August Arrivals - FRANCE

A more southern focus this time from France - including first-ever Burgundies. This group should be in my hands by the second week of August. Millesime's offering of direct import wines from France is truly something unique in the Seattle wine scene. Sure, some other distributors toy with direct imports here and there but they certainly don't stake their commercial existence on them as I continue to do. Maybe they don't have the time for direct imports, maybe there are language and/or knowledge barriers to being able to do the groundwork and pick the best possible wines at the best possible prices. Direct imports are a lot more work, but language and knowledge have not been any barriers thus far for MILLESIME...

COTES DE BEAUNE
DOMAINE CLAUDE NOUVEAU
Claude is the 5th generation to work this land, his Father Charles at 89 still has an active role. Interventions are minimal, the goal is to work as naturally as possible. The domaine is a respectable 13ha in size. Harvesting is entirely manual, and is a "period of conviviality and the maintenance of tradition"
2005 BOURGOGNE HAUTES COTES DE BEAUNE ROUGE - Made in the same way as the finest Burgundy wines, its equilibrium allows it to be at its best after 5 to 10 years. From an old-vine parcel directly behind (and 500m above) the family home.
2005 MARANGES - Deeply colored and more tannic than the HCB, still an underpriced commune.
2005 MARANGES 1ER CRU "FUSSIERE" - MDO CGA Paris 2007. Ample, complex and structured. Licorice, pepper, earth, and fine red fruits.
2005 SANTENAY ROUGE "CHARMES DESSUS" - Particularly well-balanced, intensely perfumed with vivid morello and black cherry fruit.


RHONE SEPTENTRIONALE

JEAN-MICHEL STEPHAN
Jean-Michel is a rising star in Côte Rotie. From small holdings (4.5ha), 10% Côte Brune and 90% Côte Blonde, he produces very classy wines where elegance and finesse predominate.
2004 COTE-ROTIE
2004 COTE-ROTIE "VIEILLES VIGNES EN COTEAUX"
2004 COTE-ROTIE "LES TUPINS"

RHONE MERIDIONALE
DOMAINE RIGOT
I read the Hachette review on the Prestige des Garrigues, and was impressed, but let it go as I felt like I needed another mid-range CDR like a hole in the head. My Comrade Jon tried it in France and said I should really take a look at it. He was right, and we all win! What you need to do is pretend that is not a CDR, but rather a CDP - that's right, a Chateauneuf, because that's what it resembles most. I always wanted a CDR in a BIB, now I have awesome one. The VDP is killer and you will not mind that it doesn't say CDR on the label - I promise!
2006 VIN DE PAYS DE LA PRINCIPAUTE D'ORANGE ROUGE
2006 COTES DU RHONE ROUGE "JEAN-BAPTISTE" 5L BIB
2004 COTES DU RHONE ROUGE "PRESTIGE DES GARRIGUES" - Coup de Coeur *** Hachette 2006.

DOMAINE DES ESCARAVAILLES
Escaravailles has been a big hit for Millesime since the 2001 vintage, and the hits just keep on coming.
2005 COTES DU RHONE ROUGE "ANTIMAGNES"
2004 COTES DU RHONE VILLAGES RASTEAU "LA PONCE"
2005 COTES DU RHONE VILLAGES CAIRANNE "LA BOUTINE"
2004 RASTEAU VIN DOUX NATUREL ROUGE

DOMAINE DE VILLENEUVE
In spite of what you may hear from some people in town who only bought the wine through the broker Jack Siler years ago, and the lost it when Jack did, I actually come the closest to having 'discovered' Villeneuve. I first learned about Villeneuve in 1992 when I met the owner, Philippe du Roy de Blicquy. The wines were then as know incredible. They had no US importer then, but they have had several over the years, and yes, I am buying it DIRECT. Excellent exposures, soils, old vines, 'biodynamie' and one man's obsession with quality produce these superb wines, which have been made for the last few years by Philippe Cambie.
2004 CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE "VIEILLES VIGNES"
2004 CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE "VIEILLES VIGNES" MAGNUM

