For our first wine panel of 2023, we requested panelists to style and price French wines. These might be any type and from anyplace on this basic Previous World wine nation.
As at all times, these choices embrace transient tasting notes, a score and the wine’s retail value (which may fluctuate from retailer to retailer and market to market). Except famous in any other case, costs replicate a 750-ml. bottle. If you’re a beverage skilled with a specialty in wine who’s interested by collaborating within the panel, please contact Editor Kyle Swartz at kswartz@epgacceleration.com or 763-383-4447.
Score System
5 Stars (100-92): A top-flight wine, superior in style and character, and offering a superior value/worth ratio.
4 Stars (91-86): An excellent wine and a very good worth. A wine for which prospects will maintain coming again.
(98) Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte Rouge 2017 (Pessac Leognan)
Dynamic flavors of black cherry, pomegranate and wild berries burst right into a medley of rose petals and juicy darkish fruits, with freshly picked herbs wafting by means of the core. The end reveals notes of tea leaf, sandalwood and vanilla bean. ($121.99)
(97) Les Fillottes Rouge 2016 (Pomerol)
The wine reveals shiny, juicy crimson cherries and raspberries that sink right into a superbly plush palate. The midpalate turns into gorgeously creamy whereas persevering with to indicate crimson fruit, whereas additionally including notes of violets and rose petals with hints of mocha. The end is lengthy and tantalizing with whiffs of white herbs, sage and a dusty minerality. ($88.79)
(96) Domaine Marguerite Carillon Pinot Noir Premier Cru Volnay Santenots 2020 (Volnay)
Flavors of black cherry and pomegranate circulate by means of the velvet palate with notes of violets and wildflowers. The mid-palate provides notes of forest ground, contemporary meadow flowers and only a whiff of anise that flows right into a end of untamed berries, sandalwood and contemporary herbs. ($84.99)
Commercial
(94) Joseph Le Roi Les Fourneaux 1er Cru 2017 (Chablis)
2017 was a tricky yr in Chablis. However the grapes that survived the frost produced glorious wines. A style of mineral, inexperienced apple, kiwi results in a protracted, persistent end. If you happen to can spare it, splash a bit in your seared buttered scallops. ($45)
(93) Domaine des Causses Lirac Reserve Syrah Cru Cotes du Rhone 2019 (Rhone)
Contemporary blueberry and graphite on the nostril. Medium-bodied wine that reveals notes of stewed stone fruits and pencil shavings on the palate. Slight little bit of chewy tannins, but balanced and stuffed with construction that one won’t anticipate at this value level. ($13)
(92) Maison Tardieu Laurent Les Becs Fin Cotes du Rhone 2020 (Rhone)
A completely beautiful wine. Ripe blackberry, darkish cherry notes and a refined woodiness give this wine depth and complexity. Units the bar excessive for Cotes du Rhone. ($20)
(92) Chateau Rauzan Despagne Bordeaux Blanc 2022 (Bordeaux)
This elegant sauvignon blanc/sémillon mix is light-weight and crisp. Floral fruits like passionfruit and apricot on the nostril with notes of crips pears and lemon-lime zest on the palate. This could be simply paired with any hen or fish dish, however can be an important glass of wine by itself. ($16.99)
(92) Cotes de Provence Saint Roch Les 2020 (Provence)
50/50 Cinsault and Grenache. Clean as silk, a chic rosé made by a cooperative close to Toulon. Laden with strawberry and almond, together with a little bit of floral and thyme, this wine is 100% Provencal. Serve it on a spring day with heat brie. ($18)
(91) Ocean & Vines Chablis 2021 (Burgundy)
Mild bodied and crisp with citrus flavors of orange blossom and lemon. As a consequence of this wine’s terroir, there’s a delicate-but-present minerality. Very balanced and spherical, however its freshness retains it vigorous on the palate. ($26.99)
(91) Oriane Languedoc 2018 (Languedoc)
From Gerard Bertrand, it is a mix of 55% syrah and 45% carignan hand-harvested grapes. Baked black fruits with a spicy observe on the end virtually like cayenne pepper. Juicy with a beautiful construction and end, this wine longs to be paired with a great cheese board. ($16.99)
(91) Chateau Dargan Moulis 2019 (Bordeaux)
For the worth, it is a nice expression of the Medoc area. This wine is advanced and layered with undertones of earth, vanilla, strawberries, ripe cherries and a velvety, almost-savory tannic end. Its nice acidity retains this wine feeling built-in and balanced. ($22.99)
(91) Factors Domaine du Haut Bourg Muscadet sur Lie Cotes de Grandlieu 2020 (Loire)
