Our French Wines

    Bordeaux

  • Buzet Red Badge 2004 - 69% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Expressive and dense nose of flower and fruit. Very charming.. Fruit in the middle with a long finish. Silver Medal Concours Général Agricole Paris 2006. Best enjoyed at 61°F to 62°F
  • Chateau Borie de Noaillan Blanc 2007 - 33% Sauvignon, 33% Semillon, 33% Muscadelle. Brilliant green. It's a fruity, very expressive and aromatic wine. Very fresh and acidic with a long dry finish
Chateau Borie de Noaillan Rouge 2005
88% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon. Modern vision of Bordeaux, an attractive, and easy drinking red wine with a fruity and firm tannic structure. On the palate it is a generous and harmonious wine, enhanced by aromas of hazelnut and ripe red fruits. This traditional Bordeaux, assembled after tasting, is rounded, supple and fruity. Profits from a breeding of approximately 18 months including 6 month in barrels of French oak before its setting in bottles. Alcohol 13%
  • Chateau Branda 2002 - Dark red colour with an expressive nose of black fruit. Beautiful and opulent mouth, very well balanced, with dense yet elegant tannin structure.
  • Chateau Fongrave 2005 - 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc. The bright, deep ruby color and the fresh fruity nose of some cherry and black plum are the very first signs of a great and complex wine. The first impression in mouth is a pleasant balance of smoothness and rich fine tannins where notes of raspberry and blackcurrant blended together with spicy flavours of liquorice and cinnamon. Then the Merlot provides a base of darker fruit flavours which is completed by some firmness specific to the vintage 2005 Vintage’s distinction: Alcohol 12%
Chateau Haut Selve Graves Red 2003
55% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon. Dark ruby color. Nose of black fruit with black currants and blackberries. The palate is round, soft and well balanced. . Nice finish and tannic structure.
  • Chateau La Bardonne Sauvignon 2004 - A sweet white wine, 100% Sauvignon. Conscious of the importance of respecting our environment, we have practiced "viticulture raisonée" since 1995, which means a minimal use of all chemicals. Nose: reallyfruity, with notes of grapefruit, lemon, and exotic fruit. In mouth: soft and oily. Best enjoyed at 50°F to 54°F.
Chateau Les Saints Amants Bergerac 2005
50 % Merlot, 40 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 10 % Cabernet Franc. A very well-made Bergerac wine. It has a lovely intense red ruby color and an elegant nose with red fruits and musky overtones. It is very generous, elegant and well-balanced on the palate with fruity tannin and charming roundness. Overall, it is rich, full-bodied, with a strong backbone and a long finish. Bronze Medal, Concours des Grands Vins de France de Macon and 2007
Chateau Les Saints Amants Cotes De Duras 2005
35% Merlot, 65% Cabernet Sauvignon. Fine, deep ruby color. Spicy and mineral nose. On the palate it is a generous and harmonious wine, enhanced by aromas of spices, hazelnut and ripe red fruits.
  • Chateau Pas de L'ane 2001 Saint Emilion Grand Cru - This red Bordeaux from the right bank is 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc. The name means 'step of the donkey' or 'donkey's pace'. This is a complex, medium-bodied wine that was aged 18 months in all new oak. It is a dark red color. On the nose it reveals berry, tobacco, and hints of coffee. On the palate it is velvety and extremely well-balanced, dense, ripe, very clean, with smooth fine tannins, and a medium finish. 11,000 bottles produced. 89 Points in Wine Spectator. 87 Points Robert Parker. 3 Stars in Decanter Magazine
  • Chateau Plaisance Cotes de Bourg 2004 - 67% Merlot and 33% Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep red colour, fruity nose, firm tannins but voluptuous mouth with along finish. A perfect match with red meat, and a real pleasure with cheese. Best enjoyed at 62°F to 66°F.
  • Chateau Tour De Calens-Graves 2002 - Cabernet Sauvignon 60%, Merlot 34% and Honest Cabernet 6%
  • Chateau Tour des Agasseaux 2003 Lussac St. Emilion - This red Bordeaux from the right bank is 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc from a neighbor to Pomerol. This is an easy, accessible medium-bodied wine that was aged in all new oak. It is a dark red color. On the nose it reveals a perfect symbiosis between power and elegance with black currant, vanilla, and spices. On the palate it is round and ripe and filled with cherries. The finish is just delicious - full of licorice and vanilla. Top 100 Bordeaux Best Buys in a major wine magazine in April 2007. Gold Medal Concours Agricole de Paris. Silver Medal Concours Mondial Bruxelles.
  • Le Petit Ane 2002 Saint Emilion Grand Cru - This red Bordeaux from the right bank is 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc. This is an easy, accessible medium-bodied wine that was aged in half new oak and half used oak. It is a good red color. The wine is very well balanced with a great nose that reveals tobacco, leather, espresso, wood and undergrowth. On the palate it is also wellbalanced with a lot of ripe fruit for a Bordeaux and a good sharpness. It is a very interesting wine that borders on complex. Second wine of Chateau Pas de l'Ane but also a Grand Cru, which is unusual for a second label. Silver Medal at the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles.

