Le Chemin Des Rêves

Clos de L'ours

Le Chemin Red Blend 2019

It’s getting increasingly difficult to find traditional Cotes de Provence AOC reds. Is it that American importers aren’t interested, or are Provençal producers making less and less in favor of cash-flow-friendly rose? I don’t know. But this is a nice one. Near equal parts Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Syrah. Nose is complex, with spicy dark berry ooze, roasted herbs, iodine, crushed rock. Mouthfilling and with some serious weight, it’s a lot like a good Gigondas or Vacqueyras in style. Very savory- leaning flavors. 14.5% alc. Still some significant tannic presence, but it’s not intrusive. This will actually improve, I think, over the next couple of years. — 2 days ago

Ray, Aaron and 13 others liked this
Doug Powers

Doug Powers

@Tom Casagrande, FYI only, but I found your comment interesting about making Roses vs. AOC reds — one of my brothers is a small west coast importer, who does actually import a few French Roses, and he has been been telling me in the past 2-3 years that sales of French Rose have been drying up, such that he’s bringing in 1/3 to 1/2 of his Roses compared to 4-5 years ago. Maybe any of our other ITB contacts can share their own experiences, but my brother has been told that “Roses just don’t sell” like they used to. Just sharing the single data point, and, of course, I may just be wrong.
Austin Hohnke

Austin Hohnke Influencer Badge

@Doug Powers Rosé has experienced a bit of contraction here in New York, but it’s more industry wide than categorical. RTD’s, cannabis, health consciousness, and lack of interest from Gen Z are all contributing factors to the current wine environment. Inflation and tariffs haven’t helped in broadening the consumer base.

As far as Provence rouge, it’s a tough category and not one my clientele has inquired about. Côtes du Rhône and CdP are what the consumer is familiar with and asks for by name. It’s up to the salesman to suggest Bandol, Cassis, Minervois, Corbieres, etc. At the moment there is simply too much wine on the market and the average consumer reaches for familiarity. Drink what you know.
Doug Powers

Doug Powers

@Austin Hohnke, thank you so much for weighing in with your NYC experience!!!

R. Pouillon & Fils

Chemin du Bois Mareuil-Sur-Aÿ Champagne Blend 2014

Really quite something; outperformed over time, deep and unique BdN — 3 years ago

Jeremie Huchet

Vin Biologique Chemin des Prieres Muscadet 2022

A favourite. This wine manages to contain all the lovely attributes of muscadet - mineral, lemon, apple, lactic taste - whilst keeping the pure fruit at the core but having a lovely sea freshness too. — 5 months ago

Jean Francois Jacouton

Chemin de Sainte-Epine Saint-Joseph Syrah 2017

Lyle Fass
9.4

Nose is so seductive. Wow. Violets. Meat, dark berry fruit. Unreal granite and just so expressive. I’m thrilled how great this is. Stunning. Raspberry spice cake. Just sick. 9.6 nose. Smells like God’s Jelly Donut. Palate is juicy, precise and lean. Wow is this slathered with minerals, but seems a bit closed initially. But man is poised, concentrated and slathered with gorgeous minerals. Long floral/berry infused finish. Let’s see how this develops but so fine now. — 2 years ago

Daniel, Andrew and 7 others liked this

Revoltier & Fils

Vieux Chemin Châteauneuf-du-PapeRed Rhône Blend 2020

Intense red almost purple. In the nose nice minerality, umami, herbs with a strong thime finish. On the palate black cherries, leather, blackberry. Nice minerality with balanced and moderate tannins. Overall great wine. Perfect companion for a rare steak. — 2 years ago