1 January 2013 1984 Chateau Gruaud Larose

1984 Chateau Gruaud Larose

January 1, 2013 By

1984 Chateau Gruaud LaroseMy dad poured this wine at Christmas to pair with rare prime rib au jus and it was superb.

In the glass, this Bordeaux blend is brick red. On the nose, it has barnyard and earthy aromas that I sniffed for quite a while before moving on to a sip. In the mouth, the 1984 Chateau Gruaud Larose has stone fruit, leathery, mushroomy and mossy flavors. The tannins are still present, but after a bit of time in the glass, the wine became rounder, softer but still pretty great albeit perhaps a bit past its prime.

Pairings: Beef, French onion soup.

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): Bordeaux blend – Cabernet Sauvignon: 57% / Merlot: 31% / Cabernet Franc: 8% / Petit Verdot: 2% / Malbec: 2%.

Region: Bordeaux, France

Price: $120

Filed Under: Cabernet Sauvignon, France, Merlot, Red Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , ,
27 October 2012 Bollinger Special Cuvee

Bollinger Special Cuvee

October 27, 2012 By

Bought two bottles of this Champagne last weekend and loved the first one. I popped the second one last night’s for #champagneday, a virtual tasting of all things Champagne.

This Champagne is golden in the glass with tons of tiny bubbles. On the nose, the Bollinger Special Cuvee offers Asian apple and buttered toast notes. In the mouth, it is creamy, rich, well-balanced with a great level of acidity. There are notes of Meyer lemon, ripe pear and toasted almonds. Very nice Champagne showing better than many at twice that price.

93 points Wine Spectator.

Pairings:  Smoked salmon, caviar, poached chicken, lobster, risotto.

Style: Champagne / Sparkling Wine

Grape Type(s): 60% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay, 15% Pinot Meunier.

Region: Champagne, France

Price: $55

Filed Under: France, Sparkling Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: ,
26 August 2012 1994 Chateau Troplong Mondot Saint Emilion Grand Cru

1994 Chateau Troplong Mondot Saint Emilion Grand Cru

August 26, 2012 By

A friend shared this special bottle at a recent dinner and it was just gorgeous.

In the glass, it is deep red with amazing legs. On the nose, this French Bordeaux is earthy with spiced notes. In the mouth, it is silky with rich plummy fruit. It is perfectly-balanced with fine tannins and stone fruit sweetness that is velvety and lasts forever.

Pairings:  Duck, beef, lamb.

Style: Red

Grape Type(s): Bordeaux Blend – Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot

Region: Bordeaux, France

Price: $69

Filed Under: Cabernet Sauvignon, France, Merlot Tagged With: , ,
23 August 2012 2009 Albert Bichot Pinot Noir Vielles Vignes

2009 Albert Bichot Pinot Noir Vielles Vignes

August 23, 2012 By

I had this wine in Quebec at an outdoor party where it was paired with Dad’s Quebec Smoked Meat Sandwiches.

In the glass, this nicely-balanced wine is a medium red. The ripe cherry nose is fruity and bright. In the mouth, there is a nice level of acidity and cherries mix with strawberries on this light-medium bodied French Pinot Noir.

Pairings:  Salmon, pork, roast chicken or duck. Pairs well with most food.

Style: Red

Grape Type(s): Pinot Noir

Region: Burgundy, France

Price: $15

Filed Under: France, Pinot Noir Tagged With: , , ,
22 August 2012 2011 Carrelot des Amants Côtes du Brulhois Rosé

2011 Carrelot des Amants Côtes du Brulhois Rosé

August 22, 2012 By

I had this wine in Quebec at an outdoor party and it was an ideal setting for it. Great as an aperitif on a warm summer day.

In the glass, it is a deep salmon color. The strawberry nose is light and mildly floral. In the mouth, the strawberry carries through with some raspberry and a nice level of acidity. Crisp and refreshing.

