This Week's Flight Showcase:

The Most Renowned Appellations of the Southern Rhône Valley

Season's Greetings,

The countdown is on, there are just four days until Christmas.

This special holiday week, we are pulling out all the stops (or should I say corks) for a special Châteauneuf-du-Pape showcase tasting of the 2020 vintage from four great estates, each doing their own unique "assemblage de cépages".

Châteauneuf-du-Pape has a interesting position on the pedestal of French wine given its instantly recognizable bottle, with its embossed papal coat of arms, a rich cultural history, and the strict rules governing which varietals can be used for this iconic red Rhône blend.

If you were ever curious about what style of Châteauneuf you enjoy the most, this holiday week is the perfect time to come see us at Petit Philippe. Join us as we'll feature four brilliant estates that represent the wide range from this storied appellation:

• Domaine Marcoux: primarily Grenache with the remaining 20% composed of Mourvèdre, Syrah and Cinsault
• Roger Sabon: 80% Grenache with Mourvèdre, and Syrah making up the remainder
• Chateau Beaucastel: a diverse assemblage of all 13 allowed varietals; 60% Grenache & Mourvèdre
• Domaine Jean Royer: 100% Grenache

While you are enjoying the flight, do ask us about our gifting selections! All our SPIEGELAU fine wineware is back in stock today! Below find a few wine & stemware examples for the most discerning boss, friend or family member. Give us a call at 704-332-9910 or email for customized package options and special pricing bundles!

Please read on for further details on the tasting flight and a quick primer on Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Don't you just love saying it!?

See you soon!

From the whole team at Petit Philippe,

HAPPY HOLIDAYS, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Joyous Kwanzaa.

Yuletide Greetings, Joyeux Noël, Feliz Navidad & Frohe Weihnachten!

Stay warm with family, friends and a nice glass of Châteauneuf!

Cheers.

Mark

Holiday Gift Bundles to consider this year,

or customize wines for your perfect gift combination.

CHAMPAGNE FOR TWO

Delamotte Champagne NV (375mL)

Spiegelau ‘Definition’ 2pk Champagne wine stems

$99.00

Glossy holiday gift box with magnetic closure

NAPA VALLEY RIGHT BANK

Keenan Merlot 2018 (375mL)

Spiegelau ‘Definition’ 2pk Bordeaux wine stems

$99.00

Glossy holiday gift box with magnetic closure

APERITIF, DINNER & DESSERT

Delamotte Champagne NV

(375mL)

Caparzo Brunello di Montalcino 2017 (375mL)

Chateau Guiraud Sauternes 2017 (375mL)

$119.00

Glossy holiday gift box with magnetic closure

NAPA RED & WHITE DUET

David Arthur ‘DAV’ Red Blend 2018 (750mL)

Lail ‘Blueprint’ Sauvignon Blanc 2021 (750mL)

$149.00

Glossy holiday gift box with magnetic closure

JOURNEY TO BURGUNDY

Domaine Gabriel Jouard

Chassagne Montrachet 2020 (750mL)

Domaine Torochot

Gevrey-Chambertin ‘Jeunes Roi' 2020 (750mL)

$199.00

Glossy holiday gift box with magnetic closure

More wine is made in the area around the tiny village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape in the southern Rhône Valley than in the entirety of the northern Rhône.

MYERS PARK:

5:00 - 6:30pm Wednesday

5:00 - 7:30pm Thursday & Friday

No tasting flights on Saturday 12/24

SOUTH END: 

5:30 - 9:00pm Wednesday - Friday

CLOSED on Saturday 12/24

Tasting Flight Selections:

Domaine de Marcoux,

Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2020 

Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhône, FR

$84/btl retail

Over the last 12 years, the biodynamically farmed vineyards of Domaine Marcoux have risen to the top of CNdP’s quality hierarchy. Wonderfully elegant and balanced, the '20 showcases the potential for Grenache to be viewed as the Pinot Noir of the Mediterranean.

Varietal: 80% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre, 7% Syrah and 3% Cinsault sourced from 13 sites spread over a wide range of terroirs. Hand-harvested grapes that are destemmed and crushed upon reaching the cellar. After pressing, the wines are aged primarily in concrete, with a portion of each cuvée aged in 350L barrels and Stockinger foudres.

Taste: The 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape shows beautifully, with a ripe, classic, Provençal bouquet of black raspberry, strawberries, and darker berry fruits as well as spice, garrigue, and pepper. Beautifully textured, full-bodied, yet all about finesse and elegance, it’s overflowing with character and charm.

Roger Sabon,

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve 2020 

Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhône, FR

$70/btl retail

This benchmark estate continues to tick right along under the stewardship of winemaker Didier Négron, producing Grenache-based cuvées that manage to combine opulence and ripeness with a surprising degree of elegance.

Varietal: 80% Grenache with 10% each Mourvèdre and Syrah from the northeastern part of the appellation, where the soils are sandier with a high concentration of limestone. Blending then ageing for 18 months in large oak casks (40 hl) or oak vats of 25 hectoliters and barrel of 600 liters. 

Taste: Slightly deeper ruby/purple in the glass, the '20 has a more serious bouquet that marries hints of dried flowers with black cherries and a touch of cocoa. Full-bodied and concentrated with building yet soft tannins, solid mid-palate depth, and a great finish with notes of herbs & charred sandalwood.

Chateau de Beaucastel,

Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2020 

Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhône, FR

$110/btl retail

Long regarded as one of the greatest wines in France- Beaucastel is notorious for its elegance, balance and ageing potential. The Chateau has an exceptional terroir at the Northern limit of Châteauneuf du Pape, exposed to the Mistral wind. All 13 varieties of the AOC have been organically grown since the 1960s.

Varietal: 30% Grenache; 30% Mourvèdre; 15% Syrah; 10% Counoise; 10% Vaccarèse, Terret Noir, Muscardin, Clairette, Picpoul, Picardan, Bourboulenc & Roussanne; 5% Cinsault. Each variety is harvested separately and manually. Vinification takes place in oak fermenters for the reductive varieties (Mourvèdre, Syrah) and in traditional enameled concrete tanks for the Oxidative grapes (all the others). Once the malolactic fermentation is finished, the Famille Perrin blends the different varieties. The blend is then aged in oak Foudres for a year before being bottled.

Taste: Magnificent deep-color of an intense ruby-red. Typical of Beaucastel, the nose is rich and complex but very fresh, with an opulent aromatic bouquet dominated by notes of fresh fruit and spices. Full-bodied, soft, eminently silky, this very elegant wine reveals a superb, dense structure on the palate, very fine tannins and gourmet aromas of fresh red fruit, currants and noble spices. The finish has great length, ample and harmonious. A fruity vintage with great aging potential.

Jean Royer 'Sable De La Crau' Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2020 

Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhône, FR

$99/btl retail

There's a distinct perfume & delicacy of texture to Châteauneuf-du-Pape sourced from Les Sables. This '20 vintage from Jean Royer is an elegant Grenache marked by feathery tannins & a thrilling lift of minerality.

Varietal: 100% Grenache from pure sand soils in the southern portion of Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

Taste: Ripe raspberries, kirsch liqueur, ground herbs, pepper, dried flowers, and loamy earth all define the nose, and it's full-bodied, with a layered, opulent mouthfeel, silky tannins, and a great finish.