Tasted and Approved - February 2025

Here are the lovely wines we were able to taste since December! 

CHAMPAGNE

Ruppert Leroy Puzzle 

A very lovely Champagne, a blend of Chardonnay (70%) and Pinot Noir (30%) from the Côte des Bar. It is very beautiful; one could almost believe there is more Pinot on the palate, even if the nose remains very Chardonnay-focused. The bubble is fine, one senses a little oak ageing, yellow fruits, floral notes, a slightly brioche-like finish — it is straight and very pleasant! Very enjoyable for fans of this undosed, pure and naturally balanced style. 

Pierre Peters L'esprit de 2017 Grand Cru 

A great grower's Champagne, in a very different style from the previous one.
Subtle floral notes and lots of citrus on the nose. Power, purity and freshness on the palate with a persistent bubble. The notes of toasted bread are well present and delicious, as is a rather chalky character; one senses the richness of the dosage. A very fine Champagne in a somewhat more conventional style. 

Domaine Léon Enchevêtrer 0 dosage 

Another fine performance from Léon! A beautiful expression of the Côte des Bar terroir, a very lovely blanc de noirs! The nose reveals enchanting aromas of fresh red fruits, mingled with notes of brioche and toasted almonds. On the palate, the attack is bold and lively, followed by flavours of cherry and wild strawberry, supported by a beautiful minerality. The finish is long, with slightly saline touches. We love it! 

WHITE WINES 

Hervé Souhaut 2021 Blanc 

A lovely wine from the Rhône Valley, a very fine blend of Roussanne (90%) and Viognier (10%). We don't always appreciate Viognier when it is too opulent, but here it contributes in a very pleasant way with fruity and slightly creamy characteristics, while the Roussanne lengthens the wine and brings yellow fruits, floral notes and minerality, all with a beautiful freshness. Very enjoyable to accompany an osso buco with the family. 

Château des Tours Grande Réserve 2014

Very interesting to taste this vintage in white. The wine is very successful. Even among those who are not fans of Reynaud's whites, there is a great deal of pleasure. The grenache reveals a lovely complexity in a very expressive manner. Peach, mirabelle plum, mango, yet without falling into excess and over-the-top opulence. It is ample and generous, but with great balance and a beautiful length.  

Bourgogne Aligoté 2022 Sylvain Pataille

Our readers will know that this is not the first time one of us has tasted this Aligoté. Quite a fan, an absolute fan — very good value for money. 

This is an essential wine to always have in your cellar, or even already chilled! Of great quality, one senses notes of toasted almonds, touches of citrus and white flowers. As always with Pataille's wines, indulgence and finesse for a great deal of pleasure! 

Pouilly Fuissé 2022 Nicolas Potel 

When a homemade foie gras takes pride of place at the Christmas table, it deserves to be honoured. So one finishes their Champagne from the aperitif before starting the first toast of foie gras, and then a multitude of choices open up… Continue with Champagne, a sweet wine, a red, a white… Everyone enjoys it in their own way! 

We chose a Pouilly-Fuissé 2022 by Nicolas Potel, a Burgundian Chardonnay of great finesse and brilliance. In the glass, a bright golden colour announces fine maturity. The nose is pure, blending juicy pear, white flowers, hazelnut and a subtle buttery touch. On the palate, the wine seduces with its perfect balance between richness and mineral tension, with a hint of salinity that refreshes each bite of foie gras.

A pairing of great subtlety, where the roundness of the Chardonnay beautifully marries the unctuousness of the foie gras, creating an indulgent yet never heavy alliance. A refined marriage, ideal for a successful festive starter.

Marcel Deiss Riesling 2017

A lovely alliance between land and sea with these pan-seared scallops in beurre blanc sauce: you need a wine capable of magnifying the delicacy of the scallops while cutting through the richness of the sauce… For this, the Marcel Deiss Riesling 2017 rose to the challenge brilliantly. A dry Alsace wine can always match this type of dish! 

From the very first pour, the nose reveals an elegant bouquet of candied lemon, acacia honey, wet stone and a smoky hint — the signature of great Alsatian terroirs. On the palate, it is an explosion of freshness and precision: a fine, taut acidity, an ample texture and a vibrant saline finish.

