France

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• Provence
  • Bandol
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• Tavel

By.Ott is a third line of wines from Domaines Ott, the venerable producer of wines in southern France.  These are a tad less expensive but still on the pricier side of Provence rosé's.  The blend is 60% Grenache, 25% Cinsault, 10% Syrah and 5% Mourvèdre.  Pale pink in color, shimmering bright and clear.  The nose is very pretty with cherries, strawberries, minerals and slight grapefruit.  Light bodied.  Very refreshing.  Easy drinking.  The cherries and citrus carry thru to the palate.  This should be consumed in the next couple of years to enjoy its freshness.  This drinks well on its own

A lovely wine.  Light golden in color.  The nose is gorgeous with honey, quince, slight orange peel.  On the palate, this is viscous.  Sweet not cloying.  Lots of depth with enough acidity to keep things lively.  The honey and quince carry thru to the palate.  A very long finish.  This is delicious but also contemplative.  It drinks great on its own and would work with less sweet desserts.  This should continue to evolve and drink well for the next thirty years.  A real treat.  

From a grower producer in the village of  Chouilly. This is packaged in an attractive squat bottle.  It is 100% Chardonnay.  Silvery gold in color with a slight copper hue.  Lots of tiny bubbles.  The nose has seltzer, brioche and smoke.  On the palate, pears come out and a slight hint of lime.  There is a gravely base to it.  It does seem to have just the slightest bit of sweetness to it.  A long finish.  This is drinking great now and should continue for another five to seven years.  After that it should mature well for another decade for those who like that style.  It will work with just

What a pretty bottle of wine.  Ruby in color, cloudy with slight bricking and dull.  The nose is gorgeous.  Fresh cherries, cherry blossoms, slight mushrooms and woodiness.  On the palate, this is medium bodied.  Very lively.  Fresh cherries with a clean earthiness underneath.  Complex.  Completely mature yet vibrant.  Everything once could hope for from a 35 year old 1er Cru.  At this point it is bottle to bottle on this wine, so drink them if you have them.  It worked well with grilled veggies and rice and beans but would also work well with roasted fowl.

This is the second wine from Cheval Blanc, but that doesn't mean it is not a quality wine nor is it inexpensive.  It is one of the better second labels out there.  Purple in color with ruby swirls.  The nose has cherries, tobacco, black cherries, slight mint and cedar.  On the palate, this is drinking well.  There are slight tannins.  A nice complexity with cherries and black cherries over tobacco/earth.  Nice finish.  This won't get better but should be in this window for another seven to ten years.  It works better with food but drinks nicely on its own.  It would pair well with lamb.  

2001 was a good if not great vintage and the better wines are certainly at peak.  That would include this one.  It is one of the better Merlot's produced in Bordeaux.  Purple in color, ruby at the core.  The nose is nice with cherries, slight plums, some cedar and a bit of milk chocolate.  Full bodied.  The wine has a nice complexity to it.  If is mature and on the refined side.  Layers of plums, cherries with an earthy/dried fruit base.  Moderate finish.  This worked well with a stuffed mushroom cap dish.  No real hurry at this point, but probably best to drink up within five to ten years.

For those who don't believe that Gewurztraminer can age, they would be wrong as this wine shows.  Deep golden in color.  Clear and bright.  A gorgeous nose of lychees with smokey notes and a slight sea air quality.  This is slightly viscous.  It gives the impression that this will be sweet but drinks more semi-sweet although with air, the sweetness comes out more.  Thee palate has peaches with layers of fruit and minerals.  Long finish.  This is drinking beautifully at age 18.  Seems like it could easily do another five to maybe ten more.  Works great on its own and will work well with sala

This is a Rose from Bandol.  Orange/ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose has cherries and orange citrus.  On the palate, the cherries come out stronger.  Slightly viscous.  Hints of sweetness.  Very smooth and delicious.  Nice finish.  This is fresh and vibrant.  it will work with almost any food.  Great on its own.  Drink over the next couple of years.  

So, one day in the wine cellar, I discovered this bottle had sprung a leak.  It was stood up and as soon as the opportunity offered itself, the cork was popped.  The wine showed great.  A twenty five year old sweet Muscat from one of the top producers anywhere.  The cork showed it has leaked from two spots.  The wine was deep golden in color.  A lovely nose of canned peaches with some minerals.  Viscous.  Just slightly sweet.  On the palate, this is good, but I had hoped for a bit more depth and complexity.  The peaches come thru.  No real signs of age or oxidation.  Good finish.  Old bottl

This wine is just starting to come into its own.  A gorgeous showing for this Sauvignon Blanc from France.  Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is pretty with melon, peaches and minerality.  Medium bodied.  Crisp yet welcoming at the same time.  Great balance.  Depth and complexity.  The peach notes are stronger on the palate along with a chalkiness.  Long finish.  Just delicious.  This sill work great with seafood or lighter pasta dishes and of course, on its own.  No hurry, this seems like it is in middle age and will easily got another ten to twelve years.