Wine from France

Louis Barruol describes the microclimate of the vineyard Malleval as “very cold” which allows the grapes to retain acidity and showcase the floral aromas of the local Sérine variety. Aromas and flavors of blackberries and wild strawberries are accented by notes of peppercorns, tobacco, peonies, and violets.

Syrah, with its deep flavors and firm tannins, is a natural match for grilled or smoked meat and dishes featuring herbs, roasted mushrooms, and onions. Seared venison or beef with black pepper and thyme or a Moroccan tagine of pigeon or chicken are complimented by the spicy characteristic of Syrah. 

Review:

Stacks of dark forest berries plus notes of smoke, pepper and tar make this a very expressive St.-Joseph. Impressive depth and ripeness for the 2021 vintage on the front and mid-palates, then the stony minerality kicks in giving it more power at the sleek and structured finish. Drinkable now, but best from 2024.

-James Suckling 93 Points

Chateau Gaudrelle Vouvray Reserve Personelle 2009 is 100 percent Chenin Blanc

Fine Chenin Blanc typicity, with aromas of ripe apples and honeyed notes. Rich, smooth, rounded palate with great structure and weight. Has the acidity to support ageing for 10 years.

Produced from 100% Chenin Blanc planted on clay and flint stones based soils.
Vinification: aged in stainless steel tanks with temperature controlled fermentation. Aged on the lees for 4 months. 
Kieselguhr filtration.
This sparking wine is fresh and fruity. Rich and easy to drink, which makes it a wonderful aperitif. For the aficionados this is an excellent food friendly wine. Its quality makes it a great alternative to Champagne.

"The two sparkling wines should not be missed. They’re both terrific examples of how good sparkling Vouvray can be. Both are 100% Chenin Blanc cuvees, with the non-vintage Chateau Gaudrelle Vouvray Brut showing lots of effervescence and plenty of flowery brioche, buttered citrus, melon and dried apricot notes. It is crisp, fresh, and ideal for drinking over the next several years."
-Wine Advocate 90 pts

"Just off-dry, this almond- and apple-flavored wine achieves a fine balance of crispness and richness. There is just a touch of honey, intertwined with delicious citrusy acidity."
- Wine Enthusiast , 90 pts

Gravas Sauternes is a blend of 100% Sémillon.
The wine shows a lovely pale golden color with deep golden highlights. Round and well-balanced offering complex aromas of candied fruits backed up by a hint of exotic fruit (mango, guava) and white flowers. On the palate, it is ample and fleshy, leading into a silky and long finish.   

The wine pairs well with white meats, scallops, exotic and spicy dishes, foie Gras, Roquefort blue cheese, chocolate desserts.

Hallet Sauternes is made from 100% Sémillon.
With delicate aromas of honey, citrus, crystallized fruit and acacia, it makes a good match not only for desserts, but also for foie gras, roasted meats and blue cheeses.

It makes a delicious aperitif when served chilled.

Graviere La Rouge Cuvee les Terrasses is made of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon

Deep red color with a narrow purple rim. Attractive aromas of ripe, juicy cherry and blackberry over spice, integrated toasted aromas. The palate is balanced and full-bodied with supple tannins, displaying rich cherry flavors combined with gentle toasting characters and a touch of spice. The finish is lasting with a bitter almond aftertaste.

Average age of the vines is 25 years. 
Manual harvest from September 21th to October 7th 2015.
Upon arrival at the winery, only the best grapes were selected using a sorting table.
Skin contact maceration during 2 weeks in temperature controlled vats. 
75% of the final wine was aged in stainless steel tanks with French oak staves and blended with 25% of wine aged in barrels.

Serve with red, white meats, poultry and fine cheeses.

All older vintage wines have been purchased from a single collectors cellar. Pictures can be requested before shipment.

Chateau Mazane Vacqueyras Rouge is made from 60% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 15% Mourvedre.

Ages in 30% Aged in oak, 70% concrete vats.

Medium-bodied, pure and elegant. It offers plenty of plum, blueberry, spring flowers and peppery notes. Beautifully textured, enjoy it over the coming 6-7 years.

Pair with with duck (roasted or grilled) as well as any grilled vegetables (eggplant, zucchini).

Soil types
The vineyard stretches over the plateau of scrubland that is ideally located between the terraces of the Ouvèze (tributary of the Rhone) and Dentelles de Montmirail, and constitutes pebbles soil debris of Dentelles de Montmirail and clay.

Winemaking
Traditional winemaking, temperature controlled fermentation.

Review:

"The 2020 Vacqueyras Château Mazane is terrific and well worth seeking out. Based on 60% Grenache, 25% Syrah, and the rest Mourvèdre, this medium-bodied, supple, elegant Vacqueyras has lots of red and black fruits, complex notes of peppery garrigue, sandalwood, and spice, polished tannins, and a great finish. Drink this beauty over the coming 7-8 years or so."

- Jeb Dunnuck (March 2023), 92 pts

Chateau Peymartin Saint-Julien is made from 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot.

Peymartin is the second wine of  Gloria, produced using the youngest vines (average 40 years-old) on the estate.

After a manual harvest, the grapes are vinified in thermo regulated stainless steel vats with malolactic in barrel. Peymartin spends approximately one year in cask followed by additional aging at the estate in bottel prior to release. The ensuing style of wine is typically a lighter and more elegant St. Julien, known for its early drinkability and charming character.

