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Reviews for 2019

April 2019 - France

April 2019 - France
This month's Wine feature is French Wines

France Reviews

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Chateau Chantelune 2015 Jose Sanfins Margaux
95 points
$50
Chateau Chantelune
2015 Jose Sanfins Margaux
Garnet color. Aromas and flavors of pickled raspberry, roasted beets, suede, and apple cider with a vibrant, dry-yet-fruity fat body and a very long finish with touches of chestnut and mocha yogurt. An unctuous, seductive Bordeaux; fantastic concentration and length.
95 points $50
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Date Tasted:
Domaine le Montoire 2018 Sancerre
94 points
$50
Domaine le Montoire
2018 Sancerre
Emerald straw color. Fruity, floral aromas and flavors of citrus marmalades and peach blossoms with a silky, vibrant, fruity medium-to-full body and an effortless, complex, long finish manifesting accents of tropical fruit melange, lemon curd, and hint of wheatgrass with no oak flavor. A sensationally fragrant and vibrant Sancerre that is a great example.
94 points $50
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Date Tasted:
Domaine de Pradas 2016 Gigondas
93 points
$45
Domaine de Pradas
2016 Gigondas
Garnet black color. Interesting aromas and flavors of roasted berries on a cedar plank, peppercorns and pickling spices, fruit salad and sesame, and blossoms with a supple, bright, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a silky, engaging, medium-long finish that shows accents of cherry with medium, chewy tannins and no oak flavor. A ripe and rewarding Gigondas with a lot of flavor, personality, and sense of place.
93 points $45
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Date Tasted:
Maison de Grand Esprit 2015 La Mystèriale Lussac St. Emilion
93 points
$45
Maison de Grand Esprit
2015 La Mystèriale Lussac St. Emilion
Garnet color. Aromas of crushed raspberries, plum preserves, flaky pastry crust, acacia honey, and cocoa powder with a dryish full body and a medium-long black tea, leather, and earth finish. An earthy Bordeaux with brooding dark fruit.
93 points $45
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Date Tasted:
Maison de Grand Esprit 2015 Grand Esprit Saint-Estèphe Bordeaux
93 points
$100
Maison de Grand Esprit
2015 Grand Esprit Saint-Estèphe Bordeaux
Indigo color. Perfumed aromas and flavors of rose tea, rosehip jam, cherry relish, cedar, licorice, sweet buns, and spearmint with a lightly tannic, vibrant, dryish medium body and a nuanced, medium-long finish with firm tannins and moderate oak flavor. Layers and layers of flavor to explore in this delicious and elegant Saint-Estephe.
93 points $100
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Date Tasted:
Chateau La Fleur 2016 Montagne St. Emilion
92 points
$40
Chateau La Fleur
2016 Montagne St. Emilion
Garnet color. Aromas and flavors of cherry pan sauce, savory herb melange, and chocolate dipped candied orange peel with a crisp, dry-yet-fruity full body and a medium-long finish. A grippy Bordeaux for rich steaks now or later; drink through 2030
92 points $40
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Date Tasted:
Nicolas Potel 2016 Macon Villages
90 points
$15.99
Best Buy
Nicolas Potel
2016 Macon Villages
Gold color. Aromas and flavors of Bosc pear, flint, custard, white tea with honey, and lanolin with a vibrant, dry-yet-fruity medium-full body and a long finish. An fantastic example of Macon Villages; buy this great value.
90 points $15.99 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Thierry Delaunay 2018 Sauvignon Blanc
90 points
$30
Thierry Delaunay
2018 Sauvignon Blanc
Yellow color. Aromas of underripe melon and tarragon with a bright, fruity watery body and a easy sugar snap peas and orange supremes in whipped cream finish. A velvety Sauvignon Blanc with crisp citrus notes rounded by a creamy center and herbal accents.
90 points $30
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Date Tasted:
Maison de Grand Esprit 2016 LÊtre Magique Bourgogne Rouge
89 points
$25
Maison de Grand Esprit
2016 L'Être Magique Bourgogne Rouge
Light garnet color. Aromas and flavors of honeyed cherry and watermelon with a silky, crisp, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a sleek, interesting, medium-length finish that exhibits accents of white strawberry and cedar with a suggestion of oak flavor. A bright and lively red Burgundy with a charming style.
