Tag Archives: France

Robert Giraud “Cépages’’ Chardonnay-Colombard, Vin de Pays Côtes de Gascogne, Gascony, France

Robert Giraud Chardonnay-Colombard

Appellation: VDP Côtes de Gascogne

 

Blend: 50 % Chardonnay

50 % Colombard

 

Tasting note: Chardonnay has a rich bouquet, with hints of very ripe fruit (apple, banana and pear) and lime-blossom, typical of this grape variety. A suggestion of honey shows that this wine comes from a warm region. This rich, full-bodied, wine has a beautiful honeyed aftertaste. This Chardonnay is smooth, elegant and powerful. It reflects the fine winegrowing soil and warm sunshine. The grapes are harvested before they become over-ripe to ensure that the wine has finesse and a fine bouquet

Robert Giraud ‘‘Cépages’’ Merlot Vin de Pays d’Oc, Languedoc-Roussillon, France

Robert Giraud merlot

Appellation: Vin de pays d’Oc

 

Blend: 100% Merlot

 

Tasting note: Merlot from the Languedoc has a somewhat simpler bouquet than the Syrah. It is quite full with lots of rich, ripe, red fruit and is very similar to other grape varieties grown in the region. The climate obviously has a strong effect on Merlot grapes. There is an indescribable aroma of herbs typical of the garrigue, of local scrubland, as well as a hint of oriental spices.

This extremely vinous wine is well-balanced, intense and fruity on the palate, with hints of prunes. It is well-balanced and round. The tannins are soft and finely-textured and there is a delicious spicy aftertaste.

Ginestet Lussac-St. Emilion, Bordeaux, France

Ginestet Saint Emilion

Appellation: St. Emilion, Bordeaux, France

 

Blend: Merlot 70%

Cabernet Sauvignon 25%

Cabernet Franc 5%

 

Vintage: aaaa

 

Tasting note: A very classy Claret nose leads on to a ripe, flavoursome Merlot palate, smooth with a surprisingly long finish for a wine at this level. Fantastic with a classic Sunday roast and also good with lamb dishes.

Château de Parenchère Cuvée Raphaël, Bordeaux, France

Chateau de Parenchere Cuvee Raphael

Appellation: Bordeaux Supérieur

 

Blend: 50% Merlot

50% Cabernet Sauvignon

 

Tasting note: The Cuvée Raphaël is always a very dense, very concentrated wine with elegant tannins that stand out, but are mellow and smooth. They are elegantly woody, but not excessively to leave plenty of room for the fruit.

Château de Parenchère Bordeaux Blanc Sec, Bordeaux, France

Chateau de parenchere bordeaux white

Appellation: Bordeaux Blanc AOC

 

Blend: 70% Sauvignon

20% Semillon

10% Muscadelle

 

Tasting note: The Sauvignon produces aromatic strength and freshness, while the Semillon complements this with a certain degree of roundness on the palate. The Muscadelle adds intense white flower notes to the aromatic range of the finished wine.

All in all, a white wine with intense white and citrus fruit aromas, which is both fresh and round on the palate.

Château de Parenchère Bordeaux Clairet, Bordeaux, France

Chateau de parenchere bordeaux clairet

Appellation: Grand Vin de Bordeaux

 

Blend: 50% Merlot

 40% Cabernet Sauvignon

9% Cabernet Franc

1% Malbec

 

Tasting note: The Bordeaux Clairet is particularly aromatic and has a very deep red fruit colour. It is also more substantial than traditional rosés, with good body and exuberant fruitiness, which comes the wine being produced from the musts run off just after vatting begins (called saignée)

Château de Parenchère Bordeaux Supérieur Rouge, Bordeaux, France

Chateau de Parenchere Bordeaux Superieur Red

Appellation: Bordeaux Supérieur Red

 

Blend: 50% Merlot

40% Cabernet Sauvignon

9% Cabernet Franc

1% Malbec

Tasting note: With its equal proportions of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, Château de Parenchère Bordeaux Supérieur Red is half-way between a Médoc and a Saint-Emilion.

Merlot gives it its supple, fruity fleshiness; Cabernet-Sauvignon provides structure and additional tannic density.

This traditional Parenchère blend is generally very fleshy, with a very deeply coloured robe. Characterized by a good balance between fruit and tannin, it displays distinct red fruit aromas with a long, sustained finish.

Domaine Muré Clos St. Landelin Gewürztraminer, Alsace, France

Mure Gewurztraminer

‘‘Signature’s’’ wines from the Muré’s family express completely the grape-variety character. They are marked by the pureness of the fruit taste.

Average age of vines: 35 years

Vinification: Slow fermentation and maturation on fine lees

Harvest: By hand in 20-kg-boxes

Alcohol: 13,5 %/volume

Ageing potential: Until 2021

Tasting notes:

Notes of russet-pear peel, ripe peach and earth are pervaded by citrus zestiness on the nose. The palate frames these in gentle sweetness but the concentrated fruit and zestiness provide a backdrop of firm freshness. This wine has lovely balance, great concentration and an extended, off-dry finish

Domaine Muré Clos St. Landelin Riesling, Alsace, France

Mure Riesling

Located in Rouffach, in the South of Alsace, the Clos Saint Landelin is the sole – and proud – ownership of Muré family. This 12 ha (25 acres) property lies just to the south of the town of Rouffach. Situated at the end of the valley, with south-facing exposition, it is wonderfully sunny until the end of the day. The winds from north and west offer good and clean conditions of maturation. Its very steep slopes need terrace-growing. The clay limestone topsoil is very stony ; the subsoil is made of calcareous sandstone from Bajocien era (Middle Jurassic) with limestone conglomerates from the Oligocene. The vineyard has both biodynamic (Demeter) and organic (Ecocert) certification. The vines are planted with high density, around 10 000 plants by hectare.

Production area: Clos Saint Landelin

The winemaking: Slow fermentation (natural yeast) and maturation on fine lees

Harvest: By hand in 20-kg-boxes

Alcohol: 14,5 %/volume

Ageing potential: More than 20 years

Tasting notes:

Pale yellow with green highlights. Very delicate nose with aromas of orange, lemon and peach. The palate is fresh and velvety, with a beautiful righteousness, the fruit flavors (citrus, apricot). The splendor and elegance characterize this wine.

 

Delas Vin de Pays d’Ardèche Syrah, Rhône, France

Delas Syrah

This cuvée is produced using only Syrah vines, planted in the southern part of the Ardèche region. Average production: 30,000 bottles per year.

Grape variety: Syrah 100%

Winemaking: 100% of the grapes are destemmed before the wine-making, which takes place in closed tanks for approximately 15 days. Extraction is helped by daily pumping over. Fermentation temperatures are controlled and maintained between 82°F (28°C) and 86°F (30°C). After pressing and racking, malolactic fermentation takes place in tanks.

Maturing takes place in vats in order to preserve the fruit aromas. The wines are racked regularly to allow natural stabilisation of their components. This “Syrah” cuvée is bottled after blending and a light filtration.

Tasting notes: The colour is a deep ruby red. The nose reveals powerful aromas of wild berries and spices, truly typical from the “Syrah” grape. On the palate, strong flavours of blackcurrant and red berries surround a smooth fruit on the back of the wine. The finish has lots of personality.