The duo works beautifully: the wine's vivacity contrasts with the softness of the beurre blanc, while its minerality elevates the pearlescent texture of the scallops. A perfectly precise pairing, where every element finds its place, for a pure moment of gastronomy.

Domaine du Pélican Arbois Savagnin 2020

Another of our favourites that we often feature in our articles… The Domaine du Pélican in the Jura pairs perfectly with cheese boards. This one, generously laden at Christmas, with Mont d'Or, Saint-Nectaire, Comté, Tomme aux fleurs and Rocamadour, perfectly complemented the flavours of this savagnin from Arbois. 

We love it! Walnut all the way, honey, floral notes… A long and savoury finish, always a pleasure! 

RED WINES

Domaine De la Tour du Bon Bandol 2021

Another way to enjoy Osso Buco with a lovely red from Provence. Black cherries, blackberries, blackcurrant, liquorice, and a beautiful garrigue and Provençal herb character — you can really sense the thyme and rosemary… A little trip to the South that does wonders against the daily grey skies… A wonderful estate with affordable prices to discover a lovely Provence red. 

Vincent Paris Cornas 2019

If osso buco had a soulmate in a bottle, it would undoubtedly be the Vincent Paris Cornas 2019. This intense Syrah, with its explosive nose of dark fruits, olive and spices, finds a perfect echo in the tenderness of slow-cooked meat. On the palate, the juicy acidity and silky tannic structure embrace the richness of the tomato sauce, while the smoky, peppery hint boldly underscores the orange zest and aromatic herbs. In short, a thoroughly successful and very delicious pairing! 

Hauts Baigneux, Grolleau 2021

An aperitif among friends that's off to a great start? Open a Hauts Baigneux Grolleau 2021 and let the magic happen. This Vin de France is a lovely, lively red brimming with crunchy red fruits, tangy redcurrant and a hint of spice: it wakes up the palate. With its disarming freshness and supple tannins, it can be sipped without fuss, simply for pleasure. Serve it slightly chilled, bring out the saucisson and let the bottle do the rest. A wine to share without moderation… well, almost!

Domaine du 7 Plume 

For an aperitif among friends, the Domaine du 7 "Plume" 2021 is a judicious choice. Made from 100% Cabernet Franc, this red wine from the Loire offers a harmonious balance between a fine acidity and silky tannins.

Its aromas of fresh red fruits and its lightness on the palate make it the ideal companion for convivial moments. Served slightly chilled, it pairs perfectly with a variety of canapés, adding a touch of freshness to your get-togethers. There is not great complexity or much length on the palate, but an excellent value for money!

Domaine des Fables, Les Chroniques de Gargantua, Gamay 2020

A Savoyard Gamay that surprises! When one thinks of Savoie, one readily imagines crystalline white wines, lively Jacquères and aromatic Roussettes. But a Gamay in Savoie? Now that piques the curiosity! So we uncorked a bottle of Domaine des Fables – Les Chroniques de Gargantua 2020, to see what it had to offer.

From the very first approach, the brilliant ruby colour announces a wine full of energy. On the nose, an explosion of cherry, raspberry, a hint of pepper and a light floral touch. A fragrance that instantly makes you want to taste it! 

On the palate, it is a real surprise. Where one expected something light and fruity (Gamay obliges), one discovers a wine with character and a fine structure, while remaining fluid and indulgent. A hint of vanilla and gentle spices in the background rounds out the whole, surely thanks to its ageing in barrels. And as a pairing? Perfect for aperitif among friends, it proved formidable with a board of Savoyard charcuterie and a good dry saucisson. One can equally imagine it very well with a homemade burger or roasted poultry.

In short, a Gamay that breaks the mould, at once accessible and original, with a beautiful expression of terroir. If you want to surprise your friends at the aperitif with a wine that has a true personality, this is clearly a bottle worth trying! 

Domaine de Cassiopée Bourgogne En Gerlieus 2022

A very fine Burgundy wine!! 15% whole clusters for a little chewiness and a very well-integrated green character that adds structure. Intense and fresh fruit, stony terroir. There is a little reduction, but it is not at all unpleasant, and if you decant, it is perfect! 

Zuria Initiale Bonifacio 2022 

A magnificent wine from the island of Beauty, a brilliant red from Corsica! 

