Tasted and Approved - MARCH 2024 

It's the return of our Tasted and Approved (or not) section! 

We will be publishing monthly tasting reports: monthly tastings among colleagues, tasting competitions in which our manager Didier participates, wines tasted at restaurants or wine bars — there is something for every taste and every budget... 

Let us see, then, whether our palates agree with yours! 

First, on the Champagne side

Bollinger RD 1997 - disgorgement 2009

The colour is magnificent, a very beautiful subtle golden hue, marked by nuances of evolution, with a slight copper tint. The nose stands out with blood orange, caramelised mirabelle plum, old cellar, and an ever-present oxidative touch. On the palate, the bubble is barely present, very fine and evanescent. Walnut, orange peel, curry, and lemon zest stand out. A Champagne more of the palate than of the nose, surprisingly. A less intense finish on orange peel and lemon! 

A delight for lovers of vintage Champagne with a rather aged disgorgement.

Jacques Selosse VO - disgorgement 2010

The colour is fairly deep, slightly hazy, golden yellow with orange highlights. The nose is a true perfume combining yellow fruit, chalk, praline, hazelnut, nougat, and orange peel. On the palate, very beautiful freshness with a slight oxidative edge. Notes of almond, praline, blood orange, candied lemon, brioche, and a light roasted touch. The length is rather discreet but lovely aromas linger!

Selosse, always a pleasure and rarely disappointing! 

Champagne Clandestin - Boréal, harvest 2021 

Blind, one could almost hesitate and mistake it for a rosé! In any case, it is clearly not a blanc de blancs. The colour is slightly rosy, there is substance. A jovial nose, typical Pinot Noir with a vegetal and mineral edge. On the palate, beautiful, crisp acidity; the brut nature style with zero dosage comes through clearly, with a very slight oxidation and a rather fine bubble. Even more enjoyable after a few minutes of opening. 

Discover our Champagne from Great Houses and our Grower Champagne!

Then, on the White Wines side 

Riesling Scharzhofberger Auslese 1979 - Egon Muller

The colour is an old gold with light caramel highlights. What a nose! One can distinguish roasted mandarin, caramel, mushroom, tropical fruits, dried fruits, Provençal herbs, candied citrus, and mango. On the palate, once again a residual sweetness with a luscious, very intoxicating quality. The aromatics are once again very complex, bewitching, suave — typical of old Riesling. A hint of petrol and notes of caramelised almond, clementine, and exotic fruit. Beautiful complexity with a finish on mushroom and a very pleasant tertiary note.

Dagueneau - Le Mont Damné Chavignol 2011

A truly beautiful tasting! Opinions are divided within our team, but it is a delight for most, even if some cannot get past the Sauvignon notes they find unpleasant on the nose... 

For most, the Mont Damné shines! Chalky notes, well-ripened citrus, white fruits and white flowers, fine herbs... A magnificent balance on the palate between a dense and silky texture, beautiful freshness-driven acidity, a mineral vibration, and a touch of iodine. An exquisite length for this exceptional Sancerre! 

Héritiers Comte Lafon Viré Clessé 2012

Yet another white that doesn't win everyone over, depending on one's appreciation of evolution. 

Beautiful straw yellow colour. On the nose, aromas of exotic fruits and flowers dominate. Some, however, detect too much oxidation, or even a flaw. 

On the palate, passion fruit and roundness, still a touch of freshness and acidity, but perhaps not marked enough to balance everything out. 

Bourgogne Aligoté « La Charme aux Prêtres » 2020 - Sylvain Pataille

The nose is marked by mandarin, clementine, honeysuckle, and candied citrus. A very beautiful, opulent nose with lovely volume. On the palate, beautiful, indulgent texture of yellow fruit, acacia, and white blossom. This is a very lovely bottle, though with a relatively short finish. A very fine Aligoté.       

 

Clos des Fées 2014 Grenache Blanc Vieilles Vignes

Very lovely! This wine made from very old white Grenache vines is rich and elegant! Honeyed notes blend with those of fern and citrus. A palate with a certain salinity, softened by 10 years of bottle age, and a floral finish! A real treat to taste old white Grenache... Le Clos des Fées will always offer us very fine wines from Languedoc! 

Domaine Barraud - Pouilly Fuissé Alliance Vieilles Vignes 2021

Pleasurable from a young age! A lovely wine with a nose nestled between limestone, green apple, and citrus. On the palate, freshness and salinity endowed with beautiful tension — the wine is very pleasant! A precise finish still adorned with citrus, perfect to accompany a Saint Jacques scallop carpaccio with passion fruit! 
 

Finally, on the Red Wines side 

Jean Foillard - Morgon 2021 Cuvée Corcelette

A fantastic juice! Very pleasant, perfectly well made — SPOT ON! 

Yet another very beautiful Morgon signed by Foillard from a fine terroir. One of our favourite crus from Beaujolais! Crunchy fruit, beautiful finesse, fruit fruit fruit and more fruit — all with magnificent purity and a velvety finish! Very enjoyable young, can also age a little, and is appreciated as an aperitif or at the table! 

Secreto Patagonico Mantra Rebel Pinot Noir 2020

An Argentine Wine made from 100% Pinot Noir — that's not common! 

Far from the traditional Malbec found in abundance in Argentina (across all ranges), this Pinot Noir cuvée is pleasant — it can be classified as a party wine: enjoyable for a dinner and easy on the wallet, it is a simple and rather well-made wine. 

Beautiful, fairly translucent garnet colour, a fine nose scattered with red fruits and soft spices with a hint of grape stem for a rather pleasant vegetal side. On the palate, roundness, freshness, and a silky texture — the stewed cherry comes through clearly, along with a touch of liquorice, and the stem from the nose is confirmed.
 

Bernard Dugat Py - Mazis Chambertin Grand Cru 2000

The nose is magnificent, delicate, with traditional notes of rose petals, soft spice, charcoal, freshly picked small black berries, blackberry jam, and candied redcurrant. What a nose! Absolutely a fan — a nose worthy of a great Pinot... On the palate, beautiful finesse with black fruits, pepper, grilled meat, faded rose... Superb complexity with great refinement despite an "old school" style. A very beautiful Pinot, a fine wine in an austere style.

Côte-Rôtie 2000 - Jean-Paul and Jean-Luc Jamet

The colour is clear, quite dark, brick red. The nose is magnificent, gamey, with a wild boar meat character, soft spices, pepper, and bacon — all particularly smoky. A superb, evolved nose. On the palate, magnificent smokiness with a marked intensity of blood orange (enhanced by the dish), smoked bacon, grilled meat, noble leather, and cocoa. A very beautiful Côte Rôtie with a legendary pairing. An extraordinary length, carried by blood orange and smoked bacon. 

Château Pichon-Longueville Comtesse 1990 - Pauillac

The colour is perfectly in line with its age, a light brick red. A nose of smoked meat, bacon, cold ash, and Havana. On the palate, a lovely wine with beautiful finesse, notes of blackcurrant, cold tobacco, cigar, and mushrooms. On the palate, it is smoky, with very voluptuous, silky tannins. Tobacco, black leather, soft spices, and tart black fruit stand out. Very lovely, yet it lacks just a touch of substance. A beautiful smoky and powerful finish.