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France
Ancient history shows that wine was made in Greece, Spain and even Iraq prior to landing in Italy and France, yet modern wine history is based on what France has achieved with the vine. The french have managed and developed their vineyards for more than 1000 years and have determined where each grape does best. The Appelation system was designed to help with monitoring the quality of wines in France and was first instituted in 1935 as the Appelation Contrôllée, or AOC. Châteauneuf-du-Pape was the first AOC.
France is divided in to the following large regions:
Champagne, Burgundy, Loire Valley, Bordeaux, Rhone Valley, Provence, Languedoc, Roussillon, Southwest France |
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Eric Bordelet
Sidre Doux, E Bordelet
France, WINES
The Sydre "Doux" is an off-dry apple cider, with about 80 grams per liter of sugar, yet it is beautifully balanced. A Brut apple has but about 5-10 grams per liter, so it's drier than many Brut Champagnes!
Eric Bordelet, former sommelier at the three-star restaurant Arpège, may be the ultimate example of how a wine-based approach to cider rules the roost in France.
BIN:
Price: $13.00
Bottle Size: .750L
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Chateau Grimard
Chateau Grimard Bordeaux
Bordeaux, France, WINES
This Chateau is just outside the Fronsac region on the Right Bank of Bordeaux. The blend is dominated by Merlot which gives the wine a ripe plum character with some hints of cassis from the bit of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. The southeastern exposure allows the fruit to ripen fully and create a wine with medium body and ripe tannins.
BIN: 2632
Price: $10.00
Bottle Size: .750L
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Chateau Leoville-Barton
Chateau Leoville Barton 2004, St-Julien, 2eme Cru
Bordeaux, France, WINES
This 2eme Grand Cru of St-Julien is always one of the finest in every vintage, very consistant and in general a reasonably priced offering. Anthony Barton, the owner is very classy and never tries to price his wines too high.
"This is an impressively endowed vin de garde that should age effortlessly for 20-30 years. How Anthony Barton continues to fashion uncompromisingly primordial Bordeaux that are always among the biggest and densest of all the St.-Juliens is beyond me, but he does it year in and year out." Robert Parker, 92pts.
BIN:
Price: $56.25
Bottle Size: .750L
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Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou
Chateau Ducru Beaucaillou 2004, St Julien
Bordeaux, France, WINES
Beaucaillou or beautiful stones, because it is the stones in the vineyard that offer the vines such a great home. Ducru has been a Super-Second for many years but has really taken its quality to yet another level since the turn of the century.
"One can’t say enough about the efforts Bruno Borie is pouring into this wonderful estate that I have often called the “Lafite Rothschild of St.-Julien.” An undeniable success, the 2004 Ducru boasts sweet aromas of creme de cassis, spring flowers, pain grille, licorice, and road tar. This pure, medium-bodied wine possesses moderately high tannin, superb concentration, good sweetness, and low acidity. Give it 2-3 years of cellaring and drink it over the following 25 years." Robert Parker, 93pts.
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Price: $76.00
Bottle Size: .750L
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Chateau du Tertre
Chateau du Tertre 2004, Margaux
Bordeaux, France, WINES
Robert Parker loved this wine out the barrel, then downgraded it from the bottle. After tasting it at a recent wine dinner, I am not sure why he downgraded it. I decanted it for four hours and it was everything RP said about it the first two times he reviewed it. A very elegant and rich Magaux with length and complexity. - Christopher Miller, Advanced Sommelier
Very limited supply.
BIN:
Price: $34.00
Bottle Size: .750L
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Chateau Leoville Poyferre
Ch Leoville Poyferre 2004, St-Julien, 2eme Cru
Bordeaux, France, WINES
Unfortunately this Chateau is no longer overlooked by the media and critics, as it had been for several decades. A 2nd Cru that is part of the famed Leoville property in St-Julien, 2004 may be the last really good value for this Chateau, and the quality has really gone way up in recent vintages.
