95-Point, $22.99 Beauty from Domaine La Cabotte!
In a November 2024 article, Decanter Magazine extolled the virtues of a little known estate in the obscure Southern Rhône region of Massif d'Uchaux.
Passionately owned and operated by Marie-Pierre and Eric Plumet, the winery is called Domaine La Cabotte.
While they earned many outstanding reviews and scores from Decanter, one bottling stood proudly above the rest.
Named after Marie-Pierre's father, their 2023 "Gabriel" earned a whopping 95 Points. Despite selling for half the price, it's an even higher rating then that earned by their superb Châteauneuf!
Thanks to our direct relationship with the winery, we bring you this perfectly balanced, character packed wine today as a Vin Chicago exclusive. At $22.99, it is proof that great values are still out there, if you know where to look.
Read on for the details, and for a compelling biodynamically-crafted white from Julien Masquin, then slam down on the Big Yellow Button to experience these small batch beauties while our supplies last!
2023 Domaine la Cabotte "Gabriel" Massif d'Uchaux
Côtes du Rhône Villages, Southern Rhône, France
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From the Plumet family holdings in Massif d’Uchaux, a unique area west of Cairanne and Rasteau where higher elevation combines with limestone and sandy soils to give the wines a unique balance of Southern Rhône power and freshness, this 2023 bottling of their "Gabriel" is a real beauty.
Bursting with black cherry, red cherry and blackcurrant essence plus savory notes of pepper and baking spice, it is vibrant, full-bodied, and explodes with character and purity.
Tannins are soft and super-well integrated. The aforementioned freshness comes with a pleasant acidity that is so wonderful to find in any wine, let alone one at this price. With the dark fruits lingering long on the finish, it is a VERY complete package. Awarding 95 Points, Decanter writes...
“Darkly coloured and a gorgeous nose – so fresh and complete, with vivid blackberry, violet and lavender. This feels generous, almost creamy on the palate, with a very fine tannic weave running through the wine. Good acidity and bright fruit that lasts into the finish. It's a very complete and harmonious wine that will age very well. Again, Massif d'Uchaux shows its class. Biodynamic, part destemmed, matured for 18 months in amphorae. Drinking Window: 2025 - 2037.”
- 95 points, Decanter (9/30/2024)
Only 625 cases were produced. We are thrilled to bring a limited number of them to you today!
Vin Chicago Price: 22.99
Plus a Charismatic White from
Another Rhône Artisan!
2024 Domaine Julien Masquin "Les Bédines" Blanc
Côtes du Rhône, Southern Rhône, France
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In 1936, Paul Masquin bought some vineyards around Châteauneuf-du-Pape and, for nearly 75 years, the family mostly sold the fruit to their neighbors. When his grandson Julien took over the estate 25 years ago, he changed that!
Julien Masquin is now quietly making characterful wines from his family vineyards in the Southern Rhône. Production is extremely small, with just two people working the entire estate. The vineyards are farmed with sustainable principles, organic fertilization, biodiversity, and work guided by the biodynamic calendar. Grapes are hand-harvested, carefully sorted, gently pressed, and vinified with minimal intervention.
His "Les Bédines" Blanc is 70% Grenache Blanc blended with Clairette and Bourboulenc. The nose is fresh and expressive, offering citrus and white flowers while the palate delivers lemon, lime, yellow pear, and apple.
There’s a pleasing texture and weight here, perfectly balanced by bright acidity and citrus driven freshness. Delicious now, this is the kind of Rhône white that could also reward short term aging. At the table it will go perfectly with seafood, light pasta dishes, and goat cheese.
As is the case with Domaine La Cabotte, very little of Masquin's wine makes its way to the US. We are extremely proud to have forged relationships which allow us to offer these authentic, small-production Rhône wines, and to be able to bring them to you for prices that simply don’t reflect the intense work behind them.
We have just 10 cases available of this white. Once it's gone, it is gone!
Vin Chicago Price: 23.99
