Brad Lewis and Xavier at VinExpo Bordeaux 2013

Xavier Vins is a négociant firm in the Rhône Valley, producing high-quality wines at reasonable prices. Its founder, Xavier Vignon, an oenologist from the University of Montpellier, worked as a winemaker in Alsace, Champagne, Saint-Emilion, Burgundy and Languedoc-Roussillon before settling in the Rhône Valley 15 years ago. Xavier is the consultant oenologist for large number of Châteauneuf du Pape domains, including prominent estates like Raymond Usseglio, La Gardine, Jerome Quiot, Beaurenard, La Nerthe, Mont Redon, Marcoux, Grand Veneur, etc.

Xavier consults for almost 200 domains in the Rhône Valley and the Languedoc, and manages one of the area's biggest laboratories with a team of 10 oenologists.

Our wine buyers finally caught up with Xavier Vignon at VinExpo Bordeaux in June 2013. We got a lot of helpful information from the man himself and tasted through an extended lineup of wines. Part of that meeting resulted in the addition of the two latest wines at ABC from Xavier Vins: the 2010 Vacqueyras and the 2010 Gigondas.

Both wines received very high marks from the Wine Advocate. Both wines should be aired out in a carafe for about an hour before serving; the 2010 Gigondas will definitely benefit from at least five more years of aging in the bottle.

Xavier Vins Gigondas 2010 – Rhône, France, $32.99

“More floral with abundant black fruit, raspberry and crushed rock characteristics, the 2010 Gigondas was made from 100% Grenache and came in at 15+% alcohol. Aged in a combination of small barrels and 600-liter demi-muids, it reveals good elegance, purity and texture as well as a full-bodied mouthfeel. Bigger and richer than the 2011, it should age well for a decade. Xavier Vignon, along with Philippe Cambie, are probably the two most highly renowned oenologists in Châteauneuf du Pape as well as some of the surrounding Côtes du Rhône regions. 92." - Wine Advocate (Robert Parker) 

Xavier Vins Vacqueyras 2010 – Rhône, France, $29.99

“The 2010 Vacqueyras was made from a somewhat unusual blend of 50% Syrah, 30% Mourvèdre and 20% Grenache, most of it from the Plateau de Garrigue, near Sarrians in Vacqueyras. This rich effort reveals lots of forest floor, roasted herb, blackberry and cassis notes as well as a hint of acacia flowers. Impeccably pure, rich and long, it should drink well for 6-8 years. 91." - Wine Advocate (Robert Parker)  

Also now available at ABC and following the 2005 vintage is Xavier Vins Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvée Anonyme 2007, which received a commanding 96 points from the Wine Advocate. The 2007 Cuvée Anonyme is sale-priced at only $45.99.

Atanas Nechkov, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits wine supervisor 

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