Veuve A. Devaux Cuvée Rosée Brut NV
Tasted while visiting Devaux, in the Côte de Bar—the house itself, an historic building just off the bank of the river Seine. Thier non-vintage Cuvée Rosée is tutu pink, with a fine bead it offers a pretty sensor arc of rose petals, anise, red berries and pastille mints. Fresh and convivial on the palate, it’s […]
Château Saint-Cyrgues Costières-De-Nîmes 2015
Nice value to be had in this bottle, the 2015 Château Saint-Cyrgues Costières-De-Nîmes offers up a bouquet of violets, perhaps even a hint of dried rose petal. Following this perfumed floral bloom are plums, bramble berries, soil and dried moss, lilting clove and allspice notes. This is a lighter red, with a palate is soft […]
Château de Roquefort Côtes de Provence Grêle 2012
Château de Roquefort Côtes de Provence Grêle” width=”200″ height=”200″ /></a>A Provençal red, the 2012 Château de Roquefort Gréle No. 2 reveals black olive tapenade, Garrigue, black licorice, fresh potting soil. smoky black tea and pen ink as it slowly unspools. Round in the mouth and expressive, though not as full bodied or as intense as […]
Pierre-Henri Morel Luberon 2014
Pierre-Henri Morel is Maison Chapoutier’s commercial director. He launched his eponymous brand in collaboration with Michel Chapoutier in 2008, all of the wines under this label are vinified at Chapoutier’s facility. The 2008 Luberon is has a wonderful sauvage character—an earthy mix of leather, woody trails, game and wild strawberries. It’s light bodied, underscored by […]
Clos Bellane Côtes du Rhône Villages Valréas Blanc 2015
A 50/50 blend of Marsanne and Viognier, the enchanting Clos Bellane Côtes du Rhône Villages Blanc hails from a higher altitude site, with vineyard blocks set on 410″ plateau opposite Mont Ventoux. Sunbeam yellow with lemon drop and d’Anjou pear leading into more diffuse aromas of dried laurel and slate. The attack is round and […]
Veuve Clicquot Champagne Réserve Brut Rosé NV
The base wine for this salmon-hued sparkler is 2008 and the blend feels Pinot Noir heavy, though I’m unclear of actual percentages in this particular lot. Fresh and vivacious, Veuve Clicquot’s basic Brut Rosé offers up a bouquet of strawberries and ripe raspberries, along with a suggestion of white flowers. Red fruit is anchored at […]
Clos Bellane Les Échalas Côtes du Rhône Villages Valréas Blanc 2015
A 50/50 blend of Marsanne and Viognier, the enchanting Clos Bellane Côtes du Rhône Villages Blanc hails from a higher altitude site, with vineyard blocks set on 410″ plateau opposite Mont Ventoux. Sunbeam yellow with lemon drop and d’Anjou pear leading into more diffuse aromas of dried laurel and slate. The attack is round and […]
Domaine Paul Autard Côtes du Rhône 2015
I’m revisiting this on the third day, it’s still lovely and fresh—Paul Autard’s basic Côtes du Rhône 2015 offers a sweeping palate of aromas. Macerated strawberry, cherry and plum notes are hemmed in by anise verging on violets, crushed stones, black olives, and sweet tobacco. It’s decidedly medium bodied, with dark fruit at the core, […]
Michel Gassier Nostre Païs Costières de Nîmes Blanc 2014
The composition of Michel Gassier’s Nostre Païs Costières de Nîmes Blanc changes from year to year—2014 is 60% Grenache blanc, 20% Clairette, 15% Roussanne and 5% Viognier. That’s a shift from previous vintages with no Clariette, and yet this wine’s personality and intensity remain intact. A melange of bruised pear, ripe melon and yellow peach […]
Larmandier-Bernier Champagne Rosé de Saignée Premier Cru Extra Brut 2013
The Larmandier-Bernier Champagne Rosé de Saignée Premier Cru Extra Brut NV is self-possessed, elegant, and resplendent in tart pie cherries, rose petals, earth, and spice. Pinot Noir is the dominant profile in the blend. A vigorous mousse subsides to reveal lovely balance, finely tuned acidity that amplifies red berries, chalk, anise, white tea. Pierre Larmandier […]