With summer in full swing we recently welcomed the timeous arrival of the new vintages from some of our producers in Chablis (William Fevre), Provence (Chateau de Pibarnon), and Champagne (Pol Roger, Marguet).

Domaine William Fèvre is generally regarded as one of the greatest names in the region of Chablis and those that have been buying the previous vintages would attest to that. The vineyards in Chablis sit on what is virtually an oyster fossil bank and it is this in combination with the Chardonnay grape that gives Chablis its benchmark minerality. With over 300 estates in Chablis, there is no exception to the rule in the rest of Burgundy- that of the importance of following the most qualitatively driven producers in order to give one the best possible chance of experiencing the best the region has to offer. 2008 is the new vintage on offer and it is wonderfully classic- lovely cool fruit laced in terrific acidity. Approachable now but will reward cellaring.

The wines from Chateau de Pibarnon generally fly under the radar and perhaps it is because they are from the tiny fine wine region of Bandol in the southeast of France, which many may be unfamiliar with. However in stature, Bandol is Provence’s most important wine. The good thing about this is that pricing has been relatively constant over the years and as a result one has an opportunity to drink one of arguably the best and purest examples of the Mouvedre grape on the planet. Not to mention one of the most serious and seductive Roses in all of France. Since Comte Henri de Saint-Victor and his family purchased the estate in 1975, they have continued to produce a seductively aromatic Rose which contain 50 % Cinsault and 50 % Mouvedre. This Rose can develop for 5-8 years in the cellar, but the 2010 offers amazing appeal right now.

Last, but certainly not least, we have fresh stock and new vintages from both our grower Champagne, Marguet Pere et Fils as well as Pol Roger. Benoit Marguet continues to push the quality boundaries on his wines and all three Champagnes we received from him are now made up of 100 % Grand cru grapes. They are terrific value for quality Champagnes. Don’t miss his polished Rose as well as the new vintage, which is a top class effort from the stellar 2004 vintage. Pol Roger received massive press this year when Kate and Prince William decided on the non-vintage for their reception Champagne. We have moved onto the 2000 for the vintage, 2002 for the Rose and 1999 for the Winston Churchill. We continue to represent this classy, understated, brilliant Champagne house with immense pride.

**The first 10 orders will receive a complimentary William Fevre ice bucket**

Please refer to the below tasting notes (all from Allen Meadows’ Burghound publication unless otherwise stated) and kindly contact us with your requests.

Kind Regards

The Great Domaines Team

Domaine William Fèvre:

"After tasting the 2008s here, it was hard to avoid concluding that William Fevre is approaching the level of the two pillars of the appellation, Raveneau and Dauvissat" - Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar

"This is a classy setup, producing very classy wines.”- Clives Coates, The Wines of Burgundy(2** star domaine)

"Having understood perfectly the soul of this exceptional terroir, Henri de Saint –Victor completely remade Chateau de Pibarnon and in doing so created a grand classic in Bandol, with profundity and balance without equal in Provence…" - Bettane and Desseauve, Classification of the Best Wines of France, 2003

"The Rose is unfailingly one of the most savory in Provence. The red is robust when young buts develops a range of subtle, typically Mediterranean aromas, together with tannic quality that places it amongst the greatest of all the French wines" - Bettane and Desseauve’s Guide to the Greatest Wines of France, 2011

"A very good producer one should keep an eye on" - Richard Juhlin on Marguet Pere et Fils

"If I were to choose just one house from which to source a vintage champagne to lay down, there is no questions that I would choose Pol Roger " - Tom Stevenson Champagne Report

Recommended retail stockists of Pol Roger:

Norman Goodfellows, Thrupps, The Fridge (Morningside), Bootleggers (Fourways), Makro (Woodmead), Central Liquors (Boksburg), Killarney Cellars, Parklane Spar (Pietermaritzburg), Marriott Garden Wine Cellar (Durban), Wine Concepts (Newlands, Kloof), Carolines Fine Wines (Waterfront and Strand Street), Noble Grape (Constantia), Vaughan Johnsons, Johnny's Liquors (Pretoria), Riverside Liquors (Bryanston), Chapmans Peak Wine Cellar, Rubins Liquors, Vino Pronto, La Cotte in Franschhoek, Craighall Liquors and online at www.wineweb.co.za.

