Louis Latour CHARDONNAY DE L'ARDECHE Vin de Pays des Coteaux de l'Ardeche

Maison Louis Latour, whilst guarding a very traditional image, have proved themselves to be the most innovative wine makers in Burgundy. In this fashion we sought to expand into an area which would suit the noble Chardonnay grape. In 1979 we decided on the valley of the Ardeche river with its limestone based soils as the ideal location to produce top-quality vin de pays Chardonnay. The wine is deliciously apple-fresh with crisp acidity and a smooth finish. Soil: Clay and limestone. Vinification: Gravity-fed presses, stainless steel vats and temperature controlled fermentation with 100% malolactic fermentation. (12 x 75 cl)

Consistency of climate and abundant sunshine in the Ardeche perfectly ripen these bunches of grapes, whilst the drying Mistral wind eliminates any risk of rot. The Grand Ardeche is treated as if it were grown in one of the Grand Cru vineyards of the Cote d'Or. Fully-ripened grapes are selected and pressed lightly before being aged in oak barrels made at the Latour cooperage in Beaune. The result is a full-bodied wine that is smooth with notes reminiscent of exotic fruits and vanilla spice imparted by the oak. Soil: Clay and chalk. Vinification: Traditional oak barrel ageing with 100% malolactic fermentation. Grand Ardeche 1998 tasted April 11th 2000: The rich lemon gold hue invites you to sniff the ripe open nose of fresh tropical and citrus fruit aromas with integrated smoky vanilla oak flavours. In the mouth, a warm creamy texture coats the mouth with layers of ripe fruit balanced by freshness and a long smooth finish. World Champion Sommelier 1995, Mr Tasaki Shinya strongly recommends Louis Latour's Grand Ardeche: 'The colour is pure lemon gold, with a warm viscous appearance. The nose is peachy with intense honeyed fruits and a toasty nutty oak complexity. On the palate it is rich and fruity with balanced acidity and a long fresh finish.' The Wine Magazine, April 1999 tasted the Grand Ardeche 1996: 87 points. 'Another wine from Louis Latour, from an equally classic Burgundian grape, Chardonnay. Nice soft fruity apple flavours. A pleasantly floral nose while the palate is almost sweet with a soft texture'. The Wine Enthusiast November 15, 1998 tasting Grand Ardeche 1996: 'Bright pale golden cast. Moderately full-bodied. Full acidity. Highly extracted. Moderately oaked. Vanilla, smoke, yeast. Quite aromatic, with a toasty oak accent and yeasty flavours throughout. Full and rich, yet crisp through the finish. 87 points'. Decanter October 1997 tasting Grand Ardeche 1995 recommended 'Vegetal, complex, voluptuous, honeyed and ripe on the nose. Rich, ripe and vegetal again on the palate with a little vanilla of new oak and backing acidity.' The famous French Guide Hachette reviews the Grand Ardeche 1996: 'Consistency and excellence. These two words define the quality of Chardonnay wine produced by Louis Latour in the Ardeche since the 1980's. Vinified and aged in oak barrels, this wine is a complex mixture of scented flowers, spice and even balsamic fragrances. Full and fruity in the mouth, this Coteaux de l'Ardeche is destined for great occasions.' (12 x 75 cl)

Consistency of climate and abundant sunshine in the Ardèche perfectly ripen these bunches of grapes , whilst the drying Mistral wind eliminates any risk of rot. The Grand Ardèche is treated as if it were grown in one of the Grand Cru vineyards of the Côte-d'Or. Fully-ripened grapes are selected and pressed lightly before being aged for 10 months in oak barrels made at the Latour cooperage in Beaune. The wine has a clear, golden-yellow colour and a powerful, elegant bouquet of vanilla and fruit. With a rounded palate, and sweet honey flavours evident into the long finish. This classy wine epitomises the perfectly-oaked Chardonnay. (12 x 75 cl)

Louis Latour GRAND ARDECHE Chardonnay Vin de Pays des Coteaux de l'Ardeche Blanc by Louis Latour

Maison Louis Latour's latest wine from the Ardèche region is unique because the two different musts are fermented together. Grapes from late-ripening plots of Chardonnay and early-ripening plots of Viognier are carefully selected before going to the press together. The result is a tantalising combination of the purity of viognier and the smoothness of chardonnay. Fresh citrus, soft apricot and peach fruit aromas on the nose are echoed on the palette to create a delicate, supple and racy wine. (12 x 75 cl)

