A Very Happy Swiss New Year!
We at Gauntleys sincerely hope that your Christmas and New Years celebrations were merry, however you decided to welcome in 2024, and that you are now sufficiently well fed and well rested!
Having very recently arrived off of the boat and into our bond, as new years treat, we are thrilled to once again be able to showcase a couple of the remarkable wines from the one and only Domaine des Muses. Today we are delighted to be able to bring you the utterly intoxicating and delicious 2021 Petite Arvine & Cornalin from one of the finest and most celebrated wine makers in Switzerland.
As many of you will know, we have had the privilege of meeting some remarkable and engaging people on our travels, but none more so than Robert Tamaracaz. A charming, amiable and humble man, Robert’s family winery, Domaine des Muses, was founded in 1992 by his parents: Louis and Nicole Tamaracaz. Situated in Granges, in the heart of Valais, the main vineyard consists of five acres nestled in the foothills of “Pintset”, near Sierre. Nicknamed the ‘sunshine town’, Sierre boasts around 300 sunny days a year.
Robert took over the reins of the family estate in 2002, with an ethos revolved around marrying the quality of the grapes with the harmony of the stupendous landscape and exquisite soils. Traditional farming practices with minimal intervention. In the 20 years that have followed the honours have come thick and fast. Every single one of the over a dozen wines Robert producers have won numerous exceptional distinctions at home and abroad. In 2012, the estate featured in the influential American magazine, The Wine Advocate, as one of the top wineries of the year. Remarkably, 11 out of the top 14 Swiss wines reviewed, had been produced by Robert, each one coming from a different grape variety. Many of his wines were also featured in Jancis Robinson’s “2015 Selection”. Both of these achievements serve as firsts for Swiss wines.
Robert is one of the stewards, showcasing the potential of Swiss wines to an international audience. He specialises in the cultivation of many indigenous varieties, however his exquisite Cornalin and Petitie Arvine are two of our personal favourites. We couldn’t be more pleased to be able to bring them to you today. Enjoy, and once again, Bonne Année!
Gauntleys Mixed Wine Cases 2021 Domaine des Muses - Two-Bottle Pairing Option
This is a special offer two bottle pairiing option with1x each of the following wines:
2021 Petite Arvine
Petite Arvine has an intriguing nose of apricots, grapefruit and pears with the signature salty tang on the finish. On the palate, the attack is fresh, then reveals flavours of exotic fruits, in particular unctuously ripe peaches and apricots. The finish is invigorating and saline. It is a white wine that stands out for its unique character. Whilst it has a good body and density, it has a crispness that reflects the fresh mountain air on the slopes of the Valais. A wonderfully pure, vibrant, fresh and complex white with no residual sugar.
2021 Cornalin
The homegrown red grape Cornalin could be said to be a hypothetical cross between a Cabernet Franc from the Loire and a top Pinot from Burgundy: slightly smoky with hint of red currants and cherries, black fruits, wild herbs and spicy nuances. Whilst being well defined and structured, there is an enticing freshness and delightful silky pureness on the long finish. Think of Gamay but with much more stuffing. Once again, purity and elegance but with a complexity and length that immediately suggest a top grand vin.
Gauntleys Mixed Wine Cases 2021 Domaine des Muses - Special Offer Six-Bottle Case
This is a special offer mixed case containing 3x each of the following wines:
2021 Petite Arvine
Petite Arvine has an intriguing nose of apricots, grapefruit and pears with the signature salty tang on the finish. On the palate, the attack is fresh, then reveals flavours of exotic fruits, in particular unctuously ripe peaches and apricots. The finish is invigorating and saline. It is a white wine that stands out for its unique character. Whilst it has a good body and density, it has a crispness that reflects the fresh mountain air on the slopes of the Valais. A wonderfully pure, vibrant, fresh and complex white with no residual sugar.
2021 Cornalin
The homegrown red grape Cornalin could be said to be a hypothetical cross between a Cabernet Franc from the Loire and a top Pinot from Burgundy: slightly smoky with hint of red currants and cherries, black fruits, wild herbs and spicy nuances. Whilst being well defined and structured, there is an enticing freshness and delightful silky pureness on the long finish. Think of Gamay but with much more stuffing. Once again, purity and elegance but with a complexity and length that immediately suggest a top grand vin.