Happy Hour Featuring Wines from the Southern Rhone Valley Thursday, August 13th 6pm and all the Chateauneuf Du Pape in the store on SALE!!
"When it came to writing about wine, I did what almost everybody does - faked it"
- Art Buchwald
We’re not faking it here at Wine Watch we actually drink the wines!!
It was just brought to my attention that although we have a nice collection of vintage Chateauneuf Du Pape in the store right now we are lacking in the value section of this category and in newer current release wines.
So, I thought it was time to host a happy Hour Southern Rhone wine tasting featuring new releases from Chateauneuf Du Pape to restock this section of the store.
The Southern Rhone Valley is one of France’s most prized wine regions and at one time one of the most counterfeited wines on the planet! It was here that France’s AOC laws originated, they drew up a set of laws to guarantee the authenticity and the origin of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and the rest of France followed.
Join us as we explore the world of Southern Rhone wines tasting through over a dozen wines from Chateauneuf du Pape and some of the other great appellations of this region like Gigondas and Vacqueyras. The fee for this tasting is $75 + tax. For reservations call 954-523-9463 or e-mail andy@winewatch.com.
Happy Hour Southern Rhone Wines
Featuring Chateauneuf Du Pape, Vacqueyras, Gigondas and more
Thursday, August 13th
6pm
Twenty One Wines
2024 Domaine Raymond Usseglio Chateauneuf-Du-Pape Blanc
Price: $78.00 Your Price: $70.20
(92 Points) 92 Points, Nicolas Greinacher, Vinous: "The pale lemon-colored 2024 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc launches with ripe pear, yellow apple and honeysuckle aromas. Linden blossom adds more nuance. Medium- to full-bodied, crisp and energetic, the 2024 packs copious freshness all the way through to the long, saline close. This is at eye level with the 2023 I tasted last year. (Drink between 2025-2031)" 10/25 Vinous Media
2023 Domaine Pierre Usseglio Chateauneuf Du Pape Blanc
Price: $60.00 Your Price: $54.00
(92 Points) The full-bodied 2023 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc Première Pierre was bottled only three days prior to my visit. Fermented entirely with Indigenous yeasts, the open-knit 2023 delights with ripe pear, honeysuckle, lemon flesh, yellow apple and a dash of jasmine. Balanced by soft acidity, this is a lovely white Châteauneuf that checks out with a refreshing finish. Vinous
2023 Domaine Charvin Chateauneuf Du Pape
Price: $82.50 Your Price: $74.25
WINERY NOTES Located in the northwest part of the appellation, with vines chiefly in Cabrieres, Maucoil, and Mont Redon, Laurent Charvin makes one of the most elegant and seamless Châteauneuf-du-Papes. Opting to produce a single cuvée, the winemaking here is staunchly traditional, with no destemming and fermentation and aging occurring all in concrete tanks for 21 months, bottled unfiltered. This is a wine that can age 20 years from any vintage as well as be accessible quite young with just a little breathing.
2023 Domaine Charvin Cotes Du Rhone Le Poute
Price: $33.00 Your Price: $29.70
This is classic Charvin and offers lots of kirsch and blackberry fruits, garrigue, white pepper and sappy herbs in its medium-bodied, polished, elegant, yet tight and firm personality.
2021 Domaine Pierre Usseglio et Fils Chateauneuf-du-Pape Tradition Rhone, France
Price: $60.00 Your Price: $54.00
GRAPE VARIETIES: GRENACHE 80%, SYRAH: 10%, CINSAULT: 5%, MOURVEDRE: 5%
VINIFICATION: Our red Châteauneuf-du-Pape is produced traditionally. The vines are between 35 and 75 years old. The grapes are harvested by hand and 60% destemmed. Vatting is monitored by temperature control and lasts 25 to 35 days.
Our Tradition has aromas of red and black fruits; Blackberry and blueberry, along with hints of spice. This is a concentrated and structured wine, ideal for aging. We recommend enjoying it in 6-8 years.
