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

2016 Domaine Drouhin-Laroze Gevrey-Chambertin en Champs, France, Burgundy, Wine review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-

Although "En Champs" has been occasionally called a Premier Cru, it does not appear that it is.  Please let me know if this is incorrect.  Ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is complex and interesting with cherries, slight black cherries and spices.  Medium bodied.  Good balance.  On the palate, the spice quality really comes thru along with the cherries.  Good depth.  Nice finish.  This is nice on its own and drinking well right now.  It will go with wide variety of foods.  Chicken Paprikash would work well.  Drink over the next five to eight years.  

2019 Domaine Chanson Santenay 1er Cru Beauregard, France, Burgundy, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B
Current Price: 
$53.00USD

Ruby in color with purple swirls, mostly clear and bright.  On the nose, this is filled with spices.  After that settles down, there are cherries with a touch of oak.  Medium bodied.  Good acidity.  On the palate, this is fruit forward with cherries and some cranberries.  A bit tart on the finish.  This will work better with food and indeed, worked well with a variety of cheeses.  Drink over the next seven to ten years.  

2020 Domaine Pierre Gelin Fixin 1er Cru Clos Napoleon, France, Burgundy, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$118.00USD

Ruby/purple in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is big and on the  ripe side with black cherries, plums, black raspberries and sour cherries.  Also some spice.  Great texture.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, juicy acidity.  Flavors of  sour cherries and black raspberries with some spice.  Long finish that has some heat.  This is still on the young side and could use some cellaring to develop and come together more.  Hold for a few years and drink for ten to fifteen after that.  it is nice on its own and will work with big flavors such as Roasted Chicken.  

2018 Chartron et Trébuchet Ladoix 1er Cru Les Hautes Mourottes Blanc, France, Burgundy, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-

Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with vanilla, and a bit of lemon cream along with a bit of sulfur.  Medium bodied.  Nice texture.  Moderate acidity.  On the palate, this is nice with lemon notes and a slight lemon pith.  Good finish.  This will work better with food.  Drilled trout or other seafood would be a nice match.  Drink now.  

NV Trouillard Champagne Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut, France, Champagne, Wine Review

Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$50.00USD

This is a blend of 90% Pinot Noir and 10% Pinot Meunier.  Light golden in color with just a touch of copper hues.  Nice  mousse with plenty of tiny bubbles.  The nose is very nice with ginger, toast and minerality.  Full bodied.  Crisp acidity.  On the palate, lemons, char, and slight pears.  Long, vibrant finish.  This is nice on its own but with all that acidity, it begs for food.  It would work with just about any foods.  It worked nicely with soft cheeses.  drink over three to five years from release date.

2018 Alain Jaume Côtes du Rhône Rosé Reserve Grand Veneur, France, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
86
Grade: 
B

I was pleasantly surprised to see this was still drinking well.  Salmon/orange in color, light but clear and bright.  The nose has some watermelon and strawberries.  Light bodied.  Nice texture.  On the palate, there is still some fruit left but no off notes and very refreshing.  It should have been consumed a few years ago, but no reason not to drink up now.  Probably  better with some lighter appetizers.  

2020 Château Fortia Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée du Baron, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$40.00USD

This is a blend of 45% Syrah, 45% Grenache and 10% Mourvedre.  Purple in color with ruby hues, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is earthy with black cherries, black raspberries, spices, dried lavender and a bit of roasted herbs.  Medium bodied.  Nice texture.  Good acidity.  On the palate, this is drinking well.  Flavors of black cherries, black raspberries, black pepper and spice.  Long finish.  This is nice on its own but better with food.  It worked nicely with Lasagna.  Drink over the next ten to fifteen years.  

NV Guyot-Choppin Champagne Brut, France, Wine Review

Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

Not a wine I remember having before.  it is quite good if the price is right.  A blend of 60/40 Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir.  Golden in color, clear and bright with a nice mousse. The nose is serious with green apples, brioche and slight match stick.  Medium bodied.  Good acidity.  On the palate, this is crisp and tasty with apples, minerality and slight char.  Good finish.  This is great on its own and should be very versatile with food.  Try to make sure bottles are recent releases and drink over the next few years.

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