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

2010 Tissot (Bénédicte et Stéphane / André et Mireille) Arbois Clos de la Tour de Curon, France, Arbois, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

Everyone who tried this had the same reaction - this is interesting.  After that some loved it and some hated it.  More of the later I think.  Certainly not for everyone but I enjoyed it.  Deep golden in color.  High toned and a bit oxidized.  Fascinating nose that had a fleshy note, oranges, cumin and acetone.  On the palate, this is very drying.  Orange peel and lots of minerals.  Depth and lots of things going on.  I guess food neutral would be how I would describe it.  Some acidity but it plays in its own world.  

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

Vintage: 
2009
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-

Deep golden in color.  The nose has canned peaches and simple syrup.  On the palate, this is a bit cloying.  It is good, but lacks the acidity that the better vintages have.  Sugary apricots.  A bit clipped on the finish.  That said, it is also delicious if you are just having a sip or two.  Very rich.  

1995 Château Grand Mayne, France, Bordeaux, Saint Emilion, Wine Review

Vintage: 
1995
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+

Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  Clear and bright.  The nose has black cherries but also some barnyard stink.  This only partially blew off with air.  On the palate, this has cherries, cherry juice, slight black cherries and layers of damp earthy forest floor.  Still has some tannins.  This certainly is at peak at best and probably a bit past but not too far.  There is a nice complexity and still fruit left.  I would drink these over the next five to ten years depending how you like your Bordeaux.  For my wallet, this house usually over delivers albeit not at the top level of Bordeaux eit

2007 Virginie de Valandraud, France, Bordeaux, Saint Emillion, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2007
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

Purple in color.  Ruby at the rim.  The nose is nice with cherries and cedar.  Some spice.  On the palate, there are medium tannins.  Plenty of cherry fruit.  A bit of earthy funk.  This has a good complexity.  Showing far better than I might have expected from the vintage or the second label status.  Good finish.  Seems to have plenty of life left.  Not sure if it improves but might gain some complexity.

2007 Roger Sabon Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Prestige, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2007
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

Ruby/purple in color.  The nose has black cherries, spice, black raspberries, violets and bacon.  On the palate, this is mature and complex.  Layered, it unwinds in the glass.  Black cherry fruit, black raspberries, some earthiness and spice.  Nice texture.  Wispy tannins.  Good balance.  Long finish.  No hurry, but I don't think it improves from here.  

2012 Domaine Grand Veneur Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Origines, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

Purple in color.  The nose is nice enough if a bit under ripe.  Cherries, green herbs (tarragon), slight violet notes.  On the palate, this is old school CdP.  Cherries, dark cherries, slight earthiness.  Tight but layered.  Medium tannins.  Nice finish.  Drinking well now and should be good to go for a decade.  

2000 Château Monbousquet, France, Bordeaux, Saint Emilion, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2000
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

Purple/brown in color.  Not at the edges but the whole color.  Interesting and still bright.  On the nose, this has some black cherries, roasted fruit (not too much) and spice and vanilla.  On the palate, this is tight but opens in the glass with air.  Black cherry and black raspberry fruit with some spice.  The oak is prevalent here and the tannins, while present are diminishing.  I doubt this ever fully sheds the oak before the fruit is gone.  That said, there is plenty to like if one is not too oak averse.  I would still recommend drinking it sooner than later, say by 2022 which isn't to

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