Cape Classics continues to grow its French portfolio with the addition of seven Philippe Pacalet wines. A producer of some of the finest Burgundy in the world, Pacalet approaches winemaking with an innovative style, relying exclusively on independently farmed vineyards that capture the true characteristics of terroir. His wines are crafted using organic farming and have been recognized for their aromatic purity by a variety of discerning palates including Allen Meadow, Stephen Tanzer and Antonio Galloni. The seven Pacalet offerings will be available nationally (excluding California, Massachusetts, Oregon and Texas) through Cape Classic’s distribution partners in each state.
“The discovery of Philippe Pacalet’s wines came quite unexpectedly at the La Dive Bouteille tasting in Saumur in early 2015,” explained Andre Shearer, Cape Classics Chairman & CEO. “I was letting someone know how enamored I was with Burgundy and they grabbed me by the arm and walked me to a bottle of Gevrey-Chambertin from Philippe Pacalet—I was spellbound! It spoke to all of the ethereal and exquisite adjectives we associate with the remarkable wines of the top echelons of Burgundy. Meeting Philippe and his lovely wife Mônica sealed my impression that I’d met a producer of great significance, who truly understood the magic of vine-centric, terroir-driven winemaking at its best. We are deeply honored to represent such an acclaimed and respected producer.”
The nephew of famous natural winemaker Marcel Lapierre, Philippe Pacalet is a Burgundy vintner who is committed to the same sustainable winemaking practices as his uncle. Without his own vineyards or a permanent group of workers, Pacalet has the freedom to choose what he considers the best vineyards for the wines produced, using purchased grapes sourced from carefully-selected vineyard sites and vines. Pacalet makes a point of using the same set of pickers to insure a berry selection that will express the terroir of the vines. Once selected, the grapes undergo a long maceration process during which they are pressed by foot. At vinification, he relies on wild yeasts for fermentation to produce and further express the “sense of place” for his wines. These processes result in wines that are a pure expression of the terroir.
* 2013 Chablis 1er Cru Beauroy: This luxurious premier cru Chablis tempts with white flower, peach and mango fruit aromas segueing to a decadent, well balanced palate with a mineral edge. (SRP $89.99)
* 2013 Pommard: Full bodied and slightly tannic this rich, mineral-driven wine is both spicy and fruity offering prominent notes of red berries. (SRP $94.99)
* 2013 Gevrey-Chambertin: Fresh and fruity, this Pinot Noir is round and generous with mineral undercurrents and wild, musky aromas. Notes of salt, rosewood and wild flowers are abundant on the substantial, fleshy palate. (SRP $99.99)
* 2013 Nuits-Saint-Georges Rouge: Clean and fruit forward, this rich red is well-structured with traces of wild berries and musk on the nose that lead to a smooth, velvety palate that conjures hints of salinity with a solid underlying minerality. (SRP $104.99)
* 2013 Chassagne-Montrachet: This structured Chardonnay entices further reflection with aromas from the east—caraway and saffron—along with notes of white flowers and pineapple. Seamlessly balanced, the mouthfeel is fresh and chalky yet opulent and round. (SRP $119.99)
* 2013 Puligny-Montrachet: This splendid Puligny Montrachet is luxurious and elegant with white flower and lime on the nose and a mineral-driven, chalky palate that is luscious and lingering with hints of salinity. (SRP $124.99)
* 2013 Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru: Elegant, generous and precise this gorgeous Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru offers a fragrance of delicate flowers—more precisely roses and violets—along with traces of tea, ambergris and fur. The palate is silky, complex and deep lingering. (SRP $184.99)
“We had been searching for a new importer that shared a common passion for wine and with whom we could develop an understanding relationship,” said Philippe Pacalet. “That’s when Cape Classics showed up. At last, we had the feeling that we had found the ‘connoisseurs’ prepared to share our ideal of a job well done to the highest of standards.”
To promote the introduction of Pacalet to its portfolio, Cape Classics will use a targeted approach to the launch, and first ensure existing customers are accommodated on these limited production bottlings. On- and off-premise pre-sale tasting events and dinners are slated for the key markets, some event hosted by Philippe Pacalet himself, who will be visiting New York and Washington D.C. in late October.
Cape Classics was co-founded by Andre Shearer in 1992 with a mission of bringing the crème de la crème of South Africa’s then-fledgling boutique wine industry to the American market. In 2013, Cape Classics expanded its portfolio to include wines from France, and now proudly represents 22 of the finest estates and labels from the regions. Cape Classics’ mission is to provide a unique range of selections that are exciting and delicious and that offer outstanding value.
