Xavier Vignon, an oenologist from the University of Montpellier, worked as a winemaker in Alsace, Champagne, Saint-Emilion, Burgundy and Languedoc-Roussillon before settling in the Rhône Valley 15 years ago. Xavier is the consultant oenologist for large number of Châteauneuf du Pape estates, including prominent estates like Raymond Usseglio, La Gardine, Jerome Quiot, Beaurenard, La Nerthe, Mont Redon, Marcoux, Grand Veneur.  In 2002 he decided to start making his own wine from purchased grapes from his many contacts.  This Saturday we’ll be trying a great line up of his wines.  Don’t miss it.
 
2012 Grimaud, Cuveé du Golfe de St. Tropez Rosé  $10
Syrah, Grenache, and Cinsault
Before we jump into the Xavier wines we’ll be pouring this lighter rosé with peach and strawberry notes is priced to move as the 2013 gets delivered on Monday.
Was $16 now $10
 
2013 Le Petit Xavier Blanc   $17
50% Sauvignon, 30% Picpoul, 20% Grenache Blanc
The Le Petit wines are blended from grapes from the Languedoc and the Rhone that Xavier epitomizes as “Fruit, flowers, spices & foremost fun”. The blanc offers notes of citrus, tropical fruit followed by floral white flowers.  On the palate the wine offers plenty of freshness.
 
2013 Le Petit Xavier Rouge $17
50% Syrah, 50% Grenache
The Le Petit rouge displays notes of pepper, red fruits, and floral notes including violet. The palate is rich, fresh with a mineral finish.
 
2010 Xavier, Cotes du Rhone  $17
60% Grenache, 25% Mourvèdre, 15% Syrah
A very solid Rhone assembled from a large number of plots throughout the appellation combining the many soils types that can be found in the Rhone valley: limestone, clay, clay and limestone, or grave.  Parker: “the 2010 Cotes du Rhone was aged in wood barrels (one-third) and tank (two-thirds). It possesses copious notes of garrigue, loamy soil, balsam wood, underbrush, kirsch and blacker fruits. This medium-bodied 2010 is ideal for consuming over the next several years.”
 
2007 Xavier, Châteauneuf-du-Pape  $50
55% Grenache, 35% Mourvèdre, 10% Syrah
This CNDP is a blend of the three soil types of Châteauneuf-du-Pape soils: galets roulés, sand and terres graveleuses.  The Grenache comes from 90-year-old vines, the Mourvedre from 75-year-old vines, and the rest from vines of at least 25 years of age. The Grenache is aged in tank and the Syrah and Mourvedre are kept in small oak casks.  Parker: “The 2007 . . . exhibits an extraordinary bouquet of garrigue, smoked meats, black cherries, blackberries, licorice and Asian soy. With stunning power, opulence, body, richness and purity, this brilliant Chateauneuf du Pape will age effortlessly for 15+ years.”