Closing Date
29 August
Prestige Selection
Prestige Selection August 2014 Closing date: 29th August, 2014 Shipment arrives: End of August
PAGE Foreword by Ross Duke
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Domaine Charles Baur, Alsace
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Domaine du Prieure, Savigny-les-Beaune
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Domaine Thibault Liger-Belair, Moulin a Vent
4,5
J.Mourat, Mareuil sur Lay
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Champagne Marie-Noelle Ledru, Ambonnay
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Champagne Eric Rodez, Ambonnay
7,8
Champagne Lilbert, Cramant
9
Champagne Voirin-Jumel, Cramant
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Champagne Marc-Hebrart, Mareuil
11
Champagne Benard-Pitois, Mareuil
12
Champagne Seleque, Pierry
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Champagne Jean-Vesselle, Bouzy
14
Champagne Launois, Mesnil-sur-Oger
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Order form
16-17
TEL: (03) 9696 7920 FAX: (03) 9696 8703 Email: orders@rossdukewineco.com www.rossdukewineco.com
Prestige Selection
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August 2014
FOREWORD Wow what a stunning range of Champagne’s to offer you all. Victor has assembled just about his best range of wines to enter our shores. There are so many styles of Growers Champagne’s in this offer and if there is not several that do not suit you all then we must be doing something wrong. We have shipped additional stock of various wines in our last offer which sold out instantly. Added to this is a vast array of vintage wines from 2006, 2008, 2009 and even 1999 from Vesselle in Magnum. There are many other interesting Champagnes including Blanc de Noirs, Brut Zero, Rose, Brut Reserve, Brut Nature, Reserve Blanc de Blancs, Extra Brut as well as Special Club wines and Saignée Rose and Oeil de Perdrix from Vesselle yet again. Pay special attention to the extra-ordinary quality of the non-vintage Champagnes that are based on the 2008 vintage. Yes, I think this is a super offer of the best in modern Growers Champagne and we are very proud to make this ‘special’ offer to you all. Going to other regions we have included the beautiful and delicate wines of Charles Baur from Alsace and offer you a balanced range of their best – Eichberg Riesling Grand Cru, Cuvée Charles Riesling, Gewurztraminer and their award winning and delicious Crémant D’Alsace. We then skip across to the southern Loire to follow up with the 2013 vintage of our enormously popular Rose’s from Mourat which are as stunning and consistent as normal. We continually sell out of stock of Mourats Rose and we expect the same with the 2013’s. Then we included Thibault Liger-Belair's delightful Beaujolais from Moulin a Vent which are amazing. Finally we have a cracking Bourgogne Rouge from Domaine du Prieure of Savigny-les-Beaune but be sure to be very quick with this one although all wines have their limits.
IMPORTANT We have to advise you that all of the Champagne’s in this offer are highly limited in stock. We strongly suggest early ordering to avoid disappointment. As you will find there are many ‘special’ cuvées in this offer but with that comes limitations which we trust you will appreciate. We are sure you will really enjoy this catalogue as much as we did putting it together. Many thanks, Ross, Bev, Sarah, Eve and Vic
Prestige Selection
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August 2014
CHARLES BAUR ALSACE EGUISHEIM 17 hectares The Baur family have been in Eguisheim since the early 18 th century. In 1930, Albert Baur bought the farmhouse that currently houses the facilities of the Charles Baur estate. Today, the Charles Baur estate covers 17 hectares of vines and processes its entire harvest, bottles and markets it in France and around the world. Alsace is such a beautiful region to visit with it’s wonderful villages full of a mixture of German/French architecture dotted throughout their impeccable vineyards. They lie on flat planes, steep hillsides and the breathtaking Vosges mountains. These vines commence just near Stuttgart then run south in the direction of Burgundy. Each town is just so clean and tidy to add to the beauty. If you have not visited Alsace then I implore you to put it on your must do list and you won’t be disappointed at all. When one adds their superb cuisine to enjoy their broad range of stunning wines , covering whites, red, Rosé and juicy sparkling Cremants, your visit takes on another scale. Oh yes, make sure you visit Charles Baur in the glorious village of Eguisheim almost in the centre of the region. The Baur’s will roll out the welcome carpet and treat you to a wonderful tasting of their exquisite award winning wines. Always visit in the morning and then ask Arnaud Baur to book you in to an ancient restaurant in the nearby ‘old city’ of Colmar. What a day you will have!
CRÉMANT D’ALSACE BRUT This sparkling white wine is a blend of Pinot Blanc, Auxerrois and Chardonnay. It offers a bouquet of white fruits (pear and apple), white flowers and melon. On the palate the wine is fresh, delicate and well balanced. It is delightful as an aperitif or with desserts. A lovely , fine effervescent methode Champenois.
Code: 2360
Pre-arrival $25.00
RIESLING 2012 CUVÉE CHARLES The generations who followed the founder Charles Baur have decided to name this as Cuvée Charles as it is their most representative Riesling of each vintage. This wine unveils aromas of citrus fruits and white flowers. It reveals a nice minerality and is delightful with seafood and poultry.
Code: 2462
Pre-arrival $24.00
GEWURZTRAMINER 'PFERSIGBERG' 2012 GRAND CRU Here we have aromas of rose, lychee and candied fruit. There is a little natural sugar retained and the wine is generously round on the palate. Delightful as an aperitif or with foie gras, spicy foods and even deserts.
Code: 2463
Pre-arrival $27.00
RIESLING 'EICHBERG' 2012 GRAND CRU The soil in Eichberg is composed of clay and it’s subsoil is rich in sandstone, limestone and silica. The wines produced from the Grand Cru are distinguished by their remarkable aromatic complexity. There is always a little natural sugar retained although the overall acidity balances this marvellous wine and combines to produce a Riesling rich and beautifully balanced.
