26 products
26 products
- Red Wine
- Grenache, Mourvèdre / Monastrell, Samso / Carignan, Syrah
- Sustainable, Vegan-Friendly
- Dry
- Medium Bodied
- 750ml
- 14.5% alc./vol
About the Winery
Domaine Andre Aubert
At the very heart of the Rhône Valley, at the northerly tip of the Southern Rhône, lie the vineyards of Grignan-Les-Adhémar. The chances are you haven’t heard the name before, few people have, but the wines are worth seeking out. It’s not a new wine region – vines have been planted here since around 500BC but it is a new name (formerly known as Côteaux-du-Tricastin). Domaine André Aubert, has been formed over decades and today comprises of more than 280 hectares spread from north to south of the prestigious Southern Rhone Valley on the appellations Côtes du Rhône, Côtes du Rhône villages, Visan, and Grignan-les-Adhémar.
Press Reviews
Wine Align
90 points - David Lawrason
This is new appellation (formerly Coteaux de Triscatin) is the northernmost in the southern Rhone. It uses the typical southern Rhone varieties, but none can be more than 80% of the blend. This is a quite elegant, well structured, mid-weight red with some stony minerality, lifted pepper and savoury notes. Not as opulently fruity and rich as many peers, yet very tidy and balanced. The length is very good to excellent. Tasted March 2022
- Rosé Wine
- Grenache, Syrah
- Organic, Vegan-Friendly
- Dry
- Medium Bodied
- 750ml
- 13.5% alc./vol
About the Winery
Mas Carlot
Mas Carlot is situated in the south of the Rhône Valley, extending across 76 hectares of pebbly land southeast of Nîmes. Originally a 17th century farm, this beautiful estate was resurrected in the 1960's by the Blanc family—it is currently run Cyril Mares of the neighbouring and equally reputable property, Mas Bressades.
The appellation of Costières de Nîmes used to be considered part of eastern Languedoc but the climate, soil, topography and wine are far closer to those just over the river in the Southern Côtes du Rhône. It is now a region very much on the up and is widely recognized as a great source of excellent value wine.
Press Reviews
Robert Parker
91 points
Mas Carlot's 2021 Costieres de Nimes Rose Generations is a terrific blend of 55% Grenache, 35% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre. Offering up generous aromas of strawberry, watermelon and lime, it's medium-bodied, plump and expansive on the palate. Made in a traditional style, with more color and extraction than the skinnier, more citrusy Provence wannabes, this is a lovely wine, with touches of silk and spice on the finish, not just citrus.
- Red Wine
- Cinsault, Syrah
- Sustainable, Vegan-Friendly
- Dry
- Light Bodied
- 750ml
- 12.5% alc./vol
About the Winery
Pearce Family Wines
In the early 2000's Nicholas Pearce was exposed to the garagiste movement in Bordeaux and was particularly inspired by négociants like Jean Luc Thunevin (Saint Emilion), James Sichel (Margaux) and Nicolas Potel (Beaune) from Burgundy.
After returning home to Ontario and starting his own wine company, he has had a hand in making 10+ wines in two hemispheres, 3 countries and 5 different appellations since the 2013 vintage.
Pearce Predhomme
Pearce Predhomme is a collaboration of like-minded individuals from around the globe. Founded with a mission to build and import wines from our favourite appellations while offering an unequaled value/quality ratio for the sommeliers & wine buyers in Ontario. This is a project between Toronto Sommelier and entrepreneur Will Predhomme and Ontario wine importer Nicholas Pearce they have partnered with Radford Dale in South Africa and NorthWest Wine Co. in Oregon to create these special cuvées.
Press Reviews
Wine Align
90 points - Michael Godel
Missed the 2019 version of this wine somehow, but in any case the 2020 comes from a vintage whereby lockdowns at the beginning of the pandemic allowed the winemaking team to really focus on their wares. Koffieklip soils are the source, whole cluster ferments the operative and not much has really changed in the five year tenure of this wine. More fruit substance and lessened volatility in 2020, tart as ever however and truly a matter of this particular Stellenbosch terroir. You can get at this cinsault-syrah joint more than ever before, randomly, at will and wherever you are. Drink 2022-2025. Tasted March 2022.
