Tag Archives: france

Xavier Vignon Lirac 2016, Rhone, France

26 Sunday Dec 2021

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This blend of Grenache and Syrah is semi opaque and shows off a bright ruby color in the glass.  The legs are-a-watering- with 15% ABV that is to be expected.  The nose is quite exuberant- plums, raspberry, red licorice, blueberry pie, bacon fat, violets and charcoal.  The palate is dry with caressing tannins and medium acidity that keeps the fruit fresh.  Medium bodied- the red and blue fruits are quite pronounced and the meaty component alongside oak nuance is present as well.  The finish is medium in length and has a tannic grip for a while.  There is a slight imbalance that I cannot point a finger at that will detract a point or two.  Drinking nicely now this wine will pair with rich meaty stews, venison roasts or pasta till 2026.  90 points from me for this $20 effort makes it a 5 star wine.  Salut….

Domaine Tour Saint-Michel Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee des Deux Soeurs 2019, Rhone, France

19 Sunday Dec 2021

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This youthful blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre is semi opaque with a pretty shade of ruby/purple.  The nose is chock full of ripe raspberry, red currants, pomegranate, bacon, evergreen leaf, granite and white pepper- quite complex.  The palate is dry with pronounced flavors of red fruit, minerality, earthiness and game.  Medium bodied, this semi tannic/medium acidity wine has a nice mouthfeel with a decent length finish. Whilst young, it is offering ripe fruit enjoyment with the structure to age and develop.  I would love to have a case to document the evolution over the next 12 years.  It got high marks from the pros, I agree.  93 points for this $55 bottle makes it a 5 star effort.  I am pairing it with Venison tenderloins and an eggplant tagine.  Salut….

Domaine du Pegau Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Reservee 2018, Rhone, France

12 Sunday Dec 2021

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Semi opaque and ruby colored, the nose has medium intensity aromas of ripe raspberries, red licorice, red currants, bacon, dried herbs, dusty earth and toast.  The palate is dry with immediate tannic grip, but not overly astringent.  Red fruit compote, plums, herbs, meaty bacon, earthiness and toast from the oak all swirl around my mouth.  It’s quite complex and nicely structured.  Medium to full-bodied, the alcohol (14.5% ABV) is well hidden but contributes to the lushness of the mouthfeel.  The finish is quite decent in length and not too dry, with just a smidge of lingering tannins.  It’s quite young but very approachable, I would estimate a drinking window till 2035.  It’s Sunday Roast Beef for dinner, nearly a perfect match.  94 points and 5 stars for this $50 Grenache/Syrah/Mourvedre blend.  Salut….

M Plouzeau Chateau de la Bonneliere Chinon Les Cornuelles 2016, Loire, France

10 Friday Dec 2021

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Chinon is a region in the Loire Valley of France where Cabernet Franc is the primary red grape.  You know how I love the varietal so I couldn’t pass this one up, especially when it was on sale for $14.  The wine itself is semi opaque and tending to garnet rather than ruby, I guess age is playing a factor here.  The nose is developed with stewed plums, black cherry, black currant pie, leather, mint and violet.  It is quite an interesting waft that got better as I swirled the glass.  On the palate this dry wine has upfront tannins, good acidity and flavors of plum, black currant, black cherry, licorice, mint and violets.  The leather and stewed plum notes are nowhere to be seen.  The tannic grip is pronounced on the back end where I get some dry gums.  It is a raw, primal wine with good fruit and structure but it is not for a big night.  A serviceable weekday wine that gets 88 points from me and should be drunk by 2026, it gets 3 stars and would go nicely with hearty stews.  Salut….

Jean Biecher et Fils Sommerberg Grand Cru Riesling 2019, Alsace, France

08 Wednesday Dec 2021

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This Alsatian Riesling is a deep shade of gold in the glass.  The nose is exquisite- tropical fruits, citrus, hints of petrol and a touch of minerality.  The aromas are very precise and clean.  The palate is dry but it has a sweetness from the tropical fruit flavors of pineapple, mango, kiwi and persimmon.  Grapefruit, lemons and tangerine round out the citrus notes and the petrol is but a faint memory.  This wine has great acidity that lurks, keeping the wine fresh yet not cutting.  I like the way the fruit flavors are layered, showing good complexity whilst the acidity is barely noticeable until the back end, where I find my jaw watering.  This is a very refreshing wine with depth that will cellar nicely yet provides immediate satisfaction.  I’m sizzling up some shrimp with garlic and asparagus on a bed of Fettuccine.  Yum.  93 points, and for $40 it’s a steal that got 96 points from the pros.  5 Stars.  Salut….