"Along with Leoville Las Cases and a few others, this is among the stars of the appellation. Made in a more floral, supple, Margaux-like style, the deep ruby/purple-hued 2004 Leoville Poyferre exhibits sweet, broad flavors, and plenty of tannin lurking beneath the surface. However, the abundant cherry, black currant, licorice, and smoke notes obscure the tannic clout. This rich, powerful, broad beauty should be drinkable in 2-3 years, and last for two decades." Robert Parker
BIN:
Price: $49.50
Bottle Size: .750L
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Chateau Cos d'Estournel
Ch Cos d'Estournel 2004, St Estephe
Bordeaux, France, WINES
Just to the north of Chateau Lafite, this property shares much of the same soils, and exposure and with Jean-Guillaume Prats overseeing the operation quality is amazingly high for this 'Super Second'. - Christopher Miller, Advanced Sommelier
"A beautiful example of the vintage, proprietor Michel Reybier and his top-notch winemaker, Jean-Guillaume Prats, have fashioned an exceptional wine displaying a dense ruby/purple color as well as a sweet perfume of boysenberries, black currants, cherries, pain grille, roasted herbs, and licorice. Medium-bodied with impressive density for the vintage, sweet tannin, and outstanding richness and length..." Robert Parker
BIN:
Price: $85.00
Bottle Size: .750L
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Chateau de Sales
Chateau de Sales 2004, Pomerol
Bordeaux, France, WINES
Excellent value Pomerol. This wine is classy with a supple and silky palate, aromas of coffee, plums, blueberry and a spicy/peppery note. Elegant and long for this wine and this price. - Christopher Miller, Advanced Sommelier
BIN:
Price: $20.25
Bottle Size: .750L
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Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte
Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte 2004, Pessac-Leognan
Bordeaux, France, WINES
Wow, talk about a sleeper of a wine...this little Cru Classe from Martillac in the Pessac-Leognan AC of Bordeaux. Since using Michel Rolland as a consultant the wines have gotten richer, lusher and more concentrated.
"A sensational effort and one of the stars of the vintage, Smith-Haut-Lafitte’s 2004 possesses an inky/blue/purple-tinged color as well as a sumptuous nose of lead pencil shavings, spring flowers, blueberries, and blackberries. Surprisingly full-bodied for the vintage with stunning concentration, purity, and overall harmony, this is another brilliant wine from the proprietors..." Robert Parker
BIN:
Price: $50.00
Bottle Size: .750L
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Chateau La Lagune
Chateau La Lagune 2004, Haut Medoc
Bordeaux, France, WINES
One of the few 1855 Grand Cru Classe that is not in one of the famed left bank appellations, but actually in the Ludon-Medoc Commune of Haut-Medoc, which is just south of Margaux. - Christopher Miller, Advanced Sommelier
"A sleeper of the vintage, this sexy, charming, Burgundian-styled wine offers fleshy black cherry notes intermixed with camphor, flowers, and pain grille. Supple tannin, velvety texture, and luscious aromatics as well as flavors result in an alluring claret to drink over the next 12-14 years." Robert Parker
BIN:
Price: $44.00
Bottle Size: .750L
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Chateau Pontet Canet
Chateau Pontet Canet 2004, Pauillac, 5eme Cru
Bordeaux, France, WINES
This has always been a favorite of mine, I used to use as a great example of excellent Pauillac, Bordeaux in the style of Lafite at a 1/10th the price. Recently the style is gravitating more towards Mouton, but still with quintessential Pauillac character and that classic terrior aroma. - Christopher Miller, Advanced Sommelier
"Backward and powerful for the vintage, this blue/purple-colored 2004 exhibits classic creme de cassis, smoke, incense, and spring flower characteristics. Medium to full-bodied, dense, and excruciatingly tannic, this impressively endowed Pauillac is built for the long haul..." Robert Parker
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Price: $56.00
Bottle Size: .750L
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Chateau Lafite Rothschild
Chateau Lafite Rothschild 2004, Pauillac
Bordeaux, France, WINES
Wine of the vintage.
