Our French Wines by Region
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
- Château 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.
- Château 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.
- Château 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.
- Château Milon, Les Griottes: Les Griottes du Château Milon 2004, AOC Bordeaux Supérieur - Varietals: 85% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon2% Malbec. Good red colour. This wine develops powerful and aerial red fruit aromas with flower notes. -: Elegant medium-light wine rounded with Morello cherry and grape fruit attack. Enjoy with roasts, savory meals, or as an aperitif.
- Château 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
- Château 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.
- Château Tour De Calens-Graves 2002 - Cabernet Sauvignon 60%, Merlot 34% and Honest Cabernet 6%
- Château 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.
- Gitton Pere & Fils Château Lafon, Sauvignon Blanc 2005, AOC Cote de Duras - 100% Sauvignon Blanc. Lovely gold colour. On the mouth it is adry and fruity white wine that will keep very well. This wines pairs well with seafood.
- 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.
Champagne
- Champagne Brut Jean Pierre Lalouelle - 70% Pinot Meunier, 30% Chardonnay. This is an elegant champagne with a dense yellow colour and beautiful, generous fine bubbles. The bouquet is reminiscent of white flowers and yellow fruit (peach). On the mouth it is very fruity and clean with a long finish.
Languedoc-Roussillon
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Domaine Cazes Rivesaltes Ambré 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.
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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.
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- Domaine de la Serre 2004 Cailloux Vieilles Vignes Vin de Pays des Côtes 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 Hypogée, 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.
Loire Valley
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Château La Bidière Muscadet Sèvre 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.
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Rhone
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Cave de Cairanne Côtes-du-Rhône Villages Cairanne Grande Réserve 2003 - This red wine is 65% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% old Carignan, and 5% Cinsault. The vineyard is on clay and limestone hillsides that are covered with small pebbles, vines are 25 years old. The grapes are hand-harvested. Traditional vinification is used on 80% of destemmed grapes but the other 20% undergo carbonic maceration to allow a maximum extraction of fruit. After 9 days of temperature-controlled fermentation, the wine is blended. It is a deep ruby color with violet hints. The nose is intense and concentrated with fruits like black cherries, prunes, and blackcurrant as well as spices like pepper and cinnamon. The taste is concentrated and ample with beautiful fruit notes and spices and well-balanced creamy tannins. From Rhone Valley, France. 250,000 bottles made. Stars in Decanter Magazine. 84 points in Wine Spectator October 2006
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Cave de Cairanne Côtes-du-Rhône Villages Cairanne, 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
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Château La Nerthe - Côtes de la Graniere, Chateauneuf du Pape 2001 - This red wine is 55% Grenache, 13% Mourvedre, 13% Syrah, 13% Cinsault, and 9 other grapes to create a historically accurate example of this region. The vineyard has clay sand, vines are 20 years old, and the grapes are organically grown. It is a rich and light wine with a bright and elegant color. This wine of excellent purity provides copious black fruit, a perfect balance, and a long and smooth finish. From Southern France. Winemaker Alain Dugas. 60,000 bottles made. Decanter Magazine stars. This is the second wine from Château La Nerthe and is one of the few still made with all 13 grapes grown in the region.
- Château Signac - Mélodie d'Amour - Côtes-du-Rhône 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
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Alain Brumont Château Bouscassé Madiran Old Vines 2000 - This red wine is 100% Tannat. The vineyard has superficial clay and limestone on rock and the vines are over 50 years old. The grapes were harvested by hand. After 5 weeks maceration this wine matured in 100% new barriques. Extremely dark garnet with black tones, this is a powerful and well-structured red. Very ripe and concentrated spicy dark fruits in the nose and some vanillan oak in the background. Terrific layered flavors of dark plum, smoke and dark cherry are present as are meat and coffee notes from start to 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. From Southwest France. Winemaker Fabrice Dubosc. 40,000 bottles made. 93 points in Wine Spectator and number 23 on the Top 100 list. Alain Brumont is top 10 French for Robert Parker and Steven Tanzer.
