PETIT WEEK IN WINE | March 20th - March 24th 2024 | |
THIS WEEK: MARCH MADNESS THROUGH THE NORTHERN RHÖNE | |
A Family Tradition from the Vineyards of the Northern Rhône Valley | |
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In the world of sports, March Madness reigns supreme, captivating audiences with its unpredictable twists and turns, reminiscent of the swirling currents of a great river. Meanwhile, in the serene vineyards of the Northern Rhône Valley, a different kind of madness unfolds, one of meticulous craftsmanship and timeless elegance, embodied in the region's illustrious wines. Prepare your palates for a wine journey through the iconic vineyards of the Northern Rhône Valley of France as we unveil this week's tasting flight showcase - the esteemed wines from Domaine Philippe et Vincent JABOULET!
As basketball enthusiasts eagerly fill out their brackets, wine aficionados embark on a journey through the terroir-rich landscapes of the Northern Rhône, where the magic of winemaking intertwines with centuries-old tradition. Here, amidst steep slopes and ancient vines, the grapes - primarily Syrah for reds and Rousanne for whites - find their voice, expressing the nuances of the land in every sip.
Our showcase producer, Domaine Philippe et Vincent Jaboulet, is a family-owned estate with a legacy spanning six generations in the Northern Rhône! Through the years, the estate has remained steadfast in its dedication to crafting wines of unparalleled quality and distinction paying homage to the rich heritage of the region while embracing modern techniques. Much like the thrill of a buzzer-beater shot, the experience of uncorking a bottle of Jaboulet is filled with anticipation and excitement.
At the heart of our $35 Tasting Flight lies the illustrious Syrah grape, a varietal that finds its purest expression in the granite soils of Northern Rhône.
Our flight kicks off with a rare Hermitage Blanc composed of 100% Roussanne offering the perfect balance of texture and acidity, leaving you with a mouth-watering long finish. The tasting flight then gains momentum with three examples of Syrah - two from from Crozes-Hermitage and one from the famous hill of Hermitage. It's an incredible flight of Jaboulet this week...
So between basketball watching, we bring you a championship offering that exudes elegance, finesse, and a true-sense of terrior unlike no other. Cheers to the madness of March and the exquisite wines that remind us of the beauty found in every unexpected twist and turn!
Please read on for all the details, including tasting flight hours, our wine selections, and the primer on the featured villages of the Northern Rhône and Domaine Jaboulet.
Cheers & Go Heels -
Mark
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PARK ROAD:
5:00 - 7:00pm Wednesday
5:00 - 9:00pm Thursday-Friday
1:00 - 9:00pm Saturday
1:00 - 7:00pm Sunday
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SOUTH END:
5:00 - 9:00pm Thursday-Friday
1:00 - 9:00pm Saturday
1:00 - 7:00pm Sunday
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Below are some tasting flights planned for the coming weeks - stay tuned for dates and details!
- Cabernet Franc Blind Challenge
- New Age Rioja - Varietal Spotlight
** FLASH NEWS **
SPECIAL NAPA TRESPASS VINEYARD TASTING TOMORROW (March 21st) for those who can't make the full Tresspass Wine Dinner - we will be doing an extra special private tasting from 6:30-7:30pm on a gratis basis (when you pickup a 6pk or more of the featured wines) for the first 20 persons who email respond to this newsletter via mark@petitphilippe.com and if you don't end up picking up any wines, the tasting is simply $45/pp. Let us know!
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Situated in the Rhône-Alpes in southeastern France, the Northern Rhône section of the Rhône Valley region produces some of the world’s most legendary Syrah wines. The vineyards of the Northern Rhone follow the north-to-south route of the Rhône River from Lyon down to around Valence. These vineyards were most likely planted around 500-600 B.C., and were producing copious amounts of wine under the Romans, and then even more so in the 13th century when the Popes temporarily relocated to Avignon. In a demonstration of the commercial power of the Catholic Church at that time, the Rhône wines began to give Burgundy a run for its money, so much so that the Duke of Burgundy temporarily forbade the import/export of Rhone wines!
Northern Rhône Wine Appellations:
Côte-Rôtie: Known for its steep slopes and terraced vineyards, Côte-Rôtie produces elegant red wines primarily from Syrah, often blended with a small percentage of Viognier.
