A First Offer of 2002 Rhône In-Bond

Transcription

1 Orders by Post, Fax and Website only before 5pm, Friday 30th January A First Offer of 2002 Rhône In-Bond including a selection of top estate wines from the Languedoc and the stunning 2001 red and white Hermitage from Jean-Louis Chave Echalats or wigwam supports as seen in Côte-Rôtie A vintage of excellent whites and soft, seductive reds THE VINTAGE The best red wines of the vintage will come from top producers in the Northern Rhône: the wines have colour, plenty of fruit and a charm that makes them very appealing. Many prices are down from last year making the 2002s an attractive proposition for early to mid-term drinking. The south is more complicated so our rigorous selection was particularly critical. We have made a shortlist of the very best from the south including some leading stars from the Languedoc. The whites in 2002 are particularly good throughout the Rhône. The wines are fruitier and often better balanced than in 2001 or THE NORTH Elegance, charm and sensible prices 2002 was the year for the vigneron. During July and August it rained on 30 days, never very much but enough to maintain sufficient moisture in the air. Growers pruned hard, cutting back yields and excessive foliage to ensure optimum quality of fruit. The crop continued to ripen into September with the vintage starting early around the 17th. Conditions were good but with the forecast decidedly unsure, growers had to act quickly, hiring greater numbers of pickers to harvest at the optimum moment. The whites are generally excellent, especially Hermitage and Condrieu. Indeed, the viognier grape produced a normal crop of healthy grapes. The whites are rich, floral, exuberantly fruity and well balanced without the headiness of some of the 2001s. The reds share that same charm and quality of fruit. Individual quality however was dependant on yield and picking dates. The size of the crop is well down on previous vintages and many producers, like René Rostaing for example, chose to sacrifice his top single-vineyard cuvées in order to concentrate his efforts on making one wine that is more substantial than usual and is quite delicious. RH0104 January 2004

2 THE SOUTH Excellent whites and a handful of serious reds from the hilly fringes Fate can be cruel. The 2002 vintage seemed very promising until storms struck in the Gard and parts of the Vaucluse. Luckily, a good part of the harvest, especially the syrah and the whites were picked fully ripe before the rains came. Luckily too, many areas were spared and were able to harvest normally and, indeed, produced wines with real depth, charm and conviction. It is from these that this limited selection has been made. Among the best wines there is a similarity with There is fruit and alcoholic weight but very soft, light tannins which will make these wines ideal for drinking soon, allowing the 2001s to be kept a little longer. Awards of excellence go to the Jaumes of Vinsobres, the Arnauds of Laudun and André Roméro of Rasteau. Jean-Michel and Fréderic Vache at Clos des Cazaux are in a class of their own. Vincent Avril, too, deserves a mention for his rich-tasting Clos des Papes which will be lovely in two to three years. Daniel Brunier might have produced a tiny amount of excellent Vieux Télégraphe. Instead he decided to make just one wine in sizeable quantities that would reflect all the easy charm of the vintage. Not without a certain sense of humour, he has given this delicious Châteauneuf the name Télégramme. The Perrins did much the same at Beaucastel, releasing a very good second wine as their red. Their white Beaucastel is outstanding. Down in the Roussillon, Gérard Gauby missed the rains and declares to have made his best ever wines. PS Don t miss the first release of Chave s Hermitage 2001 vintage at the end of this offer. When demand exceeds supply Demand for the top wines may be high. We share out oversubscribed wines as widely as possible down to a minimum practical level per member. Please be aware that some wines will still sell out. Should your first choice be sold out, please indicate on the order form your preferred substitute. Alternatively, you can allow The Society to choose for you. Allowing substitution and/or suggesting a preferred alternative will help to increase the likelihood of receiving similar wines should your first choice be sold out, especially where wines are restricted to fewer than 12 bottles per member. We will only substitute with wines that we believe to be of similar quality and style to those requested. How this offer works Orders by post, fax and website will be accepted. If you would like to order via the website, visit and follow the on-screen instructions. You need a password to access the site which can be requested online and will be posted to you within three working days. Your order should arrive at Stevenage by 5pm, Friday 30th January 2004 and will be processed thereafter. As mentioned above, we may have to ration supplies to members in order to satisfy as many members as possible. Members whose orders have been received by 5pm, Friday 30th January 2004 will receive confirmation of their purchase by Friday, 20th February 2004 at the latest. Members whose orders have been received after this time will receive notification by Friday, 5th March notification We are able to offer members notification of the wines allocated to them via . If you would like to receive ed notification of wines allocated, please give your address on the order form or when you place your order via the website. Please read the full terms and conditions for this offer set out on the enclosed order form or on our website before placing your order. What the price includes Prices shown include delivery to a UK address. They do not include excise duty or VAT. Payment of duty and VAT, at the prevailing rate (currently duty per 12-bottle case and 17.5% VAT payable on wine and duty) will be requested once the wines arrive at Stevenage. This is expected to be summer 2004 for the whites and spring 2005 for the reds. Once the wines arrive in the UK, members may opt to have them delivered within the UK or stored in duty-paid Members Reserves. Notes Members, especially those living overseas, should note that only unmixed cases may be exported or transferred to an outside bond. Wines are offered in cases of twelve, six or three as indicated. Page 2