ROUSSILLON
CHATEAU MOSSE
Wow, was I excited to land this estate, whose massive reds will make you say "Priorat Shmiorat". The Temporis is as good as any of those silly, overpriced, Parkerized (now Jay Millerized) wines for like 1/4 of the price. You be the judge. Fans of rarely seen Vins Doux Naturels will be excited about the Rivesaltes rouge. The Chateau is located in a picturesque village of 80 inhabitants, nestled in the Aspres area of the Pyrenees, a Templar "Commanderie" in the way-back days.
2004 COTES DE ROUSSILLON ROUGE "TRADITION" - MDO Paris 2006, Coup de Coeur *** Hachette 2007. 60% Syrah, 20% Grenache, 20% Carignan. Yields 40hl/ha.
2005 COTES DE ROUSSILLON ROUGE "TEMPORIS" - MDO CVI 2007. 80% Syrah, 10% Grenache, 10% Carignan. Yields are a miserly 28hl/ha.
2003 VIN DE PAYS CARIGNAN "VV" - This was way too cool to pass up, 100+ year old vines, yields of 1-2 bunches per plant - 20hl/ha. Carbonic maceration. You will want to impress your friends with this if you can stand sharing it.
2004 RIVESALTES ROUGE VDN "VIGNES DES CAUSSES" - MDO Paris 2006. 100% Grenache, aged 8 months in barrels exposed to the weather, with a further 'affinage' in bottle. Truly a unique beverage that stands among the great fortified wines of France.

CORSE
DOMAINE COMTE PERALDI
Situated on the hillsides that dominate the Gulf of Ajaccio, the domaine belonged to the Peraldi family from the the 16th century until 1905, when it was abandoned upon the death of Jean Peraldi. The estate was resurrected in 1965 by the Count Louis de Poix, grandson of Jean Peraldi and father of the current owner Count Guy de Poix. Louis' ambition was to give the wines of Ajaccio their own noble titles, and the proof of the success of the project is in the bottle.
2005 AJACCIO BLANC (VERMENTINO)
2005 AJACCIO ROUGE (SCIACCARELLO)

TBC

July arrivals - FRANCE

Eh oui! More amazing and award-winning wines from France are coming to MILLESIME! There will be 2 containers arriving in July.

CONTAINER ONE - ALL IN STOCK!!!

BORDEAUX
DOMAINE LES GRAVES D'ARDONNEAU

Stellar lineup from d'Ardonneau is the most complete and also best quality ever.
2005 PREMIERES COTES DE BLAYE BLANC "PRESTIGE"
2005 PREMIERES COTES DE BLAYE ROUGE "PRESTIGE"
2005 PREMIERES COTES DE BLAYE ROUGE "PRESTIGE" MAGNUM
2005 PREMIERES COTES DE BLAYE ROUGE "GRAND VIN"
2005 PREMIERES COTES DE BLAYE ROUGE "GRAND VIN" MAGNUM

CHATEAU LES BERTRANDS

Stellar lineup from Bertrands is the most complete and also best quality ever.
2006 PREMIERES COTES DE BLAYE BLANC "TRADITION"
2005 PREMIERES COTES DE BLAYE ROUGE "TRADITION"
2005 PREMIERES COTES DE BLAYE ROUGE "VIEILLES VIGNES"
2005 PREMIERES COTES DE BLAYE ROUGE "PRESTIGE"
2005 PREMIERES COTES DE BLAYE ROUGE "NECTAR"

LOIRE

YVON ET PASCAL TABORDET

2006 SANCERRE BLANC
2006 POUILLY-FUME

DOMAINE DE LA VOLTONNERIE
The domaine was created in 1970 by Jack Pinson, today it is nearly 13ha and produces all three colors of Sancerre. The whites are a bit masculine, but it is red that Jack is known for. The red typically gets at least one gold medal per vintage.
2005 SANCERRE ROUGE - MDO Macon.