Condrieu: Famous for its white wines made exclusively from Viognier grapes, Condrieu wines are aromatic and expressive, often showcasing flavors of stone fruit, floral notes, and hints of spice.
Saint-Joseph: Stretching along the banks of the Rhône River, Saint-Joseph produces both red and white wines. The reds are typically made from Syrah and offer a balance of fruitiness and earthy undertones, while the whites are crafted from Marsanne and Roussanne, displaying richness and complexity.
Hermitage: Revered as one of the greatest appellations in the Northern Rhône, Hermitage is home to both red and white wines. The reds, made from Syrah, are renowned for their power, structure, and aging potential, while the whites, crafted from Marsanne and Roussanne, are rich, full-bodied, and capable of long aging.
Crozes-Hermitage: Surrounding the esteemed Hermitage hill, Crozes-Hermitage produces accessible and approachable wines, both red and white. The reds, predominantly Syrah, offer a balance of fruitiness and spice, while the whites, made from Marsanne and Roussanne, are fresh, aromatic, and versatile.
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CROZES-HERMITAGE
Sometimes confused with its (much more expensive and storied) neighbor Hermitage, this area’s wine production dates back to the 1700s, when there are records of exports to England. The AOP was not officially created until 1937. Today it is the second-largest appellation in the Northern Rhone, with over 1,000 hectares across 11 communes. Here the terroir is made up of both slopes and plains, with some red clay and some more stony soils depending on the specific area. Most of the vineyards are climatically influenced by the two rivers (Isere and Rhone) that run through the AOP. The vast majority of the wine made here is red, from Syrah, but the few whites are made from Marsanne and Roussanne.
Crozes-Hermitage wines range in quality from simple food wines to awesome Syrahs. The major difference you’ll see here is in tartness due to Crozes-Hermi’s position on the East bank of the river. While this doesn’t at all affect the east-facing and southern facing sloped vineyards in the region (which are known for outstanding wines), facing west tends to deliver more dried herbal notes and tobacco (and less fruit) in the Syrah.
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The hill of Hermitage (also simply called Ermitage by some producers) is famous for its emboldened Syrah wines that usually need around 5–10 years before you open them. When you do, you’ll be greeted with heady aromas and layered flavors blackberry, black currant, licorice, coffee, candied cherry, and smoke. Besides Syrah, the hill also produces some outstanding age-worthy white wines that are a blend of Marsanne and Roussanne. Wines from L’Ermitage do not come cheap for two reasons: one, the wines are consistently ranked as the best in the Northern Rhône, and two, Hermitage has a storied history, which can make tasting these wines feel a bit mystical.
The vineyards on Hermitage hill, which are more like a set of three adjacent south-facing hills, have been planted since the times of ancient Greece in 500 B.C. The popular story of Hermitage is of a 13th century crusader who was wounded and sought refuge on the hill. He built a chapel and lived out his life in complete solitude. Thus the hill was named “hermit’s hill” or Ermitage. Today, there is a tiny reconstructed chapel on Hermitage called Saint-Christopher that sits alone towards the crest of the hill and looks out over the village below.
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Family Identity & Innovation Combined
Philippe Jaboulet and his son, Vincent, carry on long-established family winemaking traditions at Domaine Philippe & Vincent Jaboulet in Crozes-Hermitage. Located in the northern Rhône Valley about one mile south of Tain l’Hermitage, the domaine was founded in 2006 following the sale of Maison Paul Jaboulet Ainé, where Philippe managed the family’s vineyards and handled all grape purchasing.
After the sale, Philippe and Vincent retained about 32 acres of the family’s vineyards, including most notably a parcel of the original Thalabert vineyard, which is situated in the Crozes-Hermitage appellation. Philippe and Vincent Jaboulet acquired another 37 acres to add to the newly formed domaine, including 1.7 acre plot in Cornas. The parcel from the Thalabert vineyard that belonged to Paul Jaboulet Ainé was renamed Nouvelère, commemorating the ‘new era’. The domaine’s Nouvelère wine is produced from the vineyard’s oldest vines, up to 80 years old.
The domaine owns other vineyard holdings in Crozes-Hermitage, where relatively younger vines yield full-bodied reds from the Syrah variety. These wines are aged in tanks and both small and large oak barrels; no new wood barrels are employed.) These reds are released two years after the vintage. The domaine’s Crozes Hermitage white wine comes from the Marsanne grape.
