RAYMOND VINEYARDS Legend Vineyard Exclusive created with John Legend N 37 - SPRING 2016

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1 N 37 - SPRING 2016 All articles available on and NEWS 2-3 Boisset Collection charity auction Vinisud & Prowein Boisset, patron of the Burgundy climats Imaginarium Œnovidéo Award Crémant and caviar 2015 harvests, excellence! BURGUNDY 4-8 JEAN-CLAUDE BOISSET 4 Wine passion in Montreal DOMAINE DE LA VOUGERAIE 5 Pruning shapes the vine J. MOREAU & FILS 6 Valmur 2012: at its zenith BOUCHARD AÎNÉ & FILS 7 Burgundy wine and mustard ANTONIN RODET 8 Rully Premier Cru Molesme ROPITEAU FRÈRES , the influence of climate change THE JURA 9 HENRI MAIRE Reconquering the world Vin Jaune, a story of managed oxidation THE BEAUJOLAIS 10 CHÂTEAU DE PIERREUX Ageing in oak vats, tradition oblige! MOMMESSIN Renovatio, Beaujolais in the pink THE RHONE VALLEY 11 BOUACHON & BONPAS Tempting Côtes du Rhône whites Wine tourism, history & gourmet destinations HENRI MAIRE a showcase in Arbois Since January 2016, the new Henri Maire boutique, decorated in gold, white, and wood tones, has been bringing a new warmth to the heart of Arbois, the capital of Jura wines and home to Henri Maire. This renovation work is a reflection of our deep attachment to this winegrowing area, and our determination to showcase this heritage, in particular the intense gold color of its wonderful Vin Jaune. THE LANGUEDOC 12 MAISON FORTANT 360 promotion - Escale à Sète - ImageSingulières SPARKLING WINES LOUIS BOUILLOT Premier tasting of the limited edition Perle Rare 2012 vintage A sparkling take on Chablis Perle de Saint-Georges A social approach with ESAT GRANDIN New presentation 14 CHARLES DE FÈRE Celebrating nature s awakening BOISSET COLLECTION RAYMOND VINEYARDS 15 LVE, John Legend s harmonious wines Cellar Pass Award Napa Valley Film Festival DE LOACH VINEYARDS 16 New: Estate Pinot Noir BUENA VISTA WINERY 17 The Cabinet of Curiosities Château Buena Vista The Founder JCB BY JEAN-CHARLES BOISSET 18 Two new tasting lounges From Yountville to San Francisco CALENDAR 19 NEIGE The gin that came in from the cold IMPRIMÉ SUR PAPIER RECYCLÉ RAYMOND VINEYARDS Legend Vineyard Exclusive created with John Legend (See page 15)

2 NEWS Boisset Collection ups the bidding Wine lovers attending the Naples Winter Wine Festival in Florida on 30 January once again showed great generosity during the charity auction organized in aid of disadvantaged children in the region. The lot entitled A French Delight donated by Boisset Collection sold for $180,000, and included several jeroboams of fine French and American wines and a trip to France with a VIP welcome at the family s estates and wineries in Burgundy. The event also provided the opportunity for Boisset to make a world-premiere presentation of its English sparkling wine, Bride Valley, made in partnership with Steven Spurrier, and for which Boisset is the exclusive importer in the The multi-faceted universe of Boisset At Vinisud. Boisset La Famille des Grand Vins has had a presence in the vineyards of the South of France for more than 20 years. At the Vinisud trade show held in the town of Montpellier in February, the company showed off its wines from the Rhone Valley, the Languedoc, Provence and Corsica, alongside its American wines, with California a special guest at the show. Boisset will be showing wines from its two wineries in the Rhone Valley. Bonpas is in the southern part, with wines born from 700 years of history, and Bouachon is on the cooler slopes of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Also showing will be the singular wines of Maison Fortant in the South of France, and Boisset Collection, the family s Californian range. At Prowein. invites you to discover its latest vintages in a space combining luxury and conviviality to showcase its terroirs: Burgundy, the Beaujolais, the Jura, the Rhone Valley, the Languedoc, and California. Sparkling wines will be represented by the Crémant de Bourgogne wines of Louis Bouillot, Grandin from the Loire Valley, and the premium French blends of Charles de Fère. Oceans of the world separate us, great wines unite us! That is the credo of this Franco-American family company. Hall 12 Stand D16 from 13 to 15 March 2016 Crémant de Bourgogne meets caviar in Paris Isabelle Scotta - Boisset, Patron and Founder of the Association des Climats de Bourgogne 2 On 2 November last, Louis Bouillot sparkled during the Salon Boisset, a major professional tasting that was held in the Paris showroom of La Cornue, the upscale kitchen range brand. The Crémant de Bourgogne Grand Terroir La Vallée du Serein made a wonderful accompaniment for the subtle flavor of the French caviar, Neuvic. The event encapsulated all that is chic in French art de vivre and gastronomy Left to right: Andrés Hernàndez, Santiago Vivanco et Javi Pena. Œnovidéo 2015 The Prix de l Imaginarium For the past 22 years, the mobile festival, Œnovidéo, has been celebrating the best films and photography on the subject of vines and wine. As part of this event, the Imaginarium, awards its own prize to the most imaginative, creative, and visionary film that offers some poetic and festive moments. Its choice for 2015 was Le Secret de Dionysos from Spaniards Javi Pena and Andrés Hernández, who received their prize on 23 September 2015 at the Palais du Luxembourg in Paris. French director, scriptwriter, and producer Jacques Fansten is president of the Œnovidéo Grand Jury, and awarded the other trophies to the 14 films selected from more than 130 submissions from 16 countries. The 2015 winners confirm the international character of the competition, with Australian, American, Belgian, Spanish, French, Georgian, Mexican, and Swiss productions. The Grand Prix 2015 was unanimously attributed to the film À la Source du Vin by Philippe Gasnier. We look forward to seeing you at the 2016 edition in Frontignan, from May. L Imaginarium The Famille des Grands Vins was delighted to see the universal exceptional value of the climats of Burgundy recognized by UNESCO.The company s close involvement in the wine region, through its winegrower partners and through its own Burgundy estates covering more than 240 hectares, underlines its attachment to bringing out the very best in the nature of the climats, whose value is now acknowledged worldwide. Boisset la Famille des Grands

