letuffeau.com
(Link)
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Southern French Rarities
“Little to say here other than some mid-Winter Southern French wines that have a whiff of the collectable about them. All are rewarding now, all will be rewarding after ample time dwelling in a cool cellar. The Domaine de Trevallon is particularly imposing, almost monolithic; patience will be required.”
— David
Domaine de Trevallon
Alpilles
“Along with Domaine du Grange de Peres, this is one of the very pinnacles of Southern French wine. A true original, almost eccentric bottling of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Shiraz; the cepage reflecting apparently pre-Phylloxera plantings in the region. Long aging on lees in oak, minimal sulphur. The new and the old dwelling in one. For a long time this wine was classified as Cotes-du-Rhone; it now sits in a low-level regional classification (Alpilles IGP) almost all by itself. One for the initiated.”
— David
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Domaine de Trevallon 2021 Alpilles Rouge IGP
(Shelf Price: $272.00)
Offer: $215.00
[4 bottles available]
“Unwinding in the glass with a distinctly old-fashioned nose of dried flowers and herbs, cured leather, my brother’s pipe tobacco, and deep red fruits, the 2021 Rouge from Trevallon impresses with its imposing grandeur. Extended aeration continues to add depth to the fruit aromatics, and brings out a wealth of nuances including brick dust and cypress. One finds the floral and herbal elements gaining freshness with time, a sleight of hand that only great wines execute. The palate has echoes of the monolithic, the structure holding heft as if carved from the erratic blocks themselves by a lost civilisation; the tannins imposing. Yet, there is a coursing and active quality as if the wine runs down a vast canal, with red fruit appearing in layers, dried herbs, further balsam wood and spice nuances (not oak derived), and tobacco. A monument to all cult wines everywhere, and worthy of its reputation. 50%/50% Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz.”
— David
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Chateau Simone
Palette
“Established about a decade after the Chateauneuf-du-Pape AOC, the Palette AOC exists almost solely for the Famille Rougier holding of Chateau Simone, which they have owned since 1830. The vineyard is a complex mosaic of plots that represent a fruit salad of varietals, largely in old vine plantings, across light clay, gravels, and fuller pebbles. The whole estate sits in a breeze moderated natural amphitheatre. Marked out by their singular, and very classic, labels this is one of the classic wines of all France. No eccentricities here. A personal favourite.”
— David
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Chateau Simone 2024 Palette AOP Rose
(Shelf Price: $189.00)
Offer: $162.00
~ please note : orders of this wine by reply email only ~
45% Grenache; 30% Mourvèdre; 5% Cinsault; also: 20% across Syrah, Castet, Manosquin, Carignan, Muscatel(s).
“The 2024 Palette Rosé offers a more restrained and introspective expression than recent vintages, yet it remains one of the finest renditions of this singular cuvée. Opening with aromas of blood orange, grapefruit, spring flowers, rose petals and a touch of spice, it’s medium- to full-bodied, round and fleshy, built around a gently phenolic structure and tensile acidity. The finish is long, saline and delicately ethereal. While less exuberant today, it promises to evolve beautifully in bottle, gaining nuance and harmony with time. Once again, the Rougier family has deftly navigated the challenges of the vintage to deliver one of France’s most compelling and age-worthy rosés.”
94pts — Yohan Castaing, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
“David continues to insist to anyone who will listen (and to those who won’t) that this is the best and finest rose in the world, and is willing to get in the ring over it.”
— Nick
“Clos Cibonne might be the only other wine with a fighting chance…!”
— David
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Chateau Simone 2021 Palette AOP Blanc
(Shelf Price: $205.00)
Offer: $172.00
80% Clairette; 10% Grenache Blanc; 5% Bourboulenc; 3% Ugni Blanc (Trebbiano); 2% Muscat Blanc
“Pale silvery in hue, the bouquet is glorious and captivating, with beautifully delineated scents of wax resin, pine forest and orange blossom. The palate displays exquisite balance, with just the faintest oxidation. Light smoky traits emerge with time, hints of bitter lemon mixing with almond towards the dry finish that urges you back for another sip. Knowing first-hand how the whites from this unique estate can repay cellaring, this will give up to 20 years’ drinking pleasure.”
