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

1969 Moët & Chandon Champagne Cuvée Dom Pérignon, France - Wine Review

Score: 
86
Grade: 
B

I got a chance to try this (December, 2017) and was told that storage was less than ideal.  Considering that and its age, this was pretty impressive.  Light golden in color.  Still some evervescence although not really showing bubbles in the glass.  On the nose, a bit soapy but nice lemon-lime notes and minerals.  Not much in the way of oxidation, considering and no mushrooms.  On the palate, this is crisp with a lemony note.  Some depth and complexity.  There is certainly some energy.  Way better than one might have guessed.  Very cool.  

2009 Château Nairac, France, Bordeaux, Barsac - Wine Review

Score: 
95
Grade: 
A

What a nice way to end a meal.  This is drinking great right now.  Deep golden in color.  The nose has honey, apricots and a floral note.  Really pretty.  It is sweet and bumps up against cloying but there is enough acidity to manage it.  Deep and compled.  Long finish.  Such a pretty wine.  A little goes a long way.  Fantastic.  

1996 Château Cos d'Estournel, France, Bordeaux, St. Estèphe - Wine Review

Score: 
97
Grade: 
A+

This is fantastic.  This is quite open and soft and semmingly at or near peak.  Ruby/purple in color.  The nose is very good with cassis, pencil lead, soy sauce, dust and a bit of cigar box.  On the palate, it is even better.  Not a full bodied as I was expecting but lean and strong nevertheless.  Layers of cassis, tobacco and dried leaves.  Waves of complexity. Juicy fruit and acidity.  Great with food.  Nice finish.  I don't think this gets better but no hurry.  

2005 La Mondotte, France, Bordeaux, Saint Emilion - Wine Review

Score: 
95
Grade: 
A

This had been decanted for a bit.  Purple in color.  Great nose.  Just gorgeous.  Tobacco, dark cherries and spice.  A hint of funk.  On the palate, nice acidity.  Tart cherries and dark cherries.  Very soft in texture.  While not as good as the nose, the palate is excellent.  Layers of fruit and earth.  Still seems to need some time though.  Good finish.  Excellent with food.  Upside potential still.  

2007 Les Fils de Charles Trosset Vin de Savoie Arbin L’Expression de Terroir, France, Savoie

Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

At ten years from vintage this seems to be at close to peak.  No hurry though.  Purple/ruby in color.  The nose has some funk along with dark cherries and black pepper.  On the palate, there are slight tannins.  Black cherry fruit.  Layers of complexity of fruit and funk.  Nice acidity.  Good finish.  Fun wine to open something different.  

2015 Saint Cosme Gigondas, France, Rhone - Wine Review

Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

Very nice wine.  Deep ruby in color, bright.  The nose has black cherries, dusty, with leather.  On the palate, this is a rich,lush wine.  Firm tannins.  Plenty of dark cherry fruit with a mineral undertone.  Nice finish.  These are no longer great value plays but for around $50, this is competitive with Chateauneuf du Papes in terms of quality.  

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