    Languedoc-Roussillon

  • Domaine Cazes Rivesaltes Ambre Vin doux Naturel 1995 - This wine is crafted from 100% White Grenache.There are 110 grams per liter of residual sugar and 15% alcohol in the wine. The wine was aged 7 years in old oak tuns to ensure correct oxidation. Deep amber in color, there are aromas of dried fruit and candied citrus fruit peel. It is delicious with desserts based on nuts, almonds, or caramel. With proper storage this wine will age almost indefinitely. Family owned. Estate bottled.
  • Domaine Cazes Muscat de Rivesaltes Vin doux Naturel 2003 - This white wine is 50% Alexandria Muscat and 50% Petit Grain Muscat. The wine matures on the lees for over 4 months. It is then bottled and moved to the cellars. There are 110 grams per liter of residual sugar and 15% alcohol in the wine. The nose displays a full palette of citrus and exotic fruit, peaches, and apricot when the wine is young. This luscious, mouth-filling wine has lingering flavors. Delicious with desserts made with white fruit and vanilla. With proper storage this wine will be good through 2013 and the aromas will metamorphose into candied fruit and oriental spices.. Family owned. Estate bottled.
  • Domaine de la Serre 2004 Cailloux Vieilles Vignes Vin de Pays des Cotes Catalanes - This red wine from the south of France in Languedoc-Roussillon is 90% Grenache and 10% Carignan. The wine was crafted from 60- to 100- year-old vines that was aged in all new oak. This is unusual for a grand cru and unique for a Vin de Pays. It is a dense red color. The nose is of ripe red fruit marmalade and oaky notes. There is rich vanilla and big dark fruit and some cherry and raspberry in the mouth along with spice (pepper), vegetal, and peppery flavors. There is some heat from the 14.5% alcohol but the alcohol Iisvery well integrated. The wine has a medium finish. It is more new-world style than old. Excellent with lamb, venison, steak, pasta. Fewer than 2,100 cases made. 4 Stars in Decanter Magazine, February 2007. Silver Medal Concours Agricole de Paris.
  • Domaine de la Serre 2002 Hypogee, Cote du Roussillon Villages - 40% Syrah, 40% Carignan, 20% Grenache. Dense garnet red. Full-bodied. Superb nose of black fruit with walnut notes. Very rich and complex taste. Hatchette 1 Star, Bacchus selection. 87 in Gilbert & Gaillard.
  • Domaine de la Serre 2002 Serre Longue, Cote du Roussillon Villages - 80% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 5% Carignan. Dense garnet red. Full-bodied. Elegant, toasted nose with notes of humid forest bush. A bit of sweetness accompanies a beautiful long and complex taste. 85 in Guide Gilbert & Gaillard.
Mont Tauch Torgan Blanc Old Vines
100% old vines grenache blanc (50 to 100 years old). A bright color. Fresh and aromatic with distinct hints of citrus fruit and acacia. Aperitif, foie gras, fish and salads.
Mont Tauch Torgan Rouge Old Vines
100% old vines carignans (50 to 100 years old). Bright ruby in color with a nose of garrigue and red fruits. A supple, fruity wine, pleasant to drink on all occasions. An ideal accompaniment to numerous dishes including grilled and roasted meats and cheese.

    Loire Valley

  • Chateau La Bidiere Muscadet Sevre et Maine 'Sur Lie' Vieilles Vignes 2005 - This white wine is 100% Melon de Bourgogne (Muscadet) from 35- to 100-year-old vines. It is a pale yellow with pronounced legs. There are mint notes and flowers on the nose. Initial citrus aromas and flavors are made complex by almost chalky minerality that stays with the fruit through the finish. As the wine opens, aromas display a hint of bee's wax, while flavors project pear and apple. The wine has a very rich taste, roasted, buttered, with some hints of citrus fruit, pear, apricot, and white flowers in the end. Very fresh yet elegant with a lively finish. Good acidity. Pair with seafood, especially oysters, smoked salmon, grilled shrimp or scallops, lobster, crab cakes, steamed king crab legs. From Loire Valley France. 90 points by Jane Garvey: Medium-bodied dry white wine; medium straw.

