Archives: Wine Reviews

Macchia Zinfandel 2014

92
Macchia
Fanciful Name: Adventurous
Varietal: Zinfandel
Vintage: 2014
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Sierra Foothills
Retail Price: $25

Tasting Notes: A bold full-bodied spicy-pepper laden Zinfandel that is still kept in check by nice vanilla notes and a luscious texture. A wine for a true hedonist. The rich, ripe red fruit and pepper are built to stand up to bold and powerful dishes.
Macchia Zinfandel 2014

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Lionel Osmin La Reserve Malbec 2011

95
Lionel Osmin
Fanciful Name: La Reserve
Varietal: Malbec
Vintage: 2011
Country of Origin: France
Appellation: Vin de Table
Retail Price: $13

Tasting Notes: An excellent example of malbec (100%) from Southwest France, home of the grape’s origins. Aged 10 months, 80% stainless, 20% oak. The wine has a beautiful deep-blue color. Aromas and flavors of berry, black cherry, coffee, and some sweet spice finish with soft tannins and a hint of terroir. This is a great introduction to “old-world” malbec and a terrific value!
Lionel Osmin La Reserve Malbec 2011

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La Chapiniere Sauvignon Blanc 2013

95
La Chapiniere
Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Vintage: 2013
Country of Origin: France
Appellation: Touraine
Retail Price: $20

Tasting Notes: Lush aromas and flavors of honeydew, pineapple and grapefruit abound with lively, refreshing acidity on the lengthy finish. On the very end, a note of flint shows up in a most delightful way. This wine has many characteristics of good sancerre, and is more affordable.
La Chapiniere Sauvignon Blanc 2013

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Joseph Drouhin Pinot Noir 2012

93
Joseph Drouhin
Fanciful Name: Côte de Beaune Villages
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Vintage: 2012
Country of Origin: France
Appellation: Cote de Beaune-Villages
Retail Price: $28.50

Tasting Notes: From one of the best-known names in Burgundy, the Côte de Beaune Villages brims with lovely red fruit. The mouthfeel is everything you’d expect from a Burgundy from the region. Elegant, soft and supple. A real keeper.
Joseph Drouhin Pinot Noir 2012

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Jean-Marc Brocard Chardonnay 2014

92
Jean-Marc Brocard
Fanciful Name: Sainte Claire
Varietal: Chardonnay
Vintage: 2014
Country of Origin: France
Appellation: Chablis
Retail Price: $22.99

Tasting Notes: This wine begins with a flinty aroma that leads the way into pure green apples and lemons on the palate. The mid-palate has fine richness that finishes with vibrant acidity. Drink this now; great when paired with seafood or a white sauce pasta dish.
Jean-Marc Brocard Chardonnay 2014

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Guilhem Moulin De Gassac Rosé 2014

95
Guilhem Moulin De Gassac
Varietal: Rosé
Vintage: 2014
Country of Origin: France
Appellation: Pay d'Herault
Retail Price: $12

Tasting Notes: 50% Grenache and 50% Carignan from 25- to 50-year-old vines grown on stony soils. The color is pretty, a pale carnation pink. Nuances of peach, strawberry, wildflower and “flint” all harmonize on the nose. Flavors of not-quite-ripe raspberry, apricot and peach delight the palate and finish with crisp sweet/tart acidity balanced with a hint of minerality. A terrific thirst-quencher.
Guilhem Moulin De Gassac Rosé 2014

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Domaine St Croix Cuvee Montlaures Rosé 2014

92
Domaine St Croix Cuvee Montlaures
Varietal: Rosé
Vintage: 2014
Country of Origin: France
Appellation: AOC Languedoc
Retail Price: $24

Tasting Notes: Lively and elegant, full-up berries and minerality leading to a balanced, fruity finish.
Domaine St Croix Cuvee Montlaures Rosé 2014

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Domaine Lafage Novellum Chardonnay 2014

92
Domaine Lafage Novellum
Varietal: Chardonnay
Vintage: 2014
Country of Origin: France
Appellation: IGP Cotes Catalanes
Retail Price: $12.99

Tasting Notes: The best value in Chardonnay you can find. Aging on Viognier lees gives this wine body without the use of oak, so it meets the well-balanced look that touches every side of Chardonnay drinkers. It is near impossible to find value in Chardonnay that is not one-noted, and Novellum Chardonnay’s complex fruit and mineral tinged flavors keep it away from that. To boot, you are drinking Chardonnay from Roussillon, France, which is an anomaly in its own right. This wine delivers each vintage and the 2014 is no slouch.
Domaine Lafage Novellum Chardonnay 2014

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Chateau Nozieres Ambroise de l’Her Malbec 2010

95
Chateau Nozieres Ambroise de l’Her
Varietal: Malbec
Vintage: 2010
Country of Origin: France
Appellation: Cahors
Retail Price: $20

Tasting Notes: Ninety percent malbec and 10% merlot aged 14 months in oak barrels. Blue/black in color and viscous in the glass. A bouquet of lilacs and berries leads to lovely flavors of blueberry and spice with a touch of sweet and toasty oak. Tannins are supple with a touch of earthiness on the finish. Very French, very good!
Chateau Nozieres Ambroise de l’Her Malbec 2010

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Chateau La Tour St Anne Rosé 2014

92
Chateau La Tour St Anne
Varietal: Rosé
Vintage: 2014
Country of Origin: France
Appellation: Cotes de Provence
Retail Price: $15

Tasting Notes: This delicate wine delivers cherry and strawberry notes. It pairs well with lighter dishes or on its own and should be served well chilled.
Chateau La Tour St Anne Rosé 2014

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Chateau Grande Cassagne Rosé 2014

95
Chateau Grande Cassagne
Varietal: Rosé
Vintage: 2014
Country of Origin: France
Appellation: Costieres de Nimes
Retail Price: $11

Tasting Notes: 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah. A gorgeous, brilliant ruby color with fresh, ripe aromas of lilac and raspberry. Flavors of sweet/tangy berry and cherry dazzle the palate and finish with racy, crisp acidity. A perfect warm-weather aperitif.
Chateau Grande Cassagne Rosé 2014

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Champagne Henriot Brut Rosé

97
Champagne Henriot
Varietal: Sparkling
Country of Origin: France
Appellation: Champagne Rose
Retail Price: $70

Tasting Notes: A stunning example of a world class rosé Champagne. From the brilliant salmon pink color, to the fine and delicate mousse, you can see its pedigree. Delicate strawberry and cherry on the nose are followed by a palate of complexity and elegance. A long, balanced finish confirms the wine’s pedigree and class. Outstanding.
Champagne Henriot Brut Rosé

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