Tag Archives: France

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Cremant d’Alsace Arthur Metz Brut Prestige

It’s Thanksgiving, and this year we can only be with our families in spirit. We send our hellos, smiles, and just a smidge of our humor to loved ones enjoying a day of celebration and reflection.

On our holiday table are classics and new adventures. We have deviled eggs; we have hors d’oeuvre consisting of pickles, meat, and cheeses. Hard apple cider is a notable addition to the food prep phase, which includes fresh veggies (i.e., Brussel sprouts, asparagus, potato, carrots), jellied cranberries, and, most notably, a Cajun spice-rubbed turducken. Yup, it’s a day for new adventures.

Cremant d'Alsace Arthur Metz Brut Prestige, France.

Cremant d’Alsace Arthur Metz Brut Prestige, France.

The champagne–Cremant d’Alsace Arthur Metz Brut Prestige–fits into that same vibe. It is an odd mix both pale and gold, and it’s packed full of pear smells and fruits that you can detect on the nose and certainly on the palate. Compared to other bubbly that occasionally graces our celebrations, the Cremant is much sweeter in taste. Presumably more of a sugar profile than, say, a Veuve (which we’d prefer for its finish and its slightly drier taste). We’d hoped the Cremant might be a more affordable champagne option than Cliquot, and though it is less expensive than our go-to champagne it is certainly lesser in quality.

This isn’t a food blog, so I won’t spend too much time on the turducken–but it was delicious. I really enjoyed its soft, spicy goodness (not too rare or overdone but just right) and its unusual stuffings. It might have another seating soon, but the Cremant has run its course at our place. We’ll try another champagne in the future and hope for more Veuve.

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Summer Reds

The summer is nearing its end, and I’d be remiss if I didn’t share several reds that we sampled along the way. Some scored high marks (like the Atilla’s Selection from Buena Vista); others like the Toro or Navardia will probably fall into the “been there done that” camp. The real fun is in discovering which is which. Here’s a fly-by for your consideration:

2011 Insomnia Red Wine Blend, California, USA.
2010 Solanera, vinas viejas, Yecla, Spain.
2012 Cruz Alba Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza, Argentina.
2011 Cairanne La Cigalette, Rhone Villages, France.
2012 Buena Vista Atilla’s Selection Zinfandel, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA.
2013 Toro Tempranillo, Spain.
2012 Navardia, Rioja, Spain.
2011 Mannara Primitivo, Puglia, Italy.
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2010 Laurent-Perrier Champagne, Maison Fondee 1812

Some tastings on Notes emphasize the grapes; others focus on the experience. Others, like this 2010 Laurent-Perrier Champagne Maison Fondee 1812, are an amazing combination between the two. This magnum we broke out tonight to help celebrate our wedding anniversary, and it was a great part of the evening.

2010 Laurent-Perrier Champagne Maison Fondee 1812, France.

2010 Laurent-Perrier Champagne Maison Fondee 1812, France.

Special thanks to the GDog for this gift. I am sure it was not inexpensive, both on the size of the bottle and the merits of the grapes themselves.  We made our way through the magnum, one flute at a time, as we savored slices of cucumber–fresh from our own backyard, lightly seasoned with both mayonnaise and salt–and sushi (our favorite rolls) from a local takeout joint. I’m going to refrain from tasting notes on this occasion because they’d only diminish how much I enjoyed the entire evening. Good food, good dockside ambiance, better wine, and best company.

The memories will keep.

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2012 Lafage Cote Est Catalan

Originating from the Roussillon region of southwestern France (seemingly where the Pyrenees Mountains meet the Mediterranean) is the 2012 Cote Est Catalan from winemaker Jean-Marc Lafage. It packs quite a punch for a white, not in the alcoholic sense, but in the flavor. The 2012 Cote Est Catalan is a blend of 60% Granache, 30% Chardonnay, and 10% Marsanne, and we had it with grilled roasted garlic and butter tilapia fillets, brown rice (chives as an accent from our own garden), and steamed veggies on this evening.

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It’s crisp, it’s fruity (notes of citrus and flower to be sure), and not too much in the way of sweetness. Affordable, too. A sliver of some earthy mineral? Perhaps it satisfies some calm midpoint between a Pinot Grigio and a Chardonnay? I read one review that shared these accolades: “the lovely aromatics are followed by a crisp, elegant, slightly more textured, medium-bodied white with wonderful purity, freshness, and length. It is long and flavorful on the finish.”
I agree, and seeing how many nuances he could pick out reminds me–you too, readers–of how neophyte your reviewer is here in Notes. I will stay humble but diligent in the desire to learn and share more.

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2008 Chateau Franc-Cardinal Cotes de Bordeaux

When you receive swanky cool Bordeaux glassware for your birthday, you have to put your hands on a Bordeaux in swift order.  For us, it was the 2008 Chateau Franc-Cardinal Cotes de Bordeaux.  The bottle made its first appearance on Friday evening, welcoming this gent home from a long week of business travel (is there another kind?).  While the Bordeaux breathed and wafted its purple-fruited cheeriness into our kitchen, another project was underway–see the peanut butter cookie / peanut butter cup minis in the accompanying photo?

2008 Chateau Franc-Cardinal Cotes de Bordeaux

2008 Chateau Franc-Cardinal Cotes de Bordeaux, France.

I’m sorry to say this red blend did not get its due on Friday, as this traveler was road weary and candidly only ate a quick tuna sandwich.  Suffice it to say, no sommelier has ever recommended the 2008 Chateau with tuna on white…but that’s what made tonight’s pairing all the better.  This evening, we ate this rich Bordeaux with homemade cheese burgers, seasoned fries, and all the fixings.  The burgers were massive, juicy, and cooked to perfection–no small feat given all the rain that fell here yesterday and again today.  They dripped goodness and oozed with flavor–the grilled meat a perfect complement to the wine.

