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Reviews for 2019

November 2019 - France

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

France Reviews

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Alfred Tritant NV Mes Racines Grand Cru Brut Champagne Champagne
93 points
$58
Alfred Tritant
NV Mes Racines Grand Cru Brut Champagne Champagne
Pale golden straw color. Aromas of honeyed brioche, dried mango, chamomile, lemon curd, buttercream, limestone, and toast with a velvety, vibrant, finely carbonated, dryish light-to-medium body and a smooth, complex, medium-long dried apricot and toasted almonds finish. A bright, fruity, lengthy Champagne that’s an elegant and complex choice for fine celebrations.
93 points $58
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Date Tasted:
Mod NV Réserve Champagne
93 points
$300
Mod
NV Réserve Champagne
Straw green color. Aromas and flavors of parker dinner rolls, salted butter, pie crusts, cantaloupe, and parmesan with a satiny, vibrant, effervescent, fruity light-to-medium body and a smooth, charming, medium-long finish displaying accents of honeysuckle, hazelnut, apricot preserves, meyer lemon, and acacia blossoms. A rich and muscular Champagne with a transformative finish.
93 points $300
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Date Tasted:
Mod NV Blanc de Noirs Champagne
93 points
$450
Mod
NV Blanc de Noirs Champagne
Golden straw color. Aromas and flavors of sultana studded brioche, toasted pine nuts and pineapple cake with a silky, crisp, finely carbonated, dry light-to-medium body and a smooth, interesting, medium-long finish imparting nuances of hazelnut creme, toffee, and lemon marmalade with a suggestion of oak flavor. A nicely mature Champagne with great nutty character; an excellent toast for special occasions.
93 points $450
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Date Tasted:
Mod 2008 Rosé Champagne
93 points
$550
Mod
2008 Rosé Champagne
Bright amber salmon color. Aromas of roasted nuts, panettone, pressed flowers, and prune with a round, vibrant, effervescent, dry light-to-medium body and a sleek, interesting, medium-long honeyed toast, walnuts, and turmeric finish. A muscular and mature champagne with sultry roasted character
93 points $550
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Date Tasted:
Mod NV Blanc de Blancs Champagne
92 points
$450
Mod
NV Blanc de Blancs Champagne
Pale straw color. Yeasty aromas of fresh croissant, honey butter, spiced apples, and apricot preserve with a supple, vibrant, finely carbonated, dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body and a smooth, interesting, medium-long toasted hawaiian roll, crushed almonds, and sponge cake finish with crunchy tannins and light oak flavor. A vibrant and fresh Champagne with vivid notes of fresh croissant.
92 points $450
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Date Tasted:
Mod 2008 Réserve Champagne
92 points
$480
Mod
2008 Réserve Champagne
Golden yellow color. Aromas of fresh baked ciabatta, panettone, roasted walnut, and roasted mushrooms with a velvety, vibrant, finely carbonated, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a warming, engaging, medium-length lemon curd on crumpets, chalk, and pineapple sauce finish. A fruits and toast reign supreme in this full-bodied champagne with great minerality.
92 points $480
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Date Tasted:
Rémy Pannier 2018 Sancerre Sauvignon Blanc
91 points
$33.99
Rémy Pannier
2018 Sancerre Sauvignon Blanc
Pale golden straw color. Aromas and flavors of dressed white asparagus, citron, onion jam, and pineapple studded brioche with a satiny, vibrant, fruity medium body and a refreshing, medium-length finish that shows notes of preserved lemon. A juicy Sancerre with sophisticated herbal notes and sturdy structure.
91 points $33.99
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Chevalier du Grand Robert 2018 Sauvignon Blanc
90 points
$14
Best Buy
Chevalier du Grand Robert
2018 Sauvignon Blanc
Straw green color. Aromas and flavors of wheat grass, underripe peach, and lily with a satiny, crisp, dryish light-to-medium body and a smooth, refreshing, medium-long finish with touches of lime, ripe melon, and spiced pear. A crisp, fresh, easy-drinking Loire Sauvignon Blanc with a great balance of fruit and herbaceousness.
90 points $14 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Nicolas Potel 2017 Chardonnay
90 points
$15.99
Best Buy
Nicolas Potel
2017 Chardonnay
Golden straw color. Aromas and flavors of heirloom apple, pastry crust, hay, and bruleed banana with a satiny, crisp, fruity light body and a polished, captivating, medium-length finish displaying notes of honey and onion tart with light oak flavor. A lovely Macon Villages that offers bright fruit, toasty yet restrained oak, and harmonious flavors.
90 points $15.99 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Mod NV Rosé Champagne
90 points
$400
Mod
NV Rosé Champagne
Bright khaki orange color. Aromas and flavors of honeyed brioche, roasted nuts, and dried strawberry with a satiny, vibrant, finely carbonated, dryish medium body and a smooth, interesting, medium-length finish manifesting impressions of panettone, dried apricot, and toffee. A toasty Champagne with rich nutty notes; a classic rose Champagne.
90 points $400
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Date Tasted:
Abarbanel 2017 Special Reserve Rouge Pays dOc IGP
89 points
$18.99
Abarbanel
2017 Special Reserve Rouge Pays d'Oc IGP
