Europa Cellars Newsletter, 23 March 2010
		(03) 9417 7220

	Introduction New Licence: Wine by the Glass on Premise Wine Of The Week: 2006 Kir Yianni Raminista 2006 Offer: 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Tasting: Southern Rhone

Dear Wine Aficionado, This week we are offering the spectacular 2007 vintage from some of the biggest names in Chateauneuf du Pape! We will be looking at other wines from the Southern Rhone for the tasting tonight as well. We are also very pleased to let you know that Europa Cellars will soon be offering tasting flights of wines for sale in-store. A General Licence was granted on 17 March which will allow us to sell wine by the glass in the seating section. Tasting - Southern Rhone This evening Tuesday 16 March, 6 to 8 pm, In-Store, Free Tonights tasting will feature Southern Rhone wines form the appellations Lirac , Cotes du Luberon, Cotes du RhoneVillages, Cotes du Vivarais, and a selection of Vin de Pays de Vaucluse and d'Ardeche. Please note that the store opening hours are midday to 8pm 7 days a week. For phone inquiries to 03 9417 7220 please ring during these times The Europa Cellars team, John, Nick, Brian, Boon, Micah and Sam view newsletter online view newsletter as pdf General Licence Granted to Europa Europa Cellars was granted a General Licence last Wedneday which replaces our Packaged Liquor Licence. This will allow the the purchase of liquor for consumption on premise as well as continuing with the normal off premise trade. Over the next few weeks we will be introducing the sale of wine by the glass in the seated area. More importantly we will be introducing tasting flights, for sale enoteca style, to allow an individual tastings of a wide variety of wines. Watch this space. Wine of the Week 2006 Kir Yianni Ramnista Kir-Yianni own 50 hectares of vineyard planted with indigenous and international varieties on the eastern and western slopes of Mt Vermio. This wine is made from Xinomavro from selected south east facing vineyard blocks at around 300m above sea level on the Yianakohori estate. Four-day cold soak followed by cool fermentation and aged 12 months in French and American oak, some new, some 500 litre Shelf Price $38.00 Offer Price $32.50 download order form 2007 Châteauneuf du Pape Offer "Throughout the southern Rhône, 2007 is the greatest vintage I have tasted in my thirty years working in that region." Robert Parker All wines are in 750ml bottles unless otherwise stated. Domaine de la Barroche The Domaine de la Barroche has been in the Barrot family since the 17th Century. This estate owns 12 hectares of vineyards consisting of different plots of land in the North and North-East of Châteauneuf du Pape. In the past the estate sold their grapes to negociants but it was only in 2003 that Julien Barrot started to bottle their wines to the public. The average age of the vines are of 60 years but up to one third of their vines are over 100 years of age (Grenache). The fruit is entirely hand harvested goes through cold maceration prior to fermentation in temperature controlled cement tanks. The wine is then aged for an average of 1 to 3 years in french oak barrels depending on the vintage. download order form 2007 Barroche Châteauneuf du Pape 'Terroirs' Shelf Price $83.00 Offer Price $65.00 "The 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Terroir (95% Grenache and the rest Mourvedre, Syrah, and Cinsault aged in foudres) comes from the estate’s youngest vines (about 20 years on average) and exhibits very sexy, ripe black currant and black cherry fruit intermixed with sandalwood, fruitcake, and spice box. Opulent, full-bodied, and rich, with plenty of glycerin and fruit covering up some silky tannins, this dark ruby/purple-colored wine is broad, savory, and best drunk over the next 10-15 years." 91 pts Robert Parker The Wine Advocate "Vivid ruby. Lively red berries and spicecake on the nose. Weightier dark fruits in the mouth, with notes of anise and bitter chocolate adding a serious quality. Becomes sweeter with air and finishes with very good clarity and smoky persistence. This cuvee is made from vines that are less than 20 years of age, including Barrot's new vineyard in the northern Cabrieres sector." 