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.
Manoir du Carra Bourgogne Blanc Le Soly is made of 100% Chardonnay. Average 50 year old vines.
The nose shows step by step fruity, smoky and mineral aromas. A slight oaky hint in the end with a lingering finish: those are typical Chardonnay aromas.
The wine is estate bottled.Ageing is done on fine lees during 3 to 5 months. About 40% of the wine has its alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in oak barrels (new, one, two or three wine barrels) with a weekly “Bâtonnage” (lee stirring) during 6 months. In the end, the wine in the barrels is blended with the wine in vats. Manual harvest of very ripe grapes. Selection of the best grapes on a vibrating sorting table, light pressing. The alcoholic fermentation takes place in cold stainless-steel vats.
Marquis d'Alesme Margaux is made from 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc.
Mas Olivier Faugeres Rouge Expression is made from 70% Syrah, 20% Grenache and 10% Mourvedre.
Dark color with a deep purple hue. Intense nose with ripe red berries notes which reveals after breathing herbal notes of pepper, incense, cardamom and chili. It is a well-structured wine with powerful and fine tannins.
The wine is produced from a unique plot nested in hilltops, at 400 meters above sea level on rich schist soils. The grapes are selected with love and great care (optimum maturity checks and berry tasting before the hand harvest). Each variety is harvested separately on different dates to ensure the best quality and the perfect homogeneous blend “expression” of the AOP Faugères terroir.
Pair with roasted rib of beef with porcini mushrooms. Game dishes with candied turnips, cheese.
Mas Redonne Bandol Rose is made from 55% Mourvèdre, 35% Cinsault, 10% Grenache.
Nice light salmon color, typical of Bandol.
The wine expresses some citrus, Pomelos (a delicious type of grapefruit) and lots of white fruit aromas and minerality.
The flavors are fresh, fruity and very aromatic with tons of apricot and mango.
Grilled salmon, chicken dishes as well as salads, sushi and sashimi.
Mas Redonne Bandol Rose is made from 55% Mourvèdre, 35% Cinsault, 10% Grenache.
Nice light salmon color, typical of Bandol.
The wine expresses some citrus, Pomelos (a delicious type of grapefruit) and lots of white fruit aromas and minerality.
The flavors are fresh, fruity and very aromatic with tons of apricot and mango.
Grilled salmon, chicken dishes as well as salads, sushi and sashimi.
Mas Redonne Bandol Rose is made from 55% Mourvèdre, 35% Cinsault, 10% Grenache.
Nice light salmon color, typical of Bandol.
The wine expresses some citrus, Pomelos (a delicious type of grapefruit) and lots of white fruit aromas and minerality.
The flavors are fresh, fruity and very aromatic with tons of apricot and mango.
Grilled salmon, chicken dishes as well as salads, sushi and sashimi.
The 2023 Far Niente Chardonnay enchants with a bouquet of citrus, white floral, and hints of honeydew melon and nectarine. Its silky texture and bright, refreshing palate dance with flavors of lemon/lime zest and lemon verbena, culminating in a long, juicy finish that leaves the palate yearning for more.
Review:
The combination of Carneros' maritime climate and the volcanic soils of Coombsville lends a hand in creating one of the most deluxe Chardonnays our team has had the pleasure of tasting. Augmented by sweet vanilla cream, elderflower, and white cherry, the mouthfeel is exquisitely graceful, and notes of key lime, herbed lemon, and luscious ripe pineapple are opulent to the end. Aged sur lie in French oak barrels.
-Tasting Panel 97 Points
Bastgen Kestener Paulinshofberg Riesling Spatlese is 100 percent Riesling.
Yellow color with green highlights.
Beautiful peach aromas on the nose, rich and ripe fruits on the mouth with a refreshing acidity and honey notes. A very pleasing wine.
They meticulously tend 4.5 ha (11.11 acres) of which 80% is Riesling. The soil is made of slate. Their vineyards are located in Kesten and Brauneberg, on a steep terrace, and planted to 50-year old vines. Fortunately for Bastgen, they own part of the famous Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr. The vines produce very small, ripe berries that are very tasty.