"This beautiful, stunningly dense purple-colored effort (includes about 90% Cabernet Sauvignon) offers up precise notes of graphite, black cherries, cassis, scorched earth, and minerals. Medium to full-bodied with fabulous fruit, impressive richness, refreshing acidity, and sweet tannin, this beauty should be approachable in 4-5 years, and last for three decades. As Lafite Rothschilds go, this is somewhat of a sleeper vintage." Robert Parker
BIN:
Price: $410.00
Bottle Size: .750L
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Chateau Faugeres
Chateau Faugeres 2002, St Emilion
Bordeaux, France, WINES
A real bargain for a Grand Cru Classe St-Emilion. A blend of 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, the Chateau is located just east of the Village of St-Emilion on the cote. The wine has notes of plum, blueberry, cedar and spicy aromas, the palate is soft, yet ripe with structured tannins.
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Price: $25.00
Bottle Size:
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Clos du Marquis
Clos du Marquis 2004. St Julien
Bordeaux, France, WINES
The second label of Leoville Las Cases.
"One of Bordeaux’s top second wines, the 2004 Clos du Marquis exhibits crunchy, juicy, red cherry and currant fruit along with notions of herbs and spice box. Well-made, medium-bodied, elegant, and reminiscent of its bigger sibling, it should age well for 10-15 years." Robert Parker
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Price: $33.60
Bottle Size: .750L
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Chateau Monbousquet
Monbousquet 2005, St-Emilion
Bordeaux, France, WINES
This Chateau is what I'd call and over-performer, from a less than ideal site in St-Emilion. The St-Emilion appellation is divided into three sub-areas, the Cotes (or slopes), Graves (for the gravel soils) and the Sables Anciens. The best two areas are the Cotes and the Graves, the Sables Anciens, where Monbousquet is located in generally considered to have the least favorable soils of the appellation. The soils are mostly sandstone mixed with a bit of limestone. Monbousquet is owned by Gerard Perse, the owner of Chateau Pavie located in the Cotes and long one of the great 'garage' wines of St-Emilion. -
Christopher Miller, Advanced Sommelier
The 2005 Monbousuet is a major wine that far out-performs it's terroir. As Robert Parker states - " Full-bodied and opulent, with more structure, tannin, and delineation than such top vintages as 2000, 1999, and 1998, the 2005 represents an amazing over-achievement for its modest terroir, and is a tribute to the extraordinary abilities and commitment to excellence of proprietor Perse. It should be at its finest in 4-7 years, and last for two decades or more." Parker also rates the wine (94-96) points. Which makes this an excellent value wine in a great vintage!
Bordeaux Future for delivery in Spring 2008
BIN:
Price: $72.00
Bottle Size: .750L
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Chateau Beychevelle
Chateau Beychevelle 2005, St-Julien 2eme Cru
Bordeaux, France, WINES
This very old Chateau was once owned by Duke d'Epernon, Grand Amiral de France which is the basis for the name Beychevelle or Boisse Voile, which means dip sails. As the Duke was the Admiral during the Henri III era, all passing ships had to dip their sails as they passed the Chateau.
This second growth is often overlooked by connoisseurs and critics, but the wine evolves quite elegantly from my experience. The 2005 is being touted as the best vintage since 1982 by Robert Parker who says "...While this estate often does not live up to its pedigree, the 2005 is the real deal..." and he rates it (90-93) points. - Christopher Miller, Advanced Sommelier
Bordeaux Future for delivery in Spring 2008
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Price: $65.00
Bottle Size: .750L
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Chateau Camensac
Chateau Camensac 2005, Haut Medoc
Bordeaux, France, WINES
A value 5th growth from the Saint-Laurent commune of Haut-Medoc, planted to 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot. 2005 is the greatest vintage for the less renowned Grand Cru Classes since the 1982, Robert Parker rated the 2005 Camensac (87-88) points.