From the very first nose, an explosion of fresh red fruits, Corsican maquis and aromatic herbs, with a mineral edge that recalls the cliffs of Bonifacio. The palate is fluid and radiant, with an elegant structure and silky tannins. A beautiful freshness and a saline touch on the finish that makes you want to come back for more.

In terms of pairings, it goes equally well with Corsican charcuterie, a herb-crusted rack of lamb or a fish in sauce. An island red that is both refined and sun-drenched, perfect for a fine summer table!

Julien Sunier Fleurie 2022

Beaujolais, the land of Gamay and wines full of freshness, is home to ten crus with very distinct personalities. Among them, Fleurie, our favourite, often described as the most elegant and floral, stands out for its finesse and indulgence. And when Julien Sunier is at the helm, you know you are going to taste a sincere, vibrant and irresistibly seductive wine.

In the glass, a brilliant ruby colour that already announces a fine energy. On the nose, an enchanting bouquet of raspberry, peony, violet and a hint of gentle spices. It smells of spring and indulgence!

On the palate, it is a caress. A silky texture, a fine acidity and delicate tannins that give an impression of lightness, while retaining depth. The fruit is pure and juicy, accompanied by a slightly mineral touch that extends the pleasure on the finish.

To be drunk slightly chilled, with roasted poultry, a charcuterie board or even as an aperitif, this Fleurie 2022 has everything to please. In short, a pure Beaujolais pleasure, lively and elegant, a very lovely juice as we love them in the region, proving once again that Julien Sunier knows how to sublimate his terroir!

Domaine de la Garance, Les Armières 2010

A magnificent marriage between carignan and syrah! A concentrated and intense wine for our great pleasure, especially when accompanied by a lovely rosé magret de canard, small vegetables sautéed with balsamic vinegar and dried apricots plumped in cognac… The colour is intense, the nose is concentrated with notes of balsamic (always trying to create beautiful food and wine pairings at home) and fresh dark fruits. The palate has beautiful tannins that have been softened over time, a broad and smoky structure! 

A pure delight with this wine from the Languedoc Roussillon that patiently waited before being tasted! 

Domaine des Tours 2020

With a tournedos Rossini on Christmas evening? A memorable encounter! 

Christmas, a crackling fire, an exceptional dinner and at the centre of the table, a bottle of Domaine des Tours 2020. This wine, signed by Emmanuel Reynaud, the iconic winemaker of the Rhône (also at the helm of Rayas and Fonsalette among others), always promises a unique moment… and it has not failed its reputation.

In the glass, a light red, almost hazy colour that intrigues as much as it seduces. The nose opens on notes of crushed strawberry, candied cherry, gentle spices and a hint of garrigue. A wonderfully wild elegance, all delicacy.

On the palate, this is an ethereal wine of striking finesse, with silky tannins and a velvety texture. The balance between fruitiness, acidity and depth is masterful, with that singular touch characteristic of Emmanuel Reynaud's wines, somewhere between suppleness and intensity.

Facing it, a tournedos Rossini, the alliance of tender beef and melting foie gras. The marriage is divine: the wine's lightness elevates the richness of the dish, while its freshness balances the indulgence.

A wine that is both moving and timeless, proving, once again, the quiet yet immense genius of Emmanuel Reynaud. 

Domaine de Nalys Châteauneuf du Pape 1989

The end-of-year festivities are the perfect occasion to open great bottles, those that have crossed the decades to offer rare moments. This Christmas, a Domaine de Nalys Châteauneuf-du-Pape 1989 found its perfect companion: a generous and fragrant duck pie.

From the very first pour, this 35-year-old wine reveals a captivating nose, where stewed fruits, leather, truffle, gentle spices and a hint of blond tobacco intertwine. A fascinating aromatic depth, testament to its great age and exceptional evolution.

On the palate, the magic works. The tannins, once powerful, have been softened by time, giving way to a velvety texture and a beautiful persistence. The balance is perfect, carried by a fine acidity that still gives it a superb structure. The richness of the duck, the delicacy of the puff pastry and the tenderness of the stuffing find in this Châteauneuf an ideal ally, bringing complexity and depth to every bite.

A sublime pairing between the tempered power of a Fine Wine and the comfort of a festive dish, for a timeless tasting moment.