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Château Beauséjour Duffau-Lagarrosse 2000

Château Beauséjour Duffau-Lagarrosse 2000

A splendid Beauséjour Duffau-Lagarrosse. Opens with floral aromatics that descend to deeper notes of steeped blackberry, black cherry, charcoal, camphor and dried sage. Structured, powerful fore-to-mid palate tannin with acidity to match, this feels too young at this point, as though it’s not yet fully knit together. Medium-plus finish with herbal notes, and subtle minerality. […]

Lucien le Moine Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru 2002

Lucien le Moine Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru 2002

As the 2002 Lucien le Moine Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru develops in the glass it starts off with more classic notes of forest brambles, freshly turned tilth, dried rose petals and red fruit. The impression evolves, however, to darker black cherries and even a whiff of dark chocolate powder. On the palate, tart, high-toned red forest […]

Domaine Courtois La Grange Vinsobres Cru Des Cotes Du Rhône 2012

Domaine Courtois La Grange Vinsobres Cru Des Cotes Du Rhône 2012

Lots of violets on the nose, brambly red fruit and a touch of garrigue. The 2012 Domaine Courtois La Grange Vinsobres is medium-bodied, good-natured and easy to drink with moderate tannins, a touch of earthiness, bay leaf, and white pepper on the finish. Imminently quaffable at $15.00. Sample 8.8 Points

Dourthe Sauvignon Blanc Bordeaux La Grande Cuvée 2013

Dourthe Sauvignon Blanc Bordeaux La Grande Cuvée 2013

Often overlooked in the US, Bordeaux blanc can be a fantastic value, as is the case with this wine from Dourthe. Lean and wiry, perhaps in part, owing to vintage, Id love to taste a compare the 2013 to a warmer year. The primary expression is herbal, with a nose of gooseberry and boxwood and […]

Jean-Luc Colombo Les Abeilles Côtes du Rhône 2012

Jean-Luc Colombo Les Abeilles Côtes du Rhône 2012

The 2012 Les Abeilles from Jean-Luc Colombo is a blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre and sports a nimble, savory nose tinged with bouquet garni, fennel, anise, and lilting purple flowers. It’s medium-bodied on the palate, with low tannins and firm, bright acidity. Crunchy red berries and a moderate finish. Not a […]

Willm Crémant d’Alsace Blanc de Noirs NV

Willm Crémant d’Alsace Blanc de Noirs NV

Crafted from 100% Pinot Noir, this charming Crémant d’Alsace is the color of wheat fields at the height of summer. Pert bubbles and aromas of apple galette, quince and clementine. While not overly complex on the palate, it is clean and crisp, with bright acidity and lilting bubbles. A cheerful disposition and an excellent value […]

Château d’Yquem 1998

Château d'Yquem 1998

What can be said about d’Yquem can only be expressed in poetry, even in a modest vintage like 1998. It is an inner sanctum, a fragrant garden, a poignant release that is both profound and glorious. Descriptors cannot do it justice, sensual and honey-drenched layers of apricots, vanilla bean, creme brûlée and almond pastry. Viscous […]

Château Belleuve Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé 2000

Château Belleuve Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé 2000

Earlier this year, I was invited to attend a dinner showcasing several vintages of Vieux Château Certan. François Thienpont was on-hand to explain the wines, and I felt lucky indeed to be seated next to him throughout the evening. Château Bellevue is managed by his brother, Nicolas and vigneron, Stephane Derenoncourt. A blend of 80% Merlot […]

Meyer-Fonné Crémant d’Alsace Brut Extra NV

Meyer-Fonné Crémant d'Alsace Brut Extra NV

A charming blend of 60% Pinot Auxerrois, 20% Chardonnay, 15% Pinot Blanc, and 5% Pinot Noir. The Meyer-Fonné Crémant d’Alsace Brut Extra sees only a minimal dosage and sports an autolytic nose of biscuit, apples and lilting white flowers. On the palate, a very fine, delicate mousse is bolstered by moderate acidity and subtle creaminess. […]

Chicken au Champagne with Crémant d’Alsace

Chicken au Champagne

While the original recipe for Chicken au Champagne calls for Brut Champagne, this dish is certainly versatile enough to partner with a less pricey option like a Crémant. In this case, I used the Willm Crémant d’Alsace Blanc de Noirs and I particularly enjoyed how relatively easy this meal is to prepare, making it a satisfying weeknight […]

CHRISTINE HAVENS
McMinnville, OR

christine@christine-havens.com