Alain Jaume
Châteauneuf-du-Pape - Côtes du Rhône - Côtes du Rhône Villages - Lirac - Vacqueyras
(Rhône Valley)

The Estate
 In 1320 Pope Jean XXII planted the first vines of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, but it was only in 1360 that the wines of the region first gained fame.  Oddly, the wine that gave Châteauneuf-du-Pape its original reputation was the White and not the Red.  The white wine was a favorite of Pope Innocent VI.  The Domaine dates back to 1826, having been founded at that time by Mathieu Jaume.  Since 1979, Alain Jaume has run the Domaine and now has the help of his two sons:  Sébastien and Christophe. 
"Popes throughout history have liked their juice, and when the papal see moved to Avignon in the 13th century, that juice was Châteauneuf-du-Pape ("the pope's new castle") made from grapes grown nearby in the Southern Rhône. The castle is a ruin now, the papal court long gone back to Rome, but the wines that bear the pope's coat of arms emblazoned on the bottle are still produced more or less according to the long-standing recipe. Not every winemaker uses all 13 of the grapes in the proscribed blend, though. At Domaine Grand Veneur, an estate that dates to 1826, Alain Jaume and his sons Sebastien and Christophe emphasize Grenache blended with Syrah and Mourvèdre."
- Los Angeles Times

"Improved Châteauneuf with very accomplished, stylish reds since the late 1990s; also very good Vacqueyras and Côtes-du-Rhône Villages." - Anthony Dias Blue's pocket guide to wine 2006

"Grand Veneur is one of the most brilliant estates in Chateauneuf du Pape as well as the force behind the negociant wines sold under the Alain Jaume label. Virtually everything they produce has merit. Some of this estate’s 2009 red wines are just hitting the market as they are bottled early to preserve their fruit and freshness. I can’t say enough about the job Alain Jaume’s two sons, Sebastian and Christophe, have done with this estate. The impeccable attention to detail in the vineyards, the meticulous vinification, and the careful bottling benefit every consumer." - Wine Advocate (#190, August 2010)
"Great bargains continue to emerge from Domaine Grand Veneur as well as from their negociant arm of the business, labeled Alain Jaume" - Wine Advocate (#195, June 2011)

 




Alain Jaume and his sons Christophe and Sébastien


The brand new tasting room

 

The Vineyard 
 The estate is located in the commune of Orange and consists of 50 hectares (123 acres).  It covers four different appellations: Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Côtes-du-Rhône Villages, Côtes-du-Rhône and Lirac.
The family produces wines under two labels: 
-  Domaine Grand Veneur – Estate wines
-  Alain Jaume – Negociant label


Châteauneuf-du-Pape



Mont Ventoux

The Wines

ALAIN JAUME SELECTION [VENTOUX - COTES DU RHONE - RASTEAU - VACQUEYRAS - GIGONDAS - LIRAC - CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE]

 

ALAIN JAUME SELECTION


shelf talker








Shelf talker / Case card

#F0EE137150RRM
UPC code: 7 84585 00136 1
2011 Alain Jaume, Ventoux, Les Gelinottes 12/750ml
 The wine is made from 50% Grenache and 50% Syrah planted on clay and sandy soils.
Traditional vinification, cold maceration. Aged in stainless steel vats. Early bottling, 6 months after the harvest. Intense purple color. Great nose of red fruits. Soft tannins, approachable, and ready to drink.

#F0EE137137RRM
 UPC code: 7 84585 00136 1
2010 Alain Jaume, Ventoux, Les Gelinottes 12/750ml
 The wine is made from 50% Grenache and 50% Syrah planted on clay and sandy soils.
Traditional vinification, cold maceration. Aged in stainless steel vats. Early bottling, 6 months after the harvest. Intense purple color. Great nose of red fruits. Soft tannins, approachable, and ready to drink.

