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The Good Juice
Well it has been some time since the last edition of the Good Juice. We thought that we would start off the New Year by letting you know about a recent addition to the Barrique/VinVino Portfolio…Chateau Teyssier. Below you will find information about the winery along with a more in depth discussion on four of the wines. We currently have the 2004 Le Dome, 2004 Chateau LaForge, 2004 Chateau Teyssier and the 2005 Pezat Red Bordeaux in inventory. If you go to our website – www.profilewinegroup.com – you will note that the Le Dome is not there. Inventory of this wine is very limited, please contact Allan Leal or Frank Romantini for availability.
Introduction
Chateau Teyssier is in the heart of the renowned Bordeaux vineyards at St. Emilion. The estate is a St. Emilion Grand Cru that dates back to 1714.
In 1869 Jules Roy bought the property and built the Chateau in the Napoleonic, second empire style. The vineyard went through fluctuations in its fortunes over the years but with the arrival in the early 1990’s of Jonathan and Lyn Maltus, a rigorous, enthusiastic program of renovation was implemented. Bringing the technological advancements of the new world to the heart of the old, they introduced a new, ambitious team, constructed two state of the art wineries and a modern barrel-cellar and tripled the size of the vineyard.
Jonathan Maltus, Neil Whyte and Cyril Beziat with Gilles Pauquet consulting, undertake winemaking. The vineyard is managed by Robert Fortin.
The result, wines of exceptional quality ranging from the acclaimed Chateau Teyssier to the sought after Le Dome.
Wines
The Chateau produces six Saint Emilion Grand Cru wines, two dry white wines, a rose and a red from Bordeaux. The Single-Vineyard wines of Le Dome, Les Asteries, and Le Carre along with Chateau Laforge (which is multi-parcelled) are situated on the revered cotes of Saint Emilion.
The main wine of the Estate is Chateau Teyssier, as it has been since the 1700’s. Chateau Grand Destieu, its immediate neighbour, is a newcomer to the Estate. Roses are made by the saignee method from the above wines. Clos Nardian represents our Single-Vineyard white wine, and Chateau Teyssier, Contre le Vent, the Estate main white wine.
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2004 Le Dome Saint Emilion Grand Cru $275.00
What they say...this wine is consistently rated above 90 points. Decanter rates this vintage 5 STARS, Robert Parker - The Wine Advocate has it at 90 - 92 points while the Wine Enthusiast, 2005 gave it 93 - 96 points.
This single-vineyard of less than three hectares is situated next to Chateau Angelus and represents the highest manifestation of Cabernet Franc in a wine of this level from Bordeaux. Seventy per cent of the vineyard is dedicated to this variety – the rest is old vine Merlot. The vines were planted in the 1950’s on sandy soil over an extended ironstone layer. The yield is reduced by up to three runs of green harvesting. Concentration and definition are therefore the watchwords for this benchmark wine. The grapes are harvested at the precise moment of ripeness, hand picked into shallow trays, and after double-triage are transported by conveyors into pristine wooden vats. Vinification involves both rotational pumping and pigeage. Secondary fermentation in French oak barrels is followed by a traditional approach to ageing.
The production of Le Dome is not large. What little exists, however is made with no expense spared in the pursuit of excellence. |
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2004 Chateau LaForge Saint Emilion Grand Cru $87.95
What they say...Decanter, 2005 gave the 2004 Chateau Laforge 4 STARS. Justerini & Brooks, Oct. 2004 says the Laforge is sumptuous and stylish with power where it is needed.
Purchased in 1998 from the daughter of the local blacksmith – hence the name – the initial vineyard was primarily based on a gravel outcrop, assembled over generations with land appropriated in lieu of unpaid bills. Since the acquisition, additional vineyards have been purchased on both sandy and clay over limestone soils hugging the town of St. Emilion. The six-hectare vineyard of the Saint-Emilion Grand Cru uniquely draws together the three terroirs of the Saint Emilion Appellation. Around ninety per cent of the vineyard is composed of old-vine Merlot with the rest being Cabernet Franc.
Green harvesting ensures that cropping is low. The grapes are harvested by hand and, after double-triage, are vinified in modern oak vats. The wine is subject to consistent lees suspension during ageing to enhance the body of the wine. The result is Chateau LaForge – a substantial wine with rich purple colour, elegant and memorable. |
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2004 Chateau Teyssier Saint Emilion Grand Cru $38.95
What they say...Steven Tanzer, IWC 2005. "Bright ruby red, black cherry, violet, licorice, menthol and smoke on the nose. Sweet and primary, with blackberry, licorice and mint flavours. 84-87"
Wine has been made at the estate since the 1700’s. At one stage in the nineteenth century it was the largest estate in the neighbourhood. At the time of purchase however it had been reduced to just 5 hectares of depleted vineyard. Since then a completely new team has transformed the wine and the estate. Renovation in every sense –estate, vineyard, winery., barrel cellar, and the fundamental approach to making wine means that Chateau Teyssier is widely regarded as a new-wave modern-style wine from Saint Emilion. Most importantly the wine is now sought after by a loyal following.
Eighty-five per cent Merlot with the remainder being met by Cabernet Franc, the wine originates from the communes of Saint Sulpice de Faleyrens and Vignonet. These communes provide terrior that produce a wine that may be attacked on release or laid down for a few years. The approach in winemaking, which has all the benefits of the modern equipment afforded by the more senior wines, is new world in style. Chateau Teyssier, is award winning, spicy, velvety and ripe, but above all, pivots on its expression of fruit. |
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2005 Pezat Bordeaux Superieur $27.95
What they say...Sunday Business Post - a hugely enjoyable, finely constructed over-delivering fruity Bordeaux Superieur at a New World-beating price.
The kernel for the Pezat is a vineyard planted literally a pace outside of the Saint Emilion Appellation – towards the river from Chateau Teyssier near to Branne. Previously this large vineyard consisted of high trellised vines planted 3 metres apart – the norm in Entre-des-Mers where grapes are machine picked. Planting down the middle of the rows gave the same density as a vineyard in Saint Emilion. Additionally, on the original vines, a sucker-per-vine was allowed to grow. At which stage the original vine was cut off, almost halving the height of the vines down to what one would expect from a hand picked vineyard in Saint Emilion. The vines are now pruned on the ‘double guyot’ system. The secondary shoots are removed and the vines deleafed and bunch-thinned. The grapes are hand picked and vinified to the standard of a Saint Emilion Grand Cru.
The result is a lavish oak aged red wine. |
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How to order
Phone: 416-598-0033 extension 243 to speak directly with Allan Leal, or you can
E-mail him at aleal@profilewinegroup.com
All orders are COD. Payment can be made by Visa, MasterCard, AMEX or cheque. Your credit card will not be charged until the product is shipped.
Minimum Orders: There is a one case minimum order (12 bottles unless otherwise noted).
Delivery to a single destination within the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) is free of charge. Delivery outside of the GTA can be arranged.
You must be 19 years of age or older to place or receive a wine order. |
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