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

2016 Clos de l'Oratoire des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

This is a blend of 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 5%Cinsault and 5% Mourvèdre.  It is drinking quite well now.  Deep garnet in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has black cherries, slight cough drop note, wild herbs, char and some black raspberries.  Very nice creamy texture. Good balance.  On the palate, this is very tasty.  Black cherries, black raspberries and char.  Complex and deep.  Long finish.  This is just getting to peak but should drink well for another seven to ten years.  Great on its own, this should work with a  lots of foods.  Lamb of beef stews would be perfect.  

2018 Domaine de la Pépière Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine Monnières-Saint-Fiacre, France, Loire, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$25.00USD

There are not many better values in wine than Muscadet.  This is one of the better ones and it can be had for under $30. This is made from the Melon de Bourgogne grape from 60 year old vines.  Silvery gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose has crushed shells, salinity and a hint of peach.  Medium bodied.  Nice acidity.  On the palate, this is crisp but with no hard edges.  Crushed shell notes and a slight peachy quality.  Good finish.  This is a perfect choice with oysters but will work well with salads as well.  A great summer wine.  Drink over the next five to seven years.  

2019 Marcel Deiss Riesling, France, Alsace, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

This is their basic Riesling.  Light gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose is great with some citrus, honeydew and minerality.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, this is dry.  Melon with minerals and a bit of salinity.  Good acidity.  Long finish.  This is nice on its own but better with food.  This will work with almost any food.  Try it with fried chicken.  Drink over the next eight to twelve years.  

2003 Château Léoville Poyferré, France Bordeaux, Saint Julian, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2003
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$160.00USD

This was a brutally hot vintage and winemakers had to deal with over ripeness from the heat and under ripeness from the vines shutting down.  Yet, some did make wonderful wines and this is one.  Purple in color with some ruby hues, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, chocolate, cigar box, spice and smoke.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Good, lively acidity.  On the palate, this is mature and drinking well.  Deep with layers of cassis, tobacco and spice and some char.  Long finish.  This won't get better but should go another ten years.  Great on its own but better with food.  T

2017 J. Denuzière Crozes-Hermitage, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$41.00USD

This is a very nice Syrah from the Northern Rhone Valley.  Purple  in color, ruby at the rim, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has boysenberries, roasted meats, slight floral tones and spices.  Medium to full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Good acidity.  On the palate, this is more middle of the road in style for a Syrah.  Flavors of black raspberries with some roasted meats and minerality.  Nice finish.  Nice on its own, this will be a bit better with food.  It would work well with burgers or ribs off the grill.  Drink over the next five to seven years.  

2018 Domaine de la Côte Sainte-Epine St. Joseph Vieilles Vignes, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

Purple in color with some ruby hues, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, roasted herbs and meats, and black pepper.  Light tannins.  Nice texture.  good balance.  On the palate, this is drinking well.  Black raspberry fruit with some char and a bit or pepper.  Good finish.  This is nice on its own but better with a bit of food.  It went well with vegetarian (black bean) Chili.  

1996 Château Siran, France, Margaux, Wine Review

Vintage: 
1996
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

This bottle had been purchased at the Chateau on release and well stored.  Decanted for sediment right before serving.  The cork was perfect.  Purple in color, opaque and still mostly bright.  The nose is great with cassis, slight perfumed note, dust and char.  With air some leather and cigar box notes emerged.  Medium to full bodied.  Tannins mostly resolved but still some silky ones.  Good balance.  On the palate, this is still fresh.  Complex with layers of cassis, earth, tobacco and underlying char.  Good finish.  Overall, this bottle is at peak but seems right there.  At age 28, this w

2010 E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie Château d'Ampuis, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$180.00USD

This is in a great place right now.  It has started to shed some of its oak coat and the fruit is coming thru.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has boysenberries, spice, slight lumber, black pepper and roasted herbs.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Nice texture.  On the palate, boysenberries, vanilla, spice, black pepper and roasted herbs.  Long finish.  This could use a few more years but should drink well for another ten to fifteen.  Right now it could use some fatty food to match it with.  

2004 Domaine Ponsot Clos de la Roche Vieilles Vignes, France, Burgundy, Wine Reivew

Vintage: 
2004
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$480.00USD

Count me among those who find a certain greenness to the 2004 Burgundies.  Others at the table loved this wine and either didn't find that quality or didn't mind it.  Ruby/purple in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, black cherries, a bit of earthiness and an herbal quality hanging around the background.  It comes across as a sort fresh thyme mixed with cilantro.  Medium to full bodied.  On the palate, black cherries, some cherries, herbal notes and char.  It is also complex and layered.  It works better with food and it would be nice with fresh sashimi.  It has plenty

2006 Domaine Bruno Clair Chambertin-Clos de Bèze, France, Burgundy, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2006
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$1387.00USD

From magnum.  This bottle seemed to get mixed reactions from the table.  Some thought it needed a long decant and others were more positive.  I found it young, but very enjoyable.  Like many Pinots, a lot depends on what style you like best.  This seemed on the darker, more ripe side especially in this format.  Deep ruby in color, purple at the core, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has black cherries, cherries, black tea, char, and slight earthiness.  Great texture.  Good energy.  Light tannins.  On the palate, black cherries, cherries, with some char and earthiness/minerality.  Long fin

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