{"title":"Provence, France","description":"\u003cp\u003eProvence in France is famous for its elegant rosé wines and diverse terroirs. The \u003cstrong data-start=\"252\" data-end=\"278\"\u003eCôtes de Provence rosé\u003c\/strong\u003e is light, crisp, and aromatic, while \u003cstrong data-start=\"316\" data-end=\"331\"\u003eBandol reds\u003c\/strong\u003e show depth and structure from Mourvèdre and Grenache. Vineyards across \u003cstrong data-start=\"403\" data-end=\"414\"\u003eLuberon\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong data-start=\"419\" data-end=\"429\"\u003eCassis\u003c\/strong\u003e produce distinctive whites, rosés, and reds that highlight the region’s sunny climate and limestone soils. Discover our \u003cstrong data-start=\"550\" data-end=\"578\"\u003eProvence wine collection\u003c\/strong\u003e to explore wines from top producers like \u003cstrong data-start=\"620\" data-end=\"639\"\u003eDomaine Tempier\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong data-start=\"641\" data-end=\"664\"\u003eChâteau de Pibarnon\u003c\/strong\u003e, and \u003cstrong data-start=\"670\" data-end=\"691\"\u003eChâteau d’Esclans\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"the-somm-6-gift-pack","title":"The Somm 6 Wine Pack","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003cspan\u003eA curated six-pack from our sommelier team!\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSommSelect’s team of sommeliers tastes hundreds of wines each month, but only six are chosen for our Somm 6 club subscription. Our main criteria? That they be the wines we most want to take home for ourselves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis pack is for wine lovers who crave variety and new sensations. It’s also for anyone who appreciates authenticity and value. Our experts curate a diverse selection of artisanal wines, provide detailed information on each bottle, then ship the whole package right to your door.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOffered here as a one-time Wine Pack purchase, this is a great introduction to our clubs without the commitment. No guesswork—just delicious wine!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlease Note:\u003c\/strong\u003e This item is a pre-packed selection chosen by our team of sommeliers and will ship on its own. It is ineligible for “Build-a-Case.” \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eNot afraid of commitment? Check out our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/sommselect.com\/products\/the-somm-6-april-2023\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eClubs sign-up page\u003c\/a\u003e to make it official with a subscription.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SommSelect","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40647578320950,"sku":"SOMM2509-SOMM6WP-750","price":239.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0551\/3628\/8822\/files\/KSP_2115_1_2e0f6fba-544a-4824-8533-ada18cfed211.png?v=1699572909"},{"product_id":"randomsomm6redclub-750","title":"The Somm 6 Reds Wine Pack- Cool Climate Reds","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout Somm 6 Reds\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e6 Bottles a Shipment\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSome people simply prefer red wine - so, we created a club just for them. As with our classic Somm 6, these are the bottles on our sommeliers’ tables right now, sent complete with tasting notes and pairing suggestions.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCollection includes:\u003cbr\u003e2021 Piquentum Teran, Istria, Croatia \u003cbr\u003e2023 Domaine du Gueret, Moulin-a-Vent  \u003cbr\u003e2022 Moric Blaufrankisch \u003cbr\u003e2021 Friedrich Becker, Pinot Noir, Pfalz\u003cbr\u003e2021 Singer Baker Lane Estate Syrah, Sonoma Coast\u003cbr\u003e2020 Giovanni Sordo, Barolo \"Ravera\" Cru, La Morra \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca title=\"Tasting Notes\" href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0551\/3628\/8822\/files\/Somm6_RedsWP_September_2025.pdf?v=1770231066\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSomm Booklet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOffered here as a one-time Wine Pack purchase, this is a great introduction to our clubs without the commitment. No guesswork—just delicious wine!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlease Note:\u003c\/strong\u003e This item is a pre-packed selection chosen by our team of sommeliers and will ship on its own. It is ineligible for “Build-a-Case.” \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eNot afraid of commitment? Check out our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/sommselect.com\/products\/the-somm-6-april-2023\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eClubs sign-up page\u003c\/a\u003e to make it official with a subscription.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SommSelect","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40733039427638,"sku":"SOMM2509-SOMM6RWP-750","price":269.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0551\/3628\/8822\/files\/6Bottlecover_SeptS6RV2_1.png?v=1763833950"},{"product_id":"somm2304-val22rosegm-750","title":"Mas de Valériole, “Grand Mar” Rosé","description":"\u003cp\u003eIt’s worth consulting a map to pinpoint exactly where Mas de Valériole is located: about 10 miles south of Arles, not far from the broad expanse of the Rhône River delta. Vineyards rooted in sandy soils eventually give way to a series of lakes and marshes as the Rhône meets up with the Mediterranean; on the label of today’s wine you’ll see it carries a “Bouches du Rhône'' (“mouth of the Rhône”) IGP designation, along with a shout-out to the “Terre de Carmargue.” Once you’ve established where it’s from, then there’s a unique grape variety to consider: Caladoc, a crossing of Malbec and Grenache used widely in the area. Both the spice and backbone of the former and the generous cherry\/strawberry fruit of the latter are in evidence in “Grand Mar,” along with an unmistakable taste of the nearby sea.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt is a classic salmon-pink in the glass and loaded with ripe fruit, but there’s also that salty, herbal twang that places it so firmly in Provence. Aromas of wild strawberry, blood orange, and red delicious apple skin merge with more-savory notes of sea salt, wet stones, dusty earth, and scrub-brush. It is medium-bodied, racy, and likely to be even better in its “second spring” (i.e. next year) if you manage to stay away from any of your bottles for that long. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SommSelect","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40733046669366,"sku":"SOMM2304-VAL22ROSEGM-750","price":28.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0551\/3628\/8822\/products\/031e36750c85a3d8b039b6d564980554.jpg?v=1686588540"},{"product_id":"somm2301-cnd18bandol-750","title":"Château Canadel, Bandol Rouge","description":"","brand":"SommSelect","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40733046702134,"sku":"SOMM2301-CND18BANDOL-750","price":52.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}]},{"product_id":"somm2210-simone19blanc-750","title":"Château Simone, Palette Blanc","description":"\u003cp\u003eTwo hundred years ago, the Rougier family began hand-farming their vines at Château Simone. \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/chateau-simone.fr\/media\/img\/histoire01.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eOne hundred years ago\u003c\/a\u003e, the Rougiers still remained, now selling their intriguingly unique and age-worthy “Grand Cru de Provence” wines. Today, their creations have transcended the realm of vinous fascination, and while there are never enough superlatives to adequately describe Simone’s Palette Blanc, they always seem to lie within a few degrees of “singular.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn past vintages, I’ve described it as an ever-evolving hybrid of white Burgundy, JL Chave Blanc, and López de Heredia Blanco, and the new 2019 release does not deviate. However, and this is important, I found elevated levels of energy, complexity, and expressiveness emerged on the second day, so please savor it with patience. If you’ve yet to discover these wines, Simone’s sorcerous Palette Blanc is a five-grape, old-vine blend that barrel ages for multiple years in their hand-dug 16th-century cellar. Bottom line, if you’re striving to own the world’s most enchanting wines, today’s one-of-a-kind, kaleidoscopic, deeply evocative bottle must be at the very top of your list. Purchases must be capped at six bottles. This wine is only available as a pre-offer and we expect it to arrive at our warehouse in 2-3 weeks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNOTE:\u003c\/strong\u003e We also have access to a bit more of Simone’s 2015 Blanc which was offered at the start of the year. You can secure \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.sommselect.com\/product\/detail\/SOMM2210-SIMONE15BLANC-750\/\"\u003eup to three bottles here\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOwned by the Rougier family since 1830, the property clings to a single hillside in Montaiguet, a small hamlet just east of Aix-en-Provence, 20 miles north of Marseille. The appellation that encompasses this village is Palette AOC, and even as a small independent producer, Château Simone produces a majority of the wine labeled within the designation. To the naked eye, Château Simone appears to be a classic family-run estate, but it’s impossible to begin discussing the property without immediately diving into the myriad qualities that make this one of the most distinctive estates in France. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe first and perhaps most shocking feature of the Rougier family’s vines is that they are north-facing. Yes, you read that correctly—Simone’s vines cling to a 750-foot limestone face that is angled away from the sun. This is unusual, but it allows the vines to retain their freshness, despite the region’s fierce heat. It is one of the very few north-facing vineyards (in the northern hemisphere) I’ve ever seen that produces world-class wine. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNext, there is a mind-boggling diversity of grape varieties among these ancient vines. Château Simone’s reds contain Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Cinsault, Syrah, Manosquin, Castet, Carignan, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Muscat Noir. Not to be outdone, today’s white blend is predominately Clairette with a strong supporting cast of Grenache Blanc, Bourboulenc, Ugni Blanc, and Muscat. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFinally, the character of Château Simone’s wines is perhaps what is most unique and fascinating for sommeliers. Despite the punishingly hot and long growing season, the preternaturally old vines (50-100+-years-old), and mixed bag of varieties, Château Simone does not produce heavy, syrupy wines. On the contrary, the Rougiers are renowned for bottling chiseled, cellar-worthy whites that are defined by their power, elegance, balance, and detail. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChâteau Simone’s grapes are harvested by hand, de-stemmed, and lightly pressed before a spontaneous fermentation in wooden vats without temperature control. Due to the frigidness of their subterranean cellar, malolactic fermentation is naturally blocked. After six months of maturation in old casks, the wine is removed from its lees and continues aging for one year.  This is then followed by an additional year in mostly neutral oak barrels before bottling. All told, the process takes more than three years before release into the US market!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI suggest serving this in Burgundy and slowly letting it evolve as long as you can, seeing if you can stretch your final pour into day three. At first, it’s quite reserved, showing hints of oxidized yellow apple, lemon verbena, resin, and salt-preserved lemon with smoky richness and waxy green fruits on the palate. On day two, its Burgundian side was out in full force, showing leesy, toasty orchard fruits and citrus on a powerful backbone of crushed limestone. Compared to the 2015, this flaunts more finesse and precision, with a weightlessness to its medium-plus body. It’s fantastic and built to age for a decade. Cheers!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"SommSelect","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40733046734902,"sku":"SOMM2210-SIMONE19BLANC-750","price":75.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0551\/3628\/8822\/products\/160e2bfd7422f86bcd213eec8dd3cb0b.jpg?v=1686588533"},{"product_id":"somm2210-simone15blanc-750","title":"Château Simone, Palette Blanc","description":"\u003cp\u003eAfter a 30-minute decant, serve Simone’s 2015 Blanc in bulbous Burgundy stems, around 50-55 degrees, and prepare for a kaleidoscopic show: yellow apple, poached pear, salt-preserved lemon, nougat, lees, petrol, crushed stone, honeysuckle, wild herbs, rosin, oak spice, and exotic flowers. This is a full-bodied libation, no doubt, but the freshness and tension of each sip give it an extra dimension that legions of white wines over 14% ABV lack. It’s a contemplative wine—warm, inviting, powerful, broad, poised, unctuous—that leaves a long, savory, wholly unique finish. Enjoy your bottles now and over the next 5-8 years. Cheers!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNOTE\u003c\/strong\u003e: This wine is only available as a pre-offer and we expect it to arrive at our warehouse in 2-3 weeks.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SommSelect","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40733046767670,"sku":"SOMM2210-SIMONE15BLANC-750","price":68.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0551\/3628\/8822\/products\/cf3ab99856433d7b6ce00d5270c918b7_bcd75bf9-b347-4426-b82f-f4cfa6a28078.jpg?v=1686588529"},{"product_id":"somm2304-rayj21rose-750","title":"Domaine Ray-Jane, Bandol Rosé","description":"\u003cp\u003eYes, we featured this six months ago, and I’m not trying to hide it either. I’m actually embracing today’s offer because we’ve tasted through a veritable rosé gauntlet and still cannot find anything that outclasses this highly complex and deliciously textured Bandol rosé.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eWell before Ray-Jane’s explosion into global stardom, we were among the first US advocates trumpeting it as the value grail of Bandol rosé—and ever since that first offer, we can’t keep it stocked fast enough. Given its staggering history, scarcity, and unmatched value, this dazzlingly fresh 2021 remains the greatest price-to-quality Bandol rosé on the market. So please, don’t let the pale pink hue distract from the deeply layered brilliance and 735-year history in the bottle. This is year-round-drinking, truly world-class wine from one of France’s most prestigious appellations! The unrelenting freshness and tension within is precisely what earns this wine a renowned reputation for extended cellar aging. Believe me, when this bottle hits that 2-3-year “sweet spot,” it will enjoy a savory, exotically textured second life—but I’d be remiss if I didn’t also urge you to drink up now. With up to 12 bottles available per person, you can!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn the great appellations of France, it often feels as though the hierarchies are more-or-less set in stone. Each esteemed village is ruled by a few iconic classics, and it’s seldom that a completely “new” name arrives in spectacular enough fashion to upset the pecking order. Yet, that’s exactly what I recently observed in the ancient village appellation of Bandol. Before encountering this at a tasting in early 2020, I had literally never seen a bottle of Domaine Ray-Jane Bandol in California. In France, however, it is recognized alongside greats like Domaine Tempier ($54 average retail), but Ray-Jane is bottled in a much smaller volume and thus seldom makes a star turn on our side of the Atlantic. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eOf the myriad reasons today’s wine has so quickly become our “go-to” Bandol rosé, I want to start with its capital-H sense of history: If you can believe it, since 1288, each successive generation of current matriarch Anne Constant’s family has handcrafted wine from their own vines in a tiny hamlet along the Mediterranean coast between Marseille and Nice. Rare is the opportunity to experience wine from a lineage that existed during the Mongol Empire, William Wallace’s revolution, and Duccio’s Renaissance paintings. I’ve written before about the Chave family continuously producing wine in the Northern Rhone Valley since the 1490s—but the 1200s? Let alone in Bandol? It’s one of many reasons my colleagues and I staggered back in awe when first tasting this wine. Throughout countless invasions, revolutions, plagues, and world wars, the aptly named Constant family has farmed their vines and bottled exceptional wine without pause.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eNow, if the allure of such astoundingly long-standing family tradition isn’t enough to pull you in, I must then ask you to consider the prized real estate and value today’s bottle offers. Keep in mind we’re talking about Bandol, ground zero for the world’s most profound, ruthlessly in-demand, and ever-higher priced rosé. Few of my peers would dispute that Domaine Tempier claims the rosé crown in Bandol (perhaps all of France), but I feel obligated to point out that this limited offer is (1) Certified Organic, (2) entirely from old-vine fruit, (3) far lower in price, and (4) effectively unbeatable in terms of history and pedigree. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eAgain, I want to return to my initial point about this 2021 offering: this is not “just a rosé.” Rather, it is a remarkably serious wine that is built to evolve and improve in a way that many regional, built-for-immediate-consumption peers would surely fail. It’s a wine whose sophistication and objectively topflight quality belies its playful complexion and extremely modest price tag. Although it only sees a brief stay on lees in stainless steel, deep layers of red berries, high-toned citrus, and limestone minerality promise to delight your senses while leading you to  believe you're savoring a bottle well beyond its modest price tag. Cheers!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SommSelect","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40733046800438,"sku":"SOMM2304-RAYJ21ROSE-750","price":25.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0551\/3628\/8822\/products\/c3c976d1431ab8d258b3720f0ddc44b8.jpg?v=1686588520"},{"product_id":"somm2211-simone21rose-750","title":"Château Simone, Palette Rosé","description":"\u003cp\u003eOwned by the Rougier family since 1830, Château Simone clings to a single hillside in Montaiguet, a small hamlet just east of Aix-en-Provence, 20 miles north of Marseille. The appellation that encompasses this village is Palette AOC, and even as a small independent producer, Simone produces a majority of the wine labeled within the designation. To the naked eye, they appear to be a classic family-run estate, but it’s impossible to begin discussing the property without immediately diving into the myriad qualities that make this one of the most distinctive estates in France. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe first and perhaps most shocking feature of the Rougier family’s vines is that they are north-facing. Yes, you read that correctly—Simone’s vines cling to a 750-foot limestone face that is angled away from the sun. This is unusual, but it allows the vines to retain their freshness, despite the region’s fierce heat. It is one of the very few north-facing vineyards (in the northern hemisphere) I’ve ever seen that produces world-class wine. Next, there is a mind-boggling diversity of grape varieties among these ancient vines. Château Simone’s red and rosé contain Grenache, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Syrah, Manosquin, Castet, Carignan, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Muscat Noir. Finally, the character of Château Simone’s wines is perhaps what is most unique and fascinating for sommeliers. Despite the punishingly hot and long growing season, the preternaturally old vines, and mixed bag of varieties, Château Simone does not produce heavy,  syrupy wines. On the contrary, the Rougiers are renowned for bottling wines that are defined by their power, elegance, balance, and detail. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor Simone’s rosé, grapes are harvested by hand, de-stemmed, and gently pressed—50% is free-run juice—before a spontaneous fermentation in concrete eggs and oak \u003cem\u003efoudres\u003c\/em\u003e. Malolactic is naturally blocked due to the chill of their cellar. Aging occurs in the same vessels for a year before an unfined\/unfiltered bottling. Here are the unedited notes from when I tasted a bottle (which was paid for since samples of this rare rosé are not allowed): \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eVibrant ruddy hue. Full-bodied, lush, powerful. Crushed cherry, wild strawberries, ripe red plum. Rich textures fill out the mouth quickly but freshness keeps all of it humming. Even more enjoyable on day two, and a decant is certainly not out of the question. This stunner is loaded with depth and concentration that remove it far beyond the realm of rosé (it's priced in line with their rouge for a reason). Among the most age-worthy, complex, and delicious bottles in its category. Phenomenal!\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SommSelect","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40733046833206,"sku":"SOMM2211-SIMONE21ROSE-750","price":75.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0551\/3628\/8822\/products\/24cec651e91ed3a05eb13de83dcb907a.jpg?v=1686588513"},{"product_id":"the-somm-6-reds-may-2025","title":"The Somm 6 Reds- Terre Rouge","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout Somm 6 Reds\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e6 Bottles a Shipment\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSome people simply prefer red wine - so, we created a club just for them. As with our classic Somm 6, these are the bottles on our sommeliers’ tables right now, sent complete with tasting notes and pairing suggestions.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCollection contains: \u003cbr\u003e2021 Lumen, Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir \u003cbr\u003e2021 Domaine de la Croix Marie, Chinon Vieilles Vignes\u003cbr\u003e2023 Vinos Finos de California, “Sabroso”, Central Coast\u003cbr\u003e2019 Falletto di Bruno Giacosa, Barbera d'Alba \u003cbr\u003e2021 Lisini, Rosso di Montalcino \u003cbr\u003e2023 Silver Ghost Cellars, Napa Valley Cabernet- replace with Ovis\u003cbr\u003e2019 Ovis, Cabernet Sauvignon, High Hills Lake County\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca title=\"Tasting Notes\" href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0551\/3628\/8822\/files\/Somm6_Reds_May_2025.pdf?v=1770226371\"\u003eSomm Booklet\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOffered here as a one-time Wine Pack purchase, this is a great introduction to our clubs without the commitment. No guesswork—just delicious wine!