3 Harvests THE 2015 VINTAGE: PURE EXCELLENCE From north to south in France, as well as in California, Boisset s vineyards all echoed to the same sound: 2015 will be an exceptional vintage, one to put a smile on the winegrowers faces. The sunny year resulted in fruit with thick, dense skins, which promises color, concentration and power. The only downside is that quantities are lower. In Chablis, where the wines are still ageing, some cuvées are already showing a structure and power worthy of a vintage for laying down. On the Côte d Or, initial tastings have confirmed the early promise of the highly aromatic juice with nice color. Despite yet another low harvest, the 2015 vintage looks set to be a lovely one. The Jura enjoyed a magnificent year, with early ripening and a harvest of wonderful quality. This ripe fruit in perfect health should spell an exceptional vintage. The red wines are showing nice concentration, with lovely tannins and a forthright aromatic profile. The white wines, which usually have a good crisp tension, are very moreish. The yields were fairly variable depending on the varietal, the Savagnin having suffered in places from uneven flowering, but there is definitely potential. In the Beaujolais, a great vintage is shaping up. There was concentrated fruit with a splendid color, although yields were low. The Rhone Valley is also promising great things, with aromatic whites underscored by some nice acidity. The reds have deep colors, with pronounced yet soft tannins and good length. The Languedoc enjoyed a good year producing generous wines, offering pure expressions of the fruit and a nice balance of freshness. In California, the weather conditions led some to fear the worst, but in the end, things turned out for the best. A particularly mild winter was followed by a cold spring at the time of flowering, which slowed this process considerably. Yields were affected, but the quality of the fruit was extraordinary. The 2015 vintage produced full-fleshed, concentrated wines with good ageing potential. 3

4 Burgundy JEAN-CLAUDE BOISSET AT MONTRÉAL PASSION VIN Winemaker Grégory Patriat Montréal Passion Vin is a key event in the wine calendar, bringing together some of the world s biggest collectors in Quebec for two unique days at the end of October. The event includes conferences, anthology tastings, and auctions, and is the occasion to get together around some legendary wines while raising money to fight cancer. 4 At the foot of the vines of Nuits-Saint-Georges, the architecture of the new Jean-Claude Boisset winery fits perfectly into the landscape of the Burgundy climats. The event has been held for the past 14 years, providing the chance for great names in wine and great names in the Montreal restaurant scene to join forces and combine their generosity to raise funds for the cancer department of the Maisonneuve-Rosemont hospital. The maison Jean-Claude Boisset made a noteworthy contribution at the 2015 event, featuring alongside some other illustrious French and Italian wines from Bordeaux, Champagne and Piedmont in some vertiginous vertical tastings. Around 250 generous wine lovers enjoyed a series of tastings with the theme, Words from the Winemakers. JCB winemaker Grégory Patriat was accompanied by Quebec sommelier Véronique Rivest and presented six prestigious crus produce by Jean-Claude Boisset. His talent as an orator, and his passion very much in keeping with the theme were much appreciated by the audience, seduced by the excellence of the appellations he presented: Beaune Premier Cru Les Vignes Franches Just 450 bottles were produced of this complex, highly sophisticated wine, with aromas of white blossom and beeswax over a smooth and forthright sensation in the mouth, followed by exceptional length. Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru Les Perrières Hints of honey, pear, and wax, over a touch of gunflint in this wine from 60-year-old vines with yields of less than 40hl/ha. Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru A floral and mineral nose over an ample feel on the tongue, this dazzling gold wine offers great length and wonderful finesse. These wines were then followed by a vertical tasting of Grand Cru Clos de la Roche, a rare treat given that grand crus represent less than 2% of all Burgundy wine production. Clos de la Roche Vinified with 50% whole bunches, with pure and deep aromas of raspberry and blackcurrant, precise on the tongue. A powerful and lengthy finish with salient tannins suggesting this wine should be ideally kept for another decade. Clos de la Roche A more fruity, airy wine, that is supple and crisp on the tongue. The finish is already very flavorsome, but it could be left for a further five or six years. Clos de la Roche Open on the nose with tertiary notes, smooth in the mouth but still crisp with good acidity. There is still room for improvement. Another highlight was La Soirée À Votre Santé, attended by some 400 guests, where the Meursault Premier Cru Charmes 2012 from Jean-Claude Boisset lived up to its name! And to close the show was the gala dinner and auction where some very respectable bottles were snapped up by those with the deepest pockets. Jean-Charles Boisset attended the event, skillfully auctioning off a surprise lot of a trip to California for six people, which went for CAD45,000, along with another lot of two exceptional crus: Two jeroboams of Clos de la Roche 2002, which sold for CAD32,000. In total, the 2015 event raised CAD1,041,907 for this extremely worthy cause.