3 Desestret, Père et fils in Saint-Joseph Gilbert Dumien-Serrette, his old vines produced majestic Cornas in 2002 IN-BOND PRICE, UK DELIVERED ref per six per dozen 2002 NORTHERN RHONE REDS IN-BOND RH11731 Crozes-Hermitage, Les Launes (Delas) Delas, with winemaker Jacques Grange, produced an excellent range of 2002s that are way above the average in this vintage. This cuvée of Crozes, which includes old vines behind Hermitage, has fat and a long fruity finish RH11741 Saint-Joseph, Domaine de la Côte Sainte Epine (Desestret) The Côte Sainte Epine is a very well-exposed ridge with south and east-facing vines. Mikael Desestret has vines that are between 80 and 150 years old. The 2002 is especially successful here. There is lots of sweet-tasting fruit and a light structure that will make good, early drinking RH11751 Crozes-Hermitage, Domaine de Thalabert (Jaboulet Aîné) Jacques and Laurent Jaboulet, father and son winemakers, cut yields drastically in 2002 and were able to make a Thalabert that is immensely attractive and stylish RH11761 Saint-Joseph, Domaine Coursodon Jerôme Coursodon only made the one cuvée in 2002 so this is essentially a blend of all his older vines. It has a lovely natural balance in a style that is uncomplicated and quite delicious RH11771 Saint-Joseph, Offerus (Jean-Louis Chave) For Jean-Louis Chave, the objective of this cuvée was to make a representative Saint-Joseph reflecting those qualities found throughout this diverse appellation. The fruit-driven 2002 has natural grace and charm RH11781 Saint-Joseph, Clos de Cuminaille (Gaillard) Pierre Gaillard s vines of Saint-Joseph come from the Côte-Rôtie end of the appellation. The wines are similarly silky and smooth Page 3

4 Guy Bernard sampling from a barrel of old vines of Côte-Rôtie Gilles Barge on his mono-rail on some of the steepest slopes in Côte-Rôtie Laurent Courbis, sure talent in Cornas ref IN-BOND PRICE, UK DELIVERED per six RH11791 Crozes-Hermitage, Domaine Raymond Roure (Jaboulet Aîné) Domaine Roure is one of the best of Jaboulet s wines in This combines exuberant fruit and real finesse and should keep well RH11801 Saint-Joseph, Les Royes (Courbis) The vineyard of Les Royes occupies a sensational slope just north of Cornas, but instead of granite, the soil here is on limestone. This is a fine and attractive northern Rhône syrah with plenty of middle and length of palate RH11811 Cornas, Champelrose (Courbis) A blend of old vines from lesser slopes and young vines from Courbis s best vineyards, this is a lovely, deliciously fruity Cornas, thick with blackberry-like fruit and best for mid-term drinking RH11821 Cornas, Patou (Dumien-Serrette) Tasted in barrel it was clear that the best of Dumien-Serrette s wines came from his old vines planted on the steepest slopes. This is black with considerable concentration and extract RH11841 Côte-Rôtie, La Viaillère (Champet) Getting to Champet s cellars on the Côte Blonde requires a certain driving skill not to mention a head for heights. The wines, full of rustic charm and sweettasting fruit, are worth the effort RH11851 Côte-Rôtie (Guy Bernard) The Bernards are young and thoughtful growers in Ampuis with good plots of land with old vines on favoured slopes on the Côte-Rôtie. Their father used to sell in bulk so they are relatively new on the scene. The 2002 is a very impressive wine that exudes charm RH11891 Cornas, Chante Perdrix (Delas) Jacques Grange has made an excellent Cornas in This is deeply coloured with layers of rich blackcurrant fruit and plenty of middle and length Page 4

