La Turque 2006

The colour is medium garnet. On the nose spices, smoke, meat, leather, wet ground, dark fruits, cocoa, black olives. A nose that is constantly changing and that is fun to keep revisiting. In the mouth smooth and powerful, with a good acidity. The tannins come through on the finish. There is only one thing holding this wine back from greatness: a mild vegetative note mild palate. The aftertaste is long.

La Turque is made by Guigal with 93% Syrah and 7% Viognier grapes under the Côte-Rôtie appellation of the northern Rhône. Continue reading “La Turque 2006”

Ratafia Didier Barbe

The colour is pale amber. On the nose fruits under spirit, walnuts, wood. In the mouth smooth and sweet. Well balanced. The aftertaste is drying and last for a pleasant while.

Ratafia is made from the standard Champagne grapes, using left over grape juice of the harvest from the third or fourth press, to which alcohol is added to avoid fermentation. Various herbs, aromatic plants and walnuts may be added for a couple of months of maceration. Continue reading “Ratafia Didier Barbe”

Chateau Lafite Rothschild 1989

The colour is deep ruby and bright, only slightly turning into garnet. On the nose cigar box, pencil shavings, spices. After some time, the bouquet turns fruitier, with blueberries, black cherries and black berries coming on stage. In the mouth very elegant, almost light. The tannins are silky. Despite the 37 years of age, this wine is still very fresh. The aftertaste is pleasantly fruity and, although subtle, it lasts for a long time. Continue reading “Chateau Lafite Rothschild 1989”

Sur le Grand Marais

The colour is pale gold, with medium fine, short-lasting bubbles. On the nose cream, melon honeydew and pears. All very subtle. In the mouth not very tasty. A bit flat. The aftertaste is fresh, but short.

This Blanc de Noirs is made by Liébart-Régniet with 100% Petit Meunier grapes. All grapes come from a single parcel, 60% from the 2017 vintage and 40% from the 2018 harvest. Continue reading “Sur le Grand Marais”

Cuvée Cyril Premier Cru Millésimé 2012

The colour is medium gold, with very fine, short-lasting bubbles. On the nose cream, apricot, lime and almonds. In the mouth tasty and filling, with sensations consistent with the nose. The aftertaste is fresh and medium long.

This wine is made with equal parts of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir by a cooperative in Ambonnay, with grapes grown by Cyril Beaufort in Trépail. Continue reading “Cuvée Cyril Premier Cru Millésimé 2012”

Malard Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs

The colour is pale gold, with fine, medium-lasting bubbles. On the nose mandarins (a lot), mirabelle and candied fruit. In the mouth flavors in harmony with the nose. Full bodied. The aftertaste last for quite a while.

Blanc de Noirs is white Champagne made exclusively from red grapes: Pinot Noir and/or Pinot Meunier. Blanc de Noirs Champagnes are, on the whole, richer and fuller bodied than wines with a major component of Chardonnay. Continue reading “Malard Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs”

Gaston Cheq Blanc de Blancs Millésime 2015

The colour is pale gold, with fine, medium-lasting bubbles. On the nose citrusy and floral, with notes of bread. In the mouth similar citrusy and bakery aromas, with a medium long, fragrant finish.

This vintage champagne is made with 100% Chardonnay grapes from the Côte des Bar subregion of Champagne, located at the very south of the AOC. Continue reading “Gaston Cheq Blanc de Blancs Millésime 2015”

Brut de Muid

This Blanc de Blancs is made with 100% Chardonnay grapes using the traditional method and spends two years on the lees. It is a simple, but well made sparkling wine.

Although overall I consider it a very pleasant sparkling wine, I find it hard to write tasting notes. I therefore avoid it. Seems like that even Champagne wines are often so subtly aromatic that the effervescence may mask their delicate bouquet. Not sure it is also the case with this Blanc de Blancs… Continue reading “Brut de Muid”

Pascal Henriot Pinot Noir 2021

The colour is (very) pale ruby. On the nose at first mainly acetone, which with some air fades, but doesn’t disappear (unfortunately). In the mouth acidic. The aftertaste doesn’t last long (fortunately).

This Pinot Noir is made by Pascal Henriot under the IGP Franche-Comté denomination of France. A wide denomination that covers red, white and rosé wines, both still and sparkling, from a large, mountainous area of eastern France. Continue reading “Pascal Henriot Pinot Noir 2021”

Apremont 2021

The colour is pale yellow. On the nose some melon, pear, green apple and herbs. In the mouth very fresh with a marked citrusy flavour. The aftertaste is medium long.

Apremont is one of the best known white wine crus of the Vin de Savoie appellation of the Alps in eastern France. The wines are often made from Jacquère alone. However, the AOC law states that a selection of other grape varieties, including Altesse, Chardonnay and Aligoté, may make up to 20% of the final blend. Continue reading “Apremont 2021”