Code: 2461
Pre-arrival $37.00
'Wine makes every meal an occasion, every table more elegant, every day more civilised.' - Andre Simon Prestige Selection
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August 2014
DOMAINE DU PRIEURE SAVIGNY-LES-BEAUNE
DU PRIEURE 2012 BOURGOGNE ROUGE One of the great discoveries one enjoys when visiting Burgundy every year since 1976 is when I come across something very special. Well, this year took me to the beautiful village of Savigny-Les-Beaune and the excellent Domaine du Prieure. Unfortunately Savigny experienced horrible storms leading up to the 2012 vintage with losses varying from 60 to 80%. Consequently Du Prieure only produced 55 cases of 2012 Bourgogne rouge and being, ‘ johnny on the spot’, we purchased 50 cases in total which left 5 cases for the family to enjoy. AND what a little beauty this wine turned out to be. Great depth of vibrant colour with beautiful round and very rich fruit which is ever so soft with a silky texture. This has to be one of the most attractive Bourgogne rouges that I have come across in all my years of visiting Burgundy. What’s more the price is ridiculous given the quality. You had all better be quick on this one as I might drink it all myself!!
Code: 2460
Pre-arrival $21.00
DOMAINE THIBAULT LIGER-BELAIR BEAUJOLAIS MOULIN A VENT You can take the boy out of Burgundy BUT you can’t take Burgundy out of the boy!!! Thibault Liger-Belair continues to expand his holdings in Moulin a Vent which we are delighted to inform you all as the quality of his Beaujolais is just so outstanding and ever so individual. This result from Thibault’s insistence on fermenting his Moulin a Vent in the true Burgundian way and not the Beaujolais preference for carbonic maceration which imparts a more perfumed aroma rather than indicative of the grape variety. This is caused by picking whole bunches of grapes then placing them in a tank containing carbon dioxide with no oxygen present. The carbon dioxide stimulates the skins of the grapes causing a fermentation in side the berries. When the alcohol is hearing 2% the berries burst then a normal fermentation carries on. This intra-cellular fermentation creates this perfumed character which is quite strong. However it does rob the wine of it’s true ‘terroir’. Not so with Thibault as his Moulin a Vent indicates both variety and terroir faithfully. Also his wines are more substantial and have more character and depth of flavour with even a trace of tannin which the carbonic wines do not show.
MOULIN A VENT 2011 ‘LES VIEILLES VIGNES’ This cuvée comes from 7 parcels located in the middle of the hill on the coteau of Moulin a Vent Hill. The vines are aged 65 to 85 years, planted on deep soils (30-35 cm) of blue and pink granite and sand. Therefore it produces some wines with more density and minerality and a longer finish. This is a wine which can be aged between 5 and 10 years depending on the vintage.
Code: 2457 Prestige Selection
Pre-arrival $38.00 4
August 2014
MOULIN A VENT 2011 ‘LA ROCHE’ Thibault considers this small 0,95 hectare vineyard as the most beautiful parcel of his Domaine. It is located at the top of the hill where the pink granite rock outcrops with a mixture of quartz, pink sand on a stone bed which imparts tension and minerality to the finished wine. This is a wine that is build for long ageing between 7 and 15 years to fully appreciate it’s intense quality.
Code: 2458
Pre-arrival $47.00
MOULIN A VENT 2011 ‘LES VIGNES CENTENAIRES’ – MAGNUMS When Thibault bought this small parcel the vines were in bad condition as they went back to pre-phyloxera time which were also ungrafted. Thibault decided to make only one cuvée from this tiny 3 parcel plot of 0.60 hectares. The vinification is conducted with whole clusters and a long maceration is carried out more than one month and then aged in barrels for 16 months. This wine is built for long ageing hence his decision to bottle this gem in magnums only. Sensational.
Code: 2459
Pre-arrival $57.00
J. MOURAT PERE ET FILS SOUTHERN LOIRE VALLEY MAREUIL SUR LAY, FIEFS VENDEENS
(Fiefs is a preserve or stronghold. Vendeen is someone or something from the west coast of France and the Fiefs Vendeens had their own appellation controlee for a couple of years.) This is another beautiful part of France located in the southern Loire close to the Atlantic ocean which imparts a cooler, maritime climate in their vineyards. Their chateau dominates the landscape and also has climate control in their deep cellars. The poor quality of their soils is also an advantage as yields are low but of high, intense quality. Mourat are noted for their beautiful Rosés but their white and red wines are most impressive as well.
MAREUIL 2013 COLLECTION ROSÉ A 100% Pinot Noir Rosé that oozes red berry fruits, clear acidity and rich and round on the finish. Just delightful.
Code: 2455
Pre-arrival $17.00
CHATEAU MARIE DU FOU 2013 ROSÉ This is a more complex Rosé with Pinot Noir and Gamay Noir and Chenin Blanc. The vines are 15 years old and there are five parcels used in the blend. This is quite rich and velvety with lovely strawberry notes and gentle acidity. Lovely from start to finish. Everybody will love this little beauty.
