Category Archives: France

2012 Paul Durdilly Beaujolais Les Grandes Coasses

Beaujolais from vines situated in the village of Le Chassagne with an average age of 40 years. Imported by Beaune and Beyond. Quite dark in colour. The fruit pops from the glass – sweet red cherries, raspberries and those yellow … Continue reading

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The South’s Gonna Do it Again and Again: 2011 Abbotts & Delaunay Releases

“So gather ’round, gather ’round chillun’ Get down, well just get down chillun’ Get loud, well you can be loud and be proud Well you can be proud, hear now Be proud you’re a rebel ‘Cause the South’s gonna do … Continue reading

Posted in Articles, Carignan, Carignan et al, France, Grenache et al, languedoc-roussillon, Mourvèdre/Mataró et al, Shiraz et al, Syrah et al, Wine Musings | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

2011 Domaine Marcel Deiss Berckem

Kindly sent with a bottle of the less expensive Domaine Marcel Deiss Alsace 2011 which was unfortunately corked. A blend of thirteen grapes from one village in Alsace – Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris and Muscat amongst them. 14.1g/l residual sugar. … Continue reading

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2010 Domaine Louis Moreau Vaillons Chablis 1er Cru

What a wonderful sight is quality Chablis under screwcap. Wish we saw more of it. The Louis Moreau Grand Cru 2010 is sealed the same way. I’ll get around to tasting and reviewing it soon but seeing as it’s only … Continue reading

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2010 Domaine des Bernardins Muscat de Beaumes de Venise

Went through a bracket of dessert wines recently so I’d best get notes up on them. This is a fortified blend of 75% Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains and 25% of its darker mutation, Muscat à Petits Grains Rouge – … Continue reading

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2011 Bernard Fouquet Domaine des Aubuisières Vouvray Cuvée de Silex

I do hope the “t” in Fouquet is silent. Imported by World Wine Estates. Extremely nutty aromas. Usually a good sign. Fairly typical fruit flavours; stewed apple, stonefruit and green pear. Not an immoderate expression of Chenin Blanc. Has a … Continue reading

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2011 Albert Mann Vin D’Alsace Cuvée Albert Riesling

Albert Mann is a biodynamic producer from Alsace. I don’t mind a bit of Alsation Riesling action. As good as the Mosel, Rheingau, the Nahe and other German regions are I tend to think Alsace gets overlooked at times. It … Continue reading

Posted in Alsace, France, Riesling | Tagged | 5 Comments

2010 Jean-Marc Burgaud Morgon Côte du Py

After the ripe and approachable 2009 vintage in Beaujolais I find it quite appealing to get back to a structural creature like this. It’s awash with what feels like natural acidity and has plenty of rugged, grippy tannin. Nowhere near … Continue reading

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Taittinger Brut Reserve NV

This is the first time anyone has sent me a sample of Champagne. I must have made it in the wine writing world. Hang on, I’m not supposed to admit any of this. Keep it together, act professional and for … Continue reading

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2011 Domaine de Belle Vue de Muscadet ‘Gabbro’ Sèvre et Maine

I like a good Muscadet when the weather turns warm. They can often taste as if they’re made from pulverised rocks as opposed to crushed Melon de Bourgogne grapes – which are apparently very neutral in flavour anyway. This is … Continue reading

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