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Domaine de la Gramière Côtes du Rhône 2011

Domaine de la Gramiere Côtes du Rhône 2011

The La Gramière 2011 is a cuvée of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah, with vinification in concrete. A rustic, gamey nose of blackberry reduction sauce, beef jerky, freshly turned soil and violets. Aging in concrete has produced a wine that is both fresh with texturally fine tannins. There is high acidity here, too and with […]

M. Chapoutier Luberon La Ciboise 2014

M. Chapoutier Luberon La Ciboise 2014

Another great value from, Monsieur Chapoutier, one of the most prolific producers in France—and yet, he maintains quality across his dizzying portfolio of wines including projects in Portugal and Australia. The Luberon La Ciboise 2014 emits lively and fresh primary aroamas of blackberries, blueberries and crushed raspberries. Here Syrah and Grenache play nicely together, without […]

M. Chapoutier Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Bernardine 2010

M. Chapoutier Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Bernardine 2010

A delicious Châteauneuf from magnum, drinking beautifully at this stage in its eveloution. The 2010 M. Chapoutier Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Bernardine has both finesse and focus. The grenache really shines through with aromas of macerated strawberry and Bing cherries, a touch of underbrush and spice. It’s a touch lighter and more restrained than I might have […]

M. Chapoutier Les Vignes de Bila-Haut Côtes du Rousillon Blanc 2015

M. Chapoutier Les Vignes de Bila-Haut Côtes du Rousillon Blanc 2015

An oustanding value as always, the M. Chapoutier Les Vignes de Bila-Haut Côtes du Rousillon Blanc 2015 is an inviting blend of Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris and Macabeu. The nose fills the bowl of the glass with d’Anjou pear, yellow apple, and flirts with quince aromas. The attack is round and silky, with orchard fruit […]

Lanson Champagne Extra Age Brut Rosé NV

Lanson Champagne Extra Age Brut Rosé NV

Lanson Champagne Extra Age Brut Rosé sports a coppery visage, an undefined color at the midpoint between pale apricot and salmon. A blend of the 2002, 2004, and 2005 vintages, with ten years en tirage, this stunning brut rosé has considerable power amplified by a bolt of enamel-etching acidity. Vivid layers of stone fruit, orange […]

Mailly Champagne Grand Cru Brut Millesimé 2008

Mailly Champagne Grand Cru Brut Millesimé 2008

According to the producer, 2008 was their best vintage in 15 years, the explanation given is that the acidity and level of dosage are perfectly matched. Indeed, the Mailly Grand Cru Brut Millesimé is both vivid and creamy at the core. With pear and stone fruit; apricot and white peach overlaying a linear spine of […]

Jean Vesselle Bouzy Champagne Cuvée Friandise Demi-Sec Rosé NV

Jean Vesselle Bouzy Champagne Cuvée Friandise Demi-Sec Rosé NV

A lively conversation ensued around the Jean Vesselle Bouzy Champagne Cuvée Friandise Demi-Sec Rosé, a debate centered not on this wine’s formidable 32 g/l dosage, but rather it’s dark crimson color, which Delphine Vesselle insists is pink. Wafting aromas of cherry clafoutis, raspberry purée, rose petals and a faint smoky edge. The attack is more […]

Domaine du Gour de Chaulé Gigondas Cuvée Tradition 2011

Domaine du Gour de Chaulé Gigondas Cuvée Tradition 2011

The Gour de Chaule Cuvée Tradition 2011 has that fabulous, oh so classic Gigondas profile. It runs the complexity gamut—a delicious romp through musky feralness interlacing macerated strawberries and black cherries, earthiness and stunning violet-tinged floriality. This is all that Grenache can be; vivid, wild and expressive. In this case, a medium-bodied, intense wine that […]

Mailly Champagne Grand Cru L’Intemporelle Brut 2009

Mailly Champagne Grand Cru L'Intemporelle Brut 2009

he color of sun-bleached straw, Mailly Grand Cru L’Intemporelle Brut 2009 offers up a garland of creamy bubbles and lilting notes of white peach, buttered scone, white flowers and smoky minerality. There is slightly more weight on the palate than one might anticipate given the nose, a plunge through discreet layers of pear and stone […]

J. de Telmont Brut Champagne O.R. 1735 2002

J. de Telmont Brut Champagne O.R. 1735 2002

One of the more intriguing Champagnes I had the pleasure of tasting while in Champagne is J de Telmont’s 2002 Brut Champagne O.R. 1735. A delicate mousse preceded by lemon curd that unfolds to something more distinctive, like Meyer lemon and a very pretty top note of white flowers, chervil and chalk. Telmont uses natural […]

CHRISTINE HAVENS
McMinnville, OR

christine@christine-havens.com