Bordeaux Future for delivery in Spring 2008
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Price: $22.50
Bottle Size: .750L
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Chateau Cantemerle
Chateau Cantemerle 2005, Macau, Haut Medoc
Bordeaux, France, WINES
Cantemerle is in the Commune of Macau, just on the border of the Margaux appellation, it is the only classified estate of the commune, a 5th Growth. Being so close to Margaux, the cepage is quite similar as are the soils, the estate is planted to 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot (typically high as many Margaux) with the balance being Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.
Rated (89-91) by Robert Parker who says; "A property on the rebound, Cantemerle has fashioned a fragrant 2005 offering up scents of dried herbs, sweet red cherries, spring flowers, spice box and blueberries...."
Bordeaux Future for delivery in Spring 2008
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Price: $32.50
Bottle Size: .750L
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Chateau Cos d'Estournel
Chateau Cos d'Estournel 2005, St-Estephe 2eme Cru
Bordeaux, France, WINES
Cos has long been considered one of the 'Super Seconds', as in Second Growths that compete closely with the famed First Growths of Bordeaux. The site is literally across the street from Chateau Lafite and shares the same soils and exposure, so surely it is possible for the wine to attain similar quality as Lafite.
The 2005 is very highly rated and considered to be on-par with the best vintages of the past century. Robert Parker calls the 2005 Cos "A classic in the making..." and has it rated (94-97) points.
Bordeaux Future for delivery in Spring 2008
BIN:
Price: $235.00
Bottle Size: .750L
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Chateau Duhart-Milon
Chateau Duhart Milon 2005, Pauillac, 4eme Cru
Bordeaux, France, WINES
This Chateau is owned by the Baron de Rothschild family, also owners of Chateau Lafite and it is produced in the same manner with the same winemaker team. This always represents a very good value due to it's pedigree and ownership.
The 2005 is one of the finest vintages for Bordeaux in the last 100 years, the 05 Duhart is rated (90-92) by Robert Parker who says about the wine "Consumers should keep an eye on this estate as their wines are getting better and better..."
Bordeaux Future for delivery in Spring 2008
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Price: $62.00
Bottle Size:
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Chateau Talbot
Chateau Talbot 2005, St-Julien 4eme Cru
Bordeaux, France, WINES
Classy and consistant, rated (88-90) by Robert Parker who says "...appears to be the finest wine this estate has produced in many years...It is a full-bodied St-Julien with moderate tannin, and attractive sweetness as well as silkiness..."
Bordeaux Future for delivery in Spring 2008
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Price: $57.00
Bottle Size: .750L
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Chateau Sainte-Marie
Chateau Sainte Marie Blanc 2006, Entre-deux-Mers, Bordeaux
Bordeaux, France, WINES
Sauvignon Blanc from
Entre-deux-Mers in Bordeaux (where it is typically blended with a bit
of Semillon and Muscadelle), one of the classic old world regions
for the grape. The 2006 Chateau Sainte Marie Blanc is crisp with
aromas of ripe lemon, melon and even a touch of pineapple and
passionfruit. This is a great alternative to Sauvignon Blanc from
New Zealand or Sancerre during the cooler months as it has a bit more
weight and roundness in the palate and a bit fuller in the finish.
BIN:
Price: $15.00
Bottle Size: .750L
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Domaine Roumier
Domaine Georges Roumier Morey St Denis Clos de la Bussiere 2005, 1er Cru
Bordeaux, France, WINES
Christophe Roumier uses very traditional winemaking practices and prefers his vines relatively old and carefully pruned. The resulting wines are classic and beautifully balanced with superb ageablility yet lovely while young too.
"A very fresh and unusually bright red fruit nose inflected with iron suffused earth and hints of underbrush and subtle sauvage notes leads to rich, full and admirably intense flavors that are at once powerful yet supple, all wrapped in a punchy and more complex and minerally finish than what I usually find here. Good stuff and recommended." Allen Meadows, Burghound.com (rated 89-92, rated 91-92 by David Schildknecht of the Wine Advocate).