The Domaine de Valmoissine is located on the site of the ancient monastery and university of Valmoissine at 500 metres above sea-level which guarantees sunshine during the summer months whilst remaining cool and limits the possibility of spring frosts. The ideally exposed south-facing vineyards bring the grapes to maturity at the same time as our Corton Grand Cru vineyards in Burgundy. They are entirely hand-picked before being fermented in stainless steel open-vats for a short period of 3-4 days. Pigeage will take place 2-3 times a day to extract colour and tannins. The wine is then matured in old oak casks from Maison Louis Latour's cooperage in Beaune in which the wines flavours and aromas develop naturally, and harmonise with the mellow wood flavours of the oak. The style of this wine resembles Burgundy's classical 'Vin Vermeil' that the first Louis Latour was producing at the end of the 18th century. Elegance and finesse packed with fruit, and a vivid 'vermeil' or bright red colour. Bottled after 8 months of maturation, it can be drunk with pleasure only a year after having been made. The resurrection of this style of wine already has a dedicated following. Soil: Argilo calcareous. Vinification: Traditional Burgundy techniques with oak-ageing. The Wine Magazine, April 1999: 90 points. 'Domaine de Valmoissine, located on a limestone plateau 50 miles North of Saint-Tropez, is cooled by mistral winds. There are no restrictions on grape varieties in this vin de pays zone which was created in 1992. Louis Latour has picked up the experimental gauntlet and created this stunning Pinot Noir. A lovely plum and blackcurrant nose. The palate has a bitter cherry, farmyard feel with an edge of ripe red plums and rich spice. A good characterful wine.' New Sotheby's Wine Encyclopaedia, Tom Stevenson: 'This stunning wine is easily the greatest vin de pays Pinot Noir ever produced. It could be the greatest vin de pays that has ever been produced from any grape variety, but it is not possible or fair to compare wines of totally different grapes and styles and say which is best. I am certain, however, that it is the most exciting vin de pays I have ever tasted. It is so soft and silky, with such a purity of fruit and so much finesse that few Burgundians would believe this is not a Burgundy, and a fine one at that. It's not cheap for a vin de pays, but it is better than many Burgundies twice its price.' The Wine Enthusiast November 15, 1998 tasting Domaine de Valmoissine 1996: 87 points. 'Pale ruby cast. Medium-bodied. Balanced acidity. Highly extracted. Mildly oaked. Brown spices, red fruits, dried herbs. Pleasantly aromatic, with a full and flavourful palate. Complex, yet delicate, with a well-balanced mouthfeel. Shows fine length and excellent varietal intensity.' Decanter October 1997 tasting Domaine de Valmoissine 1995 recommended: 'Smoky, chocolate aromas of medium intensity following onto the palate.' (12 x 75 cl)

Louis Latour DOMAINE DE VALMOISSINE Pinot Noir Vin de Pays des Coteaux du Verdon Rouge from France, Provence by Louis Latour (12 x 75 cl)

The Domaine de Valmoissine is located on the site of the ancient monastery and university of Valmoissine at 500 metres above sea-level which guarantees sunshine during the summer months whilst remaining cool and limits the possibility of spring frosts. The grapes are entirely hand-picked before being fermented in stainless steel open-vats for a short period of 3-4 days. Pigeage will take place 2-3 times a day to extract colour and tannins. The wine is then matured in old oak casks from Maison Louis Latour's cooperage in Beaune in which the wines flavours and aromas develop naturally, and harmonise with the mellow wood flavours of the oak. The style of this wine resembles Burgundy's classical 'Vin Vermeil' that the first Louis Latour was producing at the end of the 18th century. Elegance and finesse packed with fruit, and a vivid 'vermeil' or bright red colour. Bottled after 8 months of maturation using traditional Burgundy techniques has produced a pale, mahogany coloured wine with bold, lively fruit aromas. Medium acidity, supple tannins and round structure all combine deliciously with floral flavours to create a suave, fine wine. (12 x 75 cl)

A lovely juicy Syrah bursting with healthy purple colour and exuding a warm nose of ripe cassis fruit. Ecocert certified. (12 x 75 cl)