Two (Yes TWO) absolutely stunning Southern French reds on sale... very limited supply... 

Domaine Saint-Damien Gigondas "La Louisianne” 2017 -  Sale $34.99

St. Damien’s vineyards in La Baumette, a “hot” corner of Gigondas, not only have terrific exposure allowing for maximum ripeness, but also the same famed galets roulees like neighboring Chateauneuf du Pape.  Baby Chateauneuf for $35?  Yeah, no wonder this juice rocks…

97 pts Jeb Dunnuck – “I think the standout in the 2017 is the 2017 Gigondas La Louisiane, a blend of Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Syrah from a single lieu-dit near the domaine, which is located further down on the plateau. Incredible notes of blackcurrants, smoked herbs, spring flowers, and peppery meat notes emerge from this full-bodied beauty that has terrific concentration, sweet tannins, no hard edges, and a blockbuster finish. It actually reminds me of the 2007 yet has more structure and focus. It's an incredible bottle of wine that will drink well for 20+ years.”

95+ pts Wine Advocate– “Bottled in May, the 2017 Gigondas La Louisiane looks every bit as good as expected. Licorice, dark cherries and plums feature on the nose, while the full-bodied palate is silky and rich, just a wonderful balance of power and elegance. It should drink well soon after release and for at least decade thereafter.” WA

A marriage of rich fruit and traditional winemaking, no punching down and no new oak, aged in cement tanks for 6-8 weeks after fermentation, and then transferred to large, used oak foudres for 12 months before bottling unfined and unfiltered.  What that does is allow the wine to breath, unlike stainless steel, and soften, without adding toasty, oaky flavors. From vines at least 40 years old, with some 70-100+ years, this is concentrated, potent juice, with layers of dark and spicy fruits, and a broad, savory mouthfeel shockingly lacking in tannin.  The finish is impressive for its length and complexity.  And yet all the power comes from perfectly farmed and ripe fruit, not a hint of new oak!

St. Jean du Barroux L'Argile 2015

Sale $21.99 - Beats Best US Price Online by $3 per bottle! 

93 Jeb Dunnuck
 
One of the top estates in the Ventoux, Saint Jean du Barroux is run by the talented Philippe Gimel, who studied under Christophe and Isabel Sabon at Domaine de la Janasse. The vineyard work at St Jean du Barroux is humbly grounded in the concept that the vigneron is a caretaker of the land and its terroir. The farming is organic, with biodynamic practices, cover crops of natural plants are encouraged, work is done mainly by hand and the surrounding ecosystem is protected and nurtured. More often than not the vineyards look more like gardens than a working farm. Yields are painfully low, between 15-20 hl/ha on average. Harvesting is manual, often conducted in several passes through the vineyards to ensure that only the best grapes reach the recently built but modest cellar.

"The rocky clay soils of his vineyards are devoted to producing a wine he calls l’Argile which is a blend of Grenache and Syrah with small proportions of Carignan and Cinsault. Thoroughly old school, he ferments and ages his wine in concrete tanks for a very long time before bottling – in the cases of L’Argile, at least two years. Naturally he also waits to release the wines after an additional time in bottle; when he feels they are drinking well." importer note 

“The 2015 L’Argile (75% Grenache, 15% Syrah, and 5% each of Carignan and Cinsault) spent 24 months in concrete, as well as year in bottle. Slightly more elegant, with beautiful kirsch, currants, spice, minerality and hints of pepper, it’s medium to full-bodied, seamless and impeccably balanced on the palate, with fine, fine tannin, and a great finish. This is pure class and is going to age beautifully.” JD


Or reply. The wine is available now in Chapel Hill. Friday, as ordered, in Hillsborough.