Tasted and Approved - February 2025

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

CHAMPAGNE

Ruppert Leroy Puzzle

Very lovely Champagne, a blend of Chardonnay (70%) and Pinot Noir (30%) from the Côte des Bar. It's very beautiful, you would almost think there's more Pinot on the palate, even though the nose remains very Chardonnay-focused. The bubble is fine, you sense some aging, yellow fruits, floral notes, a slightly brioche finish, it's straight and very pleasant! Very nice for fans of this non-dosage style, pure and naturally balanced.

Pierre Peters L'esprit de 2017 Grand Cru

Great grower 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 toasted bread notes are very present and flavorful, as is a rather chalky aspect, you sense the richness of the dosage. Very good Champagne in a somewhat more conventional style.

Domaine Léon Enchevêtrer 0 dosage

Another beautiful performance from Léon! A very fine 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 flavors of cherry and wild strawberry, supported by beautiful minerality. The finish is long, with slightly saline touches. We love it! 

WHITE WINES 

Hervé Souhaut 2021 White

A lovely wine from the Rhône Valley, a very beautiful blend of Roussanne (90%) and Viognier (10%). We don't always appreciate when Viognier is too opulent, but here, it brings just the right fruity and slightly milky characteristics, while the Roussanne lengthens the wine and contributes yellow fruits, floral notes, minerality, all with beautiful freshness. Very nice to accompany an osso buco with 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 much pleasure. The grenache reveals a beautiful complexity in a very expressive way. Peach, mirabelle plum, mango, but we don't fall into exuberance and excess. It's ample and generous, but there is much balance and a beautiful length.  

Burgundy Aligoté 2022 Sylvain Pataille

Our readers are well aware that this is not the first time one of us has tasted this Aligoté. Rather a fan, extremely a fan, very good value for money. 

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

Pouilly Fuissé 2022 Nicolas Potel

When homemade foie gras graces the Christmas table, you must know how to honor it. So we finish our apéritif Champagne to begin our first foie gras toast, then, a multitude of choices can be made... Continue with Champagne, a sweet wine, a red, a white... Each person enjoys it their own way! 

We chose a Pouilly-Fuissé 2022 from Nicolas Potel, a Burgundy Chardonnay full of finesse and brilliance. In the glass, a bright golden robe announces beautiful 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 touch of salinity that refreshes each bite of foie gras.

A pairing full of subtlety, where the roundness of the Chardonnay perfectly embraces the smoothness of the foie gras, creating a gourmet alliance, but never heavy. 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 with beurre blanc sauce: you need a wine capable of enhancing the delicacy of the scallops and contrasting with the richness of the sauce... For this, the Riesling 2017 from Marcel Deiss rose to the challenge brilliantly. A dry Alsace wine can always match this type of dish!

From the opening, the nose reveals an elegant bouquet of candied lemon, acacia honey, wet stone, and a smoky touch, signature of great Alsatian terroirs. On the palate, it's an explosion of freshness and precision: a beautiful taut acidity, an ample texture, and a vibrant saline finish.

The pairing works beautifully: the wine's vivacity contrasts with the richness of the beurre blanc, while its minerality enhances the pearlescent texture of the scallops. A meticulously precise match, where each element finds its place, for a pure moment of gastronomy.

Domaine du Pélican Arbois Savagnin 2020

Another one of our favorites that we often see in our articles... Domaine du Pélican in the Jura perfectly accompanies cheese platters. This one, well-stocked for Christmas, between Mont d'Or, Saint Nectaire, Comté, Tomme aux fleurs, and Rocamadour, perfectly complemented the flavors of this Arbois Savagnin.

We love it! Full walnut, honey, floral hues... A long and sapid finish, it's always a pleasure! 

RED WINES

Domaine De la Tour du Bon Bandol 2021

Another way to enjoy Osso Bucco with a lovely red from Provence. Black cherries, blackberries, blackcurrant, licorice, and a beautiful garrigue and Provençal herbs character—you really sense thyme and rosemary... A little trip to the South that does us good with this daily gloom... A very nice estate with affordable prices to taste 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 black fruits, olive, and spices, finds a perfect echo in the tenderness of braised meat. On the palate, the juicy acidity and silky tannic structure embrace the richness of the tomato sauce, while the smoky and peppery notes brilliantly underscore the orange zest and aromatic herbs. In short, a highly successful and very flavorful pairing!

Hauts Baigneux, Grolleau 2021

An apéritif with friends that promises to be great? Open a Hauts Baigneux Grolleau 2021 and let the magic happen. This Vin de France is a lovely perky red that bursts with crisp red fruits, tart redcurrant, and a touch of spices: it awakens the palate. With its disarming freshness and supple tannins, it sips without fuss, just 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 apéritif with friends, the Domaine du 7 "Plume" 2021 is a wise choice. Made from 100% Cabernet Franc, this red wine from the Loire offers a harmonious balance between beautiful 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 various appetizers, adding a touch of freshness to your gatherings. There isn't great complexity or much length on the palate, but excellent value for money!

