Tag Archives: France

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Chateau Citran Haut-Medoc Cru Bourgeois 2000, Bordeaux

This special Bordeaux was a 2012 Christmas gift, a promising red deluge of grape goodness that lasted unopened until tonight, when we decided to open it in celebration of our new (rental) home.  In face of great change, one constant in our lives should be excellent wine and an effort to savor some of the finer things in life–and that’s the Chateau Citran Haut-Medoc Cru Bourgeois 2000, for sure.

Chateau Citran Haut-Medoc Cru Bourgeois 2000, Bordeaux, France.

Chateau Citran Haut-Medoc Cru Bourgeois 2000, Bordeaux, France.

This is a wine where I wish my palate was more sophisticated; it would make for a better description here for you.  At first pour, I could smell the rich, deep–but not earthy or minerally–cherry scent of this Bordeaux.  It poured clean, a treat for the eyes too.  Note in the accompanying visual that the Citran is so deep in chroma that you can’t see through the glass to the watermelon (harvested from our new garden…inedible…but still a great visual!) behind it.  It’s dark but not peppery or spicy, and has more tannins that I generally think of for a Bordeaux.  Part of me wanted to decant to see what impact that would have on the wine, but I skipped that step here.

Since we are still unpacking kitchen boxes, the Citran accompanied two simple meals; one a macaroni-beef mashup and one consisting of a perfectly seasoned pork loin, “Golden Jewel” blend, and cooked broccoli.  My favorite effect was the combination of the pork’s spices with the Citran–really fun.

Thanks, Ma, I really enjoyed the Chateau Citran Haut-Medoc Cru Bourgeois 2000 Bordeaux.  Great wine; even better celebration.

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Veuve Clicquot Brut Yellow Label

Anniversary dinner–commemorated with Veuve Clicquot Brut Yellow Label to celebrate the occasion.  Always love its crisp peachy goodness and, enjoyed on the patio with my family around me, this one is right on target.  The combination is pretty had to beat.  It’s a favorite of my wife’s; a smile on her face and a full glass in her hand are all this man needs.

The Veuve preceded Chicken Limone, served with a light pasta and Italian bread, courtesy of Rosario’s.  Wish the bubbly had lasted a bit longer but all good things, right?

 

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Domaine Virginie Thunevin AOC Bordeaux, 2009

Kicking off the Labor Day weekend with the Domaine Virginie Thunevin AOC Bordeaux, 2009.  After a “preview” glass on Thursday, this Bordeaux set up one of our favorite meals tonight–complementing filet mignon steaks (including java rub) right off the grill and blue cheese salads with the crumble, pepper, and the dressing.

Domaine Virginie Thunevin AOC Bordeaux, 2009, France.

Domaine Virginie Thunevin AOC Bordeaux, 2009, France.

As expected, the pairing worked really well and was first time in several weeks we opted not for a Pinot Noir or Cabernet Sauvignon but rather a red blend.  This one, developed by winemaker Jean-Luc Thunevin, is a mix of Merlot (70%), Cabernet Sauvignon (20%), and Cabernet Franc (10%), and named for his daughter.  We have a couple more bottles of the Domaine Virginie Thunevin so I’ll tackle more of his craft in future posts and focus here on the initial feedback we had on its taste.

With that said, “fruit flavors” is the prevailing thought I’d offer on this Bordeaux.  You want to swish it, savor it, and swirl all about your mouth because it just feels juicy.   Even without aging, its a very full taste and has a very fruity aftertaste on your tongue.  Easy tannins.  I haven’t yet been able to isolate the berries that your tongue will taste with the Domaine Virginie 2009, but it’s definitely less in the raspberry/strawberry world and more on the blackberry/blueberry path.  Almost seems like a liquid version of a delicious berry pie?

So far so good on this wine…three more to go from this initial shipment and each one promising!

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Haut-Medoc 2010 Chateau Dasvin-Bel-Air Cru Bourgeois

Having tonight another go at the Haut Medoc Bordeaux (a 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, and 9% Petit Verdot blend), this time with pasta and fresh fruit.  Again the Bordeaux held up well, meeting expectations and providing a nice escort into the weekend.  We served this red blend with meat-filled ravioli and fresh wedges of red tomatoes, and there was certainly an interesting mix between the grapes, the sweetness of the wedges, and the spices of the pasta.

Haut-Medoc 2010 Chateau Dasvin-Bel-Air Cru Bourgeois, France.

Haut-Medoc 2010 Chateau Dasvin-Bel-Air Cru Bourgeois, France.

In previous posts regarding the Chateau Dasvin Bel Air 2010 Haut-Medoc Cru Bourgeois we conveyed some details on the vineyard; this time let’s talk about their vibe for the wine itself:

“The wine is aged in French oak barrels for 16 months (70%), with the rest aging in vats. Twenty percent of the barrels are replaced by new ones at the start of the vintage.  This combination of a unique diverse terroir and careful attention during winemaking and aging reveals itself in the final wine.  The nose is fresh, redolent of dark berries, with hints of cherry and spice.  A palate of blackberries and generously portioned raspberry puree offers a full-bodied, well-rounded feel.  A fresh and lively jaunt through delicious tannins and structured elegance leads into the long finish.”

