France

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Both Francis and Pascal Cotat wineries make some of the best Sauvignon Blancs in the world.  These are age worthy white wines that are truly unique expressions.  This one, while still young, was singing with a bit of air.  Light golden in color with some green hues.  The nose has chalk, gun powder, and pear notes.  Just a hint of caramel.  On the palate, this has a whiff of sweetness; just ever so slightly off dry.  The pears carry thru and the gun powder turns more smoky.  This is deep and complex.  It went quite well with a creamy tomato soup.  This likely will continue to improve for ano

One of my favorite Alsatian wineries and my favorite bottling of theirs.  This vintage is no exception.  Light yellow god in color, but also quite intense.  On the nose, this is pretty with peaches, baking spice and a nice minerality.  On the palate, this is just slightly sweet.  A bit viscous.  The peaches carry thru but also also a steely quality.  Consumed over two nights, it was better on the second night.  More complex and deep, but still very lively and little oxidation.  Long finish.  This should continue to improve for the next seven to ten years and be good for ten to fifteen after

From an excellent producer who is still affordable in Chablis.  These are not what I think of as "traditional" wines, but they are quite good and certainly not "modern" if that would be the opposite of traditional.  Light golden in color.  The nose has some green apples more of a lemony quality.  There is a slight chalkiness to it, but more spice.  Good not great acidity.  On the palate, this is more about lemons with some underlying spice.  Nice finish.  Still young, this may yet improve a bit more.  Presuming no oxidation issues (and I have not run into any with this producer), this shoul

This was opened and poured and enjoyed over six hours.  It is still young and really hit its stride after around four hours though the last glass was the best.  A wonderfully delicious wine.  Deep purple in color; shiny, bright and opaque.  The nose is great with black cherries, dark chocolate, slight soy, plum and char.  On the palate, this still has firm tannins though they are not overwhelming.  Lots of black cherry fruit with some underlying gravel and also some chocolate.  This is not a baby at age 15, but still needs about ten years until peak.  The finish is long, smooth and has a ni

A very nice showing for this wine that is just starting to come out of its shell.  Pop and let breathe for 30 minutes (not decanted), it took about another hour to open up.

This is a producer who first got recognition for their fantastic Gigondas wines.  They have since expanded their releases all over the southern and northern Rhone.  Their Chateauneuf is also stellar.  It is a blend of 50% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre, and 10% each of Syrah and Cinsault.  Deep ruby in color, purple at the core.  The nose is tight upon opening.  With air, raspberries, black raspberries and mineral/gravel emerge.  On the palate, this is delicious.  Lots of black cherry fruit with some raspberries.  Medium tannins.  Bright acidity.  This will work well with roasts and casseroles.  I

This was purchased on release and properly cellared.  Overall, the bottle took an hour or so to open up and then was drinking fine.  It never took that final step to being a top bottle, but it was outstanding nevertheless.  Light ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has a slight earthy funk to it and cherries.  On the palate, this has a soft texture.  Elegant cherries with light tannins twisted around a bit of damp earthy farmyard.  Long finish.  This will go well with roasted fowl or braised beef dishes.  It probably doesn't get better than this but no hurry, it should be at t

This was tasted from a magnum that had been opened for a couple of hours.  Delicious and drinking great.  2009 has been an open and for the most part, accessible vintage since release, yet also an excellent vintage.  Made from 90% Grenache.  Deep ruby in color, purple at the core.  The nose has raspberries, spice, dust and a bit of an interesting pine note.  What a great texture it has.  On the palate, there are raspberries over a charred wood with just a hint of the pine.  It has some complexity as it unwinds in the glass.  A long finish.  This is not a brute wine and indeed, more elegant

Dosage is 8 grams per liter.  Silvery light gold in color.  A nice amount of smaller bubbles.  The nose has seltzer and gun powder.  On the palate, this is lively. Plenty of a (red) apples with a tart sourness that is very nice.  A reasonably long finish.  This is an affordable Champagne that is very user friendly.  It will work well on its own and with just about any foods but especially salty foods.  This should be consumed within the first few years of release.  There was no disgorgement date on this bottle so purchase from stores with good turnover.  

A gorgeous showing for this wine.  100% Grenache.  If served blind, I would have guessed Grand Cru Burgundy.  It was lighter in color and more elegant than a 2001 Dujac Close de la Roche it was served next to (and just as good).  A pale ruby/maroon in color, bright and clear.  On the palate, this has cherries, slight raspberries, baking spices and twigs.  On the palate, this has lovely cherry fruit over a bit of gravel and dry earthiness.  Wonderful liveliness and energy.  Long finish.  A very complex wine.  No hint of the hot vintage of 2003.  This seems developed but also seems like it st