5 Burgundy Domaine de la Vougeraie PRUNING, THE ART OF SCULPTING THE VINE The most important of the winter tasks in the vineyard is pruning, which will shape the plant for the years to come. This is a very precise operation that takes into account all aspects of the vine, including its age, its vigorousness, its past and its future. In other words, a whole lot in a few snips! In Burgundy, two types of pruning are commonly practiced: The Guyot method, which is the most widespread, and the Cordon de Royat. The two methods can also be used together, depending on the situation. In the case of the Guyot method, a cane with six buds is left on one side, each of which will grow into shoots, and on the other side, a short spur is left with two buds. The following year, this arrangement is swapped to the other side, which means there is always a one-year-old cane to bear the new season s growth. For the Cordon de Royat, the same cane is used yearon-year, thus becoming old wood, on which four pairs of buds are left, yielding eight shoots. This method is used on older vines here because it slows the vigor of the plant. It is no longer practiced on the estate, since all the vines have found the right balance. However, last year the Domaine de la Vougeraie carried out trials on the so-called Guyot-Poussard method, which is a Cordon de Royat with an additional spur, the aim of which is to spread the flow of sap in the plant more to combat esca, a disease of the wood which causes major damage. The teams first carry out a pre-pruning stage, leaving two branches. Then, starting from mid-december, they carry out definitive pruning from the base of the vine. Pruning as late as possible in the dormant season is best, since this pushes back the emergence of the buds, thereby limiting the risk of frost damage, given that temperatures can fall below zero in Burgundy as late as May, the period known in France as the ice saints, or in some cultures as the blackthorn winter. For the 42 hectares of the Domaine de la Vougeraie, pruning stretches from November to early March, and wherever possible is carried out on fruit and flower days in the lunar calendar. The young plants, which are more fragile, are pruned on root days to help them find their footing. Since the estate has 74 plots spread over 55 kilometers, the pruning schedule is complex, especially if biodynamic principles are to be respected. And since this is such a crucial stage in the vine s cycle, the premier and grand crus are always pruned last. 5

6 Burgundy 6 The J. Moreau & Fils Chablis 2014 anniversary cuvée takes flight with Air Tahiti Nui In 2014, to celebrate its 200th anniversary, the maison J. Moreau & Fils produced a limited edition cuvée of 200 magnums inspired by the close similarities of the Chablis terroir which was once under the ocean, and that of Tahiti, with its pearls and mother of pearl. To prolong the celebrations, J. Moreau & Fils has formed a partnership with Air Tahiti Nui involving a competition that ran between 15 November and 16 January to win two return flights between Paris and Papeete. More than 5,000 took part in the competition and of them, some 4,200 picked the right answers. The lucky winner, who lives in Paris, was picked randomly. The wines of J. Moreau & Fils have been distributed in Tahiti for more than a decade. Their Chablis are grown on a terroir composed of millennia-old fossilized oyster shells, echoing the famous pearls of Tahiti. Burgundy wines from the 2014 vintage have all the appeal of a great vintage that is unique, just like the pearls of Tahiti. J. Moreau & Fils, Chablis CHABLIS GRAND CRU VALMUR 2012 AT ITS ZENITH The prestigious climat of Valmur, one of the seven grand cru climats of the Chablis winegrowing region, covers a little over 13 hectares in the center of the hillside to the northeast of the village. The area belonging to J. Moreau & Fils covers a sloping plot of two hectares on heavy soil of gray marl, dotted with the tiny oyster fossils so characteristic of the region, and which give the wines their smoky character. The 2012 vintage is remembered as being an exceptional one. The whims of the weather may have been the source of some stress for the winemakers over the seasons, but a very sunny August saved the vintage, resulting in little bunches that were low in juice but offering some intense concentration. Yields were tiny, but the fruit produced fragrant, concentrated, and structured wines. This grand cru required a very careful, tailored approach to its creation. The tight little bunches of Chardonnay grapes were subject to long, gentle pressing and the juice left to settle and naturally clarify. Fermentation began in stainless-steel vats for three days before a fifth of the the wine was put into fine-grained barrels to finish off. The malolactic fermentation with stirring was followed by racking off the barrels in June after nine months, and then the two parts were blended to result in a harmoniously balanced wine. Tasting notes from winemaker Lucie Depuydt, 12 February 2016 A pale gold with little touches of green. When the wine was bottled, it was still a little closed, but it nonetheless suggested a complex aromatic profile going from blond tobacco to citrus zest. More than two years on and the nose has significantly evolved. It has preserved its original identity, whilst becoming enriched with slightly smoky notes underpinning the citrus and almond. In the mouth, it is still just as crisp, but is richer and more expressive. Aromas of ripe fruit like mango marry with a mineral side, and a finish that is both powerful and slightly saline, reminding us of the richness of this unique terroir. Its keeping potential is confirmed year on year, and it offers extensive potential for food pairings, with our two favorites being veal braised with citrus, and grilled lobster with shrimp butter.

7 Burgundy At Bouchard Aîné & fils THE WINES AND MUSTARDS OF BURGUNDY A powerful and spicy tasting for the 2015 Hospices de Beaune wine auction weekend To celebrate the Hospices de Beaune wine auction weekend in November, Bouchard Aîné & Fils partnered with Fallot, a local artisanal mustard producer, to serve up a highly original tasting called Great Wines, Great Mustards, Powerful Sensations! This piquant exercise in style was subtly handled by these two Beaune institutions, resulting in a striking tasting that offered some exciting olfactory, gustatory and historical discoveries for guests who made their way through Bouchard Aîné & Fils s Tour of the Five Senses that had been given a makeover for the occasion. More than 800 guests attended the event that helped to make the 2015 sale a memorable success. Bouchard Aîné 7