Tasting Notes

2010 Chablis Village

This also brims with classic Chablis character with a wonderfully fresh and exuberant nose of floral, sea breeze and mineral reduction notes that introduce richer and more concentrated middle weight flavors that also possess a bit more complexity on the energetic finish. This is really lovely for its level and because of the ample dry extract it will be approachable young or age well too if desired. Drink: 2014+
R195/bot

2008 Chablis "Montmains" Premier Cru

Here the nose is similar yet notably more complex with buckets of mineral reduction adding nuance to the lightly spiced floral aromas that complement the sappy, detailed and graceful middle weight flavors that ooze Chablis character on the attractively lingering finish. A lovely and understated wine of finesse. Drink: 2012+
R260/bot

2008 Chablis "Les Lys" Premier Cru

A classic Les Lys is always about elegance and refinement and that is certainly the case in 2008 with the refined, pure and airy nose of citrus, sea breeze and white flower aromas that are followed by precise and cuts-like-a-knife flavors that culminate in a crisp and equally pure finish. This is also an understated effort that offers excellent balance and an overall sense of harmony. Worth a look. Drink 2013+
R265/bot

2008 Chablis "Montee de Tonnerre" Premier Cru

A discreet touch of wood sets pure, elegant and airy floral and spice aromas that are in perfect keeping with the racy, energetic and classy medium weight plus flavors that possess excellent depth as well as superb length. This delivers grand cru quality. Drink 2014+
R295/bot

2008 Chablis "Vaulorent" Premier Cru

This is one of those wines where you can sense the sheer depth of material simply based on the nose as the very dense citrus-based fruit displays additional hints of stone, tidal pool, algae, oyster shell and white flower aromas that give way to concentrated, serious and rich flavors that are actually quite fine before culminating in an explosively long and palate staining finish. A terrific wine that, like its stable mate, could easily pass for a grand cru. A knock-out. Drink 2015+
R370/bot

2008 Chablis “Les Preuses” Grand Cru

This would be almost impossible to miss this wine's origins as the marine influence on the pungently mineral, airy and superbly elegant nose is extremely strong with Chablis character to burn. The seductive middle weight flavors brim with dry extract, which does a perfect job of buffering the structural elements on the mouth coating and sappy finish that seems to go on and on. This is very Preuses in its Zen-like sense of harmony and is clearly very classy juice. Drink: 2015+
R495/bot

2008 Chablis Bougros "Côte de Bouguerots" Grand Cru

(from a 2 ha parcel at the bottom section of the vineyard; even so, the vineyard is so steep here that it must be worked entirely by hand as tractors would be dangerous to use)

An exceptionally elegant high-toned and strikingly layered nose of oyster shell, mineral reduction and perfumed cool green fruit is extremely seductive and serves as a fascinating introduction to the concentrated, serious and powerful yet refined flavors that ooze a fine minerality on the mouth coating and hugely long finish. This is blessed with buckets of sap that completely buffer the firm acid spine. This is a flat out great effort that is indisputably a "wow" wine. Drink: 2015+
R495/bot

2008 Chablis “Valmur" Grand Cru

The reflections are the classic light gold-green hues of a fine Chablis. The barest touch of oak highlights the green fruit, menthol, saline and iodine aromas that precede the extremely stony, concentrated and driving flavors that are also blessed with ample amounts of dry extract that provides a much needed balancing element to the ripe acid backbone on the chalky and sappy finish. When Valmur is really good, it rivals Les Clos for the best grand cru in Chablis and this 2008 is really good. Drink 2015+
R495/bot

2005 Pibarnon Rouge (95 Points, Wine Spectator)

"An intense and focused red, with concentrated mineral, plum and dark cherry that are flanked by tobacco box notes. Lithe yet powerful, with a long, elegant and finely chiseled finish of slate and white pepper. Drink now through 2015."- Wine Spectator.
R 280/bot

2010 Pibarnon Rose (91 Points, Steve Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar)

Light, bright orange. Blood orange, cherry, herbal and floral aromas are underscored by a lively mineral quality. At once dense and fresh, offering potent red berry and bitter citrus flavors and a late note of tarragon. The floral and herbal notes carry through onto the long, sappy, focused finish. Packs a serious punch but carries no excess weight, which will make it very flexible at the table. – Steve Tanzer’s International Wine Cellart
R210/bot

Regards
The Great Domaines Team

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