Six leading Chateauneuf estates

Beaucastel, Pegau, Sabon, St Préfert, Usseglio, Vieux Télégraphe

Discrimination, rejection, waste. All out of fashion. Incorrect according to some schools of thought. But essential for us, and - more importantly - our growers, if we are to take them seriously - and you are to take us seriously.

In a region like Chateauneuf-du-Pape - nearly half the size of the Cote d`Or - there are as many poor-to-average growers as there are in Burgundy, though you wouldn`t think it, tasting through our range. It is only since the 1970s that the region has had any reputation as a quality area. And it is nearly as difficult to buy well here as in Burgundy. Experimenting, Andrew and I have had some very dull examples on our visits over the years.

In a vintage like 2008 (likened to 2006 by Daniel Brunier of Vieux Telegraphe), it is as important to discriminate as in any other year and so, as in our Burgundy offer, you will see some shrinkage. But what we have represents some of the absolute best of the commune, and we are proud to offer them. Lively, crunchy, far more than just Grenache from a warm place, all these wines speak of terroir. Dig in for wines to drink while you wait for your 2005s to come round and put yourself in a great position for the 2009s. /CW

Offered subject to remaining unsold for shipment winter 2010/11

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