The Mystery and Allure of Henri Bonneau
2001 Bonneau Châteauneuf-du-Pape
CLASSIC VINTAGE - SPECIAL PRICING

Henri Bonneau is without a doubt a member of the old-school, Southern Rhône eccentrics...

...right up there with the late Jacques Reynaud of Rayas.

Parker has described Bonneau as "an uncompromising genius who could care less about making money."

In a market that tries to rush everything to release and loves the predictability of it all, Bonneau's timeline is based on his own intuition. Sorry to quote Parker so much but he's funny here, calling Bonneau's release schedule "leisurely" and "anti-commercial."

"Stunning White Châteauneuf""
2009 Clos des Papes Blanc
Tidy Parcel at the Lowest Price in the Nation

"The 2009 Châteauneuf"-du-Pape blanc may be the finest white wine I have ever tasted from Clos des Papes." - Robert Parker

Vincent Avril has taken over the Clos des Papes estate from his father, Paul, who passed away in 2009, and if anyone ever questioned his ability to uphold the very high standards Paul set forth for this house as well as this region, the above quote should offer great evidence in the affirmative.

In Pursuit of the 2007...
2009 Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape VV
...but well under half the 2007's price

"A candidate for the wine of the vintage in this appellation."
- Robert Parker

Domaine de la Janasse is no small, under-the-radar house. They are one of the greats of Châteauneuf, and their Vielles Vignes - from vines over 80 years old - has been an out-and-out benchmark of the appellation nearly every single year for the last decade.

Today we present the latest in their string of hits, the 2009 Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape VV - "a candidate for wine of the vintage" here - at $99.95 a bottle. This is the lowest price in the nation by about 10%, so the pricing here is truly exceptional.

Chateauneuf in Top Form
2001 Solitude Chateauneuf-du-Pape "Barberini"
Luscious, Back-Vintage CDP Score
30% Below the Lowest Price in the World

"Over the last ten years, these wines have gone from strength to strength, and are now some of the finest of the appellation." - Robert Parker, Wine Advocate

With the young 2007 Chateauneufs falling deep into sleep, today we offer a luscious 2001 Chateauneuf in its prime, exuding all the sweet-cassis, smoke and flower-riddled perfumes of the sun-bathed Rhône.

Given the arctic temperatures we've been having and the daunting stretch of winter months ahead, we thought that something hedonistic, with a little belly-warming depth might be appropriate.

This is a targeted offering *only* for those of you who have supported our Rhône program. Still, with a mere 10 cases and a price 30% below the lowest price in the world, this will be gone quickly. (48 hours max!)

"The 2009 is a beautiful success."
2009 Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Special Pre-Arrival Pricing!
Lowest Pricing in the Nation

Today's pricing puts the 2009 Clos des Papes at about a 50% discount as compared to the 2007.

Which is just crazy, given the quality of the wine.

In fact, the 2009 is one of the most seductive Clos des Papes of recent times, absolutely curvaceous and blanketing with beautifully ripe tannins and just a perfect sense of proportion. While Vincent Avril has said the 2009 reminds him a bit of the hedonistic 2003, keep in mind the 2009 Clos des Papes has less alcohol than the 2003. In fact, it has less alcohol than the already-legendary 2007!

The Clarity of Châteauneuf
2009 Domaine Charvin Châteauneuf-du-Pape
The Lowest (Only) Price in the Nation

This might be our favorite Châteauneuf, for two reasons: clarity and structure.

Charvin's Châteauneufs are almost startling; in a region that can produce gloppy, gooey wines that are unctuous but droop over the palate like a wet rag, Charvin's wines are incredibly buoyant, clear and cut.

THE RHONE VALUE
2009 Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape "Chaupin"
One Tiny Parcel - Incredible Savings

With prices on Janasse's 2007 Chaupin going up to and beyond $150 a bottle, we're scratching our heads a bit.

Because, today, we have the 2009 Chaupin at only $69.95. What does that mean? Up to $90 dollars off the 2007? Nearly 40% off the lowest price on the 2007? On both counts, yes.