Another fantastic review from Matthew Jukes...

2010 Les Plans, Domaine Santa Duc, Vin de Pays de Vaucluse, Southern Rhône, France

MoneyWeek | March 21, 2014

2010 Les Plans, Domaine Santa Duc, Vin de Pays de Vaucluse, Southern Rhône, France (£97.20, per case of 12 bottles (£8.10 per bottle), Robert Rolls Fine Wines tel. 020 3215 0011, www.robertrolls.com).  I love the wines of the Southern Rhône with Gigondas being one of the best value, seriously underrated red wines in France.  I have followed Santa Duc for aeons and yet for some reason only really tasted the Gigondas wines in their portfolio.  As you may already know, Robert Rolls has one of the most discerning palates in the country and so it is no surprise that he champions Yves Gras’ wines.  Robert poured me Yves’ budget rouge, Les Plans, the other day and I nearly fell off my chair.  There is no compromise whatsoever in the glass.  Steeped in references to his more famous reds this cracker comes in at a house wine price but seems to be so over-engineered it could pass as a cultured offering from a much grander postcode.  Grenache, Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet form the blend in this heroic brew and oak doesn’t even get a look in.  It’s the earthiness, spice and integrity in this dark, velvety red which captivates the senses.  If this wine thrills you, as it does me, then ask for more information on Santa Duc’s top cuvées, Gigondas Les Hautes Garrigues and Les Garancières.

http://www.matthewjukes.com/2014/03/2010-les-plans-domaine-santa-duc-vin-de-pays-de-vaucluse-southern-rhone-france/

2013 at Domaine Sylvain Cathiard et Fils

I’ve just returned to the office from 3 weeks in Vosne Romanée chez Sylvain Cathiard et Fils, working with Sébastien Cathiard on the 2013 harvest. 

2013 won’t go down as an easy vintage for the vignerons of the Cote D’Or: there was massive hail damage just south of Beaune, and significant rot pressure across the region as the weather turned just before picking. With extremely carefully sorting in the vineyard and cuverie, however, the fruit that was brought in at Cathiard was good quality, if somewhat depleted (down significantly on even 2012). People will no doubt talk about 2013 as being a high acid vintage, and that indeed it is. But in a crucial way it differs from the other recent vintage of that description – 2008 – with which it will be compared. Whereas in 2008 the pHs were extremely low (between 3.05-3.15), in 2013, the pHs have come in at an extremely balanced level (between 3.15-3.31) with relatively high total acidity (5.5+). This is a promising start for the young vintage. 

Unfortunately I had to leave just as the fermentations were starting to get into full swing, having done rémontage once and then twice daily with Sébastien during the 7-10 day cold maceration. Colour extraction was very good in the early stages, and all the cuves looked and smelled great. I've been reliably informed all fermentations are now well under way and pigéage has begun in earnest.

All in all, it was a complete pleasure to work at the domaine. It is the cleanest, most precise, most attention-detailed, most carefully handled work I’ve ever experienced. Although my 6^th harvest working in a cuverie I’m mindful of how much more there is to learn. I look forward to number 7 next year (and can't wait to taste '13 in barrel)

Vosne Romanée 1er Cru Malconsorts just before harvest

Sorting table action

Sébastien stumping us with blind tastings

Rémontage during cold maceration

Séb with his RSV Grand Cru barrels

Quite some lunch at Ma Cuisine in Beaune...

By Catherine Petrie

Buisson Battault 2010 Meursault 1ers Crus

Two of Buisson Battault's 2010 Meursulat 1ers Crus have received high praise in Decanter's latest round up:

Meursault 1er Cru Charmes and Meursualt 1er Cru Goutte D'Or

The Charmes is 'Quite heady, almost exotic yellow summer fruits on the nose with apple, peach and almonds. Lush and ripe, with a strong, lemony core of acidity. This has the heft of Charmes but not at the expense of minerality and vigour'.


And the Goutte D'Or has a 'Ripe, floral nose with a rich, nutty, almost earthy fruit aspect. Vibrant fruit palate with natural vigour from the vineyard. Has lots of weight and concentration, but there’s good underlying acidity to give structure and persistence. Tangy, long succulent finish'

Visit our website for further details 

Burgundy Dinner at Vinoteca Farringdon

Charlie Young hosted a Burgundy Dinner last night at Vinoteca in Farringdon with Robert. Check out the tasting menu:

Sounds pretty good to me! With the exception of the talented Mark Haisma's Gevrey 2010, all the wines listed are sourced direct by RR&Co, and currently all can be enjoyed at any of the Vinoteca sites. In fact, the Chassagne Rouge 2011 from Niellon is currently on by the glass at Vinoteca Marylebone. Get down there this weekend and try some for yourself...

New Beaujolais Producers

Robert's recent road trip in search of Beaujolais producers for the RR&Co portfolio came up trumps. After showing 5 different growers to a selection of top tasters from the trade we have begun to ship from 3 new growers: Jean-Paul Brun, Laurent Martray and Julien Duport. Visit our website for more details.

Here's what Robert had to say on the Crus of Beaujolais: The ten Crus are the jewels in Beaujolais’s crown. They all come from the north of the appellation where the Gamay grape forges a perfect partnership with the sand and granite soil which feeds and ripens it.  Further south the soil is clay and too cool to bring any special benefit to the grape. Good Beaujolais is truly distinctive, combining a fresh and floral bouquet with a natural opulence on the palate full of supple, fleshy fruit, underpinned by some evident minerality. They can be enjoyed young but the best of the Crus have the structure to age for 7 – 10 years.  We are concentrating on 2011, the last in a trilogy of outstanding Beaujolais vintages, and in particular Brouilly & Côte de Brouilly, which we are asked for most regularly.

Other recent editions to the portfolio include a Quincy and the highly respected Pernand Vergelesses domaine, Dubreuil Fontaine.

Zinck, Pfersigberg Grand Cru Riesling 2010

This wines gets a tidy little review from Stephen Brook in Decanter

"Zesty pear aromas. The palate is juicy and concentrated with great tension and a long, bracing finish." (17/20pts (90/100pts)

Renard Barnier gets a great big thumbs up in the Daily Mail Weekend Magazine

The Renard Barnier Cuvee Speciale NV Champagne has been given a great little review in the Daily Mail. Read it here:

http://www.matthewjukes.com/2013/05/5-more-stunning-wines-all-bargain-priced-including-a-stunning-champagne/