90 points - David Lawrason
Pearce Predhomme Cinsault/Syrah 2018:
If you are fan of South African reds you will love this; if not you will be a step closer. It's a lively, engaging if idiosyncratic wine offering complexity, diversity and sheer drinkability. The nose is nicely lifted with a melange of wild blueberry, pomegranate fruit plus some meatiness, all kinds of herbality and Cape tar. It is medium bodied (only 12.5%) alcohol with crunchy acidity, a hint of sourness, fine soft tannin. Excellent length. Edgy but it works. Chill lightly. Tasted January 2021
Platters Guide
4.5 Stars - 90 points
- Red Wine
- Grenache, Samso / Carignan, Syrah
- Sustainable, Vegan-Friendly
- Dry
- Residual Sugar: 2 g/l
- Full Bodied
- 750ml
- 14.50% alc./vol
About the Winery
Clos del Rey
In the foothills of the Pyrénées Mountains, not far from the Mediterranean sea, Clos del Rey is situated in the high altitude hills over the tiny village of Maury. The estate has been owned and farmed by the Montagne family for generations. The vineyard itself is nestled among a protected area of garrigues (rosemary and thyme). The vines of up to 120 years old are allowed to grow natural and untrained, in the old-fashioned way, known as the goblet or bush style. However, it is what lies beneath the vineyard that lends much of the character and complexity found in their wines. Julien Montagne makes complex wines that truly represent his vineyards and his Catalan roots--you can almost smell the sun in the glass.
Press Reviews
Wine Align
91 points - John Szabo
An old vines cuvée of grenache, carignan and syrah from the stony, schisty soils of Maury, historically reserved for fortified wine production in the style of port, this Maury 'Sec' is a concentrated and aromatic, flavourful wine, with a liquor-like essence of blackberry and blueberry fruit, sweet and resinous wild herbs, scorched earth and licorice, and more in a highly satisfying and bold ensemble. Tannins are abundant but coated and softened by high fruit extract, while acids are low but adequate to balance the big ensemble. Great length. Immensely satisfying at the price; drink or hold another 4-6 years I suspect without concern. Tasted September 2022.
90 points - Megha Jandhyala
This is a rich, ripe blend from Maury Sec, an appellation in the Agly Valley in Roussillon that was authorized for the production of dry red wines in 2011. The nose is inviting and appealing, with notes of cherry compôte, black raspberries, garrigue, and a subtle mineral aroma that reminds me of wet cement. It is medium-bodied, with grainy, drying tannins and balanced acids. I really like the lush fruit on the mid-palate that recede gracefully, leaving a subtle bitterness and warmth in their wake. Tasted September 2022.
90 points - David Lawrason
The village of Maury is better known for its sweet 'vins doux naturel'. This dry red based on grenache, carignan and syrah shows the energy, or a certain internal combustion, I associate with the carignan grape. The nose is quite lifted with red fruit (raspberry, plum) some spice and minerality. It is medium-full bodied, sour-edged and firmly tannic with some heat. Quite peppery and meaty (charcuterie) on the finish. The length is excellent. Tasted Sept 2022
90 points - Sarah d'Amato
From a relatively new appellation in the southwestern region of Roussillon designated in 2011 to allow producers to craft dry reds in addition to the more famous Vin Doux of Maury. In the midst of all the sweetness of the region, Clos del Rey makes only dry wines. This plush incarnation features flavours of liquored black cherry, a chalky minerality and tender tannins. Ripe but with a lick of minerality that helps to provide balance along with a welcome degree of bitterness. Some bitterness helps curb the perception of alcohol too. An arresting yet youthfully broody wine. Tasted September 2022.
- Red Wine
- Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah
- Organic, Vegan-Friendly
- Dry
- Full Bodied
- 750ml
- 14.5% alc./vol
About the Winery
Château de Montfaucon
Just across the Rhone river from the beautiful vineyards of Chateauneuf-du-Pape, the Lirac appellation extends itself on the low hills alongside the river. The history of Château de Montfaucon dates back to the 11th century when the castle's first tower was built. The castle's role in history was strategic; the Rhône River was the border between the French Kingdom and the Holy Roman German Empire. Montfaucon was one of many castles and fortresses along the Rhône River constructed to guard the border.
Rodolphe de Pins took over the family estate of Montfaucon in 1995 and subsequently rebuilt the winery and began practicing sustainable agriculture. He honed his winemaking skills in Barossa at Henschke and Vieux Telegraphe in Châteauneuf du Pape before returning to Lirac, so needless to say, his familiarity with the local varieties is well established.