 "Silky and pure, with lovely plum and violet notes and a flash of anise on the lightly dusty finish. Drink now. 2,000 cases made. –JM"
- Wine Spectator (October 15th 2011), 89 pts
National Retail Price: $14.99 / bottle



shelf talker


#F0EE137011GRM
UPC code: 7 84585 00201 6
2009 Alain Jaume, Côtes du Rhône Rouge, Haut de Brun 12/750ml
 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 10% Cinsault.
Destemmed and crushed harvest. Fermentation temperature controlled at 30°C.
Vatting for 10 to 12 days.The color is purple-tinged garnet. The aromatic nose displays fresh berries (wild raspberry, blackcurrant, blackberry) to spices. The palate is big and full-flavored, with silky-smooth tannins and fruity flavors. The finish offers touches of licorice and pepper.  Ideal throughout the meal, but particularly with poultry and other white meats, as well as mild cheeses.

"Slightly better (than the Ventoux) is the blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 10% Cinsault, the 2009 Cotes du Rhone Haut de Brun. Meaty garrigue notes intermixed with raspberry, black cherry and black currant as well as some peppery spice are all present in this dark plum/purple-colored wine, which has both elegance and power. It should drink nicely for another 2-3 years."
- Wine Advocate (June 2011), 87 pts
National Retail Price: $14.99 / bottle



shelf talker

#F0EE137144GRM
UPC code: 7 84585 00863 6
2010 Alain Jaume, Côtes du Rhône Villages, Rasteau, Les Valats 12/750ml
 Made from 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre planted on clay and stones based soil.
40 Hectoliters / Hectare
Deep red garnet color. Aromas of fresh red berries. On the palate, the richness of the fruit and tannins harmonizes with the roundness of the wine.
The finish is long, with spicy touches and minerals notes. Complete and authentic.

 "The masculine, rustic-styled 2010 Cotes du Rhone-Villages Rasteau Les Valats exhibits a more earthy, chocolaty, roasted, spicy, peppery character."
- Wine Advocate (Issue# 197, October 2011), 87-90 pts

National Retail Price: $26.99/bottle







shelf talker / case cards

 

#F0EE137149GRM
UPC: 7 84585 00314 3
2010 Alain Jaume, Vacqueyras, Grande Garrigue 12/750ml
 Made from 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre, 10% Cinsault.
 "Under their negociant line of wines (called Alain Jaume), the 2010 Vacqueyras Grande Garrigue is a classic Vacqueyras with lots of dense, concentrated, black cherry and plum fruit intermixed with hints of garrigue and licorice, a full-bodied mouthfeel."
- Wine Advocate (October. 2011), 90-92 pts

 #F0EE137013GRM
UPC: 7 84585 00314 3
2009 Alain Jaume, Vacqueyras, Grande Garrigue 12/750ml
 Made from 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre, 10% Cinsault.
 "The 2009 Alain Jaume Vacqueyras Grande Garrigue is much more backward, displaying a denser blue/purple color, thicker, richer blue and black fruits, and hints of kirsch, lavender, and garrigue. Still grapy and unformed, but loaded with potential given its depth of concentration and richness, it will benefit from another 2-3 months of bottle age, and keep for 5-8 years."
 - Wine Advocate (Aug. 2010), 91 pts
RECOMMENDED VALUE PICK
"Dark and rich, with inviting plum, fig and boysenberry notes backed by a racy, graphite-filled finish. Nicely buried acidity helps this stretch out. Drink now through 2013. 2,000 cases made. –JM"
- Wine Spectator (June 15th 2011), 90 pts

 "Bright purple. Dark berry and cherry aromas are complemented by anise, tobacco and a slow-mounting floral quality. Fleshy cherry and red currant flavours are fresh and nicely focused. Finishes on a vivid cherry note, with silky tannins and very good persistence."
 - Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar (Jan. 2011), 89-91 pts

National Retail Price: $28.99 / bottle


Bottle Shot: Trio1 / Trio 2 / Trio3
shelf talker

#F0EE137147GRM
UPC code: 7 84585 00864 3
2010 Alain Jaume, Gigondas "Terrasses de Montmirail", 12/750ml
 "The cooler climate, fresh 2010 Gigondas Terrasses de Montmirail possesses abundant blueberry, red and black currant, crushed rock and floral notes. Both of these wines should last for 10-12+ years given the concentration and freshness of the vintage"
- Wine Advocate (Issue#197, October 2011), 90-92 pts

