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Cave
De Tain l' Hermitage
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Cave De Tain l' Hermitage - a cooperative
22 route de Larnage B.P.3
26601 Tain-l'Hermitage Cedex
Phone: 04 75 08 20 87
Fax: 04 75 07 15 16
The Cave de Tain-l'Hermitage was founded in 1933 in Tain-l'Hermitage.
The cooperative was created by 100 wine growers of the left bank
of the Rhone, and was expanded once again, when the growers in
St. Joseph, the growers on the right bank of the Rhone, joined
the organization. From 1939 to 1945, The War prevented any further
expansion, so that activity was reduced to a minimum. Then, in
1947, wine growers in Saint-Peray and Cornas joined, thus increasing
the range of appellations available. As a cooperative, it is essentially
a "Union des Proprietaires" which has come about as
the result of the small lots of land hold by the grower members,
with each having an average holding of between only 1.75 and 2
hectares, only a few have larger holding of around 10 hectares.
The number of different parcels and the fact that they are used
for diverse crops - growing of fruits, mixed farming, as well
as wine production, make it difficult for growers to invest individually
in equipment. With most of the vineyards situated mainly on hillsides,
where working them is difficult, the growers have pooled their
resources in order to maximize efficiency. The present 534 members
control a total vineyard of 1.015 ha, 905 of which are in the
Appellation Controlee Areas. The total production of the Cave
de Tain is an average of 50,000 hectolitres with 40,000 hectolitres
of AOC wine. Approximately 50% of the different appellations in
the Northern Cotes du Rhone is now controlled by the Cave de Tain
l'Hermitage.
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Guilaine,
and
Laurent Terisson
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We were greeted by Export Manager Laurent Terrisson.
A high energy, positive force in the success of this cooperative,
Laurent Terrisson dives into his tour with us.. While touring
the wine making facility, the state of the art vinification methods
were demonstrated to us almost immediately upon arrival. Dispelling
the myths that cooperatives produce a less quality wine that the
individually held vineyards, Laurent described the strict methods
employed in the evaluation of the raw materials. Paying the growers
in accordance to the quality of the grapes, the strictest attention
is paid to the yield of growers, the must weight, the alcohol
potential, and the sanitary aspect of the grapes. After an initial
selection, the grapes are put into different vats according to
their appellation and their quality . Virtually 98% of the wines
are sold through exporters.
Laurent is also a tough negotiator. Whereas the
cooperatives offer an obvious service to the grower, exceptional
harvests and high quality yields of the past two years have tempted
growers to want to keep the best grapes for themselves, and give
the rest to the cooperative. Laurent has had to be tough, and
hold fast to the policy of either all your grapes or none at all.
Approximately 50% of the different appellations in the Northern
Cotes du Rhone is now controlled by the Cave de Tain l'Hermitage.
"In particular
, we produce 65% of appellation Crozes-Hermitage, 25% of Hermitage,
15% of Cornas, 50% of Saint-Peray, and 11% of Saint-Joseph. Red
Wines represent 85% of this production and white wines 15%."
We tasted a 1998 Marsanne Vins de Pays -
pale straw color with a bright nose, this wine will sell for approximately
$7 a bottle in the United States, and is an excellent value .
A 1998 Crozes AOC - a simple, full bodied flavor with citrus overtones,
and will sell for $12 a bottle, along with a 1997 St. Peray -
the grape in this bottle is 70% Marsanne, and 30% Roussanne. This
wine has a fresh and fruity taste, with a clear colour accented
with its dry fruity aroma. The 1998 Crozes contrasted the wines
we were tasting with its peppery,fruity flavors with just a hint
of licorice. This bottle will sell for about $12 a bottle. The
1997 St. Joseph - has soft tannins and low acidity, and is fermented
in stainless steel vats. According to Laurent, this wine conjures
up images of pleasure. This exceptional tasting wine will sell
for about $15.99 a bottle.Its deep color and perfume of wild currants
has an elegant style with just a slight hint of vanilla. This
wine matures slowly. Saving the best for last, we went on to taste
the 1996 Cornas, which has the highest acidity level in 20 years,This
rustic, aromatic, garnet colored wine is delicious in the mouth,
with subtle hints of vanilla and licorice. This wine will sell
for about $20 a bottle , and is a keeper for your cellar.