90 pts Josh Reynolds Stephen Tanzer International Wine Cellar 2007 Barroche Châteauneuf du Pape 'La Barroche' Shelf Price $107.00 Offer Price $85.00 "More structured, backward, and formidably endowed is the 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Tradition. Made from a blend of over 80% Grenache and the rest Syrah and Cinsault, with some very old-vine fruit going into the blend, this wine is also aged in a combination of tank and foudre prior to bottling. Deep plum/ruby-colored with a striking nose of loamy soil scents interwoven with exuberant kirsch liqueur notes, licorice, and roasted Provencal herbs, the wine is backward, dense, full-bodied, and very pure, with a brilliant texture and length. This wine will benefit from another 1-2 years of cellaring and drink well for 15+ years." 92 pts Robert Parker The Wine Advocate "Deep ruby. Red and blue fruits on the nose, with cracked pepper, lavender and mineral qualities adding complexity. Rich and velvety, with lush blackberry and blueberry flavors, lightly chewy tannins and a late note of anise. Gains weight on the finish, which strongly repeats the blue fruit note. A big boy, but there are no rough edges to get in the way of early drinking." 90-93 pts Josh Raynolds Stephen Tanzer International Wine Cellar Domaine Charvin Laurent Charvin runs this small family estate located in the north of Chateauneuf-du-Pape. The domaine has vineyard holdings of just 8 hectares in Chateauneuf-du-Pape and 13 hectares in Cotes du Rhone. The average age of the vineyards is over 50 years old with the oldest being nearly 80 years of age. Laurent Charvin describes his vineyard site as being 'cool' for Chateauneuf as their vines are mostly planted on sandy north facing slopes. Charvin produces finely styled Grenache based wines showing great depth and finesse (approximately 80% Grenache for each wine). Wine making is traditional with no de-stemming and all ageing is done in cement tanks. No wood is used in the maturation of wine from either appellation. There are no secrets here, simply old vines, low yields and minimal winemaking intervention. The Cotes du Rhone is regularly one of the best from the area. download order form 2007 Charvin Cotes du Rhone Rouge Le Poutet Shelf Price $38.00 Offer Price $29.95 "The 2007 Cotes du Rhone Le Poutet may be the finest example of this cuvee Laurent Charvin has yet made. A sleeper of the vintage, it delivers sexy black cherry and black raspberry fruit intermixed with loamy soil, spice, and roasted Provencal herb notes. With surprising density, a terrific texture, and a lush finish, it can be enjoyed over the next 2-3 years." 89 pts Robert Parker The Wine Advocate 2007 Charvin Châteauneuf du Pape Rouge - 12 bottles only! Shelf Price $125.00 Offer Price $99.95. "I believe the 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape is the finest wine ever made at Charvin. Their wines never achieve a lot of color, but this is one of the most saturated ones they have produced. The blend from the 45- to 50-year-old vines is 85% Grenache and the rest equal parts Syrah, Mourvedre, and Vaccarese, all aged in cement tanks prior to being bottled unfiltered. A terrific nose of kirsch, lavender, licorice, forest floor, and spice box soars from the glass of this full-bodied effort. With fabulous density, a multidimensional mouthfeel, and a 45+-second finish this brilliant, elegant, feminine-styled wine is loaded with concentration and intensity. Like many 2007 Chateauneuf du Papes, the extraordinary fruit level makes it hard to resist. However, it will be even better in 3-5 years, and should last for 15-20." 97 pts Robert Parker The Wine Advocate "Vivid ruby. Mineral-driven aromas of strawberry, black raspberry, potpourri and allspice, plus a whiff of white pepper. Very fresh, palate-staining red fruit flavors are complicated by floral pastille, baking spice and smoky herb nuances. Very deep in flavor but impressively light on its feet, finishing with strong minerality and spicy persistence." 