Code: 2456
Prestige Selection
Pre-arrival $18.00
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August 2014
CHAMPAGNE MARIE-NOËLLE LEDRU Ambonnay Grand Cru Montagne de Reims 2.5 hectares With vineyards in Ambonnay and Bouzy in the south of Montagne de Reims, Marie-Noelle Ledru is a rare breed of female vigneron, she calls herself a 'viticultrice'. As a civil servant, she inherited the property from her parents who retired in 1984. Her philosophy is virtually organic, using no insecticides and no herbicides, and if treatments are necessary, only environment friendly options are considered. Until recently the Ledru estate was 6 hectares in size but family disputes have resulted in her vineyards being reduced to a 2.5 hectares. 2ha Pinot in Ambonnay and . 5ha Chardonnay in Bouzy. The wines are all classically vinified in tank with no oak maturation and malo-lactic fermentations occur. Yields are low, chaptalization is avoided, no filtration, no cold stabilisation, dosages are all low and minimal amounts of sulphur are used during the appropriate wine making processes. Bottles are disgorged
by hand. The entire wine making process is manual and labour intensive, and the results speak loud. The Ledru style focuses on purity, complexity, power and yet all of this is enclosed in an elegant framework. The novice may think that oak is utilised somewhere in the wine making process, but you would be wrong. Precisely manicured and maintained vineyards are the key. “Great wines start in the vineyard”, and MarieNoelle is the perfect example. Now she produces tiny quantities of great Champagne, not taking on any new customers and rationing out what she has to loyal existing customers. What can we say, stunning and rare Champagne!
MARIE-NOËLLE LEDRU BRUT RESERVE GRAND CRU 85% Pinot Noir and 15% Chardonnay from 2010 and older reserve wines. Dosage is now down to 6g/litre. Purity and intensity, chalky red fruits all in perfect balance. Unctuous and mineral. Long and savoury. Fermented in tank, no oak, full malo-lactic fermentation. This is bizarre! So much complexity and purity in a basic Champagne. How is this possible. Lots of work in the vineyard is important – giving us perfect quality rot free bunches. Meticulous minimal work in the cuverie. All natural and all logical and very time consuming. This is the 'Ledru ethic'!
Code: 3623
Prestige Selection
Pre-arrival $60.00
6
August 2014
CHAMPAGNE ERIC RODEZ Ambonnay Grand Cru Montagne de Reims 6 hectares Eric Rodez is the eighth generation of family growing grapes in the prestigious pinot noir producing Grand Cru village of Ambonnay. He is a true artisan of his trade who is focused on the art of terroir, old vines, oak integration and control of malo-lactic fermentation. Eric speaks of the five dimensions of Champagne that shape its style and character. Cépage, location, vineyard aspect, vinification and fermentation. All the above combined, totally determine the style and quality of the final result. He has lots of old vines all with premium exposure at mid-slope. Subtle use of small Burgundian oak and control of malolactic fermentation allows Eric to create a brilliant range of terroir driven Champagnes. The 6 ha property is divided into 35 plots of only Grand Cru vines split roughly 55/45 Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Eric worked in Burgundy, Beaujolais and the Rhone for three years during his youth, and also worked for a year at Krug. Burgundy taught him much about oak fermentation and maturation and his work with Henri Krug re-enforced his ideas even further. Now 80% of Eric’s wines are matured in some sort of oak for various periods. Since 1989 Eric has systematically taken major steps to improve the health and quality of his vineyard. No longer does he use weed killers or chemical fertilizers. The long-term sustainability of the health of the soil is paramount. Eric has decided to move to full bio-dynamic viticulture, and also he has embraced aromatherapy essential oils in the fight against disease. In 2012 Eric received the certificate Haute Valeur Environnementale (HVE) for his achievements in organic farming, biodiversity and water management.
ERIC RODEZ BLANC DE NOIRS GRAND CRU 100% Pinot Noir, from five different vintages, 50% of which is from the spectacular 2008 vintage and then older reserve wines back to 2003. 70% of the final blend has been matured in small barriques with no malolactic fermentation. Very different to the Cuveé Crayeres. Citrus, toast, red fruits and spices are in abundance here – along with hints of candied fruits. Long and unctuous, a very special and rare Blanc de Noir. A triumph of wine making, and a bench mark of Ambonnay terroir. One of the outstanding features of Eric's wines is the meticulous care he takes in looking after his reserve wines – and also the depth of age of his reserve wines. Dosage is now down to 4g/litre. Stunning. This sold out in our previous offer and we have managed to obtain a few more cases.
Code: 3541
Pre-arrival $74.00
ERIC RODEZ ROSÉ GRAND CRU Eric doesn't do things by halves and this cuvee is a classic example of his best expression of 'terroir in pink'. 45% Pinot noir is vinified as a saignee, with the remainder of Pinot/Chardonnay vinifed as a white wine. This allows him to get great flavour extraction in the saignee process and then add some finesse and complexity with the blended component. Based on the superb 2008 vintage and many older reserve wines dating back to 2002. Dosage 4g/litre. 75% is vinified in barrel and malolactic is blocked for 60% of the final blend. Sour red cherries in abundance, hints of citrus and piercing minerals – all in perfect balance and precision. Amazing length. Tyson Stelzer rates the 2007 based wine at 95/100 – so we rate the 2008 based at 97/100. Very limited.
Code: 2313
Pre-arrival $67.00
ERIC RODEZ 2006 MILLESIME GRAND CRU 55% Pinot Noir, 45% Chardonnay with a dosage of 4g/litre. 85% aged in barrel with no malo-lactic. From Eric's oldest mid slope vineyards. The intensity and finesse is raised to a new level here. The minerality and citrus components of the 2006 Chardonnay component is clearly visible. Aromas of red fruits and minerals, lemon zest, subtle oak, all flowing onto a long seamless palate. A stand-out vintage for Rodez and reveals the greatness of 2006 in the hands of a master vigneron. We don't have much of this.
