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

2000 Château Le Bon Pasteur, France, Bordeaux, Pomerol, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2000
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

At the time, this property was owned by Michel Rolland and his brother.  Purple/ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is very nice  with cherries, black cherries, coffee, slight chocolate, char and spice.  Medium  bodied.  Light to medium tannins.  On the palate, black cherries, cherries, cigar box and slight chocolate.  Good finish.  This seems to be about at peak with a nice depth and complexity.  Well stored bottles should be able to go another ten years.  It is lovely on its own but better with food.  Steak au Poivre would be a nice choice.  

2023 Les Portes de Bordeaux Sauvignon Blanc, France, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2023
Score: 
87
Grade: 
B
Current Price: 
$11.00USD

Labeled as Sauvignon Blanc.  This is a very  nice inexpensive white wine.  Light golden in color with some green hues.  The nose is light but has some slight tropical fruits and a bit of minerality.  Light bodied.  Moderate acidity.  On the palate, this drinks easy.  Some tropical fruit.  Nothing profound here but it worked well with various apps at a party.  Drink now.  

2018 Roland Champion Champagne Grand Cru Special Club, France, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$90.00USD

This is 100% chardonnay although it is not labelled as Blanc de blanc.  Disgorged May 2023.  Golden in color, clear and bright with a nice  mousse of tiny bubbles.  The nose has baked bread, red apples and slight ginger.  Medium to full bodied.  Good acidity.  nice mouthfeel.  On the palate, this has some depth and complexity.  Flavors of apples with some minerality and slight gingersnap on the finish.  This is lovely on its own and better with food.  It will work with most foods but would be nice with melted brie on toast.  Drink over the next ten years.  

2021 M. Chapoutier Crozes-Hermitage Blanc Les Meysonniers, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$45.00USD

This is 100% Marsanne from the northern Rhone Valley in France.  Golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is great.  Earthy (think freshly tilled garden) with wax, slight quince, and almonds.  Full bodied.  Slightly oily texture.  On the palate, waxy with great minerality and slight bitter almond note on the finish.  Delicious.  This is nice on its own but even better with food.  It went well with vegetarian Spring Rolls.  Drink over the next five to eight years.  

2022 Château Simian Côtes du Rhône Massif D'Uchaux Jocundaz, France, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2022
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

This is a Grenache/Syrah blend from the Rhone Valley in France.  Cotes du Rhone wines are often some of the best values in Red Wines and this one is included.  Ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose is great with cherries, spice, anise, and slight floral (violets?) scents.  Medium to full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, cherries, black cherries, slight cherry candies and a  bit of mint on the long finish.  This is drinking great on its own and will work well with most foods (not seafood).  Blackened chicken would work well.  Drink over the next eight to ten years.  

2023 Mouton Cadet x Pierre, France, Bordeaux, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2023
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$19.00USD

This is 100% Merlot from Bordeaux, France named after Pierre Ögren is the son of Camille Sereys de Rothschild and great-grandson of Baron Philippe de Rothschild.  It is well priced and a very nice value.  Ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose  is earthy with black cherries and slight cigar.  Full bodied.  Light to medium tannins. Good acidity.  On the palate, black cherry fruit.  Very east to drink with a nice finish.  This drinks well on its own but better with food.  It went very well with assorted roasted veggies and hummus.  Drink over the next five years.

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