This wine review is of a very good Bourgogne rouge from Domaine de Bellene and the ripe 2018 vintage. It provides a typical expression of Burgundian pinot noir that is higher quality than might be expected due to the vintage and also can be found at a fair price. There are attractive, savoury, aromatic and…Continue readingDomaine de Bellene Bourgogne Maison Dieu 2018 Wine Review
Tag: France
This wine review is of Maison de Vigneron’s 2018 grenache syrah from Vaucluse in the southern Rhône Valley in France. It is a modest wine with fruity aromas of red berries that are true to grenache. The palate is full bodied, unoaked, the acidity low to medium and the tannins soft. The focus is on…Continue readingMaison de Vigneron Grenache Syrah 2018 Wine Review
This wine review is of a chardonnay from the 2018 vintage of Domaine de Bellene and the Côteaux Bourguignons in Burgundy. The Côteaux Bourguignons is a regional appellation which permits the grapes to be sourced from anywhere in Burgundy, including Beaujolais. The informative Bourgogne Wines reference website provides further information about the appellation here. The…Continue readingDomaine de Bellene L’eclos Des Abeille 2018 Wine Review
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Marc Brédif Chinon 2017 Wine Review
This wine review is of Marc Brédif’s 2017 Chinon from the Loire Valley. If you enjoy Loire Valley cabernet franc, you can contrast it to recent wine reviews here of a Saumur from the same 2017 vintage and a Saumur-Champigny from the warmer 2018 vintage. The Chinon style here is similar to the Saumur wine,…Continue readingMarc Brédif Chinon 2017 Wine Review
Arnaud Lambert Saumur 2017 Wine ReviewContinue readingArnaud Lambert Saumur 2017 Wine Review
This wine review is of a high quality Saumur Champigny cabernet franc from Thierry Germain and the 2018 vintage. Various expressions of cabernet franc are produced by Thierry and this is the “Domaine des Roches Neuves”. The first thing to note is the deep purple colour of the wine in the glass, confirming the 2018…Continue readingThierry Germain Saumur Champigny 2018 Wine Review
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Paul Mas Viognier 2019 Wine Review
This viognier is from Paul Mas and the Pays d’Oc IGP in the south of France. It’s a well made wine. Local Australian versions of viognier can sometimes miss the mark navigating the tension between the high sugar (and alcohol) and low natural acidity of this variety. But here the wine is soft, ripe and…Continue readingPaul Mas Viognier 2019 Wine Review
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Tardieu-Laurent Gigondas 2015
This is a delicious Gigondas from Tardieu Laurent and one of the better wines I have tried from this appellation. It has savoury and immediately appealing aromas of boysenberry, blueberry and well integrated cedar. The palate is full bodied with attractive grippy tannins, a refined balance, medium acidity and ripe boysenberry fruit. Long length on…Continue readingTardieu-Laurent Gigondas 2015
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Chateau La Lagune Haut-Médoc 2010
This is an excellent La Lagune from the outstanding 2010 Bordeaux vintage. It has unmistakeable left bank aromas of cedar and blackcurrant. The palate is between medium and full bodied, the tannins are a little softer than expected for this vintage and the length on the finish is long. This is one of those wines…Continue readingChateau La Lagune Haut-Médoc 2010
This is a very good premier cru chardonnay from Mercurey in the Côte Chalonnaise. In its drinking prime, it has aromas of smoke and minerals. The palate is medium to full bodied, its acidity medium-high and its impression tight, linear and mineral. There is some good complexity here and this wine rewards current drinking. Rating:…Continue readingLes Héritiers Saint-Genys Mercurey Premier Cru Clos Marcilly 2015
This wine, a cabernet sauvignon merlot blend from Paul Mas and the Languedoc in the south of France, over delivers for its price. It has correct varietal aromas of blackcurrant, smoke and leaf. The palate is full bodied with savoury fruit and medium tannins that are ripe. Ready to drink now. Rating: Good. Website: https://www.paulmas.com/en/home/;…Continue readingDomaines Paul Mas Vignes de Nicole Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2019
February seems both long ago, yet only recent, with both the rhythm of seasons and life partly frozen and confused by lockdowns. This tasting took place in Napa in February 2020. Writing in September 2020, in Melbourne, we remain in lockdown. In our city, this means being permitted only to travel up to 5 kilometres…Continue readingBordeaux 2015 tasting in Napa