In Hermitage, the Syrah wines are sourced from 30-year-old vines in the Les Dionnières lieu-dit; the grapes are raised carefully with only organic fertilizer and no chemical insecticides. The family also produces limited quantities of Hermitage white wines, made from 100% Roussanne grapes; in Cornas, a small amount of red wine is also produced.
The entire domaine has received the High Environmental Value certification from the French Ministry of Agriculture, recognition of the domaine’s efforts to implement environmentally respectful practices, according to Vincent Jaboulet.
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DOMAINE PHILIPPE ET VINCENT JABOULET
Ermitage Blanc 2018
Nothern Rhône, FR
$99 btl/retail
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This rare & delicious white 'Ermitage' is from a single one hectare plot and is made entirely from 40 to 50 year old Roussanne vines. Roussanne is named after its ripe skin color, a reddish-gold pigment that equates to the French word Roux (red-brown).
Varietal: 100% Roussanne from 40 to 50 year old vines that benefit from South exposure and are planted on soil made of loess, in two lieu-dits, “Maison Blanche” and “Les Beaumes”.
Tasting Notes: This wine gives a brilliant golden yellow color with aromas of white fruits (peach/pear), flowers, vanilla, grilled almonds and a hint of crushed mineral notes. In the mouth, the Roussanne brings elegance along with the richness of the mature grape. It has good balance and offers a delicate roundness, strengthened by a fresh long finish.
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DOMAINE PHILIPPE ET VINCENT JABOULET
Crozes-Hermitage Rouge 2020
Nothern Rhône, FR
$38 btl/retail
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This Jaboulet Rouge is a perfect example of a Syrah that harmonizes a fruit-forward profile with freshness and a good tannic structure. The pebbles in the soil retain heat that is released at night and help the fruit reach optimal maturity.
Varietal: 100% Syrah from 35+ year old vines from Les Chassis lieu-dit that is composed primarily of alluvial soil with pebbles. Hand harvested, destemmed. Maceration 3-4 weeks. Fermented 20 days in stainless steel tank and aged 33% each in tank, concrete vat and wooden tanks.
Tasting Notes: Distinctive nose of ripe red fruit along with notes of licorice and spices. Well-structured wine with a great freshness on a long finish.
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DOMAINE PHILIPPE ET VINCENT JABOULET
'Nouvelère' Crozes-Hermitage Rouge 2018
Nothern Rhône, FR
$46 btl/retail
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The parcel where this single-vineyard Syrah originates was known as Les Grandes Vignes in recognition of (and tribute to) the old age of the vines. It was renamed by Philippe back in 2006 to "Nouvelère" to signify a new era of the Domaine.
Varietal: 100% Syrah from 80 year old vines. Hand-harvested, and destemmed. Aged for 24 months in oak barrel, 30% in 25hl barrel called “foudre” and 70% in small 228l barrels (some new oak).
Tasting Notes: Dark fruit is the core characteristic of this lively 100% Syrah wine. Slightly spicy, with raspberry and blackcurrant flavors, and lots of grip on the finish. This wine has had considerable time in the bottle, but the fruit is still fresh and intense. Better than your average Crozes...
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DOMAINE PHILIPPE ET VINCENT JABOULET
Ermitage Rouge 2017
Nothern Rhône, FR
$117 btl/retail
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This prestigious Ermitage comes from the south-facing slope of the famous hill known for producing fine, elegant Syrahs worthy of laying down. Jaboulet's rendition punches well above its weight with complexity & richness.
Varietal: 100% Syrah from Ermitage. This wine was aged for 24 months in 228-liter oak barrel (50% new oak).
Tasting Notes: A remarkable deep, inky purple in the glass with a complex nose that is still developing with notes of cinnamon, toast and vanilla that lend an extravagant feel to succulent black-plum and preserved cherry flavors. Secondary notes of oak, cedar, cigar box, cloves, licorice, tapenade,and earthy minerality roundout the aromatics. Full-bodied on the plate with an enveloping floral character that suggests olive tapenade, black fruit, and pruney jam. Mouth-coating, with a chewy texture and grippy tannins. Rich- intensely concentrated fruit!
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mark@petitphilippe.com | www.petitphilippe.com
Wine Emergency? text us at 415.306.4283
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