89 points $25
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Date Tasted:
Domaine Les Hauts de Mercurol 2016 Crozes-Hermitage Rouge
89 points
$35
Domaine Les Hauts de Mercurol
2016 Crozes-Hermitage Rouge
Black violet color. Aromas of mulberry, boysenberry, pine, tobacco, and forest mushrooms with a satiny, crisp, fruity medium-to-full body and an effortless, interesting, medium-length coconut-almond and black pepper finish with well-integrated tannins and light oak flavor. A really nicely integrated Rhone wine for the table; spicy and balanced.
89 points $35
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Date Tasted:
Château Marchand 2016 Montagne St. Emilion
89 points
$40
Château Marchand
2016 Montagne St. Emilion
Garnet color. Aromas of fine leather, dry earth, dry rub spices, and perfume with a vibrant, dryish medium-to-full body and a medium-long pickled berries and toasty oak finish. A dry, spicy Bordeaux that will marry well with grilled meats.
89 points $40
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Date Tasted:
Blanc de Lys 2018 Sauvignon Blanc
88 points
$20
Blanc de Lys
2018 Sauvignon Blanc
Emerald straw color. Aromas of lime and honeydew melon with a supple, crisp, dry-yet-fruity light body and a smooth, medium-long sweet herbs, limestone, and Bosc pear finish with no oak flavor. A charming Loire sauvignon blanc with a juicy, lingering finish.
88 points $20
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Date Tasted:
Nicolas Potel 2017 Pouilly-Fuissé
88 points
$21.99
Nicolas Potel
2017 Pouilly-Fuissé
Golden straw color. Aromas and flavors of poached and dried apple, pineapple husk, and honeycomb with a supple, soft, fruity light-to-medium body and a seamless, fast finish with overtones of dew-kissed apple skin, vanilla nuts, papaya and guava, and hint earth. A reserved and balanced French white wine.
88 points $21.99
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Date Tasted:
Nicolas Potel 2017 Pinot Noir
87 points
$17.99
Nicolas Potel
2017 Pinot Noir
Light ruby color. Fruity aromas of cherry and raspberry semifreddo with a satiny, crisp, dryish light body and a sleek, breezy forest floor and bark finish with a suggestion of oak flavor. A solid everyday Bourgogne Rouge with nice fruit and texture.
87 points $17.99
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Date Tasted:
Maison de Grand Esprit 2016 LÊtre Magique Bordeaux Rouge
87 points
$20
Maison de Grand Esprit
2016 L'Être Magique Bordeaux Rouge
Garnet color. Aromas and flavors of spice cabinet, marinated cranberry, toasted coconut, and nutskin with a vibrant, dry medium body and a medium-length finish that presents notes of melon rind. A dry and grippy Bordeaux great for weeknight steaks.
87 points $20
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Date Tasted:
Les Murets Blancs 2017 Sauvignon Blanc
87 points
$25
Les Murets Blancs
2017 Sauvignon Blanc
Yellow color. Aromas and flavors of fresh dill, peach-pineapple salsa, Meyer lemon zest, and crystallized ginger with a bright, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a medium-long finish imparting nuances of tomatillo leaf. A green, highly herbal sauvignon blanc for distinctive springtime pairings.
87 points $25
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Date Tasted:
Maison de Grand Esprit 2015 La Mystèriale Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge
87 points
$45
Maison de Grand Esprit
2015 La Mystèriale Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge
Deep purple color. Aromas of lingonberry, wild strawberry, and clove with a satiny, vibrant, dryish medium body and a peppery, elegant, long pine, black pepper, blackened toast, and nutella finish with grippy tannins and moderate oak flavor. A lengthy Chateauneuf du Pape with nice cellar potential.
87 points $45
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Date Tasted:
Maison de Grand Esprit 2017 LÊtre Magique Côtes de Provence
86 points
$17
Maison de Grand Esprit
2017 L'Être Magique Côtes de Provence
Pale khaki orange color. Minerally aromas and flavors of honey-almond, wild cherry, and limestone with a silky, vibrant, dry light body and a peppery, brisk finish manifesting notes of white pepper with no oak flavor. A delicate, charming rose from Provence.
86 points $17
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Date Tasted:
Fil Dore 2017 Pinot Gris
86 points
$18.99
Fil Dore
2017 Pinot Gris
Steely orange color. Aromas and flavors of dried orange, cantaloupe, white clover flowers, and lemon balm with a supple, bright, dryish light body and a smooth, brisk finish. A friendly and warming Pinot Gris.