Code: 2449
Prestige Selection
Pre-arrival $81.00
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August 2014
ERIC RODEZ 'CUVEE DES GRAND VINTAGES' GRAND CRU 'Jancis Robinson MW says: 'My favourite wine was Eric Rodez, Grands Vintages NV Champagne, a de luxe, oak-aged, extremely complex, smouldering, intellectual, food-friendly blend of wines ' This version is a blend of 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2004 and 2005 – all the best vintages of the last decade. This is the ultimate NV Champagne – more like a 'growers' version of a great Krug. 70% Pinot and 30% Chardonnay with a complex blend of oak matured solera base wines. Similarities to Selosse Substance are quite accurate – the concept is similar. The style here is all about intensity and weight. Think of great white burgundy with a super fine mousse. Red fruits, apples, pears, minerals, mushrooms and toasty macadamia and coffee elements all dance in harmony to produce an amazingly complex wine with stunning length. Subtle oak integration and piercing acidity thanks to the blocking of malolactic keep all this weight and power in check. In its context this is an absolute bargain. Other Champagnes of this quality retail for triple our direct import price. If you like minerally, zippy, citrussy aperitif Champagne, this is not for you. If you like Champagne with weight, complexity, power, intensity all in perfect balance – this is definitely for you. Dosage 3g/litre.
Code: 5739
Pre-arrival $95.00
ERIC RODEZ DOSAGE ZERO GRAND CRU 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay from a base of 2006 and reserve wines from 2005, 2004 and 2002. Here we see the opulence of specially created reserve wines in juxtaposition with fine grain acidity and minerality. The subtle use of oak and the blocking of the malo-lactic are carefully orchestrated to produce a stunning Champagne. Older base wines and longer ageing on lees gives this wine richness and complexity which are held in check with zero dosage.
Code: 2312
Pre-arrival $72.00
Montagne de Reims Terroir The terroir of the Montagne de Reims is one of the most complex in the Champagne region. Basically a reverse “C” in aspect. South facing we have Bouzy – giving us ripe and round full bodied Pinot Noir – some times too large scale and fat, requiring some tempering by blending or blocking the malo-lactic. Ambonnay – the jewel in the crown - is next with a south-easterly aspect giving us an added dimension of purity and red fruits – less masculinity and more femininity– wines of power and grace. Easterly aspect requires us to move into Chardonnay terroir with Trepail and Villers-Marmery. Rich and ripe but with lovely perfume and grace. Further round to north-east and north aspects we get Verzy and Verzenay along with Mailly. North facing Pinot Noir is a paradox – it should not work – but the gentler slopes and warm air brought by the north winds saves the day – but still giving us a unique stony terroir footprint. Further round across the top we see more sandy soils giving us superb Pinot Meunier with mineral and citrus overtones.
Prestige Selection
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August 2014
CHAMPAGNE LILBERT-FILS Cramant Grand Cru Cote des Blancs 3.5 hectares Bertrand Lilbert has now completely taken over the wine making from father Georges. The many parcels of family vineyards lie in Chouilly, Oiry and Cramant. The wines are made in a classic structured style with abundant acid to guarantee long ageing potential. But that said, they are certainly very enjoyable in their youth. The Lilbert property was established in 1746 and consists of only 3.5 ha Grand Cru Vineyards in the Cote des Blancs, 60% in Cramant, 30% in Chouilly and 10% in Oiry. Bertrand used to work in an Epernay viticulture testing laboratory before taking over the management of this property. Michel Bettane, France’s top wine critic, names Lilbert as the reference point for long-lived classic Cramant. As Andrew Jefford observes in his book, The New France, “This tiny 4-ha Cramant domaine is the source of some very fine and longlived Blanc de Blancs made by Georges Lilbert and his son Bertrand. The style is less soft, creamy, and flowery than the Blanc de Blancs of most large houses might leave the drinker expecting: Cramant here has a taut, steely, rigorous quality….”. Overall production is tiny with only three cuvées being produced for a huge total production of a tiny 30,000 bottles! With a tiny production and a cult following, we get a small allocation. The Lilbert family are traditional vignerons in the true sense of the word. All processes are performed by the family themselves. Hand riddling of course, and the final disgorgement is done manually without the use of ice to freeze the dead yeast cell plug in the neck of the bottle – ‘a la volée’.
LILBERT BLANC DE BLANCS BRUT GRAND CRU This is always one of Bertrand’s classic Chardonnay cuvées, oozing with spine tingling minerals, great length and amazing balance. A blend of 2010 and 2009. The vineyard mix is 60% Cramant, 30% Chouilly and 10% Oiry – all Grand Cru with a tiny dosage of 7g/litre. There are hints of lime zest and almond on the nose, flowing onto a crisp unctuous palate, leading to a long finish with wonderful acid balance and cleansing austerity. The feature of Bertrand’s wines is the piercing cleansing acidity – with chalk and minerals in abundance. If you like round, soft, cuddly Chardonnay Champagne, this is NOT for you. If you like piercing minerality, chalky tension and palate staining intensity – you will love this.
Code: 3423
Pre-arrival $58.00
LILBERT BLANC DE BLANCS PERLE GRAND CRU
A blend of 30% 2010, 45% 2009 and 25% 2008. The vineyard mix is 60% Cramant, 30% Chouilly and 10% Oiry – all Grand Cru with a tiny dosage of 5g/litre. The vineyard mix here is similar to the Brut but from a stricter selection of older vines with an older reserve wine component – in this case the sensational 2008. Bottled at a lower pressure – 4 bars instead of 6 – adding a wonderful creamy complexity and palate staining quality to the long persistent finish. Tight minerality, citrus zest, creamy and fresh – this is the Lilbert style and we see it revealed and exposed.