Paul Jaboulet Aine - S.A.
R.N.7
B.P.46 La Roche de Glun
26600 Tain -l'Hermintage, France
phone:33 4 75 84 56 14 or 04 75 84 68 93
fax: 33 4 75 84 56 14
web:www.vinternet.fr/jaboulet
E Mail: Paul.Jaboulet.Aine@wanadoo.fr
Founded in 1834 by Antoine Jaboulet, the Jaboulet vineyards has
been run by successive generations of sons up through the present
time. In fact, the original cellars are still in use for the vinification,
maturation and aging of wines in oak casks. Consisting of 91 hectares
(228 acres) this estate possess some of the choicest vineyards.
Situation on the desirable yet narrow slopes of l'Hermitage, half
the work has to be carried out by hand, producing some of the
region's finest wines.
Producing 3.5 million bottles of wine per year,
400,000 of them are of their own production. The range of 26 wines
of Jaboulet have a reputation for quality and are exclusively
from the Rhone Valley, all of which have full appelation. We tasted
their most well known wine, Hermitage-La Chapelle - a very complex
wine, made exclusively from Syrah grapes from vines that have
an average age of 40 years, this wine has a deep purple color,
with full body and very fine tannins, and a long finish. This
is a wine to keep from 7 - 35 years. Perfect with cheese or wild
game. We then moved to a rare wine, Crozes Hermitage - Domaine
Raymond Roure - only 15,000 bottles of this wine were made last
year. A deep dark rich color, very complex, with wonderful aromas.
One of their newer wines, Crozes Hermitage - Domaine de Thalabert
- offers a very good value, with a good fruity nose, and well
integrated flavors. The Crozes Hermitage Mule Blanche was aromatic
, with bouquets of peach, pears, a slight touch of prunes, vanilla
and truffles,would be great with cheese and strong meats. This
wine was made with new oak barrels.
Also:
97 Hermitage - elegant, round, lovely mouthful
89 Hermitage - very dark color - mushrooms, stoney aroma, leathery,
gamey and animal
97 Hermitage - white creamy, smokey
For export information, ask for Frederic Jaboulet or call Fred
Wiman in New York.
Gaec du Lautaret
Phone: 04 75 40 46 78
Fax: 04 75 40 29 77
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Ron Holden,
Guilaine,
and Judie Vacchina
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One of our most memorable and favorite stops of
the Northern Rhone, we went next to Gaec du Lautaret, a very small
family owned winery, situated amongst large castles and narrow,
winding streets, very reminiscent of medieval times. I wonder
if we could have find this little spot of heaven on our own. Eric
and Joel Durand, two brothers, are attracting national attention
with their small, family owned vineyard of 8 hectors. They harvest
4 ½ hectars of St Joseph, and 2 ½ hectars of Cornas,
and 1 hectar of produce. They produce a total of 3,000 cases per
year, and know they are at somewhat of a disadvantage, due only
to their size. Their quality is quite notable. Bearing that in
mind, they have stayed focused on creating great wines, steeped
in the traditions of their grandparents, and strive to create
wines that taste like their terroire. Eric and Joel welcomed us
personally and showed us their beautiful caves
where they store all of their wine bottles. Speaking
only French, we tried a 1998 Cornas out of the barrels:
Lots of power and finesse, aged in new oak, a 1997 St Joseph:
very nice, clean rich, citrus aromas, a nice wine with fish and
veal and a 1997 Cornas -a full bodied, strong flavored
wine of blackberries , made of 100% Syrah. This is a wine to buy
and keep 7 - 20 years. Compared to the great Hermitage, this is
a great value.
Visiting this winery was a great choice, and we
considered it a great find, and hope to stay in touch with these
exceptional wine makers and visit again.
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