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlease Note:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eThis item is a pre-packed selection chosen by our team of sommeliers and will ship on its own. It is ineligible for “A Case At Your Pace.” \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eNot afraid of commitment? Check out our\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/sommselect.com\/products\/the-somm-6-april-2023\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eClubs sign-up page\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eto make it official with a subscription.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SommSelect","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40766648877110,"sku":"SOMM2505-SOMM6REDS-750","price":269.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0551\/3628\/8822\/files\/6Bottlecover_2505S6R.png?v=1765829181"},{"product_id":"blind-6-membership","title":"The Blind 6 Tasting Kit","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout Blind 6\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e6 Bottles a Shipment\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThis one’s for the true wine geeks: A six-pack of world-class wines, wrapped in black tissue paper and numbered, for blind tasting. \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhether you’re a wine professional preparing to take an exam or simply an enthusiast looking for a fun way to experience wine with friends, this club offers the ultimate tasting experience—complete with detailed tasting notes.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDownload your \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0551\/3628\/8822\/files\/Blind_Tasting_Instructions.pdf?v=1736965955\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eBlind Tasting Instructions\u003c\/a\u003e here.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOffered here as a one-time Wine Pack purchase, this is a great introduction to our clubs without the commitment. No guesswork—just delicious wine!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlease Note:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e This item is a pre-packed selection chosen by our team of sommeliers and will ship on its own. It is ineligible for “A Case At Your Pace.” \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNot afraid of commitment? Check out our \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/sommselect.com\/products\/the-somm-6-april-2023\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eClubs sign-up page\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e to make it official with a subscription.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SommSelect","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40766648909878,"sku":"SOMM2506-BLIND6-750","price":259.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0551\/3628\/8822\/files\/Blind6_Club.jpg?v=1712181984"},{"product_id":"somm2306-gvty21blanc-750","title":"Domaine Gavoty, Côtes de Provence Blanc","description":"\u003cp\u003eRoselyn Gavoty is at the helm of this family-run domaine, which dates to 1806. It is a polycultural farm covering more than 100 hectares of land, all of it Certified Organic. Goats and sheep graze amongst the vines, some of which were planted as far back as the 1960s. Their historic manor house, called Le Gîte, is open to visitors exploring the region.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDomaine Gavoty farms 50 hectares of vines in the commune of Cabasse, in the northwestern part of the Côtes de Provence AOC zone (roughly at a midpoint between Marseille and Nice). The soils in the vineyards, which, like most Provençal vineyards, face south toward the sea, are a limestone\/clay mixture dating to the Triassic era. The vineyards are surrounded by oak and pine forests and flanked by the Issole River.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e100% Rolle from Gavoty’s limestone-rich vineyards, vinified and aged in a combination of concrete and steel tanks (the concrete lending softness to the texture). It’s a sumptuous style but also crisp and refreshing, as malolactic fermentation (the conversion of sharper malic acid to softer lactic acid) is blocked via temperature control.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the glass, it’s a medium yellow-gold with hints of green and silver, scents of wild sage, fennel, and mint layered over ripe fruit notes of green mango, white peach, green apple, wildflower honey, wet stones, and sea spray. It is medium-bodied, leaning toward medium-plus, feeling quite fleshy on the palate yet lifted and lip-smackingly fresh.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SommSelect","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40780054790198,"sku":"SOMM2306-GVTY21BLANC-750","price":23.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0551\/3628\/8822\/files\/DomaineGavoty_CotesdeProvenceBlanc_MainImage-1800x1800.jpg?v=1701900414"},{"product_id":"somm2304-cc19lpcuva-750","title":"2019 Château Canon Chaigneau, Lalande-de-Pomerol “Cuve 8a”","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLalande-de-Pomerol is no “flyover” appellation. Romans cultivated the vine here 2,000 years ago, its stone-built \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003echateaux\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e date back centuries, and the terroir shares many similarities with its immediate neighbors Pomerol and Saint-Émilion.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eChâteau Canon Chaigneu, founded in 1564, is just minutes away from the most iconic Right Bank properties of Petrus, Figeac, L’Évangile, Le Pin, La Conseillante, and Cheval Blanc. That last property is especially noteworthy because their \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003emaitre de chai\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, aka Cellar Master, of nearly 40 years left in 2018 to devote all of his winemaking hours to Canon Chaigneau. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThierry Garnaud had been actively involved at the property since 1995, and a recent change in ownership bestowed him with the opportunity for more creative freedom, something you simply cannot afford to do at a heavily marketed Grand Cru Classé that charges $800+ per bottle. Today’s “Cuve 8a” is the first masterpiece of what will surely be many as Thierry and his team further develop their dynamic range of wines. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy You’ll Love It:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eCrafted from 30-year-old vines are essentially an extension of Pomerol: The soils here are more sandy than gravelly but the clay and limestone are streaked with those same prized iron deposits—\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ecrasse de fer\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eTheir small team farms \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003elutte raisonnée\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and harvests by hand with a couple of sorts before shuttling the grapes into concrete vessels\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eAfter fermentation, the resulting wine continues aging in concrete (“\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ebeton\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e”) until blending and bottling\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eThis stunning 2019 debut is 95% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Malbec, known as Pressac on the Right Bank\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow To Serve It: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDecanting optional, serve in Bordeaux Stems between 58-64 degrees \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEnjoy a delectable pairing with Rubbed Roast Duck Cherry Jus\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"SommSelect","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40780093423670,"sku":"SOMM2304-CC19LPCUVA-750","price":33.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0551\/3628\/8822\/products\/b220b6c159d43069b443af79cd478cf0.jpg?v=1686588279"},{"product_id":"somm2202-simone20rose-750","title":"Château Simone, Palette Rosé","description":"\u003cp\u003eOwned by the Rougier family since 1830, Château Simone clings to a single hillside in Montaiguet, a small hamlet just east of Aix-en-Provence, 20 miles north of Marseille. The appellation that encompasses this village is Palette AOC, and even as a small independent producer, Simone produces a majority of the wine labeled within the designation. To the naked eye, they appear to be a classic family-run estate, but it’s impossible to begin discussing the property without immediately diving into the myriad qualities that make this one of the most distinctive estates in France. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe first and perhaps most shocking feature of the Rougier family’s vines is that they are north-facing. Yes, you read that correctly—Simone’s vines cling to a 750-foot limestone face that is angled away from the sun. This is unusual, but it allows the vines to retain their freshness, despite the region’s fierce heat. It is one of the very few north-facing vineyards (in the northern hemisphere) I’ve ever seen that produces world-class wine. Next, there is a mind-boggling diversity of grape varieties among these ancient vines. Château Simone’s red and rosé contain Grenache, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Syrah, Manosquin, Castet, Carignan, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Muscat Noir. Finally, the character of Château Simone’s wines is perhaps what is most unique and fascinating for sommeliers. Despite the punishingly hot and long growing season, the preternaturally old vines, and mixed bag of varieties, Château Simone does not produce heavy,  syrupy wines. On the contrary, the Rougiers are renowned for bottling wines that are defined by their power, elegance, balance, and detail. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor Simone’s rosé, grapes are harvested by hand, de-stemmed, and gently pressed—50% is free-run juice—before a spontaneous fermentation in concrete eggs and oak \u003cem\u003efoudres\u003c\/em\u003e. Malolactic is naturally blocked due to the chill of their cellar. Aging occurs in the same vessels for a year before an unfined\/unfiltered bottling. Here are the unedited notes from when I tasted a bottle (which was paid for since samples of this rare rosé are not allowed): \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eVibrant ruddy hue. Full-bodied, lush, powerful. Crushed cherry, wild strawberries, ripe red plum. Rich textures fill out the mouth quickly but freshness keeps all of it humming. Even more enjoyable on day two, and a decant is certainly not out of the question. This stunner is loaded with depth and concentration that remove it far beyond the realm of rosé (it's priced in line with their rouge for a reason). Among the most age-worthy, complex, and delicious bottles in its category. Phenomenal!\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SommSelect","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40780112429110,"sku":"SOMM2202-SIMONE20ROSE-750","price":68.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0551\/3628\/8822\/products\/03cfbaa3e7431be3d82b9d5122717963.jpg?v=1686588536"},{"product_id":"somm2212-vann98band-750","title":"Château Vannières, Bandol Rouge","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn decades past, Bandol represented the Provençal equivalent of the greatest Barolo or Left Bank Bordeaux; it was the epitome of dark, deeply complex red wine that demanded many patient years in barrel and bottle before revealing its true glory. There was no “drink now” Bandol or “modern” Bandol—there was only Bandol, the singularly brooding expression of Provence’s most unforgiving terroir. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eToday’s 1998 library release from Château Vannières, which was first built in 1547, perfectly fits the bill “decades past.” This is the epitome of authentic, old-school Bandol Rouge: low yields, long vinification, 35-day punch-down regimen, and nearly two years of maturation in large \u003cem\u003efoudres\u003c\/em\u003e and barrels. After it was bottled, it spent over three decades resting in their dark, cool, ancient cellars. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis specific parcel was hand-selected by Vannières’ owners, the Boisseaux family, in February of 2021. After quality-checking each bottle, the winners were topped off with the same wine, re-corked, and laid back to rest until shipping out in 2022. So, there should be no need to pull out your ah-so or Durand and extract the cork with surgical precision—it should pop out with ease. Here’s a tasting note from their boutique importer, who recently tasted the wine: \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e“A rather dense color with amber rim variations. The nose is marked by notes of quince, figs, licorice, pepper, mint, with hints of leather and cigar box. The palate is supple and aromatic. Texture is silky and very balanced, with a very refined frame. The tannins are still present but already well integrated. A very elegant vintage with another 10 years minimum of aging potential.”\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SommSelect","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40780112461878,"sku":"SOMM2212-VANN98BAND-750","price":145.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0551\/3628\/8822\/products\/3eac1342c9fe60102ff8d433f1148f7f.jpg?v=1686588530"},{"product_id":"somm2111-blc20ros-750","title":"Bastide de la Ciselette, Bandol Rosé","description":"\u003cp\u003eRosé’s meteoric rise in recent years has been one of the biggest stories in wine. However, the “rosé-as-summer-cocktail” trend leaves little room for a wine as artisanal, nuanced, and terroir-specific as Bastide de la Ciselette’s Bandol Rosé. This is no poolside chugger, but a rosé to cook a meal around.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Bandol appellation, for many newer rosé drinkers, might amount to little more than a “brand,” but in this ancient village, rosé is elevated through meticulous craftsmanship to Grand Cru quality. Despite the domaine’s youth, Bastide de la Ciselette is ready to sit shoulder-to-shoulder with local legends Tempier and Pradeaux. Like those two benchmark estates, Ciselette rosé isn’t just a bottle to drink now, but to lay down and let evolve into a hauntingly aromatic, densely-textured beauty belying its modest price point. And if a rosé offer at the end of November seems a bit odd, I offer two reasons why it shouldn’t: (1) now, six months after landing stateside, is precisely when the best of these wines really start to hit their stride; and (2) a bottle this mineral, complex, and sumptuous should be in your regular rotation all year round, regardless of its color!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cdiv\u003eBastide de la Ciselette is a new producer by Bandol standards, having only joined as the 57th member of the AOC in 2010. Previously, they’d sold their old-vine fruit to the local co-op. In the past decade, owner Robert de Salvo has pushed the domaine to bottle its own production, with the clear goal of joining the world’s upper echelon of renowned rosé houses. He’s certainly got the raw material to do it: this blend of 70% Mourvèdre, 25% Grenache, and 5% Cinsault comes from vines averaging over 40 years old, planted in the region’s classic and energy-imbuing mix of limestone and clay. The estate’s 15 hectares are located just outside of Le Castellet, abutting that other Bandol benchmark, Domaines Ott. And while de Salvo humbly calls his farming \u003cem\u003elutte raisonée\u003c\/em\u003e (“reasoned fight”), he’s actually using organic and biodynamic methods to farm his vineyards and olive groves.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt sometimes helps to think of Bandol not as rosé \u003cem\u003eper se\u003c\/em\u003e, but as profound, world-class wine that just so happens to be pink. The famously fussy and late-ripening Mourvédre, when planted in the right location and shown the care it deserves, develops singularly Provençal flavors of \u003cem\u003egarrigue\u003c\/em\u003e, black olive, and lavender. These flavors show up in both red and rosé interpretations, but if I’m being honest, I’ll take the pink version any day. As a rosé, salty minerality and nervous acidity join the fray, providing a thrilling counterpoint to those robust flavors. If you don’t typically think of yourself as a rosè drinker, I urge you to reconsider when it comes to Bandol. Frankly, despite its popularity, rosé still deserves a wider audience. Anyone who knows the magic of textured yet fresh Mediterranean whites like Vermentino or Assyrtiko will find a ton to love in Bastide de la Ciselette.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe 2020 Bastide de la Ciselette is a picture-perfect example of Bandol rosé. A shimmering salmon pink in the glass, the nose screams with grapefruit zest, white strawberry, pink melon, quince, hibiscus, lilacs, sage, and sea spray. The palate is medium in body, with a real sense of density and weight, a firm vein of acidity reining it all in and closing the finish on an incredibly refreshing note. Succulent and full yet tense, the sun-drenched fruit and seaborne tension make it beautifully layered and complex now, with the capacity to unfurl for another three years. Serve cool, but not ice-cold, alongside an octopus and anchovy salad for the full Provençal experience.  Bastide de Ciselette is worlds away from the innocuous, secretly off-dry rosés currently flooding the market; if you haven’t caught onto the trend yet, that’s perfectly alright. Grab a case of this and you’ll know even after the world moves on from the current fad, you’ll always have the beauty of Bandol rosé!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SommSelect","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40780112494646,"sku":"SOMM2111-BLC20ROS-750","price":34.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0551\/3628\/8822\/products\/c406994a7a250813ccae77513aba0cd6.jpg?v=1686588539"},{"product_id":"somm2007-beau19rose-750","title":"Domaine de Beaupré, Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence Rosé","description":"\u003cp\u003eAround here, an affordable, deeply thirst-quenching rosé always triggers a massive rush of dopamine, but when it also hails from an ancient Provençal estate that quietly doles out small allocations to the US market, that’s a rapturous and equally rare day indeed. Ask yourself, how often do you get to flaunt a rosé—from world-famous, best-in-class Provence, no less—that few others will ever get their hands on? “Seldomly” is the correct answer. But that’s what family-owned Domaine de Beaupre brings to the table with today’s homegrown, organic, estate-bottled rosé.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is a wine that epitomizes refreshment and relaxation: it’s energetic, aromatic, exceedingly mineral, and impossible to ignore after the first glass. Further, nobody else—from what we can see—has access to today’s 2019 yet and that, my friends, makes Beaupré among the most exciting rosés we can hope to offer. In case you need reminding, nothing else on earth can mimic the minerality and charm pouring out of this magical South-of-France terroir. Classic, top-notch Provençal rosé is a quintessential, and necessary, addition to any summer collection. Grab up to 12 and get ready to be part of the rosé “in-crowd.”\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cdiv\u003eWhen the Double family acquired Château de Beaupré in 1854, the property served as a halfway point for various trade between Luberon and Marseilles over three decades. Just before the turn of the 20th century, Emile Double decided to plant the first vines here and within no time, was carting his very own juice down to Marseilles. Today, with their extremely limited presence in America, one would think they’re still using a horse and buggy to sell their wares. In reality, third-generation Maxime and Phanette Double are focused on farming their vines organically and crafting their limited-production wines with absolute care. It’s not about mass production here: quality and craft comes first, and distribution is a distant second. \u003c\/div\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cdiv\u003eThe region of Coteaux d’Aix en Provence, north\/northwest of Marseille, stretches throughout Provence’s western reaches and boasts sunny days, warm temperatures, and sandy clay-limestone soils. The Double’s vineyards sit at 1,000+-feet altitude and their crop is hand-harvested at perfectly ripe levels. At the winery, the grapes undergo a quick, gentle pressing followed by a cool-temperature fermentation and subsequent lees aging in stainless steel.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cdiv\u003eTasting notes for a pitch-perfect Provence Rosé won’t come as a surprise: It’s all about high-toned energy, delicate red fruit, and enlivening minerality. Beaupré’s 2019 rushes forward with vim and vigor, leaving behind a mouthwatering trial of bright red berries, wild strawberry, watermelon rind, orange zest, citrus blossoms, white flowers, white pepper, and finely crushed rock. It’s zippy and straightforwardly delicious, a wine that’s nearly impossible to not enjoy. It’s shining examples like this that always keep me reaching for Provence on a hot day. Don’t believe me? Check my fridge, or the empty bottles poolside. Enjoy now, around 45 degrees, and don’t be concerned if you don’t consume your whole case this year—quality Provence rosé in its second year can gain an extra dimension. Cheers!\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"SommSelect","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40780112527414,"sku":"SOMM2007-BEAU19ROSE-750","price":18.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}]},{"product_id":"somm2112-vann90band-750","title":"Château Vannières, Bandol Rouge","description":"\u003cp\u003eIt’s Christmas Day and your family is probably ripping through a fantastic array of presents, so we decided to dangle the world’s finest carrot: a rare, soul-stirring 1990 Bandol Rouge from the 474-year-old cellars of Château Vannières. Bottom line, this wine is pure insanity, and that’s coming from someone who’s intimately familiar with the blue bloods of Bandol. I’ve had ’88-’90 Domaine Tempier and Château Pradeaux, and yes, they’re objectively great wines, but experiencing Vannières’ haunting and wonderfully complex creation for a mere $120 is nothing short of a Christmas miracle.