8 Burgundy Rully Premier Cru Molesme 2013 from Château de Rully THE WINEMAKER S FAVORITE Antonin Rodet This is one seductive wine! With its ruby color, aromas of black berries and spice, and its richness on the tongue with touches of black cherry on the finish, it is the perfect partner for a choice cut of beef or feathered game such as pheasant or partridge. Decanting will bring out its qualities and allow it to open up for tasting. Or it can be also saved for future pleasure, safe in the cellar for five years. The Château de Rully, an imposing fortified structure from the 12th century, property of the Counts of Ternay, is the emblem of the village of Rully. The maison Antonin Rodet has produced wine here for 30 years, and its plot called Molesme covers three hectares of 22-year-old wines, perfectly situated facing east-southeast. The secret of this wine is the lovely grapes that were hand-picked on 7 and 8 October and macerated at 15 C for three days. The cap of skins and pips was regularly pushed back into the must until fermentation began, and it lasted for exactly 13 days in concrete vats, where it was pumped over daily. The wine will be aged for eight months in the barrel with just one quarter new wood. The influence of climate change THE 2015 VINTAGE AT ROPITEAU FRÈRES 8 Ropiteau Frères In the calm of the cellars of Meursault, the wines age at their own pace. The harvests may have been early in 2015, but the malolactic fermentations were late, and we were getting very impatient by the time they began in early February Ageing of the wines at Ropiteau Frères is, as ever, adjusted to suit the vintage, and this year, will be shorter than usual at around 10 months rather than the usual 13. The alcoholic fermentations took place in the vat to preserve all the freshness of the must, after which they were gently put in the barrel. The wines are slowly developing on the lees and will be bottled during the summer in order to preserve all their character. These will be rather fleshy wines with balanced acidity, subtle on the nose, with aromas of white blossom typical of the Chardonnay grape. For the house winemaker, Nicolas Burnez, who is vinifying his 13th vintage, climate change is increasingly a factor, which raises questions about whether vine cultivation practices and vinification techniques should evolve in parallel.

9 Jura HENRI MAIRE, RECONQUERING THE WORLD Since the start of the year, Henri Maire has been offering a selection of nine cuvées for export that express the diversity and excellence of Jura wines. These wines represent the flagship appellations of this tiny wine-producing region, with just 2,000 hectares of vineyard. With 230 hectares under vine, Henri Maire is the largest estate in the region. With this range, wine lovers can enjoy the main specialties the Jura region has to offer Vin Jaune with its complex aromatic palate; Château Chalon, the estate s flagship wine produced at the heart of the Savagnin production area; Vin de Paille, that sweet, velvety nectar; and of course the Crémant du Jura sparkling wines with their lively, fresh flavors. The range also includes some lesser-known appellations such as L Etoile and Arbois, and wines made from the region s three favored varietals of Savagnin, Trousseau, and Pinot Noir. A key stage in this international relaunch will be the maison s attendance at the Prowein trade fair, which runs from March in Düsseldorf. Winemaker Emmanuel Laurent in the cellars in Arbois The secrets of Vin Jaune revealed. A story of managed oxidation Vin Jaune is the gem of the Jura winegrowing region, with its crystal clear, warm gold color that is born from the cold, and the impoverished marl soils, as if great wines had to find a hostile environment to truly emphasize their nobility. Only the Savagnin grape varietal is permitted to make this exceptional wine, which offers tempting nutty, spicy, and fruity aromas. Vin Jaune ages very slowly, spending at least six years and three months undisturbed in oak barrels. Natural evaporation triggers a protection mechanism in the shape of a fine layer of yeasts that forms on the surface of the wine. This veil is what protects the wine from the outside world and the threat of oxygen. The barrels are never topped up, and the wine is left to become concentrated, developing a wonderfully deep golden color and some complex aromas over time. It is produced in traditional 62cl bottles called clavelins, a reminder of the quantity that remains after a liter of must is aged according to this unique process. It is ready to drink as soon as it is bottled, but can also be kept for several years. It is said that of all the wines in the world, Vin Jaune can be kept the longest. Once open, it also keeps well, for several weeks afterwards. Tasting Vin Jaune is a true exploration of the senses. Its slow oxidation gives rise to a palette of aromas including walnut, hazelnut, almond, baked apple, curry, saffron, nutmeg, and candied fruit. The richness of this great wine means it can be combined with a wide range of different preparations. From aperitifs to dessert, from Comté cheese and gougères savory pastries, to mushrooms, spicy international cuisine, fish in cream sauce, and walnut cake it s all good with Vin Jaune. It even makes a wonderful match with the saline flavors of oysters. But its best partner is cockerel with morel mushrooms and Vin Jaune, that emblematic example of traditional Jura cuisine. Henri Maire probably has the biggest stocks of Vin Jaune in the world, made from its vines in Arbois and Château Chalon. Henri Maire Officiel - Vins 9

10 Beaujolais AGEING IN FOUDRES, IN THE TRADITIONAL STYLE At the food of Mount Brouilly, the vines of the Château de Pierreux spread over 93 hectares of the Brouilly appellation. They include more than 100 plots, on a terroir of granite soils containing a mixture of sand, porphyry, shale, and quartz. When the vineyard was expanded, part of the cellar that had been unoccupied for some years had to be brought back into action to house the increased volume of wine. And last summer, this area we call the cellar beneath the chalet welcomed eight huge new foudres, 50hl vats, that were assembled inside the cellar, to join the four we introduced in 2011, and 19 that are considerably older. This type of ageing, which was very popular in the Beaujolais until the 1960s and then abandoned in favor of concrete vats, has always been used at Pierreux. It contributes to the style of the wines, which are appreciated for their smooth tannins and lovely roundness. To underscore this gourmet style, the foudre is the ideal container because it minimizes the influence of the oak, thus preserving the wines airy personality. The 2015 vintage was mainly aged in the older foudres, with one fifth in stainless-steel vats and the remainder in new foudres. The Château produces two cuvées: Brouilly Château de Pierreux, and, depending on the year, a more intense Brouilly Château de Pierreux Réserve. RENOVATIO, pretty in pink, a fresh take on Beaujolais 10 Besides its landscapes evoking Tuscany, the Beaujolais is home to a unique varietal, Gamay. The Mommessin wine house produces two rosé variations on this grape: Renovatio Coteaux Bourguignons, a crisp rosé for summer drinking, and Renovatio Utopia, a cuvée aged in oak for a lovely rounded wine. Renovatio, a sublime rosé The great originality of this unique blend is that it combines Beaujolais rosé and Burgundy white wine. The Beaujolais component comes from the Pierres Dorées area north of Lyon, and is delicately aged in wood to give an oaky note. The white wine comes from vineyards in Lugny and Viré in the Mâcon region, and from declassified Petit Chablis. This Renovatio cuvée is an easy-drinking, moreish wine, in which Gamay dominates with light vivacity. Renovatio UTOPIA, a gastronomic wine This is a carefully crafted, refined rosé. It is aged in barrels previously used for Meursault, giving it a slightly mentholated note and a touch of oak, whilst bringing body and depth. When tasted blind, it is difficult to tell if this is a white or a rosé. The wine was bottled in early February.

