Cave
De Tain l' Hermitage - a cooperative 22 route de
Larnage B.P.3
26601 Tain-l'Hermitage Cedex
Phone: 04 75 08 20 87
Fax: 04 75 07 15 16
The Cave de Tain-l'Hermitage
was founded in 1933 in Tain-l'Hermitage. The cooperative was created
by 100 wine growers of the left bank of the Rhone, and was expanded
once again, when the growers in St. Joseph, the growers on the
right bank of the Rhone, joined the organization. From 1939 to
1945, The War prevented any further expansion, so that activity
was reduced to a minimum. Then, in 1947, wine growers in Saint-Peray
and Cornas joined, thus increasing the range of appellations available.
As a cooperative, it is essentially a "Union des Proprietaires"
which has come about as the result of the small lots of land hold
by the grower members, with each having an average holding of
between only 1.75 and 2 hectares, only a few have larger holding
of around 10 hectares.
The number of different
parcels and the fact that they are used for diverse crops - growing
of fruits, mixed farming, as well as wine production, make it
difficult for growers to invest individually in equipment. With
most of the vineyards situated mainly on hillsides, where working
them is difficult, the growers have pooled their resources in
order to maximize efficiency. The present 534 members control
a total vineyard of 1.015 ha, 905 of which are in the Appellation
Controlee Areas. The total production of the Cave de Tain is an
average of 50,000 hectolitres with 40,000 hectolitres of AOC wine.
Approximately 50% of the different appellations in the Northern
Cotes du Rhone is now controlled by the Cave de Tain l'Hermitage.
Guilaine,
and
Laurent Terisson
We were greeted by Export Manager Laurent Terrisson.
A high energy, positive force in the success of this cooperative,
Laurent Terrisson dives into his tour with us.. While touring
the wine making facility, the state of the art vinification methods
were demonstrated to us almost immediately upon arrival. Dispelling
the myths that cooperatives produce a less quality wine that the
individually held vineyards, Laurent described the strict methods
employed in the evaluation of the raw materials. Paying the growers
in accordance to the quality of the grapes, the strictest attention
is paid to the yield of growers, the must weight, the alcohol
potential, and the sanitary aspect of the grapes. After an initial
selection, the grapes are put into different vats according to
their appellation and their quality . Virtually 98% of the wines
are sold through exporters.
Laurent is also
a tough negotiator. Whereas the cooperatives offer an obvious
service to the grower, exceptional harvests and high quality yields
of the past two years have tempted growers to want to keep the
best grapes for themselves, and give the rest to the cooperative.
Laurent has had to be tough, and hold fast to the policy of either
all your grapes or none at all. Approximately 50% of the different
appellations in the Northern Cotes du Rhone is now controlled
by the Cave de Tain l'Hermitage. "In particular, we produce
65% of appellation Crozes-Hermitage, 25% of Hermitage, 15% of
Cornas, 50% of Saint-Peray, and 11% of Saint-Joseph. Red Wines
represent 85% of this production and white wines 15%."
We tasted a 1998 Marsanne Vins de Pays -
pale straw color with a bright nose, this wine will sell for approximately
$7 a bottle in the United States, and is an excellent value .
A 1998 Crozes AOC - a simple, full bodied flavor with citrus overtones,
and will sell for $12 a bottle, along with a 1997 St. Peray -
the grape in this bottle is 70% Marsanne, and 30% Roussanne. This
wine has a fresh and fruity taste, with a clear colour accented
with its dry fruity aroma. The 1998 Crozes contrasted the wines
we were tasting with its peppery,fruity flavors with just a hint
of licorice. This bottle will sell for about $12 a bottle. The
1997 St. Joseph - has soft tannins and low acidity, and is fermented
in stainless steel vats. According to Laurent, this wine conjures
up images of pleasure. This exceptional tasting wine will sell
for about $15.99 a bottle.Its deep color and perfume of wild currants
has an elegant style with just a slight hint of vanilla. This
wine matures slowly. Saving the best for last, we went on to taste
the 1996 Cornas, which has the highest acidity level in 20 years,This
rustic, aromatic, garnet colored wine is delicious in the mouth,
with subtle hints of vanilla and licorice. This wine will sell
for about $20 a bottle , and is a keeper for your cellar.
Jaboulet
Paul
Jaboulet Aine - S.A. R.N.7
B.P.46 La Roche de Glun
26600 Tain -l'Hermintage, France
Founded in 1834 by Antoine Jaboulet, the Jaboulet vineyards has
been run by successive generations of sons up through the present
time. In fact, the original cellars are still in use for the vinification,
maturation and aging of wines in oak casks. Consisting of 91 hectares
(228 acres) this estate possess some of the choicest vineyards.
Situation on the desirable yet narrow slopes of l'Hermitage, half
the work has to be carried out by hand, producing some of the
region's finest wines.
Producing 3.5 million bottles
of wine per year, 400,000 of them are of their own production.
The range of 26 wines of Jaboulet have a reputation for quality
and are exclusively from the Rhone Valley, all of which have full
appelation. We tasted their most well known wine, Hermitage-La
Chapelle - a very complex wine, made exclusively from Syrah grapes
from vines that have an average age of 40 years, this wine has
a deep purple color, with full body and very fine tannins, and
a long finish. This is a wine to keep from 7 - 35 years. Perfect
with cheese or wild game. We then moved to a rare wine, Crozes
Hermitage - Domaine Raymond Roure - only 15,000 bottles of this
wine were made last year. A deep dark rich color, very complex,
with wonderful aromas. One of their newer wines, Crozes Hermitage
- Domaine de Thalabert - offers a very good value, with a good
fruity nose, and well integrated flavors. The Crozes Hermitage
Mule Blanche was aromatic , with bouquets of peach, pears, a slight
touch of prunes, vanilla and truffles,would be great with cheese
and strong meats. This wine was made with new oak barrels.
Also:
97 Hermitage -
elegant, round, lovely mouthful
89 Hermitage - very dark color - mushrooms, stoney
aroma, leathery, gamey and animal
97 Hermitage - white creamy, smokey
For export information,
ask for Frederic Jaboulet or call Fred Wiman in New York.
One of our most
memorable and favorite stops of the Northern Rhone, we went next
to Gaec du Lautaret, a very small family owned winery, situated
amongst large castles and narrow, winding streets, very reminiscent
of medieval times. I wonder if we could have find this little
spot of heaven on our own. Eric and Joel Durand, two brothers,
are attracting national attention with their small, family owned
vineyard of 8 hectors. They harvest 4 ½ hectars of St Joseph,
and 2 ½ hectars of Cornas, and 1 hectar of produce. They
produce a total of 3,000 cases per year, and know they are at
somewhat of a disadvantage, due only to their size. Their quality
is quite notable. Bearing that in mind, they have stayed focused
on creating great wines, steeped in the traditions of their grandparents,
and strive to create wines that taste like their terroire.
Eric
and Joel Durand
Eric and Joel welcomed us personally and showed us their beautiful
caves where
they store all of their wine bottles. Speaking only French, we
tried a 1998 Cornas out of the barrels: Lots of power and
finesse, aged in new oak, a 1997 St Joseph: very
nice, clean rich, citrus aromas, a nice wine with fish and veal
and a 1997 Cornas -a full bodied, strong flavored wine
of blackberries , made of 100% Syrah. This is a wine to buy and
keep 7 - 20 years. Compared to the great Hermitage, this is a
great value.
Visiting this winery was a great
choice, and we considered it a great find, and hope to stay in
touch with these exceptional wine makers and visit again.