5 ref IN-BOND PRICE, UK DELIVERED per six RH11951 Côte-Rôtie, Côte Brune (Barge) Only four small casks of Côte Brune were made in The bouquet is seductive as Côte-Rôtie should be. The flavour has some sweetness, middle and length. This will give pleasure in about three years time RH11861 Côte-Rôtie (Burgaud) There are plenty of hairpins to get to Burgaud s cellars. His wines though are straight and generously flavoured. The 2002 is big on fruit with plenty of richness and a long, fine finish. Excellent RH11101 Seyssuel Sotanum, Vin de Pays des Collines Rhodaniennes (Gaillard, Villard & Cuilleron) Inky black, sweet-tasting syrah, very fine and long in the mouth with a flavour of ripe, black cherries. This is produced by three of the Northern Rhône s top growers working together on land that used to enjoy a greater reputation than Côte-Rôtie RH11831 Cornas, Domaine du Tunnel (Robert) Like many producers in the Rhône, Stephanne Robert chose to produce just one wine in Tasted from cask, Stephanne s Cornas had plenty of colour, a wonderful bouquet and heaps of richly flavoured, sweet-tasting fruit on the palate RH11871 Côte-Rôtie (Gaillard) Pierre Gaillard s Côte-Roties are rich, sensuous wines, soft and ripe tasting. He includes 20% of viognier into the blend for added weight and complexity RH11911 Côte-Rôtie, Seigneur de Maugiron (Delas) Very attractive, sweetly scented Côte-Rotie that will give much pleasure in the medium term. This has an almost Burgundian feel to it with silky textures and great purity of expression RH12001 Hermitage, Marquis de la Tourette (Delas) Delas have excellent holdings on Hermitage with a sizeable parcel in Les Bessards. The 2002 vintage has considerable class in a big, rich style with almost Burgundian elegance and complexity RH11961 Cornas, Les Eygats (Courbis) This is firm and full flavoured with some old-vine concentration and great length of flavour RH11881 Côte-Rôtie (Ogier) Stephanne Ogier s 2002 is a little different to what he usually makes as there was greater use made of new oak barrels. There is also more old-vine wine in the blend as he took the decision not to make a top cuvée. So, if anything this is a step up on the 2001 with more concentration RH11901 Côte-Rôtie (Rostaing) René Rostaing chose to sacrifice his splendid single-vineyard wines in order to bolster up his main cuvée. As a result, this is rather good; a Côte-Rôtie with lovely, rich, cherry-like fruit and great length RH11921 Hermitage, Cuvée Emilie, Domaine des Remizières (Desmeure) Philippe Desmeure owns well-placed parcels of vines on the limestone of Les Rocoules and granite close to the famous La Chapelle. His 2002 is deeply coloured, full flavoured and attractively rounded Page 5

6 ref RH11941 Hermitage (Sorrel) Like Faurie (below), Marc Sorrel s approach to winemaking is handcrafted and hands off. He made just the one red Hermitage which has a lovely bouquet of blackcurrant and pepper, some sweetness to the fruit and a touch of rustic charm RH11981 Cornas, Domaine Allemand Thierry Allemand chose to blend his young and old vines together so there is only one wine in This is a full-flavoured, peppery, hand-crafted syrah showing breadth of flavour and rustic charm RH11931 Hermitage (Faurie) Bernard Faurie is non-interventionist in his winemaking. Syrah from vines in the Bessards, Greffieux and Méal vineyards are not destemmed, and the wines are raised in casks of varying sizes, still wedged into a tiny cellar beneath his house in Tournon. The 2001 Hermitage is full flavoured with some grip and a long, lingering finish RH11991 Cornas, Domaine Saint Pierre (Jaboulet Aîné) This is from Jaboulet s own vines in Cornas, planted on well-sited slopes high above the village. The 2002 vintage is attractively sweet with real class Bernard Faurie, his Hermitage has character and personality IN-BOND PRICE, UK DELIVERED per six RH12021 Hermitage, Marquis de Sizeranne (Chapoutier) A distinguished Hermitage from this famous old house. The palate for the moment has sweetness in the middle, then a long and firm finish with considerable finesse RH11971 Cornas, La Sabarotte (Courbis) This is always the best and most concentrated Cornas at Domaine Courbis and the 2002 is no exception. This is thickly textured, sweet and rich RH12011 Côte-Rôtie (Laurent-Tardieu) A seductive, sweet-centred Côte-Rôtie from the well-regarded Laurent- Tardieu M RH12031 Hermitage, La Chapelle (Jaboulet Aîné) In 2002, the Jaboulet family only kept the very best barrels to produce La Chapelle. As a result, the most famous wine in the northern Rhône has lovely fruit, charm and great class Magnums available. M indicates magnums available see Order Form Page 6

7 IN-BOND PRICE, UK DELIVERED ref per six per dozen 2002 SOUTHERN RHONE REDS IN-BOND RH11601 Côtes-du-Rhône Villages, Laudun, Château Courac (Arnaud) A full-flavoured, deeply coloured Côtes-du-Rhône made from a very high proportion of syrah. The Arnauds are a young and dedicated couple; their 2002 is a worthy successor to previous vintages RH11611 Côtes-du-Rhône Villages, Rasteau, Domaine de la Soumade (Roméro) André Roméro is right to be thrilled with the quality of his 2002s. These wines have depth of flavour and weight of fruit M M RH11621 Côtes-du-Rhône Villages, Rasteau, Château de Trignon (Roux) This cuvée of Rasteau is less typical in including about 40% old-vine mourvèdre to the grenache base. This 2002 already has an expressive bouquet with notes of leather and spice and plenty of fruit on the palate. This will develop well over the next few years André Roméro, indefatigable supporter of Marseille football team and wine genius in Rasteau RH11631 Côtes-du-Rhône Villages, Vinsobres (Jaume) This is a 2002 with a great deal of charm that will repay with a little keeping. There is just enough oak to quell the exuberance of the ripe, fruity flavours Magnums available. RH11641 Vacqueyras, Saint Roch, Clos des Cazaux (Vache) Clos des Cazaux delivered wine of exceptional quality in 2002, all achieved thanks to the almost manic attention to detail in the vineyard. This cuvée is a little less than two thirds grenache, a third syrah and a touch of mourvèdre and is sweet and ripe flavoured Magnums available. RH11651 Vacqueyras, Les Templiers, Clos des Cazaux (Vache) This is a cuvée of almost pure syrah picked fully ripe. The flavour is concentrated, thick and tarry, more northern Rhône in character than southern RH11661 Gigondas, Tour Sarazzine, Clos des Cazaux (Vache) With less grenache to play with, Jean-Michel and Fréderic Vache used more syrah in the blend giving this Gigondas a fruity edge with considerable finesse. Along with the other wines from this estate, this is undoubtedly one of the southern stars of the vintage RH11681 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Télégramme (Brunier) Daniel Brunier decided not to release a Vieux Télégraphe. Instead, he made one big blend, including all the second wines. It is deliciously fruity and round, quite full but with very soft tannins RH11711 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Cuvée Les Olivaies (Domaine Sabon) As at Font de Michelle, there will be just the one cuvée from this most traditional of estates. This 2002 has benefited from a year in cask and will gain further with extra bottle age. This is soft, round and deliciously fruity Daniel Brunier of Vieux Télégraphe. Drink his 2002 Télégramme next year RH11671 Gigondas, Château de Sainte Cosme (Barruol) Lovely bouquet and fine, well-polished flavours and with some real class from this leading estate in Gigondas Page 7