2023 Raymond Usseglio & Fils Chateauneuf Du Pape Cuvee Girard
Price: $57.00 Your Price: $51.30 Quantity in Stock: 11
(93 Points) "Pronounced licorice, dried herbs, white pepper and blackberry aromatics are all dialed up in the 2023 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Girard, a seductive follow-up to the equally enticing 2023 I tasted in June 2024. This finishes smooth and refined. (Drink between 2027-2037)" Nicolas Greinacher Vinous 10/25
2024 Domaine Saint Damien Cotes du Rhone Villages Plan de Dieu Vieilles Vignes
Price: $25.50 Your Price: $22.95
(91 points) Coming from red clay soils with stones and ancient alluvium, the 2024 Cotes Du Rhône Villages Plan De Dieu Vieilles Vignes is based on 80% Grenache and 20% Mourvèdre and aged 10 months in concrete tanks and foudre. Black cherries, peppery herbs, flowers, and mineral notes all emerge from this broad, layered, and round effort. It's medium-bodied, supple, and wonderfully textured, with velvety yet still building tannins. It's another gem that readers will love. Drink 2026-2031. Jeb Dunnuck
2023 Domaine Saint Damien Gigondas Vieilles Vignes
Price: $45.00 Your Price: $40.50
(94 Points) Based on 80% Grenache and 20% Mourvèdre and aged 12 months in 50-hectoliter foudre, the 2023 Gigondas Vieilles Vignes offers darker berries, pepper, sappy garrigue, and smoked meat-like aromatics. It's medium to full-bodied on the palate, with a pure, layered, elegant mouthfeel, fine, polished tannins, and nicely integrated acidity. It's a gorgeous, clean, complex, layered Gigondas that should drink well over the coming 10-15 years. Jeb Dunnuck, Review Date: 01/2026
2024 Domaine St. Damien Gigondas Vieilles Vignes
Price: $33.00 Your Price: $29.70
Kysela Imports
2024 Alain Jaume & Fils Domaine Grand Veneur Cotes du Rhone Les Champauvins Blanc
Price: $25.00 Your Price: $22.50
The color is clear and brilliant. A very intense nose of flowers, white peach and pear. On the palate, aromas are expressed with balance and an amazing freshness. A great example of Rhone white, single grape “Viognier”.
2023 Alain Jaume & Fils Domaine Grand Veneur Cotes du Rhone Les Champauvins Rouge
Price: $25.00 Your Price: $22.50
It reveals lovely fruit, loads of body and a heady bouquet of ground peppers, raspberries cherry liqueur, currants, and spice box.
2024 Chateau de Segries Cotes du Rhone Rouge
Price: $18.00 Your Price: $16.20
The wine is ripe, rich and round, with black raspberry, white pepper and spice flavors. Good concentration and acidity. A true Cotes du Rhone in a Bistro style.
2022 Chateau de Segries Lirac Rhone
Price: $23.50 Your Price: $21.15
Dark garnet in color. Expressive red fruits aromas, spicy, peppery, garrigue notes. A beautiful length in the mouth, red fruit-compote flavors with sweet and melted tannins. A great match with casseroles, grilled red meats, charcuterie, game, cheeses. Aging up to 10 years.
2021 Alain Jaume & Fils Domaine Grand Veneur Chateauneuf-du-Pape Les Origines Rhone
Price: $75.00 Your Price: $67.50
It boasts an inky/purple color in addition to a gorgeous perfume of crushed rocks, jammy black fruits, charcoal and graphite, blackberry aromas. The palate holds excellent fruit character and has a great kick. The tannins are round and the finish is long with mint and dark fruit notes. It is all very much together and harmonious, and has great aging potential.
An outstanding Chateauneuf du Pape expressing the quintessence of its terroir.
2023 Domaine de la Mordoree Lirac Cuvee La Reine des Bois, Rhone
Price: $120.00 Your Price: $108.00
La Reine des Bois - "Queen of the Woods" - represents premium quality from Domaine de la Mordoree.
Deep, dark red color with blueish hints. Highly fruity aromas - raspberry, billberry, blackberry - combine with violet notes and a touch of coffee. Elegant tannins; round; full-bodied; long and fresh finish.
2020 Domaine Clos des Cazaux Vacqueyras Cuvee Saint Roch Rhone
Price: $28.50 Your Price: $25.65
This cuvée is named after the church Saint Roch, owned by the Family.