- 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.
- Alain Brumont "Torus" Madiran - The Torus cuvee is half Tannat, with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc making up the remainder. Fleshy, Deep, Powerful, Concentrated, Black fruits.
- Alain Brumont Pacherenc du Vic Bilh, Les Jardins du Bouscassé 2004 - This white wine is 100% Petit Courbu. The vineyard has superficial clay and limestone on rock. There was cold fermentation. Brilliant straw yellow with green inflections in color, the wine has a complex nose with floral notes and white fruits. The flavors are both round and lively and linger long in the mouth. From Southwest France. Winemaker Fabrice Dubosc. Alain Brumont is top 10 French for Robert Parker and Steven Tanzer.
- Alain Brumont Tannat-Merlot 2004 - This red wine is 50% Tannat and 50% Merlot. The vineyard has chalky clay soil. There was cold pre-fermentation maceration. After blending the wine was fermentated at 28 degrees Centigrade, and then bottled. Dark garnet red in color, the wine has a big nose of candied fruits. This is a complex and balanced wine characterized by flesh and fineness, rounded spicy dark berry flavors. From Southwest France. Winemaker Alain Brumont. Alain Brumont is top 10 French for Robert Parker and Steven Tanzer.
- Château 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
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Chat. Intial de Desmirail Expression Terroir Cotes de Gascogne Colombard 2006 - This 100% Colombard is produced from vines planted to a density of 3600 vines per hectare. The vines are managed with the goal of producing limited quantities of top-quality grapes. Harvesting occurs during the night to allow for long cold skin maceration. After pressing, the must is cold settled and stabilized before temperature controlled fermentation between 59 and 62 degrees F. The win is the aged on its fine lees for 3 to 4 months. All the vinification takes place in stainless steel tanks. Wine and food combinations: fish, shellfish, salad with ginger, fowl, Chinese chicken, and goat cheese.
- Château 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.
- Château Montus Prestige Madiran Red 1995 - 100% Tannat. Black cherry color. Nose of fruit and mineral.
- Château Montus Prestige Madiran red 2001 - 100% Tannat. Black cherry color. Nose - Fruit and mineral.
- Château Mourviels 2005, AOC Cabardès - Varietals: 10% Syrah, 20% Merlot, 30% Grenache, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon - Eye: Beautiful deep and dense red colour - Nose: Intense and complex nose of red fruits and marmalade - Mouth: Generous fat attack in the mouth, with complex flavors of cherry, cacao, with a spicy touch. Color: Red - Food pairing: Ideal with meats in sauce and tarts.
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Domaine de Mirail Colombard - 100 % colombard. The true symbol of the efforts made to improve the potential of the vineyard of Mirail, this 100 % Colombard is produced from vines planted to a density of 3600 vines per hectare. The vines are managed with the goal of producing limited quantities of top-quality grapes. Harvesting occurs during the night to allow for long cold skin maceration. After pressing, the must is cold settled and stabilized before temperature controlled fermentation between 59 and 62°F. The wine is then aged on its fine lees for 3 to 4 months. All the vinification takes place in stainless steel tanks.
Wine and food combinations : fish, shellfish, salad with ginger, fowl, Chinese chicken, goat cheese. Best tasted between 54-60°F.
- 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.
- Domaine Georges Vigouroux Pigmentum Cahors Red 2004 - 100% Malbec. Powerful aromas on the nose of red and black fruits; raspberry, black currant, blackberry which continues in the mouth. Ripe tannins are supported by fruit flavors
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Pacherenc du Vic Bilh - Brumaire - Late Harvest 2004 - 100% Petit Manseng. Whole berry pressing.
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Vin de Pays Côtes de Gascogne - Tannat Merlot 2004 - Here the Tannat and Merlot grapes blending is made before the vinification in order to have a complex and balanced wine characterised by fleshy, fineness and aromas of candied fruits.
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