94 pts Josh Raynolds Stephen Tanzer International Wine Cellar Chateau Mont Redon Château Mont-Redon will be familiar to those who know and love Châteauneuf-du-Pape being well recognized as the largest family owned estate in the appellation. With almost 100 hectares under vine, the majority of Mont-Redon’s vineyards are located in the appellations most favoured area, the high plateau which is covered in the large round pudding stones that Châteauneuf is so well known for. There has been considerable investment at Mont-Redon over the past five years. The entire winery is now climate controlled. Rows of oak barriques of various ages have replaced the old large foudres of yester-year, and large temperature controlled stainless steel vats now line the walls, resulting in wines of freshness and precision. Mont-Redon is a prime candidate for both the most improved producer and the best value producer of the Southern Rhone. download order form 2008 Mont Redon Châteauneuf du Pape Blanc 375ml Shelf Price $38.00 Offer Price $27.00 750ml Shelf Price $66.00 Offer Price $48.00 "40% grenache blanc, 25% bourboulenc, 20% clairette, 10% roussanne and 5% picpoul) Bright straw. Stony, citrus-accented apple and peach aromas expand with air, picking up a floral quality. Fresh orchard fruit flavors are given energy and definition by tangy citrus zest notes. Finishes with assertive mineral and citrus snap and impressive clarity." 89 pts Josh Raynolds Stephen Tanzer International Wine Cellar 2007 Mont Redon Lirac Rouge Shelf Price 39.00 Offer Price $28.00 2007 Mont Redon Châteauneuf du Pape Rouge 375ml Shelf Price $44.00 Offer Price $32.00 750ml Shelf Price $83.00 Offer Price $59.95 1500ml Shelf Price $165.00 Offer Price $119.95 "Opaque ruby. Exotic aroma of raspberry preserves, cherry pie, Asian spices and garrigue expands with air and picks up a deeper cherry quality. Spicy, mineral-driven red and dark berry flavors are impressively lithe and precise, with silky tannins lending support. This very fresh wine finishes with excellent clarity and spicy persistence." 92 pts Josh Reynolds Stephen Tanzer International Wine Cellar Domaine de Pegau Regarded as the leading Domaine for traditionally styled, age-worthy Chateauneuf-du-Pape in this large and presigious appellation. Pegau's vineyards consist of 11 parcels totalling 19 hectares among Chateauneuf's best terroirs' including in 'La Crau'. Domaine Pegau was established in 1987 when Laurence Feraud, having completed her wine making studies and her father Paul Feraud renamed the existing family estates to signal a new direction. The name is derived from the "Pegau", a wine jug found in the excavations of the 14th Century Popes Palace in Avignon. download order form 2008 Pegau Châteauneuf du Pape Blanc Shelf Price $99.00 Offer Price $79.00 "60% grenache blanc, 20% clairette, and 10% each of roussanne and bourboulenc) Pale yellow. Cool aromas of lime peel, kiwi, anise and white pepper, with a whiff of honeysuckle. Round but dry, with pure citrus and orchard fruit flavors and a kick of peppery spice. Gains density and power with air and finishes with dusty mineral snap and spicy persistence." 89 pts Josh Raynolds Stephen Tanzer International Wine Cellar 2007 Pegau Châteauneuf du Pape Reservee 500ml Shelf Price $117.00 Offer Price $95.00 750ml Shelf Price $168.00 Offer Price $130.00 "The 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Reservee, still aging in foudres, was tasted from different lots. The most promising wine made here since the 2003, it is a full-bodied effort revealing dense, concentrated fruit, and high tannins that still need to be resolved. It will require some bottle age to round into drinking shape. The color is a dense plum/purple, and the wine shows considerable licorice, lavender, roasted herb, and meat juice characteristics, as well as a texture of beef blood – no doubt attributable to the old vines from which it is made. The fruit dominates, and the wine is intense, rich, and full-bodied. It will undoubtedly need 3-4 years of bottle age after its release, and should last 20-25 years based on the fact that their older vintages (i.e., 1979, 1981, 1983, and 1985) are all still in terrific condition." 94-96 pts Robert Parker The Wine Advocate "Opaque ruby. The highly perfumed nose offers an exotic array of red and dark berries, spicecake and potpourri, with hints of smoky herbs and olive adding complexity. Juicy and fresh for a wine that's over 15% alcohol, offering sweet raspberry and cherry flavors framed by silky tannins. Very suave and open-knit today, with excellent finishing clarity and smoky persistence." 