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

2015 Zind-Humbrecht Gewurztraminer Rangen de Thann Clos St. Urbain, France, Alsace

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A

Light golden in color.  What a gorgeous nose.  Lychees, peaches and minerals.  On the palate, this is slightly sweet but not much.  Great minerality.  Some peach notes.  Wonderful mouthfeel.  Good acidity.  Went great with spicy Indian food.  Long finish.  A beautiful wine.  It is still quite young and will continue to improve for a decade at least and be good for another decade after that.  $75 but might just be worth it!

2009 Château Faugères, France, Bordeaux, Saint Emilion, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2009
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

This is drinking youthfully but quite nice right now.  Purple in color.  The nose has cherries, dark cherries, chocolate and cigar tobacco.  On the palate, this has a lovely lush texture.  Lots of fruit; black cherries, some cherries with a bit of earth.  There is some oak but mostly integrated.  Light tannins.  Nice very smooth finish.  Drinking very well, it works well with food.  There may be some upside as it develops but I think mostly this is as good asa it gets.  

2015 E. Guigal Côtes du Rhône, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-

Really a tremendous value.  The annual production for this wine is four million bottles.  To make that much wine and be so consistent and of such quality is an amazing thing.  This is certainly a wine where vintage does matter and 2015 is a very good vintage.  For around $15 or less, it is hard to find a better red wine.  Purple in color.  The nose is nice with black cherries, some black olive and a bit of black pepper.  On the palate, this has nice black raspberry and black cherry fruit.  Some depth.  Medium bodied.  Good acidity.  Works well with food.  I would drink these right away.  Th

2005 Domaine Monpertuis (Paul Jeune) Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Tradition, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2005
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

Purple in color.  The nose is clean with dusty cherries and garrique.  On the palate, this has silky tannins.  Layered complexity of cherries, spice and earth.  With air some dark cherry fruit.  Nice finish.  This is at peak now and should be drunk in the next five to seven years.  Outstanding right now.  

2005 Château Rieussec, France, Bordeaux, Sauternes, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2005
Score: 
97
Grade: 
A+

Golden in color.  The nose has orange peel and honey.  Just gorgeous. On the palate, this is amazing.  The orange peel carries thru along with some orange and apricot.  Great acidity that cuts thru the sweetness.  It is sweet, just right.  Complex and deep.  Long, long finish.  Drinking quite well right now, but no hurry.  Just a lovely wine.  

1982 Château Mouton Rothschild, France, Bordeaux, Pauillac, Wine Review

Vintage: 
1982
Score: 
100
Grade: 
A+

Lots to say about this wine, but first, why it was opened.  My friend Chris is about to retire.  Way back in 1986 or so, Chris was convinced to spend $30 for a 375ml bottle of this wine.  Since that time, he has waited for the right special occasion to open the bottle.  Luckily for me (since I din't meet Chris until around 2010), this bottle is known to maturing at a glacial pace.  He has moved all around the world waiting for the right time and place.  My wife and I had dinner at Chris's home before he leaves town and goes to spend his retirement in Cape Cod.  Chris opened the wine.  What

2009 Domaine Grand Veneur Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2009
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A

Purple, ruby at the rim.  The nose has cherries, black cherries, anise, spice and slight floral notes.  Full bodied.  Excellent balance.  Cherries, dark cherries, spice and slight earthiness on the palate.  Drinking quite fresh.  Good energy.  Opens up with air.  Pretty close to peak but should stay there for 8 years at least.  It will gain in complexity but lose some of the freshness.  More fruit forward in style for CdP.  Great wine.  

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