8 IN-BOND PRICE, UK DELIVERED ref per six per dozen RH11691 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Domaine Font de Michelle (Gonnet) The Gonnet brothers put everything into this one cuvée including wine from their oldest vines. The result is a wine with a lovely cherry-like bouquet; a bundle of charm with plenty of rich-tasting fruit RH11701 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Les Sinards (Perrin) There will be no red Beaucastel in Pierre Perrin preferred to include the little that he made into this cuvée of Les Sinards. The blend is 60% grenache, equal measures of The Gonnet brothers of Domaine Font de Michelle syrah and mourvèdre and a sprinkling of the rest. This has lovely fruit, blackberry and spice, and a long finish RH11721 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Clos des Papes (Avril) Vincent Avril is not to be outdone by the caprices of Mother Nature. Even with his cellar under three feet of water. Harvesting was painstaking and difficult with nearly half the crop left outside. This Clos des Papes tastes soft, ripe and full bodied, not unlike the 97 which is now drinking well LANGUEDOC AND ROUSSILLON REDS IN BOND FC10621 Mas de Daumas Gassac (Guibert de la Vaissières) Daumas Gassac is a fine wine in 2002 where the emphasis is on fruit and elegance. Indeed, the effect will be more Médoc-like than Languedoc. Praise indeed for a wine that frequently outshines its peers in Bordeaux FC10771 Prieuré Saint Jean de Bébian, Coteaux du Languedoc (Lebrun & Lecouty) Bébian is a very special wine. The soils here are much the same as in Châteauneuf with the same large pudding stones that so effectively reflect the sun s heat back onto the vine. The grapes are also the same as Châteauneuf and the style very similar with much depth of fruit, complexity and elegance FC10781 Côtes du Roussillon Villages, Vieilles Vignes, Domaine Gauby Gérard Gauby is leading the revolution that is taking place in the Roussillon. This Catalan borderland between Spain and France, bathed in sunlight for much of the year, is beginning to produce wines of real complexity and interest. Gauby s Vieilles Vignes is mostly grenache and carignan with a little syrah and mourvèdre and is wonderfully fruity, even vibrant, with great finesse and length FC10801 Le Soula, Vin de Pays des Côtes Catalanes (Gauby) Le Soula is different again, a vineyard at high altitude about an hour s drive from Domaine Gauby. There is grenache and carignan in the blend and also a little cabernet. The best element though is the syrah, which was ripened to perfection in Exquisitely refined and long FC10791 Côtes du Roussillon Villages, Muntada, Domaine Gauby Muntada is the name of one of Gérard s most prized slopes and is mostly planted with syrah. This wine is multi layered with great depth and length of flavour Page 8