92pts & ‘Cellar Favourite’ — Neal Martin, vinous.com
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Domaine Tempier
Bandol
“The famille Peyraud and Bandol, are inseparable. Few families are so wound up in the particular history of a region; perhaps in their case it has to do with the venerable matriarch Lucie ‘Lulu’ Peyraud, who sat at the head of the Domaine until her passing at 102 having encompassed much of modern French wine history. The reds and roses from this Domaine are legendary, and attract hordes of admires for their precision and elegance … features often missing from the offerings of their fault-riddled neighbours. They are also (red and rose!) immensely long lived wines yet beautifully ingratiating when youthful; as they age the gain depth, silken elegance, and mineral complexities akin to some Burgundies (esp. Pommard).”
— David
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Domaine Tempier 2021 Bandol Rouge ‘Lulu & Lucien’
(Shelf Price: $130.00)
Offer: $105.00
“75% Mourvedre; Grenache and Cinsault in support, with minor roles from Shiraz and Carignan.
Personally, I find the Tempier wines to be defined by an aromatic melange of black fruits and under-bark; lifting away wet bark in autumn. This latter component contains further interplay in the form of spice box, leather, graphite, cedar, and cocoa nibs. The palate, rendered more linear and brightly striped in acid from the cooler 2021 vintage, has firm tannins allied to a broad plushness of fruit. Black cherries and plum abound, together with dried herb, chocolate, and truffle. I prefer the cooler vintages of Tempier and quite rightly this is fine.”
— David
Order here
(Link)
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Domaine Tempier 2021 Bandol Rouge ‘La Migoua’
(Shelf Price: $210.00)
Offer: $168.00
[1 bottle available]
“55% Mourvedre; 25% Cincsault; 15% Grenache, with some Shiraz.
The 2021 Bandol Rouge ‘La Migoua’ comes from a sheltered 11ha site at 300m above sea level.
Reserved and shy on first pour; aeration brings mineral smoke and dried herb nuances framing potent black and red fruits, cloves and black pepper, and hints of leather and the trademark Tempier ‘bark’. Further time in the glass unfolds cigar wrapper, cedar, oak-derived nuances, and a lift in the form of dried then fresh mint. I find this cuvee to be more intensely mineral, the exposed chalk and other elements in the earth bringing nuance and finesse, coupled to a slight and pleasing austerity. The palate feels more ‘channelled’ than ‘La Tourtine’; tannins less blocky though with ample grip. Claret weight, if you will. Red and black fruits mingle on the palate; cocoa nibs, sliced truffle, chalk and ferruginous nuances, and hints of leather and sous bois on the long close. Very fine.”
— David
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(Link)
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Domaine Tempier 2021 Bandol Rouge ‘La Tourtine’
(Shelf Price: $210.00)
Offer: $168.00
[1 bottle available]
“85% Mourvedre; Grenach and Cinsault.
From a sunny, exposed sight of 5.5ha. This wine strikes me as more the silken, broad, and rich of the two wines at this level of offering from Tempier. Plums, black cherries, and some blue fruits mingle alluringly as the wine unwinds after first pour; that wet-bark quality emerges with air together with faint spice and mineral nuances. Near full bodied, though retaining freshness and structure courtesy of the cooler vintage, and possessing great breadth and depth of fruit framed by powerful tannins. Further plums and black fruits, hints of sliced prune (though never dried), spice and cigar box nuances, chalk, and a faint hint of racked pepper on the close.”
— David
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(Link)
(photo credit: Paul dalla Rosa)
If you would like any of the above, would like to come by for a private appointment, or just have some questions — please let us know.