Very limited availability.
BIN:
Price: $110.00
Bottle Size: .750L
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Montille
Montille Saint-Romain "Les Jarrons" 2004
Burgundy, France, WINES
Deux Montille is owned by Etienne and Alix Montille, the son and daughter of famed Volnay/Pommard producer Hubert Montille. Following the legacy of Hubert, Deux Montille wines are produced with finesse and elegance.
The St-Romain is a stoney, rich styled Chardonnay with ripe citrus aromas and a touch of rusticity.
BIN:
Price: $32.00
Bottle Size: .750L
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Bouchard
Bouchard Gevery-Chambertin 2003
Burgundy, France, WINES
Village Gevrey-Chambertin is often dark and brooding in style compared to the more elegant villages further south. This wine is quite elegant and has a fine zip to it rare in the very warm 2003 vintage. Bouchard has produced an excellent wine here with notes of earthy red berry fruits and fine balance.
BIN: 0081753333652
Price: $44.00
Bottle Size: .750L
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Montille
Montille Meursault -Les Grands Charrons 2004
Burgundy, France, WINES
This is actually Maison Deux Montille, as in the house of two Montilles. Hubert Montille is one of the old masters of Pommard and Volnay, his wines age into beauties, the kind of red Burgundy to I refer to as the 'holy grail'. Both his son and daughter have latched onto his passion for the vine, yet both in different ways. His daughter sees his view, while his son fights with him tooth and nail.. Quite fun to watch actually.
This is a project between Hubert and his daughter and they produce some stunning whites.. This wine is crisp and citrusy yet with incredible mouthfeel and a long finish...even at this price I find it to be a value.
BIN:
Price: $50.00
Bottle Size: .750L
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A-F Gros
A-F Gros Hautes-Cotes de Nuits 2005
Burgundy, France, WINES
The Gros Family has a long history of producing wine in and around the Vosne-Romanée area of Côtes de Nuits. A-F is short for Anne and Françoise, as in Anne Gros and her husband Françoise Parent. Françoise is of the great Pommard producing family.
This excellent wine is bright and fresh with red berry aromas and a rich complex palate that dispays lovely minerality, especially for an Hautes-Côtes.
BIN: 2656
Price: $44.00
Bottle Size: .750L
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A-F Gros
A-F Gros Echezeaux 2005
Burgundy, France, WINES
The Gros Family has a long history of producing wine in and around the Vosne-Romanée area of Côtes de Nuits. A-F is short for Anne and Françoise, as in Anne Gros and her husband Françoise Parent. Françoise is of the great Pommard producing family.
This Echézeaux is from the Petit Citeaux site of the Grand Cru, the vines are very old. The aromas are spicy and toasty with both red and black berry notes along with a lovely violet character that puts this in the very elegant and velvety category of Grand Cru Echézeaux. The lenght is exceedingly long and complex, this wine will age for a very long time with some patience, that may be tough with such a lush, refined wine.
BIN: 2657
Price: $218.00
Bottle Size: .750L
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Bouchard
Domaine Bouchard Beaune Clos de la Mousse 2005
Burgundy, France, WINES
The Bouchard Clos de la Mousse is a monopole (or owned soley by them), the 2005 is a benchmark vintage with wines that show the incredible bright, lush fruit character that is found in very fine 'new world' wines along with the classic elegance and terroir found in great Burghundy.
Bouchard has greatly increased their quality in the past two vintages and this coinsides with an incredible vintage. This wine shows aromas of bright cherry, cola, chalk and smoked meat notes, the palate is elegant with soft cherry fruits and stone fruits along with a fine mineral note.
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Price: $54.00
Bottle Size: .750L
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Cave de Lugny
Macon Lugny 'Les Charmes' 2006
Burgundy, France, WINES
100% Chardonnay from the Les Charmes vineyard, which boasts very old vines and exceptional exposure.
