The Great White Wines of France

TASTING NOTES

The Great White Wines of France... A very lovely tasting that took place on November 3rd at the Oenoschool workshop. A unique opportunity to explore the finest terroirs of great white wines through 8 exceptional wines!

Sancerre les Caillottes 2011 Francois Cotat The color is clear with green highlights. A nose of citrus, slightly honeyed, with white and herbaceous flowers. The palate is marked by a sharp acidity: well balanced by a lovely volume. It is fairly short but opens up nicely with aeration.  

Côtes du Jura Jean-François Ganevat 2011 cuvée Florine (chardonnay) Pronounced golden color. A slightly reductive nose, with aromas of candied citrus, pineapple and white fruits. Plenty of volume and acidity on the palate, the whole is slightly disjointed but remains quite pure and long on the palate.  

Batard Montrachet 2000 Hospices de Beaune Dame de Flandres The color is golden/old gold. A nose of rancid butter, caramel and citrus without any oxidative notes. The palate seems younger, yet faithful to the nose with milky and white fruit notes. Plenty of volume with a beautiful finish of dried fruits and candied orange. A beautiful wine to drink without waiting too long.  

Châteauneuf du Pape 2000 Beaucastel blanc (80% Roussanne) An orange-hued color and a very complex nose of quince, candied fruits, tea and ginger. The wine is rich and opulent but not excessive, with petrol and exotic fruit notes... ready to drink.  

Mas Jullien blanc 2008 The color shows little evolution. A nose of anise, dried fruits and white fruits, rather floral. A beautiful acidity on the palate, a very straight, very fresh wine. The finish betrays a warmer climate but this remains a model of balance that can still age at least 10 more years.  

Coulée de Serrant 1996 An old gold/orange color, a complex nose (dried fruits — figs, floral...). The palate is first marked by a strong acidity and a very alcoholic sensation; with aeration the wine comes together a little more and the mid-palate provides balance, even though the whole remains still very disjointed.  

domaine de Chevalier 2001 blanc (70% Sauvignon 30% Sémillon) The color shows little evolution. A discreet vanilla nose, with pineapple and citrus. The palate is very young, very straight, with some notes of grapefruit, white fruits and a slight vanilla touch. A very lovely wine that needs time to gain in complexity.

Riesling Frédéric Emile VT 1976 Trimbach (cuvée du trois cent cinquantenaire) A coppery color. A nose of wax, mushrooms, truffle, citrus zest, milky, slightly petrol-like. The palate mirrors the nose, very long, with citrus notes and hints of honey... The sugar is almost imperceptible, a very beautiful wine.