The wine shows a deep color, intense and persistent red and black fruit aromas of strawberry and black cherry. It is expressive and delicate, with round and well balanced tannins, and a long finish.
2022 Alain Jaume & Fils Chateau Mazane Vacqueyras Rhone
Price: $31.50 Your Price: $28.35
This 50 year old single vineyard (22 Acres) consists of three main varieties with a predominance of Grenache. It stretches over the 'Garrigues' (scrubland) plateau that is ideally located between the Ouvèze (tributary of the Rhone river) terraces and the Dentelles de Montmirail.
Chateau Mazane Vacqueyras Rouge is medium-bodied, pure and elegant. It offers plenty of plum, blueberry, spring flowers and peppery notes. On the palate, the richness of the tannins harmonizes with the smoothiness of the wine. The finish is long, with spice aromas and licorice. Beautifully textured, enjoy it over the coming 6-7 years.
2023 Domaine Clos des Cazaux Gigondas La Tour Sarrasine, Rhone
Price: $35.50 Your Price: $31.95
This strong, warm wine comes from a selection of grapes planted on exceptional soils. The vineyards in Gigondas are situated on the arid hills of the Dentelles de Montmirail. The Mistral blows regularly on these slopes which limits the amount of treatment needed to the vines. The vines grow on stony soils and produce wine that can be kept easily for 10 yrs.
Intense, persistent red and dark fruit aromas. Raspberry, pepper and spice flavors. Silky tannins.
2022 Domaine Clos des Cazaux Gigondas Prestige, Rhone
Price: $40.50 Your Price: $36.45
A blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre produced from the oldest vines of the estate and only in the years of highest grape quality. Aromas of prune, chocolate, spices, fruit brandy and plum. Rounded tannins and a long finish.
2020 Alain Jaume & Fils Domaine Grand Veneur Gigondas Terrasses de Montmirail Rhone
Price: $42.00 Your Price: $37.80
Located in and around the famous area called “Dentelles de Montmirail”, the landscape typicity is made by a rocky bar (between 100 and 600 meters high). Soils are made of clay and sand with limestone. The “Dentelles” appeared thanks to the pressure between the Pyrenees and Alps mountains. This is a land of predilection to produce both powerful and fresh wines. Nights are cooler and the grapes ripeness usually comes in late September.
Deep red garnet color. Aromas typical for Grenache with ripe black fruit and blackberry. A powerful Gigondas, racy but harmonious and well balanced. The finish is long on spice (pepper) and minerals (crushed rocks, graphite). Best enjoyed after 1-8 years. Best to decant if served young.
Menu
Fried Green Tomato with Melted Mozzarella Pesto Served on Rosemary Crostini
Tuna Tartar served in Baby Yukon Gold Potato with Shaved Egg and Lemon Olive Aioli
Wild Boar Sausage with Eggplant Maple Mustard Sauce
Peach and Prosciutto Pizza with Mozzarella and Fresh Basil
Candied Bacon
The fee for this tasting is $75 + tax, for reservations call 954-523-9463 or e-mail andy@winewatch.com.
A bit about Chateauneuf Du Pape
Alphonse Daudet, the French writer, once called Châteauneuf-du-Pape the "Wine of Kings and the King of Wines." The wines of this region with the easy sounding name have been legendary for hundreds of years. In 1309 a French Cardinal was elected Pope Clement V. Because there was much strife between the French King and Rome, Pope Clement chose to remain in France. The Pope, formerly the Bishop of Bordeaux, owned his own vineyard in the Graves district of Bordeaux (now known as Château Pape-Clement and one of the better properties of Graves); and he was very interested in cultivating vines in the new papal residence he established in Avignon. It was really Clement's successor, Pope John XXII, who did extensive planting of vineyards and constructed a castle outside of Avignon, called the Châteauneuf-du-Pape or "new house of the Pope." This was an affluent time in Avignon; many parties were thrown and much wine was drunk. Although wine had been grown in the surrounding villages for 150 years, it was the papacy that spread the fame of these wines from Avignon.
