France: Wine, French Wine Regions, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, & More Profiled

2013 Domaine Parent Corton Grand Cru Blanc, France, Burgundy, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$180.00USD

Light golden in color, slight green hue.  The nose is tight and not giving up much.  Revisiting it later doesn't add much; some minerality.  On the palate, there is more going on at this point.  Slightly oily texture which is nice.  Burnt lemon peel notes.  Ok finish.  Hard to tell where this is going.  It seems fresh and clean but in a shell right now.  Probably should hold or give it a lot of air.  Seem like it would work well with sea food and lighter dishes.  Hopefully, this has some upside with proper cellaring.  

2000 Dom Perignon Champagne P2, France, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2000
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$325.00USD

This was the second time in a week being lucky enough to try this.  Although they were similar, this bottle was served colder and seemed just a bit better.  it seemed fresher and more lively with more acidity.  Golden in color.  The nose has some peach, minerals and smoke.  With air, some seltzer came out.  On the palate, it starts out slightly sour (in a good way).  Nice lemony notes.  It finishes more like a lemon candy with a sour/sweet note.  What an incredibly long finish this has.  It will go with just about any food.  It has depth and complexity but still seems youthful despite being

2016 Alain Jaume & Fils Gigondas Terrasses de Montmirail, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$30.00USD

This is very good and for $30 a nice value.  Purple in color.  The nose has black cherries, slight mocha, spice and plums.  On the palate, this has a wonderful texture.  Juicy and plush.  Lots of black cherry fruit.  The mocha note carries thru.  Medium to full bodied.  Good acidity.  Delicious.  Will work with heavier foods (think cassoulet).  This has some upscale with future development and should be good for another decade, maybe more.  

2014 Clos Margalaine, France, Bordeaux, Margaux, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$35.00USD

Purple in color.  The nose has black cherries, slight barnyard and a bit of cigar tobacco.  On the palate, this is medium bodied.  Drinking well right now with black cherry fruit and underlying earthiness.  Good acidity.  Should be pretty food friendly for medium or heavier foods.  Nice finish.  Drink now.  It might last for five more years, but won't get any better.  

2006 Domaine René Leclerc Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Champeaux, France, Burgundy, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2006
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$85.00USD

This seemed to be in a great place right now.  Ruby in color.  The nose is cherries, slight sour cherries and slight anise.  On the palate, this is still youthful but showing nice depth.  Slightly viscous.  Sour cherries and cherries with underlying anise and minerals.  Good finish.  This will work with a wide variety of foods, even sea food.  Probably needs another five years until peak and then should drink well for another decade after that.  

2012 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave St. Joseph, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$75.00USD

Purple in color.  The nose is great with black raspberries, black pepper, slight charred meats and hints of bacon.  On the palate, this is pretty ripe for St. Joseph but well with limits.  Lovely, full texture.  Lots of black raspberry fruit with underlying earth.  Deep with layers that unwind in the glass.  Still young but getting there.  Needs bigger or spicy foods to match.  Works well on its own.  A bit expensive for a St. Joseph but well worth the $60 tariff release price. 

2012 Château Haut-Brion, France, Bordeaux, Pessac-Leognan, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
98
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$450.00USD

Its hard to believe that a First Growth can exceed expectations, but this one did.  From a good not great vintage, this wine was tremendous.  Purple/ruby in color.  The nose is great with cherries, chocolate, and slight tobacco.  A soft texture that makes the wine very accessible.  Some silky tannins.  This is delicious.  Young but open.  Cherries and milk chocolate on the palate.  This will work with heavier foods.  This should get better over the next couple of decades, but it is great right now.  

1995 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou, France, Bordeaux, Wine Review

Vintage: 
1995
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$150.00USD

Decanted for sediment and served.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose is earthy with cedar, spice, cassis, and slight celery note.  Much more developed and intense on the palate.  Cassis and slight tobacco.  Good finish.  Classic Bordeaux.  Served with hearty foods and meats.  This producer had some issues in the late 80's but since the mid-90's they have been doing a great job.  

2014 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Grands-Echezeaux, France, Burgundy, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$1800.00USD

Its always a treat to drink wines from DRC.  This is obviously young but was drinking quite well.  Ruby in color, clear and bright.  An intoxicating nose.  Earthy with macerated cherries, spice and a slight clay note.  On the palate, this took some time to open.  Sour cherries with a soft texture.  Tightly layered.  Long finish.  Very smooth, not bite.  A couple of ounces saved for day 2 was even better showing more depth and medium tannins.  Also a bit of anise on the finish.  For those lucky enough to be able to afford this and can find it, ageing will be rewarded.  

2013 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage Blanc, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
98
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$250.00USD

Gorgeous wine.  A blend of mostly Marsanne with some Roussanne.  Drinking great right now but Rhone white wines are always unpredictable.  Golden in color.  The nose has some peaches, wax with an herbal note floating above the rest.  Very nice.  It has a slightly oily texture with lots of body weight.  The peach notes carry thru to the palate.  Slightly orange citrus on the finish.  This will probably shut down at some point but then reopen and last for a couple more decades.  This will work with moderately hearty foods.  

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