François Cotat Sancerre Culs de Beaujeu 2015
“Sancerre from François Cotat is simply some of the most singular Sauvignon Blanc in the world. Devotees can tell you that what happens in this modest cellar in Chavignol is one part winemaking, three parts magic. Atypical yet arresting in their complexity, Cotat Sancerre is wine that can and should be aged for decades.”
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Didier Dagueneau Blanc Fumé de Pouilly 2014
“Didier Dagueneau’s son Louis-Benjamin (whose name now appears on the label) is in charge of the domaine that his recently-deceased and much-lamented father brought to such notoriety. Benjamin Dagueneau – whose intense focus is obvious – has been working alongside his father for several years, and the crew here – one person each for the estate’s 11 hectares (27 acres) – are no doubt exceptionally capable of carrying on . . . . The fermentative and elevage regiment here has for some time been entirely in larger barrels, in particular demi-muids and customized, 350-400-liter, cigar-shaped casks of Dagueneau design that maximizes lees contact. Fermentative temperature is controlled when necessary . . . . In view of how long Didier Dagueneau’s success had been recognized and how many ambitious Loire attempts at wooded Sauvignon prove inexpressive of their fruit and sites but depressingly similar to one another, one would think that the ‘methode Dagueneau’ should be studied and adopted by at least a few other ambitious Loire growers, but if it that’s happened, I have not tasted it!”
David Schildknecht, The Wine Advocate Shop Dagueneau
Vincent et Francois Jouard Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Chenevottes 2014
“The 2014 Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru Chenevottes has a fragrant bouquet with white flowers tincturing the fresh citrus fruit. There is plenty of tension coiled up in this Chenevottes [and] one can see that it will benefit from time in bottle. The palate is fresh and crisp on the entry with green apple, lemon zest, minerals and hazelnut, the acidity pronounced thereby lending verve and tension from start to finish, a dab of sour lemon on the aftertaste. This is an excellent Chassagne Montrachet from Jouard.”
92 Neal Martin, The Wine Advocate Shop Jouard
Yves Boyer-Martenot Meursault 1er Cru Perrières 2015
“Ripe aromas of peach and hazelnut are enlivened by ineffable treble notes of orange zest, lime rind, crushed stone and cardamom. Saline, soil-driven wine with a tight but suave grain. Not at all a sweet style of Meursault--or 2015--but silky and long.” (91-93 points Steven Tanzer/Vinous)
91-93 Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Marc Plouzeau Chinon Les Lisons 2015
"Marc Plouzeau has resurrected the Domaine de la Croix Marie starting with the 2014 vintage, and will be producing three different single vineyard wines from the estate in the years to come. The . . . Chinon Les Lisons hails from one of these parcels, with soils that are argilo-calcaire, and the wine delivers a fine and very elegant aromatic constellation of dark berries, cigar smoke, a complex base of tuffeau soil tones, a hint of tree bark and just a whisper of fresh thyme in the upper register. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied and very refined on the attack, with an excellent core, tangy acids, moderate tannins and excellent length and grip on the beautifully focused and high class finish. I cannot wait to taste the other two single vineyard botltings . . .”
John Gilman on the 2014 vintage, View From the Cellar
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Yannick Amirault Bourgeuil Coudraye 2015
“Amirault’s purple-colored 2015 Bourgueil La Coudraye opens with a clear, pure and fresh dark fruit aroma on the nose. The palate is correspondingly clear and fresh and reveals a stimulating blackberry and cherry fruit on the palate which is structured by a firm acidity and fine tannins. The finish is very stimulating in its grip and snappy character. Drink this wine young and fresh . . . . Cultivating 19 hectares of Cabernet Franc in Bourgueil and Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil, Benoît and his father Yannick Amirault have produced a remarkably fresh and delicate range of Cabernet Francs; these wines also have the charm and ripeness for which they are so well known. The 2014s and 2015s I have recently tasted seem to have significantly more precision and subtlety . . . . They are based on purity, freshness and elegance rather than power and concentration, and the tannins are finer too.”
