Tag Archives: france

Marc Dupas Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine Sur Lie ‘Les Parcelles’ 2019, Loire, France

29 Wednesday Mar 2023

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Medium lemon colored with a watery sheen (12% ABV).  The nose gives me classic Sur-lie aromas of brioche and yeast along with bruised pear, white blossom, orange peel and chamomile.  The palate has a rounded mouthfeel of medium acidity and a medium (-) body. Flavors of citrus and brioche with pear and florals are evident.  The finish is a touch astringent but has a saline twang as well.  It carries on for a decent length.  I think this $16 wine gets 86 points and 3 stars from me.  Drink with seafood till 2024.  Salut….

Saget Pere et Fils Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine 2020, Loire, France

24 Friday Mar 2023

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Pale lemon colored with light viscosity legs (12% ABV).  The nose has aromas of lemon and lime, grapefruit skin, sea air, white blossom, hard Anjou pear and citrus curd.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity and a light body- very crisp on the mouthfeel.  The flavors echo the citrus notes with salinity and fresh flowers.  The pear note is somewhat muted on the palate.  The finish is medium in length and refreshing- the tartness and light bodied nature of this varietal really showing through.  It begs for  some seafood or a salad with a rich dressing.  I would give this $14 wine a score of 87 and drink till 2024, making it a 4 star effort.  Salut….

Les Vins Jean-Claude Debeaune Domaine de Grand Croix 2020, Brouilly, France

23 Thursday Mar 2023

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Deep purple with high viscosity legs (13.5% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of grape, red raspberry, lilac- it’s sorta muted right now.   The palate is dry with medium acidity and sandy tannins that are medium (-) in intensity.  The body of this Gamay is medium to full and is silky with ripe red raspberry, red licorice, orange peel and black cherry.  The finish is a touch tart but delightful and quite long.  I paid $25 for this 88 point wine making it a 3 star effort that I’m pairing with roast Duck.  Drink till 2027.  Ps. Carbonic Maceration is commonly used in Beaujolais but I don’t sense its use in this Cru level wine.  Salut….

Olivier Ravoire Bandol Le Pont 2019, Provence, France

12 Sunday Mar 2023

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Deep ruby colored, this 60/40 blend of Mourvèdre and Grenache has slow, gobby legs showing off its 14% ABV.  The nose is meaty and gamey right off the bat.  Black fruit galore with blackcurrants, blackberry, mulberry, wild herbs, licorice and menthol.  The palate is dry with medium acidity and medium tannins.  A full bodied wine with dark fruits, herbs (aka garrigue) and some smoky game meat all meld together nicely to form a very pleasing flavor profile with nice balance and decent structure.  It’s not overly complex but has a primal sense to it.  89 points from me for this $25 bottle makes it a 3 star effort to drink till 2028.  I’m doing a Sunday roast to pair with- should work out just right!  Salut….

St. Emilion visit

07 Tuesday Mar 2023

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When Moxie and I were in Bordeaux we had the opportunity to visit wineries in Pauillac, St. Estephe and Sauternes but coffee in the beautiful town of St. Emilion was amazing.  Our day started with a 40 minute drive north from the city center, across both the Garonne and Dourdogne rivers followed by a serene drive through vineyards until we happened upon this medieval looking town basking in the bright sunshine.  Parking the car close to the center, we wondered into the town and explored some narrow streets, the main square and some wine shops.  Our quick tour culminated in a morning dose of espresso at a café.  Our appointment at a winery precluded too much sightseeing but this is a town worthy of exploring.  It is stunningly beautiful and surrounded by some of the most famous wineries.  Well worth the visit.  Salut….

Domaine Maillard Pere et Fils Pommard ‘La Chaniere’ 2020, Cote de Beaune, France

06 Monday Mar 2023

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If you read my previous post on our Parisian dinner you will have read that we drank two Pinot Noirs from Burgundy.  This is the second bottle- notes taken were basic as it was dinner!

