Welcome back from your summer Holidays. We start our post-summer offering program with a new release of wines from Xavier Vins, one of the premier négociants currently operating in the Rhône Valley.

About
For the past 18 years, oenologist Xavier Vignon has become an internationally known winemaker for several of the best Domaines in Châteauneuf-du-Pape.  He has also worked in such other places as Australia, New Zealand and the Napa Valley. In 2002, some of his friends (who also happen to be wine importers) asked him to draw on his vast experience to create a selection of wines to be sold under his own label.  After careful consideration, Xavier agreed to do so and Xavier Vins was created.  Xavier uses his extensive network of contacts to source the best wines available throughout the Rhone Valley.  He then blends and ages them to his strict standards and releases the wines for sales under his label.  His ideal wine is easy to understand; modern, powerful and great value for money. Today importers scattered around the UK, Australia, Canada and Scandinavia order almost 50,000 bottles of his wines. 

"Consulting at a number of top estates (Marcoux, Grand Veneur, Raymond Usseglio, etc.), Xavier Vignon (along with Philippe Cambie) is one of the leading oenologists in the Southern Rhone - and you only need to taste his own negociant wines to understand why. I was blown away by these current and new releases. Across the board they showed beautifully made profiles, with not only loads of fruit and texture, but superb balance and classic Southern Rhone characters. In fact, each of the wines showed what I think of as textbook characteristics of the terroirs from which they come. In addition, the prices remain remarkably low, and these wines are a treasure trove for the savvy buyer."
- Jeb Dunnuck, The Wine Advocate

All the wines listed below are currently in stock at the store. Orders can be placed by emailing Jon Ellison at jonellison@marquis-wines.com.

Mas de Boislauzon 2006 Châteauneuf-du-Pape "Cuvée Quet" (8 bottles available)

Regular Price $79.90     E-Offer Discount $58.90

"A blend of 65% Grenache and 35% Mourvedre, the 2006 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee du Quet is big, muscular, and dense with full body as well as meaty black and blue fruits interwoven with notions of new saddle leather, earth, truffles, and spice. Possessing superb length in addition to stunning purity, this excellent 2006 does not require hasty drinking. Give it 3-4 years of bottle age and enjoy it over the following 15+ years."

- The Wine Advocate #179     91 points

 

Le Clos du Caillou 2009 Châteauneuf-du-Pape "Les Quartz" (5 bottles available)

Regular $89.90     E-Offer Discount $67.90

"Almost as good, the 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Quartz has a 2011-like perfume of sweet black raspberry, creamy licorice, lavender and spice. Full-bodied, balanced and concentrated, with rock-solid underlying structure, it's drinking nicely now, but has some upside as well. I doubt it will shut down, so drink it anytime over the coming decade or so."

- eRobertParker.com #214     95 points

 

Le Clos du Caillou 2006 Châteauneuf-du-Pape "Réserve" (12 bottles available)

Regular Price $124.90     E-Offer Price $92.90

"Seemingly more reserved and rustic (probably because it followed the 2007), the 2006 Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve Le Clos du Caillou (60% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre and 10% Syrah) offers impressive richness and depth, with plenty of toasted spice, licorice, wild herbs and earthy, dark fruits. Relatively closed for a '06, it nevertheless has serious concentration, plenty of texture and no shortage of underlying structure. Give it another year or three and drink it through 2026."

- eRobertParker.com #214     95+ points

To view the offerings we have recently sent out, please click any of the links below:

*please note that some of the wines listed in the links below may no longer be available.