The November Tradition - Bois de Boursan

MCF Rare Wine

I'm always droning on and on about wines that have been staples here over the last decade...well, at least it feels like I always am...but I'm going to do it again now, regardless.

Every November, I offer the wonderful wines of Bois de Boursan, the masters of elegant, yet flavor-packed Châteauneuf du Pape - wines with all the leathery, spicy quality you expect from this region, but with a wonderfully supple texture to them.

There's just something so perfectly 'November' about them. This morning as I type, it's a cool, very wet morning - the orange leaves left on the trees flutter wildly with each burst of the breeze that flows in from the open windows.

Soup weather...amirite?

I think you get the picture of where I'm going - warming foods, warming wines...a situation that a bottle of Boursan always fits into.

The best part of this offer, is that not only do I have the gorgeous Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvée Tradition 2017, another textbook Tradition that, despite the relative power the vintage is known for, shows the livelier, aromatic and red-fruit driven expression of Grenache that I always think of when I picture this wine. It's certainly a bit more textured and powerful than the 2016 was, but it's a Tradition through and through in its almost Burgundian sense of nuance.

Speaking of the 2016 (the gorgeous 2016), I have the last of the lively, balanced 2016 Cuvée Tradition in stock, as well. With its lifted, energetic and nimble profile, it's perhaps my favorite vintage of this wine since the 2010, though, to be fair, the 2017 is in the running there, as well.

Then we have the linear, wonderfully delineated, floral and lively Châteauneuf du Pape Blanc 2019, which is one I've not always offered, but, in terms of focus and value, this is one of the true gems in the blanc category for the appellation.

Despite its expressive nature, it always remains fresh and focused, without sliding towards the overly rich/cloying end of the spectrum like many other examples of Châteauneuf Blanc can unfortunately do.

On top of all of that, there's a new release of the Châteauneuf du Pape Rouge Cuvée des Félix 'Sélection Jean-Paul Versino' 2015, made only in the very best vintages from the two best barrels of the family's top Cuvée Felix. They're aged another 2+ years and released late. The 2012 Seleccion JP was one of the finest wines I've had from this estate and, given the hyperbolic quality of the 2015 vintage, I expect this to evolve into something very special.

The extra levels of that smoky, meaty, mineral depth that this wine can achieve are truly remarkable. Last year, I accidentally opened a bottle of the 2012 JPV thinking it was a regular bottle of 2012 Félix and, while I was initially slightly disappointed by what I perceived as an act of borderline infanticide, the stony, leathery depth and (church incense-type) smokiness that was already evident quickly squashed any level of annoyance I felt.

I honestly cannot wait to see where this 2015 ends up.

So, my annual 'November Gift' for you, a full selection from, pound-for-pound, my favorite producer in the appellation.

DOMAINE BOIS de BOURSAN

Châteauneuf du Pape Blanc 2019

Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvée Tradition 2017

Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvée Tradition 2017 1.5L

Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvée Tradition 2016

Take an additional 10% off of any of the above 750ml in an order of 12 or more bottles.

Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvée des Félix Sélection JP Versino 2015

You may order by emailing info@mcf-rarewine.com or calling 212.255.8870.

Matt Franco

MCF Rare Wine, Ltd