Wine Regions & Grapes
Sampling of Wineries
Acorn Andrea Oberto Atlas Peak Benziger Beringer Blandy's Bodega Navarro Correas Burgans Cantina Terlano Chimney Rock Chronicle Domaine Carneros Domaine de la Mordoree Dow's Dr. Loosen Emilio Lustau Fonseca Foxen Gaston Riviere Glen Ellen Hess Collection Innocent Bystander Kendall-Jackson Korbel La Caudrina Luna Vineyards Madeira Wine Company Martin Codax Masi Merryvale Mulderbosch Navarro Vineyards Pahlmeyer Roederer Estate Ruggeri Sawyer Cellars Sbragia Six Sigma Winery St. James Steltzner Vineyards Trinchero Winery Trione V. Sattui Winery William Fevre Wilson Winery
Category Archives: France
Haut-Colombier Bordeaux Clairet 2009
Chateau Haut-Colombier, Bordeaux Clairet 2009 This is a deeply-colored rose, approaching what you see in some Pinot Noir and Sangiovese. In the nose the fruit shines through with some earthy notes as well. In the mouth it is fruity and … Continue reading
Vieux Telegraphe Telegramme 2007 and Tim Gaiser Wine Genius
Vieux Telegraphe, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Télégramme 2007 Tasted first at 11:15 on Friday morning, the nose featured cherries, strawberries, black pepper, sweet notes of vanilla and caramel as wells as the scent of the garrigue. In the mouth the wine showed medium … Continue reading
Posted in Chateauneuf-du-Pape, France, Grenache, Rhône
Tagged Tim Gaiser MS, Vieux Telegraphe
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Domaine Richaud L’Ebrescade 2004
Domaine Richaud, Cairanne Cotes du Rhone Villages, L’Ebrescade 2004 The nose features sweet black fruit, a bit of raisins, a light meaty character and a sense of the garrigue. In the mouth it is smooth and succulent, rich, with some … Continue reading
Posted in Cairanne, Cotes du Rhone, Cotes du Rhone Villages, France, Grenache, Rhône
Tagged Richaud
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Pierre Gimonnet Gastronome 2004
Pierre Gimonnet & Fils, Champagne, Premier Cru, Gastronome, Blanc de Blancs, Brut 2004 This wine is the epitome of green apples in a glass, bracing and wonderful. This profile is emblematic of the house style and the length is amazing. … Continue reading
Egly-Ouriet Brut Tradition Disgorged 2009
Egly-Ouriet, Champagne, Grand Cru, Brut Tradition nv The nose features biscuits and apples, apples that are fresh and those baked in an apple tart. In the mouth this bubbly is freshly fruity, embracing the taste of apples across the spectrum, … Continue reading
Posted in Champagne, Chardonnay, France, Pinot Noir, Sparkling Dry
Tagged Egly-Ouriet
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Egly-Ouriet Champagne Pinot Meunier disgorged August 09
Egly-Ouriet, Champagne Premier Cru, Les Vignes de Vrigny, Brut nv disgorged August 2009 The nose features a veritable bread basket of smells from the boulangerie, buttered biscuits, freshly baked croissants and more great memories of France. In the mouth the … Continue reading
Chateau Suduiraut 2005
Chateau Suduiraut, Sauternes 1er Cru 2005 The nose features lots of honey, a bit of straw, tropical fruit notes and appropriate volatility. In the mouth it is thick and rich, lemony, tempered by acidity and reminiscent of a spoonful of … Continue reading
Posted in Bordeaux, France, Late Harvest White, Sauternes, Semillon
Tagged Suduiraut
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Bourgogne Rouge 2007
Domaine G. Roumier, Chambolle-Musigny 2007 Give this some air to allow the fruit to emerge. Then there’s a mix of cherries, moist black earth in the garden and brown spices. In the mouth this is just a baby, with plenty … Continue reading
Posted in Beaune, Burgundy, Chambolle-Musigny, France, Pinot Noir
Tagged de Montille, Roumier
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William Fevre Chablis Fourchaume 2008
William Fevre, Chablis Premier Cru, Fourchaume 2008 In the nose you’ll find the smell of bread dough and butter with a healthy whiff of stone fruits. In the mouth the concentration of fruit is evident, with buttery richness adding a … Continue reading
Jaboulet Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise 2007
Paul Jaboulet Aine, Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise, Le Chant des Griolles 2007 The nose features the expected orange blossom of Muscat with the region’s typical spiritous character in the subtly in the background. In the mouth you’ll find oranges and cinnamon, … Continue reading
Posted in Fortified dessert, France, Late Harvest White, Muscat, Muscat Beaumes de Venise, Rhône, White Dessert
Tagged Jaboulet
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Mordoree Cotes-Du-Rhone 2008
Domaine de la Mordorée Côtes-Du-Rhône “La Dame Rousse” 2008 Give this some air to blow off the stink. Then with 15 minutes the black pepper and red fruits will emerge. In the mouth it is overtly fruity and quite structured, … Continue reading
Red Wine Stars of the Rhone
Coudoulet de Beaucastel, Cotes-du-Rhone Rouge, 2007 The fruit has both a fresh and dried character, combining cherries, plums and raisins. In the mouth it has an elegant profile, the structure is apparent yet restrained, not dominating the flavors – very … Continue reading
Posted in Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Cotes du Rhone, France, Grenache, Mourvedre, Rhône
Tagged Beaucastel, Chateau La Nerthe
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Alain Graillot Crozes Hermitage 2008
Alain Graillot, Crozes Hermitage 2008 This vintage features lots of black pepper and a structured palate, with long acidity and a commensurate amount of tannin. For some there will be too much of a memory of Band-Aids and the dentist … Continue reading
Louis Jadot Beaujolais-Villages 2008
Louis Jadot, Beaujolais-Villages 2008 The nose expresses the essence of fresh grapes with a bit of earthiness. In the mouth the fruit is bright, the acidity lively and the tannin just a hint in the background. This is perfect when … Continue reading
