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

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.

2023 Louis Bernard Côtes du Rhône, France, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2023
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+

This is a blend of Grenache and Syrah from the Southern Rhone.  Deep ruby in color, partially opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, cherries, wild herbs and slight floral notes.  Medium bodied.  Light tannins.  Good balance.  On the palate, this is easy and tasty to drink.  Flavors of cherries, black cherries, spice and char.  Good finish.  This is nice on its own but better with food.  A perfect choice for (veggie) Burgers off the grill.  Drink over the next five years.  

Pages