Code: 3621 Prestige Selection
Pre-arrival $66.00 9
August 2014
CHAMPAGNE VOIRIN-JUMEL Cramant Grand Cru Cote des Blancs 11 Hectares
11 hectares of vineyards span the villages of Cramant, Avize, Oger, Ay, Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, Vertus, Verneuil and Chouilly - and vines have an average age of 30 years. All this helps them to produce a small range of very individual and elegant wines. Using a modern horizontal automated press allows Patrick to keep a tight reign on the quality and consistency of the final product. The Vintage Cuvée Grand Cru and NV Cuvée Grand Cru are generally a mix of the best parcels of Grand Cru Cramant and Chouilly. Dosages are all on the low side, allowing for the terroir to speak clearly and forcefully. The viticulture is environmentally friendly with no systemic chemical products being used and any treatments are always kept to a minimum. Alice Voirin won the prestigious 'Jeunes Talents du Champagne' 2013 Award for best Chardonnay producer. This was up against some stiff opposition in the final taste off against Andre Jacquart and Philippe Gonet. Emmanuel Fourny won the award in 2012. So yes – the quality of the Champagnes is remarkable value.
VOIRIN-JUMEL BLANC DE BLANCS GRAND CRU Blend of 60% Cramant, with the remainder from Avize, Chouilly and Oger. All Grand Cru Chardonnay vineyards from a blend of 2010 and reserve wines. The dosage here is 8g/litre and allows the creamy elegance to shine. There are citrus and floral notes in abundance and the classic Cramant minerality is subtle and not intrusive. Superb with sashimi and sushi. Quite delightful as an aperitif or with seafood and is a great bargain. Becoming a great favourite with our regular customers – Grand Cru Cramant at this price is an absolute steal! Our previous shipment sold out quickly and we have another allocation.
Code: 3632
Pre-arrival $50.00
VOIRIN-JUMEL BLANC DE NOIRS 1ER CRU 100% Pinot Noir from a single vineyard in Mareuil-sur-Ay – 'Les Carelles'. This used to be blended into the Brut Tradition, but Patrick realised that the quality here was quite extra-ordinary and deserved a better fate. Only a small quantity is produced – blend of 2011 and older reserve wines with a dosage of 7g/litre. Lovely sweet red fruits – hints of pear and apple – classic length on the palate. A really versatile all round Champagne which is impossible not to like. A bargain which is quickly being discovered by our regular customers. Single-vineyard Mareuil Pinot at this price is unheard of! Be quick!
Code: 6060
Prestige Selection
Pre-arrival $49.00
10
August 2014
CHAMPAGNE MARC HEBRART Mareuil-sur-Ay 1er Cru Marne Valley 14 Hectares Jean-Paul Hebrart runs this property and is one of the super growers in this very much underrated village. Mareuil-sur-Ay is rated at 99% right next door to Ay. There are many experts who believe it deserves true 100% Grand Cru status. It is home to Billecart-Salmon and also the famous Philipponnat "Clos des Goisses” vineyard at the extreme eastern end. The style here is similar to Ay but with maybe a little more minerality and finesse. Jean-Paul has some great Chardonnay in Chouilly and Oiry with a very high average vine age. Quality is at a very high level, to the extent that Jean-Paul used to supply grapes to Bollinger. Annual production from 14 ha of vines is 90,000 bottles. Vineyards are spread across Ay, Mareuil-sur-Ay, Avenay Val d'Or, Bisseuil and also some prestigious Grand Cru Chardonnay vineyards in Chouilly and Oiry on the other side of the Marne. Dosages are low and the terroir is allowed to shine. He is also a member of the ‘Club de Tresors’ and produces a sensational ‘Special Club’ Cuvée.
MARC HEBRART SPECIAL CLUB 2009 60% old-vines Pinot Noir from Mareuil. 30% old-vines Chardonnay from Oiry and Chouilly, and 10% of same Chardonnay vinified in barrel. One of the best Clubs ever from Jean-Paul. Real purity and finesse coupled with the subtle power and balance of the 2009 vintage. Nice acidity and texture, lovely finesse and weight – mineral - chalk with a hint of jasmine. Great length. Club bottlings are always remarkable – and Jean-Paul's Club is always one of the very best. Disgorged November 2013. Dosage 6.5g/litre.
Code: 2453
Pre-arrival $72.00
MARC HEBRART RIVE GAUCHE RIVE DROITE 2008 EXTRA-BRUT 50% Pinot Noir from Ay and 50% Chardonnay from Oiry and Chouilly. No filtration, no cold stabilisation and using natural yeasts. Aged in 3 harvest old oak barrels. Jean-Paul is looking for a larger framed style but still holding elegance and finesse. He achieves that easily, and has created a masterpiece that needs some time in the cellar to reveal its huge potential. Great to drink now of course, but hold some for a few years time. From the great 2008 vintage, with subtle oak influence and a low dosage of 3g/litre.
Code: 2454
Prestige Selection
Pre-arrival $120.00
11
August 2014
CHAMPAGNE BENARD-PITOIS Mareuil-sur-Ay 1er Cru Marne Valley 11 Hectares
This Mareuil-sur-Ay producer is a sweet spot for excellent value authentic Champagnes from nearly Grand Cru vineyards – 99%. Michelle and Laurent Benard have 11 ha of vineyards (3ha of which they sell to Bollinger and Pol Roger) spreading across prestigious Cote des Blancs Grand Crus and also Marne Valley 1er Crus, consisting of Chardonnay 16%, Pinot Meunier 17% and Pinot Noir 67%. Vineyards in Mareuil-sur-Ay, Mutigny, Avenay Val d'Or, Oger, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger and Bergeres les Vertus, with Reconstituted Grape Must (RCGM) being used for the ‘liqueur de dosage’ in favour of sugar. Use of sympathetic oak fermentation and maturation for the Chardonnay components of the various cuvees. A prestigious array of vineyards allows Laurent to produce an impressive range of terroir focused wines with only a hint of subtle oak allowed to add complexity and elegance. He vinifies his different vineyard parcels in small tanks which gives him better control of selecting his final blends. After many experiments he only uses reconstituted grape must for dosage. Annual production has slowly increased to 65,000 bottles with some new cuvées adding depth to the exciting range. A Brut Nature is now produced and a new bio-dynamic cuvée will be released later this year.