- Red Wine
- Grenache, Mourvèdre / Monastrell, Syrah
- Biodynamic, Natural, Sustainable, Vegan-Friendly
- Dry
- Full Bodied
- 750ml
- 15% alc./vol
About the Winery
Domaine Viret
In a magical place steeped in history, Saint-Maurice, in the Rhone Valley. Advocates of the principles of organic and biodynamic agriculture, the Viret family has chosen to employ a particular form of natural viticulture throughout their estate. Known as “cosmoculture®”, this is based on cosmotelluric exchanges. Everything is organised in such a way that both vines and wines are able draw on their own natural defences.
Work in the vineyards focuses on reorganising the magnetic field and on the application of homeopathic and naturals preparations made from rocks and plants that are often found in the vineyards. Alain, Philippe's father, built the winery on an ancient Roman site around an underground spring which they believe energises the vineyards and the winery.
- Red Wine
- Mourvèdre / Monastrell, Syrah
- Natural, Organic, Vegan-Friendly
- Dry
- Full Bodied
- 750ml
- 13.5% alc./vol
About the Winery
Domaine Frédéric Brouca
Frédéric grew up in Normandy and met his Canadian wife Elaine at university in Lille, Northern France. They live a nomadic lifestyle (Canada, India, Singapore and USA) though Frédéric spends about half of his time in Faugères. Since early age, Frédéric had a calling for farming and the fierce desire to become a winegrower. After completing a Masters Degree in Finance in 2001, Frédéric went back to college for a Sommelier diploma and started his career as a Burgundy wine broker.
In late 2012, Frédéric and Elaine were fortunate to take over 25 acres of old vines in Faugères, organically farmed for twenty years and deeply rooted in schist soils.
2013 was the inaugural vintage for Domaine Frédéric Brouca. In his modest winery in the village of Laurens, Frédéric is creating a new vision for Faugères wines; fresh, vibrant and made without artifice. Nothing revolutionary, simply returning to our grandparent's ideology of farming and winemaking to craft 'Vins Vivants'. The Faugères Appellation is in the heart of Languedoc in the Hérault department. Here, winemaking dates back to the Greek times and was developed during the Roman Era. It wasn't until the early 1900's, however, that the wines became more widely known for its unique schist soils and moderate Mediterranean climate. These villages are heavily reliant on wine as an important part of their culture and economy.
The area is stunning with mountain views and close proximity to the Mediterranean Sea (20 miles / 30 kms). Faugères has a long history of responsible farming. It boasts the highest percentage of organic vineyards for any AOC in all of France with almost 50% of farmers making the choice.
Press Reviews
Wine Align
93 points - John Szabo
Clos Sauveplan is a blend of about 3/4 high density planted mourvèdre and the balance in half-century-old syrah from the lieu-dit of the same name, a plateau in the Faugères AOC in southern France. It's showing beautifully at the moment, rich, redolent of fresh black forest fruits, blackberry coulis, wild violets and cracked black peppercorn, really quite a tour de force. The palate is broad but fresh, impeccably balanced and so lively considering the warm vintage, declared at 12.5% alcohol but coming across as riper and denser than the numbers would imply. Tannins are silky and resolving nicely, and length, depth, and ultimately complexity, are excellent. One of Brouca's best to date I'd say; drink or hold a half dozen years - the stuffing augurs well for development. Tasted January 2024.
92 points - Michael Godel
The source for this co-ferment of mourvèdre and syrah is a “clos,” meaning an isolated walled vineyard in a lieu-dit called “Sauveplane”, plateau at the eastern limit of the Faugères appellation. A mix of 20 and 40 year-old vines, volcanic soils, some whole cluster fermentation. Exotically spiced, sweetly volatile. Low-level Brettanomyces, so bloody Faugères, exemplary and expected for a wine to speak up on behalf of this particular sense of place. The kind of Languedoc red that sommeliers and naturalists will share and swig with reckless abandon while those who have never tried this style and origin may be left to wonder in confounded disarray. Just know that this is very correct for producer, style and place. Drink 2024-2027. Tasted January 2023.
91 points - Sara d'Amato
From old vines farmed with minimal intervention on the plateau of "Sauveplane", a lieu-dit on the eastern edge of Faugères. Spontaneously co-fermented syrah and mourvèdre grapes are left unfined and unfiltered in the low-interventionist style of Fredric Brouca. Subsequently aged 13 months in oak resulting in very gentle spice and pleasantly mellow tannins. Offers a notable sense of place and varietal character. Relatively speaking, the wine is quite clean and still exhibits plenty of fresh fruit and very good length. Tasted January 2024.