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eAside from drawing immediate comparison to the finest labels of Bordeaux and Barolo, what truly shook my core was its impossible youthfulness—I’ve had 10-year-old wines that tasted far more advanced than this, let alone those with 20 and 30 years of age! Ultimately, this is a mature red masterpiece freighted with brooding intensity and profound complexities that deserves recognition at the peak of France’s elite wine hierarchy. Even if you’re unfamiliar with Mourvèdre or Bandol, I implore every single one of you to try at least one bottle, as it’ll open your palate to an entirely new dimension of wine. And for those who are deeply familiar, buy up to six bottles because they have enough fuel in the tank to last through 2035. Happy Holidays, and see the below note for access to an even-rarer gem!\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBONUS:\u003c\/strong\u003e To further sweeten the pot, we have 12 bottles of Château Vannières’ 1983 library release also available for \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.sommselect.com\/product\/detail\/SOMM2112-VANN83BAND-750\/\"\u003epurchase here\u003c\/a\u003e. Only one bottle per person.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eWith a mountainous backdrop forming a natural amphitheater, quaint hilltop villages, and the glistening sea always on the horizon, Provence is among Europe’s most breathtaking regions. But if you’re looking to pinpoint Mourvèdre at its most intense, glorious, and age-worthy, all eyes are glued to the tiny, Mediterranean-adjacent appellation of Bandol where titans like Tempier, Pradeaux, Pibarnon, and Vannières reside. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn decades past, Bandol represented the Provençal equivalent of the greatest Barolo or Left Bank Bordeaux; it was the epitome of dark, deeply complex red wine that demanded many patient years in barrel and bottle before revealing its true glory. There was no “drink now” Bandol or “modern” Bandol—there was only Bandol, the singularly brooding expression of Provence’s most unforgiving terroir. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eToday’s 1990 library release from Château Vannières, which was first built in 1547, perfectly fits the bill of “decades past.” This is the epitome of authentic, old-school Bandol Rouge: low yields, long vinification, 35-day punch-down regimen, and nearly two years of maturation in large \u003cem\u003efoudres\u003c\/em\u003e and barrels. After it was bottled, it spent nearly three decades resting in their dark, cool, ancient cellars. This small parcel just arrived stateside. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eLike the 50+-year-old Remoissenet Burgundies we’ve offered in the past, this specific parcel of 1990 was hand-selected by Vannières’ owners, the Boisseaux family, in the Spring of 2020. After quality checking each bottle, the winners were topped off with the same wine and re-corked. So, there’s no need to pull out your ah-so or Durand to extract the cork with surgical precision—it pops out with ease. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhile you can certainly let this wine open up and evolve in your glass over an evening, would you believe me if I said this 31-year-old wine could also take a proper decant? It’s just that youthful! The nose slowly releases subtle yet powerful aromas of dried black cherry, black raspberry, and crème de cassis, but as the minutes pass by, licorice, crushed black rock, green olive, charred violet, vintage horse saddle, smoke, tar, garrigue, and faint hints of exotic spice gracefully emerge. The full-bodied palate is brooding, meaty, and dark-fruited with an intense push-pull of savoriness and minerality. But it’s all balanced by matured tannins and a prominent burst of acidity that lingers on the finish. The wine is an exceptional and profoundly stirring take on the classy, mature French reds of decades past. Again, I must implore you not to miss out! Enjoy now and over the next 10+ years—it won’t be fading any time soon!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SommSelect","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40780112560182,"sku":"SOMM2112-VANN90BAND-750","price":120.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0551\/3628\/8822\/products\/449f77b3a540095858ce6f2f907e72f0_bfb9e2e7-745f-4b32-b398-541d871a7db9.jpg?v=1686588535"},{"product_id":"somm2106-rama20rose-750","title":"Domaine de Ramatuelle, Tibouren Rosé","description":"\u003cp\u003eWhen Ramatuelle’s fascinatingly distinct Tibouren rosé was imported to America for the first time ever last year, we were awed by your response: Our stock flew out of the warehouse and within a few weeks’ time, emails and phone calls began flowing in, asking for more. Although it’s been a long wait, their 2020 release has just landed and it’s just as fresh, mineral, and finely textured as we remember. There is a pronounced energy and clear sense of identity to Provence’s top rosés, but some just go the extra mile. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eTake Domaine de Ramatuelle’s special bottling: It hails from old vines (averaging 50 years with the oldest over 110!) and is largely constructed from Tibouren, a rarely encountered grape thought to have originated in the cradle of wine some 2,500+ years ago. Aside from Ramatuelle and Clos Cibonne, I cannot think of another Tibouren rosé on the US market, so instead of searching wine lists and retail shelves in perpetuity, I urge you to make a move on today’s fresh 2020 bottling. Its singular mineral imprint and sun-kissed fruit equate to pure, irrepressible deliciousness in the glass. In fact, when summer comes to an end, we urge you to line up all the rosés you’ve devoured, and I bet Ramatuelle’s unique gem will be jockeying for the top spot!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\\r\\n\u003cp\u003eIn concert with an impressive list of sustainable growers, Domaine de Ramatuelle is not actually located in the town of Ramatuelle, but further inland in Brignoles, one of the many historic and charming villages that pepper the sprawling hillsides of Côtes de Provence. Aside from crafting pure, clean wines with a marked sense of terroir, Ramatuelle has also found immense passion in reviving the ancient, time-honored Tibouren grape, which can trace its roots well beyond the Roman Empire.\u003c\/p\u003e\\r\\n\u003cp\u003eToday’s Tibouren-dominated \u003cem\u003ecuvée\u003c\/em\u003e is rounded out with 15% Grenache, both of which come from two, Mediterranean Sea-hugging communes: Ramatuelle and Gassin, just below the world-favorite destination of Saint-Tropez. Within these two communes, Ramatuelle’s team of growers sustainably farms 35 small, unique, sandy-schist parcels that are predominantly old vines planted in the 1950s—with some planted in the early 1900s! After harvesting in September, the grapes are briefly macerated before the delicate juice undergoes a temperature-controlled fermentation with indigenous yeasts. It aged on its fine lees in concrete and stainless steel tanks for a few months before bottling with a very low dose of sulfur. \u003c\/p\u003e\\r\\n\u003cp\u003eIn the glass, Ramatuelle’s Tibouren pours a highly reflective salmon pink with silver hues. As long as you have a cold bottle (45 degrees) and an all-purpose stem, there’s no need for anything else. That’s the beauty of Provençal rosé: It’s not finicky or demanding—just pop and pour and enjoy one of the greatest refreshments known to mankind. This 2020 release blasts out ultra-pure and mouth-watering notes that are a bit more generous than last year’s release, making it even more enticing. You’ll uncover fleshy notes of white peach, crushed raspberry, grapefruit zest, Rainier cherry, citrus blossoms, tangerine peel, crushed stones, garrigue, and hints of white pepper. The palate is supercharged with piquant, zesty layers of pulverized minerals and further carried by wonderfully lush textures of white and red fruits. Drink up now and throughout the next year. Cheers!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SommSelect","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40780112592950,"sku":"SOMM2106-RAMA20ROSE-750","price":20.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0551\/3628\/8822\/products\/ec4f3e450d2a776db18beb5712dce1b4.jpg?v=1686588513"},{"product_id":"somm2212-vann88band-750","title":"Château Vannières, Bandol Rouge","description":"\u003cp\u003eAs thrilled as I am to feature another incredibly old Bandol from the 475-year-old cellars of Château Vannières, I’m equally upset: I was unable to taste it due to such limited supply. However, having previously savored their ’90 and ’83 bottlings, it’s safe to say this 1988 will be a smoking masterpiece that, at this stage of its life, may very well be the best Bandol of the vintage—and that’s coming from someone who’s deeply familiar with the region’s more-expensive blue bloods like Tempier and Pradeaux.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eI think it’s also safe to say this will marry the best qualities of aged Bordeaux, Barolo, and Southern Rhône while containing seemingly impossible energy and youthfulness. Bottom line, this guarantees to be a mature supernova freighted with soulful intensity and brooding depth that deserves recognition at the peak of France’s wine hierarchy. Even if you’re unfamiliar with Mourvèdre and Bandol, I implore all of you to splurge on one bottle; it’ll open up your palate to an entirely new dimension. Up to four bottles per person. Happy Holidays!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBONUS:\u003c\/strong\u003e We have a (smaller) parcel of Vannières’ 1998 Bandol Rouge, \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.sommselect.com\/product\/detail\/SOMM2212-VANN98BAND-750\/\"\u003eavailable here for $145.\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eWith a mountainous backdrop forming a natural amphitheater, quaint hilltop villages, and the glistening sea always on the horizon, Provence is among Europe’s most breathtaking regions. But if you’re looking to pinpoint Mourvèdre at its most intense, glorious, and age-worthy, all eyes are glued to the tiny, Mediterranean-adjacent appellation of Bandol where titans like Tempier, Pradeaux, Pibarnon, and Vannières reside. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn decades past, Bandol represented the Provençal equivalent of the greatest Barolo or Left Bank Bordeaux; it was the epitome of dark, deeply complex red wine that demanded many patient years in barrel and bottle before revealing its true glory. There was no “drink now” Bandol or “modern” Bandol—there was only Bandol, the singularly brooding expression of Provence’s most unforgiving terroir. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eToday’s 1988 library release from Château Vannières, which was first built in 1547, is the epitome of authentic, old-school Bandol Rouge: low yields, long vinification, 35-day punch-down regimen, and nearly two years of maturation in large \u003cem\u003efoudres\u003c\/em\u003e and barrels. After it was bottled, it spent over three decades resting in their dark, cool, ancient cellars. Like the 50+-year-old Remoissenet Burgundies we’ve offered in the past, this specific parcel was hand-selected by Vannières’ owners, the Boisseaux family, in February of 2021. After quality-checking each bottle, the winners were topped off with the same wine, re-corked, and laid back to rest until shipping out in 2022. So, there should be no need to pull out your ah-so or Durand and extract the cork with surgical precision—it should exit with ease. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eFurthermore, I’ve learned that old Vannières bottlings seem to be indestructible so while you can certainly let this wine open up and evolve in your glass over an evening, would you believe me if I said this 34-year-old wine could probably enjoy a proper decant? Enjoy now and over the next 5-10 years. Here’s a tasting note from their boutique importer, who recently tasted the wine: \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e“Beautiful dense color with a hint of evolution. The nose is open, a little wild, and exudes aromas of leather, musk, pencil, blackberries, and plum. The palate is very structured and fleshy with a refined frame and still powerful but velvety tannins. The wine finishes very peppery, a beautiful expression of masculine Mourvèdre.”\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SommSelect","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40780112625718,"sku":"SOMM2212-VANN88BAND-750","price":199.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0551\/3628\/8822\/products\/6020421048dc1d433ec8ca77ccd27b42.jpg?v=1686588514"},{"product_id":"somm2103-gt18brlam-750","title":"Château Guilhem Tournier, Bandol Rosé “La Malissonne”","description":"\u003cp\u003eCan you feel it? Maybe not quite yet, but we quietly crossed over to Spring a few days ago and our collective emergence from the throes of a pandemic feels imminent. I, for one, am feeling optimistic, ready to get outside and gather with friends, and drink some rosé. As I’ve noted many times before, this is precisely the time of year when importers begin dumping their newest-release rosés into our thirsty market, but as I’ve also noted many times before, the “freshest” rosé isn’t always the “best.” Today’s wine from \u003cem\u003ewünderkind\u003c\/em\u003e Guilhem Tournier is a reminder that rosé wines can, and do, improve with time, layering in added complexity without sacrificing refreshment.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eWith a proper Bandol rosé, like this one, all the dogma about drinking rosé as young as possible goes out the window: I’m loving where this wine is right now, and as I write about it I’m craving another bottle, preferably \u003cem\u003eal fresco\u003c\/em\u003e, as soon as possible. Bandol, of course, is arguably the world’s most prestigious rosé appellation and Tournier, while relatively young, has elite ambitions for his wines. He looks to the region’s iconic giants—Domaine Tempier, Château de Pibarnon, Terrebrune—for inspiration, using the Mourvèdre grape as the wine’s backbone and delivering depth and fragrance to rival the “Big Three.” There’s mineral savor, tangy fruit, aromatic nuance, and, best of all, an accessible price to recommend this one. Is it time to add another face to rosé’s Mount Rushmore? Could be…\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe clay and limestone soils of Bandol, combined with its Mediterranean climate, has proved magical for the Mourvèdre variety, the backbone of the region’s most acclaimed reds and rosés. Farming about six hectares of terraced vines within eyeshot of the sea, Tournier incorporates considerably more Mourvèdre (90%) into his rosé than even the big-name estates mentioned above. Although many Provençal producers re-planted to higher-yielding varieties post-phylloxera, Tournier has been a Mourvèdre specialist since his first vintage in 2005. His vineyards are Certified Organic, with tilling done by horse and only natural fertilizers employed. This wine is a “direct-to-press” rosé, meaning grapes were harvested specifically for rosé production (as opposed to the wine being “bled off” from a red-wine fermentation).\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe 2018 “Cuvée la Malissonne” clearly has the structure of its more-famous contemporaries, and has had the chance to broaden into a perfumed, complex wine. In the glass, it’s a classic Bandol salmon-pink with hints of copper at the rim, with aromas of pink lady apple, wild strawberry, cranberry, blood orange peel, dried lavender, Provençal herbs, and crushed stones. This is a crash course in what tasters mean when they mention \u003cem\u003egarrigue\u003c\/em\u003e, the fragrant scrub-brush that grows alongside the vines in Provence and lends its personality to the wines. There’s good depth on the mid-palate, enough, in fact, that I could see drinking it with something as meaty as a Provence-style rack of lamb. Its sweet spot, at this time of year, would be freshly caught Pacific salmon with some spring vegetables; as a warm-up, try it with the tangy, tomato-y, traditional recipe attached. There will be plenty of opportunities to plug it into the mix in the coming months. Enjoy!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SommSelect","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40780112658486,"sku":"SOMM2103-GT18BRLAM-750","price":28.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0551\/3628\/8822\/products\/e4e37e0698991487a34e4182c903f44e.jpg?v=1686588528"},{"product_id":"somm2205-vann90band-750","title":"Château Vannières, Bandol Rouge","description":"\u003cp\u003eYou flooded our inboxes with requests, so we made it happen: A second chance at the rare, mind-melting 1990 Bandol Rouge from the 475-year-old cellars of Château Vannières. This smoking red is pure insanity, and that’s coming from someone who’s intimately familiar with the blue bloods of Bandol. I’ve had ’88-’90 Domaine Tempier and Château Pradeaux, and they’re objectively great wines, but after savoring Vannières’ haunting and wonderfully complex creation for $125, I nearly forgot they existed.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eAside from drawing immediate comparison to the finest labels of Bordeaux and Barolo (with a nod to Burgundian elegance), what truly shook my core was its impossible youthfulness—I’ve had 10-year-old wines that tasted far more advanced than this, let alone those with 20 and 30 years of age! Ultimately, this is a mature red masterpiece freighted with soulful intensity and profoundly brooding depth that deserves recognition at the peak of France’s elite wine hierarchy. Even if you’re unfamiliar with Mourvèdre or Bandol, I implore every single one of you to try at least one bottle, as it’ll open your palate to an entirely new dimension of wine. And for those who \u003cem\u003eare\u003c\/em\u003e deeply familiar, buy up to six bottles because they have enough fuel in the tank to last through 2035. NOTE: Vannières’ liaison told us this is the final tranche of 1990!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eWith a mountainous backdrop forming a natural amphitheater, quaint hilltop villages, and the glistening sea always on the horizon, Provence is among Europe’s most breathtaking regions. But if you’re looking to pinpoint Mourvèdre at its most intense, glorious, and age-worthy, all eyes are glued to the tiny, Mediterranean-adjacent appellation of Bandol where titans like Tempier, Pradeaux, Pibarnon, and Vannières reside. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn decades past, Bandol represented the Provençal equivalent of the greatest Barolo or Left Bank Bordeaux; it was the epitome of dark, deeply complex red wine that demanded many patient years in barrel and bottle before revealing its true glory. There was no “drink now” Bandol or “modern” Bandol—there was only Bandol, the singularly brooding expression of Provence’s most unforgiving terroir. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eToday’s 1990 library release from Château Vannières, which was first built in 1547, perfectly fits the bill “decades past.” This is the epitome of authentic, old-school Bandol Rouge: low yields, long vinification, 35-day punch-down regimen, and nearly two years of maturation in large \u003cem\u003efoudres\u003c\/em\u003e and barrels. After it was bottled, it spent nearly three decades resting in their dark, cool, ancient cellars. This small parcel just arrived stateside. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eLike the 50+-year-old Remoissenet Burgundies we’ve offered in the past, this specific parcel of 1990 was hand-selected by Vannières’ owners, the Boisseaux family, in the Spring of 2020. After quality-checking each bottle, the winners were topped off with the same wine and re-corked. So, there’s no need to pull out your ah-so or Durand and extract the cork with surgical precision—it pops out with ease. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhile you can certainly let this wine open up and evolve in your glass over an evening, would you believe me if I said this 32-year-old wine could also take a proper decant? It’s just that youthful! The nose slowly releases subtle yet powerful aromas of dried black cherry, black raspberry, and crème de cassis, but as the minutes pass by, licorice, crushed black rock, green olive, charred violet, vintage horse saddle, smoke, tar, garrigue, and faint hints of exotic spice gracefully emerge. The full-bodied palate is brooding, meaty, and dark-fruited with an intense push-pull of savoriness and minerality. But it’s all balanced by matured tannins and a prominent burst of acidity that lingers on the finish. The wine is an exceptional and profoundly stirring take on the classy, mature French reds of decades past. Please, again, I must implore you not to miss out! Enjoy now and over the next 10-15+ years—it won’t be fading any time soon!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SommSelect","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40780112691254,"sku":"SOMM2205-VANN90BAND-750","price":125.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0551\/3628\/8822\/products\/449f77b3a540095858ce6f2f907e72f0.jpg?v=1686588525"},{"product_id":"somm2306-simon19palett-750","title":"2019 Château Simone, Palette Rouge","description":"\u003cp\u003eChâteau Simone’s ability to be among the most iconic yet vastly underrated and arcane producers on earth is a magic act that will never cease to amaze me. Their small-production Palette Rouge is, has been, and will continue to be one of the most enchanting experiences in the world of wine. The SommSelect contingent has rapidly inhaled every vintage we’ve offered. Beyond our savvy bubble, Simone is quietly referred to as a Grand Cru château, and some insiders have even gone so far as to coin them as the “Pétrus of Provence.” So, I often assume Château Simone is being discussed in every wine bar around the world. Wrong.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eThese wines are just too limited and mysterious for the masses, and the handful of outlets that have access to them swiftly hoard every bottle allowed, and then patiently wait for the next allocation. What’s the reasoning behind all this? Family-run for nearly two centuries, Château Simone crafts its supernatural Palette Rouge by way of ancient vines (some of which have been rooted since the 1800s), sorcerous blending skills, and a barrel-aging regimen in a hand-dug cellar from the 16th century. In the spectacular 2019 vintage, all this results in a truly unique masterpiece that captures the most alluring qualities of elite Bordeaux, Rhône, \u003cstrong\u003eand \u003c\/strong\u003ePiedmont. It is a region-defining red that’s incomparable in taste—with a cellar life that’ll go up against any!