This dry white wine has slight hue of inexperienced. The aromatics are contemporary and floral, with citrus notes. The acidity is fairly balanced within the lengthy, lingering end. ($14)
(91) Maison No. 9 Rosé 2020 (Provence)
A good looking and refreshing rosé. Light flavors of strawberry and cranberry mixed with refined acidity give this rosé a beautiful stability of taste and management. ($20)
(91) Chateau Rauzan Despagne Bordeaux 2019 (Bordeaux)
This can be a super-approachable mix with an important construction and a formidable linger with mushy tannins. Blueberries, cherry cola and a few pepper notes from the cabernet franc are softened by the splendid fruit on the palate. ($16.99)
(91) Chateau Champs des Sables 2019 (Bordeaux)
From Montagne Saint-Ƒmilion, this wine opens with a super-expressive nostril of ripe black fruits and mushy leather-based. Deep and darkish in coloration, full-bodied and robust with a well-blended, tannic end. ($13.99)
(91) Les Sarrins Cotes de Provence Rosé 2021 (Provence)
Pale pink with a hue of copper. A fragile and typical Provence rosé, made up largely of grenache and cinsault. It reveals pretty notes of white flowers, citrus and peach. The end is lengthy and linear. A wine that may nonetheless reward you a yr from now. ($25)
(90) Olema Reserve Rosé 2021 (Provence)
Salmon-pink in coloration with strawberries and watermelon rind coming off the nostril. Comparable notes on the palate with a tartness harking back to candy tarts. ($21.99)
(90) Pardon et Fils Beaujolais Villages 2021 (Beaujolais)
Beautiful purple coloration with grape jelly nostril. This wine is lighter type with plum and cassis notes. It might be the right complement to any barbeque or picnic. ($14.99)
(90) Chateau Bois Redon 2019 (Bordeaux)
Mix of 75% merlot and 25% cabernet sauvignon. That is fruit ahead, stuffed with cherries, raspberries and currants, with mushy tannins. This wine ought to be consumed younger and might be appreciated at any occasion. ($14.99)
(90) Dune Gris Rosé 2021 (Southern France)
Instant explosion of berry and peach blossom notes with a zesty grapefruit end. That is a simple go-to for the summer season! This could possibly be paired with seafood or as an aperitif. ($13.99)
(90) Earl Domaine Portaz Apremont 2020 (Vin De Savoie)
Quiet and shy at first, then this dry (barely acidic) white wine opens as much as present an excessive amount of physique, together with a flinty, steely observe on the palate. The wine additionally reveals notes of citrus peel and white pepper. Deliver on the meals or the fondue. 11.5% ABV. ($13)
(90) La Croix Loges Anjou Roge 2020 (Loire)
95% cab franc, 5% cabernet. Contemporary fruit on the nostril, ripe plum on the palate, together with notes of summertime soil, all becoming a member of and ending with mushy, barely chewy tannins. This can be a gentle crimson which you can take pleasure in with or with out meals. The kind of mushy, gentle crimson that may pair with virtually something. ($13)
(90) Fournier Les Belles Vignes Sancerre 2020 (Sancerre)
This sauvignon blanc provides shiny acidity with grapefruit and gently melon fruit. There’s a flintiness which runs by means of the fruit, and acidity that provides a beautiful depth of taste and texture. ($29)
(90) Jacky Blot Brut NV (Loire)
100% chenin blanc from 40-year-old vines. Initially fermented in used oak, then bottle fermented, similar to Champagne. A tremendous bead invitations, with aromas of darkish, wheat toast, apple, beer and citrus. ($30)
(89) Little James Basket Press Blanc 2020 (Languedoc)
50/50 viognier-sauvignon blanc. Sourced from Pays d’Oc, the Saint Cosme vineyards of the Rhone Valley produce this crisp, advanced delight. Fragrant with stone fruit notes and a contact of mango. The nostril is fragrant, and the palate is on the wealthy facet. An important pairing for fried or grilled fish. ($15.95)
(89) Hecht & Bannier 2015 (Minervois)
A mix of syrah, grenache and carignan from a heat and beneficiant classic. This wine delivers wealthy darkish fruit flavors, with notes of black pepper and cured meat. ($25)
(88) Olivier Gessler Cotes de Gascogne 2020 (Gascogne)
An incredible worth from a area of southwest France higher recognized for the manufacturing of Armagnac. Crafted from ugni blanc (higher generally known as trebbiano), gros manseng, sauvignon and colombard. Decrease in alcohol, with flavors which are shiny, vigorous and juicy, with floral aromatics. ($14)
Function photograph by Jean-Luc Benazet on Unsplash.
Need extra opinions? Our wine panels previously yr have included:
