2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Croix de Bois Chapoutier

Made exclusively from Grenache, Croix de Bois de Chapoutier comes from the typical Châtea uneuf soils, large rounded pebbles and sandy red clay. The harvest is vinified in closed concrete vats and only free run wine is used. It is aged in vats for 14 to 16 months.

With its intense red hue, the nose is fruity and elegant, with notes of red fruit, strawberry jam, floral accents and a touch of spice. Creamy and flavour some on the palate, it has distinguished tannins of rare finesse and showcases the breath-taking length of great Châteauneuf wines. This wine with good ageing potential (15 years or more) can be enjoyed after 3 to 5 years thanks to its fruity freshness.

INFORMATION ABOUT DOMAIN CHAPOUTIER Maison Chapoutier is without doubt one of the most prestigious names in the Rhône producing some of the finest Hermitage. The domain converted its 350 hectares of vines to biodynamic viticulture, making it the largest vineyard to adopt this method of cultivation. It has held certification since 1999. The Chapoutier savoir faire has spread to other vineyards in other winemaking regions: Provence, Beaujolais, Roussillon, Champagne, Alsace, Portugal but also Australia. In 1879, Polydor Chapoutier bought a few hectares of vines and started a negociant business. Seven generations have succeeded him, and Michel Chapoutier is currently at the helm. Since 1996, all the labels have been transcribed in braille. Chapoutier is often one of the last to harvest to ensure that grapes reach optimal maturity.

DETAILED CHARACTERISTICS

• French customs seal: yes

• Alcohol percentage: 15.50 %

• Country/Region: Rhône

• Appellation/Wine: Châteauneuf-Du-Pape

• Producer/Owner: Chapoutier

• Vintage: 2016

• Color: red

• Intensity: full-bodied

• Dominant aroma: black fruit

• Tasting occasion: gastronomic

• Grape variety: grenache 

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Courvoisier VS cognac is a blend of several crus aged between three and seven years, composed principally of Fins Bois with a balancing hand of Petite Champagne.

The fusion of younger and older cognacs gives Courvoisier VS a fruity, delicate taste and a bouquet filled with ripe fruit and spring flowers.

Whispering Angel is today's worldwide reference for Provence Rosé. Its pale color is pleasing to the eye and draws one in. The rewarding taste profile is full and lush while being bone dry with a smooth finish. Highly approachable and enjoyable with a broad range of cuisine, Whispering Angel is a premium Rosé that you can drink from mid-day to midnight.

TASTING NOTE: As you get ensnared by its sensuous charms, the siren-like fresh aroma and notes of citrus and pink grapefruit are only bettered by its smooth and creamy feel on the palate. The flavour is complex, with layers of fruity flavours; testament to the Provence region it comes from. This is on account of the mixture of Grenache, Rolle, Syrah, Tibouren and Cinsault grapes it has been made from. Food Match : Goats Cheese, Lamb, Pasta, Shellfish, Sushi, Veal

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Rosé Imperial displays a pink color with amber highlights. Lively and intense, the bouquet exudes red fruits (wild strawberry, raspberry, cherry) with floral nuances of rose and a slight hint of pepper. On the palate, the wine shows a juicy intensity of berries (strawberry, raspberry, red currant) rounded out by the fleshiness and firmness of peach and the freshness of a subtle note of mint.

Tasting Panel: Lovely pink hue; fresh, fragrant, and smooth with notes of strawberry and apple; elegant and long.

Wine Spectator: Delicate verbena and candied pink grapefruit zest accents lead to macerated blackberry, toasted nut and saline notes in this balanced and creamy rosé, with well-cut acidity.

Wine & Spirits: This blend is mostly Pinot Noir and Meunier, including 10 percent red wine for color. Chardonnay accounts for 10 to 20 percent, including a portion of reserve wines that may be providing the oceanic, oyster-shell notes that bring to mind Champagne's Kimmeridgean limestone. This is broad and loose up front, with fruity scents of orange and pomegranate. Then the wine keeps buzzing with brisk acidity, tightening up and extending the flavors with energy. An impressive release of Imperial.

James Suckling: A complex and fresh nose with fresh berries, as well as berry pastry and biscuits. The palate has a fresh, crisp and lively feel with impressively upbeat berries. Drink now.

Decanter: Restrained red fruit nose. Long, rolling palate, fresh and crisp throughout, with abundant cranberry, sherbet lemon, green herb and ginger flavours.

Medium sweet, medium acidic, honey melon notes, orange marmalade notes, hint of honey.

TASTE Mellow and sweet whites are medium-dry or even sweet. You can discern apricot, honeydew melon and floral notes in these wines. Residual sugar rounds up the flavour.

TIPS FOR USE These wines are all characterised by delicious, fruity sweetness, which means that they are excellent for socialising and a good match for Eastern dishes and vegetables. Try with Indian vegetable or chicken korma, shrimp and cheese quiche or black label Emmental.

HOW TO SERVE White wines are best served chilled, at 10–12°C. Chilling a bottle from room temperature to the perfect serving temperature takes about two hours in a fridge. The sweeter the wine, the cooler it can be served.

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Armagnac Saint Vivant is a brandy with a very special, very aromatic flavour. The Armagnac was the first French schnapps and is said to be more than 700 years old. For this reason, it is considered the oldest distillate in Europe. The Saint Vivant will explain it to you through its excellent taste that will lead you to savour a piece of history.

TASTING NOTE:

Color: Has an attractive amber colour with mahogany hues.

Smell: Exquisite aromas of prunes mixed with vanilla, caramel, violets and some spicy notes.

Taste: It has a complex entry due to its dense texture and aromatic character. On the palate: the power of alcohol is felt intertwined with caramelized fruit essences, which are rounded off with notes of leather, wood and tobacco.

PRODUCER: Saint Vivant.

Winery located in the French commune of Condom, in the department of Gers. In 1975 it was acquired by the La Martiniquaise group of companies.

COUNTRY: France.

ELABORATION DETAILS: This magnificent Armagnac comes from the distillation of wines made with different varietals of white grapes from the region of Gascony, among which are Ugni Blanche, Baco and Folle Blanche.

The fruits are fermented and then distilled in traditional copper stills. Finally, the liqueur is left to mature for a year in French oak barrels. The entire production process takes place in the commune of Condom-en-Armagnac, located in the southwest of France, which has had the Bas-Armagnac designation of origin since 1936 to make this content-type of liqueur. Another peculiarity of this distillate is its incredible presentation of the traditional bottle with a sloping neck.

ALCOHOLIC STRENGTH: 40%