9 ref IN-BOND PRICE, UK DELIVERED per six 2002 RHONE AND LANGUEDOC-ROUSSILLON WHITES IN-BOND A wider selection reflecting the strength of the vintage FC10811 Domaine Alquier Blanc (Jean-Michel Alquier) Like Gérard Gauby, Jean-Michel Alquier has recently changed the style of his whites and shifted to a finer, more elegant style of wine. The blend remains 60% marsanne, 10% grenache and the rest viognier, part raised in barrel. This has a lovely flavour of citrus and ripe apricot, with considerable delicacy and charm RH12061 Saint-Joseph Blanc, Domaine de la Côte Sainte Epine (Desestret) There is a tiny quantity available of this fine, mineral-like white Saint Joseph. Quite delicious Maximum six bottles per member. RH12041 Crozes-Hermitage, Mule Blanche (Jaboulet Aîné) Mule Blanche is a selection of equal amounts of marsanne and roussanne, part fermented and raised in barrel. The 2002 vintage is quite rich and full flavoured RH12091 Crozes-Hermitage Blanc, Domaine Raymond Roure (Jaboulet Aîné) The white Roure is made from very old marsanne, some vines of pre-phylloxera stock. This is still closed and deeply mineral-like in flavour with great length. It will develop well and gain complexity with bottle-age RH12051 Saint Peray, Cuvée Prestige, Domaine du Tunnel (Robert) Undoubtedly the best wine in this rejuvenated appellation, Stephanne Robert s best cuvée of Saint Peray is 80% marsanne and 20% roussanne, all old vines, half vinified in barrel of which a third are new. His vines are planted on steep terraces above the town where the soils somewhat resemble the mix of granite and limestone that is found on Hermitage. The wine is quite rich with a lovely refreshing streak of minerality Hervé Robert of Domaine du Tunnel. A young star of Saint Peray RH12081 Saint-Joseph Blanc, Domaine Florentin It is a shame that only a couple of casks were made of this quite magical and distinctive wine. Dominique Florentin, a homeopathic physician does not believe in rushing things. Even the white wines spend two winters in cask before bottling. This is very much Rhône white as it used to be: full flavoured and complex with real personality Maximum of six bottles per member. RH12071 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc (Texier) Eric Texier originated in Bordeaux but now lives up a hillside in Beaujolais. He works closely with a handful of growers, overseeing the winemaking and eventually transferring his chosen barrel to particularly cold cellars near his home. This Châteauneuf is unusual as it is made from 60% clairette, 35% bourboulenc and a tiny amount of very ripe grenache. This has a good deal of finesse, a touch of oak, plenty of fruit and a flavour that is quite Burgundian RH12131 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc, Domaine Pegau This is quite a big wine with plenty of rich-tasting fruit and considerable complexity. The blend is traditional with 60% grenache backed up by some clairette, bourboulenc and roussanne RH12181 Condrieu (Barge) This is a lovely, full-bodied Condrieu for summer-time Laurence Féraud of Domaine Pegau, mistress drinking in the garden of Châteauneuf-du-Pape Page 9

10 ref Marc Sorrel, made genial whites in 2002 Jean-Louis Chave, outstanding 2001 Hermitage IN-BOND PRICE, UK DELIVERED per six RH12171 Condrieu, Côteau de Chéry (Perret) Well-balanced, full-flavoured wine from the top estate in Condrieu. This combines both power and finesse very effectively indeed RH12111 Saint-Joseph Blanc, Lieu Dit Saint-Joseph (Guigal) This is similar to the 2001 we offered last year but with a touch more grip. The vines at the original site of Saint-Joseph were bought by Marcel Guigal last year RH12101 Condrieu, Cuvée de Chéry (Niero-Pinchon) Robert Niero makes big, full-bodied Condrieu from fully ripe grapes grown on the famed Côteau de Chéry. His 2002 vintage will not disappoint RH12201 Condrieu, Grand Vallon (Villard) François Villard produces a number of different cuvées of Condrieu, reflecting different terroirs. The Grand Vallon comes from the southern end of Condrieu and the wine is full bodied and rich with great length Maximum six bottles per member. RH12121 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc, Clos des Papes (Avril) Vincent Avril makes his delicious white from equal amounts of the six Châteauneuf grape varieties. No wood is used so the accent is on fruit. The grapes in 2002 were all picked fully ripe before the rains. This will be lovely for drinking next summer but otherwise should be kept until 2006 to RH12141 Hermitage Blanc, Marquis de la Tourette (Delas) Delas white Hermitage is not that well known, which is a pity as it is made with great care and is easily among the best. This 2002 has a wonderful balance between richness and acidity and, for now, bears some resemblance to Burgundy. This will keep very well FC10821 Le Soula Blanc, Vin de Pays des Côtes Catalanes (Gauby) This is the name of an extraordinary vineyard, very high up in the hills of the Roussillon. Here, grapes take longer to ripen but retain more acidity and fruit flavours. Gérard Gauby mixes traditional varieties like grenache, roussanne and vermentino with sauvignon, chenin and even a little chardonnay, which might go some way to explain the similarity to Meursault Page 10