Stephan Reinhardt, The Wine Advocate Shop Amirault
Massiac Minervois Sentinelle de Massiac 2015
“Bernard Boudouresques and his family recently revived the domaine, planting vineyards and converting the estate to organic viticulture. Production from the estate is now (2012) certified organic. Massiac encompasses 21.5 hectares of vineyards, 8.5 of which produce the Minervois Rouge and 5 of which are the source for the two white wines classified as Vin de Pays d’Oc. The domaine lies at the extreme south of the Massif Centrale, effectively in the gently sloping foothills that lead to the Mediterranean coast which is not terribly distant. The subsoils are essentially limestone and clay with silex and marble infusions, all of which was formed during the Lutecian geologic era. This soil has particularly good drainage which accounts for the superior concentration that Massiac achieves in its wines. As well, the site is exposed both the winds that sweep north from the Mediterranean and the cooling northwest wind coming from the mountains known as Le Cers which consistently dries the vineyard and makes it less vulnerable to the maladies of the vine.”
Rosenthal Wine Merchant Shop Massiac
Mas Cal Demoura Terrasses du Larzac L'Infidele 2012
“The entry level 2012 Terrasses du Larzac l’Infidele is a blend of 30% Syrah, 25% Mourvèdre, 20% Grenache, 15% Carignan and the balanced Cinsault. Completely destemmed, vinified in stainless steel and concrete tanks, and aged 12 months in 15% new demi-muids, it’s a complete, balanced red that offers lots of currants and assorted dark fruits, smoked earth, licorice and subtle barrique characteristics. Medium to full-bodied, with terrific purity and length, it’s a classy effort that represents a good value.
91 Jeb Dunnuck, The Wine Advocate Shop Mas Cal Demoura
Mas Cal Demoura Terrasses du Larzac Combariolles 2012
“The 2012 Terrasses du Larzac Les Combariolles is made from 40% Syrah, 40% Mourvèdre, 15% Carignan and small splash of Grenache. Brought up all in 500-600-liter demi-muids (25% new), it has a modern ting to its crème de cassis, blackberry, crushed flowers, spice and creamy vanilla aromatics. This is followed by a full-bodied, seamless 2012 that has superb mid-palate depth, fine tannin and a blockbuster finish. It’s superb on all accounts, and should have a decade or more of overall longevity.” 93 Jeb Dunnuck, The Wine Advocate Shop Mas Cal Demoura
Mas Jullien Terrasses du Larzac Carlan 2013
“I think the 2013 Carlan (Rouge) is probably the best vintage of this cuvée to date... Tasted out of bottle, the 2013 Coteaux du Languedoc Carlan is terrific and showed even better from bottle than barrel, which is always a good sign. Made from 60% Grenache, 25% Carignan and smaller parts Cinsault and Syrah, it knocks it out of the park with its cassis, blackberry, freshly crushed stone, spring flowers and garrigue-like aromas and flavors. Medium to full-bodied, with thrilling purity and a stacked mid-palate, it hangs onto the more elegant, focused style of the estate, yet packs in tons of flavor authority and length. Drink it anytime over the coming 7-8 years.”
94 Jeb Dunnuck, The Wine Advocate Shop Mas Jullien
Camus-Bruchon Savigny-lès-Beaune 1er Cru Les Lavières 2014
“Les Lavières is one of my favorite terroirs in Savigny and Guillaume Camus’s 2014 version is going to be a stunning example. The vibrant nose offers up scents of red and black cherries, red plums, cocoa, chalky soil tones, a bit of pigeon, woodsmoke and a nice touch of violet in the upper register. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied and shows off lovely depth at the core, with fine focus and bounce, a soil-driven backend and lovely focus and grip on the suavely-tannic and long finish. This will be very, very elegant . . .”