"Ripe, pure and sleek, with boysenberry and cherry confiture flavors coursing along, laced with anise and graphite. The long, fine-grained finish has nice buried minerality. Drink now through 2017. 1,200 cases made. –JM"
- Wine Spectator (June 30th 2012), 90 pts

#F0EE137015GRM
UPC code: 7 84585 00864 3
2009 Alain Jaume, Gigondas "Terrasses de Montmirail", 12/750ml
The wine is made from 90% Grenache, 10% Syrah.
Deep red garnet color. Aromas of ripe and black fruits. On the palate the wine is rich, powerful and harmonious - well balanced with wild berry and pepper dominating.

 "The 2009 Gigondas Terrasses de Montmirail exhibits a dark ruby color, lots of minerality, notions of blueberries and red currants, good acidity and 10 years of drinkability."
- Wine Advocate (October 2010), 89-90+ pts

 "Ripe and mouthfilling, this displays fig, boysenberry and linzer torte character, with enticing notes of black tea, anise and spice. The long, racy finish has grip, but it's sleek and driven by fresh acidity. Drink now through 2013. 1,000 cases made"
- Wine Spectator (June 15th 2011), 91 pts

 "(80% grenache and 20% syrah) Glass-staining purple. Black raspberry and cassis aromas show a sexy, floral quality, along with notes of anise and smoky minerals. Lush and creamy but lively, with very good clarity and seductive spiciness to the dark fruit flavors. Silky tannins give shape and grip to the long, juicy finish."
- Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar (Jan. 2011), 90-92 pts
-  Wine Enthusiast (July 2012), 91 pts + Editor's Choice

National Retail Price: $32.99 / bottle








#F0EE137148GRM
UPC code: 7 84585 01403 3
2010 Alain Jaume, Lirac Roquedon 12/750ml
The wine is made from 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre, 10% Carignan.
Traditional vinification in vats, followed by maturation in oak casks.
Bottled 15 months after the harvest.
Inky color. The nose is dominated by aromas of wild fruit (blackcurrant, blackberry) and spices. Long and balanced mouth.
"Roquedon" deliver more of the "round"- "sweet" body from the Grenache, and cherry-red fruit expression. It is dark in color, almost black...

"This delivers a solid, direct beam of dark licorice, plum sauce and fruitcake, with ample toast on the juicy, fleshy finish. Maybe a touch obvious in style, but will have some fans for sure. Drink now through 2013. 200 cases imported. —J.M."
- Wine Spectator (May 11th 2012), 88 pts



National Retail Price: $22.95 / bottle


Shelf talkers / Case card

 

 

#F0EE137145GRL
UPC code: 7 84585 00256 6
2010 Alain Jaume, Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge, Vieux Terron 12/750ml
Made from 85%Grenache, 10% Syrah, 5% Mourvèdre.
20% aged in oak barrels.
An intense purple color is followed by ripe red fruit aromas, such as sweet black cherry.
The palate reveals clearly the aromatic complexity: spices and black fruit are boasted with soft tannins. The finish is long with aromatic hints of liquorice and pepper. Red raspberries, star anise and hints of cinnamon. 
It will accompany game, red meat or meat in sauce and strong cheeses.

#F0EE137035GRL
UPC code: 7 84585 00256 6
2009 Alain Jaume, Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge, Vieux Terron 12/750ml
Made from 85%Grenache, 10% Syrah, 5% Mourvèdre.

"Ripe and focused, with a beam of black cherry, black tea and graphite notes laced with spice and cocoa that extend through the finish. Solid. Drink now through 2014.—J.M."
- Wine Spectator (Insider - May 11th 2010), 90 pts

- Wine Enthusiast (July 2012), 91 pts

 National Retail Price: $44.99 / bottle

GRAND VENEUR SELECTION