Farmstead Classic Club – June Allocations

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Chateau Pegau Côtes-du-rhône Blanc Lone (organic)
commanderie de bargemone rosé (organic)
JM Arnoux Vieux Clocher Vacqueyras (organic)
Veraton Garnacha (Sustainable)lone

Chateau Pegau Côtes-du-rhône Blanc Lone (organic)

In 2012, Châteauneuf-du-Pape icons Paul and Laurence Féraud purchased a 100+ acre estate in Sorgues, and renamed it Château Pégau. It is an exceptional terroir situated less than 4 miles southeast of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Loaded with classic Côtes du Rhône fruit and spice, the wines retain the hallmark stamp and identity of Pégau.

It consists of 148 acres and a large rundown Chateau of 10,000 square feet. The vineyards include 62 acres of Cotes du Rhone Villages and 12 acres of Cotes du Rhone, with the balance Vin de Table. Laurence bought it and rechristened it Château Pégau. For the first vintage, she and Paul learning their way, they declassified most of the Villages to Cotes du Rhone. The red Côtes du Rhône carries the name Château Pégau Cuvée Maclura. The Cotes du Rhone Villages (15% of the production) is Chateau Pégau Cuvée Setier. These are complemented by a white Cotes du Rhone, Château Pégau Cuvée Lône. The wines are emphatically not Chateauneuf-du-Pape, nor are they priced that way. However yields have been kept to the absurdly low limits permitted in Chateauneuf, and the wines have all of the density of that great Appellation.

40% Clairette, 30% Bourboulenc, 20% Grenache Blanc, 10% Ugni Blanc

Cuvée Lône offers fresh melon, pear, and jasmine on the deeply scented nose. Fleshy and broad but lively as well, offering juicy honeydew and orchard fruit flavors given spine by a zesty mineral quality. Shows very good intensity and power on the finish, which hangs on with tenacity and suave floral notes.

Commanderie de Bargemone Côteaux d’Aix en Provence

Bargemone is among the foremost estates of the Coteaux d’Aix, a small fine-wine district in the larger appellation of Provence.  With more than 160 acres under vines, 2/3 of the production is dedicated to the dry rosé for which Provence is famous.  

Founded by Templar knights in the 13th century, the property was named “Bargemone” after the wealthy Provençal family that owned it for 200 years. It passed from their hands in the 1800’s, with the vineyards finally succumbing to phylloxera, temporarily ending, a proud 800-year tradition of winemaking.  In 1973, French industrialist Jean-Pierre Rozan purchased the property, restored the Commanderie, and replanted the vineyards. Production was up to 50,000 cases/year when Jean-Pierre passed away in 2006, and a controlling interest in the vineyards and winery was sold to current owners Christian and Marina Garin (both from local Provençal families).  

Offering classic aromas of wild strawberries and red currants, with a light, floral character, and a crisp, bone-dry palate, this is a rosé of reference, to be enjoyed year-round on its own or with a wide range of lighter fare and Provence-inspired cuisine. Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault from 25+ year-old vines. Stainless steel vinification. Two days settling at cool temperatures followed by a cool, ten-day fermentation. No malolactic fermentation.

40% Grenache, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Syrah, 10% Cinsault, 5% Rolle.

Arnoux et Fils Vacqueyras Vieux Clocher

JM Arnoux Vieux Clocher Vacqueyras (organic)

Marc and Jean-Francois Arnoux are the newest generation at this traditional Domaine that sits next door to the old Vacqueyras church.

The family’s history in Vacqueyras dates back to 1731, and vineyard holdings are now 100 acres in total, with additional volume supplemented with growing partners who have supplied the family for decades.  The family property extends over the plateau of the Garrigues in the west of the appellation, extending to Chateauneuf du Pape. Essentially constituted by clay-red limestone soils with river rocks (galets). Its great particularity lies in its galets, which release the heat stored during the day, thus allowing the grapes to ripen optimally. These soils are favorable to low yields of grapes with a high concentration of tannins and aromas.

Deep purple color with mauve highlights and its powerful fruity fragrances sprinkled with spice. All the intensity of the nose may be found in mouth, on a background structured by healthy tannins full of masculinity and packed in a full body. The finish is long and opens some late pepper touches that define its specificity.

90 points Vinous:  Deep ruby. Powerful dark berry, licorice, and cola aromas unfold slowly with air, taking on hints of cracked pepper and herbs. Chewy and tightly focused, offering bitter cherry and blackberry flavors and a touch of earthiness. Building tannins add grip to the nicely persistent finish, which echoes the licorice and cherry notes. All foudres.

70% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 5% Mourvedre

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ALTO MONCAYO VERATON GARNACHA (Sustainable)

What do Cannonau, Garnacha, Aragones, and Bois Jaune have in common? They are all regional terms for one of the world’s most beloved and terroir-expressive grapes: Grenache. 

The Spanish winery Alto Moncayo was created in 2002 with the goal of becoming the archetype for high-quality wines made from the Garnacha grape. Located in the heart of the Campo de Borja DO, they source grapes from 92 hectares (227 acres) of high elevation native mountain strains of Garnacha. These vines were planted decades ago on the Moncayo foothills. El Moncayo peak, the winery’s namesake, is the highest in the Iberian Mountain range. Here, the slate and clay soils seriously lack nutrients. This may not sound like a recipe for great grape growing, but it is the ideal environment for a high-quality wine: roots grow deep, vines work hard, and plants produce less fruit. However, what fruit is produced is jam-packed with tons of flavor, complexity, and balance. 

Traveling Aussie winemaker Chris Ringwald is the man behind the three Moncayo offerings: Aquilon, Alto Moncayo, and Veraton. All of their bottlings showcase distinct celebrations of the Garnacha grape. Our feature this month, the Veraton, is their value offering and is a great introduction to this acclaimed producer. 

Garnacha for this bottling comes from 30-50-year-old vines. Perfect clusters are hand-harvested and carried in small crates to prevent crushing and premature fermentation. The grapes are again sorted on triage tables. Fermentation takes place with neutral yeast and the wine matures in 80% new and 20% second use French and American barrels for 16 months, imparting great amounts of oak flavor. This full-bodied wine packs a punch, showcasing big, assertive tannins. Look for notes of smoke, coconut, cinnamon, dried blueberries, and mocha on the extremely long finish.

92 points, Vinous:  Inky ruby. A deeply perfumed bouquet evokes ripe dark berries, incense, and candied flowers, with a smoky mineral overtone and a hint of oak spice. Powerful dark fruit liqueur and cherry cola flavors coat the palate and show very good concentration. Closes broad, supple, and long, with velvety tannins coming in late to add shape and gentle grip to a lingering cherry note.

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