France: Wine, French Wine Regions, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, & More Profiled

2018 Domaine des Rutissons Étraire de la Dhui, France, Country wines/IGP Coteaux du Grésivaudan, Wine Review,

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

This is made from the Étraire de la Dhuy grape of which there are only 5 Hectares under vine in the World.  Country wines/IGP Coteaux du Grésivaudan is a designation that is east of Burgundy, south of Savoie and north of the Rhone and close to the Italian border to the east.  Obviously a different wine.  It was nice on day one but seemed very reticent so after drinking a glass, the cork was put back in and tried the following evening when it was much more open.  Ruby in color with some purple swirls, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is great with cherries, slight sour cherries, slight ch

2022 Rumor Côtes de Provence Rosé, France, Provence, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2022
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$30.00USD

Impressive Rosé from Provence.  It is a blend of Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Tibouren.  Medium Salmon Pink with some orange swirls in color, clear and bright.  The nose is powerful with cherries, strawberries, pomegranate, and slight thyme notes.  It has a very nice texture.  Plush but firm with a slightly viscous feel.  On the palate, the wine is dry.  Flavors of cherries, strawberries, and slight blood orange.  There is also a minerality to this wine that is very nice.  Good finish.  This is a wine that flaunts its serious side.  It is nice on its own but also will work well

2021 François Chidaine Sauvignon Touraine, France, Loire, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$15.00USD

Another great consistent value wine.  This is Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley.  Light golden in color with some green hues, clear and bright.  The nose has nice minerality with a bit of peach.  Light to medium bodied.  Good acidity.  On the palate, mineral, and lemon with some peach coming out later especially on the finish.  This is tasty and easy drinking on its own but also very food friendly.  It would work nicely with Salade Niçoise.  Drink over the next three to five years.

2016 Château Fonbadet, France, Bordeaux, Pauillac, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$28.00USD

This is a go to house for value in Bordeaux while still getting quality and terroir.  This vintage is a 70/30 blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.  Purple in color with a ruby rim, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, dust, cigar box, black cherries, and spice.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  Good balance.  On the palate, cassis, tobacco, black cherries, slight dark chocolate and char.  Long finish.  This is still youthful but drinking well.  Some complexity now and more as it ages.  Drink over the next ten to fifteen years.  Nice on its own but evenbetter with food.  Slow cooke

2019 François Pinon Vouvray Les Trois Argiles, France, Loire, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$33.00USD

This is Chenin Blanc from the Loire Valley in France.  The name represents the "Three Clays" or three clay dominant parcels of land.  It is not labelled as such but is essentially a Demi-Sec or Half-dry wine.  Light golden in color with green hues, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with an apple sauce quality.  Slight, slight tannins.  Good acidity.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, this is slightly (or perhaps a bit more) sweet.  Flavors of apples with a bit of wild herbs and a chalky minerality.  Good finish.  This is drinking well on its own and will work with some lighter foods.  Fried

2022 Serge Dagueneau Pouilly-Fumé Les Pentes, France, Loire, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2022
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$32.00USD

This is a Sauvignon Blanc from the eastern edge of the Loire Valley.  Green/gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose is waxy with lemon and some salinity.  Tight.  Slightly oily texture.  On the palate, peaches with salinity and slight minerality.  Moderate acidity.  Good finish.  This is nice on its own but better with food.  Seafoods and lighter foods would be best.  A nice pairing would be grilled fish.  Drink over the next few years.  

2018 Château Sociando-Mallet, France, Bordeaux, Haut Medoc, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$47.00USD

People looking for value and top quality should check this wine out.  At age 6, it is coming into its own and drinking beautifully.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim, opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, raspberries, black raspberries, cigar box, slight leather and spice.  Semi-plush texture.  Great balance.  On the palate, this has some depth and complexity.  Medium tannins.  Flavors or raspberries, black raspberries, spice and black cherries.  Long finish.  This is still young but getting there.  Drink over the next ten to fifteen years.  Great on its own or with bigger food. 

2021 Domaine Huet Vouvray Sec Le Haut-Lieu, France, Loire, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$33.00USD

One of the best dry white wines out there.  Consistently and fairly priced.  Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose has minerality along with orange peel and red apples.  Medium bodied.  Good acidity.  Slightly creamy texture.  On the palate, this is crisp and tasty.  Flavors of minerals, apples with slight citrus.  Long finish.  This is great on its own and very food friendly.  It would go well with fried chicken.  Drink over the next ten to twelve years.  

2019 Domaine du Grand Tinel Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

This is consistently a great value in CdP and the 2019 is no exception. A blend of 80% Grenache, 17% Syrah and 3% Mourvedre, this is a refreshing and food wine.  Deep ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has raspberries and cherries with a slight earthiness.  Medium bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, there is some depth here.  Bright red fruit flavors.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.  This is nice on its own and better with food.  A great choice for Pizza night.  Drink over the next five years.

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