11 ref IN-BOND PRICE, UK DELIVERED per six RH12151 Hermitage Blanc (Sorrel) Marc Sorrel produced exceptionally good whites in This is his basic Hermitage which is full flavoured, ripe and complex Maximum of six bottles per member. RH12161 Hermitage Blanc, Chante-Alouette (Chapoutier) The best known white Hermitage is made from 50-year-old marsanne grapes which are part aged in large oak barrels. In 2002, yields were tiny and this is evident in the concentration of flavour RH12231 Condrieu, De Poncins (Villard) De Poncins comes from the heart of the appellation on mica-rich soils on granite bedrock. This is François Villard s finest Condrieu, fine and minerally and in need of at least a couple of years to unravel Maximum six bottles per member. RH12211 Hermitage Blanc, Chevalier de Stérimberg (Jaboulet Aîné) Stérimberg has become very much a complete wine of late, richer than in the past thanks to later harvesting and a much higher percentage of roussanne. The 2002 vintage is wonderfully fine and long RH12191 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc, Château de Beaucastel (Perrin) Roussanne is the main grape variety at Beaucastel, here accounting for 80% of the blend, with 15% grenache and 5% for the rest. This unusual mix explains why Beaucastel is so distinctive. The 2002, picked before the rains, is fine and full flavoured with a touch more grip than the enormously powerful Enjoy either young whilst still fruity or keep RH12221 Hermitage, Les Rocoules (Sorrel) There were only 600 bottles made of this intense, waxy white Hermitage Maximum six bottles per member. RH12241 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc, Château de Beaucastel Roussanne Vieilles Vignes (Perrin) Grand, rich and wonderfully balanced, unquestionably one France s greatest white wines. Either drink in 2004 or wait for maturity and greater complexity Maximum six bottles per member. AN OFFER OF 2001 CHAVE RED AND WHITE HERMITAGE ref We offer, for the first time, the red and white Hermitage from the long-living 2001 vintage from Domaine Jean-Louis Chave. IN-BOND PRICE, UK DELIVERED per six RH11551 Hermitage Rouge (Jean-Louis Chave) For Jean-Louis Chave the 2001 vintage was, in many ways, close to perfection as all the vital elements were in perfect harmony RH11571 Hermitage Blanc (Jean-Louis Chave) Chave makes the longest-lived Hermitage of all. The 2001 combines both power and elegance Page 11

12 2002 VINTAGE MIXED CASES 2002 RHONE VILLAGES CASE ref OC1356 at containing two bottles each of the following Côtes-du-Rhône Villages, Laudun, Château Courac (Arnaud) Côtes-du-Rhône Villages, Vinsobres, (Jaume) Vacqueyras, Saint Roch, Clos des Cazaux (Vache) Côtes-du-Rhône Villages, Rasteau, Château de Trignon (Roux) Gigondas, Tour Sarazzine, Clos des Cazaux (Vache) Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Télégramme (Brunier) 2002 RHONE SYRAH CASE ref OC1366 at containing two bottles each of the following Crozes-Hermitage, Domaine de Thalabert (Jaboulet Aîné) Saint-Joseph, Offerus (Jean-Louis Chave) Cornas, Patou (Dumien-Serrette) Côte-Rôtie, Côte Brune (Barge) Hermitage, Marquis de la Tourette (Delas) Vacqueyras, Les Templiers, Clos des Cazaux (Vache) 2002 RHONE WHITES CASE ref OC1376 at containing three bottles each of the following Crozes-Hermitage, Mule Blanche (Jaboulet Aîné) Hermitage Blanc, Marquis de la Tourette (Delas) Condrieu (Barge) Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc (Texier) This offer will close at 5pm, Friday 30th January 2004 For details of price and availability after this date please contact us on Drinking wine bought from The Wine Society should be a pleasurable experience. If at any time you are dissatisfied, we would like to hear from you. Contact us and we will be pleased to help. Registered Office The International Exhibition Co-operative Wine Society Limited, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2BG Enquiry Line Tel Order Office Tel Enquiry Line & Order Office Fax memberservices@thewinesociety.com Website

13 Orders by Post, Fax or Website by 5pm, Friday 30th January 2004 Member s Name Date of Order 2002 and 2001 Rhône and Languedoc In-Bond Order Form Order Deadline Orders for wines on this form (by post, fax or website) should reach The Society by 5pm, Friday 30th January Please refer to the notes on the back page of this order form and on page two of the accompanying offer before completing your order. Share Number Daytime Telephone If you would like us to you details of wines allocated please tick this box address for notification, please insert or amend if incorrect (please print clearly) Ref. code Name In-bond No. of In-bond No. of May Specific Total price cases price cases we substitution per six per substitute ref. code bottles dozen (Y/N) 2002 NORTHERN RHONE REDS IN BOND RH11731 Crozes-Hermitage, Les Launes (Delas) RH11741 Saint-Joseph, Côte Sainte Epine (Desestret) RH11751 Crozes-Hermitage, Thalabert (Jaboulet Aîné) RH11761 Saint-Joseph, Coursodon RH11771 Saint-Joseph, Offerus (Jean-Louis Chave) RH11781 Saint-Joseph, Clos de Cuminaille (Gaillard) RH11791 Crozes-Hermitage, Raymond Roure (Jaboulet Aîné) RH11801 Saint-Joseph, Les Royes (Courbis) RH11811 Cornas, Champelrose (Courbis) RH11821 Cornas, Patou (Dumien-Serrette) RH11841 Côte-Rôtie, La Viaillère (Champet) RH11851 Côte-Rôtie (Guy Bernard) RH11891 Cornas, Chante Perdrix (Delas) RH11951 Côte-Rôtie, Côte Brune (Barge) RH11861 Côte-Rôtie (Burgaud) RH11101 Seyssuel Sotanum, Collines Rhodaniennes RH11831 Cornas, Tunnel (Robert) RH11871 Côte-Rôtie (Gaillard) RH11911 Côte-Rôtie, Seigneur de Maugiron (Delas) RH12001 Hermitage, Marquis de la Tourette (Delas) RH11961 Cornas, Les Eygats (Courbis) RH11881 Côte-Rôtie (Ogier) RH11901 Côte-Rôtie (Rostaing) RH11921 Hermitage, Cuvée Emilie, Remizières (Desmeure) RH11941 Hermitage (Sorrel) RH11981 Cornas, Domaine Allemand RH11931 Hermitage (Faurie) RH11991 Cornas, Saint Pierre (Jaboulet Aîné) RH12021 Hermitage, Marquis de Sizeranne (Chapoutier) RH11971 Cornas, La Sabarotte (Courbis) RH0104/1 January 2004