Pairings:  Salad, poached salmon, seafood pasta with a light sauce. Served as an aperitif.

Style: Rosé

Grape Type(s): Merlot 40%, Cabernet Franc 30%, Malbec 30%

Region: South-West Region, France

Price: $12

Filed Under: France, Rose, Blush Wine Tagged With: , , , ,
27 June 2012 2002 Chateau Preuillac Cru Bourgeois Medoc

2002 Chateau Preuillac Cru Bourgeois Medoc

June 27, 2012 By

Paired this French Bordeaux with rare roasted duck and it was a nice pairing.  In the glass, it’s brick red in color.  The nose is an appealing blend of plum, coffee and leather.  In the mouth, the stone fruit comes through along with vanilla and mocha notes.  Medium finish with softened tannins.

Pairings:  Grilled or roasted beef or duck.  Cheesy dishes.

Style: Red

Grape Type(s): 50% Merlot, 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc

Region: Bordeaux / Medoc, France

Around $25

 

Filed Under: Cabernet Sauvignon, France, Merlot, Red Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,
2 June 2012 Louis Roederer Brut Premier NV

Louis Roederer Brut Premier NV

June 2, 2012 By

I got this bottle to pop open at my mom’s 65th birthday celebration.  What could be more festive than Champagne on a milestone birthday?

On the nose, this French Champagne offers apple, vanilla, yeasty aromas.  In the mouth, this wine is creamy with a big mouthful of tiny bubbles.  The finish is buttery and a little smoky.  Just delicious and way better than other Champagnes at this price point.

Pairings:  Lobster, fish, foie gras.

Style: Champagne

Grape Type(s): 40% Pinot Noir, 20% Pinot Meunier and 40% Chardonnay

Region: Reims / Champagne, France

Around $40

 

Filed Under: France, Sparkling Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , ,
5 May 2012 2010 Domaine des Salices Viognier

2010 Domaine des Salices Viognier

May 5, 2012 By

Summer’s coming and when you’re craving a crisp, light white wine that’s more floral and complex than Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, there’s Viognier.

The 2010 Domaine des Salices Viognier offers a classic Viognier nose – floral, lemony and fresh.  On the palate, it basically tastes like it smells but with lime and a little ground clove on the finish.  Bright, crisp and pretty tasty for a $12 wine.

Pairings:  Lightly sautéed sole / halibut / sea bass, grilled scallops.

Style: White

Grape Type(s): Viognier

Region: Languedoc-Roussillon, France

Around $12

 

Filed Under: France, Viognier, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,
26 April 2012 Gonet Medeville Brut Tradition NV

Gonet Medeville Brut Tradition NV

April 26, 2012 By

For fans of fuller-bodied sparkling wines (me, me, me), this is a super option.

There’s apple and pear on the nose.  This French champagne offers an earthiness and mouth-watering apple and peach flavors with hints of vanilla.  Long, dry and completely enjoyable finish.

Nicer than most champagnes at this price point.

90 Points Wine Spectator.

Pairings:  Lobster, ripe berries, cheese souffle.

Style: Sparkling

Grape Type(s): Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir

Region: Champagne, France

Around $40.

 

Filed Under: Chardonnay, France, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, Sparkling Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , ,
14 April 2012 2010 Domaine Tortochot Morey St Denis

2010 Domaine Tortochot Morey St Denis

April 14, 2012 By

I had the privilege of sampling eight Domaine Tortochot wines at a recent event and was wowed by all of them.  This wine is the ‘entry level’ wine for this producer and it’s delicious.

In the glass is purple in color pushing me for that first sniff.  Beautiful fruity nose and aromas finishing with slightly spicy notes.  Really nice lighter-bodied Grand Vin de Bourgogne.

Pairings:  Grilled chicken or duck. Seared tuna.

Style: Red

Grape Type(s): Pinot Noir

Region: Burgundy, France

Around $40

 

Filed Under: France, Pinot Noir, Red Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,
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