11 Rhone Valley TEST BENCH COTES-DU-RHONE WHITES One appellation, two winemakers, two distinct styles: Crispness for one, depth for the other! Ageing in stainless steel for the aromatic purity of Viognier: Les Rabassières, Côtes-du-Rhône white wine by Bouachon This wine is made principally from the Viognier varietal, and has a crisp yet powerful style. It is aged on lees in stainless-steel vats to preserve the purity of its aromas of yellow fruits like peach and apricot, making this an ideal wine for a buffet. The name of this wine stems from the provenance of the grapes used to make it. The plot, located in the area known as Plan de Dieu to the northeast of the town of Orange, in the southern end of the wine-growing part of the Rhone Valley, is surrounded by truffle oaks. In the local Occitan language, the word for truffle is rabasse. Truffles are a highly sought-after local treasure, and are often harvested by night so as not to reveal where they can be found. So the name Les Rabassières is a nod to this traditional local activity that is still widely practiced under the truffle oaks that surround the plots. A gourmet wine aged in oak: Don Alfant 2014 Bonpas The cuvée Don Alfant pays homage to the first prior of Notre Dame de Bonpas. This wine is made from a blend of three traditional varietals from the southern Rhone Valley Grenache Blanc, Clairette, and Viognier, from wines grown on terraces where the subsoil dates back to the Quaternary, close by the River Durance. Part of the cuvée was aged on lees for six months in barrels made from oak grown in the Allier and the Vosges, with a third in new wood, to preserve all the fruitiness and freshness of the wine. This is a gourmet and complex Côtes-du-Rhône that is perfect served as an aperitif. Since 1318, the towering fortifications of the Chartreuse of Bonpas have looked down over the passage where the Durance river flows, hence its name Bonpas, meaning good passage. The first major edifice in the southern Côtes du Rhône region, it is the gateway to the terroir characterized by an abundance of large pebbles. Wine tourism in the Rhone Valley a tale of history and indulgence The Chartreuse de Bonpas in Caumont-sur-Durance and the Pavillon des Vins in Châteauneuf-du-Pape each offer an historical and indulgent exploration of the wines of the southern Rhone Valley. These tours play on the complementary nature of the two sites resulting in a tourism offer combining pleasure, prestige, and history. The Chartreuse de Bonpas, that has stood on this spot for some 700 years, invites visitors on a trip through time, bringing back to life this legendary place. This is an original experience combining son et lumière with mystery and some wines for tasting, with the route taking visitors from the former shop under the porch to the screening room, via the Chapel, the Great Cellar, and the Reading Room. Every wine from Bonpas retraces a chapter in this centuries-old story. The Pavillon des Vins offers a sensorial approach with some intriguing and tantalizing wine and chocolate combinations

12 Languedoc 12 Photo competion Fortant and ImageSingulières Fortant, based in the Mediterranean port of Sète, today celebrates its terroirs on social networks. Its wines express the maritime influences of this land by the sea. The ImageSingulières festival will provide the opportunity for a pictorial interpetation of the land which produces these premium wines. Fortant has been a partner of this international photography event for the past seven years, and is this year launching a competition in partnership with the festival aimed at amateur photographers and wine lovers from 4 to 9 May The competition s theme is: The land which makes the wine, which chimes with Fortant s promotional theme in The competition involves three prizes to be discerned by a jury of photography and wine professionals, and will be presented during a special ceremony on 21 May at the Chais des Moulins winery. - 1st prize: Gastronomic meal for two at La Coquerie d Anne Majourel, (1 Michelin star) in Sète - 2nd prize: Limited edition print by Bieke Depoorter (in residence at ImageSingulières 2015) - 3rd prize: A book from the ImageSingulières collection All winners will also receive two attractive striped tops in Fortant colors. The competition and entrants photos will be relayed on social networks: ImageSingulières: 4-22 May 2016, Sète Rules available on the sites com and #Fortant Fortant Fortant_FR 360 PROMOTION A pioneer of varietal wines since 1987, Fortant has produced an innovative promotional campaign in the shape of six-episode webseries entitled Partez à la découverte de la Terre de Fortant!, which will be available in February. The series illustrates one of the biggest wine-growing regions in the world, with many hidden treasures that will be revealed to viewers. This premium winemaker in the south of France has launched an unprecedented publicity campaign with consumers in France, Germany, the UK and the USA. These mini-series invite them to follow an explorer through a land of multiple faces, at the crossroads of many influences. Just like Indiana Jones, our adventure hero will travel across the three Fortant landscapes: Littoral (coastline), Collines (hills) and Grands Monts (high peaks). This is a fresh approach to the world of wine through video. A new website, competitions, events, videos, and reportages are all planned to convey news about the company s brands. On YouTube from February: Terre de Fortant, la quête des trois cépages ESCALE À SÈTE SAILING EVENT From March 2016, the port of Sète will celebrate 350 years of maritime tradition by hosting 120 legendary ships from around the world, under the patronage of navigator Maud Fontenoy. On this occasion, Fortant, which was founded in Sète and whose wines bear the emblem of the lighthouse, will once again set sail with the first maritime eco-festival in France. Fortant s colors will fly throughout the town for the week. Tastings will be hosted on Fortant s vessel, Nao Victoria (a replica of Magellan s ship, the Victoria) which will be moored in the heart of the town. Fortant wines will also be showcased in around 30 partner restaurants around town and on the company s two stands. The highpoints of this maritime gathering will be two prestigious Fortant events: 10 of its privileged clients will enjoy a crossing from Barcelona to Sète on board the Santa Maria Manuela*, and there will also be a private party on this stunning Portuguese four-mast lugger. *The Santa Maria Manuela was built in 1937 to catch cod. On fishing expeditions, it would carry 71 men, including 54 fishermen. The Santa Maria Manuela is today used as a training vessel. It takes part in research trips involving astronomy, whale watching and bird spotting. It can carry up to 50 trainees.