Chateau Bellevue 2016, Medoc, France

06 Monday Dec 2021

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This Bordeaux blend of 50% Merlot, 45% Cab Sav and 5% Cab Franc is opaque and garnet in color.  At 5 years of age, that is to be expected.  The nose is starting to develop tertiary notes alongside black plum, blackcurrant, tobacco, earth, barnyard, cassis and bramble.  Oak nuance by way of coffee and smoke are present.  The palate is yummy and developed.  Stewed black plum, blackcurrant, cassis, leather and barnyard.  Very earthy and smoky with well integrated yet persistent tannins and a touch of back end acidity.  The wine is medium bodied and shows a mid length finish.  It dries up on the finish and will go beautifully with my braised Lamb shanks which will have plenty of rich gravy and Yorkshire puddings.  91 points for this $25 effort makes it a 5 star wine to drink till 2026.  It is mature now and will last a few years.  Salut….

Xavier Vignon ‘Arcane VI Les Amoureux’ 2016, Cotes du Rhone, France

30 Tuesday Nov 2021

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I like this brand, they offer unique Rhone blends with different names for each vintage and varietal.  This Grenache happens to be a $30 wine that scored 94 points with several pros- I loved it too!

Opaque.  Bright aromas of plum, blueberry, black cherry, licorice, raspberry, white pepper, earth, cloves and charred wood.  The palate is very smooth with a hint of sweetness from the fruit, albeit a dry wine.  There are some very integrated tannins and a balanced acidity.  Yummy flavors of raspberry, blueberry, black cherry, white pepper spice, cloves and some smoke from the oak with a touch of licorice.  Medium bodied. This wine hides its 14.5%ABV nicely.  The finish is mid length and dry as the tannins grip a bit more.  91 points/5 stars, drink with steaks till 2028.  Salut….

Chateau Suduiraut 2010, Sauternes, France

26 Friday Nov 2021

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For Thanksgiving dessert I opened this chilled bottle of sweet Bordeaux nectar.  It was spectacular to say the least.  Medium gold with shimmering legs in the glass.  The nose had pronounced aromas of honey, apricots, candied tangerine and crystallized mango. Super unctuous, sweet, waxy – flavors of apricot, marmalade, tangerine, honey and that telltale Botrytis note.  Medium acidity and full body.  The finish is very long and the sweetness coats the mouth.  This is one of the best Sauternes I have ever come across.  For $30 per half bottle this is a must-cellar wine for short to long term enjoyment.  96 points from me and 5 if not 6 stars.  Salut….

Vieux Chateau Lamothe Blanc 2020, Bordeaux, France

17 Wednesday Nov 2021

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This Bordeaux blend consists of 40% Semillon, 40% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Muscadelle.  It is a medium gold in the glass and the 12.5% ABV leaves barely a sheen of watery legs in the glass. On the nose it has all the makings of a classic Sav Blanc- gooseberry, cut grass, cat’s pee and pineapple with some waxy notes from the Semillon.  The palate is refreshing with medium acidity, light weight body and fresh flavors of gooseberry, pineapple, honeysuckle and that waxy note I got on the nose.  The finish is medium in length and is a touch tangy from the acidity.  I like this lightish wine that sports good fruit-forward notes with a nice mouthfeel that is easy to drink.  I would pair it with fresh seafood, lighter chicken dishes and salads.  For $15 it is a good one to stock up on for the short term, 88 points.  3 stars from me.  Salut….

Chateau Fieuzal L’Abeille de Fieuzal 2015, Pessac-Leognan, France

15 Monday Nov 2021

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This Bordeaux blend of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc is beautiful in the glass- deep golden colored it shows off its age appropriately.  There is just a sheen of legs, which made me check the ABV- 12.5%.  Perfect.  I’m getting a little tired of getting tipsy too soon.  The nose is quite pronounced with aromas of gooseberry, lemon zest, green apple, honeysuckle, biscuit and persimmon.  A very interesting combination!  The palate is very soft and smooth with gentle acidity, full body and good length.  The flavors are more secondary and tertiary driven.  Citrus and apple give way to buttery components alongside toast and biscuit.  I did a bit of research after the fact.  This wine is technically a “drink now”, up to 2019.  Whoops.  It certainly shows some age but I think it will go swimmingly well with our grilled Salmon and sautéed spinach tonight.  If you have any, pop soon.  89 points from me for this $32 wine make it a 3 star effort.  Salut…..