This week we are very pleased to offer you a selection of wines from one of our all-time favourite producers in the Southern Rhône Valley, Les Vignobles Brunier.

The wines listed in this offering will be available in early December of 2014. Should you wish to place a pre-order, please contact Jon Ellison at jonellison@marquis-wines.com.

About
Les Vignobles Brunier is the collective term for all the holdings of the Brunier family which include Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe, Domaine La Roquète, Domaine Les Pallières and Le Pigeoulet des Brunier. This collection of properties is the result of the hard work of Frédéric and Daniel Brunier, fourth generation Brunier brothers, who now farm their family land in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Since taking over control of the family interests, the brothers have worked diligently to maintain and enhance the legacy bequeathed to them by their father, Henri, and grandfather, Hippolyte. Thanks to their in depth knowledge and long association with the different terroirs and appellations of the Southern Rhône, the brothers were able to expand their vineyard holdings and today, their various properties are a diverse patchwork of soil types, micro climates and grape varieties.

Domaine Les Pallières was once described by someone with a great fondness for the place as "a wonderful vine garden that clings to the rear of the Dentelles de Montmirail limestone cliffs". In 1998, opportunity called for the Brunier brothers and Kermit Lynch, and they became the owners of this superb locale, planted with Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, Mourvèdre, Clairette and Bourboulenc. Thus did the trio cement an association begun 20 years earlier, when the first cases of Vieux Télégraphe were imported to America.

Domaine La Roquète was purchased in 1986, which added another 71.5 acres of land in the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation to the Vignobles Brunier holdings. It structure, exposure and location (aka "terroir") differs greatly from that of Vieux Télégraphe. The wine crafted here is a blend from the different lieux-dits of Piédlong, Pignan, La Roquète, Colombis, Cabrière.

Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe is the family's cradle and heart, but also the standard-bearer and flagship of Les Vignobles Brunier. Situated since its origin on Plateau de La Crau, in the southeast of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC, the estate has grown, developed and matured on this vast stony terrace which, generation after generation, has imparted all of its character.

*pricing and availability subject to change without notice.
 
New Releases

Orders of 6 bottles or more will receive a 5% discount while orders of 12 bottles or more will receive a 10% discount. Mixed cases permitted. The discount only applies to the five wines listed below.

Domaine les Pallières 2011 Gigondas "Les Racines" - $49.90
"Brilliant ruby. Lively red fruit and floral scents are complicated by suggestions of smoky minerals and potpourri. Spicy, penetrating and pure, offering gently sweet raspberry and lavender pastille flavors and a subtle touch of blood orange. Closes smooth and long, with a whisper of tannins and strong mineral cut. This wine is a poster child for the blend of power and elegance that marks a great Gigondas."
- Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, Jan/Feb 14     92 points

Domaine la Roquète 2012 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Télégramme Rouge - $49.90
"Moving to the Chateauneufs and the Brunier's entry level offering (a second wine, if you will, and includes grapes from Vieux Telegraphe and La Roquete), the 2012 Telegramme Chateauneuf du Pape is fruity and up-front, with medium-bodied richness and depth, excellent aromatics and an easy-drinking feel. It will be a delicious drinker to consume over the coming 5-6 years. Drink now-2020."
- The Wine Advocate #209     87-89 points

Domaine la Roquète 2011 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Piedlong Rouge - $64.90
"A similar blend and elevage, the 2011 Piedlong Chateauneuf du Pape is an outstanding effort that dishes out notions of spiced meats, olive, pepper and black currants as well as medium to full-bodied richness and depth, sweet fruit and ample texture. A classic, beautifully made 2011, it will benefit from another year or two in the cellar and have 10-12 years of ultimate longevity. Drink 2015-2023."
- The Wine Advocate #209     91 points

Le Vieux Télégraphe 2012 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc - $79.90
"Starting out, the 2012 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc is a blend of roughly 40% Clairette, 30% Grenache Blanc and the balance Roussanne and Bourboulenc that-s aged all in foudre. A textbook Chateauneuf du Pape white, it offers clean, pretty notes of white peach, green almond and honeysuckle as well as a medium to full-bodied, concentrated, yet very fresh and crisp feel on the palate. Enjoy it anytime over the coming decade or more. Drink now-2022+."
- The Wine Advocate #209     93 points

Le Vieux Télégraphe 2011 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge
$84.90 for 750ml
$174.80 for 1.5L
"Forward and up-front, especially by this cuvee-s standards, the 2011 Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf (65% Grenache from 70-year-old vines, 15% Syrah, 15% Mourvedre and the balance other permitted varieties) exhibits perfumed aromas of herbs de Provence, seaweed wrapper, garrigue and olive to go with plenty of sweet kirsch and berry fruit. Medium-bodied, fresh and elegant, with fine tannin, it can be consumed now (with a decant) or cellared for a decade. Drink now-2025."
- The Wine Advocate #209 92 points
Older Vintages Currently in Stock

Domaine Les Pallieres 2010 Gigondas "Les Racines" Rouge - $49.90
- Buy 12 bottles of this wine and receive a 15% discount
"The soft, delicious 2010 Gigondas Les Racines is, surprisingly, more open-knit than I remember it from last year. Abundant notes of red and black currants, raspberries, garrigue, crushed rock and peppery spice are all present in this medium to full-bodied, elegant yet substantial, authoritative Gigondas. It should drink well for 12-15+ years."
- The Wine Advocate #203     92 points

Domaine La Roquete 2008 Chateauneuf-du-Pape Rouge - $44.90
- Buy 12 bottles of this wine and receive a 15% discount
"The medium to full-bodied 2008 Chateauneuf du Pape (an elegant blend of 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% Mourvedre) exhibits attractive black cherry and framboise notes, silky tannin and a spicy, elegant personality. A very good effort for the vintage, it is best consumed over the next 5-6 years."
- The Wine Advocate #191     89 points

Domaine La Roquete 2010 Chateauneuf-du-Pape Rouge - $54.90
- Buy 12 bottles of this wine and receive a 15% discount
"The 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape is made from 90% Grenache and 10% Syrah and Mourvedre, all from the famed lieu-dit Les Pialons, which is located only a few miles from Vieux Telegraphe's La Crau, although it is normally harvested at least 15 days later than La Crau (an extraordinary illustration of the difference in micro-climates in a compact area such as Chateauneuf du Pape). The deep, rich, dark ruby/purple-tinged 2010 does not compare to the magnificent 2007, but it is a top-tier wine that was aged 18 months in concrete tanks. Abundant raspberry, kirsch, lavender and spice box characteristics are present in this beauty. Enjoy it over the next 15 or more years."
- The Wine Advocate #203     92 points

Le Vieux Télégraphe 2011 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc - $79.90
- Buy 12 bottles of this wine and receive a 15% discount
"The 2011 Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc is a blend of 40% Clairette, 30% Grenache Blanc and the rest Roussanne and Bourboulenc from 50-year-old vines. Aged in tank, foudre and, occasionally, demi-muid, it exhibits complex aromatics of rose water, buttered citrus, crushed rocks and spring flowers. The Bruniers have one of the more significant holdings of white grapes in Chateauneuf du Pape, a whopping 16 acres that produce 2,000 cases of white wine. The 2011 should drink well for 4-5 years."
- The Wine Advocate #203     90 points