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”

Côte-Rôtie Brune et Blonde de Guigal 2009

The colour is deep garnet. Complex nose of raw meat, plumbs, rosemary, burned wood, baking spices. In the mouth fresh, fine tannins, well balanced and savoury. The aftertaste last for quite a while.

It is a wine that with time keeps evolving: a delight to drink!

This wine is made by Guigal, a domain founded in 1946 by Etienne Guigal. Continue reading “Côte-Rôtie Brune et Blonde de Guigal 2009”

Chateau Lafite Rothschild 1986

The colour is deep garnet. Still very lively. On the nose forest floor, cigar box, fireplace, caramel, spices. In the mouth well balanced, with a good structure. Bright acidity and tannins that are well integrated, but still showing off. The aftertaste is savoury and medium long.

Chateau Lafite Rothschild is located in the Pauillac denomination of the Médoc and produces one of the most sought after and expensive red wines in the world. Continue reading “Chateau Lafite Rothschild 1986”

Chateau Lagrange 2009

The colour is deep ruby. On the nose cassis, tomato sauce and herbs. In the mouth a bit too much acidity and tannins. The aftertaste is medium long, but not very tasty.

This wine is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 7% Petit Verdot. It is made at Chateau Lagrange under the Saint-Julien denomination of Bordeaux. Continue reading “Chateau Lagrange 2009”

Cuvée “Champs Fleurs” 2019

The colour is deep gold. On the nose banana, nuts and butter. In the mouth not very fresh and fading. Not much aftertaste.

This wine is made in Arbois by Domaine Martin Faudot with Melon à Queue Rouge grapes.

Melon à Queue Rouge is a mutation of Chardonnay, which was found in the French region of Jura. There is no relation to the Melon de Bourgogne variety. The name rouge is not derived from the colour of the berries, which are white, but from the reddish coloured trunk.

Arbois in located in the eastern part of France and is the Jura wine region’s most-prolific appellation. The shop of Domaine Martin Faudot is one of the three I visited in Arbois during my summer holidays. I left upset with myself for letting the salesperson trick me. After tasting a few wines, I decided to buy two bottles to take home. Not only he sold me a different vintage than the one I tasted, he also charged me 2 EUR extra a bottle, with the argument that they were older vintages. I find this behaviour outrageous, but at the end it was my fault. I should not have bought any wine from such a crook.

For this bottle I paid 17 EUR at the winery, although it sells for 15 EUR (see the reason above).

Country: France
Region: Jura
Grapes: Melon à Queue Rouge/Chardonnay
Type: White
Vintage: 2019
Producer: Domaine Martin Faudot
Price range: Medium (15-30 US$)
Pascal’s Enjoyment Index: 1/5

Chateau Gruaud-Larose 2009

The colour is deep garnet. On the nose at first a bit animal, but also forest floor, tobacco and blueberries. In the mouth very elegant and smooth, with nicely integrated tannins. On the palate coffee and cocoa. The taste is subtle. The aftertaste fairly long but slightly bitter. Continue reading “Chateau Gruaud-Larose 2009”