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Albert Bichot Bourgogne Pinot Noir Origines 2022, Burgundy, France

10 Monday Feb 2025

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Pale ruby colored fading to a platinum rim, with medium viscosity (13% ABV).  The nose of this Pinot Noir has medium intensity aromas of forest floor, cranberry, white strawberry, pomegranate, vanilla, baking spices, and a green stalk note.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity, a light body, and low tannins that make for a very gentle and caressing mouthfeel.  The flavors are of medium (-) intensity and echo the nose particularly with the red fruit notes.  It’s not as earthy on the palate and the green notes are very feint.  The finish is a slightly tart affair that is medium in length and refreshing.  It’s a crisp red that is pleasing without being overly complex, a good weekday drop.  For $23 it’s a pretty decent bottle that gets 89 points from me and 3 stars.  Drink till 2027 with lighter meats, salmon or poultry.  Salut….

Albert Bichot Bourgogne Pinot Noir Origines

Patrice Grasset Chenin Blanc 2022, Vouvray, France

21 Tuesday Jan 2025

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Pale lemon colored with strawberry highlights, and a high viscosity (12.5% ABV). The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of lemon zest, tangerine, wax, wool, grapefruit pith, quince, slate, white blossom, and white pepper.  The palate is a hint off-dry with medium (+) acidity, and a medium (+) body.  The flavors are quite pronounced- quince, grapefruit pith, lemon and tangerine with some interesting wool notes.  There is a waxy feel to this wine which is varietally correct.  The finish is medium (+) in length and weighty.  I am enjoying this $17 bottle that I will be pairing with baked Mackerel.  It gets 90 points from me and 5 stars.  Drink till 2028.  Salut….

Patrice Grasset Vouvray Chenin Blanc

Les Vignerons de Pierrefeu Prestige Rouge 2005, Cotes de Provence, France

30 Monday Dec 2024

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Deep amber colored with medium viscosity (13.5% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of prune, balsamic syrup, roasted almond, raisin, desiccated blackberry jam, and alcohol (I get loads of it in my shnoz).  The palate is dry with medium acidity, a medium body and very astringent tannins that are melded but still providing grip.  Dried, stewed fruits and over-steeped black tea with some roasted nuts make up the flavors, which are of medium (+) intensity.  The finish is super astringent and the flavors last a medium length but the astringency is something to behold, wow.  This is certainly not a wine that was meant to be aged, it just happened to be forgotten in my brother’s kitchen.  Purchased in Provence in 2008 at the winery where my cousin had his wedding reception.  They got divorced but the wine is still here, barely.  No scores given, no pricing is available, and the rest is destined for the kitchen sink.  A real shame we didn’t open this (Cabernet Sauvignon?) sooner.  Oh well.  You win some, you lose some.  Salut….

Les Vignerons de Pierrefeu Cotes de Provence Pierrefeu Prestige Rouge

Domaine Clavel Régulus 2023, Côtes du Rhône, France

07 Saturday Dec 2024

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Medium garnet colored with high viscosity (14% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of red raspberry, red plum, smoke, game, tomato stalk, red licorice, pomegranate, and blackberry.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity, a medium  body, and medium tannins.  Medium (+) intensity flavors of dark raspberry, plum, blackberry, pomegranate, with some less intense red licorice, smoke, game and green from the stalk.  The finish is quite short but well received- it’s certainly fruity and has some nice juiciness thanks to the acidity.  This is a very delicious wine that drinks nicely now and could perhaps evolve till 2028.  It gets 91 points from me and at $14- a 5 star winner.  A blend of Grenache 60%, Syrah 30% and Marselan 10%.  Salut….

Domaine Clavel Régulus cotes du rhone

La Reserve De L’enclave Cotes du Rhone Villages 2022, Southern Rhone, France

21 Thursday Nov 2024

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Medium ruby colored with medium viscosity (14% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of red and black raspberry, steeped black cherry, rhubarb, tobacco leaf, blueberry, wildflower, black pepper and granite.  The palate is dry (very), with medium (+) acidity, a medium body, and medium tannins.  Flavors of dark red fruit- cherry and raspberry, with some green notes of fresh tobacco leaf, wildflower, pepper (both green and black), as well as some granite.  The fruit/tannins are quite sharp and produce a distinct dryness on the mid palate.  The finish is a bit mouthwatering and of medium length.  The astringent nature of this wine is akin to over steeped black tea- but it’s quite pleasant.  A blend of 65% Grenache and 35% Syrah- I don’t get the gaminess associated with the latter, but it does offer up the candied red fruit I dislike.  Overall this $18 is very tasty and will cellar nicely till 2030.  91 points from me and 5 stars.  Grilled meats are the ticket here.  Salut….

