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

2014 Chateau l'Abbaye de Giraudon

Score: 
84
Grade: 
B

Ruby/purple in color.  The nose is earthy with cherries.  On the palate, the cherries are tart finishing up a bit shrill.  Not great depth.  That said, there is something nice and comfortable about this wine.  It is earthy with some tobacco notes.  If under $12, there may be some value.   

NV L'exeption d'Aimery Crémant de Limoux Rose, France, Languedoc - Wine Review

Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+

A very nice value in sparkling wine.  This is a blend of Chardonnay (70%), Chenin (20%) and Pinot Noir (10%).  Pink in color.  A nice mousse of medium sized bubbles.  On the nose a bit of strawberries and a bit or orange peel.  On the palate, orange peel including a bit of bitterness along with some orange citrus.  Slight strawberry note.  This is a fun aprkler with enough acidity to work at the table.  Good finish.  

NV Drappier Champagne Brut Nature Dosage Zero, France - Wine Review

Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

100% Pinot Noir (Blanc de Noirs) Champagne that got no dosage.  It might be a bit austere for some, but I really enjoyed it.  Light gold in color.  The nose is all about minerality though there is some tart cherry notes.  On the palate, this is lean and intense.  Minerals with a slight tart cranberry note.  Good depth.  Nice finish.  Would work well with foods.  

1969 Moët & Chandon Champagne Cuvée Dom Pérignon, France - Wine Review

Score: 
86
Grade: 
B

I got a chance to try this (December, 2017) and was told that storage was less than ideal.  Considering that and its age, this was pretty impressive.  Light golden in color.  Still some evervescence although not really showing bubbles in the glass.  On the nose, a bit soapy but nice lemon-lime notes and minerals.  Not much in the way of oxidation, considering and no mushrooms.  On the palate, this is crisp with a lemony note.  Some depth and complexity.  There is certainly some energy.  Way better than one might have guessed.  Very cool.  

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

Score: 
95
Grade: 
A

What a nice way to end a meal.  This is drinking great right now.  Deep golden in color.  The nose has honey, apricots and a floral note.  Really pretty.  It is sweet and bumps up against cloying but there is enough acidity to manage it.  Deep and compled.  Long finish.  Such a pretty wine.  A little goes a long way.  Fantastic.  

1996 Château Cos d'Estournel, France, Bordeaux, St. Estèphe - Wine Review

Score: 
97
Grade: 
A+

This is fantastic.  This is quite open and soft and semmingly at or near peak.  Ruby/purple in color.  The nose is very good with cassis, pencil lead, soy sauce, dust and a bit of cigar box.  On the palate, it is even better.  Not a full bodied as I was expecting but lean and strong nevertheless.  Layers of cassis, tobacco and dried leaves.  Waves of complexity. Juicy fruit and acidity.  Great with food.  Nice finish.  I don't think this gets better but no hurry.  

2005 La Mondotte, France, Bordeaux, Saint Emilion - Wine Review

Score: 
95
Grade: 
A

This had been decanted for a bit.  Purple in color.  Great nose.  Just gorgeous.  Tobacco, dark cherries and spice.  A hint of funk.  On the palate, nice acidity.  Tart cherries and dark cherries.  Very soft in texture.  While not as good as the nose, the palate is excellent.  Layers of fruit and earth.  Still seems to need some time though.  Good finish.  Excellent with food.  Upside potential still.  

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