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

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

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