La Reserve De L'enclave Cotes du Rhone Villages

Albert Bichot Bourgogne Aligote 2022, Burgundy, France

11 Wednesday Sep 2024

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Medium lemon colored with medium viscosity (12% ABV).  Medium (+) intensity aromas of lemon, lemon zest, white blossom, yoghurt, baked apple, toasty oak and sea spray.  The palate is dry with medium acidity and a medium body.  Medium (+) intensity flavors of yellow apple, lemon zest, lemon, yoghurt and toasty oak.  It has a mineral core that is surrounded by zesty citrus, warm apple notes and a touch of oak.  The finish is medium (-) in length.  I like this wine- 90 points and for $15 it gets 5 stars.  I would roast a chicken any day to pair with this little gem.  Drink till 2028.  Salut….

Domaine Bernard Serveau Les Sentiers 2009, Chambolle-Musigny Premier Cru, Burgundy, France

06 Tuesday Aug 2024

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I took this bottle to a meeting of fellow sommeliers where one of our own was practicing for a presentation exam.  No notes were taken but I will say that this wine has finally hit its stride.  Beautifully balanced with gentle acidity, fully melded tannins, a medium (-) body and loads of tertiary notes alongside plenty of primary and secondary notes.  It is probably close to peak and will age gracefully for another decade.  Delicious stuff that I reviewed three other times, with different scores each tasting.  I feel this is the time for this wine, it is hitting on all cylinders.  92 points from me for this $70 bottle makes it a 4 star effort.  Salut….

Gabriel Meffre Tavel Saint-Ferreol Rose 2022, Rhone, France

09 Tuesday Jul 2024

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Medium strawberry in color with high viscosity (14% ABV).  Medium intensity aromas of strawberry, tangerine, cranberry, pomegranate and orange blossom.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity, a medium body and hint of tannic grip due to the slightly longer skin contact this region is known for (hence the darker color).  Strawberry, cranberry, pomegranate and a touch of orange/tangerine are the flavors I get that lead to a medium (-) length finish.  Rosé is a summer wine but the structure of the Tavel wines makes them more versatile with seasons and food.  Our pairing tonight is Tacos, should work nicely.  89 points from me for this $25 bottle makes it a 3 star effort to drink till 2027.  Salut….

Kysela Pere et Fils Picpoul de Pinet H.B. 2023, Languedoc-Roussillon, France

07 Sunday Jul 2024

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Pale lemon/lime colored with a watery sheen (13% ABV).  The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of peach, white pear, sea salt, green apple, lemon zest, grapefruit and waxy lanolin.  The palate is dry with high acidity and a medium (-) body.  Tart flavors of lemon zest, green apple, peach, sea spray and white pear.  The finish is tangy, zesty and medium in length.  This $9 stunner is a dead ringer for Albarino imo- cutting acidity, sea spray, peach and lemon zest remind me of that grape.  I am pairing it with steamed King Crab, seems like the natural thing to do.  89 points from me makes this a 5 star effort that I will pound this summer- after all it runs under a tenner.  Salut….

Chateau Guiraud ‘Le G de Chateau Guiraud’ Blanc Sec 2022, Bordeaux, France

31 Friday May 2024

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Pale lemon colored with a watery sheen (13% ABV).  The nose of this Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon blend is intense. Aromas of lemon, lime, cut grass, nectarine, cat pee, tangerine zest, lanolin and orange blossom.  It’s full on and stunning.  The palate is dry with high acidity and a medium body with some phenolic bitterness.  Medium (+) intensity flavors of lemon, tangerine, nectarine, cut grass, lanolin, orange blossom and green herbs.  The finish is long in length and mouthwatering from the acidity- lovely and cutting.  I loved this wine when tasted at the chateau prior to release and am ecstatic that I scored a case recently.  It should develop over the next few years but I may not have the patience.  93 points from me and for $19- 5 stars.  Salut….