13 LOUIS BOUILLOT Nuits-Saint-Georges, France AVANT-PREMIÈRE THE LIMITED EDTION This year, Louis Bouillot is turning gold for the holiday season and celebrating Burgundy, the birthplace of its wines, with a limited edition cuvée. Its style comes from the four main grape varietals used in this wine, with the breadth of the Chardonnay, the structure of the Pinot Noir, the fruitiness of the Gamay, and the freshness of the Aligoté merging g into a gourmet, elegant harmony. This limited edition cuvée is a rare one, paying homage to the grapes that were harvested by hand and pressed gently to preserve the quality of the berries and the expression of the terroir. The temperature, controlled with precision throughout the winemaking process, along with an extra-dry dosage, give this wine a fine complexity and distinct character, also helped by long ageing of 30 months on lees. Its golden color with flashes of amber promises a powerful and mature wine, with buttery, fruity, and toasted notes, with hints of brioche, and a lively movement thanks to its gentle, tiny bubbles. The Cuvée Extra Brut from Louis Bouillot will be unveiled in its special presentation case at the Prowein trade show in Düsseldorf from March A sparkling take on Chablis La Vallée du Serein 2007, the latests Grands Terroirs bubbly from Louis Bouillot. Crisp, mineral and powerful Chardonnay from Chablis is at the core of this exceptional Crémant de Bourgogne. This blanc de blancs extra-brut provides a no-frills expression of the personality of the Chablis vineyard in a sparkling version. It is aged on lees for an unusually long six years, which allows it to attain great complexity, magnified by bottling without dosage. Its bright color has a golden tinge, with light and delicate bubbles. The nose is rich, with floral and almond aromas topped with toasted notes and brioche flavors, ahead of a structured finish. The Grands Terroirs are to Burgundy what single malts are to Scotch whiskies; a pure expression of origins, and the opposite of blends. The wines come from plots with village appellations, and these hand-stitched wines, each with their own distinct personality, have been created by the sparkling pioneer Louis Bouillot. Perle Rare 2012 unveiled elegant and sophisticated Among the three vintage cuvées from Louis Bouillot, Perle Rare is the most sophisticated. Made exclusively in years when the fruit promises an exceptional cuvée, the launch of the 2012, a legendary vintage in Burgundy, was naturally very highly anticipated. This rich product of the 2012 vintage comes after the very forthright A blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, Perle Rare is all about elegance. On the nose, it brings hints of Mediterranean citrus fruit and orange blossom. These then give way to typically Burgundian notes of pêche de vigne and pear. Its color is intense yellow, and it delights the taste buds with its fresh, gourmet attack, which offers a fine balance between acidity and sweetness, delicacy and charm, with a long and harmonious finish. It had barely been launched when this cuvée won a gold medal at the most recent Concours National des Crémants national competition. 13

14 A new showcase for the Grande Réserve Blanc de Noirs Brut cuvée from Grandin Since winter 2015/2016, the Grande Réserve Blanc de Noirs Brut Grandin has been available in a metal presentation sleeve. This bright red canister, with its vibrant graphic design, was originally created for Australian sales, but is now available on the European market. It includes a relief representation of the maison s emblematic Château d Ingrandes-sur-Loire. This cuvée is produced using the méthode traditionnelle in the Loire department of France, and is aged on laths for nine months. It is a blend of selected Grenache, Pinot Noir and Gamay varietals. A subtle nose reveals hints of red berries, and is followed by a smooth and assertive attack. It is a wine that combines power and subtlety, and when served chilled, is the perfect partner for country ham or a walnut cake. Charles de Fère celebrates nature s awakening Charles de Fère, which enjoys a wonderful heritage of five generations of winemakers, has unveiled a new look for its organic cuvée Réserve Nature. The wine has been given an elegantly festive boost, with new labelling and a new foil cap for a fresher, purer, more contemporary feel. A brand new transparent bottle highlights the subtle nuances of its dazzling pale yellow color. This wine is produced naturally, only using grapes made from organically cultivated vines. Aromas of white blossom and citrus fruits remind us of winter treats. With its lively yet light attack, this organic cuvée announces its freshness. To be enjoyed with fish, seafood, or white meat. Perle de Saint Georges celebrating of the first bubbles from Burgundy The Crémant de Bourgogne appellation was made official in 1975, but in fact, they have been making bubbly in Burgundy for some 200 years now. And to celebrate this anniversary, Louis Bouillot has created a new cuvée called Perle de Saint Georges. In a nod to the sparkling reds that used to be made in Burgundy, four pièces, traditional Burgundian 228-liter barrels, are being vinified according to the méthode traditionnelle, to produce 1,200 bottles of this unique wine from grapes grown in the heart of Nuits-Saint-Georges. A low dosage has resulted in an extra dry crémant that respects all the aromatic qualities of its terroir. This limited edition pays homage to the lineage of this wine that would go on to become Crémant de Bourgogne, produced from the very best of the region s Pinot Noir grapes. Perle de Saint Georges is a fleshy, voluptuous wine with a garnet red color with flashes of violet. It offers a seductive nose with sophisticated aromas of cherries in eau-de-vie and jam. It is supple on the tongue, with sweet and smoky notes over balanced, melting tannins. This surprising wine can be enjoyed with some surprising dishes such as grilled meats and fruit tarts. Louis Bouillot and ESAT*: Working for the benefit of society Louis Bouillot is closely involved in winegrowing. Around 15 years ago, the maison embarked on an innovative, ethical strategy in the Beaujolais (see Les Nouvelles de Boisset n 32 from Summer 2013), and for the past three years, has been working with people with disabilities. Since 2013, Louis Bouillot has been a partner of the Papillons Blancs de Beaune charity, and has a team of 14 people with disabilities working in the vines on the grapes for crémants. The team manages 15 hectares under vine in Savigny-lès- 14 Beaune. The strength of this partnership is that it offers vineyard laborers a solid professional project. They can do a real job that requires real thought and clear skills, in which they can flourish, despite any disabilities they might have. Working in the vines is something to be proud of, and a clear way to use their skills. The educators who work alongside the team are advised and monitored by Frédéric Brand, winemaker at Louis Bouillot. *The ESAT (Etablissement et Service d Aide par le Travail) is a charity that helps find work for people with disabilities.

