Christmas Champagne Offer 2012

The festive season has come around quickly, and it's yet again Christmas Champagne offer time. For anyone who hasn't received the offer by email and would like it, let me know: catherine@rollswine.com
The offer features out two small growers: Renard Barnier and Philippe Gonet. Not to be missed.

Burgundy harvest

One week from today I’ll be arriving in the Côte D’Or for the vendanges. I’ll be spending a few weeks in the cellar at Domaine Hubert Lignier, one of Robert’s long-standing producers of the highest quality pinot noir.

 

Matthieu Delaporte Makes Waves

In this month's 'Spurrier's World' in Decanter Magazine, Steven visits the Loire and makes special mention of Matthieu Delaporte, 24, who is 'fine-tuning' his whites and 'making waves' with Pinot Noir. The Delaportes have been making wines in Chavignol, Sancerre, for generations. Young Matthieu is pushing boundries, experimenting with pruning techniques on a small plot of pinot vines, and continuing his family's signature style of taught, elegant and expressive Sancerre wines. Of particular interest to wine enthusiasts will be his Cuvée Maximes (in both white and red). Steven Spurrier picks out the Pinot Noir as having 'complexity and vigour' with a northern purity. The white cuvée, like the red, is oak aged and will take drinkers into another realm of Sauvignon Blanc, made from vines of 50 years+ grown on clay-limestone soils. The Delaporte's white Sancerres have the fantastic and rare ability to age wonderfully. The current vintages (2011 for the unoaked Sancerre, and 2010 for the oaked Maxime) are both cellar worthy and will be hugely rewarding in years to come. Get in touch if you'd like to see for yourself. Email catherine@rollswine.com for further details and prices.

http://www.domaine-vincent-delaporte.com/

Rhône Trip with the Vinoteca boys

Charlie Young, Brett Woonton and Robert Rolls let loose in the Rhône earlier this year. Read Charlie's take on it here

Medal Winners

Some of our producers have had a bit of success at the Decanter World Wine Awards this year:

Commended:
Domaine Zinck Gewurztraminer 2010
Perusini Pinot Grigio 2010

Bronze Medals:
Chateau Le Grand Verdus Blanc 2011
Domaine Zinck Pinot Gris 'Terroir' 2010
Domaine Zinck Riesling 'Portrait' 2010
Domaine Zinck Riesling 'Terroir' 2010
Philippe Gonet Roy Soleil Grand Cru NV
Philippe Gonet Signature Blanc de Blancs NV
Perusini Ribolla Gialla 2010

Gold Medal:
Perusini Merlot Black Label 2008


Solid performances from our Alsace (Zinck) and Champagne (Gonet) growers, but bringing it home with the gold is Azienda Agricola Perusini, the one and only Italian on the RR books. Congratulazioni!

Delaporte Rosé

Read Jancis Robinson's recent Financial Times rosé article here and look to paragraph 5 for a glowing report of the current Delaporte Sancerre Rosé.

Please get in touch if you'd like to place an order and try some yourself.

Recent Review

Jancis Robinson has recently reviewed some of our summer wines. Here's what she had to say:

St André de Figuière, 'Magali' Rosé 2011: "haunting herby fragrance ... Clean, fairly dry and easy" 15/20

St André de Figuière, Les Vieilles Vignes Rosé 2011: "A different assemblage from the other two pink wines from the Combard family with the Mourvèdre dominating the Grenache and Cinsault, according to the back label, which also claims this wine can benefit from age. Delicate, smoky aromas. Clean cut across the palate. Very juicy with attractive freshness rather than astringency on the finish. Bone dry. Neat. A success. " 16/20

Domaine Vincent Delaporte, Sancerre Rosé 2011: "Quite a deep rose pink - like a pale Pinot Noir, which indeed it is. Surprisingly full of fruit and character on the nose (most pink Sancerre is anaemic in my experience). Definite Pinot fruit character and the fresh acidity of Sancerre. Bone dry finish. A very successful pink Sancerre." 16.5/20

Domaine Vincent Delaporte, Sancerre Blanc 2011: "Quite big and assertive. Nicely splits the difference between Loire restraint and New World exuberance. Any hint of green vegetation is nicely tempered by blackcurrant leaves and quite a bit of body. Neat and satisfying." 17/20  

Domaine Zinck, Muscat 'Terroir' 2010: "Handily on the back label is a graphic telling us this is sweetness level 2 out of 8. It is very slightly oily and the Muscat aromas are a little less exuberant than in Alsace's finest Muscats but it has a satisfying savoury long aftertaste. Clean, fresh minerality on the finish." 16/20


Please go to her 'Purple Pages' for the full report: http://www.jancisrobinson.com/