Garagiste

• By Jon Rimmerman
  11/10/2010 (link)

  (GRAVALLON-LATHUILIERE Chiroubles) 2009 Dear Friends, The most popular wines of 2010 have been 2009 Beaujolais and it’s not even close. The vintage has struck a rare chord that allows many of the wines to appeal to hard-core oenophiles as well as those discovering the dynamic and food-friendly appeal of granite-grown Gamay for the first time. The 2009s also have a rare attribute – what I call “non-seasonal”: low in alcohol and medium in weight to work wonders with the summer heat (even slightly chilled) but they also have the oomph to tame and tangle fall/winter cuisine such as braised meats or long-cooked stews. For me, it’s impossible to have enough 2009s in my cellar as they will provide years of enjoyment, whether I'm searching for a no-nonsense/no-thought required imbibement or something with a touch of cerebral complexity without the difficulty often associated with unripe years northwest of Lyon. Normally, I would offer these as individual wines but they are so appealing, lets consider this a “stock up on” offer – you can’t go wrong with a variety pack that includes both wines. In addition, they will age for several years but the immediate appeal of Chiroubles in 2009 makes them darn hard to resist right now (and over the next 1-2 years, after that I would let them rest and revisit between 5-8 years of age). The other reason I'm offering both today is that it’s now or never for the 2009s – this is the last of Raousset Chiroubles available and the Gravallon is already sold out (I had to convince them to take this allocation from a European importer – the wine is very difficult to find as it is): 2009 Chateau de Raousset Chiroubles - I'm a fan of the entire Beaujolais region in 2009 but there was something about the way the mostly granite-based soil absorbed the vintage in Chiroubles that sets this district apart – the wines are simply fun to drink and full of a vibrancy and life that makes them stand out in a crowd. From 1200-1400 ft in elevation, hand-picked and produced with a goal of preserving the fresh and dense/dark fruit the vintage gave in abundance, this wine gets better and better over the course of an evening but it’s a joy to drink as soon as the cork is popped. Rarely does Gamay have such balance of flesh, fruit, rock, acidity, texture and size but, in 2009, Chiroubles delivered the goods and I can’t get enough of this fun-house effort from Raousset. Floral and dripping with dark, fresh fruit, If it means anything, I served this wine to a group of 12 dinner party guests (three knew nothing about wine and six were considered vinous experts) – all 12 agreed this was a great effort and we consumed the three sample bottles in no time, purple-stained lips and all. There are occasions when an over-wrought terroir-enthusiast just needs a night of fun and Raousset’s 2009 Chiroubles is like a bouncy-house for adults...with a firm floor of rock that is. 12.8-13.0% alcohol (if we are sold out when you order, try Wine Exchange, they have it for about the same tariff). 2009 Gravallon-Lathuiliere Chiroubles - It’s tough to compare the two wines we offer today but the Lathuiliere is really a serious effort (I'm not surprised given the recent fanfare of this heralded new source in Burgundy). If you’re looking for buzz, look no further than Mademoiselle Lathuiliere’s property, one of the hottest in normally demure Beaujolais. Composed of the fun, frivolity and purple/black depth of 2009 mixed with a more tannic, solid stone presence, over 4-6 hours Lathuiliere’s Chiroubles unfolds to deliver a complete drinking experience that is part fun-house/part Harvard Law School. From 60-90 year old vines grown on one of the choicest plots in Chiroubles, the elevation of the vineyard combined with the intensity of the growing season produced a joyous result that can take you anywhere you wish to go, with or without thought (one of the hallmarks noted above of the top 2009’s – they don’t weigh on you intellectually but they can if you allow them to). This wine isn’t necessarily better than the Raousset but my guess is that it will last longer as the minerality and sweetly tannic spine are deeper with no loss in the “fun” department. 12.6-13.2% alcohol. Very rare. As noted above, this isn’t a yes or no proposition where you must decide on either/or - both wines are of equal worth and that’s why they are on the same offer. Considering the reasonable investment and “once in 50 years” reputation of the vintage, I am putting a case of each in my cellar (if there is any left after we tally up the requests). No scores, no price-comparison chase - just enjoy the fruit and the value! Please give us your maximum number up to 24/each wine and we will allocate accordingly To order: niki@garagistewine.com This parcel is set to depart the cave – it will arrive in Dec (please check OARS for local pick up after Dec 15th). It will ship during the Spring shipping season. Out of state orders will be held for free under ideal storage conditions (56 degrees/70%humidity) until shipping is possible. Locals may pick up at their leisure. For current local pick up and arrival/ship information, please see your OARS link below (at the bottom of this offer) - don’t know how to access your OARS? Simply click the link and see your account. You can also paste the link into your browser. If you are having trouble with your link or your account, please contact: support@garagistewine.com NO SALES TO RETAILERS OR WHOLESALERS Thank you, Jon Rimmerman Garagiste Seattle, WA Click here to view the status of your orders in O.A.R.S.