Jean-Marc Brocard Chablis Fourchaume 2007
Jean-Marc Brocard, Chablis Premier Cru, Fourchaume 2007 The nose features bright green apple and minerality. In the mouth the acidity is invigorating, as if biting into that green apple. While at the same time there is a richness in the … Continue reading
Chateau Gravas 2008
Chateau Gravas, Sauternes 2008 The nose shows a nice sense of tropical fruit, honey and minerality. In the mouth you’ll find a light-bodied Sauternes, yet one that hits the profile, albeit without the concentration of the big guns – yet … Continue reading
Posted in Bordeaux, France, Late Harvest White, Semillon, White Dessert
Tagged Chateau Gravas
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Le G de Chateau Guiraud
Chateau Guiraud, Bordeaux Blanc Sec, Le G de Chateau Guiraud 2007 The nose features straw, minerality, lanolin and stone fruit. There’s an evolved complexity that shows already. In the mouth there is a nice thread of acidity with the richness … Continue reading
Posted in Bordeaux, France, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon
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New and Old World Gewurztraminer
This flight features two very different incarnations of this grape; both well-done yet very different. Domaine Zind Humbrecht, Alsace, Gewurztraminer 2008 The nose features roses galore, a spicy floral production with honey and tropical fruit in the mix as well. … Continue reading
Pichot Vouvray 2009
Domaine Le Peu de la Moriette (Domaine Pichot), Vouvray 2009 The nose is a little dead on the first bottle opened – I suspect a low level of TCA. Fortunately, the second and third bottles have a much more vivid … Continue reading
William Fevre Champs Royaux 2008
William Fevre, Chablis, Champs Royaux, 2008 There’s flintiness in the nose with fresh green apples. In the mouth the acidity stands out, as if biting a slice of that apple, yet there is also a roundness to the wine, a sense … Continue reading
Domaine Hauvette Rouge
Domaine Hauvette, Les Baux de Provence 2004 The nose of the ’04 features fresh and dried fruits, floral notes and the herbs of the Provencal landscape. In the mouth you’ll find structure to marry with dinner and a bit of … Continue reading
Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon, France, Grenache, Les Baux de Provence, Provence, Syrah
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Prestige cuvee sparkling
Perrier-Jouet, Champagne, Cuvee Belle Epoque, Fleur de Champagne, Brut 2000 The cork was quite compacted and the bottle opened with hardly a whisper. The color is taking on a light golden hue. Yet in the nose it delivers the fresh … Continue reading
Posted in California, Carneros, Champagne, Chardonnay, France, Pinot Noir, Sparkling Dry
Tagged Domaine Carneros, Perrier-Jouet
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Chateau Climens 2005
Chateau Climens, Barsac 2005 What is wonderful about this wine is the amount of fruit that shows, from citrus to the tropical notes of pineapple. Sure, there is the expected richness of honey and appropriate volatility, but the coupling of … Continue reading
Left Bank Bordeaux
Chateau Giscours, Margaux 2006 The nose of this wine features a strong whiff of smoky oak and leather with red fruits and sweet tobacco. In the mouth, the fruit comes alive, with fresh berries and dried cranberries and the accent … Continue reading
Posted in Bordeaux, Cabernet Sauvignon, France, Margaux, Merlot, Saint-Julien
Tagged Branaire-Ducru, Chateau Giscours
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William Fevre Chablis Montmains 2008
Domaine William Fevre, Chablis Premier Cru, Montmains 2008 The nose is tight and not yet very expressive. In the mouth however, there is concentrated green apple, topped with buttery richness and plenty of acidity to provide freshness – very nice. … Continue reading
Domaine de la Mordoree Rose 2009
Domaine de la Mordoree, Cotes-du-Rhone, La Dame Rousse, Rose 2009 In the nose you’ll find red fruits, like cherries and a bit of strawberry that carries through on a broad, lowish acid palate. The grapes behind this pink wine are … Continue reading
Posted in Cotes du Rhone, France, Grenache, Rosé, Syrah
Tagged Domaine de la Mordoree
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Bordeaux 2005
Chateau LaFleur-Gazin 2005 The sweetness of the fruit in this Pomerol is rather fetching, possessing a liquer-like character. In the mouth it is supple and fruity, with plums and cassis on a velvety palate. The flavors linger with the acidity- … Continue reading
Posted in Bordeaux, France, Margaux, Pauillac, Pomerol
Tagged Chateau Brane-Cantenac, Chateau Duhart-Milon, Chateau Lafleur-Gazin
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Lucien Albrecht Pinot Blanc 2008
Lucien Albrecht, Alsace, Pinot Blanc, Cuvee Balthazar 2008 The nose features flowers and minerality. In the mouth the fruit has a candy-like character, framed by acidity. The body is light and augmented by a little creaminess. Balthazar Albrecht settled in … Continue reading
St. Raphael Rouge
I was delighted to find this aperitif during our recent trip to Bordeaux. While in a little grocery store buying some essentials for the apartment, I had to check out the wine section and low and behold, St. Raphael. St. … Continue reading
Smith Haut Lafitte 2006
Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte, Pessac-Leognan 2006 The smells in the nose include raspberries, cherries, leather and the sweetness and toastiness of oak. In the mouth it is earthy and smoky, exhibiting complexity and a supple texture – very approachable. The … Continue reading
Posted in Bordeaux, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, France, Graves, Merlot, Pessac-Leognan
Tagged Smith Haut Lafitte
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