France

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This is a blend of 32% Pinot Noir, 32% Chardonnay, 32% Meunier, and 4% Petit Meslier, Arbanne, and pinot Blanc according to the label.  Of course, Zero Brut nature is an indication that this is the driest level of Champagne and has no added sugar prior to bottling.  Light golden in color with a frothy mousse of tiny bubbles.  Clear and bright.  The nose is great with spice, ginger, slight golden delicious apples and a hint of  lemon peel.  Great acidity.  Dry.  On the palate, lemon peel with minerality and a touch of toast.  Long finish.  Very impressive.

With all of the top level wines from Guigal, sometimes, this one gets lost in the mix.  That's a shame because this is am outstanding wine and an excellent value in Cote Rotie.  Purple in color with some ruby hues, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is a bit earthy with black raspberries, spices, black olives and slight dark chocolate.  Medium to full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Good balance.  On the palate, this is on the leaner side but still has a great delivery.  Boysenberries, char and some earthiness.  Good finish.  This seems to be about at peak but should have another ten years.  Goo

This is Syrah from the Northern Rhone Valley in France.  Purple in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, black pepper, slight bacon fat and spices.  Medium to full bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, this seems to be close to peak.  Some depth and complexity.  Juicy black raspberries with some pepper and spice.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.  This should drink well for another seven to ten years.  It will work better with food although it is nice on its own.  A nice match for a chunky beef tew with roasted veggies.  

Golden in color, some orange hues, clear and bright.  The nose is lovely with apricot, peach, slight honey  and a slight bitter note.  Viscous.  Full bodied.  Good acidity.  On the palate, slightly sweet, not cloying.  Honey and apricot.  Long finish.  A good year if not great.  Nice value.  Drink over the next five to ten years.  It works well with a shortbread (not too sweet) cookie.  

This is the second wine of Chateau Montrose.  The blend is 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Petit Verdot.  Purple in color, shimmering bright and opaque.  The nose has cassis, sandalwood, spice, and tobacco.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, this is deep and powerful.  Cassis, and earthy with some char.  Long finish.  This will drink well for another ten years.  It will go well with a steak but also a home made Macaroni and Cheese.

Purple in color, opaque if slightly flat.  It seems young for a wine to be flat, so this may not be a pristine bottle.  The nose is earthy with cassis and spice.  Also some char.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, this has a soft texture.  Light tannins.  Black cherry fruit with good acidity.  Moderate finish.  No obvious flaws and it drinks easily.  Drink over the next five to seven years.  A nice wine for a beef or lamb stew.  

This is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot and 2% Petite Verdot.  Purple in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is tight but with air opens to show Cassis, spices, slight vanilla and char.  Medium to full bodied.  Good acidity.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, cassis, plums and spice.  Juicy.  Moderate finish.  This is drinking well but will improve with a few more years of good cellaring.  Drink over the next eight to twelve years.  Shepard's Pie would make a nice pairing.

Kirkland wines tend to be good values and this fits that category.  Purple in color with ruby swirls, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is tight but opens with air.  Cassis, slight funk, and spice.  Medium bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, this drinks easy with nice cassis fruit.  Some spice.  Moderate finish.  For $18, its hard to find a better Bordeaux.  A nice choice for mid-week meatloaf.  Drink over the next three to six years.  

Garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with cherries, slight black raspberries, and spice.  It is tight and took some time to open.  On the palate, the attack is slightly sweet but that calms down and midpalate has nice cassis and cherry fruit.  Firm tannins.  Soft texture.  Solid finish.  This needs a bit of time to come together.  I enjoyed it more than those I tasted it with.  Hold for a few more years and drink for seven to ten after that.  It might be interesting to try with a Potato Kugel.  

This is the third wine of Chateau Haut-Baily.  It has only been produced under the HB moniker since 2019.  If the third wine is this good, then the first and second should be fantastic.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose is tight but eventually opens to show cassis with some spice and gravel/char.  velvety texture.  Firm tannins.  The palate has cassis with char.  Deep but tight.  A bit of bitter cherry (in a good way) on the finish.  This needs a few years, maybe five, of good cellaring and should drink well for ten after that.  Classic Bordeaux foods should work well such as Lam