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eTo enjoy Simone’s Palette Rouge is to have enjoyed one of the finest, most unique experiences wine can offer. These wines are region-defining, incomparable in taste, and their cellar life is nearly inexhaustible. Owned by the Rougier family since 1830, the property clings to a single hillside in Montaiguet, a small hamlet just east of Aix-en-Provence, 20 miles north of Marseille. The appellation that encompasses this village is Palette AOC, and even as a small independent producer, Château Simone produces a majority of the wine labeled within the designation. To the naked eye, Château Simone appears to be a classic family-run estate, but it’s impossible to begin discussing the property without immediately diving into the myriad qualities that make this one of the most distinctive estates in France. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe first and perhaps most shocking feature about the Rougier family’s vines is that they are north—yes, north—facing. Simone’s vines hug a 750-foot limestone face that is angled directly away from the sun. This is unusual, but it allows the grapes to retain their freshness, despite the region’s fierce heat. It is one of the few north-facing vineyards I’ve ever seen that produces world-class wine. Next, there is a shocking diversity of grape varieties present in these ancient vines. Château Simone sits directly between Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Bandol, so it’s unsurprising to see standards like Grenache, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Syrah, and Carignan—but if you look a little closer, you will discover Cabernet Sauvignon, Manosquin, Castet, Muscat Noir, Théoulier, Tibouren, Picpoul Noir, Muscat de Hambourg, and many others. Finally, the character of Château Simone’s wines is perhaps what is most unique for sommeliers and collectors. Despite Provence’s long and sometimes punishingly hot growing season, Château Simone does not produce heavy or overpowering wines. On the contrary, the Rougier family is renowned for bottling beautifully elegant, floral, aromatic reds that caress and finesse the palate rather than hammer it with alcohol and extract. This is a Provençal Grand Cru, plain and simple.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eChâteau Simone’s assorted grapes in 2019 were harvested by hand, de-stemmed, and lightly pressed before a natural fermentation in stainless steel tanks. The resulting wine was racked into small oak casks. After eight months, the wine was decanted once more into larger barrels of various ages, where it then rested for an additional year before blending and bottling without filtration. The freshly bottled wine matured for another year before leaving their cellar. All told, the entire process took nearly four years before entering our market! In our experience with Château Simone, the wines often require even more time in bottle before fully exhibiting the singular qualities that made them iconic. That is certainly the case for the 2019 release. This is massive, powerful, and brawny—a Mediterranean red of Herculean strength. If drinking now, decant for several hours and drink over 2-3 days, but waiting until 2024 or 2025 before pulling that first cork will provide the best results!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SommSelect","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40780112724022,"sku":"SOMM2306-SIMON19PALETT-750","price":71.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0551\/3628\/8822\/products\/402b84527a43e8a58b468bd5f79ddc15.jpg?v=1686588539"},{"product_id":"somm2006-simon15palett-750","title":"Château Simone, Palette Rouge","description":"\u003cp\u003eAlthough these wines are a necessity, it’d be insensitive to say that those who haven’t encountered a bottle of Château Simone have lived an incomplete life, strictly because (1) they aren’t readily available to the public and (2) this mythical property still lies in relative obscurity. Really, their ability to simultaneously be among the most iconic yet vastly underrated producers on earth is a magician’s act all its own. That said, some insiders call Simone the “Pétrus of Provence” and most tout them as a Grand Cru \u003cem\u003echâteau\u003c\/em\u003e because their small-production Palette Rouge is, has been, and will continue to be, one of the most enchanting experiences in the world of wine.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eBy combining ancient vines (some of which are considered to be the oldest in France), sorcerous blending skills, and a 500-year-old hand-dug cellar, today’s flagship red paradoxically captures the most alluring qualities of elite Bordeaux \u003cem\u003eand\u003c\/em\u003e Burgundy. To enjoy Simone’s Palette Rouge is to have enjoyed one of the finest, most unique experiences wine can offer. These wines are region-defining, incomparable in taste, and their cellar life is nearly inexhaustible. If you thought the 2014 we offered was life-changing, just wait until you try this 2015—it’s poised to be one of their greatest bottlings in recent history.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cdiv\u003eOwned by the Rougier family since 1830, the property clings to a single hillside in Montaiguet, a small hamlet just east of Aix-en-Provence, 20 miles north of Marseille. The appellation that encompasses this village is Palette AOC, and even as a small independent producer, Château Simone produces a majority of the wine labeled within the designation. To the naked eye, Château Simone appears to be a classic family-run estate, but it’s impossible to begin discussing the property without immediately diving into the myriad qualities that make this one of the most distinctive estates in France. \u003c\/div\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cdiv\u003eThe first and perhaps most shocking feature about the Rougier family’s vines is that they are north—yes, north—facing. Château Simone’s vines hug a 750-foot limestone face that is angled directly away from the sun. This is unusual, but it allows the vines to retain their freshness, despite the region’s fierce heat. It is one of the very few north-facing vineyards I’ve ever seen that produces world-class wine. Next, there is a shocking diversity of grape varieties present in these ancient vines. Château Simone sits directly between Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Bandol, so it’s unsurprising to see standards like Grenache, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Syrah and Carignan—but if you look a little closer in the vineyard, you will discover Cabernet Sauvignon, Manosquin, Castet, Muscat Noir, Théoulier, Tibouren, Picpoul Noir, Muscat de Hambourg, and many others. Finally, the character of Château Simone’s wines is perhaps what is most unique for sommeliers and collectors. Despite Provence’s long and sometimes punishingly hot growing season, Château Simone does not produce heavy or overpowering wines. On the contrary, the Rougier family is renowned for bottling beautifully elegant, floral, and aromatic reds that caress and finesse the palate rather than hammer it with alcohol and extract. This is a Provençal Grand Cru for lovers of traditional Burgundy, Bordeaux, and Piedmont!\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cdiv\u003eChâteau Simone’s colorful palette of grapes are harvested by hand, de-stemmed, and lightly pressed before fermentation. An indigenous-yeast fermentation lasts for several weeks in wooden vats and the resulting wine is racked into large oak \u003cem\u003efoudres\u003c\/em\u003e to rest on lees. After one year, the wine is decanted once more into older \u003cem\u003ebarriques\u003c\/em\u003e, where it rests for an additional year before being bottled. The freshly bottled wine then matures for another year before leaving their cellar. All told, the entire process takes nearly four years before release into the US market! In our experience with Château Simone, the wines often require even more time in bottle before fully exhibiting the singular qualities that made them iconic. \u003c\/div\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cdiv\u003eSimone’s Palette Rouge often flaunts an intriguing combination of Bordeaux and Burgundy traits, but today’s release heavily channels Bordeaux—thanks in large part to 2015. The vintage produced extremely ripe grapes that perfectly accented the plush elegance of Grenache and wild, unforgiving structure of Mourvèdre. The result is a dazzling, multi-layered wine that is filled with crushed minerals, dark berry fruit, and meaty savor. Given an ample decant (1-2 hours), this opaque, deeply colored 2015 erupts with brambleberries, black raspberry liqueur, ripe red plum, garrigue, smoked meat, pepper, horse saddle, crushed rocks, truffle, cigar box, and exotic baking spices. It’s more generous and broad than usual, but holds steadfast to its breathtaking Burgundian finesse. This wine seems to gain intelligence and complexity as hours pass it by—we tracked it over three days—and every mineral-filled sip lingers for 30+ seconds. Although bursting with opulence and a distinct \u003cem\u003esauvage\u003c\/em\u003e character right now, I cannot wait to see what lies down the road (10-25 years) for this wine; it’s going to be one for the ages. Serve in Bordeaux stems around 60 degrees and savor every sip. \u003c\/div\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"SommSelect","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40780112756790,"sku":"SOMM2006-SIMON15PALETT-750","price":65.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}]},{"product_id":"somm2306-rjne22varbl-750","title":"2022 Domaine Ray-Jane, IGP du Var Blanc","description":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eOn \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eLe Plan du Castellet\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e—the plateau above the village of Bandol, where Ray-Jane’s vineyards are located—you’re never more than a few miles from the Mediterranean. With constant sunshine and constant wind, grapes achieve even ripening while retaining vivid acidity, and the proximity to the sea imbues the local \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eblancs\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e with a saline edge. The soils here are a mix of pebbly limestone and clay.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eSince 1288, throughout countless invasions, revolutions, plagues, and world wars, the aptly-named Constant family has continued farming their vineyards, harvesting fruit, and bottling exceptional wine. In France, Ray-Jane is recognized alongside greats like Tempier, but Ray-Jane is bottled in much smaller quantities and thus seldom makes a star turn on our side of the Atlantic. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThis bottling carries an IGP du Var designation, because some of the source vineyards are situated outside the Bandol AOC (though the soils, etc. are effectively the same). The wine is a blend of Clairette, Ugni Blanc, and several other field-blended local varieties, “direct pressed” to tank upon harvest and fermented in steel at controlled temperatures. The wine is tank-aged and intended for near-term enjoyment.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eIn the glass, a pale straw-yellow core leads to light green reflections at the rim. The bouquet delivers a beautiful saline kiss of stone fruit and white peach and a hint of green pineapple and yellow and orange flowers, honey, and Meyer lemon. The palate reveals a medium-plus body and a wonderful mix of exotic fruit flavors and classic Provençal \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003egarrigue\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e notes.  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e","brand":"SommSelect","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40780112789558,"sku":"SOMM2306-RJNE22VARBL-750","price":20.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0551\/3628\/8822\/files\/DomaineRay-Jane_IGPduVarBlanc_MainImage-1800x1800.jpg?v=1697205848"},{"product_id":"somm2104-mdv20gmrose-750","title":"Mas de Valériole, “Grand Mar” Rosé","description":"\u003cp\u003eNot only am I a year-round rosé drinker, I overwhelmingly prefer rosés that leave a lasting impression. Not everyone thinks of rosé this way—some want simple, slightly sweet refreshment and that’s it—but I suspect that if you subscribe to SommSelect, you think like I do. And I’ll go a step further: If you believe in the idea of terroir and appreciate wines that communicate it in a perceptible way, there are few wines in the world that do so as clearly and convincingly as Provençal rosé. That’s why, when the occasion calls for a rosé, I will always pay a (relatively slight) premium for a wine like Mas de Valériole’s “Grand Mar.” It is so worth it.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eNot only is this wine meant to be a rosé from the outset (as opposed to being a by-product of a red wine fermentation), it plants you in a very specific place in the world and makes you want to know more about it. That place is called the Camargue, in Provence, right near where the Rhône River empties into the Mediterranean Sea. In addition to grapes, the Michel family of Mas de Valériole cultivates rice in the region’s nearby salt marshes, and when you taste this delectable rosé it’s impossible not to detect a saline component to the flavor and texture. Like all the best Provençal rosés, this one makes me instantly crave food—seafood especially—and when you consider what some of Provence’s marquee names are charging for their wines these days, this one stands out for its incredible value-for-dollar. We are “all-in” on this 2020—it’s the total rosé package, so be sure to get a package on its way to you!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt’s worth consulting a map to pinpoint exactly where Mas de Valériole is located: about 10 miles south of Arles, not far from the broad expanse of the Rhône River delta. Vineyards rooted in sandy soils eventually give way to a series of lakes and marshes as the Rhône meets up with the Mediterranean; on the label of today’s wine you’ll see it carries a “Bouches du Rhône'' (“mouth of the Rhône”) IGP designation, along with a shout-out to the “Terre de Carmargue.” Once you’ve established where it’s from, then there’s a unique grape variety to consider: Caladoc, a crossing of Malbec and Grenache used widely in the area. Both the spice and backbone of the former and the generous cherry\/strawberry fruit of the latter are in evidence in “Grand Mar,” along with an unmistakable taste of the nearby sea.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Mas de Valériole estate was originally established in the 15th century. The current owners, the Michel family, acquired the 45-hectare property in the 1950s, and in 2006, brothers Jean-Paul and Patrick Michel embraced organic viticulture practices, for which they are now certified. In addition to sand, the soils in the vineyards are a conglomeration of materials deposited by the Rhône, including alluvial loam and gravel. Breezes off the Mediterranean help moderate the temperature, enabling the Michels to preserve freshness and nerve across the entirety of their lineup.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe importer of today’s wine remarked on a certain “wildness” to this wine being central to its appeal; I agree, strongly. It is a classic salmon-pink in the glass and loaded with ripe fruit, but there’s also that salty, herbal twang that places it so firmly in Provence. Aromas of wild strawberry, blood orange, and red delicious apple skin merge with more-savory notes of sea salt, wet stones, dusty earth, and scrub-brush. It is medium-bodied, racy, and likely to be even better in its “second spring” (i.e. next year) if you manage to stay away from any of your bottles for that long. Few wines are as versatile with food, and with all sorts of summer seafood and vegetables soon to hit the table, there’ll hardly be a night when “Grand Mar” isn’t the perfect choice. Serve it in all-purpose stems at 45-50 degrees with all things Provence: bouillabaisse, ratatouille, etc. Check out the attached recipe for \u003cem\u003epissaladière\u003c\/em\u003e, the local take on anchovy pizza: This is rosé done right!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SommSelect","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40780112822326,"sku":"SOMM2104-MDV20GMROSE-750","price":26.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0551\/3628\/8822\/products\/5a4059a4e939bb8bfccf8ed848c4f678.jpg?v=1686588526"},{"product_id":"somm2107-prad19vesp-750","title":"Château Pradeaux, “Vesprée” Bandol Rosé","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis is the time of year when shipping containers, retail stores, restaurants, and our dinner tables are all packed with rosé wine. Most of the conversation around rosé centers on seasonality, affordability, and fun—all good things, of course, although that often means treating rosé more like an “alcoholic beverage” (like White Claw or Zima) than a wine. We, of course, prefer rosés with a true sense of place and identifiable “vinosity,” regardless of price point. The first place we look? Provence.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eRosé isn’t just a cash-flow wine here, it’s a way of life, especially in the appellation of Bandol, where rosé represents the majority of the region’s production and they are widely considered to be the world’s best. At this point, Bandol’s iconic Château Pradeaux needs no introduction, but this small production bottling, “Vesprée,” demands the brightest possible spotlight: I’ve said repeatedly that Bandol rosés from the likes of Pradeaux are much better in their “second spring”—as in, with a year-plus of bottle age—but today’s 2019 is truly something else. Vesprée is a wine that proves beyond any doubt that rosé can be a compelling, complex wine that is capable of extended aging. Sure, you can drink it now, with great pleasure, but you could also lay it down and be stunned by its graceful evolution many years down the line. Aged for a year in a mix of large barrels and concrete eggs before bottling, this Mourvèdre-based rosé is truly in a class by itself, not one to get lost in the mass of poolside sippers. Give it some great food, a special occasion, and it will take you someplace you might never have been before.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe word \u003cem\u003evesprée\u003c\/em\u003e is described by Pradeaux’s importer as “a somewhat untranslatable French term referring to the deep pinkish hue of a clear sky as day fades to night.” That’s enough for me right there, frankly, but of course Pradeaux is one of the brightest stars in the Bandol Rosé constellation, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Domaine Tempier and Château Pibarnon. The Pradeaux estate is located just outside of the coastal village of Saint Cyr-sur-Mer, a coastal village between Toulon and Marseille that greets sun-hungry visitors year-round. The Portalis family has owned the estate since the French Revolution, in which the family actually holds some direct ties (Jean-Marie-Etienne Portalis actually helped draft the Napoleonic Code). However, the Revolution and bouts of phylloxera left the vineyards distraught for most of the 19th century, though were revived by mother-daughter duo Suzanne and Arlette Portalis during the second World War. Today, Cyrille Portalis, the single descendant of the two, carries on the family legacy alongside his wife Magali. He is now joined by his two sons, Etienne and Edouard. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003cbr\u003eCyrille and sons farm all the family's vineyards following organic methods. Rather than using harsh chemicals, they allow sheep to graze the vineyards to provide natural compost. Like most estates in Bandol, the vineyards are predominantly planted to old-vine Mourvèdre, the backbone of the majority of regional reds and rosés. Pradeaux’s wines are spontaneously fermented and aged in a combination of old oak \u003cem\u003efoudres\u003c\/em\u003e and concrete eggs, and are bottled unfined and unfiltered. \u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eVesprée is distinguished from Pradeaux’s flagship rosé bottling in two ways: First, it is a showcase for the estate’s prized old-vine Mourvedre (and Cinsault) and all the aromatic intrigue it delivers. Second, it’s aged six months longer than the ‘straight’ Bandol Rosé, spending a full year in a combination of foudres and concrete tanks. Right out of the gate you’ll see that this is no ordinary rosé: The color is deep and downright kaleidoscopic, and yet very much in that classic salmon-pink range that characterizes Bandol. Hauntingly complex aromatics of strawberry, melon rind, quince paste, warm spice, and a touch of lees lead to an expansive, richly textured palate laden with flavors of raspberry blossom, watermelon rind, and preserved red fruit. The wine’s weightiness remains balanced by its delicate, mineral component and ample amounts of acidity. This isn't’ your average pool wine; this is a wine that screams for a meal to really shine. I’d recommend pairing it with grilled king salmon, bouillabaisse, or a cheese and charcuterie spread with paté. Best enjoyed out of a large Bordeaux or Burgundy stem around 50 degrees Fahrenheit after a brief decant. \u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eAbove all, it’s imperative to note that although the wine can be consumed young, the greatest rosés of the world really hit their finest points from 3, 5, to 10 years after their vintage if kept in a cold and dark cellar. Wines like this one are purposefully released late (1.5 years in this instance) for this reason, as they gain complexity with time. For those looking for the pinnacle of rosé, this is your wine. Cheers!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SommSelect","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40780112855094,"sku":"SOMM2107-PRAD19VESP-750","price":34.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0551\/3628\/8822\/products\/5f173c01334268c27d3c111cd9e45e4b.jpg?v=1686588536"},{"product_id":"direct2207-carbr21rose-750","title":"Château du Carrubier, “Cuvée Ingénue” Rosé","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe following statement will be jarring for some: Once today’s made-to-perfection rosé is tasted, fellow labels like Domaine Tempier ($50), Château d’Esclans “Garrus” ($120), and Domaine Ott “Étoile” ($175) may very well be rendered obsolete. With that in mind, I suspect the next statement will be downright upsetting: Based on historic sales of Carrubier’s “Cuvée Ingenue,” less than 1% of our subscribers will be able to enjoy this cellar-direct offer before it sells out.