A so-called “yellow wine”, pale wildflower yellow in the cup, like some white wines. A perfect pair to an antique couch upholstered with pale yellow floral embroidery (like the one in the background), preferably in a very sunny open-air conservatory or screened-in porch (which this isn’t). Smells of soft Bourbon vanilla wafting from a freshly…
Category: France
Review – White Wine: 2010 La Grenouille, Bligny-Les-Beaune, Rully, France
A picturebook-style frog on the label helps hint to those who may not be so familiar with French. Its boulder-shaped head leans heavily to the right, threatening to fall off its shoulders, while the eyes have already made their way up and out; and yet it still grins as widely as possible, as if it…
Review – Red Wine: 2009 Château Patache d’Aux Médoc, Jean-Michel Lapalu Cru Bourgeois, Bordeaux, France
This wine breathes functions like a Cabernet Sauvignon but is so very dark, nearly 99% opaque in the glass, that one expects a great, deep, bull-bodied, rich punch. First sip suggests a good enjoyable wine worth the price. Yet, while the aroma has the fullness of a dark wine, it is nothing unique compared to…
Review – White Wine: 2010 Domaine Serge Dagueneau & Filles, Pouilly Fumé Les Pentes, Pouilly-Sur-Loire, France
Very inviting aroma calling to mind late spring or very early summer high mountainous hills chock full of tall whispy wildflowers (Queen Anne’s Lace, Black Eyed Susans, Cosmos, etc.) sprinkled with morning sundew, with a crisp glacier freshness of the higher mountains being carried in the light breeze. It curiously has something in common with…
Review – White Wine: Chardonnay de Chardonnay, Mâconnais, Burgundy (Bourgogne), France
Smells like a typical robust Chardonnay but tastes close to a Riesling – on the sweeter side for a Chardonnay. Its golden-yellow hue complements its honey-apple taste (cross between Golden Delicious and Granny Smith lightly glazed in clover honey) well. Sweetness doesn’t linger though unless one drinks a lot rather quickly. As a sipping wine,…
Review – Red Wine: 2008 Lionel Osmin & Cie Mon Adour, Madiran, France
Good, sharp, quickly enjoyed by several; but further review must wait for the next bottle. Grape: 70% Tannat, 20% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon Bottle opened & wine tasted: 2013 February 13th Review written: 2013 February 14th
Review – Red Wine: 2007 Château L’Hospitalet La Reserve, La Clape (Languedoc-Roussillon), France
Like the bottle and label itself, L’Hospitalet has a single distinct and straightforward personality without attempting to flirt around with other notes, undertones, hints, and hues. Give it at least half an hour to one hour to open up to the nose. What is revealed is a mature but thin (“skinny”) grape – sharp in…
Review – White Wine: 2011 Domaine Michel a Clessé, Mâcon Villages (Burgundy/Bourgogne), France
Decent, especially for the price, but much more correct at the retail (non-resto) price. Ever so slightly sweet just to keep you curious and entertained through the dryness. The flavors start to develop much better after a glass and/or after a few appetizers. Best with light food, small portions. Sharp, washes down creamy dishes (soup, soft…
Review – Liquor: P. Grassa Fille & Fils Floc de Gascogne, Château de Tariquet, Eauze, France
Very sweet in a soothing mellow way like mead; also soft like mead and perhaps half to a third as sharp as cognac. Very much honey-apple in flavor. (Only had a tiny rushed glass; requires follow-up review.) Follow-up review, about 19 days after bottle has been opened, re-capped, & recently chilled: Still so smooth and…
Review – Red Wine: 2010 Villa des Anges, Cabernet Sauvignon, Languedoc Roussillon, France
Very smooth dark burgundy grape aroma, reflected in the hue and typical aromatic tone of a Cabernet but smoother than average. First sip imparts a feisty zing to the tongue, especially the tip and frontal region… but the zing was no doubt at least partly due to the super salty Pecorino Romano cheese that attacked…
Culinary Poetry 