tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1604297838201539175.post4539466084737860194..comments2023-10-19T09:46:53.613-04:00Comments on Artisan Wine on a Budget: Domaine Rabasse Charavin Corinne Couturier Cainanne Cuvee Estevenas, 1999Fred McTaggarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01568104809300139407noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1604297838201539175.post-22982575614875565902013-01-25T21:13:43.055-05:002013-01-25T21:13:43.055-05:00Oh yes; five liters of the Cairanne red would warm...Oh yes; five liters of the Cairanne red would warm my soul for weeks on end! The Cuvee Estevenas for special occasion.<br /><br />My other favorite Cairanne, of course, is Domaine l'Oratoire Saint Martin. For many years, I was able to buy a case of both the Reserve and Prestige each year for less than $150. Not so any longer.Fred McTaggarthttp://www.artisanwine.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1604297838201539175.post-32952220479638192372013-01-25T18:50:25.746-05:002013-01-25T18:50:25.746-05:00Dear Fred, I'm glad the bottles were in good s...Dear Fred, I'm glad the bottles were in good shape! It's funny, there is no one that sells Rabasse Charavin in the US that will ship to my state, so I am lucky having made all the connections. There is a place in Houston that is a direct importer retailer, French Country wines I think, he has about 4 or 5 labels. there is another importer on west coast, Estelle Imports, that brings in some Rabasse Charavin. I had a retailer send me a case [to friends in Santa Fe NM] of Laurie Blanc. Kermit was the importer in the 80's, but I think, Corinne wouldn't do an exclusive contract, which might have made possible my little shipments. The only hiccup was the year I added 7 5 liter bag in boxes to my 12 cases, thinking this would save me on the air freight 'per bottle' cost with no glass. But the bags all swelled at 30,000 ft and developed small holes and went sour pretty quick! It's neat she does 5 liter unfiltered Cairanne red 27 euros! If I was an importer I'd bring the red white and rose 5 liters. Now that my original customs officer has retired, it's a strain at that port office but I keep succeding. Enjoy your blog, best regards, Bill Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1604297838201539175.post-13502792989385019992013-01-24T15:45:01.803-05:002013-01-24T15:45:01.803-05:00Thanks Bill. Wow, you are a lucky man. I really ha...Thanks Bill. Wow, you are a lucky man. I really have not had a source for Rabasse Charavin since the mid-1980s, and the wine seems to have improved considerably under Madame Courturier and her daughter. <br /><br />I was actually quite lucky myself. I noticed the Estevenas on WineBid for $10 a bottle. I guess everyone assumed a 1999 CDR Villages would be over the hill, so I got all three bottles. A few months later, the 2004 regular Cairanne was up for bid--again $10. So I took all eight of them. Like finding an ounce of gold on the sidewalk.<br /><br />Who sells Rabasse Charavin in the United States? I used to buy from Village Corner in Ann Arbor, but they apparently can't get the wine any longer or they would definitely carry it. The wine from the 1980s had many fans.Fred McTaggarthttp://www.artisanwine.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1604297838201539175.post-39964151012035154172013-01-24T15:32:40.077-05:002013-01-24T15:32:40.077-05:00Dear Fred, enjoyed your comments on the 1999 Estev...Dear Fred, enjoyed your comments on the 1999 Estevenas. I have been very fortunate to have visited the last six years, and shipped 12 cases each visit. Madame Courturier and daughter Laurie have been most generous with time and the wines are superb, including many not shipped to USA, including the blanc Estavenas. best regards Bill PS, getting the first shipment was quite a story!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com