Domaine Houchart Rosé Côtes De Provence 2015
The 2015 Domaine Houchart Rosé exhibits sweetness at the core verging on Watermelon Jolly Rancher, along with fresh, poppy notes of white peach and apricot. The wine label notes that the a blanket of CO<sub>2 </sub>is applied to the grapes during harvest in order to preserve freshness. I’d say they’ve achieved that goal<sub>, </sub>this is […]
Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Richebourg 1999
I’ve been holding off on posting notes for months, DRC is admittedly, an intimidating wine to write about. The 1999 Richebourg is a pinnacle wine, the sweetest nocturne, a walled-in garden of the soul. Heady, slowly unfurling layers of rose petals, dark loamy earth, mahogany wood, black cherry, crab apple, game, and forest floor. On […]
Domaine Sainte Lucie Côtes de Provence MiP Rosé 2015
According to the website, MiP Rosé is a blend of 60% Cinsault, 20% Syrah, 20% Grenache. A bit of a mystery—my label is black vs. the winery website, which shows a white label—and the profile is nothing like the typical Provençal blend listed above. If anything, it screams Sauvignon Blanc, with aromas of guava and […]
Domaine de l’Amaurigue Fleur de l’Amaurigue Côtes de Provence Rosé 2014
My first Provençal rosé of the season, garnering 4 stars because of its excellent price point (under $10), the 2015 Fleur de L’Amaurigue Côtes de Provence is light and lively. Robed in a delicate salmon pink, perfumy aromas of cantaloupe, field strawberry, white flowers and a touch of wet stone greet the taster. It’s light […]
Piper-Heidsieck Champagne Vintage Brut 2006
As smoldering as one of Hitchcock’s blondes, off screen the 2006 Piper-Heidsieck offers up fabulous, smoky aromas of slightly charred baguette crust, toasted almonds, golden apple and a lingering, pleasant citrus top note. On the palate, power but elegance too, with surging acidity upfront that gradually subsides to a softer-than-expected landing. More secondary and tertiary […]
Paul & Phillippe Zinck Crémant d’Alsace Brut Rosé NV
This charming Cramant d’Alsace from Domaine Zinck is graced with an abundantly pretty and welcoming nose of pie cherries, wet stones, and cinnamon bark. It’s a delicate salmon pink, with an equally delicate mousse. Subtle blood orange-tinged sweetness is dominated by a profoundly minerally texture—oyster shells, limestone, and chalk lend complexity to a mouthwatering finish. […]
Bruno Paillard Champagne Première Cuvée Brut
Another standout producer from last week’s tasting in Chicago held by the Champagne Bureau, Bruno Paillard is a new discovery for me, and I find myself wondering how it is I’ve never tasted it before. Stated on their website, “putting together a wine is very like for a painter carefully choosing the origin of colours” as […]
Nicolas Feuillatte Champagne Brut Cuvée Palmes d’Or 2002
Another fabulous sparkler tasted at the Champagne Bureau’s event in Chicago, the 2002 Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Palmes D’Or is exceptional. Captivating smoky-bordering-on-earthy aromas and flavors are woven throughout, endowing this serious Champagne with a perceptible center of gravity. Mineral verve pierces through intense, fleshy layers of wet dough, bruised pear and and walnut skins. I […]
Champagne Drappier Brut Grande Sendrée 2006
The Drappier Brut Grande Sendrée is a refined blend of 55% Pinot Noir and 45% Chardonnay. The house prides itself on minimal use of sulfur and low dosage—the 2006 is voluptuous with layers of dust, walnut shells, and mahogany wood that serve to hem in fleshy, ripe orchard fruits and citrus notes. On the palate, […]
Henri Giraud Champagne Hommage à François Hémart Grand Cru Brut NV
Henri Giraud Champagne Hommage à François Hémart Grand Cru Brut” width=”200″ height=”200″ /></a>I’m a fan of Henri Giraud, perhaps more so after meeting Claude Giraud at the International Pinot Noir Festival last year. The winery has embarked on serious research with respect to revitalizing the Argonne Forest and at the same time, re-establishing a local […]