    Rhone

  • Cairanne Cotes-du-Rhone Villages, Les Salyens 2004 - This white wine is 55% Grenache blanc, balance is Bourboulenc, Roussanne, Marsanne, and Viognier. The vineyard is on sandy marl hillsides along Cairanne mountain, vines are 20 years old. The grapes are hand-harvested, starting with the Grenach blanc which is vinified by direct pressing. Later the other varieties are picked and have one-night-long skin contact at cool temperatures to increase complexity. The wine is a pale yellow color with shiny green tints. There is a very intense nose, first of exotic fruits (pineapple and grapefruit) and twirling reveals aromas of white flowers and honey. The taste is frank and fresh with floral notes and a long, full-bodied finish. From Rhone Valley, France. 6,000 bottles made. Stars in Decanter Magazine. Premier Grand Vin in Dussert-Gerber Review
  • Chateau Signac - Melodie d'Amour - Cotes-du-Rhone Villages Chusclan 2004 - This red wine is 50% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 10% Carignan, and 10% Cinsault to create a perfect blend of richness and elegance. The vineyard has clay sand and vines are 30 years old below Dent de Signac Hill, a rocky outcrop rising above the Cése river valley. The grapes were harvested by hand. The cellar is on two levels to use gravity to move juice. Fermentation was temperature controlled for 12 to 15 days. This 'song of love' exhibits a dense ruby color with purple tones. The nose is as wonderful as a sweet kirsch with black raspberry fruit notes. The wine is gorgeously made, medium to full-bodied with a velvety texture, and a lush, concentrated finish. Rich, ripe, round, and powerful, full-bodied, high-quality wine with the necessary structure for cellaring; there are licorice and mocha elements on the long, long finish. Pair with rich pates and terrines, grilled bacon-wrapped poultry livers on rosemary skewers, roast duck, beef stroganoff with noodles, mushroom and pancetta ragout , root vegetable stew, grilled lamb steak, or filet mignon. From Southern France. Winemaker Alain Dugas. Will improve through 2010 with proper storage. 40,000 bottles made. 91 points by Jane Garvey: Medium to full-bodied dry red wine, deep intense inky dark ruby red. Aromas of dark cherry and black raspberry, with almost kirsch-like (cherry brandy) flavors. The easy tannins make for a lovely texture, while the finish is full of juicy sweet fruit flavors. 87 points in Wine Advocate: An excellent offering…an opulent, exuberant fruit bomb with excellent purity, low acidity, and copious quantities of black fruits.
  • Domaine des Tourelles -Gigondas - Rouge 2004 Flavors of licorice; black fruit aroma, very nice balance. Serve with red meat or lamb

    South West

  • Alain Brumont Gros Manseng Vin de Pays 2005 - 50% Gros Manseng and 50% Sauvignon Blanc. 14-year-old vines in clay soil. Cold fermentation followed by maturation on the lees with occational stirring. Typical Gros Manseng characteristics: roundness, freshness, and crispness. 200,000 bottles. Press by Parker, Tanzer, and Wine Spectator.
  • Chateau Bouscasse Madiran Red 2003 - 65% Tannat, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, Powerful and well structured wine with dark plum, dark cherry and smoke flavors with loads of meat and coffee notes. Full Bodied with elements of Licorice and Mocha on the finish
  • Chateau Montus Madiran Red 2003 - 80% Tannat, 15% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Full-bodied, with loads of dark plum, blackberry, dark cherry and spice flavors. This is a finely sculpted red that packs plenty of punch as well. Espresso and dark chocolate notes linger on the finish.
  • Chateau Montus Prestige Madiran Red 1995 - 100% Tannat. Black cherry color. Nose of fruit and mineral.
  • Chateau Montus Prestige Madiran red 2001 - 100% Tannat. Black cherry color. Nose - Fruit and mineral.
Domaine des Terrisses - AOC Gaillac- Blanc 2004
This is a naturally fermented, expressive sparkling wine. It is the natural sugars of the Len de l’El and Mauzac varieties which enable the wine to fizz in the glass. These are fruity, refreshing and elegant wines, with great finesse. Perfect marriage of the fine, dry and floral Len de l’El grape with the powerful Mauzac grape. A small percentage of sauvignon brings freshness and youthful aromas. This blend produces a refreshing wine, supple, round with intense and lingering fruit aroma.
  • Pacherenc du Vic Bilh - Brumaire - Late Harvest 2004 - 100% Petit Manseng. Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh is the white-wine appellation of Madiran, occupying the same territory. Pacheranc is old French for 'the vine', while Vic-Bilh is a village in the region. The grape, Petit Manseng, ia a local variety made in both dry (Sec) and sweet (Moelleux) versions. Orange marmalade and citrus zest dominate the cloying palate. Finishes with a lingering mouthfilling intensity.”