Elicio Blanc,

Sweet Relief

(by Anna Henscey)

 

Rosé All Day (June 2021 by Jenn Rice),

Raleigh Magazine

 

Best of Year Picks 2020/21

2019 Saumur Blanc “l’Enchanteur”

“The 2019 Saumur Blanc “l’Enchanteur” from Domaine Armand David is a lovely bottle of chenin blanc, with the wine aged in older oak casks for fourteen months prior to bottling. The bouquet is bright and youthfully complex, offering up scents of quince, fresh pineapple, chalky soil tones, beeswax, white lilies and a nice touch of vanillin oak. On the palate the wine is vibrant, full-bodied, focused and well-balanced, with a lovely core of fruit, fine soil signature and bounce and a long, complex and classy finish. Fine juice. 2021-2030.” – John Gilman

Author Of View From The Cellar

91 POINTS

 

2019 Saumur Rouge “Siébrit”

“The 2019 Saumur Rouge “Siébrit” from Domaine Armand David is an excellent bottle of cabernet franc. The bouquet wafts from the glass in a refined blend of red and black cherries, cigar wrapper, gravelly soil tones, a touch of tree bark, just a touch of nutty oak and a smoky topnote. On the palate the wine is young, full-bodied, focused and nascently complex, with a fine core of fruit, good balance and grip, ripe tannins and a long, nascently complex finish. This is certainly approachable with half an hour in decanter, but the wine really deserves to be tucked away in the cellar for four or five years to let it blossom properly, as there will be a lot to like when this wine is really ready to drink. 2025-2050.” – John Gilman 

Author Of View From The Cellar

91 POINTS

2019 Châteauneuf du Pape “Secret de Nos Vignes”

The Domaine de Châteaumar has been owned by the Souret family now for three generations. Their Châteauneuf du Pape is composed of a blend of seventy percent grenache and thirty percent mourvèdre and the 2019 version tips the scales at 14.5 percent alcohol. It offers up a deep and classy nose of black raspberries, dark berries, hung game, pepper, bonfire, a fine base of soil tones, a bit of cedar and a nice touch of spice in the upper register. On the palate the wine is deep, ripe and full-bodied, with plenty of mid-palate stuffing, good mineral drive and grip, ripe, firm tannins and a long, complex and very nicely balanced finish. There is a bit of backend heat here, but it is moderate, and the wine should age quite nicely. Good juice. 2032-2075.” – John Gilman  

Author od View From The Cellar

91+ POINTS 

 

Domaine de Châteaumar 2019 Secret de Nos Vignes, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône Valley, France

A blend of 70% Grenache and 30% Mourvedre, the wine spent eight months in French oak and then four months in concrete tanks. Chewy tannins develop into a well-behaved, upright red. Spiced plum, dried violets, and a sweet, earthy sweetness are pronounced, along with a high-fidelity acidity. Silky chocolate-cherry comes in mid-way, and the wine continues to go deep as it opens, maintaining an elegant stance all the way.

94 POINTS

Mas des Etoiles 2016 Malbec, Cahors, France ($18)

“A tongue treat of violets and espresso. The flavors press juicy, yet firm tannins on the palate with a fluidity and pace of a well-bred racehorse. Dark plum, cassis and black cherry bitters are toothsome.

This 100% Malbec is from 25-year-old vines, aged 18 months on the lees, in stainless steel tanks.”

93 POINTS

Elicio 2020 Vermentino, Mediterranée, France ($15)

A 100% Vermentino from a region south of the Luberon where it’s hot, dry, and windy. Clay and limestone soils add expression and seven months in stainless steel tanks lead to a vibrancy.

Rich notes of ripe pear, heather, and salted kiwi are bathed in what the producer refers to as olive oil flavor. A hint of hazelnut on the finish leaves us asking for more.” 

91 POINTS 

Château ROC MEYNARD – Bordeaux Blanc Millésime 2020

“White flowers and grapefruit on the nose. This small-production 50/50 Sauvignon Blanc/ Sémillon comes from only two hectares of white varieties grown at this estate.

It has excellent vibrancy on the palate, succulent but with a soft, sweet juiciness to it. There are elements of nectarine, apricot and ripe peaches with some wet stone, mineral touches that come through too.

It’s great quality, easy to drink, and has nuance and aromatic interest.

Pair with cheese, and white meats. Drink 2021-2024″

91 POINTS

Veema 2016 GSM AOP Languedoc, France (20$)

“The freshness that exudes from this blend of 45% Grenache, 35% Syrah, and 20% Mourvèdre, which aged 12 months in French oak, is apparent.

(The grapes, grown on sun-drenched sandstone cobbles in vineyards located between Nîmes and Arles, are allowed to ripen optimally.)

Aromas of grilled meat, rhubarb, and chocolate establish the platform for the layers of flavor-lavender, espresso, plum, and black cherry-that follow a silky entry.”

92 POINTS

Bellula 2018 Pinot Noir, Pays d’Oc, France (14$)

“Aromas that embody the South of France enliven this stunning, well-priced wine-savory scents of ripe cherry and balsamic that turn earthy on the palate.

Red fruit rises to the top and dried roses leave a powdery texture on the finish.” 

91 POINTS 

Château Belugue 2015 Fronsac, Bordeaux, France (28$)

“This family-owned estate spans just under 20 acres, with vineyards planted on hillsides along the junction of the Isle and Dordogne rivers.

Aged 12 months in French oak, this blend of 90% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon has a regal character that comes through in its texture, flavor, and aromatics.

You can smell the soil, deep-rooted brush, slate, and dark chocolate, and the gorgeous entry on the palate speaks of silky tannins. Robust notes of roasted coffee, new leather, and sweet tobacco are shadowy and deep, finishing with dried fruits, black plum, and sandalwood-tinged savoriness.”

92+ POINTS

Domaine du Crampilh 2016 Cuvée l’Originel (Madiran)

“There is real elegance in fourth-generation owner Bruno Oulie’s wine. 

The 90% Tannat in the blend is on it’s best behaviour, giving ripe black fruits that dominate the tannins.

It’s full structure is restrained by acidity and black-plum flavors at the end. Drink from 2021.” – Roger Voss

91 POINTS

Domaine Bellegarde 2016 Cuvée Tradition (Jurançon)

Editors’ Choice

“Ripe, sweet late-harvest fruits are the secret behind this poised wine. It is perfumed, packed with exotic fruits, honey, and a touch of lemon marmalade. 

Acidity shoots through the wine, so it is not cloying. Rather it is well balanced, fresh, and sweet at the same time. Drink from 2019.” – Roger Voss

92 POINTS

Wine Enthusiast Best of Year Picks 2019

Domaine Marion Pral

2018 Beaujolais Cuvee Terroir + 2018 Beaujolais Blanc

Domaine Jerome Gradassi

2016 Grenache – Mourvedre Chateauneuf-du-Pape

Domaine Loberger

Cremant d’Alsace NV Brut Extra