94 pts Josh Raynolds Stephen Tanzer International Wine Cellar In addition to the rest of the 2007 vintages we are also offering the 2005 Cuvee Laurence from Domaine de Pegau 2005 Pegau Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvee Laurence 750ml Shelf Price $318.00 Offer Price $250.00 1500ml Shelf Price $650.00 Offer Price $545.00 "The 2005 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Laurence appears to be the finest example of this wine since the 1998. Wonderfully rich, concentrated notes of roasted Provencal herbs, jammy black cherries, new saddle leather, and loamy soil are present in this stunningly rich, full-bodied wine. With excellent concentration, moderate tannin, and fabulous length as well as intensity, it should be released in 2009-2010, and will keep for 20-25 years." 95-97 pts Robert Parker The Wine Advocate "Deep red. Scents of raspberry, cherry, herbs and dried flowers, plus a hint of black olive. Juicy, finely etched red fruit and anise flavors become spicier with air and pick up a note of white pepper. Finishes with outstanding clarity and impressive thrust, echoing the sweet red fruit notes. Paul Feraud emphasized that the objective in making this wine has always been to provide a bottle that's ready to drink on release." 94 pts Josh Raynolds Stephen Tanzer International Wine Cellar Domaine Villeneuve Domaine de Villeneuve is relatively new on the scene, having bought a very old, 8.4ha plot of already planted land in 1993. The property is situated in the north-eastern part of the appellation next to the famous Château Beaucastel. The domaine produces only one wine, the Vieilles Vignes - a very apt name since 90% of the vines are between 30 and 100 years old. Villeneuve is strictly bio-dynamical and puts great emphasis on the natural ability of the vine to defend itself against viruses or diseases. In the cellar great care is taken to avoid harsh treatments like pumping, and maturation takes place in a combination of tank and 600l wooden vats. download order form 2007 Villeneuve Châteauneuf du Pape Shelf Price $99.00 Offer Price $79.00 "This estate did not offer their 2008 for tasting, but they have hit the bull’s eye with their brilliant 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape. Aged 80% in tank and 20% in old barrels, this blend of 70% Grenache, 16% Mourvedre, and the rest Syrah, Cinsault, and the white grape Clairette is made from vines that average 65 years of age (some are over 100 years). This dense ruby/purple-hued offering smells like the essence of raspberry jam intermixed with boysenberries and blueberries. Exceptionally pure, with a layered mouthfeel and sweet tannin, this is undeniably the finest wine made by Proprietor Stanislas Wallut since he purchased Domaine de Villeneuve in 1992. The great oenologist Philippe Cambie consults at this biodynamically farmed property (over 75% of Cambie’s Chateauneuf du Pape clients are biodynamically farmed vineyards – an impressive statistic). This 2007, which was bottled unfiltered, should drink beautifully for 15-20 years. It is undeniably a big-time sleeper of the vintage." 94 pts Robert Parker The Wine Advocate "Inky ruby. Exotic, smoky aromas of blackberry and cassis, with a note of roasted herbs. Ripe, fleshy dark berry compote flavors are framed by chewy tannins and show a warm quality. This rich wine borders on too much, but welcome acidity adds lift to the finish. Impressive for its size but could use more energy." 88 pts Josh Raynolds Stephen Tanzer International Wine Cellar Tastings March TODAY 23 March - Southern Rhone - 6-8pm Instore free Tuesday 30 March - Affordable Burgundy - 6-8pm Instore free On Saturday 10 April 2004, new Australian Federal Government legislation came into force that requires that no unsolicited emails be sent without the permission of the recipient.  Europa Cellars has an email database and sends out periodic newsletters or special offers to especially interested clients. If you do not wish to receive further newsletters or special offers from Europa Cellars in the future, please advise by emailing wine@europacellars.com.au . Alternatively, if you subscribed via our website you may visit the following link to unsubscribe the same way. http://ethreemail.com/e3ds/u.php?g=a1fc2f1a

	Europa Cellars 150 Wellington Parade East Melbourne VIC Australia 3002 p. +61 (3) 9417 7220 f.+61(3) 9417 7223 e. wine @europacellars .com.au ABN 78 102 566 781 License no. 32053562