France is the largest wine producing country in the world. The history of French wine traces back to Roman times. French wine is controlled by the AOC system, Appellation d'Origine Controlee. This system guides as to what grapes are allowed to be grown in each region. The system was created using hundreds of years of growing history and the use of terroir. Terrior is a French wine term that encapsulates all the variables that apply to a wine's tastes…such as soil, climate, and the area the grape is grown.
France is home to many grapes that have now been cloned throughout the world. Not only have France's grapes been replicated, but so have their wine making styles. Even though they are the strongest player in the wine producing world, they now have competition from the new world wine producing countries.
A seductive, premium Chardonnay fragrance indulges connoisseurs. The aroma is concentrated and rich, yet at the same time superbly delicate and elegant. Profound terroir aromas combine with noble fruit. A gentle entry with expressive freshness on the palate, followed by an impressive aromatic buildup. It's a sensual interplay between fruit, spice, and minerality, carried by a powerful, refined acidity. This is a Chardonnay at its best, with an eternal finish – magnificent!
A blend of fruit from estate-owned, small parcels in the high altitude village of Saint-Romain.
Aromas of crushed stones, lemon zest, crisp apricot, wildflowers. Medium-bodied, fresh, lively.
A blend of fruit from estate-owned, small parcels in the high altitude village of Saint-Romain.
Aromas of crushed stones, lemon zest, crisp apricot, wildflowers. Medium-bodied, fresh, lively.
A blend of fruit from estate-owned small parcels in the high altitude village of Saint-Romain.
Aromas of cherry blossom and wild strawberry, red plum, crushed stones. Medium-bodied and lively, fresh
Pairs with Dry saucisson; pork sausages with herbs. Aged French cheeses.
A blend of fruit from estate-owned small parcels in the high altitude village of Saint-Romain.
Aromas of cherry blossom and wild strawberry, red plum, crushed stones. Medium-bodied and lively, fresh
Pairs with Dry saucisson; pork sausages with herbs. Aged French cheeses.
Baron Aime Cremant de Bourgogne Brut is made from 40% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir, 30% Aligote.
Light yellow with bright reflections. The nose is fresh and lemony with subtle floral aromas, apple and citrus fruits. The mouth is fresh, delicate, tight and precise with fine bubbles that stimulate the palate nicely.
A delicious aperitif and a great match with shellfish.
Review:
Golden straw color. Aromas and flavors of brioche, green and yellow apple, dried pineapple, and lemon oil with a supple, vibrant, finely carbonated, dry medium body and a smooth, engaging, medium-long finish displaying impressions of croissant with salted butter and tart pear jam, white tea, and grapefruit peel with no oak flavor. A lovely and racy apéritif that will pair splendidly with a cheese and bread course."
- Beverage Testing Institute 93 pts - GOLD MEDAL - BEST BUY
The aging is as Mounir ages his Burgundies: extremely long, never racked, no fining, no filtration. It would be easy to say that we expected the experience running one of Burgundy’s leading producers, Lucien Le Moine, would show in Mounir’s wines. But the actual results need to be tasted to be believed and understood: a wine with beguiling fruit and savory richness, yet extraordinary finesse and detail.
Mounir Saouma likes to describe Châteauneuf-du-Pape as a mosaic, with all the wild traditions and differences together making for very different interpretations. Omnia, Latin for “all,” is his attempt to encompass the entire region’s terroir and winemaking history (and perhaps future) in one glass. The fruit comes from 9 vineyard parcels across all 5 of the Châteauneuf communes, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Courthezon, Sorgues, Bedarrides and Orange (in early vintages, when the Saoumas did not have all the vineyards they have today, they would purchase fruit; today, Rotem & Mounir Saouma is 100% Estate). The wine is then vinified and aged in foudres, cement and 500 liter barrels – a little bit of everything.
2019 was another warm and dry vintage in the southern Rhône, marked by insistent drought and repeated heat waves during the season. With little disease pressure or frost, the crop was close to normal size, but bunch and berry-size was reduced during the growing season by the lack of water. The grapes were thus concentrated and rich in sugar and acidity, although potential alcohol levels were often quite high. Vineyards at higher elevations – Châteauneuf du Pape and Gigondas in particular — handled the heat better, and the wines from those AOPs are rich yet also remarkably fresh and energetic. Despite the initial concerns about the growing season, 2019 looks to be a watershed vintage in the Southern Rhône, producing rich wines with exceptional concentration and aging potential
Inviting aromas of sliced strawberries, red cherries and rose. Full-bodied with vibrant acidity and succulent fruit. Fine, structured tannins are vertically aligned with the fruit. More dark-fruited than the nose lets on and entirely delicious. I love the subtle spice here.
-James Suckling 94 Points
Very refined, with silky and fine-grained structure carrying alluring bergamot, rooibos tea, incense, dried cherry and lightly mulled raspberry notes along. A long sanguine thread weaves through the finish. Hard to resist now with so much charm, but this will benefit from cellaring. Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre.
-Wine Spectator 94 Points
Corinne Perchaud Chablis 1er Cru Fourchaume is made from 100 percent Chardonnay
Elegant citrus aromas. Concentrated and finessed, combining flavors of dried fruit with slight hints of woody notes. Perfect balance between body and acidity, long and persistent finish. This one is drinking great now, but as with all exceptional Chablis, it is possible to pay it down for years to come.
Made from 35 year old vines. The owners take great care to produce exceptional Chablis wine by keeping the lively Chardonnay fruit and the unique mineral quality imparted by the Kimmeridgian soil, the fruity acidity and bouquet in perfect balance. The grapes are harvested by hand and gently pressed in a horizontal pressoir to ensure the fullest extraction and range of flavors and aromas.
Pair with Scallops Jacques cream, roast veal with oyster mushrooms.