In the 1920's some of the growers at Châteauneuf-du-Pape became really concerned about the amount of "foreign" wine being sold as Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The late Baron Le Roy, the proprietor of Château Fortia, one of the great estates of the district, drew up a set of laws to guarantee the authenticity and the origin of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. These laws later became the model for France's Appellation Contrôllée laws and were later copied by the Germans, the Spanish, and the Italians. Although the laws have been in force for some years, it is common knowledge that there is still a great amount of illegitimate wine labeled Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The local growers and estate owners realize that one of the problems is that 80% of the wine is made and bottled at facilities outside the district; this obviously leaves room for tremendous abuse. We have found many Châteauneuf-du-Papes from shippers to be variable in quality, and we recommend only those wines that have been estate bottled within the district. In order to make these wines more identifiable to the consumer, the growers use a bottle with the old papal coat of arms. We enthusiastically recommend these wines and urge that you avoid almost all the plain-bottle négociant wines (shipper's blends).
Besides the great difference between estate-bottled and négociant wines in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the grape composition of the wines further complicates the picture. As many as thirteen different varieties can go into the make-up of a Châteauneuf; each grower swears by the percentage of the grape he uses. Since different grapes contribute different characteristics to the overall wine (Grenache and Cinsault for warmth and mellowness; Mourvèdre and Syrah for solidity and color etc.), it is understandable how different estates with different grape compositions can produce very different wines. Further complicating everything is how the harvest conditions affect the grapes - all of which ripen at slightly different intervals. It is easy to see why the variation in quality is broader in Châteauneuf-du-Pape than perhaps any wine district in France.
All the Chateauneuf Du Pape in the store on SALE!!
2023 Domaine de la Solitude Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Price: $61.00 Your Price: $54.90 Quantity in Stock: 2
2023 Perrin et Fils Chateauneuf du Pape les Sinards Blanc
Price: $54.00 Your Price: $48.60 Quantity in Stock: 5
2023 Raymond Usseglio & Fils Chateauneuf Du Pape Cuvee Girard
Price: $57.00 Your Price: $51.30 Quantity in Stock: 11
2023 Alain Jaume La Grangette des Garrigues Chateauneuf Du Pape Rhone, France
Price: $57.00 Your Price: $51.30 Quantity in Stock: 2
2022 Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape Rhone, France
Price: $112.50 Your Price: $101.25 Quantity in Stock: 4
2022 Domaine de la Charbonniere Chateauneuf du Pape Rhone, France
Price: $52.50 Your Price: $47.25 Quantity in Stock: 7
2022 M Chapoutier Chateauneuf Du Pape Blanc La Bernardine
Price: $75.00 Your Price: $67.50 Quantity in Stock: 7
2021 Domaine de Beaurenard Chateauneuf-du-Pape Boisrenard
Price: $82.50 Your Price: $74.25 Quantity in Stock: 3
2020 Chateau La Nerthe Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee des Cadettes Rhone, France
Price: $180.00 Your Price: $162.00 Quantity in Stock: 5
2019 Domaine de Beaurenard Chateauneuf-du-Pape Boisrenard Blanc
Price: $113.25 Your Price: $101.93 Quantity in Stock: 2
2016 Domaine Tour Saint-Michel Chateauneuf-du-Pape Le Lien