Garnet black color. Aromas and flavors of blackberry, red currants, charcuterie, spiced nuts, and dried herbs with a satiny, vibrant, dryish medium body and a tingling, interesting, medium-long finish that shows nuances of pickled strawberry and tobacco. A satisfying, table-friendly French red that will be a real crowd pleaser.
89 points $18.99
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Date Tasted:
Chateau de la Chapelle 2016 Grand Vin de Bordeaux Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux
89 points
$40
Chateau de la Chapelle
2016 Grand Vin de Bordeaux Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux
Garnet black color. Aromas and flavors of rose hips, braised meats, berries, black tea, espresso bean, and fondant with a slightly chewy, vibrant, dry-yet-fruity medium-full body and a seamless, interesting, medium-length finish revealing notes of banana with firm tannins and moderate oak flavor. A dense and well-structured Bordeaux with attractive aromas and highly pairable flavors.
89 points $40
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Date Tasted:
Chateau Guillou 2016 Grand Vin de Bordeaux Montagne St. Emilion
89 points
$50
Chateau Guillou
2016 Grand Vin de Bordeaux Montagne St. Emilion
Garnet black color. Inviting aromas and flavors of cranberry sauce, rhubarb, glazed beets, berry muffin, and toffee with a supple, vibrant, fruity medium-to-full body and a polished, layered, medium-long finish manifesting shades of leather and roasted cashew with well-integrated, silky tannins and moderate oak flavor. A chewy, bright, appetizing red Bordeaux that will sing at the table.
89 points $50
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Date Tasted:
Abarbanel 2018 Chateau de Pougelon Beaujolais-Villages
88 points
$18.99
Abarbanel
2018 Chateau de Pougelon Beaujolais-Villages
Violet color. Aromas of ripe blackberries, pomegranate, black pepper, and dried herbs with a satiny, crisp, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a seamless, medium-length charcoal finish with coarse tannins and moderate oak flavor. A solid red that’s easy to pair with.
88 points $18.99
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Date Tasted:
Rémy Pannier 2018 Vouvray Chenin Blanc
88 points
$18.99
Rémy Pannier
2018 Vouvray Chenin Blanc
Light gold color. Aromas and flavors of lanolin, pressed flowers, peach tart, and lemon chiffon cake with a satiny, bright, off-dry light-to-medium body and an even, medium-length finish with suggestions of minerals and pineapple confection. A pillowy, understated Vouvray.
88 points $18.99
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Date Tasted:
La Croix Saint Jean 2017 du Pere Michel Minervois
87 points
$12
Best Buy
La Croix Saint Jean
2017 du Pere Michel Minervois
Black violet color. Aromas and flavors of dark chocolate, cashew fruit, caramel, chocolate cookies, and pumpkin loaf with a velvety, lively, fruity medium-full body and a tingling, medium-length finish with moderate oak flavor. A bold and toasty red that will be a great winter warmer.
87 points $12 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Rémy Pannier 2018 Rosé dAnjou Loire Valley
87 points
$13.99
Best Buy
Rémy Pannier
2018 Rosé d'Anjou Loire Valley
Steely pink coral color. Aromas and flavors of strawberry-scented candle, ripe apricot, and wild raspberry with a satiny, bright, off-dry light-to-medium body and a graceful, breezy finish with no oak flavor. A juicy, off-dry Rose that’s fruit-forward and palate-pleasing.
87 points $13.99 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Pendeloque 2018 Red Blend Pays dOc IGP
86 points
$17.99
Pendeloque
2018 Red Blend Pays d'Oc IGP
Black ruby color. Aromas and flavors of fig jam, balsamic reduction, boysenberry, fruit cake, and chocolate ganache with a round, crisp, dryish medium-full body and a seamless, carefree finish with chewy tannins and moderate oak flavor. A big and chewy red for substantial meals.
86 points $17.99
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Date Tasted:
Wine Spots 2018 Bordeaux AOC
86 points
$19
Wine Spots
2018 Bordeaux AOC
Deep purple color. Aromas and flavors of boysenberry jam, compressed watermelon, and cola with a satiny, vibrant, fruity medium body and a warming, medium-length finish that exhibits notes of dark chocolate with chewy tannins and moderate oak flavor. A friendly, fruity Bordeaux that will please a lot of palates.
86 points $19
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Date Tasted:
Chateau Fayan 2018 Grand Vin de Bordeaux Puisseguin St. Emilion
86 points
$50
Chateau Fayan
2018 Grand Vin de Bordeaux Puisseguin St. Emilion
Burnt sienna color. Aromas and flavors of boysenberry jam, plum pudding a la mode, dried figs, and patent leather with a slightly chewy, crisp, dry-yet-fruity medium-full body and a smooth, charming, medium-long finish displaying accents of roasted walnut and rose petal with chewy tannins and moderate oak flavor. A sturdy Bordeaux with interesting floral nuances; lay down and discover how its flavors develop.
86 points $50
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Date Tasted:
Abarbanel 2018 Les Chemins de Favarelle Chardonnay
83 points
$13.99
Abarbanel
2018 Les Chemins de Favarelle Chardonnay
Golden straw color. Aromas of golden apples, green apple candies, and circus peanuts with a supple, bright, fruity light body and a smooth, short apple muffin and orange spritz finish. An easy Chardonnay quaffer.
83 points $13.99
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Date Tasted:
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