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

1998 Château Lynch-Bages, France, Bordeaux, Wine Review

Vintage: 
1998
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

Always a classic.  At age 27, this still has plenty to offer.  Deep ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has tobacco, earthiness, dried cherries, cassis and spice.  Full bodied.  Tannins mostly resolved.  On the palate, this is fully mature and past prime but still has a lot going on.  Layers of dried and fresh cherries with some cassis and spice.  A bit of a leathery quality as well as earthiness.  Good finish.  This will benefit from food.  A Beef stew would work well.  Drink up.  

2024 Jean Reverdy et Fils Sancerre La Reine Blanche, France, Loire, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2024
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$26.00USD

Silvery/gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose is tight but opens to show lemons, a slight herbal note and good minerality.  Medium bodied.  Good acidity.  On the palate, this is slightly sweet (barely) with nicce lemony notes.  A slight yellow grapefruit comes out with air.  It drinks easy on its own and will work with lighter foods.  This would be a nice wine with Tuna Salad.  Drink over the next couple of years.  

2023 Clos Roussely L'Escale, France, Loire, Touraine, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2023
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$17.00USD

This is 100% Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley.  The grapes are grown organically.  Medium gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with lemon zest and some minerality.  Crisp acidity.  Slightly oily texture.  On the palate, nice lemony notes with just the slightest hint of gooseberries.  Moderate finish.  This is drinking well now on its own and would be nice with light appetizers such as Brie.  It is a fantastic value.  Drink over the next three to five years.  

2023 Gérard Boulay Sancerre Chavignol, France, Loire, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2023
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$33.00USD

Made from 30+ year old vines near the city  of Chavignol.  Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with lemons and slight wild thyme.  Clean.  Medium bodied.  Nice oily texture.  On the palate, this is very slightly sweet with lemons.  Nice acidity.  Good finish.  This drinks great on its own and will work with many foods.  Goat cheeses would work well say, for example a Beet and Goat Cheese Salad.  Drink over the next five years.  

2023 Hubert Brochard Sancerre, France, Loire, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2023
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$30.00USD

This is Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley.  Silvery gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with slight lemons and a floral (white flowers?) note.  Medium bodied.  Good acidity.  Slightly creamy texture.  On the palate, crisp lemon citrus flavors.  Plenty of depth and minerality.  Nice finish.  In style, this is lower on fruit with more on complexity and depth.  It should age well and possibly improve.  A serious wine.  It is nice on its own but should be better with food.  Crab cakes would be a good pairing.  

2023 Serge Dagueneau Pouilly-Fumé Les Pentes, France, Loire, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2023
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$29.00USD

This is Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley in France.  Silvery gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose is tight at first but opens to show lemon and slight crushed shells.  Medium bodied.  Good acidity.  On the palate, this seems to have a bit of residual sugar.  Just a hint of sweetness.  Also, flavors of lemon citrus.  Good finish.  This is nice on its own but probably a bit better with food.  Ceviche would be a nice pairing.   

2023 Tinel-Blondelet Pouilly-Fumé Génetin, France, Loire, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2023
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$30.00USD

In a recent tasting of Loire Sauvignon Blancs, this was the groups favorite. Pale gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with lemons and a slight flinty note.  Medium bodied.  Good acidity.  On the palate, flavors of Lemon candy with slight lemon citrus.  Good finish.  This is nice on its own and will work well with many foods.  It would be nice with grilled Tuna.  Drink over the next two to four years.  

2024 Isabelle Garrault Sancerre Rosé Les Grands Monts, France, Loire, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2024
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$27.00USD

This Rosé is 100% Pinot Noir from 30+ year old vines in the Loire Valley in France.  12.5% abv.  This is a delightful and refreshing wine.  Pale salmon pink in color, clear and bright.  The nose has strawberries, oranges and slight pine.  Medium bodied.  Nice, slightly creamy texture.  On the palate, flavors of apples and strawberries.  Clean finish.  This is nice on its own and will work with most foods.  It would be nice with soft cheeses and crackers on the patio.  Drink over the next year or two.  

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