This ‘black label’ bottling (not the traditional tan label or VV one) is made from a separate parcel of almost 100% old vines Grenache vines which apparently were sold into the ownership of Domaine et Selection when the Armenier sisters and brother were at hostilities over ownership of Domaine Marcoux in 1997 – although I have to admit I don’t know why they sold this small parcel of land. This wine is however, made by the Armenier sisters and labelled separately. Apparently 200-300 cases were made from each between 1998-2003 thanks to info supplied by Daniel Posner. A bit of an oddball by the sound of things!
I decided to crack my only bottle as Seckford recently sold me a case IB at a very good price compared to the cost of this bottle. I’m not sure of the providence of this single bottle before I purchased it in March 2008. Opened for an hour to remove the funk…
Deep crimson. The nose reveals a grocers bag of black cherry, wild strawberry, ripe fig, dark meat, animal fur, soy, mushroom and lavender. This doesn’t half taste terrific with its silky textured palate showing admirable concentration. Thankfully not another sweaty bollocked négociant wine with good acidity, softening tannins, warming finish and a spicy kick just in the right place. Although very nicely balanced this still needs a couple of years to strut its stuff with more confidence. Not a profound wine (or one for the masses either) but wonderfully delicious one, and glad to have found another case at a great price ($20)! 15%vol. 91pts
FYI, only about 15-20% of the production of this wine came stateside historically. The rest was sold through, at the time, the other brokerage outlets in meursault and London. I am not sure where the wine goes now. I never saw the 2004-2006.
I saw this recently (it was a 98, so I ran the other way), and was kind of curious as to what it was. Looks interesting. I like the Marcoux style, that and Giraud as well (one of the sister’s that works with Cambie).
Thanks for that extra info, Daniel. We’re reading across BB’s - and I had to post there, breaking my self-exile, to see if I could get a little more information! Suffice to say I’m very pleased with my in bond purchase having tried this bottle, especially at the price. Cheers.
Yes, someone forwarded me your linkup there, so I saw what you said and I did not want to give out incorrect info.
The production was about 250-300 cases. We bought about 50 cases. Brokers in London and Meursault (under the same umbrella ownership) sold it as well. But 2003 vintage was the last I had of it.
Daniel… if you’re still reading, and a big ask… but do you know why they sold this single small plot of vines & did they re-buy it after the 2003 vintage? Cheers.
