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'CRÈME DE LA CRÈME' CHATEAUNEUF DU PAPE
AT A RIDICULOUS PRICE!


"We've got a screaming deal on two revered Domaine Roger Sabon Châteauneuf du Pape cuvees. Jeb Dunnuck calls these the 'crème de la crème' of the 2012 vintage, and we could not agree more. Plus, we are offering both these wines at more than HALF OFF the release price (the lowest price in the country)! Already drinking well and can age for many more years. Don't wait too long or these wines will be gone!" - Jim Knight, Wine House
2012 Domaine Roger Sabon Chateauneuf du Pape
Cuvee 'Prestige'

94 Points Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate
91 Points Vinous
Release Price: $79
Wine House: $34.99

"Another step up in quality (but not by much, and it's a step up in price as well), the 2012 Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvee Prestige is one of the top efforts in this outstanding vintage. Mostly Grenache, with 20% Syrah and 10% Mourvedre and other permitted varieties, it offers classic black raspberry, cassis, licorice and smoked-meat-like aromas and flavors. Full-bodied, concentrated and with a stacked mid-palate and sweet tannin, it builds on the palate and will have 15+ years of overall longevity. All of these 2013s and 2012s from the team at Roger Sabon are up near the crème de la crème of the vintage." –Jeb Dunnuck, Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate, October 2014

"Inky ruby. Deeply pitched black and blue fruit aromas display very good clarity, picking up notes of star anise and smoky minerals with air. Supple and creamy on the palate, with intense blueberry and floral pastille flavors given lift by juicy acidity. Clings with strong tenacity on the smoothly tannic finish." –Josh Raynolds, Vinous, April 2015


2012 Domaine Roger Sabon Chateauneuf du Pape
'Le Secret de Sabon'

96 Points Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate
94 Points Vinous
Release Price: $226
Wine House: $109.99

"The top wine of the estate is the 2012 Châteauneuf du Pape le Secret de Sabon, and the inky-colored 2012 is a brilliant effort. I don't think it hits the heights of the 2010, 2007 or 2001, but it's still a singular expression of Grenache that could come from nowhere else, and is distinctly different from the three prior Châteauneufs. Possessing a sweet nose of ripe raspberries, kirsch, garrigue and licorice, this beauty hits the palate with full-bodied richness, tons of glycerol and texture, sweet tannin and moderate acidity. It's already approachable, yet I suspect will improve with another handful of years in the cellar and drink well through 2027 at a minimum" –Jeb Dunnuck, Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate, October 2014

"Bright ruby. A complex, intensely perfumed bouquet displays scents of black raspberry, cherry-cola, Asian spices and floral oils, with a smoky mineral note emerging with air. Stains the palate with vibrant red and dark berry flavors, with juicy acidity and a jolt of white pepper providing focus and lift. Wonderfully balanced and deep, finishing with serious power and smooth tannins that are quickly absorbed by the wine's sappy fruit." Josh Raynolds, Vinous, April 2015


FROM THE IMPORTER

Location: Rhône, France
Appellations: Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Lirac, Côtes-du-Rhone
Owners: Denis & Gilbert Sabon
Winemaker: Didier Négron
Vines: 40-75 years old
Viticulture: Sustainable
Varietals: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsault, Carignan, Terret Noir, Counoise, Vaccarese, Muscardin, Roussanne, Clairette, Bourboulenc, Grenache Blanc
Viniculture: Hand harvested, destemmed, fermented in tank, regular déléstage, aging in tank, foudre or demi–muid

The Sabon family is an ancient and well-regarded name in Châteauneuf-du-Pape first mentioned in documents dating to 1540. Perhaps not as venerable as the Ameniers of Domaine de Marcoux and Domaine Giraud, but still eminently respectable. A more recent patriarch of the family, Seraphin Sabon first bottled wine in the appellation under the family's name in 1921. He also fathered three very enterprising sons, all of whom established their own domaines: Joseph Sabon at Clos du Mont Olivet, Noel Sabon at Chante Cigale and Roger Sabon. The Sabons are like the Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young of the village.

Domaine Roger Sabon was founded in 1952 and is currently run by Roger's sons Denis and Gilbert. A third son, Jean-Jacques is deceased but his son-in-law Didier Negron is the current winemaker. Denis and his son Julien oversee the farming while Gilbert and his niece, Delphine run the office. It is quite the family affair!

The size of the domaine has grown slowly over the years with 18 hectares in Chateauneuf du Pape, 8 hectares in Lirac and 8 hectares in Côtes-du-Rhône. Most of their holdings in Châteauneuf-du-Pape are located in the northeastern part of the appellation, where the soils are sandier with a high concentration of limestone. They also own a few parcels in Le Crau famous for its red clay under a deep layer of galets deposited from the Alps eons ago. These two soil types combine to make wines that are equally rich and nuanced.

Since 2001 Didier Negron has made the wines at Domaine Roger Sabon, but recently he's begun to move away from demi-muids and barriques in favor of aging his family's wines in concrete and large French oak foudres. While the terroir of Roger Sabon, with its high concentration of sand and limestone, has always been inclined to a more ethereal and delicate style of Châteauneuf, Didier's changes in the cellar have amplified these qualities – the wines have never been more engaging and lovely.

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