DOMAINE VIGNEAU-CHEVREAU

2005 VOUVRAY SEC "CLOS DE ROUGEMONT"
2005 VOUVRAY DEMI-SEC
2005 VOUVRAY MOELLEUX "CH. GAILLARD"
N/V VOUVRAY EXTRA BRUT METHODE TRADITIONELLE

DOMAINE AUX MOINES

2005 SAVENNIERES ROCHE AUX MOINES SEC
2005 SAVENNIERES ROCHE AUX MOINES "NONNES" MOELLEUX

CONTAINER TWO ETA SEATTLE JULY 19

DOMAINE MICHEL DAVID

I'd had my eye on this Muscadet producer for a while, but when I saw the awards for the 2005 Muscadet Sevre et Maine Sur Lie "Clos du Ferré" I knew I had to act fast - there was no way a guy like this wasn't going to have lots of importers knocking at his door. David probably has the best Muscadet available in the USA for anything approacing the money, and they are one of only a small handful that produce top-drawer Gros Plant. There are certainly cheaper examples out there, but here you have a chance to have the very best!
2006 GROS PLANT DU PAYS NANTAIS SUR LIE - When I was a student in Paris in the 90s, you'd find NV Gros Plant for only a couple of bucks a bottle, even in the epiceries arabes. That stuff was not for drinking, but worked well for steaming mussels and other "fruits de mer". Gros Plant Sur Lie on the other hand, in the hands of a competent grower can be an extremely unique and compelling wine. Briny, iodiny, it has more than hints of sea and stones and only 11% alcohol! The "Txacoli of France."
2006 MUSCADET SEVRE ET MAINE SUR LIE "CLOS DU FERRE" - Following its two gold medals in 2006 at the Concours General Agricole de Paris and the Concours des Vignerons Independants de France, a Liger d'Or at the Salon des Vins de Loire in Angers in 2007.
2005 MUSCADET SEVRE ET MAINE SUR LIE "SELECTION VV" - What can I say about this one, other than it is fuller, richer and extremely fine.

DOMAINE MATIGNON

2005 ANJOU ROUGE - Coup de Coeur Hachette 2007. Perhaps the most underpriced Loire red I've ever seen.
2006 COTEAUX DU LAYON - I pitched this on some people who didn't believe I was quoting a 750ml!

DOMAINE DES GRANDES VIGNES

This estate has been piling up accolades in France for many years when their Bonnezeaux "Malabé" made me stand up and take notice. A full range of superb, award winning wines are produced and available only from Millesime in the USA, and thus priced far below market value.
2005 ANJOU BLANC "VARENNE DE POIRIER" - Millesime's first Anjou blanc is a stunner!
2005 COTEAUX DU LAYON "LE PONT MARTIN" - Liger d'Or in Angers 2007.
2005 ANJOU-VILLAGES "LES COCAINELLES" - Liger d'Or in Angers 2007.

DOMAINE DE LA ROCHETTE

Millésime's first "Touraine" producer, François Leclair produces a full range of colors from his large-ish domaine. Our first batch in May was a big hit. A regular award winner in blanc for many years, a string of excellent vintages has propelled the rouges forward. New this time is the Pineau d'Aunis Rose. All are EXCELLENT values.
2006 TOURAINE BLANC SAUVIGNON
2006 TOURAINE ROSE PINEAU D'AUNIS - only a few cases left!
2005 TOURAINE ROUGE PINOT NOIR - Earthy, "Dressner-esque" stink gives way to defined Pinot character on the palate.
2005 TOURAINE ROUGE "PRESTIGE" COT/CABERNET FRANC - Liger d'Or Angers 2006

