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France
Reviews for 2018

April 2018 - France

April 2018 - France
This month's Wine feature is French Wines

France Reviews

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Chateau Moncets 2012 Lalande de Pomerol
94 points
$60
Chateau Moncets
2012 Lalande de Pomerol
Garnet black color. Peppery, elegant aromas of suede, incense, blueberry compote, sweet pea blossom, wild mint, flint, and smoky tobacco with a round, vibrant, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a warming, complex, medium-long fine leather chair, graphite, peppered pastrami, and herbs de Provence finish with well-integrated tannins and moderate oak flavor. A bright and complex gentle-giant Bordeaux that is ready to drink or cellar.
94 points $60
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Date Tasted:
Chateau de Gayon 2012 dou Hauret Madiran
93 points
Chateau de Gayon
2012 dou Hauret Madiran
Dusty black ruby color. Interesting aromas and flavors of warm dates, espresso dusted blueberries, pimento, raspberry candy, root beer, black olive, and white balsamic with a round, vibrant, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a graceful, delightful, medium-length finish with overtones of marinated carrots, dill, and graphite with moderate oak flavor. A distinctive red with bold acidity that will make for exciting pairings.
93 points
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Date Tasted:
Chateau Troussas 2014 Cru Bourgeois Médoc
93 points
$66
Chateau Troussas
2014 Cru Bourgeois Médoc
Black garnet color. Interesting, rustic aromas of kriek lambic, blueberry jam, barnyard, lilac, dark chocolate, coffee, eucalyptus, and cola with a lightly tannic, lively, dry-yet-fruity full body and a complex, long sandalwood, clove, and sesame finish with firm tannins and moderate oak flavor. A soulful, rustic Medoc that is a true charmer.
93 points $66
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Date Tasted:
Chateau Grandchemin Monplaisir 2015 St. Estèphe
92 points
$29.99
Chateau Grandchemin Monplaisir
2015 St. Estèphe
Bright dusty ruby color. Inviting aromas of ripe cherry, fresh leather, warm cherry wood shavings, violet, and espresso beans with a velvety, vibrant, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a smooth, complex, long moist tobacco, candied orange, dried figs and dates, and chocolate shavings finish with well-integrated, medium tannins and moderate oak flavor. A dreamy Bordeaux that is ready to drink but will keep developing beautiful flavors with cellaring.
92 points $29.99
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Date Tasted:
Baron-Jacques 2017 Cuvée Domaine Sauvignon Blanc
92 points
$35
Baron-Jacques
2017 Cuvée Domaine Sauvignon Blanc
Straw color. Citrusy, clean aromas of dried grapefruit wheels, aloe, greenhouse, fresh daiquiri, and lavender with a silky, lively, dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body and a smooth, compelling, medium-length meyer lemon, underripe tropical fruit, and tahini finish with fruit tannins and no oak flavor. A pure and fresh Sauvignon Blanc with pleasant herbaceousness and enticing fruit.
92 points $35
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Date Tasted:
Francois de la Roche 2017 Sauvignon Blanc
91 points
Francois de la Roche
2017 Sauvignon Blanc
Clear straw color. Aromas of fresh linen, lime cordial, and melon rind with a silky, vibrant, dryish full body and a seamless, breezy grapefruit supremes, plantain, meyer lemon, and heirloom tomato sorbet finish with no oak flavor. A pleasing, bright sipper with great versatility.
91 points
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Date Tasted:
La Cave d’Augustin Florent 2016 Chablis
91 points
$45
La Cave d’Augustin Florent
2016 Chablis
Clear straw color. Aromas of wildflowers, honeycomb, underripe peach, and matchstick with a satiny, crisp, dryish light body and a smooth, interesting, medium-long wet stone, fresh parsnip, and fresh herb vinaigrette finish with soft, fruit tannins and no oak flavor. A spot-on Chablis with a sense of harmony and great minerality.
91 points $45
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Date Tasted:
Chais du Batard 2016 Grande Reserve Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge
90 points
Chais du Batard
2016 Grande Reserve Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge
Deep purple color. Fruity aromas of rose petals, ripe cherries, black peppercorn, and herbs de provence with a round, crisp, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a compelling, medium-length fennel sausage, ripe raspberry, and red currants finish with medium tannins and moderate oak flavor. A rustic and earthy Chateauneuf du Pape with a welcome surge of fruit.
90 points
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Date Tasted:
Chais du Batard 2016 Grande Reserve Gigondas
90 points
Chais du Batard
2016 Grande Reserve Gigondas
Deep purple color. Fruity aromas of fresh strawberry jam, red and black licorice, herbs de provence, and watermelon with a round, crisp, fruity medium body and a refreshing, medium-length blueberry fruit leather and bacon jam finish with medium tannins and moderate oak flavor. A mouthfilling Gigondas with delicious juicy berry appeal and a touch of sweetness.
90 points
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Date Tasted:
Guy Allion 2017 Les Acacias Touraine
90 points
Guy Allion
2017 Les Acacias Touraine