BENARD-PITOIS BRUT RESERVE Blend of 40% Chardonnay and 60% Pinot Noir, Mesnil-sur-Oger, Oger, Mareuil-sur-Ay and Mutigny from 2010 and older reserve wines. The Chardonnay has been vinified in oak barriques. Has some very elegant smoke, spice and richness with nice acid and pin point mousse. A very complex style with hints of apricot, dried fruits, brioche. Laurent Benard allows the subtle micro-oxygenation of the oak to impart a hint of brioche and smoke. Lovely structure with great red fruit intensity and weight. A bargain and a great favourite last year. Tyson Stelzer rates the 2009 version of this at 94/100 and we think the 2010 is a better wine – so 95/100. Dosage 8g/litre.
Code: 3529
Pre-arrival $46.00
BENARD-PITOIS BRUT NATURE Blend of 40% Chardonnay and 60% Pinot Noir, Mesnil-sur-Oger, Oger, Mareuil-sur-Ay and Mutigny from 2008 and older reserve wines. This is a new cuvee in the Pitois line-up – and a sensational one at that. Based on the superb 2008 vintage, this is the already exceptional Brut Reserve with an extra two years on lees, so nearly five years on lees. Oozing with pristine minerality and freshness, hints of floral, all wrapped up in precise acidity and superb length. Tyson Stelzer rates the 2007 version of this at 94/100 – so we estimate the 2008 version to rate 96/100. Bargain.
Code: 2450
Prestige Selection
Pre-arrival $55.00
12
August 2014
CHAMPAGNE SÉLÈQUE Pierry 1er Cru Sud Epernay 7.5 Hectares Sélèque is a relatively new discovery in our Champagne portfolio – but a very significant one indeed. This is a relatively new family business, with Henri Sélèque planting vineyards in 1965, and bottling his own wine in 1969. The two sons, Richard and John started working in the business in 1974 – and finally bottling their own wines in 1981. Now we have Richard's eldest daughter Nathalie, and John's son Jean-Marc working in the business. Jean-Marc is overseeing the viticultural side of the business, and at only 25 years of age, he is showing himself to be mature, focussed and passionate. Vineyard and environmental sustainability is paramount. Their 12 hectares of vineyards has been shrunk down to 7.5 hectares, with a cousin claiming some vineyards. Jean-Marc has worked in Bordeaux, California and at Domain Chandon in the Yarra Valley in 2008 with some fond memories and amazing stories of his time there. He is in the process of converting 7ha of vineyards to bio-dynamic viticulture. Most wines go through malo-lactic fermentation, and most of the reserve wines are stored in small oak barrels.
SÉLÈQUE CUVÉE SPECIALE 60% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Meunier and 10% Pinot Noir, from a base of 2010 and 40% reserve wines, with 20% seeing some oak maturation, all from the 1er Crus of Pierry, Dizy and Vertus. With three years on lees we see subtle mineral and toasty elements, hints of floral and citrus. Complex and long with a perfectly judged dosage keeping the palate crisp and clean. Outstanding wine making gives this perfect balance and amazing length. Dosage is a low 7g/litre. The Chardonnay component adds a sherbet citrus overlay to the red fruits.
Code: 3778
Pre-arrival $51.00
SÉLÈQUE CUVÉE COMEDIE 2008 EXTRA BRUT 70 % Chardonnay, 15 % Pinot Meunier and 15 % Pinot Noir. 45 year old vines. Fermented in stainless steel tanks and oak barrels with stirring of the lees. No fining and no filtration. Dosage 4g/litre. A vinous powerful style of Champagne that floats on its Chardonnay minerality. The classic acidity and finesse of 2008 vintage raises the quality of this already sensational cuvee into the stratosphere. Make no mistakes about the quality of the 2008 vintage – many consider it to be superior to 2002, 2004 and superior to the great 1996 vintage.
Code: 2452
Pre-arrival $62.00
SÉLÈQUE CUVÉE PARTITION 2008 EXTRA BRUT
This is the first of Jean-Marc's new cuveés and is a based on a seven barrel selection mimicking a musical score (partition in French). Five barrels of Chardonnay, one barrel of Pinot Meunier and one barrel of Pinot Noir have been selected from the best vineyards and best pressing. The Chardonnay component is immediately evident revealing mineral and citrus nuances, with the red fruits adding power and a smoky backbone. The oak is subtle and invisible, as good oak handling should be. Amazing purity, finesse and length, all the hallmarks of the great 2008 vintage are stamped over this truly stunning wine. With 48 months on lees this is drinking superbly now – but it can certainly handle further cellar maturation. Very limited. Dosage is perfectly judged at 3g/litre. This cuvée has had full malo-lactic fermentation but subsequent vintages will have more and more blocking of the malo-lactic. Our allocation sold out last year and we have secured the last few bottles.
Code: 3816 Prestige Selection
Pre-arrival $75.00 13
August 2014
CHAMPAGNE JEAN VESSELLE Bouzy Grand Cru Montagne de Reims 15 Hectares The Vesselle family have been vignerons in Bouzy for 300 years and now farm 15 ha of vines – half of which are in Bouzy and the remainder in the Aube region - in Loches sur Ource near Riceys. Hence the majority of their vineyards are Pinot noir - 90% with the remaining 10% as Chardonnay. Minimal pesticides and herbicides are used – with grass cover minimising the need for weed killers. Delphine Vesselle carries on the family tradition after her father passed away at an early age in 1996. After 6 years at “lycée viticole de la Champagne” she did work experience in South Africa, Australia and Japan. The wines show their Pinot Noir heritage but there is a subtlety and elegance which makes the entire range of Champagnes very enchanting. Husband David, hails from Chouilly and is a passionate vigneron, precise and an eye for detail. In 2007 the cuverie was renovated and extended to allow better control and improvements in the end to end Champagne making process. And now with 4 children the future appears bright for this traditional family.