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhen we were the first to export\/introduce this label to America three years ago, it felt as if we had discovered the “next big thing” right under everyone’s nose. And, once again, we felt that same rush of newfound excitement when today’s 2021 arrived on our doorstep last week. This is an outrageously delicious, region-elevating Côtes de Provence that has stormed to the top of my lengthy list of elite rosés. It’s just that mesmerizing. Bone-dry, intensely flavorful, deeply thirst-quenching—this is the pinnacle of Provence, i.e., the finest rosé $29 can buy right now. We have less than a pallet to our name, we’re allowing case purchases, and there isn’t more on the horizon…act fast!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eWe’ve repeatedly said that the vetting process for all of our wines is fairly intense, but we judge rosé to an even more extreme degree since innumerable legions of it flood the market each year. Provence rosé may sound easy in principle but I assure you it is incredibly hard to separate yourself from the masses. Carrubier’s “Cuvée Ingénue” does just that by reaching the absolute highest level of quality. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eAlthough Domaine Carrubier has been family-owned for just under a half-century, they have already mastered the art of Provençal rosé—and I say this confidently now that I’ve tasted three consecutive vintages. This is no fluke, no beginner’s luck: Carrubier is the real deal and their “Cuvée Ingénue” is poised to overtake the famous old guards of the region. They own 25 hectares of classic Provençal varieties that are planted just miles from the sea, in the sloping foothills of Massif des Maures. As a result, their vines enjoy both the intense, rot-preventing Mistral winds and the intense sunlight\/warmth of the Mediterranean. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eThey ensure that all of their vines are farmed without chemicals and, in a region that is heavily mechanized come harvest, the Carrubier team chooses the strenuous path by meticulously sorting and picking each cluster by hand. In the winery, their Grenache, Syrah, and Rolle (Vermentino) are de-stemmed and gently pressed after a very brief maceration. Following fermentation, the resulting wine matures on lees in stainless steel tanks for six months. The wine is quickly bottled to preserve every ounce of freshness. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis ’21 spills into a glass with a radiant, salmon pink hue moving out to silver-tinted reflections on the rim. Within seconds, the wine returns electric aromas of pink grapefruit, redcurrant, damp green strawberry, wet rock, citrus blossom, struck flint, white peach, fresh cream, and crushed Rainier cherry. The palate is medium-bodied, plump, and absurdly thirst-quenching, ensuring that one bottle will not be enough if shared with more than two people. Best of all, these wines have a proven track record of improving by their second spring—meaning, if you still have a few bottles come 2023, you’ll be thoroughly impressed with their evolution. Cheers!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SommSelect","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40780112887862,"sku":"DIRECT2207-CARBR21ROSE-750","price":23.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0551\/3628\/8822\/products\/d5757f633d22609fa84511a200c28146.jpg?v=1686588517"},{"product_id":"direct2110-carr20aurore-750","title":"Château du Carrubier, “Cuvée d’Aurore” Rosé","description":"\u003cp\u003eAfter debuting Château du Carrubier’s “Cuvée Ingénue” last year, we assumed the value summit of French rosé had been reached because we felt it upended high-end Provençal labels like Domaines Tempier and Ott. Then, they air-mailed us their 2020 “Cuvée d’Aurore” and we quickly discovered that it pays handsomely to be wrong. Coming in at just $25, this mouthwatering and spectacularly textured Côtes de Provence is among the greatest steals in the hyper-competitive space of French rosé. It has the ammunition to prove it, too: Like Biles and Phelps, this ’20 has been heavily decorated with medals from competitions across Europe.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt’s important to reiterate that our vetting process for all wines is fairly intense, but we judge rosés to an extreme degree since legions of them flood the market each year. So when you see us touting one with this much fervor (let alone exclusively importing it from Carrubier’s cellar door), you know we’ve been deeply moved. On top of the boundless, no-frills allure of Provençal rosé, “Aurore” contains several extra gears with its profusion of minerals, luscious sun-kissed fruit, and vivid energy. It can be savored now, in six weeks with your Thanksgiving meal, or allowed to evolve until its second spring. We recommend all three!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eAlthough Château du Carrubier has been family-owned for just under a half-century, they have already mastered the art of Provençal rosé—and I say this confidently despite having tasted just two vintages. This is no fluke, nor is it beginner’s luck: Carrubier is the real deal and they’re poised to overtake the famous old guards of the region. They own 25 hectares of classic Provençal varieties that are planted just miles from the sea, in the sloping foothills of Massif des Maures. As a result, their vines enjoy both the mildew-preventing Mistral winds and the intense warm sunlight of the Mediterranean. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhat’s more, they ensure that all of their vines are farmed without chemicals and, in a region that is heavily mechanized come harvest, the Carrubier team chooses the strenuous path by meticulously sorting and picking each cluster by hand. For “Cuvée d’Aurore,” their Grenache (90%) and Syrah (10%) grapes are de-stemmed and gently pressed after a transient maceration. Fermentation and six months of lees aging occur in stainless steel vessels before a quick bottling to preserve every ounce of freshness. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn the glass, Carrubier's 2020 “Cuvée d’Aurore” shimmers with a pale salmon-pink hue that moves out to a silver rim. Served out of an all-purpose stem around 45 degrees, juicy aromas of redcurrant, citrus blossoms, Rainier cherry, sliced white pear, and tangerine peel waft out alongside soft mineral notes and hints of garrigue. The medium-bodied palate delivers enticingly creamy textures of white and red fruits and finishes with a lingering presence of finely crushed stone. This is not a racy, lean, high-acid Côtes de Provence, but instead a ripe and delicious rosé that's an absolutely perfect accompaniment for heartier autumnal meals. Enjoy now and into its second or third spring. Cheers!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SommSelect","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40780112920630,"sku":"DIRECT2110-CARR20AURORE-750","price":19.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0551\/3628\/8822\/products\/6f3ce22b77ac95c63b3cec7facc820cd.jpg?v=1686588523"},{"product_id":"somm2202-simone15blanc-750","title":"Château Simone, Palette Blanc","description":"\u003cp\u003eExciting doesn’t adequately describe Château Simone’s 2015 Palette Blanc. Neither does riveting. This is certifiably enthralling, bewitching stuff. Imagine, if you can, a hybrid of evolving Grand Cru white Burgundy, López de Heredia Blanco, and JL Chave Hermitage Blanc—it’s a one-of-a-kind wine experience! And yet, that’s only one of the reasons I’m always impressed with the allure of Château Simone.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eOwned by generations of the Rougier family for nearly 200 years, Simone delicately crafts their supernatural Palette Blanc from a sorcerous blend (Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Ugni Blanc, Bourboulenc, Picpoul, Muscat, Sémillon) of ancient raw material and ages it in their hand-dug 16th-century cellar far longer than most. Bottom line, when it comes to Simone’s Palette Blanc, there’s simply no choice but to pile on superlatives, and if you’re striving to own the world’s most enchanting wines, today’s singular, deeply evocative bottle must be at the very top of your list. Quantities are distressingly low as always: purchases must be capped at six bottles.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNOTE\u003c\/strong\u003e: Did you know? Château Simone also makes a rarefied full-bodied rosé that drinks like no other, and this marks the first time we’ve ever had access to a parcel of any quantity. Roughly 100 cases came into the country. Five remain. \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.sommselect.com\/product\/detail\/SOMM2202-SIMONE20ROSE-750\/\"\u003ePurchase up to two bottles here\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan class=\"redactor-unlink\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eOwned by the Rougier family since 1830, the property clings to a single hillside in Montaiguet, a small hamlet just east of Aix-en-Provence, 20 miles north of Marseille. The appellation that encompasses this village is Palette AOC, and even as a small independent producer, Château Simone produces a majority of the wine labeled within the designation. To the naked eye, Château Simone appears to be a classic family-run estate, but it’s impossible to begin discussing the property without immediately diving into the myriad qualities that make this one of the most distinctive estates in France. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe first and perhaps most shocking feature of the Rougier family’s vines is that they are north-facing. Yes, you read that correctly—Simone’s vines cling to a 750-foot limestone face that is angled away from the sun. This is unusual, but it allows the vines to retain their freshness, despite the region’s fierce heat. It is one of the very few north-facing vineyards (in the northern hemisphere) I’ve ever seen that produces world-class wine. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eNext, there is a mind-boggling diversity of grape varieties among these ancient vines. Château Simone’s reds contain Grenache, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Syrah, Manosquin, Castet, Carignan, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Muscat Noir. Not to be outdone, today’s white is predominately composed of Clairette with a massive supporting cast of Grenache Blanc, Bourboulenc, Sémillon, Ugni Blanc, Picpoul, and Muscat. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eFinally, the character of Château Simone’s wines is perhaps what is most unique and fascinating for sommeliers. Despite the punishingly hot and long growing season, the preternaturally old vines, and mixed bag of varieties, Château Simone does not produce heavy wines. On the contrary, the Rougiers are renowned for bottling chiseled whites (they don’t go through malolactic!) that are defined by their power, elegance, balance, and detail. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eGrapes for Simone’s blanc are harvested by hand, de-stemmed, and lightly pressed before fermentation. A native-yeast fermentation lasts for two to three weeks in wooden vats at an unmanipulated temperature. The resulting wine is aged for one year in old foudres, followed by an additional year in mostly neutral oak barrels without any lees stirring. Then, the wine is bottled and aged further. All told, the process takes more than four years before release into the US market.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eLet’s go back to start, where I called this 2015 Palette Blanc a dynamic hybrid of Grand Cru White Burgundy, López de Heredia Blanco, and JL Chave Hermitage Blanc. I understand that may be information overload for some so, in simpler terms, this is a rich, deeply textured, singular white wine that changes like a chameleon over the course of an evening. After a 30-minute decant, serve in bulbous Burgundy stems, around 50-55 degrees, and prepare for a kaleidoscopic show: yellow apple, poached pear, salt-preserved lemon, nougat, lees, petrol, crushed stone, honeysuckle, wild herbs, rosin, oak spice, and exotic flowers. This is a full-bodied libation, no doubt, but the freshness and tension of each sip gives it an extra dimension that legions of white wines over 14% ABV lack. It’s a contemplative wine—warm, inviting, powerful, broad, poised, unctuous—that leaves a long, savory, wholly unique finish. Enjoy your bottles now and over the next 5-8 years. Cheers!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"SommSelect","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40780112953398,"sku":"SOMM2202-SIMONE15BLANC-750","price":68.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0551\/3628\/8822\/products\/cf3ab99856433d7b6ce00d5270c918b7.jpg?v=1686588516"},{"product_id":"is2209-trev19rouge-750","title":"Domaine de Trevallon Rouge","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe jagged, toothy peaks of the Alpilles form a natural barrier between southern France’s Camargue to the south and the bustling city of Avignon to the north. Tucked at the foot of its rock walls, Domaine de Trévallon is at once the darling of Les Baux de Provence and also its black sheep. There is no person that has done more to elevate the quality and prestige of the wines around Les Baux than Eloi Dürrbach, who began planting vines in the three valleys (where the estate gets its name) in 1973.  Eloi and his father, René, had studied the old texts of the famous 19th-century viticulturalist, Doctor Guyot, who claimed that much of their area of the Bouches-du-Rhône had been planted to Cabernet Sauvignon before the arrival of phylloxera.  Intent on respecting the terroir, they divided their red grape holdings equally among Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Both varietals thrive in the deep chalky soils, and the 50\/50 blend turned out to be the perfect balance between the wild qualities of the Mediterranean basin and the structure of a more northerly climate. Eloi blasted the first vineyards out of the mountain himself. Over time and after subsequent planting, the estate is now divided between 15 hectares of reds and 2 hectares of whites.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SommSelect","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40780112986166,"sku":"IS2209-TREV19ROUGE-750","price":85.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}]},{"product_id":"somm2202-clm20faustrose-750","title":"Château Les Mesclances, Côtes de Provence La Londe “Faustine” Rosé","description":"\u003cp\u003eI have a rule: the first rosé I open each year must be Provençal and it has to be great. No barely-there quaffer but a genuine benchmark; the sort of complex, soil-driven wine that not only hits every thirst-quenching pleasure note but also reaffirms why Provence produces the world’s best examples of rosé. Château Les Mesclances’ “Faustine” is this year’s thrilling “debut” bottle. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003ePacked with full Mediterranean textures yet pulsing with seaside energy and brimming over with salty red\/pink fruits, this easily lines up with the Bandol big boys. And while store shelves will soon fill with rosé made from fruit picked not even six months ago, this 2020 Côtes de Provence bottling, from a special, rarely encountered sub-zone (more on that below), is entering its “second spring.” This is a time when I believe the best Southern French rosés begin to truly strut their stuff. More than once we’ve made the case here at SommSelect that great rosé can be as nuanced, artisanal, and even complex as the world’s best white wines. Mesclances’ “Faustine” is the latest proof of that assertion. Grab a few bottles at the very least because this promises to elevate every spring and\/or summer night for years to come!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eNot many people know it, but the Côtes de Provence actually has Burgundy-like village appellations. Only the best are singled out though, and La Londe is one of the small handful who can proudly display their name on labels. Much like its famous rosé neighbors Cassis and Bandol, La Londe lies right on the Mediterranean coast, where near-constant seaside breezes bring tension and structure to the open, warm climate fruit. It’s tiny, with barely twenty producers working there, and perhaps the reason it hasn’t quite taken off yet is that there’s no large-scale producer there to flood supermarket shelves with cheap bottles. But if Château Les Mesclances’ otherworldly rosés are any indication, it deserves the same reverence as the best rosé-producing villages in the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eChâteau Les Mesclances sits not even two miles from the Mediterranean. Their 30 hectares of Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah, and Cinsault run nearly to the coast, every inch of it organically farmed. It’s currently headed by Arnaud de Villeneuve Bargemon, and the estate’s been in his family since before the French Revolution. Under the guidance of estate manager Alexandre Le Corguillé, Les Mesclances has reached new heights in recent years. Even though their entire property could be classified as Côtes de Provence La Londe, they reserve it only for the vineyard that produces the “Faustine” cuvée, their oldest and highest elevation site responsible for their most profound wine. It bears noting that “Faustine” is imported by Neal Rosenthal, whose eponymous portfolio also includes SommSelect favorites Château Pradeaux and Château Simone. When we saw Neal was bringing in a new rosé, our expectations were sky-high. Upon tasting Château Les Mesclances’ “Faustine,” those expectations were quickly blown out of the water.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eLed by Grenache, which sat on its skins for 20 hours, and rounded out by Syrah and Mourvèdre made in the \u003cem\u003esaignée\u003c\/em\u003e method, “Faustine” matured six months on lees and sports richer textures than many Provençal rosés. To allow the aromas to really unfurl, don’t serve this ice-cold like so many are wont to do with rosé. Intense sea salt and crushed rock minerality lead the nose, backed by peach skin, Ruby Red grapefruit, tart red raspberry, cranberries, Mediterranean herbs, crushed rock, and white pepper. The palate is a textural marvel, rich and fleshy, but with a vibrant and electric throughline of acidity that wicks the palate clean and immediately makes you another sip. Ripe, savory, and salty, “Faustine” is a heady and soil-driven \u003cem\u003evin de terroir\u003c\/em\u003e that’s just now starting to spread its wings. It will continue to reward you over the next three years. Get some now to open rosé season with a bang!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SommSelect","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40780113018934,"sku":"SOMM2202-CLM20FAUSTROSE-750","price":29.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0551\/3628\/8822\/products\/cfe4fa7aea1a95b44be44873c1f3f9d2.jpg?v=1686588527"},{"product_id":"somm2209-rayj21rose-750","title":"Domaine Ray-Jane, Bandol Rosé","description":"\u003cp\u003eI’m certain Domaine Ray-Jane’s highly anticipated Bandol rosé will be a welcome sight for many—and not just because it’s taking home golds and receiving “Best in Show” awards. Well before this explosion into stardom, we were among its first advocates here in the US, trumpeting it as the value grail of Bandol rosé. Ever since that first offer, we can’t stock it fast enough!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eGiven its ancient intrigue, scarcity, and unmatched value, this fresh ’21 release remains the greatest price-to-quality Bandol rosé on the market. So please, don’t let the pale pink hue distract from the deeply layered brilliance and 734-year history in the bottle. In fact, let’s temporarily ban labeling this as a rosé: this is year-round-drinking, truly world-class wine from one of France’s most prestigious appellations! Furthermore, the unrelenting freshness and tension within is precisely what earns this wine a renowned reputation for extended cellar aging. Believe me, when this bottle hits that 2-3 year “sweet spot,” it will enjoy a savory, exotically textured second life—but I’d be remiss if I didn’t also urge you to drink several bottles this year. And with up to 12 bottles available per person, you can!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn the great appellations of France, it often feels as though the hierarchies are more-or-less set in stone. Each esteemed village is ruled by a few iconic classics, and it’s seldom that a completely “new” name arrives in spectacular enough fashion to upset the pecking order. Yet, that’s exactly what I recently observed in the ancient village appellation of Bandol. Before encountering this at a tasting in early 2020, I had literally never seen a bottle of Domaine Ray-Jane Bandol in California. In France, however, it is recognized alongside greats like Domaine Tempier ($56 average retail), but Ray-Jane is bottled in a much smaller volume and thus seldom makes a star turn on our side of the Atlantic. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eOf the myriad reasons today’s wine has so quickly become our “go-to” Bandol rosé, I want to start with its capital-H sense of history: If you can believe it, since 1288, each successive generation of current matriarch Anne Constant’s family has handcrafted wine from their own vines in a tiny hamlet along the Mediterranean coast between Marseille and Nice. Rare is the opportunity to experience wine from a lineage that existed during the Mongol Empire, William Wallace’s revolution, and Duccio’s renaissance painting. I’ve written before about the Chave family continuously producing wine in the Northern Rhone Valley since the 1490s—but the 1200s? Let alone in Bandol? It’s one of many reasons my colleagues and I staggered back in awe when first tasting today’s wine. Throughout countless invasions, revolutions, plagues, and world wars, the aptly named Constant family has farmed their vines and bottled exceptional wine without pause.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eNow, if the allure of such astoundingly long-standing family tradition isn’t enough to pull you in, I must then ask you to consider the prized real estate and value today’s bottle offers. Keep in mind we’re talking about Bandol, AKA ground zero for the world’s most profound, ruthlessly in-demand, and ever-more-exorbitantly priced rosé. Few of my peers would dispute that Domaine Tempier claims the rosé crown in Bandol (perhaps all of France?), but I feel obligated to point out that today’s limited offer is (1) Certified Organic, (2) entirely old-vine fruit, (3) far lower in price, and (3) effectively unbeatable in terms of history and pedigree. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eAgain, I want to return to my initial point about today’s offer: this is not “just a rosé.” Rather, it is a remarkably serious wine that is built to evolve and improve in a way that many regional, built-for-immediate-consumption peers would surely fail. It’s a wine whose sophistication and objectively topflight quality belies its playful complexion and extremely modest price tag. So while you can—and certainly should—enjoy during this upcoming fall and winter don’t be afraid to squirrel a few bottles away until their second and third springs. You won’t be disappointed!