White French Chateau des Quarts Pouilly-Fuisse Premier Cru

White French Chateau des Quarts Pouilly-Fuisse Premier Cru L’Orangerie du Clos des Quarts 2022

Serve chilled. Two Burgundy greats, Olivier Merlin and Dominique Lafon, came together to found Chateau des Quarts in 2012. The domaine centres around the unique 2.23 hectare Clos de Quarts monopole in southern Pouilly‑Fuisse. Some vines in this beautiful walled vineyard date back to 1917 and sit on superb clay and limestone soils facing east.

The excellent conditions are exactly why this terroir was designated Premier Cru in 2020. L’Orangerie du Clos des Quarts comes from a 0.48 hectare plot planted right next to a historic orangery that was built in 1857. The Chardonnay vines are farmed organically and harvested by hand to ensure optimal quality.

In the vineyard there’s a light touch with fermentation and ageing in used oak barrels and a further six months in stainless steel tanks. Bottles are just lightly filtered and unfined to avoid interfering with the natural beauty of the fruit. Fine toasty notes and intense aromas of ripe orchard fruit and zingy citrus dominate on the palate, with hints of almonds and a salivating acidity on the long finish. There’s a pleasing balance between freshness and voluptuous fruit, with a solid full body and rich texture. A great wine for roast chicken, seafood risotto, or creamy pasta dishes.

Red French Chateau de Vaudieu Chateauneuf Du Pape 2022

Decant 1 hour before serving. One of the most beautiful properties in Chateauneuf du Pape, the historic Chateau Vaudieu was constructed in 1767 by Admiral Gerin and takes its name from the French for “Valley of God” or “Val de Dieu”. As well as being one of the oldest wineries in the region, Chateau de Vaudieu was also one of the first to start exporting local wines abroad.

For the past fifty years the chateau has been owned by the Brechet family who expanded the property to include 70 hectares of prime vineyards. Vaudieu’s classic Chateauneuf du Pape is crafted predominantly from Grenache with a smaller portion of Syrah and Mourvedre carefully selected from the estate’s finest vineyards which have a typical vine age of 40-70 years.

Red French Chateau de Vaudieu Chateauneuf Du Pape Amiral G 2021

Decant 1 hour before serving. Built by Admiral Gerin in 1767, Chateau de Vaudieu is one of the Southern Rhone’s oldest and most charming estates. The property is named after the nearby “Val de Dieu” or “Valley of God” which sits at the heart of the Chateauneuf du Pape appellation. Over the past couple of centuries the chateau has earned a reputation for producing top quality Chateaneuf du Pape wines and was actually one of the first local producers to start exporting its wines abroad.

For the past 50 years it has been owned by the Brechet family. Made to honour the man who built the charming manor house at the centre of the estate, Amiral G is Vaudieu’s flagship wine. Grapes are sourced from a parcel of old vine Grenache which has an estimated average age of over 60 years and is planted on red clay and stony soils.

Each year the grapes are carefully harvested by hand and fermented in concrete vats before ageing in new 600 litre French oak barrels for 18 months. The result is a full-throttled red that is sure to please lovers of rich and robust Chateaneuf du Pape wines. The nose opens with classic Southern Rhone notes of luscious bramble, dried fruit and subtle hints of dried herbs while the palate offers a full body, ripe yet firm tannins and a very long finish. An ideal addition to the cellar which will continue to develop over the next 15 years or so.

Red French Chateau de Vaudieu Chateauneuf Du Pape L’Avenue 2018

Decant 1 hour before serving. One of the Southern Rhone’s oldest estates, Chateau de Vaudieu was built by Admiral Gerin in 1767 and named after the nearby ‘Val de Dieu” or “Valley of God”. Vaudieu was one of the first local estates to start exporting their wines abroad and for the past 50 years it has been owned by the Brechet family who have steadily expanded the property to 70 hectares of vineyards.

L’Avenue is one of their flagship wines which is made in limited quantities from 100% Grenache grown on sandy and limestone soils. The vines used range from 40 to 70 years of age and the fruit is harvested by hand to ensure it arrives at the winery in great condition. This particular cuvee was created to showcase the Vaudieu terroir, so the young wine is aged in demi-muids which are larger than standard oak barrels to give muted oak influence.

Enchanting floral notes, dark cherries, dried herbs and ripe berry notes dominate on the nose, while the first sip reveals a silky smooth texture, fine tannins, and a bright core of luscious fruit flavours. Powerful yet balanced, this is a great wine to match with everything from charcuterie to a prime steak or roasted meats. It can also be cellared for a decade or more if desired.

Red French Chateau de Vaudieu Chateauneuf Du Pape Val de Dieu 2021

Decant 1 hour before serving. Considered one of Chateauneuf du Pape’s most beautiful and historic estates, Chateau de Vaudieu was founded by Admiral Gerin who built the elegant manor house here in 1767. The property takes its name from the “Val de Dieu” or “Valley of God” which lies in the heart of the region. Over its long history Vaudieu has earned a reputation for producing exceptional wines and was one of the first producers here to start exporting wines.

For the past half century the chateau has been owned by the Brechet family who have expanded the vineyard holdings to total 70 hectares. The Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre fruit used for this powerful red is sourced primarily from the Val de Dieu. The wide variety of soil types in the valley help to create a remarkably complex wine which showcases the excellence and multiplicity of Chateaneuf du Pape’s terroir.

The grapes are harvested by hand and fermented in tanks before being aged in 600 litre and 228 litre oak barrels. This helps to create a rich, full bodied wine that is bursting with seductive dark fruit, sweet spice and bitter licorice notes. On the palate there are plenty of firm yet refined tannins, a well-built structure and a very long finish seasoned with dried herbs, baked earth and hints of woodsmoke.

Red French Chateau Durfort-Vivens 2016

It is recommended to decant it for an hour. Located in the heart of the fabulous terroir of Margaux, in the Medoc, Chateau Durfort Vivens is a 2nd Grand Cru Classe. The estate extends over 55 hectares of vineyards grown biodynamically and located in the municipalities of Margaux, Cantenac, and Soussans.

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