New Arrivals from the Northern Rhone: Levet, Lionnet and Gilles

10/10/15 -

(Côte-Rotie in winter)

We're proud to offer the lovely 2012s, recently arrived, from these three outstanding producers of traditional Côte-Rotie and Cornas. 2012 was a somewhat difficult year for the vigneron with rainy periods in June and July followed by good weather in August and September and a few days of high heat - growers had to be vigilant!. Yields were low but some outstanding wines were produced marked by bright, pure fruit, great balance and excellent potential for medium-term aging, with similarly to 2010 with a bit less density. Guilhaume Gilles sums it up, "The 32-35 hl/ha yield was ideal, and the harvest was healthy, even stunning - very, very ripe, very charged in sugar, and the potential degree above 13.5°, which I didn’t expect. We finished on 22 September after four days of harvesting. Overall, 2012 is a year of quality that I didn’t expect. The tannins are quite serious." The three wines offered today show surprising depth and power, gorgeous fruit and classic structure for aging. The Lionnet, more Burgundian and restrained, the Gilles more ripe and powerful and the Levet, as always, a beautiful old-school Côte-Rotie that will be a great pleasure to drink over the next 20 years or more. What unites these three growers, other than their association with Neal Rosenthal, is their whole-cluster vinifications, gentle extraction and elevage in minimal or zero new oak. The wines have structure, balance and the complexity and depth achieved from old vines, great vineyard sites and fine traditional wine-making.

Also on offer today are the excellent 2011s from Levet and Gilles, wines that are somewhat fuller and softer than the 2012s - big, complex wines that will drink beautifully quite soon and will benefit from ten to fifteen years of aging. 2009s from Levet and Lionnet are also on offer - these two estates produced fabulous wines in 2009, very balanced and well-structured in this ripe vintage - really topnotch classic wines that will be at their best from 2025 to 2030. If these are not in your cellar consider grabbing some before they disappear. And for current drinking the Lionnet 2008 is a great value in a true Cornas of terroir - a great success in this somewhat austere vintage with lovely medium-bodied fruit and fine tannins. Wines will be ready for pick-up or local shipment on Wednesday 10/14. (Note: A limited number of magnums are available for all wines except the 2008 Lionnet - please call or email with your requests.) All wines discount 10% on case or mixed case orders!