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SommSelect","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40780113051702,"sku":"SOMM2209-RAYJ21ROSE-750","price":35.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0551\/3628\/8822\/products\/c3c976d1431ab8d258b3720f0ddc44b8_dd8eedba-c108-41e3-b11d-a9c2156ffaef.jpg?v=1686588536"},{"product_id":"somm2011-rayj19rose-750","title":"Domaine Ray-Jane, Bandol Rosé","description":"\u003cp\u003eI have been waiting on the edge of my seat for nine months to offer today’s exceptionally rare and historic Bandol gem. But before delving into what makes this bottle so thrilling, limited, and profoundly historic, I want to share an important reminder—namely, that not all rosé is created equal! I passionately believe that the finest rosé bottlings in France, a category in which today’s wine surely earns a high rank, are as complex and deliciously textured as any elite French white wine. And I have no doubt that today’s soon-to-be-classic rosé from Domaine Ray-Jane will only be more expressive and layered in two, three, even five years to come. So please, don’t let the pale pink hue distract from the overwhelming brilliance, depth, and 732-year history in the bottle.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn fact, let’s temporarily ban labeling this a rosé: this is age-worthy, year-round-drinking, truly world-class wine from one of France’s elite appellations. Period. And for anyone obsessed with classic dishes like \u003cem\u003ebouillabaisse\u003c\/em\u003e, Provençal chicken, or \u003cem\u003efruits de mer\u003c\/em\u003e, trust me when I say that top-tier Bandol gem is also one of the world’s great culinary wines! But enough ranting for now. Let’s get on with the exciting story...\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cdiv\u003eIn the great appellations of France, it often feels as though the hierarchies are more-or-less set in stone. Each esteemed village is ruled by a few iconic classics, and it’s seldom that a completely “new” name arrives in spectacular enough fashion to upset the pecking order. Yet, that’s exactly what I recently observed in the ancient village-appellation of Bandol. Before encountering this 2019 at a tasting last February, I had literally never seen a bottle of Domaine Ray-Jane Bandol in California. In France, it is recognized alongside greats like Tempier (average retail of $56\/btl, mind you!), but Ray-Jane is bottled in much smaller volume and thus seldom makes a star turn on our side of the Atlantic. As we all know by now, 2020 has “democratized” access to many of the wine world’s rarities, and today’s wine is no exception: By mid-Summer, this 2019 Bandol had elbowed Domaine Tempier off more than a few of my favorite local wine lists and retail shelves—so much so, that SommSelect has been unable to corner an allocation until today!\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cdiv\u003eOf the myriad reasons today’s wine has so quickly become our “it” Bandol rosé’, I want to start with its capital-H sense of history: Rare is the opportunity to experience wine from a lineage that existed during the Mongol Empire, William Wallace’s revolution, and Duccio’s renaissance painting. I’ve written before about the Chave family continuously and miraculously producing wine in the Northern Rhone Valley since the 1490s—but the 1200s? Let alone in Bandol? It’s one of many reasons my colleagues and I staggered back in awe when first tasting today’s wine. If you can believe it, since 1288, each successive generation of current matriarch Anne Constant’s family has handcrafted wine from their own vines in a tiny hamlet along the Mediterranean coast between Marseille and Nice. Throughout countless invasions, revolutions, plagues, and world wars, the aptly-named Constant family has continued farming their vineyards, harvesting fruit, and bottling exceptional wine. \u003c\/div\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cdiv\u003eNow, if the allure of such astoundingly longstanding family tradition isn’t enough to pull you in, I must then ask you to consider the prized real estate and value today’s bottle offers. Keep in mind we’re talking about Bandol, AKA ground zero for the world’s most profound, ruthlessly in-demand, and ever-more-exorbitantly priced rosé. Few of my peers would dispute that Domaine Tempier claims the rosé crown in Bandol (perhaps all of France?), but I feel obligated to point out that today’s limited offer is (1) Certified Organic, (2) far lower in price, and (3) effectively unbeatable in terms of history, pedigree, and social media appeal—I challenge you to locate one bottle outside of a respected restaurant! And again, I want to return to my initial point about today’s offer: this is not “just a rosé.’ Rather, it is a remarkably serious wine that is built to evolve and improve in a way that many regional, built-for-immediate-consumption peers would surely fail. It’s a wine whose sophistication and objectively topflight quality belies its playful complexion and extremely modest price tag. \u003c\/div\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cdiv\u003eDomaine Ray-Jane’s 2019 Bandol rosé displays a resplendent salmon-pink core with vibrant silver hues moving out to the rim. After pulling the cork and splashing into all-purpose stems around 50 degrees, a cascade of citrus and forest fruit roars out: wild strawberry, crunchy Rainier cherries, white peach, pomelo, tangerine zest, and citrus blossoms, all of which are buttressed by white pepper, finely crushed rock, and dried garrigue. Although creamy and beautifully layered, the wine’s taut acidity and laser-sharp minerality keep those supple textures perfectly in check. And of course, that poise, discipline, and inextinguishable freshness is precisely the backbone that earns this wine a renowned reputation for extended cellar aging.  Believe me, when this bottle hits the 3-5 year “sweet spot,” it will blossom into an even-more exotically textured, richly aromatic, and fascinating second life. So, the choice is yours: throw patience and poignancy to the wind by draining a chilled glass today with a platter of poached, chilled fish or steamed mussels or, follow my lead in hiding a few bottles in the darkest corner of your cellar. I guarantee that when you unearth them in 2022-2025, the saffron\/beeswax\/fennel aromas will be an almost psychedelic companion to Provençal chicken or \u003cem\u003ebouillabaisse\u003c\/em\u003e. For many of southern France’s most revered dishes, this is a dream wine—all for $29!\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"SommSelect","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40780113117238,"sku":"SOMM2011-RAYJ19ROSE-750","price":27.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0551\/3628\/8822\/products\/76003e36c78cc91a0595cc3b6b3081fc.jpg?v=1686588517"},{"product_id":"somm2211-pradx17rouge-750","title":"Château Pradeaux, Bandol Rouge","description":"\u003cp\u003eWhen I think of traditional French reds with tectonic-shifting power and inexhaustible cellar lives, one name always comes to the fore: Château Pradeaux. While it’s true every Mourvèdre love affair begins with Bandol, the indomitable and historic reds from Pradeaux have left countless epicures with a full-blown obsession. This towering, all-powerful cuvée is a vinous Master Class on concentrated ferocity and brooding minerality, and today’s 2017 promises to put the fear of God in all lighter-bodied reds.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eIts haunting façade seems to have been built from liquified cassis, violet, and black rock that, with time, will give way to the intricate beauty and refinement that lies deep within. Thankfully, Pradeaux always does a generous amount of aging for you: Each hand-crafted Bandol Rouge develops for five years in old cask and bottle before a public release! However, to truly familiarize yourself with the hallmarks that made Pradeaux a living legend, another 10 years of bottle aging must pass. And to experience the pinnacle of gamey\/leathery\/mineral savoriness, you must wait another decade. But that shouldn’t deter you from opening a bottle now: Decant it for one, two, or even three hours to reveal the Mensa-level intelligence and insane depth of this iconic wine. Enjoy! \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eI can think of few world-class wine appellations that have changed so dramatically in style and technical definition as Bandol. In decades past, Bandol represented the Provençal equivalent of the greatest Barolo or Left Bank Bordeaux—it was the epitome of dark, deeply complex red wine that demanded many patient years in barrel and bottle before revealing its true glory. Bandol was overwhelmingly dominated by the tannic and unforgiving Mourvèdre grape, mercilessly fermented in whole clusters, then aged for years in enormous old oak barrels before release to the American market (where it still demanded additional years in cellar before optimal consumption!). There was no “drink now” Bandol or “modern” Bandol—there was only Bandol, the singularly brooding expression of Provence’s most unforgiving terroir. \u003c\/p\u003e\\r\\n\u003cp\u003eFast-forward to the present day, wherein the majority of red wine produced in Bandol comes in the form of young-drinking, softer style of reds. Many incorporate a large percentage of overripe Grenache, 100% destemming, aging in small new oak \u003cem\u003ebarriques\u003c\/em\u003e, and end with a release date that just barely satisfies the AOC’s minimum 1.5-year aging requirement. To put this in context, I wouldn’t fault an experienced taster for confusing many modern Bandols with Côtes du Rhône or some modern Spanish reds. Château Pradeaux, meanwhile, rests at the completely opposite end of this historic and stylistic continuum. The property’s reds are proudly 95-100% Mourvèdre. Pradeaux naturally ferments its grapes in the traditional whole-cluster method and resulting wines are aged in enormous neutral oak foudres and ovals for four (!) years before bottling. \u003c\/p\u003e\\r\\n\u003cp\u003eThe result is a powerful red with a complexity and depth of character all its own. Because of this uncompromising approach in the vines and in the cellar—and above all, because of one family’s integrity and undying patience—Château Pradeaux’s reds continue to carry the torch for the classic Bandol of yesteryear. Cyrille Portalis (whose family has farmed Château Pradeaux since before the French Revolution) is the current patriarch of the family property and he maintains all traditional processes: Vines younger than 25 years are jettisoned to rosé production, leaving only the old, wizened trunks for Pradeaux’s reds. All fruit is harvested by hand, and everything from the grape varieties to the giant old barrels in the family’s cellar remain as they were in the 1960s. \u003c\/p\u003e\\r\\n\u003cp\u003eToday’s Bandol Rouge always consists of at least 95% Mourvèdre, a hardy and thick-skinned grape that generates a wild brute of a wine. And while this reigns as one of the most tannic and ferocious reds on the planet (young Barolo included), there is an underlying suppleness and dark-fruited generosity to it all. We recommended a minimum two-hour decant before service in large Bordeaux stems if consuming now, while preserving the lion’s share of your haul for many years, or decades, to come. This doesn’t just leave a lasting impression, it dominates your thoughts, and with time, it will become a sweet, indelible memory. Pradeaux is an unforgettable look into the haunting world of Bandol! Do not miss out on this singular experience! \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SommSelect","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40780113150006,"sku":"SOMM2211-PRADX17ROUGE-750","price":52.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0551\/3628\/8822\/products\/bf33a498bcaaa11acab2489cf93dab18.jpg?v=1686588538"},{"product_id":"somm2203-rayj20rose-750","title":"Domaine Ray-Jane, Bandol Rosé","description":"\u003cp\u003eNOTICE! A rare “second chance” opportunity lies ahead: I strongly suspected we had discovered a value grail when first tasting Domaine Ray-Jane’s exceptionally rare and historic Bandol rosé, and it was universally confirmed with the 2020 release.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhen we initially offered this six months ago (it has been sold out ever since), 11 Master Sommeliers and 44 Masters of Wine from \u003cem\u003eDecanter Magazine’s\u003c\/em\u003e World Wine Awards had just given it “Best in Show,” a title bestowed to just 50 of the 18,000+ bottles in attendance. Of course, that’s not why we’re re-offering the wine…although it certainly does serve as a fantastic bonus and bulletproof validation! Well before the wine was being showered with global praise, I passionately believed this was among the most complex and deliciously textured rosé bottlings in all of France. And I have no doubt that Ray-Jane’s soon-to-be-immortalized 2020 rosé will only become more expressive and layered in the years to come. So please, don’t let the pale pink hue distract from the overwhelming brilliance, depth, and 734-year history (more on that below) in the bottle. In fact, let’s temporarily ban labeling this a rosé: this is age-worthy, year-round-drinking, truly world-class wine from one of France’s elite appellations. Period. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn the great appellations of France, it often feels as though the hierarchies are more-or-less set in stone. Each esteemed village is ruled by a few iconic classics, and it’s seldom that a completely “new” name arrives in spectacular enough fashion to upset the pecking order. Yet, that’s exactly what I recently observed in the ancient village appellation of Bandol. Before encountering this at a tasting last February, I had literally never seen a bottle of Domaine Ray-Jane Bandol in California. In France, it is recognized alongside greats like Tempier (average retail of $54, mind you!), but Ray-Jane is bottled in a much smaller volume and thus seldom makes a star turn on our side of the Atlantic. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eOf the myriad reasons today’s wine has so quickly become our “it” Bandol rosé, I want to start with its capital-H sense of history: Rare is the opportunity to experience wine from a lineage that existed during the Mongol Empire, William Wallace’s revolution, and Duccio’s renaissance painting. I’ve written before about the Chave family continuously producing wine in the Northern Rhone Valley since the 1490s—but the 1200s? Let alone in Bandol? It’s one of many reasons my colleagues and I staggered back in awe when first tasting today’s wine. If you can believe it, since 1288, each successive generation of current matriarch Anne Constant’s family has handcrafted wine from their own vines in a tiny hamlet along the Mediterranean coast between Marseille and Nice. Throughout countless invasions, revolutions, plagues, and world wars, the aptly named Constant family has farmed their vines and bottled exceptional wine without pause.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eNow, if the allure of such astoundingly longstanding family tradition isn’t enough to pull you in, I must then ask you to consider the prized real estate and value today’s bottle offers. Keep in mind we’re talking about Bandol, AKA ground zero for the world’s most profound, ruthlessly in-demand, and ever-more-exorbitantly priced rosé. Few of my peers would dispute that Domaine Tempier claims the rosé crown in Bandol (perhaps all of France?), but I feel obligated to point out that today’s limited offer is (1) Certified Organic, (2) far lower in price, and (3) effectively unbeatable in terms of history and pedigree. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eAgain, I want to return to my initial point about today’s offer: this is not “just a rosé.” Rather, it is a remarkably serious wine that is built to evolve and improve in a way that many regional, built-for-immediate-consumption peers would surely fail. It’s a wine whose sophistication and objectively topflight quality belies its playful complexion and extremely modest price tag. And of course, that tension, structure, and unrelenting freshness is precisely the backbone that earns this wine a renowned reputation for extended cellar aging. Believe me, when this bottle hits the 3-5 year “sweet spot,” it will blossom into an exotically textured, richly aromatic, and fascinatingly savory second life. But I’d be remiss if I didn’t urge you to drink a few right now: This is so creamy and lifted with high, sonorous notes of ripe citrus fruit, wild strawberry, crushed cherries, redcurrant, grapefruit pith, tangelo peel, and crushed rock. It’s bountifully layered and refreshing to the point where you must constantly remind yourself to slow your pace to truly enjoy each nuance...enjoy!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"SommSelect","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40780113182774,"sku":"SOMM2203-RAYJ20ROSE-750","price":34.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0551\/3628\/8822\/products\/5c041b8cb10f3f4395074a2f28749798.jpg?v=1686588529"},{"product_id":"somm2207-simon18palett-750","title":"Château Simone, Palette Rouge","description":"\u003cp\u003eI’m sure many of you already guessed what part two would be…Château Simone’s bucket-list Palette Rouge. This fabled wine seems to be permanently reserved for a small subset of connoisseurs, except Simone doesn’t “reserve” wine \u003cu\u003efor anyone\u003c\/u\u003e. Their policy is simple: Buy it now or someone else will. That’s exactly why our market never saw the 2016 vintage—Europeans snatched up every bottle before their US liaison of 15 years could order any. As for 2017, well, we offered what little came nearly a year ago and it’s been sold out ever since. So, yes, we’re incredibly fortunate to have secured today’s thunderous, deeply silken 2018.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eFamily-run for nearly 200 years, Château Simone crafts its supernatural Palette Rouge by way of ancient vines (some of which may be the oldest in France), sorcerous blending skills, and a lengthy barrel-aging regimen in their 500-year-old cellar. All this results in a small-production masterpiece that captures the most alluring qualities of elite Bordeaux and Rhône. For us, uncorking Simone’s rouge is one of wine’s most enchanting experiences. They are region-defining, incomparable in taste, and their cellar life is nearly inexhaustible—so don’t be surprised when this 2018 is dominating your “superior” labels in 10-15 years!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eOwned by the Rougier family since 1830, the property clings to a single hillside in Montaiguet, a small hamlet just east of Aix-en-Provence, 20 miles north of Marseille. The appellation that encompasses this village is Palette AOC, and even as a small independent producer, Château Simone produces a majority of the wine labeled within the designation. To the naked eye, Château Simone appears to be a classic family-run estate, but it’s impossible to begin discussing the property without immediately diving into the myriad qualities that make this one of the most distinctive estates in France. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe first and perhaps most shocking feature about the Rougier family’s vines is that they are north—yes, north—facing. Château Simone’s vines hug a 750-foot limestone face that is angled directly away from the sun. This is unusual, but it allows the vines to retain their freshness, despite the region’s fierce heat. It is one of the few north-facing vineyards I’ve ever seen that produces world-class wine. Next, there is a shocking diversity of grape varieties present in these ancient vines. Château Simone sits directly between Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Bandol, so it’s unsurprising to see standards like Grenache, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Syrah and Carignan—but if you look a little closer in the vineyard, you will discover Cabernet Sauvignon, Manosquin, Castet, Muscat Noir, Théoulier, Tibouren, Picpoul Noir, Muscat de Hambourg, and many others. Finally, the character of Château Simone’s wines is perhaps what is most unique for sommeliers and collectors. Despite Provence’s long and sometimes punishingly hot growing season, Château Simone does not produce heavy or overpowering wines. On the contrary, the Rougier family is renowned for bottling beautifully elegant, floral, aromatic reds that caress and finesse the palate rather than hammer it with alcohol and extract. This is a Provençal Grand Cru for lovers of traditional Burgundy, Bordeaux, and Piedmont!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eChâteau Simone’s colorful palette of grapes are harvested by hand, de-stemmed, and lightly pressed before fermentation. A natural fermentation is carried out over several weeks in wooden vats and the resulting wine is racked into large oak \u003cem\u003efoudres\u003c\/em\u003e to rest on lees. After one year, the wine is decanted once more into older \u003cem\u003ebarriques\u003c\/em\u003e, where it rests for an additional year before being bottled. The freshly bottled wine then matures for another year before leaving their cellar. All told, the entire process takes nearly four years before release into the US market! In our experience with Château Simone, the wines often require even more time in bottle before fully exhibiting the singular qualities that made them iconic. That said, those who uncork today’s 2018 in the near future will be thoroughly delighted. It’s loaded with the red-fruited sublimity of Grenache, the smoky-peppery allure of Syrah, and the unrivaled exoticism that comes from blending grapes from Muscat to Cabernet and everything in between. It’s gorgeously layered and deliciously ripe with a powerfully nuanced structure that elevates it into the top-tier of French reds. Enjoy now and over the next 10-15 years. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"SommSelect","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40780113215542,"sku":"SOMM2207-SIMON18PALETT-750","price":75.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0551\/3628\/8822\/products\/d4178d9d63340ef06058dc542cffe3d1.jpg?v=1686588532"},{"product_id":"is2109-temp19-750","title":"Domaine Tempier, Bandol Rosé","description":"\u003cp\u003eDriven by 55% Mourvèdre supported by Grenache and Cinsault, as grown in the distinctive red clay and limestone soils of Bandol, not far from the Mediterranean Sea. The wine ages half in stainless steel and half in concrete vats for about seven months before bottling. Unlike most “cheap and cheerful” rosé wines, this is a wine of layered texture and soaring aromatics, and as we’ve learned firsthand, it tends to show its best in its “second spring” and beyond. When it comes to “pink” wine, this is the Gold Standard!