14 Member s Name Date of Order Share Number Daytime Telephone If you would like us to you details of wines allocated please tick this box address for notification, please insert (please print clearly) Ref. code Name In-bond No. of In-bond No. of May Specific Total price cases price cases we substitution per six per substitute ref. code bottles dozen (Y/N) M M M 2002 NORTHERN RHONE REDS IN BOND RH12011 Côte-Rôtie (Laurent-Tardieu) RH12031 Hermitage, La Chapelle (Jaboulet Aîné) RH12034 Hermitage, La Chapelle (Jaboulet Aîné) per 3 mags 2002 SOUTHERN RHONE REDS IN BOND RH11601 CDR Villages, Laudun, Château Courac (Arnaud) RH11611 CDR Villages, Rasteau (Roméro) RH11621 CDR Villages, Rasteau, Château de Trignon (Roux) RH11631 CDR Villages, Vinsobres (Jaume) RH11634 CDR Villages, Vinsobres (Jaume) RH11641 Vacqueyras, Saint Roch, Cazaux (Vache) RH11644 Vacqueyras, Saint Roch, Cazaux (Vache) RH11651 Vacqueyras, Les Templiers, Cazaux (Vache) RH11661 Gigondas, Tour Sarazzine, Cazaux (Vache) RH11681 Chât.-du-Pape, Télégramme (Brunier) RH11711 Chât.-du-Pape, Cuvée Les Olivaies (Sabon) RH11671 Gigondas, Château de Sainte Cosme (Barruol) RH11691 Chât.-du-Pape, Font de Michelle (Gonnet) RH11701 Chât.-du-Pape, Les Sinards (Perrin) RH11721 Chât.-du-Pape, Clos des Papes (Avril) LANGUEDOC AND ROUSSILLON REDS IN BOND FC10621 Mas de Daumas Gassac (Guibert de la Vaissières) FC10771 Prieuré Saint Jean de Bébian (Lebrun & Lecouty) FC10781 Côtes du Roussillon Villages, V Vignes, Gauby FC10801 Le Soula, Vin de Pays des Côtes Catalanes (Gauby) FC10791 Côtes du Roussillon Villages, Muntada, Gauby * * * * * * * 2002 RHONE AND LANGUEDOC-ROUSSILLON WHITES IN BOND FC10811 Domaine Alquier Blanc (Jean Michel Alquier) RH12061 Saint-Joseph Blanc, Côte Sainte Epine (Desestret) RH12041 Crozes-Hermitage, Mule Blanche (Jaboulet Aîné) RH12091 Crozes-Hermitage Blanc, Roure (Jaboulet Aîné) RH12051 Saint Peray, Cuvée Prestige, Tunnel (Robert) RH12081 Saint-Joseph Blanc, Florentin RH12071 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc (Texier) RH12131 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc, Pegau RH12181 Condrieu (Barge) RH12171 Condrieu, Côteau de Chéry (Perret) RH12111 Saint-Joseph Blanc, Lieu Dit Saint-Joseph (Guigal) RH12101 Condrieu, Cuvée de Chéry (Niero-Pinchon) RH12201 Condrieu, Grand Vallon (Villard) RH12121 Chât.-du-Pape Blanc, Clos des Papes (Avril) RH12141 Hermitage Blanc, Marquis de la Tourette (Delas) FC10821 Le Soula Blanc, Côtes Catalanes (Gauby) RH12151 Hermitage Blanc (Sorrel) RH12161 Hermitage Blanc, Chante-Alouette (Chapoutier) RH12231 Condrieu, De Poncins (Villard) RH12211 Hermitage Blanc, Stérimberg (Jaboulet Aîné) RH12191 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc, Beaucastel (Perrin) RH12221 Hermitage, Les Rocoules (Sorrel) RH12241 Chât.-du-Pape Blanc, Beaucastel Roussanne (Perrin) Page 2

15 Member s Name Date of Order Share Number Daytime Telephone * If you would like us to you details of wines allocated please tick this box address for notification, please insert (please print clearly) Ref. code Name In-bond No. of In-bond No. of May Specific Total price cases price cases we substitution per six per substitute ref. code bottles dozen (Y/N) 2001 CHAVE RED AND WHITE HERMTAGE RH11551 Hermitage Rouge (Jean-Louis Chave) RH11571 Hermitage Blanc (Jean-Louis Chave) MIXED CASES OC Rhône Villages Case OC Rhône Syrah Case OC Rhône Whites Case TOTAL I enclose a cheque payable to The Wine Society for /I authorise you to debit my credit/debit card up to the value of wines allocated (please delete as appropriate) These wines are restricted. Please see offer. Please indicate preferred substitute if original choice sold out. M Magnums available. ay Payment by Credit/Debit Card (if paying by Mastercard, Visa, Amex, Delta or Switch please complete this section) Mastercard /Visa /Amex/Delta/Switch No. Start date Expiry date Issue No. Name (as on card) Signature Page 3