15 Napa A range of wines that is already winning prizes! LEGEND VINEYARD EXCLUSIVE Jean-Charles Boisset first met singer, songwriter, humanitarian and philanthropist John Legend during the Napa charity wine auction in June 2015, and the pair have since produced a limited-edition collection of wines. The LVE label is all about style seductive and sophisticated wines that are rich and complex, and produced in concert between Raymond Vineyards and this international star. This is a perfect match for John Legend, who has won 10 Grammy Awards, one Golden Globe, and one Academy Award, and for whom a fine wine is music played by several hands. As such, the LVE Cabernet Sauvignon is an opulent wine made from grapes from the vineyards of Rutherford and St. Helena. The Napa Valley Chardonnay is all about voluptuousness and sweetness on the tongue, and was aged in oak. Shortly after the LVE collection was launched, it won the Wine & Culture Wine Star Award from Wine Enthusiast magazine, presented to Jean-Charles Boisset and John Legend at the awards ceremony on 25 January This new award recognized the particular contribution of the musician who brings his vision of music, culture, and art to the world of wine. Napa Valley Film Festival THE RED CARPET ROLLS OUT AT RAYMOND VINEYARDS Kelly Preston, John Travolta, Keegan-Michael Ke, Jean-Charles Boisset. Raymond Vineyards lauded by visitors to the Cellar Pass website Voters on one of the United States most popular wine-tourism online reservation websites, Cellar Pass, have named Raymond Vineyards Best Estate in California. This title is the latest in a series of awards for the estate, including Estate of the Year from readers of the North Bay Bohemian magazine, a flagship publication in the San Francisco region. The Napa Valley Film Festival has just celebrated its fifth edition, presenting the best independent films from an international selection, and attracting many celebrities from the world of movie magic. It is a key event for lovers of wine and cinema, offering five days during which movie goers and wine buffs can share their passion. Raymond Vineyards is an official partner of the festival, and hosted a competition on its website, offering a VIP pass for the whole event which ran from November 2015, including the trip to Napa Valley and access to all gala events and private tastings organized during the festival

16 Russian River 2013 ESTATE PINOT NOIR Three new Pinot Noir gems DeLoach, with its celebrated fleur-de-lys emblem, has been a pioneer in terms of the production of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in the Russian River Valley in Sonoma County since It has just revealed its new collection, 2013 Estate Pinot Noir, composed of three cuvées: Bienvenue, Les Parcelles Cachées, and Estate Vineyards. The wines are in the Burgundy style, both in terms of the plot selection, and by their vinification in open wooden vats and ageing for 18 months in French oak. These plots produce lower yields and a more concentrated flavor profile. The wines were fermented using their native yeasts with hand punch downs before being bottled unfiltered. Planted on Huichica clay loam soil, the Estate Pinot Noir has eight plots of Pinot with a unique combination of clone and rootstock. This precise combination of clones showcases the ideal expression of the estate s terroir, producing wines that are aromatic with ripe red fruit characteristics and are full bodied leading to a long, satisfying finish. The 2014 Estate Chardonnay will also feature the new gold fleur-de-lys label but will not be released until summer

17 Carneros CABINET OF CURIOSITIES: LET YOUR CURIOSITY GET THE BETTER OF YOU! The oldest winery in California now offers a new tasting space dedicated to the subtle art of blending. Inspired by Count Harazsthy s journeys in Europe, from which he brought back a diverse collection of grape varietals, the visitor is immersed in the spirit of those cabinets of curiosities that were so fashionable in 18th century Europe. NEW THE FOUNDER CUVÉE The latest wine to join the family is The Founder, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Petit Verdot and Charbono from vines in the Sonoma Valley, selected for their harmonious marriage of varietal and terroir created by the house winegrowers. The Monte Rosso vineyard is the kingdom of Cabernet Sauvignon. The Malbec comes from the Bismark This new workshop offers 90 minutes of freedom to create your own wine just like a count or countess. Visitors carry out all the stages in making their personal cuvée: Blending, bottling and labeling. They can then order the quantity of their choice, and thereby have the pleasure of sharing their good taste with their friends. and Pickberry vineyards, while the Petit Verdot and Charbono come from small vineyards planted before prohibition (1919). The Founder is a wine in honor of Count Haraszthy, the creator of the Buena Vista winery. The bottle is decorated with a gold medallion featuring the count s family coat of arms. NEW Château Buena Vista The extraordinary story of Buena Vista in Sonoma County was the inspiration behind this latest cuvée, Château Buena Vista, a Cabernet Sauvignon from the 2012 vintage. Created in homage to the former days of this, the oldest winery in California, which was classified back in the day as a grand château. The grapes come from Oakville and Howell Mountain, two vineyards in neighboring Napa County. The wine is rich in the mouth with powerful aromas of red berries, topped off by touches of spice and mocha. Buena 17