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SommSelect","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40780113248310,"sku":"IS2109-TEMP19-750","price":49.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}]},{"product_id":"somm2105-rima20rose-750","title":"Domaine de Rimauresq, Côtes de Provence Cru Classé Rosé","description":"\u003cp\u003eFrench and other imported rosés from the 2020 vintage landed on our shores later than usual this year, and if there’s one arrival we were especially anxious about, it’d be that of Domaine de Rimauresq’s inimitable Cru Classé. This marks the third vintage in a row we’ve offered, and the reason couldn’t be simpler: It's one of the top values in true-blue Provençal rosé. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eRimauresq is one of a handful of estates in the Côtes de Provence designated Cru Classé (“classified growth”), with more than a century of elite rosé production behind it, and after tasting this latest arrival, I’m reminded of how transcendent a proper Provençal rosé can be. I think a lot of people judge rosé wine according to different, less rigorous parameters, wanting mostly to be refreshed rather than impressed. That’s fine, I guess, but frankly, I’d rather have both—and this is the wine to do it. Even at this young, just-released stage there’s a lot going on here, and as I’ve said countless times before, it’ll be even better in its “second spring” (i.e. next year). Put your nose in the glass and the fragrant scrub-brush of Provence sprouts up around you, beckoning you to the azure shores of the Mediterranean. Every great wine I taste these days makes me want to travel again, this one especially so. Load up!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eDomaine Rimauresq was one of the original estates to be granted \u003cem\u003eCru Classé \u003c\/em\u003estatus when the classification was created in 1955; one of the reasons for this was a tradition of excellence that dated back to their “re-establishment” in 1882 (post-phylloxera). They were integral players in the foundation of the Côtes de Provence AOC and have crafted terroir-expressive red, white, and pink wines ever since. It’s an unusual property, nestled at the base of the Massif des Maures mountains and named for the Mauresque River that runs right through their property. The \u003cem\u003emistral\u003c\/em\u003e winds whip through the typical Provençal mix of grape varieties: everything from Rolle (a.k.a. Vermentino) to Cinsault. Thankfully, the rosés are taken just as seriously as the reds or whites—harvested by hand at the crack of dawn, given a light pressing to collect free-run juice, then cooled for stabilization. They’re aged for a period on lees (spent yeast cells) with intermittent \u003cem\u003ebâtonnage\u003c\/em\u003e (lees-stirring) but malolactic fermentation is prevented to preserve the exquisite freshness that drives the flavor and aromatics.  \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eToday’s wine is a varietal smörgasborg: Grenache and Cinsault supported by a smattering of Carignan, Tibouren, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Mourvèdre, and the white varietal Rolle (Vermentino). Quality in 2020 was extraordinary, and Rimauresq hits all the Provençal buttons, starting with the color: borderline salmon in the glass flecked through with gold. It’s tempting to serve rosé ice cold but allow this wine 10 minutes out of the fridge to compose its subtle aromatic complexity. It smells like fresh strawberries, citrus zest, ginger root, and acacia blossom. The palate is surprisingly deep and mineral by comparison: Meyer lemon, white peach, wildflower, watermelon, raspberries, and crushed limestone. The finish is both creamy and tingles with good acidity for optimal food pairing and porch drinking alike. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eRimauresq quenches thirst to the point that you might never want water again, but do not forget food! We recommend barbecued chicken and sticky rice, watermelon salad with mint and feta, or a heaping pile of crawfish and corn on the cob. Remember that a rosé as structured and classic as this one will serve you well even when the nights get cooler...but let’s not think about that yet: It only just got warm!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SommSelect","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40780113281078,"sku":"SOMM2105-RIMA20ROSE-750","price":25.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0551\/3628\/8822\/products\/6836d47eb7a5e6975ddf3472caeaef50.jpg?v=1686588522"},{"product_id":"is2109-temp19-1500","title":"Domaine Tempier Bandol Rose MAGNUM","description":"\u003cp\u003eDriven by 55% Mourvèdre supported by Grenache and Cinsault, as grown in the distinctive red clay and limestone soils of Bandol, not far from the Mediterranean Sea. The wine ages half in stainless steel and half in concrete vats for about seven months before bottling. Unlike most “cheap and cheerful” rosé wines, this is a wine of layered texture and soaring aromatics, and as we’ve learned firsthand, it tends to show its best in its “second spring” and beyond. When it comes to “pink” wine, this is the Gold Standard!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SommSelect","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40780113313846,"sku":"IS2109-TEMP19-1500","price":125.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}]},{"product_id":"somm2101-simon11roug-750","title":"Château Simone, Palette Rouge","description":"\u003cp\u003e“This wine seems to gain intelligence and complexity as hours pass by and every mineral-filled sip lingers for 30+ seconds. Although bursting with opulence and a distinct \u003cem\u003esauvage\u003c\/em\u003e character right now, I cannot wait to see what lies down the road.” That quote was pulled from last year’s offering of Château Simone’s 2015 Palette Rouge, a red poised to be one of their greatest bottlings in recent history. And yet, we’re even more excited about today’s rare opportunity: By way of an exclusive, hard-fought deal with their importer, we emerged with the last 18 cases of Château Simone’s 2011 Rouge. You’ve tasted one at five years old, now you have a limited chance to taste one in its 10th year. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eThese wines, with age, are among the most savory and enchanting “Old World” experiences imaginable—they’re region-defining, incomparable in taste, and their cellar life is practically unrivaled. By combining ancient vines (some of which are considered to be the oldest in France), sorcerous blending skills, and maturation in a hand-dug, 16th-century cellar, today’s flagship red simultaneously captures the most alluring qualities of perfectly evolved Bordeaux, Rhône, and Burgundy. Right now, this stunning 10-year-old rouge is sublime, earthy, smoky, highly perfumed—one can only imagine what it’ll reveal in another 10!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eOwned by the Rougier family since 1830, the property clings to a single hillside in Montaiguet, a small hamlet just east of Aix-en-Provence, 20 miles north of Marseille. The appellation that encompasses this village is Palette AOC, and even as a small independent producer, Château Simone produces a majority of the wine labeled within the designation. To the naked eye, Château Simone appears to be a classic family-run estate, but it’s impossible to begin discussing the property without immediately diving into the myriad qualities that make this one of the most distinctive estates in France. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe first and perhaps most shocking feature about the Rougier family’s vines is that they are north—yes, north—facing. Château Simone’s vines hug a 750-foot limestone face that is angled away from the sun. This is unusual, but it allows the vines to retain their freshness, despite the region’s fierce heat. It is one of the very few north-facing vineyards I’ve ever seen that produces world-class wine. Next, there is a shocking diversity of grape varieties present in these ancient vines. Château Simone sits directly between Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Bandol, so it’s unsurprising to see standards like Grenache, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Syrah, and Carignan—but if you look a little closer in the vineyard, you will discover Cabernet Sauvignon, Manosquin, Castet, Muscat Noir, Théoulier, Tibouren, Picpoul Noir, Muscat de Hambourg, and many others. Finally, the character of Château Simone’s wines is perhaps what is most unique for sommeliers and collectors. Despite Provence’s long and sometimes punishingly hot growing season, Château Simone does not produce heavy or overpowering wines. On the contrary, the Rougier family is renowned for bottling beautifully elegant, floral, and aromatic reds that caress and finesse the palate rather than hammer it with alcohol and extract. This is a Provençal Grand Cru for lovers of traditional Burgundy, Bordeaux, and Piedmont!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eChâteau Simone’s colorful palette of grapes are harvested by hand, de-stemmed, and lightly pressed before fermentation. An indigenous-yeast fermentation lasts for several weeks in wooden vats and the resulting wine is racked into large oak \u003cem\u003efoudres\u003c\/em\u003e to rest on lees. After one year, the wine is decanted once more into older \u003cem\u003ebarriques\u003c\/em\u003e, where it rests for an additional year before being bottled. The freshly bottled wine then matures for another year before leaving their cellar. All told, the entire process takes nearly four years before release into the US market! In our experience with Château Simone, the wines often require even more time in bottle before fully exhibiting the singular qualities that made them iconic. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs I write this, a half-drank glass of Simone’s 2011 Rouge is at-the-ready, and I’m eager to dive into the rest of it so apologies if this review is shorter than most. This is overflowing with the dried and generous red berry fruit of Grenache; the smoky, meat, earthy profile of Mourvèdre; the playful freshness of Cinsault; and myriad other nuances from the remaining grapes—not to mention the savory, secondary qualities (tobacco, leather, potpourri, truffle, \u003cem\u003esous bois\u003c\/em\u003e) that comes with 10 years of age. Even still, the wine needs a minimum 60-minute decant to shed a bit of rusticity and a thin layer of “dust” from a decade of undisturbed rest before it displays a beautiful stream of complex red and black wild berries. Overall, it’s a savory and elegant tour de force with multiple dimensions of dried fruit, crushed minerals, and southern France’s signature \u003cem\u003esauvage\u003c\/em\u003e note. If you’re at all interested in the evolution of a flagship red from one of France’s most iconic, if not slept-on, estates, this is your one and only shot. Enjoy!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SommSelect","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40780113346614,"sku":"SOMM2101-SIMON11ROUG-750","price":55.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0551\/3628\/8822\/products\/72d27f627b4f5ba4a1059145407194e3.jpg?v=1686588516"},{"product_id":"somm1705-cs12pr-750","title":"Chateau Simone, Palette Rouge, Grand Cru","description":"\u003cp\u003eFamily-run for nearly 200 years, Château Simone crafts its supernatural Palette Rouge by way of ancient vines (some of which may be the oldest in France), sorcerous blending skills, and a lengthy barrel-aging regimen in their 500-year-old cellar. All this results in a small-production masterpiece that captures the most alluring qualities of elite Bordeaux and Rhône. For us, uncorking Simone’s rouge is one of wine’s most enchanting experiences.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SommSelect","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40780113379382,"sku":"SOMM1705-CS12PR-750","price":70.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}]},{"product_id":"somm2211-prad17rouge-750","title":"Château Pradeaux, Bandol Rouge","description":"","brand":"SommSelect","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40780113412150,"sku":"SOMM2211-PRAD17ROUGE-750","price":52.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}]},{"product_id":"is2109-temp20-750","title":"Domaine Tempier, Bandol Rosé","description":"\u003cp\u003eDriven by 55% Mourvèdre supported by Grenache and Cinsault, as grown in the distinctive red clay and limestone soils of Bandol, not far from the Mediterranean Sea. The wine ages half in stainless steel and half in concrete vats for about seven months before bottling. Unlike most “cheap and cheerful” rosé wines, this is a wine of layered texture and soaring aromatics, and as we’ve learned firsthand, it tends to show its best in its “second spring” and beyond. When it comes to “pink” wine, this is the Gold Standard!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SommSelect","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40780113444918,"sku":"IS2109-TEMP20-750","price":55.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}]},{"product_id":"somm2110-prad16rouge-750","title":"Château Pradeaux, Bandol Rouge","description":"\u003cp\u003eAlthough it may sound a bit coarse, you simply cannot consider yourself an epicure of fine French wine if a bottle of Bandol hasn’t been among your experiences. Every love affair with Mourvèdre begins with Bandol Rouge but one label in particular incites all-out pandemonium: the reds of singular Château Pradeaux. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eThey are a towering, centuries-deep pillar of excellence, and today, few estates in Bandol—or France for that matter—can match these deeply mineral and broodingly powerful reds. Redolent of gothic architecture, today’s colossal 2016 has a formidable and haunting façade that shelters the intricate beauty and refinement within—something that will be revealed in due time. Thankfully, Pradeaux always does a generous amount of aging for you. The devout traditional practices here make it so you won’t ever see a youthful wine on the market: Each hand-crafted bottle of Bandol Rouge develops for no less than 48 months \u003cem\u003ein barrel\u003c\/em\u003e before considering a public release! So while a two-hour-long decant is certainly an option now, to truly familiarize yourself with the hallmarks that made Pradeaux a living legend, another 10 years of bottle aging must pass, and to experience the pinnacle of salty\/meaty\/spicy\/mineral savoriness, you must tack on another decade. Still, with or without patience, this is going to blow your mind. Enjoy. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eI can think of few world-class wine appellations that have changed so dramatically in style and technical definition as Bandol. In decades past, Bandol represented the Provençal equivalent of the greatest Barolo or Left Bank Bordeaux—it was the epitome of dark, deeply complex red wine that demanded many patient years in barrel and bottle before revealing its true glory. Bandol was overwhelmingly dominated by the tannic and unforgiving Mourvèdre grape, mercilessly fermented in whole clusters, then aged for years in enormous old oak barrels before release to the American market (where it still demanded additional years in cellar before optimal consumption!). There was no “drink now” Bandol or “modern” Bandol—there was only Bandol, the singularly brooding expression of Provence’s most unforgiving terroir. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eFast-forward to the present day, wherein the majority of red wine produced in Bandol comes in the form of young-drinking, softer style of reds. Many incorporate a large percentage of overripe Grenache, 100% destemming, aging in small new oak \u003cem\u003ebarriques\u003c\/em\u003e, and end with a release date that just barely satisfies the AOC’s minimum 1.5-year aging requirement. To put this in context, I wouldn’t fault an experienced taster for confusing many modern Bandols with Côtes du Rhône or some modern Spanish reds. Château Pradeaux, meanwhile, rests at the completely opposite end of this historic and stylistic continuum. The property’s reds are proudly 95-100% Mourvèdre. Pradeaux naturally ferments its grapes in the traditional whole-cluster method and resulting wines are aged in enormous neutral oak \u003cem\u003efoudres\u003c\/em\u003e and ovals for four (!) years before bottling. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe result is a powerful red with a complexity and depth of character all its own. Because of this uncompromising approach in the vines and in the cellar—and above all, because of one family’s integrity and undying patience—Château Pradeaux’s reds continue to carry the torch for the classic Bandol of yesteryear. Cyrille Portalis (whose family has farmed Château Pradeaux since before the French Revolution) is the current patriarch of the family property and he maintains all traditional processes: Vines younger than 25 years are jettisoned to rosé production, leaving only the old, wisened trunks for Pradeaux’s reds. All fruit is harvested by hand, and everything from the grape varieties to the giant old barrels in the family’s cellar remain as they were in the 1960s. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eToday’s Bandol Rouge always consists of \u003cem\u003eat least\u003c\/em\u003e 95% Mourvèdre, a hardy and thick-skinned grape that generates a wild brute of a wine. And while this reigns as one of the most tannic and ferocious reds on the planet (young Barolo included), there is an underlying suppleness and dark-fruited generosity to it all. Still, we recommended a minimum two-hour decant before service in large Bordeaux stems if consuming one now, while preserving the lion’s share of your haul for many years to come—10, 20, even 30. This doesn’t just leave a lasting impression, it dominates your thoughts, and with time, it will become a sweet, indelible memory. Pradeaux is an unforgettable look into the haunting world of Bandol and for the price, it’s the savviest investment, too. Cheers!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"SommSelect","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40780113510454,"sku":"SOMM2110-PRAD16ROUGE-750","price":46.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0551\/3628\/8822\/products\/ab5fe9ccf77725ea8370f0bb60e1ff1e.jpg?v=1686588526"},{"product_id":"somm2201-csl19bandol-750","title":"Bastide de la Ciselette, Bandol Rouge","description":"\u003cp\u003eBandol Rouge has never been widespread in the US market, which is odd, as it is the Provençal equivalent of the greatest Bordeaux—dark, deeply complex red wine that will age a lifetime. For me, it’s like blending great Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Burgundy, and Bordeaux into one. If you have not tried Bandol by now, this is your chance to taste one of the best we’ve had in a while. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBastide de la Ciselette’s 37 acres of vine are all estate-owned, but their Bandol Rouge is sourced from the few acres of 60-year-old vines that immediately surround the estate. They farm according to ‘lutte raisonée’ principles with many organic and biodynamic practices in place (plowing by horse and following the lunar calendar, for example). Furthermore, yields in Bandol are notoriously low—lower than most other regions—and De Salvo doesn’t break that trend. After hand harvesting, grapes were sent to the winery where they fermented on their skins for three weeks before being transferred into large foudres for 18 months. The final blend was 80% Mourvèdre and 20% Grenache. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 2019 displays an intense garnet core with ruby tints leading out to the rim. It’s opaque and deeply concentrated, with thick, slow-moving tears. On the nose, the wine reveals an impressive rush of elegant and dark fruit: currant, black cherry liqueur, candied blackberry, black plum, huckleberry, and then Rhône-like notes of pepper, olive tapenade, and garrigue follow. A wonderful array of purple flowers, licorice, subtle baking spice, and mocha also reveal themselves. Youthful Bandol wines typically showcase immense tannins that are often rigid, but the integration of ripe Grenache in this bottle rounds out the palate with a marked softness. This is wholeheartedly full-bodied, with perfect freshness and minerality alongside polished black fruits; a wine without rough edges. Though you can certainly enjoy this after a 1-2 hour decant, we think its peak drinking will start in 2026, lasting until 2035 and beyond.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SommSelect","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40780113543222,"sku":"SOMM2201-CSL19BANDOL-750","price":34.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0551\/3628\/8822\/products\/c15233b85eb59c868bd8d62018f6d970.jpg?v=1686588512"},{"product_id":"direct2008-carr19ingen-750","title":"Château du Carrubier, “Cuvée Ingénue” Rosé","description":"\u003cp\u003eWarning: Once you taste today’s mind-bending rosé, high-end Provençal labels like Domaine Tempier ($50+), Château d'Esclans “Garrus” ($100+) and Domaine Ott “Étoile” ($200) may be reduced to obsolescence. There’s a reason Carrubier’s “Cuvée Ingénue” is emerging with top awards in Paris and Provence, and that \u003cem\u003eWine Enthusiast \u003c\/em\u003ehas rated it right alongside the region’s most expensive and renowned bottlings: it’s an extraordinary, bordering-on-legendary rosé that blows away 99.9% of its competition. But there's no reason whatsoever for us being the first to introduce this to America—it feels as if we’ve discovered the next “big thing” right under everyone’s nose. Taste any $20-$40 Provence rosé and Carrubier’s superiority will stand out like The Great Wall of China from outer space. Taste it alongside the above-mentioned luxury labels and you, too, will swear you’ve just discovered the savviest rosé investment of 2020.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhile its exclusivity certainly adds to the allure—nobody else in the States has access to it—what’s inside the bottle really matters. This is an outrageously delicious, region-elevating Côtes de Provence that has simultaneously stormed to the top of my ever-growing rosé list and become my favorite rosé discovery of the year. And that’s not gross exaggeration, either: as I write this, I have a separate tab open with a host of bottles in my cart. These will be going straight into my weekly rotation, and although summer is nearing its end, I’d wager they won’t survive the fall. The wine is that addicting: Bone-dry, intensely flavorful, deeply thirst-quenching—this is the finest rosé $30 can buy, and the absolute pinnacle of Provence! If only we had enough for everyone to buy a case...