2015 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru “Les Chalumaux”Comtesse de Chérisey
France | Burgundy
$120
Producers
Ever been skiing in Provence? It’s a bit of a secret among locals, but you can, in fact, on top of snowcapped Mont Ventoux for a month or so in winter—one chairlift and four small trails with real snow. Down the hill a bit lie the Ventoux vineyards. In the glass, fresh mountain air and exuberant Provençal olive and plum fruit make an unexpected, delicious encounter.
—Chris Santini
Wine Type: | red |
Vintage: | 2019 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | 80% Grenache, 20% Syrah |
Appellation: | Ventoux |
Country: | France |
Region: | Southern Rhône |
Producer: | Famille Brunier |
Winemaker: | Frédéric & Daniel Brunier |
Vineyard: | 25 years average, 2 ha |
Soil: | Rocky clay and sand |
Aging: | Aged in 50 hl foudres for 10 months |
Farming: | Organic (practicing) |
Alcohol: | 14.5% |
Famille Brunier France | Southern Rhône | Vin de Pays de Vaucluse
Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe France | Southern Rhône | Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Maxime François Laurent France | Southern Rhône | Côtes-du-Rhône
Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe France | Southern Rhône | Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Domaine Gallety France | Southern Rhône | Côtes du Vivarais
Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe France | Southern Rhône | Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Vignobles Brunier embodies the ensemble of the holdings by the Brunier family. Brothers Frédéric and Daniel are the fourth generation of their family to farm the land of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. They have worked hard to solidify the legacy left by their father, Henri, and their great-grandfather, Hippolyte. In 1986, the family complemented their portfolio, offering more affordable cuvées that showcase the diversity of terroirs within their holdings. The “Pigeoulet” and “Mégaphone” are fresh, rich in fruit and easy to appreciate young. The red Châteauneuf “Piedlong”, sourced from the Piélong lieu-dit, is a profoundly mineral wine that balances elegance and purity with the muscle that is found in this great appellation.
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.
Domaine Les Pallières France | Southern Rhône | Gigondas
Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe France | Southern Rhône | Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Domaine Gramenon France | Southern Rhône | Côtes-du-Rhône
Domaine Gallety France | Southern Rhône | Côtes du Vivarais
Domaine Gramenon France | Southern Rhône | Côtes-du-Rhône
Domaine Le Sang des Cailloux France | Southern Rhône | Vacqueyras
Domaine de Durban France | Southern Rhône | Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise
Maxime François Laurent France | Southern Rhône | Côtes-du-Rhône
Frédéric & Daniel Brunier France | Southern Rhône | Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Famille Brunier France | Southern Rhône | Vin de Pays de Vaucluse
Domaine Les Pallières France | Southern Rhône | Gigondas
Domaine de Durban France | Southern Rhône
A good doctor prescribed the wine of Nuits-Saint-Georges to the Sun King, Louis XIV, when he suffered an unknown maladie. When the king’s health was restored the tasty remedy enjoyed a vogue at court. Lord, send me a doctor like that!
Inspiring Thirst, page 117
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