Domaine des Fables, Les Chroniques de Gargantua, Gamay 2020

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

From the first approach, the bright ruby robe announces a wine full of energy. On the nose, an explosion of cherry, raspberry, a touch of pepper, and a slight floral note. An aroma that immediately makes you want to taste it! 

On the palate, it's a real surprise. Where we expected something light and fruity (Gamay obliges), we discover a wine with character and a beautiful structure, while remaining fluid and delicious. A hint of vanilla and sweet spices in the background rounds out the whole, surely thanks to its barrel aging. And as for pairing? Perfect for aperitifs with friends, it proved formidable with a board of Savoyard charcuterie and a dry sausage. We can also easily imagine it with a homemade burger or roasted poultry.

In short, a Gamay that breaks from the beaten path, both accessible and original, with a beautiful expression of terroir. If you want to surprise your friends at the apéritif with a wine that has real personality, this is clearly a bottle to try! 

Domaine de Cassiopée Bourgogne En Gerlieus 2022

Very lovely Burgundy wine!! 15% whole clusters to have some chew and a certain green side very well integrated, it gives structure. Intense and fresh fruit, stony terroir. There's a bit of reduction, but it's not at all unpleasant, and if you decant, it's perfect! 

Zuria Initiale Bonifacio 2022

Magnificent wine from the Isle of Beauty, a brilliant Corsican red!

From the first nose, an explosion of fresh red fruits, Corsican maquis, and aromatic herbs, with a mineral touch reminiscent of the Bonifacio cliffs. The palate is fluid, brilliant, with an elegant structure and silky tannins. A beautiful freshness and a saline touch in the finish that makes you want to return.

For pairings, it matches equally well with Corsican charcuterie, herb-crusted lamb chops, or fish in sauce. An island red that is both refined and sunny, perfect for a beautiful 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 favorite, often described as the most elegant and floral, stands out for its finesse and deliciousness. And when Julien Sunier is at the helm, we know we're going to taste a sincere, vibrant, and terribly seductive wine.

In the glass, a bright ruby robe that already announces great energy. On the nose, an enchanting bouquet of raspberry, peony, violet, and a hint of sweet spices. It smells like spring and deliciousness!

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

To be enjoyed 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, which proves once again that Julien Sunier knows how to sublimate his terroir!

Domaine de la Garance, Les Armières 2010

Magnificent marriage between Carignan and Syrah! A concentrated and intense wine for our great pleasure, especially when accompanied by a beautiful nicely pink duck breast, small vegetables sautéed with balsamic vinegar, and dried apricots plumped in cognac... The color is intense, the nose is concentrated with notes of balsamic (always trying to create beautiful food and wine pairings at home) and fresh black fruits. The palate has lovely tannins that have been polished, an ample and smoky structure! 

A pure delight with this wine from Languedoc Roussillon that has 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 center of the table, a bottle of Domaine des Tours 2020. This wine, signed by Emmanuel Reynaud, emblematic winemaker of the Rhône (also at the helm of Rayas and Fonsalette notably), always promises a unique moment... and it did not fail its reputation.

In the glass, a light red, almost cloudy robe that intrigues as much as it seduces. The nose opens on notes of crushed strawberry, candied cherry, sweet spices, and a hint of garrigue. An incredible elegance, all in delicacy.

On the palate, it's an airy 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, between suppleness and intensity.

Paired with a tournedos Rossini, a combination of tender beef and melting foie gras. The marriage is divine: the wine's lightness enhances the richness of the dish, while its freshness balances the indulgence.

A wine that is both moving and timeless, once again proving the discreet 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 decades to offer rare moments. This Christmas, a Domaine de Nalys Châteauneuf-du-Pape 1989 found its perfect companion: a generous and fragrant duck tourte.

From the opening, this 35-year-old wine reveals a captivating nose, blending stewed fruits, leather, truffle, sweet spices, and a touch of light tobacco. A fascinating aromatic depth, testament to its great age and exceptional evolution.

On the palate, magic happens. The tannins, once powerful, have mellowed with time, giving way to a velvety texture and beautiful persistence. The balance is perfect, carried by a fine acidity that still gives it superb structure. The richness of the duck, the sweetness of the puff pastry, and the meltingness of the stuffing find in this Châteauneuf an ally of choice, bringing complexity and depth to each bite.

A sublime pairing between the mellowed power of a great wine and the comfort of a festive dish, for a timeless tasting moment.