JEAN VESSELLE 'OEIL DE PERDRIX' 100% PN from 2011 base. This cuvee is a re-discovery of a traditional rosé style. The story goes that every time a new press is installed in the winery, some special bottles of Champagne are buried in the new concrete. When Delphine Vesselle’s father unearthed bottles that his grand father buried during their last press upgrade, they were amazed to find this amazing pale rosé style. Checking back through the archives they discovered that this was made from very ripe low yielding pinot noir which was pressed very slowly so as to extract and keep the pink colour. Utterly delighted by this style, Delphine has continued the tradition of this authentic cuvée. 100% Pinot Noir with a dosage of 7g/litre. Colour is a gentle pale salmon, hints of smoke and red fruits, apple and cherries. An elegant aperitif style. Finally back in stock after a few years absence.
Code: 3434
Pre-arrival $52.00
JEAN VESSELLE ROSÉ DE SAIGNÉE
100% PN from 2011 base. Smoky and creamy with lovely spice and weight. All red fruits, with sour cherries, cranberries and hints of forest. This is a true rosé produced by maceration (saignée) method. After a 36-48 hour maceration on the grape skins – the must is pressed and fermented in tank. Vines are 30 years of age, 100% Pinot Noir with a dosage of 9g/litre. An authentic style with typical Bouzy aromas of smoke and apple, along with small red berries, with a very fine persistent mousse. The palate has sour cherries and strawberries in abundance, all sitting in perfect balance. A complex rosé and a bargain. This style of rosé beckons for grilled tuna, quail, duck, chicken or veal. This sold out in our previous offer and we have a tiny amount of new stock. Be quick.
Code: 3622
Pre-arrival $56.00
JEAN VESSELLE BRUT PRESTIGE 1999 MAGNUM
70% PN and 30% CH dosage 7g/litre. A special release of cellar aged magnums, 1999 was a great year and in magnum we have lovely maturity and red fruit precision. The Prestige is always 100% Bouzy fruit. Drinks well now. There is not much of this – Limited stock, be quick.
Code: 2464
Pre-arrival $140.00
'Champagne is one of the elegant extras in life.' Charles Dickens
Prestige Selection
14
August 2014
CHAMPAGNE LAUNOIS PERE ET FILS Le Mesnil-sur-Oger Grand Cru Cote des Blancs 30 Hectares Overall vineyard size here is quite large size with 30 ha of vineyards spread across the Cote des Blancs (Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Avize, Oger and Cramant) and Sezanne. Viticulture is all certified organic – average vine age is high and picking here is always a week later than other growers - Bernard is searching for full ripeness and maturity. The vinification style is classic in flat bottomed stainless steel tanks, leaving the wines to enrich on their lees for much longer than usual. Bernard is one of the best producers in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger – many Champagne journalists say he is the best after Salon! Demand for Launois has been high – so much so that for the previous two years, stocks of many cuvees had sold out by middle of the year. Dosages of all wines are moderate at about 8g/litre.
LAUNOIS CUVÉE RESÉRVE BLANC DE BLANCS GRAND CRU Blended from 2010 and 2009 with some older reserve wines, all Grand Cru Chardonnay from Le Mesnilsur-Oger, Cramant, Oger and a little Avize. Expansive nose reveals lime, citrus, hints of apple and pear. Palate opens up with minerals and chalk – long and unctuous – with some white fruits on the long finish. A versatile all-round style that beats 'big house Champagnes' on all fronts. Dosage 9g/litre. This sold out in our previous offer and we have a new allocation. Be quick.
Code: 3533
Pre-arrival $56.00
LAUNOIS 2008 BLANC DE BLANCS GRAND CRU Well here we go. This is a classic example of how great 2008 is in the Cote des Blancs. Citrus and creamy chalk all hidden in a fine subtle mousse. Lovely acidity all in perfect balance. Powerful intensity with real precision. Hints of sherbet – with cleansing acidity. Very typical of the Launois style, with the still wines allowed to rest in tank much longer than usual – enriching and gaining in flavour. Many Launois Cuvees are named after the grand-children and this is the 'Maxime'. Dosage 8g/litre. We don't have a lot of this, so be real quick!