Deep ruby. Rich aromas of cherry pie, pomegranate , coffee, chocolate and raspberry.  Medium acidity, medium (-) tannins and a medium (-) body with flavors of red fruit and silky oak spice carrying through to a medium finish.  92 points from me for this $41 stunner makes it a 5 star wine to seek out.  Salut….

Domaine Maillard Pere et Fils Chorey-les-Beaune 2019, Cote de Beaune, France

06 Monday Mar 2023

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We recently dined at an amazing Parisian restaurant where the entire menu, wine included was extremely reasonable yet of such a high caliber that I will include some pictures.  We drank two bottles of Burgundian Pinot Noir, the first being this Chorey Les Beaune.  I did not want to detract from dinner so very basic notes were taken.

Medium ruby, more extracted than I expected.  Aromas of strawberry, cherries jubilee, a touch of baking spices and some smoke.  Medium (-) tannins and a medium acidity lead to a medium body.  Delicious with flavors of dark cherry, strawberry coulis, baking spice and charred oak on a medium finish. 91 points and for $40 this is a 4 star effort.  Salut….

Scallops to die for

Parmesan Filet

Oh, la la

Can you say Souflé?

Perfection on a dessert plate

Chateau Giraud winery visit

05 Sunday Mar 2023

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When Moxie and I booked our trip to Bordeaux I wanted to visit Sauternes- so I looked up my favorites from the past and decided that Guiraud was going to be it.  Unlike many others in the region, they are open on Saturdays, which was the only day we were free.  Overcast skies and winter vegetation could not detract from the inherent beauty of this organically farmed estate.  Our guide was awesome and very informative.  We toured the cellars and grounds with a glass of their dry white in hand- the ‘G’ was spectacular.  A blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, it had excellent acidity, balance and length with delicious flavors and aromas that made Moxie claim it to be her favorite dry white ever.  A big statement indeed.

The dry white wine

Our tour took us to the tasting room where we tried the Petite and Grand vins from several vintages.  I savored every drop of these stunningly delicious dessert wines and compared the nuances of each vintage.  The 2014 was my favorite as it was very precise with a freshness that was not evident in the older vintages.  The 1998 was liquid gold, rich and laden with tertiary notes that one hopes for in cellared wines.  The 2005 was in between- showing some youth whilst taking on a smoky note that was very interesting.  I love these wines and purchased two more vintages for my cellar.  Look out for tasting notes in the future!  Overall- this is a must visit winery if you are in the region where you will be warmly greeted and treated to spectacular wines.  Salut….

Laurent Fayolle Crozes-Hermitage Sens 2019, Rhone, France

01 Wednesday Mar 2023

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A quick and basic tasting note of this French Syrah- Opaque purple. Fruity nose with florals and ripe fruit.  Black plum, lavender, licorice, coffee.  Medium acidity, medium tannins, full body.  Grippy black fruits with flavors of plum, black cherry, bitter dark chocolate with a shortish finish.  88 points and for $19 it gets 4 stars.  Drink till 2025 with hearty meat stews and grilled game.  Salut….

Chateau Les Ormes-de-Pez 2006, Saint-Estephe, France

01 Wednesday Mar 2023

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Purchased at the gift shop in Bages, this Cru Bourgeois is part of the Lynch Bages portfolio.  Pardon the abrupt notes, but it is being drunk at our Parisian Air-bnb in glasses that are not optimal.   Medium garnet colored , nose of blackberry, cassis, tobacco, cedar box, classic aged Bordeaux. Delicious with medium acidity and medium tannins that are well integrated with a medium body.  Slightly tart on the back end with black fruit puree and cassis.  Secondary and tertiary flavors of tobacco, cedar lined drawers, smoke and espresso.  Long finish with tart dark fruit- 91 points.  For around $43, you too can taste this delicious and mature wine.  4 stars.  Salut….