DOMAINE BAUDRY-DUTOUR

2006 CHINON ROSE "MARIE-JUSTINE"
2005 CHINON ROUGE "PERRIERE VV"
2005 CHINON ROUGE "COTEAUX DES CHENANCEAUX"



TBC

June arrivals - FRANCE

ETA SEATTLE JUNE 21

CAVE DE SAUMUR

Lots of killer 2005s coming in from the Cave, one of my original suppliers. The Cabernet rose makes a triumphant return to its fans as well.
2005 SAUMUR BLANC RESERVE DES VIGNERONS - we have already sold hundreds of cases of this SUPERB vintage, which won the Liger d'Or at the Salon des Vins de Loire in 2006, quite a feat considering the quality level of the competing 2005s... In it's price range, it is quasi-perfect: floral, fruity, minerally, rich, long, etc.
2006 CABERNET DE SAUMUR (CAB. FRANC ROSE) - vivid, delightfully fruity rose with just a hint of RS.
2005 SAUMUR ROUGE RESERVE DES VIGNERONS - OK it got 90 in the WS, but there are plenty of other reasons for liking this wine. The color, deep and saturated - the rich, dark, plummy fruit - the elegant texture, explosive concentration, and exemplary finish to name a few of the highlights.
2005 SAUMUR-CHAMPIGNY "POYEUX" - 90WS "Smart Buy" like the 2003 but way better balance and structure.

DOMAINE MICHEL DAVID

I'd had my eye on this Muscadet producer for a while, but when I saw the awards for the 2005 Muscadet Sevre et Maine Sur Lie "Clos du Ferré" I knew I had to act fast - there was no way a guy like this wasn't going to have lots of importers knocking at his door. David probably has the best Muscadet available in the USA for anything approacing the money, and they are one of only a small handful that produce top-drawer Gros Plant. There are certainly cheaper examples out there, but here you have a chance to have the very best!
2005 GROS PLANT DU PAYS NANTAIS SUR LIE - When I was a student in Paris in the 90s, you'd find NV Gros Plant for only a couple of bucks a bottle, even in the epiceries arabes. That stuff was not for drinking, but worked well for steaming mussels and other "fruits de mer". Gros Plant Sur Lie on the other hand, in the hands of a competent grower can be an extremely unique and compelling wine. Briny, iodiny, it has more than hints of sea and stones.
2005 MUSCADET SEVRE ET MAINE SUR LIE "CLOS DU FERRE" - In 2006, gold medals at the Concours General Agricole de Paris and the Concours des Vignerons Independants de France. In 2007, a Liger d'Or at the Salon des Vins de Loire in Angers. Golds at 3 of the most important and prestigious competitions for this one wine should make everybody pay attention.

CLOS CHATEAU GAILLARD

I've known Vincent Girault since the early 1990s when I lived in France. We did some business when I was at Riservati, but not being in control of purchasing, the relationship was foolishly allowed to wither. We had stayed in contact over the years and I promised Vincent and myself that when the time was right we would do some business together. The 2005 vintage struck me as the rightest possible time to get started - what a line-up! All of the wines are certified biodynamic "DEMETER", which was merely kind of quaint back in the 90s but now is something that a lot of customers are looking for, not just the Birkenstock and granola crowd.
2005 TOURAINE SAUVIGNON BLANC "DEMETER" - If you need a cheaper one there's Oisly but if you want a really fine low-yield biodynamic example, look no further!
2005 TOURAINE-MESLAND BLANC "DEMETER" - Chenin Blanc with about 20% Chardonnay, this wine at **** was the highest-rated of all Loire wines in the Revue du Vin de France's "Numero Special - Foires aux Vins" last November.
2005 TOURAINE-MESLAND ROUGE "DEMETER" - 40% Cabernet Franc, 30% Gamay, 30% Côt (Malbec), a unique assemblage found only in Mesland. Plenty of color, gobs of fruit, and surprising structure combine in this nearly ideal summer red.