Tasting Notes:

Deep ruby-garnet in appearance, Peymartin is classic left-bank Bordeaux. Aromas of dried tobaco, cedar, blackcurrant, and pungent cooking spices greet the nose.  The palate is extremely elegant with ripe, yet structured tannins balanced by firm acidity, black fruits, savory earth, and hints of toasted vanilla.  A balanced and persistent finish underlines the wine's quality as well as its ability to hold up in bottle.

Segries Tavel Rose is made from 50% Grenache, 30% Cinsault, 15% Clairette, 5% Syrah. The age of the vines is 30 years. Traditional vinification at low temperature, "vin de saignée" with a maceration during one night in cement vat.

This is large for a Rose...structured and focused, with the color of dark ruby. The nose is loaded up with fresh fruit. Strawberry, blackcurrant, and raspberry beam from the glass. On the palate, the mouth-feel is ripe and succulent. It has strength, but maintains its fresh and crisp expression. The finish is filled with Asian spice and slight hints of smoke. Drink this juice now or over the next year or two.

Chateau Talbot Saint-Julien Grand Cru Classe is made from 69 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 26 % Merlot, 5 % Petit Verdot.

The wine presents a delicate and captivating nose of black fruits, fresh tobacco, peppermint and floral nuances. Ripe and juicy fruit flavors of black currants on the palate with well integrated velvety tannins and a beautiful refreshing acidity to the long finish.

For the 2018 vintage, a special packaging with a unique silkscreen printing bottle was created to mark the 100th anniversary of the Cordier Family's acquisition of Chateau Talbot

Pair with red meat, roast pork, game meat, poultry, hard cheeses, poached pear.

"Rich aromas of blackcurrant, blackberry, chocolate, tobacco and licorice. Oyster shell, too. It’s full-bodied with firm, well integrated tannins. Polished, silky layers with a long finish. Gorgeous ripe and bright fruit in the center palate. Best in a long time. Try from 2025."

Chateau Talbot Saint-Julien Grand Cru Classe is made from 69 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 26 % Merlot, 5 % Petit Verdot.

The wine presents a delicate and captivating nose of black fruits, fresh tobacco, peppermint and floral nuances. Ripe and juicy fruit flavors of black currants on the palate with well integrated velvety tannins and a beautiful refreshing acidity to the long finish.

For the 2018 vintage, a special packaging with a unique silkscreen printing bottle was created to mark the 100th anniversary of the Cordier Family's acquisition of Chateau Talbot

Pair with red meat, roast pork, game meat, poultry, hard cheeses, poached pear.

"Well-built and rather refined for the vintage, with a deep well of red and black currant paste and plum reduction flavors supported by a deeply inlaid iron note, all of which run the length of the wine. Offers subtle savory, tobacco and singed cedar notes that add range, with a savory echo that leaves a mouthwatering feel in the end. Built to cellar. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Best from 2025 through 2040. - James Molesworth"

- Wine Spectator (March 2022), 95 pts

Trois Moulins Haut-Medoc Cru is made from 52% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc.

Average age of vines: 19 years.

Aged 8 months in French oak barrels (1 year old barrels)

This wine is ripe and firm on the palate. Flavors of black plum skin and blackberry form a rich wine that is approachable at an early age.  This wine is weighted enough to balance the intense tannins, with enough acidic structure to lift the finish.

Chateau Vermont L'Ame Grand Vin de Bordeaux is made from 40% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc and 30% Petit Verdot.

L'AME de Vermont represents the culmination of 10 years of dedicated work, derived from select grapes of Chateau Vermont's best parcels, chiseled to be the ultimate extraction of their terroir and Spirit. This cuvée is the Winemaker's soul. It is a reflection of the requirements, precise work and desire to achieve perfection.

A rare and confidential wine, vinified and matured in new oak barrels. Fine wine, elegant and well-balanced, with vanilla notes coming from the oak aging and subtle scents of ripe black and red fruits. A beautiful structure and great aging potential.

Chavy Chouet Puligny Montrachet Les Enseigneres is 100 percent Chardonnay

100% Chardonnay, aged in 100% new French oak, displaying delightful, crisp, mineral aromas intertwined with toasty and vanilla notes. The result is a well balanced and harmonious Puligny of great finesse.

Aged in 100% New French oak

The Enseigneres is the most renowned of the Puligny-Montrachet villages, thanks to its exceptional geographical and geological location, along with its close neighbors Bienvenues-Batard-Montrachet and Batard-Montrachet.

Displaying delightful, crisp, mineral aromas intertwined with toasty and vanilla notes. The result is a well-balanced and harmonious Puligny-Montrachet of great finesse and good ageing potential.

Chavy-Chouet Bourgogne Blanc Femelottes is made form 100 percent Chardonnay.

This is a charming, rich, focused and delightful white. Medium-bodied with a smooth texture, the wine has a fresh backbone of acidity, clean apple and citrus flavors, and an excellent balance. A most refreshing quaff and one that is great value. A delicate, expressive wine of exceptional quality.

The grapes from this wine are grown from the Puligny-Montrachet area. (either outside of the AOC limit or with younger vines).

The grapes from this wine are grown from the Puligny-Montrachet area. (either outside of the AOC limit or with younger vines).
Aged 10 months in oak barrels (10% new, the rest in 2-3 year old barrels).