This Week’s Wine Tasting
French Wine
“Louis Perdrier is a high quality French Sparkling Wine (‘vin mousseux’), made from only the finest French white grapes. The grapes follow a rigorous selection process in the region of production and a subsequent tasting analysis at the cellars in Beaune. The selected wines are blended and, after the second fermenta tion, they undergo an extended ageing on the lees in vats in order to produce a sparkling wine with good balance and longevity.
It comes from the Burgundy producer Patriarche Pére et Fils, who knows a thing or two about fine wine!”
Louis Perdrier Brut Excellence NV
France. “The Louis Perdrier Brut is a blend of white French grapes including Ugni blanc, Colombard, Chenin, Folle Blanche, and Menu Pineau. The grapes are fermented separately then blended before the 2nd fermentation after which they undergo extended aging on the lees to produce a sparkling wine with good balance. Lovely toasty notes melt into the scent of golden apples. Gentle and harmonious on the palate with some richness tempering the citrus finish.” $10.99
Louis Perdrier Brut Rose NV
France. “The Rosé is a blend of Pinot Noir, Syrah and Cinsault. A high quality French Sparkling Wine (‘vin mousseux’) made from only the finest grapes. The grapes follow a rigorous selection process in the region of production and a subsequent tasting analysis at the cellars. The selected wines are blended and after the second fermentation, they undergo an extended ageing on the lees in vats in order to produce a sparkling wine with good balance and longevity. It offers a rich rose color with fine bubbles as well as red fruit and fresh citrus aromas plus a well-balanced palate with fruit flavors and good length.” $10.99
“Established in 1850, the Alain Geoffroy estate is a family business growing around 45 hectares and producing Chablis wines that uphold the tradition and authenticity of the terroir.
Today, at the Alain Geoffroy estate, we continue to cherish our vines so that they not only give us wine to satisfy thirst but wines that give pleasure to all. Our Chablis are produced on Kimmeridgian geological zones (Jurassic period). Our wine’s aromatic richness and strong mineral content comes from this incredible potential of the soil.”
Domaine Alain Geoffroy Bourgogne Chardonnay 2013
Chablis, France. “Age of the vines: 10 years. Soil: Kimmeridgian. Wine-making process: traditional, in temperature-controlled vats. Aged: in vats. Ageing: from 3 to 5 years or more depending on the vintage. Beautiful pale gold. Brilliant, luminous and limpid. Youthful look. The nose is young and fresh, expressing itself with vivacity through the scent of citrus and acacia. Taste: Clear-cut and vigorous opening notes, with flowers, lemon and fresh-baked bread. Good length at the end.” $19.99
“Clos des Justices is a unique single vineyard project located on the left bank of the Garonne River. Owner and winemaker Edouard Fontan has been making Bordeaux Red and White wines for his own consumption and to share with close friends over dinner in the French countryside for years. As many know Bordeaux is the land of the blend, but Fontan focuses on the pure expression of fruit.”
Clos des Justices Bordeaux Blanc 2013
Bordeaux, France. 100% Semillon. “Winemaker Edouard Fontan originally made this wine to share with friends on his patio. Harvested from 84 year old Semillon vines in a single vineyard. This bottling is refreshing on the palate with lemony citrus and herbs with a wide, silky finish. This wine has quite a bit of range with dishes from vegan through seafood. 250 cases produced.” $13.99
Clos des Justices Bordeaux Rouge 2010
Bordeaux, France. 100% Merlot from “a small, 3.5 acre single vineyard. Fontan, who was originally schooled in the Medoc blending and making wines under the shadows of the grand Chateau, babies his small Merlot vineyard on the left bank of the Garonne River. The result is a great food wine soft on the palate with ruby red plums and herbaceous notes. Just a touch of oak mingles with tannins without losing acidity and freshness. Enjoy with a piquenique of charcuterie or with hearty soups, meats or cheese.” $13.99
Domaine le Clos des Lumieres– “It was the owner’s grandfather, who bought the small domain at only one hectare. His son Daniel took over in 1979 but sold all of the grapes to a co-operative. The third generation and current owner Gérald Serrano took over in 1997, and from 2003 to today he makes and bottles the wines at the domaine, which during those years has grown to be about 50 hectares.”
Domaine le Clos des Lumieres Cotes du Rhone 2013
Cotes du Rhone, France. 70% Grenache, 30% Syrah. “Beautiful ruby red color with purple hints. Nose of floral, cherry, some spices and garrigue notes. The attack is fruit-driven, dominated by cherry, followed by fine chocolate and well-built in fine tannins. Good concentration with a pleasant roundness and long mouthfeel.” $15.99