliant future ahead of them.
4. Red Burgundy should not taste like Guigal Côte-Rôtie, even if most wine writers wish it would.
5. Don’t follow leaders; watch yer parking meters.
Inspiring Thirst, page 174
Drinking distilled spirits, beer, coolers, wine and other alcoholic beverages may increase cancer risk, and, during pregnancy, can cause birth defects. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/alcohol
Many food and beverage cans have linings containing bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical known to cause harm to the female reproductive system. Jar lids and bottle caps may also contain BPA. You can be exposed to BPA when you consume foods or beverages packaged in these containers. For more information, go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/bpa