93 John Gilman, View from the Cellar Shop Camus-Bruchon
Camus-Bruchon Savigny-lès-Beaune 1er Cru Les Narbantons 2014
“The 2014 Narbantons from Domaine Camus shows a touch of black fruit in its aromatics and flavors this year from its reduced yields, offering up a young and promising nose of black cherries, violets, pomegranate, gamebird, stony soil tones, woodsmoke and a topnote of Savigny spices. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and rock solid at the core, with chewy, very well-integrated tannins, lovely focus and grip and a very long, primary finish. This is going to be outstanding . . .”
93 John Gilman, View From the Cellar Shop Camus-Bruchon
Domaine Charvin Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2014
“Brilliant ruby-red. Powerful raspberry, floral pastille and Asian spice aromas show outstanding clarity and vivacity. Energetic flavors of red fruit preserves and lavender are given spine and definition by zesty minerality. The floral and red fruit notes carry strongly through a clinging, sharply focused finish framed by smooth, slow-building tannins. This wine is shaping up to be a classic Charvin rendition of Châteauneuf, displaying abundant upfront fruit along with the depth and balance to ensure a long, graceful evolution.”
94-95 Josh Raynolds, Vinous Shop Charvin
Yves Cuilleron Saint-Joseph Les Serines 2014
“Bright violet. A highly perfumed bouquet evokes ripe blueberry, cherry cola and licorice, while a smoky mineral accent builds in the glass. Sweet and seamless on the palate, offering intense dark fruit liqueur and floral pastille flavors brightened by juicy acidity and a spicy nuance. Clings with superb tenacity on the subtly tannic finish, leaving behind sweet black and blue fruit notes.”
92-94 Josh Raynolds, Vinous Shop Cuilleron
Yves Cuilleron Côte-Rôtie Bassenon 2014
“Inky ruby. High-pitched aromas of black raspberry and candied cherry gain complexity from suggestions of smoky minerals, olive and star anise. Sappy, penetrating and energetic, offering fresh red and dark fruit flavors that gain weight and sweetness with aeration. Closes vibrant and very long, with lingering spiciness and slow-building tannins that meld smoothly with the wine's vibrant fruit.”
91-93 Josh Raynolds, Vinous Shop Cuilleron
Yves Cuilleron Côte-Rôtie Madinière 2014
“Youthful purple. Spicy blackberry and blueberry on the nose, complicated by a lively floral note. Dense, sappy and sharply focused, offering spicy dark berry flavors with hints of espresso and bitter chocolate. Finishes with impressive power and cut, silky tannins and a sexy violet pastille quality.”
91-93 Josh Raynolds, Vinous
Château de la Dauphine 2014
"Lots of vibrant fruit to this wine with blueberry and plum character. Full body, soft and succulent tannins and a fresh and fruity finish. Pure merlot. Needs a few years to soften." 93 James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com
Château de la Dauphine 2012
. . . a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. This is a major sleeper of the vintage. Dense ruby/plum/purple with sweet black cherry and blackcurrant fruits, underlying minerality, a plump, medium to full-bodied mouthfeel and lush, heady texture and length, this is one of the best La Dauphines I have tasted." 90 Robert M. Parker, Jr., The Wine Advocate
Château de la Dauphine 2010
"Ripe dark cherries with some blueberry, leather and licorice. Opens up with orange blossom and violets. Really sweet and pretty fruit on the palate with a nice juicy acidity and fine tannins. Vibrant and fresh with medium body and length. Charming and enjoyable but a bit tight and bitter in the finish." 91 James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com
Château de la Dauphine 2001
"This Fronsac was cropped between 22nd September and 1st October . . . . A blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, the nose is like walking into an old-fashioned sweet shop: crème de cassis, anise, and hints of orange liqueur . . . . with very ripe tannins, layers of super-ripe dark berry fruit and a sweet as apple pie finish . . . . obviously a lot of care has been expended into this wine." Neal Martin, The Wine Journal, May 2011 |