An apt description, to be sure.  This wine is rich with dark berry flavor and so easy on the way down.  It borders on crude to say it’s smooth, but all the berries combine in a fantastic finish that you’ll enjoy for sure.

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Domaine Pierre de la Grange Muscadet 2011

Domaine Pierre de la Grange Muscadet 2011, France.

Domaine Pierre de la Grange Muscadet 2011, France.

Our second tasting at Wine Therapy was the Domaine Pierre de la Grange Muscadet 2011.  This lovely, light import from the Loire Valley region of France was, for me, a clear winner.  It followed on the heels of the sparkling Rosé and had all kinds of citrus undertones that were enjoyable on the nose and the palate.  If, like me, you’re less a fan of oak or Chardonnay, this might be right up your alley.

Our knowledgeable host remarked that the Muscadet, made from the melon grape, “stayed crisp on the finish” and showcased its “minerally structure“, which I’m sure (quick bit of Internet research confirms this) is attributed to the soils in this region.  The Muscadet appellation lies just below Nantes on the western end of the Loire Valley.

We passed several restaurants in SoHo and Lolita on the walking tour that placed us in this little wine shop, and I would have gladly taken the Muscadet into any of them to accompany a seafood appetizer–maybe some mussels or clams?–or a light salad or pasta entree.  If you can already envision this bottle in your wine sleeve, chilling and perspiring in the warm summer sun, then I’ve done my job here.  You’d be smiling with your friends and enjoying a nice, affordable bottle of Domaine Pierre de la Grange Muscadet.

 

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You Are So Bubbly, Sparkling Rosé

You Are So Bubbly, Sparkling Rose, France.

You Are So Bubbly, Sparkling Rose, France.

Our first tasting at Wine Therapy in Manhattan was You Are So Bubbly, a sparkling Rosé from the Louis/Dressner vineyards.  Imported from France, this Rosé engendered two different responses from my wife and I.  On one hand it was a refreshing cool beverage on a hot June day and slaked our thirsts; on the other I found it similar to other Rosés I’ve tasted.  Not my favorite grape or process, even in as a sparkling option.

I’m not a wine snob, but swirling this Rosé around a paper cup as we did isn’t the way you might enjoy this on your patio or poolside.  If you’re a fan of Rosé, You Are So Bubbly will probably strike a favorable chord for you.  I’m obviously more a fan of reds than whites, Rosé, or sparkling, but on a sultry summer day in the city you might appreciate the soft floral notes offered by this option.

Ultimately, I’d rate this sparkling Rosé higher for the ambiance and adventure and less for its taste, but check it out for yourself next time you have a cheese platter lining up for a gathering or summer picnic.

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Haut-Medoc 2010 Chateau Dasvin-Bel-Air Cru Bourgeois

A week of scorching temperatures had us doing cold drinks rather than reds, and this was the first time all week vino was the right move.  We opened this Haut Medoc Bordeaux–a blend of 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, and 9% Petit Verdot–to accompany a great meal of grilled steaks and blue cheese salads (shrimp cocktail kicked things off).  This Bordeaux hit high marks for us and will be great to revisit again soon.

It has all the marks that resonate for me: beautiful color, a deep and rich red that’s fuller than a Pinot Noir; a blackberry and dark berry (rather than a strawberry) underpinning; a smooth taste that resonated for me even though we probably drank it “too soon” and didn’t allow it to breathe or age in any appreciable way.  It complemented the pepper-seasoned steaks perfectly.

Chateau Dasvin Bel Air 2010, Haut-Medoc Cru Bourgeois, France.

Chateau Dasvin Bel Air 2010, Haut-Medoc Cru Bourgeois, France.

Luckily we have several bottles of the Chateau Dasvin Bel Air 2010 Haut-Medoc Cru Bourgeois so we’ll have plenty of chances to share tasting notes from the “experts” with you.  This time out we’ll share a little information on the vineyard itself.

“The Chateau’s 30-acre vineyard lies at the southern end of the Haut Medoc appellation, on a large, narrow gravel soil resting on a thin coat of sand and a bank of yellow arenite on the one hand, and Garonne gravel on clay subsoil on the other.  In this environment, 25-year-old Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot vines are planted at a high density (in order to naturally restrict yields and develop the wine’s fruit profile) and cared for sustainably to allow their healthy development.  A first selection in the field is followed by another at the sorting table to select only the best chosen grapes that will be de-stemmed and used.  The must ferments in stainless steel tanks and temperature-controlled cement vats and pumped over three times a day.  Depending on the tasting session, there are 1 to 3 rackings, to help with clarification and final aroma profile of the wine.”

That’s a lot of information.  Some of it works for me; some of it is superfluous.  I can tell you with confidence that whatever the process is, it works great.  Ready for the next glass now!