Clear silvery khaki color. Aromas of rambutan, peach-mango, and taro custard with a vibrant, dryish light body and an even, buoyant bitter lemon finish with no oak flavor. A mouthwatering sauvignon blanc from Tourraine with notes of exotic fruit.
90 points
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Date Tasted:
90+ Cellars 2016 Red Languedoc AOP
90 points
$11.99
Best Buy
90+ Cellars
2016 Red Languedoc AOP
Dusty violet color. Aromas of match head, wild berries, rhubarb pie, marinated strawberries, and wet leaves with a slightly chewy, vibrant, medium-to-full body and a tingling, carefree lavender and black tea finish with chewy tannins and light oak flavor. A juicy Languedoc red for delicious pairings.
90 points $11.99 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Chateau Bonnin Pichon 2015 Lussac St. Emilion
90 points
$48
Chateau Bonnin Pichon
2015 Lussac St. Emilion
Garnet black color. Aromas of red apple, marinated berries, prosciutto, plum butter, rosemary, and cedar with a velvety, vibrant, dryish medium-full body and a peppery, complex, medium-long soy sauce, black pepper, cherry skins, and oregano finish with moderate oak flavor. A St. Emilion with great structure that is built for the long haul; discover its beauty after years of cellaring.
90 points $48
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Date Tasted:
Chateau Baudan 2014 Cru Bourgeois Listrac-Médoc
90 points
$60
Chateau Baudan
2014 Cru Bourgeois Listrac-Médoc
Dark garnet black color. Aromas and flavors of lacquered wood, honeyed dried black fruit, sesame glaze, toasty espresso, and nut and date bar with a round, vibrant, fruity medium-to-full body and a warming, interesting, medium-long finish that shows notes of forest floor, spiced plum, hickory, and pencil shavings with firm tannins and moderate oak flavor. A robust Bordeaux; skillfully made with tannins built for cellaring.
90 points $60
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Date Tasted:
Chais du Batard 2016 Grande Reserve Lirac Rouge
89 points
Chais du Batard
2016 Grande Reserve Lirac Rouge
Garnet color. Fresh aromas and flavors of ripe plum, smoked peppercorns, blueberry preserve, sage, and wet rose petal with a velvety, crisp, fruity medium-to-full body and a polished, amusing, medium-length finish with notes of wild mint with a suggestion of oak flavor. A balanced, effortlessly drinkable Rhone red for every occasion.
89 points
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Date Tasted:
Francois de la Roche 2017 La Coulée Sauvignon Blanc
89 points
Francois de la Roche
2017 La Coulée Sauvignon Blanc
Pale yellow straw color. Citrusy, spicy aromas and flavors of lemongrass, ginger, pineapple gummy bear, and white grapefruit with a satiny, crisp, dry light-to-medium body and an effortless, breezy finish manifesting nuances of fresh green tomato with no oak flavor. A green Sauvignon Blanc for easy pairing.
89 points
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Date Tasted:
Guy Allion 2017 La Maison Neuve Touraine
89 points
Guy Allion
2017 La Maison Neuve Touraine
Clear steely khaki color. Aromas of passion fruit, lime zest, and white asparagus with a satiny, vibrant, dryish light-to-medium body and a sleek, breezy underripe peach, tart pineapple, celery, and hearts of palm finish with no oak flavor. A savory and bright Sauvignon Blanc; very pairable.
89 points
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Date Tasted:
La Cave d’Augustin Florent 2016 Pinot Noir
89 points
$32
La Cave d’Augustin Florent
2016 Pinot Noir
Light ruby color. Aromas and flavors of sour cherry, fresh tarragon, and pomegranate with a satiny, vibrant, dry-yet-fruity light body and a smooth, medium-length finish that presents accents of allspice dusted lime peel and wet slate with silky tannins. A ripe and cheerful Bourgogne for every occasion.
89 points $32
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Date Tasted:
La Cave d’Augustin Florent 2016 Macon Villages
89 points
$35
La Cave d’Augustin Florent
2016 Macon Villages
Clear yellow straw color. Aromas of green almond, tangerine zest, lemon curd, and marzipan with a satiny, vibrant, dryish light body and a sleek, medium-length green apple and almonds in creme finish with soft tannins and no oak flavor. A bright white Macon; a solid choice for fans of the style.
89 points $35
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Date Tasted:
Mission St. Vincent 2015 Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon
88 points
$11.99
Best Buy
Mission St. Vincent
2015 Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon
Garnet black color. Fruity aromas of red cassis, vanilla creme anglaise, ripe plums, Nutella, and baking spices with a slightly chewy, crisp, dry-yet-fruity medium-full body and a tingling, medium-length ganache, ivory, and dried leaves finish with chewy tannins and moderate oak flavor. A nice, versatile Bordeaux with rich chocolate flavors.
88 points $11.99 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Domaines Brocard 2015 Pierre de Préhy Chablis
87 points
$45
Domaines Brocard
2015 Pierre de Préhy Chablis
Clear golden straw color. Creamy aromas and flavors of egg yolk, béchamel, tete de moines cheese, and lemon pith with a silky, soft, dry light-to-medium body and a breezy finish with shades of broiled lemon, nickel, and straw matting with soft, fruit tannins and no oak flavor. A solid Chablis for delicate pairing.
87 points $45
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Date Tasted:
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