\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cdiv\u003eWe’ve repeatedly said that the vetting process for all of our wines is fairly intense, but we judge rosé to an even more extreme degree since innumerable legions of it flood the market each year. That’s why we were so stunned to learn that Carrubier’s mouth-watering “Ingénue” Provence rosé had never been imported into the US before today. Its singular mineral imprint, sun-kissed fruit, and impossible-to-put-down deliciousness led to our first-ever Provençal rosé import—it’s a big day for us!\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cdiv\u003eAlthough Domaine Carrubier has been family owned for just 46 years, they have already mastered the art of Provençal rosé—and I say this confidently despite having tasted one vintage. This is no fluke, no beginner’s luck: Carrubier is the real deal and their “Cuvée Ingénue” is poised to overtake the famous old guards of the region. They own 25 hectares of classic Provençal varieties that are planted just miles from the sea, in the sloping foothills of Massif des Maures. As a result, their vines enjoy both the intense, rot-preventing Mistral winds and the intense sunlight\/warmth of the Mediterranean. \u003c\/div\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cdiv\u003eThey ensure that all of their vines are farmed without chemicals and, in a region that is heavily mechanized come harvest, the Carrubier team chooses the strenuous path by meticulously sorting and picking each cluster by hand. In the winery, their Grenache, Syrah, and Rolle (Vermentino), are de-stemmed and gently pressed after a very brief maceration. Fermentation and six months of lees aging occurs in stainless steel vessels before a quick bottling to preserve every ounce of freshness. \u003c\/div\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cdiv\u003eIf this doesn’t become your favorite still rosé this year—or top two at the very least—I’ll be absolutely shocked. Provence rosé may sound easy in principle but I assure you it is incredibly hard to seperate yourself from the masses. In that regard, Château du Carrubier’s 2019 “Cuvée Ingénue” is operating far beyond the generic labels, and has reached the absolute highest level of quality. Accordingly, this is not a pop-and-pour wine: I found it performed best after 30 minutes of air in my glass, and from there, the wine never looked back. This explodes with ripe, fleshy red fruits like wild strawberry, Honeycrisp apple, watermelon, and raspberry that are enhanced by intense, high-toned notes of grapefruit pith, orange zest, citrus peel, wild herbs, rose petal, crushed rock, white flowers, and a touch of spice. On the palate, each exuberant sip brings long-lasting, mouth-watering layers that reverberate with vivid minerality. Enjoy now, enjoy often, and if a bottle does somehow escape 2020 unscathed, you’ll be thrilled to discover an extra year of aging has elevated it even higher. Cheers!\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"SommSelect","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40780113575990,"sku":"DIRECT2008-CARR19INGEN-750","price":22.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0551\/3628\/8822\/products\/414660037237ed76837d0f588bca6c0b.jpg?v=1686588531"},{"product_id":"somm2201-vann05band-750","title":"Château Vannières, Bandol Rouge","description":"\u003cp\u003eIt’s Christmas Day and your family is probably ripping through a fantastic array of presents, so we decided to dangle the world’s finest carrot: a rare, soul-stirring 1990 Bandol Rouge from the 474-year-old cellars of Château Vannières. Bottom line, this wine is pure insanity, and that’s coming from someone who’s intimately familiar with the blue bloods of Bandol. I’ve had ’88-’90 Domaine Tempier and Château Pradeaux, and yes, they’re objectively great wines, but experiencing Vannières’ haunting and wonderfully complex creation for a mere $120 is nothing short of a Christmas miracle.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eAside from drawing immediate comparison to the finest labels of Bordeaux and Barolo, what truly shook my core was its impossible youthfulness—I’ve had 10-year-old wines that tasted far more advanced than this, let alone those with 20 and 30 years of age! Ultimately, this is a mature red masterpiece freighted with brooding intensity and profound complexities that deserves recognition at the peak of France’s elite wine hierarchy. Even if you’re unfamiliar with Mourvèdre or Bandol, I implore every single one of you to try at least one bottle, as it’ll open your palate to an entirely new dimension of wine. And for those who are deeply familiar, buy up to six bottles because they have enough fuel in the tank to last through 2035. Happy Holidays, and see the below note for access to an even-rarer gem!\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBONUS:\u003c\/strong\u003e To further sweeten the pot, we have 12 bottles of Château Vannières’ 1983 library release also available for \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.sommselect.com\/product\/detail\/SOMM2112-VANN83BAND-750\/\"\u003epurchase here\u003c\/a\u003e. Only one bottle per person.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eWith a mountainous backdrop forming a natural amphitheater, quaint hilltop villages, and the glistening sea always on the horizon, Provence is among Europe’s most breathtaking regions. But if you’re looking to pinpoint Mourvèdre at its most intense, glorious, and age-worthy, all eyes are glued to the tiny, Mediterranean-adjacent appellation of Bandol where titans like Tempier, Pradeaux, Pibarnon, and Vannières reside. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn decades past, Bandol represented the Provençal equivalent of the greatest Barolo or Left Bank Bordeaux; it was the epitome of dark, deeply complex red wine that demanded many patient years in barrel and bottle before revealing its true glory. There was no “drink now” Bandol or “modern” Bandol—there was only Bandol, the singularly brooding expression of Provence’s most unforgiving terroir. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eToday’s 1990 library release from Château Vannières, which was first built in 1547, perfectly fits the bill of “decades past.” This is the epitome of authentic, old-school Bandol Rouge: low yields, long vinification, 35-day punch-down regimen, and nearly two years of maturation in large \u003cem\u003efoudres\u003c\/em\u003e and barrels. After it was bottled, it spent nearly three decades resting in their dark, cool, ancient cellars. This small parcel just arrived stateside. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eLike the 50+-year-old Remoissenet Burgundies we’ve offered in the past, this specific parcel of 1990 was hand-selected by Vannières’ owners, the Boisseaux family, in the Spring of 2020. After quality checking each bottle, the winners were topped off with the same wine and re-corked. So, there’s no need to pull out your ah-so or Durand to extract the cork with surgical precision—it pops out with ease. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhile you can certainly let this wine open up and evolve in your glass over an evening, would you believe me if I said this 31-year-old wine could also take a proper decant? It’s just that youthful! The nose slowly releases subtle yet powerful aromas of dried black cherry, black raspberry, and crème de cassis, but as the minutes pass by, licorice, crushed black rock, green olive, charred violet, vintage horse saddle, smoke, tar, garrigue, and faint hints of exotic spice gracefully emerge. The full-bodied palate is brooding, meaty, and dark-fruited with an intense push-pull of savoriness and minerality. But it’s all balanced by matured tannins and a prominent burst of acidity that lingers on the finish. The wine is an exceptional and profoundly stirring take on the classy, mature French reds of decades past. Again, I must implore you not to miss out! Enjoy now and over the next 10+ years—it won’t be fading any time soon!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SommSelect","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40780113608758,"sku":"SOMM2201-VANN05BAND-750","price":135.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}]},{"product_id":"somm2003-terre18rose-750","title":"Domaine de Terrebrune, Bandol Rosé","description":"\u003cp\u003eFor me, the arrival of the new vintage of Domaine de Terrebrune Rosé is a mark-the-calendar type of event. But in our zeal to pounce on—and eagerly consume—the most recent release, we overlook something important about a Bandol Rosé of this elite quality: that it does indeed get better with time.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eI’m not saying age it for a decade, I’m saying that time in bottle has only enhanced the nuance and glamor of this 2018, without sacrificing one iota of freshness. I’ve long described Terrebrune as my “desert island” rosé precisely for this reason: There’s more depth and complexity here than a rosé is meant to have, and as a result, it’s one of those rare rosés that improves with age. Not surprisingly, Terrebrune does everything well, with this wine a delicious bridge between the domaine’s luscious, sea-kissed whites and its perfumed, Mourvèdre-driven reds. It leaves no doubt that rosé can be serious wine, and with the inevitable flood of just-bottled 2019s not yet begun in earnest, it’s the perfect time to grab some of this legendary bottle and see what I mean—we managed enough of an allocation to offer up to a case per customer today, just in time to take “rosé season” to a new level!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cdiv\u003eTerrebrune is my first choice in a region, Bandol, that has more than its share of big-name rosés. Situated in a natural south-facing amphitheater near the Mediterranean Sea, the Bandol AOC’s vineyards are rooted in pebbly clays over a solid bedrock of limestone, a soil composition that lends the wines a firm acid\/mineral backbone. These soils, combined with the intense Mediterranean sun, have proved ideal for the late-ripening Mourvèdre grape, the signature variety of the appellation’s red wines—and thus, a driving force in the rosés as well. Terrebrune’s rosé is comprised of 50% Mourvèdre, 25% Grenache, and 25% Cinsault, and the wine is a blend of 50% ‘direct-press’ rosé (i.e. fruit is destemmed, gently pressed, and the skins immediately removed) and 50% \u003cem\u003esaignée\u003c\/em\u003e-method rosé (i.e. wine ‘bled off’ during the early stages of a red-wine fermentation). The wine then spends about 6-8 months in used French oak barrels, an unusual move for rosé that contributes to its uncommon depth and complexity.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cdiv\u003eThe organically farmed Terrebrune Estate is in the village of Ollioules, just east of the town of Bandol, and a few miles from the cool breezes of the Mediterranean Sea. The property was purchased by French Sommelier, George Delille, in 1963. After many years of hard work perfecting the property, he released his first wine in 1980 with the help of his son, Reynald, who is now in charge of operations. Today, the Terrebrune vineyards are farmed organically, with absolutely no chemical herbicides, pesticides or fertilizers. \u003c\/div\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cdiv\u003eWhen I visited the property in 2012, a fellow sommelier and I were graciously welcomed by Reynald and treated to one of the best lunches of our lives. The amazing Provençal cuisine was paired with the wines of Terrebrune. We were lucky enough to have Reynald open several old bottles when we were deep in the cellar, and my mind was blown—among the wines tasted was an amazingly fresh, aromatically explosive rosé from 1991, truly one of the greatest wine memories of my life. The domaine also has one of the best restaurants in the area, which is perched high above the winery. So, if you are ever in the south of France, you must seize the opportunity to enjoy an afternoon there.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cdiv\u003eThe 2018 is, as always, a light salmon-pink color, with aromas of strawberry, blood orange peel, watermelon, red currant, lavender, rose petals, fresh herbs, and dusty earth. One of the wine’s distinguishing characteristics is its dense, creamy texture—not flabby or sweet but concentrated and focused, with flavors of melon and peach adding to the sensations carried over from the nose. The finish is long and fragrant, and you will immediately see what I mean when I say that this wine can age: there’s a structure here that is reminiscent of young white Burgundy, and I wouldn’t hesitate to lay a few bottles of this down. At the same time, I’ll be breaking into my stash sooner rather than later: Serve this at 45-50 degrees in any glass you choose, preferably with people you love and a beautiful piece of grilled tuna or swordfish topped with some blistered cherry tomatoes and herbs. This wine deserves a showcase. Enjoy!\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"SommSelect","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40780113641526,"sku":"SOMM2003-TERRE18ROSE-750","price":28.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}]},{"product_id":"somm2206-marg21rose-750","title":"Château Margüi, Coteaux Varois en Provence Rosé","description":"\u003cp\u003eAs I’m sure you’re aware, the 2021 vintage rosés are here in full force. The sheer abundance of them is downright daunting, but do not fear: We are dedicated professionals, tasting through samples night and day to help you separate the wheat from the chaff. There’s a time and place for the “cheap and cheerful,” but you can find that at the supermarket. What we’re after are new-release rosés that manage to do double duty—that is, be full of zesty, vibrant fruit \u003cu\u003eand\u003c\/u\u003e be serious wines of place. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eProducers from top Provençal wineries in Bandol or Cassis might spring to mind amongst the cognoscenti, though with a little digging, you’d turn up names like Château Margüi, whose wines have dazzled our subscribers before. This is a layered and exacting rosé from the Coteaux Varois in the wooded, northerly climes of Provence. Grapes are grown in a bucolic natural wonderland, untouched by chemicals, before being shepherded to the gravity-fed winery. It goes way beyond dry and pale, with all the intentions befitting a serious wine of any hue—and, when compared to some of its elite Provençal competition (like the ever-more-expensive Domaine Tempier), it comes in at a delicious price. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eTo call Château Margüi merely idyllic might actually downplay its truly Edenic setting. Amphoras discovered on the property show that people have been drawn to the so-called \u003cem\u003eProvence Verte\u003c\/em\u003e since Roman times (and probably before then). It’s a land ripe for homesteading and polyculture, producing grapes and other fruits, wheat, vegetables, and olives, all fed by ample water from natural springs and the Argens River. “Marguï,” with a shift of the umlaut, translates to “small pond” in the old Provençal dialect. In the 18th Century, the property was more of a manor house, although agriculture still persisted, in the form of a silk workshop and sheep pen. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn more recent times, the property returned to crop production, until it was sold in the late 1990s to Marie-Christine and Philippe Guillanton. They restored the home and a 12th Century chapel, and revitalized the production of wine, replanting the vineyards which had been abandoned for over 20 years. Today, the estate sits protected in a \u003cem\u003eNatura 2000\u003c\/em\u003e zone, a designation designed to preserve specific species and habitats across Europe’s nine biogeographical regions. Here that includes calcareous \u003cem\u003etufa\u003c\/em\u003e formations, riparian woodlands, and 18 different fauna, including the endangered Southern Damselfly. Everything thrives in this perfect bastion, abutting the Sainte-Baume massif and sheltered from the worst of the northern \u003cem\u003emistral\u003c\/em\u003e. A hilly topography and higher elevations also brings a larger diurnal temperature shift than along the Mediterranean coast, which helps retain precious acids in the grapes.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eMargüi grows the usual mélange of Provençal varieties on its biodiverse estate, with just 15 hectares of vineyards, interspersed amongst the olive trees and another 65 hectares of forests. The rosé is led by Grenache Noir (45%) and Cinsault (35%), with support from Cabernet Sauvignon (15%) and Syrah (5%). Somewhat unusual for the area, rosé is not the sole focus of the estate, with just 250 cases produced annually. It’s far from an afterthought, however, as all the \u003cem\u003ecuvées\u003c\/em\u003e receive the same fastidious attention to detail (and expense) you might find at the most prestigious cellar doors. It begins in the vineyard, with organic viticulture and low yields. Only the ripest and healthiest bunches are harvested by hand and brought in small bins to the gravity-fed winery. They are sorted again and placed in a cold room to preserve freshness prior to pressing. A short maceration for color, phenolics, and texture occurs prior to being pressed gently, then the juice flows to the winery level to begin a long, cool natural fermentation. Aging takes place in stainless throughout, with minimal use of sulfur, before bottling in the spring. The end result is quintessentially Provençal, with zesty fruit, and herby underpinnings. It’s a wine of serious depth and gravitas, transcending whatever preconceptions you might have about the category.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003ePour chilled into an all-purpose stem for an explosive nose of pink grapefruit, white peach, and \u003cem\u003efraises des bois\u003c\/em\u003e, all of which mirror the vivid light pink color, blushing with silvery flashes at the rim. On the palate, the fruit hums with energy, full of lush red berries and pithy citrus, fresh herbs, and fennel. There’s a soft edge and some creamy texture, but overall it shines as complex and refreshing with snappy acidity leading to a long, long finish. This will drink well over the next two years with a wide range of foods, but it can\/should be enjoyed tonight with the accompanying recipe for classic Niçoise onion tart, \u003cem\u003ePissaladière\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SommSelect","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40780113674294,"sku":"SOMM2206-MARG21ROSE-750","price":29.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0551\/3628\/8822\/products\/89e2d515524220123236d5b54b8805dc.jpg?v=1686588523"},{"product_id":"somm2206-bun21rose-750","title":"Domaine Bunan, Bandol Rosé “Moulin des Costes”","description":"\u003cp\u003eDomaine Bunan’s “Moulin des Costes” is the latest gem that re-confirms one of SommSelect’s most deeply held convictions: that great Bandol rosé is not just a perfect, year-round thirst-quencher but also a serious wine of \u003cem\u003eterroir\u003c\/em\u003e. It’s now the season where seemingly endless waves of innocuous pink quaffers storm the market, which also makes it the perfect time to remind you just how complex, layered, and age-worthy Bandol rosé can be.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eFrankly, Bandol is one of the last genuinely great bastions in the world of wine that still offers benchmark, best-in-class bottles under $40. With Certified Organic fruit shepherded into bottle by three generations of the Bunan family, “Moulin des Costes” pulls off the ultimate rosé balancing act by combining vivacious refreshment with enriching texture and nuance. While we often contend that great rosé is better in its “second spring” (a year after release), Bunan’s 2021 bottling is raring to go now, but will also provide deep pleasure for many springs to come. Buy accordingly!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eDomaines Bunan is the sort of bucolic, family-run estate too often glossed over in the story of rosé’s global takeover. Located in the tiny medieval hamlet Le Castellet, it was initially purchased by brothers Paul and Pierre Bunan in 1961. Paul’s children, Laurent and Francoise, are at the helm now, and it was Laurent who pushed the family operation into the upper echelon of pink production. After studying enology at home and in California, he returned to convert every inch of the family’s 14.5 hectares to organic and biodynamic farming. Laurent’s drive, combined with the sheer beauty of the raw materials at his disposal (50+-year-old vines of Mourvèdre, Grenache, and Cinsault) have placed Bunan comfortably alongside fellow Bandol legends like Tempier, Pradeaux, and Pibarnon. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe old vineyards here, surrounded by ancient stone walls, dig their roots deep into the region’s energy-imbuing mixture of sandy pebbles and deep limestone. Smoothly coasting to ripeness under the blasting sun, constantly buffeted by cooling winds off the Meditteranean, the famously fussy and late-ripening Mourvèdre develops singularly Provençal flavors of \u003cem\u003egarrigue\u003c\/em\u003e, black olive, and lavender. Tense acidity and salty minerality commingle with ripe fruit to produce one of the most singular experiences in wine. Anyone who knows the pleasure of textural yet fresh Meditteranean wines like Assyrtiko or Vermentino will be perfectly at home here. I find it sometimes helps to think of Bandol not as rosé \u003cem\u003eper se\u003c\/em\u003e, but simply as profound wine that just so happens to be pink. No doubt we love red Bandol here at SommSelect and have offered plenty, but it’s Mourvèdre’s rosé interpretation that ensconces it as one of the world’s most noble varieties. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eBunan’s 2021 “Moulin des Costes” Rosé consists of 70% Mourvédre, 20% Grenache, and 10% Cinsault, all fermented in stainless steel to preserve freshness. Served at 45-50 degrees in all-purpose stems, it pours a shimmering salmon pink. The nose leaps out of the glass with fresh white strawberry, grapefruit, melon skin,  hibiscus, lilacs, sage, rosemary, and seaspray. There’s density and weight to the medium-bodied palate, making it simultaneously fleshy and fresh, and it sings with acidity. The finish is savory, long, and immensely refreshing. The sun-drenched fruit and seaborne tension make it beautifully layered and complex now, with the capacity to unfurl for another three years. Stock up for the summer and years to come, and revel in the profundity that is proper pink wine!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SommSelect","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40780113707062,"sku":"SOMM2206-BUN21ROSE-750","price":32.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0551\/3628\/8822\/products\/40c8234f58e2595f172f037900f33b4b.jpg?v=1686588542"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0551\/3628\/8822\/collections\/Provence-France-rose.jpg?v=1769860050","url":"https:\/\/sommselect.com\/collections\/provence-france.oembed?page=18","provider":"SommSelect","version":"1.0","type":"link"}