Pascal Granger — Juliénas
Pascal Granger continues a
two century-old family winemaking tradition in Juliénas. The
domaine's principal holdings are found in the lieu-dits of Croix Rouge,
Fouillasses, Gonnards, et Mouilles. The oldest of the vines (45
to 90
years of age) are situated within Gonnards
and Mouilles. The finest
product of the old vines parcels (from which comes the Cuvée
Spéciale) is selected and racked into a combination of large and
small oak barrels where it completes its elevage.
Pascal is widely considered one of the finest winemakers in the
Beaujolais. We have been persuaded, after tasting each of his vintages
in the past 8 years, that he is among finest in all of France. We feel
that his wines exemplify all that is good and gracious about the French
approach to winemaking.
Pascal Granger's 2005 Juliénas Cuvée Spéciale, winner of a Taseviné and a benchmark for Beaujolais Cru.
Soon to be joined by a last, very small allotment of his 2003 Julienas Grande Réserve -- as Jamie Drummand remarks, "This is some serious juice! Pair as one would with a good Burgundy."
Still available:
Beaujolais-Villages 2004 — this wine comes from a small parcel in the commune of Julie. Shows red fruits (cherries), good concentration in mouth (raspberries + red plum w/cherries), great structure and balance with a long finish.
Julienas Cuvée Spéciale 2004 — “a slender, tidy nicely complex gamay from a vintage considered “typical" or "classic” — which is vigneron-speak for a cooler, perhaps slightly more difficult vintage than they would really like, especially framed by recent memory of the big 2003s. I was beguiled by the gentle fragrance here, the seamless integration of fruit, herbs, earth. (David Lawrason, Wine Access).
We're pleased to say that our allotment of 2006 Chénas from Pascal Granger is in transit.
Spice, bright fruits on the nose, lovely fruit attack on the palate w/hints of smokey bacon, excellent concentration, black fruits, supple tannins, very, very good length. (JPO/DMO Juliénas June 2007)
"This is always one of the very best wines of the Chénas Cru, and received two recent Coup de coeurs (2003 and 2005). The 2006 offers complete satisfaction. Intense ruby in colour, the wine expresses nuances of flint and the scents of flowers and blackcurrant. In the mouth it shows a rich and ample flesh and one finds a palace of floral and mineral tonalities with a persistant length." Two Stars -- 2008 Guide Hachette
We've also discovered a review of Pascal Granger's 2004 Chénas By Edward Deitch, Wine columnist for MSNBC. There's even a video version!
Point your browser to — http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15448706/