The wine is rich and ripe with aromas of red apple and some tropical notes along with a hint of chalky minerality, the finish is clean and refreshing.
BIN: 1917
Price: $10.50
Bottle Size: .750L
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Domaine Caillot
Domaine Caillot Les Herbeaux Bourgogne Blanc 2003
Burgundy, France, WINES
The fruit for this Chardonnay comes from vineyard sites just outside Meursault, the pedigree shows through in the aromas and palate. Aromas of green apple, red apple, apple skin, walnut are in the nose, the palate and finish show more of the same but with a bit more citrus note and a crisp clean yet complex length. This is a great value wine, blind the wine shows more like a $50 Meursault than a $20 Bourgogne Blanc.
BIN: 2274
Price: $20.00
Bottle Size: .750L
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Domaine Pierre Labet
Domaine Labet Bourgogne Rouge 2005
Burgundy, France, WINES
This is an absolutely stunning Pinot Noir - 2005 is just an amazing Pinot Noir vintage for Burgundy. This wine produced from domaine owned vineyards in Chorey-les-Beaune and madeby Francois Labet, who also owns Chateau de la Tour in the Clos Vougeot. This floral, pretty Pinot Noir is a great value, with aromas of red and black cherry, a note of cola, hints of earth and forest floor, the palate is velvety like a wine from a much more prestigeous appellation.
BIN: 2638
Price: $28.00
Bottle Size: .750L
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Domaine Grivot
Domaine Jean Grivot Nuits St Georges Les Boudots 2005, 1er Cru
Burgundy, France, WINES
BIN:
Price: $95.00
Bottle Size: .750L
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Domaine Grivot
Domaine Jean Grivot Vosne Romanee Les Beaux Monts 2005, 1er Cru
Burgundy, France, WINES
Based in Nuits-St-Georges the Grivot holdings improved vastly with Jean's marriage into the Jayer family. Etienne, Jean's son is the current winemaker who focuses on firm, concentrated flavors and pure Pinot aromas.
"This is gorgeously airy and fine with beautiful aromas of floral and spicy black fruit and subtle hints of soy, Asian spice and anise that can also be found on the rich, detailed and minerally middle weight flavors that possess excellent transparency and near perfect balance. This offers real drive and energy but note that it is very firmly if not aggressively structured and will require a decade plus to really be at its best." Allen Meadows, Burghound (rated 92, Wine Advocates, David Schildknecht rated 92-93).
BIN:
Price: $130.00
Bottle Size: .750L
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Domaine Grivot
Domaine Jean Grivot Vosne Romanee 2005
Burgundy, France, WINES
Based in Nuits-St-Georges the Grivot holdings improved vastly with Jean's marriage into the Jayer family. Etienne, Jean's son is the current winemaker who focuses on firm, concentrated flavors and pure Pinot aromas.
"A very Vosne spicy and elegant red and black fruit nose nuanced with hints of violets complements to perfection the seductive and velvety flavors that coat the mouth with ample amounts of sap to buffer the firm but buried tannins that surface on the suave finish. An excellent villages but note that patience will be required." Allen Meadows (rated 89, Wine Advocate's David Schildknecht rated 89-90).
BIN:
Price: $50.00
Bottle Size: .750L
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Domaine d'Angerville
Domaine Marquis d'Angerville Volnay 2005 1er Cru
Burgundy, France, WINES
This great Volnay Estate produces wines with a silky texture and aromas of ripe cherries and violets, very elegant stuff.
"An even fresher nose that is both elegant and pure, indeed airy dissolves into intense, detailed and beautifully balanced flavors that also deliver superb depth and excellent finishing persistence. This dances across the palate and while it's ripe, it remains a quintessential Volnay." Allen Meadows, Burghound.com (rated 90-92, and 91-92 by Wine Advocate's David Schildknecht).
BIN:
Price: $74.50
Bottle Size: .750L
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Domaine d'Angerville | | |