86 points $18.99
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Date Tasted:
Domaine Joel Delaunay 2018 Sauvignon Blanc
86 points
$30
Domaine Joel Delaunay
2018 Sauvignon Blanc
Yellow color. Aroma of fallen peach with a crisp, dryish light body and an even, breezy Meyer lemon and cream finish. A mellow Sauvignon Blanc in a snappy style.
86 points $30
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Date Tasted:
Chevalier du Grand Robert 2015 Bordeaux Bordeaux Rogue
85 points
$12
Chevalier du Grand Robert
2015 Bordeaux Bordeaux Rogue
Dark ruby color. Aromas of raspberry tart, ripe plum, raspberry sorbet, and bell pepper relish with a slightly chewy, bright, dry medium body and a breezy graham cracker, dates, and mulling spices finish with moderate oak flavor. A solid Bordeaux to enhance the table.
85 points $12
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Date Tasted:
Nicolas Potel 2017 Beaujolais-Villages
85 points
$14.99
Nicolas Potel
2017 Beaujolais-Villages
Deep purple color. Fruity, creamy aromas and flavors of raspberry and cherry compote, honey creme Anglaise, red grapes, and cedar with a silky, bright, dry-yet-fruity medium body and an even, delightful, medium-long finish that shows notes of apple and clementine relish, nut skin, beets, and dried purple flowers with crunchy, earthy tannins and a suggestion of oak flavor. A rock solid Beaujolais that hits the spot.
85 points $14.99
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Date Tasted:
Chevalier du Grand Robert 2016 Haut Medoc France
85 points
$18
Chevalier du Grand Robert
2016 Haut Medoc France
Garnet color. Aromas of spice cabinet, tobacco, and wet iron with a supple, bright, dry medium body and a relaxed sliced plum and biscuit finish with drying tannins and moderate oak flavor. A restrained Bordeaux with solid structure for pairing.
85 points $18
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Date Tasted:
Chevalier du Grand Robert 2018 Dry Rosè Merlot
84 points
$14
Chevalier du Grand Robert
2018 Dry Rosè Merlot
Siam color. Aromas and flavors of wild cherries, honeyed tomato, and aloe with a supple, soft, dryish light-to-medium body and a medium-length finish that shows suggestions of nuts, cherry pit and stem, and birch bark with dusty, barky tannins and light oak flavor. A dry, earthy and delicate rose for the table.
84 points $14
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Date Tasted:
Jean Montbray 2017 Vouvray
84 points
$25
Jean Montbray
2017 Vouvray
Silvery emerald straw color. Aromas of dried peach, lavender, lemon verbena, beeswax, and steamed rice with a satiny, bright, off-dry light-to-medium body and a sleek, carefree melon, sweet pineapple, and saline finish with no oak flavor. An off-dry Vouvray full of citrus and soft fruits; and effortless quaffer.
84 points $25
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Date Tasted:
Domaine des Cabotieres 2018 Sauvignon Blanc
84 points
$30
Domaine des Cabotieres
2018 Sauvignon Blanc
Straw green color. Aromas of underripe pineapple and wet stone with a supple, bright, dry light body and a smooth, brisk wool finish with no oak flavor. An easy-drinking sauvignon blanc with a light-on-its-feet style.
84 points $30
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Date Tasted:
Chevalier du Grand Robert 2016 Pinot Noir
83 points
$14
Chevalier du Grand Robert
2016 Pinot Noir
Light ruby color. Aromas and flavors of dried cranberry, nuts, cherry cola, and black tea with a slightly chewy, crisp, dryish light-to-medium body and an effortless, short finish with elements of ink with moderate oak flavor. A table-friendly red for weeknight meals.
83 points $14
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Date Tasted:
Andre Farjon 2017 Plan de Dieu Côtes-du-Rhône Villages Rouge
83 points
$25
Andre Farjon
2017 Plan de Dieu Côtes-du-Rhône Villages Rouge
Ruby black color. Aromas and flavors of raspberry sorbet, sesame cracker, and newsprint with a silky, bright, dryish medium body and a brisk finish. A mild and savory Cotes du Rhone.
83 points $25
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Date Tasted:
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