Price: $107.00 Sale Price: $85.00 Quantity in Stock: 2
2010 Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Price: $176.00 Sale Price: $149.00 Quantity in Stock: 1
2010 CHAPELLE ST. THEODORIC CHATEAUNEUF DU PAPE LA GUIGASSE MAGNUM 1.5L
Price: $402.00 Your Price: $361.80 Quantity in Stock: 3
2010 CHATEAU DE BEAUCASTEL CHATEAUNEUF DU PAPE GRAND CUVEE HOMMAGE A JACQUES PERRIN
Price: $595.00 Sale Price: $495.00 Quantity in Stock: 4
2010 RAYMOND USSEGLIO CHATEAUNEUF DU PAPE CUVEE IMPERIALE MAGNUM 1.5L
Price: $408.00 Your Price: $367.20 Quantity in Stock: 3
2006 Paul Avril Clos des Papes Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc
Price: $120.00 Sale Price: $99.00 Quantity in Stock: 2
2004 Domaine Du Marcoux Chateauneuf Du Pape Vielle Vignes
Price: $175.00 Your Price: $157.50 Quantity in Stock: 1
2003 DOMAINE LA BARROCHE CHATEAUNEUF DU PAPE
Price: $65.00 Your Price: $58.50 Quantity in Stock: 1
2003 Domaine Roger Sabon Chateauneuf Du Pape Le Secret de Sabon
Price: $199.00 Your Price: $179.10 Quantity in Stock: 5
2001 Domaine Font de Michelle Chateauneuf Du Pape Cuvee Etienne Gonnet
Price: $85.00 Your Price: $76.50 Quantity in Stock: 1
2001 PATRICK LE SEC CHATEAUNEUF DU PAPE MARQUIS TONNEAUX
Price: $79.50 Your Price: $71.55 Quantity in Stock: 7
2000 PATRICK LE SEC CHATEAUNEUF DU PAPE MARQUIS TONNEAUX
Price: $79.50 Your Price: $71.55 Quantity in Stock: 3
2000 M. Chapoutier Chateauneuf-du-Pape Croix de Bois
Price: $162.00 Sale Price: $129.00 Quantity in Stock: 1
1999 Domaine Chante Perdrix Chateauneuf Du Pape
Price: $75.00 Your Price: $67.50 Quantity in Stock: 1
1999 DOMAINE PAUL AUTARD CHATEAUNEUF DU PAPE CUVEE LA COTE RONDE
Price: $85.00 Your Price: $76.50 Quantity in Stock: 1
1989 DOMAINE VIEUX TELEGRAPH CHATEAUNEUF DU PAPE 9 LITER
Price: $3500.00 Your Price: $3150.00 Quantity in Stock: 1
Vacqueyras
2023 Domaine Saint-Damien Vacqueyras Selection
Price: $30.00 Your Price: $27.00 Quantity in Stock: 8
2023 Alain Jaume La Grangette des Garrigues Vacqueyras Rhone, France
Price: $29.00 Your Price: $26.10 Quantity in Stock: 5
2022 Famille Perrin Vacqueyras, Rhone, France
Price: $30.00 Your Price: $27.00 Quantity in Stock: 5
Gigondas
2023 Domaine Saint Damien Gigondas Rose, Rhone, France
Price: $33.00 Your Price: $29.70 Quantity in Stock: 1
2022 Domaine Saint Damien Gigondas Vieilles Vignes
Price: $45.00 Your Price: $40.50 Quantity in Stock: 18
2021 Domaine Saint Damien Gigondas Vieilles Vignes
Price: $42.00 Your Price: $37.80 Quantity in Stock: 14
2020 Domaine Gour de Chaule Gigondas '.1871' Tradition Rhone, France
Price: $45.75 Your Price: $41.18 Quantity in Stock: 8
2016 Domaine de Longue Toque Gigondas Hommage a Gabriel Meffre
Price: $177.00 Your Price: $159.30 Quantity in Stock: 4
2007 Domaine Les Pallières Gigondas Les Racines
Price: $75.00 Sale Price: $60.00 Quantity in Stock: 5
2007 Domaine La Bouissiere Gigondas
Price: $35.00 Your Price: $31.50 Quantity in Stock: 1
2003 Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas Valbelle
Price: $105.00 Your Price: $94.50 Quantity in Stock: 9
Cotes Du Rhone
2021 Guigal Cotes Du Rhone Rouge, Rhone, France
Price: $18.00 Your Price: $16.20 Quantity in Stock: 6
2020 Bonpas Cotes Du Rhone
Price: $15.75 Your Price: $14.18 Quantity in Stock: 8
2019 Le Passage Cotes du Rhone
Price: $21.00 Your Price: $18.90
2019 Jaboulet Cotes du Rhone Parallele 45
Price: $15.75 Your Price: $14.18 Quantity in Stock: 5
2017 Louis Bernard Cotes Du Rhone
Price: $18.00 Your Price: $16.20 Quantity in Stock: 3
1999 Chateau de Fonsalette Cotes Du Rhone Reserve
Price: $595.00 Sale Price: $500.00 Quantity in Stock: 2
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