Code: 2451
Prestige Selection
Pre-arrival $62.00
15
August 2014
Prestige Selection T (03) 9696 7920 F (03) 9696 8703 Offer closes: August 29th 2014 E orders@rossdukewineco.com.au All wines MUST be purchased in multiples of 3 (unless stated otherwise) Code
Qty
Description
Pre-arrival
2360
RIESLING | BOURGOGNE | BEAUJOLAIS | LOIRE VALLEY Charles Baur Crémant d'Alsace Brut
$25.00
2462
Charles Baur Riesling 2012 Cuvée Charles
$24.00
2463
Charles Baur Gewurtztraminer 2012 'Pfersigberg' Grand Cru
$27.00
2461
Charles Baur Riesling 2012 'Eichberg' Grand Cru
$37.00
2460
Du Prieure Bourgogne Rouge
$21.00
2457
Thibault Liger-Belair Moulin a Vent 2011 'Les Vieilles Vignes'
$38.00
2458
Thibault Liger-Belair Moulin a Vent 2011 'La Roche'
$47.00
2459
Thibault Liger-Belair Moulin a Vent 2011 'Les Vignes Centenaires' Magnums
$57.00
2455
J. Mourat Mareuil 2013 Collection Rosé
$17.00
2456
J. Mourat Chateau Marie du Fou 2013 Rosé
$18.00
Value
CHAMPAGNE 3623
Marie-Noelle Ledru Brut Reserve Grand Cru
$60.00
3541
Eric Rodez Blanc de Noirs Grand Cru
$74.00
2313
Eric Rodez Rosé Grand Cru
$67.00
2449
Eric Rodez Millesime 2006 Grand Cru
$81.00
5739
Eric Rodez 'Cuvée des Grand Vintages' Grand Cru
$95.00
2312
Eric Rodez Dosage Zero Grand Cru
$72.00
3423
Lilbert Blanc de Blancs Brut
$58.00
3621
Lilbert Blanc de Blanc Perle
$66.00
3632
Voirin-Jumel Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru
$50.00
6060
Voirin-Jumel Blanc de Noirs 1er Cru
$49.00
2453
Marc Hebrart Special Club 2009
$72.00
2454
Marc Hebrart 'Rive Gauche Rive Droite' 2008
$120.00
3529
Benard-Pitois Brut Reserve
$46.00
2450
Benard-Pitois Brut Nature
$55.00
3778
Sélèque Cuvée Speciale
$51.00
2452
Sélèque Comedie 2008 Extra Brut
$62.00
3816
Sélèque Cuvée Partition 2008
$75.00
3434
Jean Vesselle 'Oeil de Perdrix'
$52.00
3622
Jean Vesselle Rosé de Saignée
$56.00
2464
Jean Vesselle Brut Prestige 1999 Magnum
$140.00
3533
Launois Pere et Fils Cuvée Reserve Blanc de Blancs
$56.00
2451
Launois Pere et Fils 2008 Blanc de Blancs
$62.00 SUBTOTAL
5% Full case discount to all 12 x 750ml (same wine) TOTAL FREIGHT GRAND TOTAL
Prestige Selection
16
August 2014
CUSTOMER DETAILS & DELIVERY SECTION IF YOU FAX YOUR ORDER, PLEASE WRITE YOUR NAME ON BOTH PAGES Delivery instructions are important - enter delivery address below A business address that is open between 9am & 5pm where someone is able to receive the wine is preferable. However if we are delivering to a private address, Australia Post has the provision on its label for a brief instruction of where you are happy for wine to be left if no one is home. (i.e. on front porch under cover, in garage on left side of house, by front door out of weather etc.) If there is nowhere safe and nobody home they will leave a card and take delivery to nearest Australia Post outlet.
Name: Delivery Address: Post Code: Special delivery instructions:
Phone (daytime only):
Contact
Name: Email address: Method of payment - Please circle one of the following: DIRECT CREDIT / CHEQUE / VISA / MASTERCARD OR AMEX
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Expiry: _ _ / _ _ Visa/MasterCard CCV Code: _ _ _ Amex Security Code: _ _ _ _ Card #:
Name on card: Signature:
TERMS, CONDITIONS & PRICES OF OFFER
Orders must be in cases of 6 or 12 bottles (750ml) and in multiples of 3 of any one wine unless specified otherwise. This enables safer packing with less chance of breakages during delivery. Please check your order carefully upon receipt and advise of any discrepancies within 10 working days. If an error is made it is virtually impossible to rectify if notified months later. Prices are per bottle including all duties, taxes, W.E.T. and G.S.T. These prices are only valid for orders placed and paid before the closing date. Prices and availability are subject to change without notice. Landed prices apply after the closing date of the offer (APPROX. 15%) Minimum overall purchase is 6 bottles.
DELIVERY PRICES (Unless otherwise quoted) DESTINATION
PER CASE
DESTINATION
PER CASE
Melbourne Metro
$10.00
Country Queensland
$28.00
Country Victoria
$14.00
Sunshine Coast & Ipswich
$25.00
Sydney & Adelaide Metro
$14.00
Perth Metro
$30.00
Country N.S.W, A.C.T & S.A.
$16.00
Country W.A.
$39.00
Brisbane Metro & Gold Coast
$17.00
Tasmania
$30.00
Northern Territory
T.B.A
Glassware
P.O.A
TEMPERATURE CONTROLLED We offer temperature controlled delivery throughout Victoria. Should you wish to take advantage of temperature controlled shipping you will need to ensure that someone is available for collection, or delivery can be left in designated area.
Prestige Selection
17
August 2014
A sneak peak at some of the growers which will feature in our next catalogue Domaine Pierre-Amiot et Fils Domaine Jean-Claude Bachelet et Fils Domaine Bart Domaine Clos-Salomon Domaine Fourrier Domaine Clos des Lambrays Domaine Rapet Pere et Fils Domaine Marquis D'Angerville Domaine Olivier Domaine Alain Chavy Domaine Thibault Liger-Belair
NEW GROWERS Domaine Chapuis Domaine Frances Lechauve Domaine Rion LATEST NEWS SOCIAL MEDIA Ross Duke Wine Company is now across various networking platforms including Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Follow us for special offers, news, tasting notes and plenty of wine chatter and facts from Ross, Sarah and Victor. We'd love to connect with you.
We have also changed our Domain to www.rossdukewineco.com.au Please note that our email has also updated orders@rossdukewineco.com.au
Prestige Selection
18
August 2014
Ross Duke Wine Company Pty Ltd Suite 309, 63 Stead Street, South Melbourne. 3205 Victoria Australia Tel: (03) 9696 7920 Fax: (03) 9696 8703 Email: orders@rossdukewineco.com.au Website: www.rossdukewineco.com.au