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Château Canon-la-Gaffelière Rosé Blend Bordeaux Rosé 2008

I’ll preface by saying this was probably the first Rosé we’ve opened in some time…definitely the first appearance in Notes and could possibly be the last.  We opened this Château Canon-la-Gaffelière Rosé Blend Bordeaux Rosé on a Friday evening and thought it might escort us into a nice weekend.  Just couldn’t take it…seemed so…middling and indecisive.

Château Canon-la-Gaffelière Rosé Blend Bordeaux Rosé 2008, France.

Château Canon-la-Gaffelière Rosé Blend Bordeaux Rosé 2008, France.

This 2008 Rosé is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet France, and Cabernet Sauvignon, and those grapes always engender positive remarks–whether separately or as some Bordeaux–from this consumer.  Lots of evidence of this all throughout the blog, but it just didn’t add up here.  Despite being stored horizontally, the cork had dried out and largely disintegrated when we tried to open this bottle.  Maybe that accounted for some unpredictability in taste?  I don’t know enough about the spoilage of wines to comment on this further but may give the winemaker some benefit of the doubt by sharing this variable with you, readers.

Given the thumbs down we experienced, I thought it might be helpful to include a second opinion and share with you the following: “This is one of the strongest efforts from Canon-La-Gaffeliere since their spectacular 1990. Tiny yields of 30 hectoliters per hectare and a final blend of 55% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon have resulted in a wine of exceptional complexity. Aromas of roasted herbs, spice box, sweet and sour cherries, licorice, incense, and black fruits are followed by a wine with tremendous opulence, full body, and moderately high but sweet tannin. Excellent acidity gives precision to this big, but impeccably well-balanced, pure.”

I couldn’t disagree more (confess that we couldn’t even finish half the bottle) but leave it to you if you want to see for yourself.  I’ll skip this one next time.

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Clarendelle 2005 Red Bordeaux, Clarence Dillon

Last night my wife and I finished off an enjoyable bottle of the Clarendelle 2005 Red Bordeaux from Clarence Dillon.  Must confess that I had a “sneak preview” glass on Wednesday night, but the final polish came last night as we celebrated the early end to the work week.  This Bordeaux accompanied shell steaks, grilled to taste, and a delicious salad of field greens, baby potatoes, blue cheese–and bacon!
Most times, a dinner glass of wine is about the taste, or a combination of tastes.  Yesterday, though, it was about celebrations instead.  With that spirit in mind, I sampled this rich red from a great birthday gift mug during the dinner hour and afterwards as I packed up all my black and orange for Opening Day at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.  Helped kick off a fun weekend!

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2006 Chateau Grand-Maison Grand Vin Bordeaux

The 2006 Chateau Grand-Maison Grand Vin Bordeaux is a show-stopping red blend, a powerhouse combination of Merlot (84%), Malbec (12%), and Cabernet Franc (4%) from the Cotes de Bourg region of France.  It was also an amazing drink with which to celebrate Winter Storm Nemo as it bracketed the region with nearly a foot of snow, wind, and wintery madness.  A gift from my oenophile brother, I pulled the cork and was blown away by the mix of blackberries, plums, and spice contained in this pale green bottle (special thanks to my lovely and talented photographer for the photo here).

2006 Chateau Grand-Maison Grand Vin Bordeaux, Cotes de Bourg, France

2006 Chateau Grand-Maison Grand Vin Bordeaux, Cotes de Bourg, France

This Bordeaux (a chateau’s top wine) we opened not only to celebrate warmth and comfort in the middle of the storm, but also a visit from a dear friend who was in town with us for the evening.  You don’t need a special occasion like this to open the Chateau Grand-Maison (at least the 2006); you make a special occasion when you open this gem.  We had it first with fun appetizers (e.g., shrimp shumai and spicy California roll) and then with fist-sized top sirloins, served with a mushroom and pan-seared butter sauce along with spring greens and a citrus vinaigrette.  Rosemary roasted potatoes completed this fantastic feast and made for the perfect blend of herbs and rare-cooked cow–and red wine.

This 40-year-old vineyard apparently has its roots in the 19th century, when it was first linked together from disparate vineyards renowned for their chalky-clay soils and gravelly clay.  Chateau Grand-Maison is located on the north short of the Gironde estuary and situated on the southern slope of a high plateau.   Here are the tasting notes from master sommelier Janine Lettieri: “Notes of black fruits, currant, berries and plum are layered with notes of sweet vanilla spice, a result of aging in 50% new French oak barrels.  A few years in bottle have benefited this wine, allowing the tannins to soften and oak flavors to integrate.  A great candidate for cellaring, this wine can age for a decade.  A lovely pairing for heartier fare, this wine gave great pleasure when I served it alongside rare beef tenderloin with roast fingerling potatoes finished with a red-wine reduction.”

Ironically, that was very close to the meal we were enjoying too.  The clear highlight of the night, though–other than the great company–was the 2006 Chateau Grand-Maison Grand Vin.