Category Archives: France

Château Patache d’Aux Médoc 2005

60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot. Cru Bourgeois Superieur, fwiw. 1st night, and 375ml: Initially, a very muted nose. More graphite and leaf, custardy oak, red fruits. Tight and dry on the palate. Intermission was … Continue reading

Posted in $20 to $50, Bordeaux, Cabernet Sauvignon, France, Notes, Price, Varietal/Style | Leave a comment

Château Mille Roses Haut-Médoc 2005

My second bottle of 2005 Bordeaux. A deep red in colour. A rich and expansive nose. It can be smelt yards away: graphite, smoke, earth and plums. The palate is rich too, but it’s not all fruit: black plums and … Continue reading

Posted in $20 to $50, Bordeaux, Cabernet Sauvignon, France, Notes, Price, Varietal/Style | Leave a comment

Krug 1996

Had a near death life affirming experience so my wife demanded champagne- I only own Krug 1996. Purchased at a mislabelled price by a well known retailer at the MV price. We last tried this three years ago and it … Continue reading

Posted in Champagne, France, Notes, over $100, Price, Sparkling | Leave a comment

Domaine Leroy Pommard Les Vignots 1995

A purchase inspired by a recent bottle from the 2001 vintage. Exotic spices on the nose, but no szechuan or cinnamon or Asian spices; more Vosne-Romanee in character, and more subtle than the 2001; less viscosity, less oak possibly. Over … Continue reading

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Domaine Armand Rousseau Gevrey-Chambertin “Clos St. Jacques” 1er cru 2006

Rousseau, Smousseau. As much as I try to struggle to like them – I love them big time – spades and spades – clean with minerals and purity and pastilles- feminine silky palate. It is young but not painful to … Continue reading

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Domaine Michel Lafarge “L’Exception” Bourgogne Passetoutgrain 2005

Madame Bize-Leroy is popping over for lunch tomorrow; she was jabbering in French to me over the phone during the week and hopefully I have understood her correctly, so I went searching for something to share. During the process, I … Continue reading

Posted in $20 to $50, Burgundy, France, Gamay, Notes, Pinot Noir, Price, Varietal/Style | Leave a comment

Jean-Claude Boisset Chambolle-Musigny 2004

Another 2004 Burgundy, and actually my initial impression was that this one wasn’t too bad. Or perhaps I just had low expectations. Some brownness in the colour. On the nose, it’s got green stalk, nettles, dirt and a touch of … Continue reading

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2009 Jean Marc Burgaud Morgon les Charmes

I bought a lot of 09 Jean Marc Burgaud. Jumped right in, and didn’t regret it. You can do a lot worse for the money, and this wine at $26 is worth your attention. Smells of purple jubes, the blackcurrant pastille … Continue reading

Posted in $20 to $50, Beaujolais, France, Gamay, Uncategorized | 3 Comments

Dinner with Monsieur Burgundy #1

I have had dinner with Mr Burgundy many times but don’t normally write notes – it isn’t the done thing – appreciation is all key with a few double blind wines thrown in. Saturday night was Riverfire so we charred … Continue reading

Posted in Burgundy, Chardonnay, France, Notes, Pinot Noir, Varietal/Style | 2 Comments

Father’s Day wines

A few wines on the bench yesterday: Bouchard Meursault “Charmes” 2005: My first 2005. A very pale straw. Glossy lemons, fine acid, not overly ripe, a mineral spine and great length. Pewsey Vale Eden Valley Riesling 2011: lime sherbet, a … Continue reading

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