Tag Archives: france

Domaine Clavel Régulus 2023, Côtes du Rhône, France

07 Saturday Dec 2024

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , ,


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

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , ,


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

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,


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

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , ,


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

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , ,


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

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,


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

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , ,


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….

 

Domaine Nicolas Rossignol Clos de Verger 2017, Pommard Premier Cru, France

20 Monday May 2024

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , ,


Second up at the 36th virtual tasting was this stunning Pinot from Burgundy.  Pale garnet colored with low viscosity (13.5% ABV).  On the nose we got medium (+) intensity aromas of cherries jubilee, barnyard, roses, mushroom, stewed strawberry, baking spice, chocolate powder and Rooibos tea.  On the palate it is dry with medium acidity, light body and low tannins.  Cinnamon, Allspice, black cherry, mushroom, funk, forest floor and strawberry compote featured with a long finish.  This was a memorable wine that was enjoyed by everyone- I gave it a perfect 20 points on our tasting scale.  Technically speaking this is a 94 pointer that gets 5 stars and can be found for $80.  I would savor this with Roast Quail, Filet with béarnaise or even a mushroom tart.  I believe there is plenty of development in this wine’s future so cellaring a few bottles will be a fun adventure to visit till 2034.  Salut….

Chateau Pontet-Canet 2000, Pauillac, France

26 Friday Apr 2024

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , ,


It’s my birthday week so we had friends over for dinner- best friends, so it warranted a nice bottle.  I have been sitting on this 5th Growth Bordeaux for 20 years, it’s time.

Deep garnet with bricking, slight staining, and a high viscosity (13% ABV). The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of Cassis, cedar, leather, baking spices, coffee, chocolate, vanilla, ripe blueberry pie, acai berry and is somewhere between youthful and mature, which is surprising. On the palate it’s dry with medium acidity, medium-to-full body and medium (+) tannins that are fully integrated. Absolutely lush flavors of Cassis, baked blueberry, acai berry, cedar, leather, tobacco, baking spices, vanilla and blackberry compote.  The finish runs a good length and shows off the wonderfully refined tannins mingling with the remnants of fruit alongside tertiary notes.  It’s a stunner that has rewarded my patience for sure. 96 points for this $160 bottle that gets 5 stars from me. Drink till 2030.  A treat for sure, Salut….

Louis Boillot Clos De La Chapelle 2008, Volnay, France

26 Friday Apr 2024

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , ,


Pale garnet with copper highlights, some bricking and a medium viscosity (13.5% ABV).  On the nose this aged Pinot has medium (+) intensity aromas of cherries jubilee, strawberry compote, earth, rose, baking spice, vanilla thread, Goji berry, Rooibos tea and baked lingonberry.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity, medium body and medium (-) tannins that are fully integrated.  The flavors are somewhat tart but I get cherry, strawberry, baking spice, rose and Rooibos.  It’s a rather stark difference from the power and intensity of the nose- I was hoping for a grand slam but the unripe nature of the fruit is a little underwhelming.  The finish is long which makes up a point or two and the structure is still there for more aging yet I doubt the fruit will shine, perhaps more tertiary development is possible.  This is the third bottle I have tasted of this wine in 12 years, it still does’t quite live up to my desires- 89 points and for $55 it’s a 3 star effort.  Cellar at your own discretion.  Salut….