16 HOW THIS OFFER WORKS Demand for 2002 and 2001 Rhône and Languedoc may be high. We share out oversubscribed wines as widely as possible down to a minimum practical level per member. After that, wines are allocated as fairly as possible. Please be aware that some wines will sell out and substitute wines will be used where requested. Post, fax and website orders will be accepted for this offer. Your order should arrive at Stevenage before 5pm, Friday 30th January 2004 and will be processed thereafter. Orders received after this date will be processed separately after the main allocation of stock, generally two weeks later. We may have to ration supplies to members in order to satisfy as many members as possible. Members whose orders have been received before 5pm, Friday 30th January 2004 will receive confirmation of their purchase by Friday, 20th February 2004 at the latest. Members whose orders have been received after 5pm, Friday 30th January 2004 will receive notification by Friday, 5th March If you wish to receive notification of the wines you have been allocated by , please give your address on the order form or when you order via the website at Notes for Ordering 2002 and 2001 Rhône and Languedoc In-Bond 1. This offer is understood to be for a minimum of six or twelve bottles as offered, of any one wine. However, we reserve the right to ration supplies. 2. The quoted prices for 2002 and 2001 Rhône and Languedoc are in-bond, shipped to a UK address. This means that the prices shown include bottling, insurance, shipping and delivery to a UK address. Duty (currently per case of 12 bottles); and VAT (currently 17.5% payable on wine and duty) are not included. Payment of these taxes, at the prevailing rate, will be requested once the wines arrive at Stevenage. Delivery shall occur upon wine being reserved for your order. 3. The amount due in respect of these taxes will become payable upon request from The Society following the arrival of the wine at Stevenage, expected to be autumn 2004 for the whites and spring 2005 for the reds; no property in any wine will pass from The Society until the amounts due for duty and VAT in respect of that wine have been paid in full. The Society reserves the right to rescind its contract with any member if that member does not pay the amount due in respect of duty and VAT: rescission shall be by notice in writing to the member. If the contract is rescinded, The Society will credit the account of the member concerned with the lesser of the value of the wine net of duty and VAT at the date of rescission (as determined by The Society s chief wine buyer) and the amount previously paid by the member. 4. The member acknowledges that the price of en primeur wine is dependent on fluctuations in a financial market which cannot be controlled by The Society and that the market value of wine purchased could go down as well as up. 5. When the wines arrive at Stevenage, The Society will ask members for their instructions: members may elect to collect their wines from Stevenage, have the wines transported to a UK address, or stored in duty-paid Members Reserves. 6. If a member does not provide The Society with their instructions when requested, wines will automatically be placed in The Society s duty-paid Members Reserves, and the member will be charged non-refundable reserve rental at the prevailing rate. 7. The Society recommends that payment be made by credit/debit card, as there could be a difference between the value of a member s order and that of the wines available. The Society will only charge the credit/debit card for the value of the wines allocated. Please fill in the details overleaf or via The Society s secure website at 8. Payment may be made by cheque, payable to The Wine Society (please write your share number on the reverse of the cheque). If payment is made by cheque and The Society is unable to meet any part of the order, and if substitute wines are not available or acceptable, then a cheque refund will be issued. Otherwise, if a slightly less expensive wine is substituted, the member s account will be credited. Website orders require payment by credit/debit card. 9. The Society has made advance payments to secure these wines. If, for any reason beyond the control of The Society, any of the wines in this offer fail to be supplied, The Society undertakes to refund the money advanced by the member, together with interest at the prevailing base rate. 10. Please note that only unmixed dozens can be exported or transferred to outside bonded warehouses. 11. Right to cancel if you wish to cancel an Opening Offer order then notice should be given within seven working days of receipt of the Invoice/Opening Offer Order Confirmation issued by The Society following order processing. The Society s Policy on Wine Substitutions In the absence of instructions to the contrary, we will, where appropriate, automatically complete your order with substitute wines. We will only substitute with wines that we believe to be of similar quality to those requested. If no suitable alternative exists, we will endeavour to contact you. If this is not possible, unavailable wines will not be substituted; the rest of your order will, however, be processed as usual. If you have a preference for a particular alternative, should your first choice be unavailable, please indicate this in the appropriate column on the order form. In this instance, the named alternative, if available, will be substituted at the advertised selling price. However, the likelihood of obtaining wines of the quality and style you require will be increased if you tick the substitute box and/or suggest alternative choices on this order form. This offer will close at 5pm, Friday 30th January For details of price and availability after this date please contact us on Registered Office The International Exhibition Co-operative Wine Society Limited, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2BG Enquiry Line Tel Order Office Tel Enquiry Line & Order Office Fax memberservices@thewinesociety.com Website