Winery
of the Week:
French Sips for Spring
By FBWorld Team
If
you can't spend this spring roaming around the world-renowned
grape growing regions in France, luckily you can still experience
a piece of them through their wines. Here are a handful that
our tasting panel sampled recently which are sure to please
your palate. À votre santé!
Click
on labels to enlarge |
Lafite
Réserve 2011 Spéciale Bordeaux Blanc
Winery:
Lafite Réserve
Grape(s): 60% Semmillon & 40% Sauvignon
Blanc
Region: Bordeaux, France
Year: 2011
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: 15-20
Review:
Aromas of grapefruit, lime, and tropical hints rise up
from a glass. Notes of citrus fruit and pineapple come
forth on the palate with accents of minerals. A bright,
lively white with a fresh acidity, enjoy a bottle with
a light shrimp pasta.
Rating: 89 |
|
Domaine
de la Perrière 2012 Sancerre Blanc
Winery:
Domaine de la Perrière
Grape(s): 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Lorie Valley, France
Year: 2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: 20 -25
Review:
A bouquet of grapefruit, gooseberry, and lime greets the
senses. A sip reveals flavors of lively citrus fruits
accented by fresh minerals. Crisp and lively, yet still
supple, shell fish would make an ideal pairing.
Rating: 89 |
|
Le
Domaine Saget 2012 Pouilly-Fume
Winery:
Le Domaine Saget
Grape(s): 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Lorie Valley, France
Year: 2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: 30-35
Review:
Aromatics of citrus fruits and peach melds a slight accents
of minerals and blossoms on the nose. The palate delivers
flavors of tart peach, lemon, and lime mingle with suggestions
of springtime flowers. A crisp, round wine with a lovely
complexity of layers, connoisseurs will enjoy this bottle
very much.
Rating: 92 |
|
Prieuré
de Montézargues 2013 Tavel Rosé
Winery:
Prieuré de Montézargues
Grape(s): 55% Grenaches (red & white),
30% Cinsault, 13% Clairette, 2% Others
Region: Rhone Valley, France
Year: 2013
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: 20-25
Review:
Fragrances of bright red berries and nectarines rise up
from a glass. With a sip, flavors of raspberry, cherry,
and nectarine emerge. A crisp acidity and mineral highlights
make this a lively Rosé.
Rating: 89 |
|
Chateau
La Nerthe 2010 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge
Winery:
Chateau La Nerthe
Grape(s): 48% Grehache, 29% Syrah, 22%
Mourvedre, & 1% Cinsault
Region: Rhone Valley, France
Year: 2010
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: 55-60
Review:
Aromas of currants and black cherries mingle with hints
of earth on the nose. The palate delivers notes of cherry,
red currants, and blackberry that open up into suggestions
of pepper, minerals, and cedar. Nicely layered, with peppy
flavors and fine tannins, it's an excellent showcase for
Rhone blends.
Rating: 92 |
|
Lafite
Réserve Spéciale 2010 Bordeaux Rouge
Winery:
Lafite Réserve
Grape(s): 70% Merlot & 30% Cabernet
Sauvignon
Region: Bordeaux, France
Year: 2010
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: 15-20
Review:
Aromatics of currants, blackberries, and cherries are
accented by hints of licorice and toasty oak on the nose.
Flavors of bramble fruit, black currants, and bing cherry
open up into notes of minerals and anise on the palate.
A light, dry red with balanced tannins, it hits the right
notes for a Bordeaux blend in its price range.
Rating: 88 |
By
Jason Barlow
96
— 100 |
Spectacular |
92
— 95 |
Outstanding |
89
— 91 |
Great |
85
— 88 |
Good |
81
— 84 |
Solid |
|
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