Latest update : 17 December 2019.
My top pick from the outstanding lineup of Santa Duc’s 2015 Châteauneufs was the 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape La Crau Ouest, of which only 200 cases were produced. This pure Grenache o ers sumptuous aromas of violets and roses to go along with cherries and licorice. It’s full-bodied, intense, deep and long, with tannins that properly support the wine’s complexities rather than overwhelming them.
Tasted by Joe Czerwinski for The Wine Advocate, Octobre (...)
« It has been interesting to observe the evolution of winemaking style at this address over the past 20 years. While the premise has always been top-quality fruit from fine-tuned viticulture and moderate yields, ideas about ripeness, methods of extraction and aging have changed. I expect the modern, multilevel tower that serves mainly to receive guests must have turned a few heads when it was first built, but now it is just emblematic of the forward-thinking employed by proprietor Yves Gras (...)
continueLocated in the heart of the Côte des Blancs, the family has been cultivating wine for more than ten generations. First own Champagne brand 1902. Paul Lebrun founds his own champagne house in 1931. Today, his grandchildren, Nathalie and Jean Vignier cultivate 16.5 hectares of Chardonnay around Cramant and in the Sézannais (Récoltant Manipulant).
A ripe Blanc de blancs: fermented in the steel tanks, a blend of wines from 2008 to 2010. Straw colored, with intense brioche and roast notes, showing (...)
Carte d’Or
Light bright golden colour with a green hue and moderately intense mousse. Pure nose, still youthful but layered with fresh citrus, lime, pear and plum. Medium bodied and fresh palate, balanced in a young and youthful style, yet with some bread, brioche and autolytic notes, pure and long on the finish.
Grande Réserve
Pale golden colour with a green hue and gentle mousse. Fine nose, a hint of oak, vanilla, roasted nuts and lighter fruit like pear, apple and citrus. The palate is (...)
Listed in our wine guide and awarded several times with our highest honours for more than 30 years. And what’s new in 2017?
The old Carignan vines come over with a rather young expression and mild and fresh scent of cherries and plums. No high tannin extraction or severe wood characters (maximum 6 months of oak maturation) in this wine, convincing with finesse and soft structure. Just a touch of butter and caramel remind of the oak barrels. A perfect symbiosis between wood and wine, giving (...)
Château du Cèdre Cahors GC 2014
A complex nose of black berries, violet and pepper. Black fruits are dominant. Finesse and strength on the palate, it’s both delicate and powerful, already smooth mouth feel. Pure juice of high quality. With roast beef.
Château du Cèdre Cahors Le Cèdre 2014
Roasted raspberries and spicy black fruits, a hint of toastiness. Medium-bodied and fresh with clean and melting fruit. Long fruity finish. Outstanding balance. Try it with a tajine and (...)
The family has been cultivating vines in Cramant for six generations. Today, the estate covers 16.5 hectares of vineyards in Cramant, Oiry and Chouilly, as well as in the Sézannais (Saudoy), all planted between 1950 and 2010. The estate produces two different brands. The brand named after the grandfather Paul Lebrun includes the traditional champagne of the family. In addition, there is the new brand J. Vignier, producing single vineyard champagne. One of them comes from a vineyard in the (...)
continuehe 2014 Gigondas Clos Derriere Vieille (80% Grenache and 10% each of Syrah and Mourvèdre) is another Provencal, medium-bodied, downright charming red that’s not overflowing with fruit and texture, yet charms you with its complexity and nuance. Revealing lots of savory garrigue, flowers and sweet raspberry and blackberry fruit, it has good mid-palate depth and ripe tannin. It, too, will drink beautifully through (...)
continueThe law calls for Cahors to be composed of at least 70 percent malbec, with merlot and tannat allowed as blending partners. These are big red wines that can stand up to rich and hearty fare such as foie gras, black truffles, beef, game meats, duck confit and cassoulet. Traditionally, Cahors has offered variations on plum, dark berries, smoke, leather, tobacco and hints of so-called animale, but more modern styles can lean to the lighter side, relatively speaking, both in color and body, (...)
continueChampagne J. Vignier - NV - Grand Cru Brut tasted 100% blind by the Best Sommelier of the World, Andreas Larsson.
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