18 Californie TWO NEW SHOWCASES JCB IN YOUNTVILLE AND SAN FRANCISCO In Yountville, the gastronomic capital of Napa Valley, Jean-Charles Boisset has created a premium wine tasting destination: The JCB Tasting Salon & Atelier by JCB Opened in February, this unique boutique is divided into two different spaces. A gourmet epicurean paradise offers a curated assortment of products from around the world, including caviar, cheeses, foie gras, chocolates, teas, coffees and spices. Next door is a tasting salon dedicated to JCB by Jean-Charles Boisset wines, along with a space showcasing the savoir-faire of the great French luxury houses. Visitors will also find objects and jewelry designed by Jean-Charles Boisset. The Hotel Ritz-Carlton San Fransico is now home to a JCB by Jean-Charles Boisset tasting area and boutique a sophisticated, refined universe for Boisset s iconic wines. The remodeling of the luxury five-star Ritz-Carlton in San Francisco was completed in March 2015 and is now one of the most beautiful establishments in the city. And this is where the JCB By Jean-Charles Boisset Tasting Lounge was opened in the summer of 2015, a space dedicated to wine and lifestyle with creations from some of France s most prestigious producers of luxury tableware including JCB Tasting Lounge at Ritz-Carlton San Francisco 18 Photos JCB lounge SFO : Scott Chebegia Baccarat, Christofle, Bernardaud and Goyard. There is also a selection of JCB wines and accessories available for purchase. The offer is rounded out with private tastings, and private visits to the Boisset family s various American estates in the neighboring Napa and Sonoma wine-growing regions available exclusively to hotel guests.

19 Québec NEIGE GIN A fresh new gin produced in the cold of Quebec to warm up your taste buds! La Face Cachée de la Pomme has unveiled its latest innovation in the shape of Neige Gin. Flavored with a touch of Neige Ice Cider, and blended with the apple water recovered from the production of the very same beverage, this 100% Canadian gin is unlike any other you might have tried. The juniper berries, sweet clover, white spruce, and lichen that flavor it are all harvested in Quebec. Sophisticated and silky on the tongue, and perfect either neat or in cocktails, this gin with a Canadian twist is a limited edition available from February from specialist wine stores. BOISSET LA FAMILLE DES GRANDS VINS - CALENDAR FIRST SEMESTER 2016 January Winter Wineland, DeLoach Vineyards, Ca. USA Naples Winter Wine Auction, Buena Vista Winery, DeLoach Vineyards & Raymond Vineyards, Ca. USA 31-03/02 Salon Agecotel, Nice, France February 1-2 Sommelier Selection Blending, Raymond Vineyards, Ca. USA 13 Grand Opening - JCB Tasting Salon & Atelier by JCB, Ca. USA 13 Wine Club Crab Feast, Buena Vista Winery, Ca. USA 14 Saint Valentin, Imaginarium, Nuits-St-Georges, France 14 Valentine s Dinner, Raymond Vineyards, Ca. USA Vinisud, Montpellier, France 19 Napa Gras, Raymond Vineyards, Ca. USA 20 Premiere Napa Valley, Raymond Vineyards, Ca. USA ZAP Zinfandel Experience, Buena Vista Winery & DeLoach Vineyards, Ca. USA 27 Wine Club Vine to Bottle dinner, DeLoach Vineyards, Ca. USA 29 Salon Club des Professionnels du Vin, Lille, France March 4 All White, Pre-Barrel Party, DeLoach Vineyards, Ca. USA 4-5 World of Pinot, DeLoach Vineyards, Ca. USA Barrel Weekend, DeLoach Vineyards, Ca. USA Tasting fair, Vannes, France Prowein, Düsseldorf, Germany Flavor! Napa Valley, Raymond Vineyards, Ca. USA Vente des Vins des Hospices de Nuits, Imaginarium, Nuits-St-Georges, France 19 March Madness, Buena Vista Winery, Ca. USA 21 Salon Boisset, Lyon, France Grands Jours de Bourgogne, Burgundy, France Escale à Sète, Sète, France 26 Vinicultural Society and Winegrowing Dinner, Buena Vista Winery, Ca. USA April 1-3 Pebble Beach Food & Wine Festival, JCB, Ca. USA 2-3 Spring Cleaning, Buena Vista Winery, DeLoach Vineyards & Raymond Vineyards, Ca. USA 2-3 Salon des Vinéales, Imaginarium, Nuits-St-Georges, France 9 Follow Olivet Road, DeLoach Vineyards, Ca. USA 16 Arts in April/Earth Day, Raymond Vineyards, Ca. USA 23 Earth Day, Buena Vista Winery & DeLoach Vineyards, Ca. USA Wine Spectator tasting, New York, USA Wine Spectator tasting, Las Vegas, USA 29 Sonoma County Barrel Auction, Buena Vista Winery & DeLoach Vineyards, Ca. USA 30 Generation Release Party, Raymond Vineyards, Ca. USA May 4-22 Festival photos ImageSingulières, Sète, France 7 Generation Release Party, Raymond Vineyards, Ca. USA 14 Sushi & Pinot Gris Release Party, Buena Vista Winery, Ca. USA 14 Wine Club Vineyard Picnic, DeLoach Vineyards, Ca. USA 19 Winemaker dinner, Buena Vista Winery, Ca. USA 21 Night of the Museums, Imaginarium, Nuits-St-Georges, France Vinexpo, Hong-Kong June 2-5 Auction Napa Valley, Raymond Vineyards, Ca. USA Aspen Food & Wine Festival, JCB, Ca. USA 18 Summer Solstice, DeLoach Vineyards, Ca. USA 18 Pinot Days San Francisco, Buena Vista Winery & DeLoach Vineyards, Ca. USA International Sparkling Wine Fair, Paris, France La Face Cachée de Published by: Editorial: N. Boisset, V. Desmazure, L. Delmas - contact@actuelles.biz Translations: Anna McQueen & Charles Masters Graphic Design: Printing: Boisset printworks 19

20 Patron and Founder of the Association des Climats de Bourgogne was delighted to see the universal exceptional value of the climats of Burgundy recognized by UNESCO. We thank and congratulate everyone who supported the application. The company s close involvement in the wine region, through its winegrower partners and through its own Burgundy estates covering more than 240 hectares, underlines its attachment to bringing out the very best in the nature of the climats, whose value is now acknowledged worldwide.