Category Archives: France

2010 Domaine Bart Fixin-Hervelets 1er Cru

Humble Côte de Nuits from the secondary village of Fixin. Smells of lucerne pellets and red fruits. Quite feral and untamed. The palate contributes sour plum skins and beetroot with dusty, dried spice and herbs. Prominent cranberry acidity and stoney … Continue reading

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2013 Le Chat Noir Pinot Gris

Imported by Fourth Wave Wines. Gris from the south of France. Wouldn’t have been allowed ten years ago but works surprisingly well. A degree of richness and body for sure but not too fat or oily. Can’t pick up any … Continue reading

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2013 Parnasse Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc from Southern France. Better than pretty much any offering from Australia or New Zealand at the same price. It is a touch dilute but the tangy, tart lime over unripe passionfruit flavours are pleasant. Grassy and far from … Continue reading

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2002 Bollinger R.D.

This release marks the fiftieth anniversary of the Bollinger R.D. (recently disgorged). The wine sits on lees for a far longer period of time than any other Bollinger champagne with the concept of “combining a very long period of aging on lees with recent … Continue reading

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2004 Bollinger La Grande Année Rosé

The La Grande Année Rosé 2004 is made up of 68% Pinot Noir and 32% Chardonnay with a small amount of Côte aux Enfants still red wine in the mix. The oxidative traits are clearly apparent here but they present … Continue reading

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2004 Bollinger La Grand Année

Interesting to attend a Bollinger masterclass/lunch so shortly after a similar event for Billecart-Salmon. Completely different house styles, one Pinot dominant and with a strong oxidative theme and the other Chardonnay dominant with a focus on acidity and purity of fruit … Continue reading

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2012 Le Chat Noir Aude Valley Shiraz

Significantly more impressive than the 2012 Le Chat Noir Chardonnay. Fruit forward and expressive. Incorporates 3% Viognier which is detectable in both fragrance and texture. Black forest fruits, plums and vanilla cola. Succulent and spicy if not overly long or deep. … Continue reading

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2012 Le Chat Noir Aude Valley Chardonnay

Most people’s minds don’t immediately wander to the south of France when they think about Chardonnay but this isn’t bad value. Imported by Fourth Wave Wine. Fresh cream, butterscotch, pear and lemon-lime citrus. A crowd pleaser. Goes down easy. Despite … Continue reading

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2012 Ben Haines Flûte d’amour Rosé

More of Ben Haines vinous exploration of the globe will be showcased this year including this Rosé from a vineyard in Ventoux on the south-eastern fringes of the southern Rhône. The site sits at 500 metres above sea level on pebbly, … Continue reading

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2012 Domaine Fabre Cuvée Villa Garrel Rosé

An unremarkable but sluggable Rosé from Provence. Imported by Franc About Wine. Faint aromatics. Red fruits, icing sugar, lemon peel. Some dried, slightly bitter herbs. A little more presence on the palate. Citrusy acidity underlies a creamy mouthfeel and mid-palate with utilitarian … Continue reading

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