The 2008 Chateau Franc-Cardinal Cotes de Bordeaux is an interesting red blend–72% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Malbec.  Every producer of a big red has his or her own take on ratios and grapes to be sure, and this one does a lot right.  Like the Bordeaux glasses, this bottle was a birthday gift and the perfect close to this day.  Upon tasting you definitely notice its tannins (even at day two) and tangy underpinnings.  I am sure blackberry figures into your tasting of the 2008 much as it did mine; I would also suggest the 2008 Chateau Franc-Cardinal Cotes de Bordeaux binds some tobacco of sorts, some faint earthiness into its profile.

I’m still mulling over its aftertaste and will curious as to your thoughts too.  Offer ’em here if you feel so inclined…and thanks for reading.

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2011 Chateau Close la Chapelle, Cotes de Bordeaux Cadillac Red Blend

“Cadillac Bordeaux” gives one a definite impression even before drinking, and these grapes do the moniker justice. We opened this bottle last evening with dinner (a delicious, cheesy enchilada with salty black beans riding shotgun), and polished it off tonight with our hors d’oeuvres–the perfect follow-up to a warm, Carolina afternoon filled with hiking and outdoor fun.

2011 Chateau Close la Chapelle, Cotes de Bordeaux Cadillac Red Blend, Bordeaux, France.

2011 Chateau Close la Chapelle, Cotes de Bordeaux Cadillac Red Blend, Bordeaux, France.

Even without a long breathing period this Cotes de Bordeaux Cadillac Red Blend was easy on the palate, a dark and rich mix of berries…with no harshness that you’d find in a Syrah or similar.  It has hints in it…hints that I can’t quite place but evidence of a richer heritage than my paltry experience can identify.  Suffice it to say, several refills later found me happy and healthy and wise.  Who hasn’t been to this place?

Here’s how the experts called it: “This soft, plush cuvee offers notes of black cherry, peat moss, blackberry, cassis, toast, vanilla, cedar, and coconut.”

Overstated, to be sure, but not too far off the mark.  Those same experts said to drink the 2011 Chateau Close la Chapelle, Cotes de Bordeaux Cadillac Red Blend with grilled pork and rosemary.  Sounds smart, but my wife’s experiment with the enchilada was solid too.  The Cadillac Bordeaux is a rich tapestry, and you’ve got to give this one a try.  It’s a mix of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc that is aged in stainless steel and French Oak barrels for about a year.  We received the bottle as part of a mail order so can’t quite ante up again ourselves–but we would if we could.

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The Ones That Got Away

We enjoyed a number of fine adult beverages through the 2013 holidays and into March of 2014.  In light of an aggressive travel schedule, however, I’ve neglected to review several great reds and whites that graced our table in this time frame.  Tasting notes will have to wait another sampling but thought you’d enjoy a quick depiction of our “travels” through wine country domestically and abroad.

2011 Casillero del Diablo Red Blend, Chile.
2012 Ecco Domani Pinot Grigio, Italy.
2011 Tiamo Chianti, Italy.
2011 Buena Vista Natalia’s Selection Chardonnay, Sonoma County, California, USA.
2011 Bogle Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, California, USA.
2011 Clos du Bois, Pinot Grigio, California, USA.
2011 Cairanne La Cigalette, Cote due Rhone Villages, France.
2007 Bagrationi Champagne, France.
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Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Brut Yellow Label

We’re a family that celebrates milestones, and we do it best when we have a great bottle of something special to share together.  This bottle of Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Brut Yellow Label, a gift from my best friend, was just such a bottle–sent to congratulate us for our relocation to North Carolina.

Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Brut Yellow Label, Champagne, France.

Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Brut Yellow Label, Champagne, France.

We’ve been here nearly two months now, but with the Veuve on hand decided we would celebrate anew on this Sunday night.  Check out the delicious vittles that graced our table: Mustard-encrusted chicken breasts, fresh-cut green beans, and portabella mushrooms.  The Veuve, always a favorite of my wife, really accented the succulent food.  Its bubbles and inherent apple goodness complemented the flavors Becca wrangled from this light, healthy fare.

These guys have been producing champagne since 1772, so you know they’re doing more than one or two things right.  If you’ve had for yourself, you’re nodding in agreement.  If you haven’t had Veuve Cliquot yet, what are you waiting for?

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2010 Chateau Hanteillan, Haut Medoc

A celebratory Saturday night started–and finished–courtesy of the 2010 Chateau Hanteillan Bordeaux from the Haut Medoc region.  This is the second of four in our collection, and like our first tasting of this red, it too accompanied a great pair of steaks and blue cheese salads, though on this occasion we worked a perfectly baked potato into the mix as well.

2010 Chateau Hanteillan Bordeaux, Haut Medoc, France.

2010 Chateau Hanteillan Bordeaux, Haut Medoc, France.

Somehow I failed to recall the initial experience we had with the Hanteillan, and again my first sip showed the heavy tannin finish that I hadn’t cared for previously.  Rather than play a bad hand, this time I opted to decant the entire bottle–to a much better outcome.  A re-deal, if you will.  Allowing the 2010 to breathe really helped and would be my clear recommendation for anyone sampling this vintage.

Getting some air into this Bordeaux allowed its fruity background to play a bigger role and really diminished the tannin’s acidity.  I think the balance was restored through the decanter, and I know that’s how we’ll proceed with the remaining inventory we have in our possession.