Drunk and Approved - February 2025

Here are the lovely wines we have been 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 would almost think there is more Pinot on the palate, even if the nose remains very Chardonnay-oriented. The bubble is fine, there is a hint of ageing, yellow fruits, floral notes, a slightly brioche 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 style quite different from the previous one.
Subtle floral notes and plenty of citrus on the nose. Power, purity and freshness on the palate with a persistent bubble. The toasted bread notes are well present and delicious, as is a rather chalky aspect — you can sense the richness of the dosage. A very fine Champagne in a slightly more conventional style. 

Domaine Léon Enchevêtrer 0 dosage 

Another outstanding performance from Léon! A superb expression of the Côte des Bar terroir, a very lovely blanc de noirs! The nose reveals bewitching aromas of fresh red fruits, blended 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 White 

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 brings, in a very pleasing way, fruity and slightly creamy characteristics, while the Roussanne lengthens the wine and contributes yellow fruits, floral notes and minerality, all with a beautiful freshness. Very enjoyable alongside an osso bucco with the family. 

Château des Tours Grande Réserve 2014

Very interesting to taste this vintage in white. The wine is very successful. Even among some 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, mango, yet it never falls into exuberance or excess. It is ample and generous, with great balance and a beautiful length.  

Bourgogne Aligoté 2022 Sylvain Pataille

Our readers will not be unaware that this is not the first time one of us has tasted this Aligoté. Quite a fan, an absolute fan — excellent quality-to-price ratio. 

It is a must-have that you should always keep in your cellar, or even already chilled! Of great quality, one can detect notes of toasted almonds, hints 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 centre stage on the Christmas table, one must know how to do it justice. So we finish our Champagne from the aperitif to begin our first foie gras toast, and then a multitude of choices can be made… 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 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 hint of salinity that refreshes each bite of foie gras.

A pairing of great subtlety, where the roundness of the Chardonnay beautifully complements 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 marriage of land and sea with these seared scallops in beurre blanc sauce: you need a wine capable of magnifying the delicacy of the scallops while contrasting with 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 first opening, the nose reveals an elegant bouquet of candied lemon, acacia honey, wet stone and a smoky touch, the signature of great Alsatian terroirs. On the palate, it is an explosion of freshness and precision: a beautiful taut acidity, an ample texture and a vibrant saline finish.

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

Domaine du Pélican Arbois Savagnin 2020

Another one 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, complemented perfectly the flavours of this Savagnin from Arbois. 

We love it! Walnut all the way, honey, floral touches… 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, liquorice, and a beautiful garrigue and Provençal herb character — you can really smell the thyme and rosemary… A little trip to the South that does you good amid the daily grey skies… A wonderful estate with affordable prices for 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 edge underlines with panache the orange zest and aromatic herbs. In short, a very successful and thoroughly delicious pairing! 

Hauts Baigneux, Grolleau 2021

A get-together with friends shaping up nicely? Open a Hauts Baigneux Grolleau 2021 and let the magic work. This Vin de France is a wonderful, lively red bursting with crunchy red fruits, tangy redcurrant and a hint of spice: it wakes up the palate. With its disarming freshness and supple tannins, it is sipped without fuss, purely 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 appetisers, adding a touch of freshness to your gatherings. There is not a great deal of complexity or much length on the palate, but an excellent quality-to-price ratio!

Domaine des Fables, Les Chroniques de Gargantua, Gamay 2020

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

From the first glance, 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 fine structure, while remaining fluid and indulgent. A hint of vanilla and soft spices in the background rounds out the whole, undoubtedly thanks to its ageing in barrels. And in terms of pairings? Perfect for the aperitif with friends, it proved formidable with a Savoyard charcuterie board and a well-dried saucisson. One can also easily imagine it with a homemade burger or roast poultry.

In short, a Gamay that breaks new ground, at once accessible and original, with a beautiful terroir expression. If you want to surprise your friends at the aperitif with a wine that has a real personality, this is clearly a bottle to try! 

Domaine de Cassiopée Bourgogne En Gerlieus 2022

A very lovely Burgundy wine!! 15% whole clusters to bring a little chewiness and a well-integrated green note, giving structure. Intense and fresh fruit, stony terroir. There is a little reduction, but it is not at all unpleasant, and if you decant it, it is perfect! 

Zuria Initiale Bonifacio 2022 

A magnificent wine from the island of Beauty, a radiant red Corsican wine! 

From the very first nose, an explosion of fresh red fruits, Corsican maquis and aromatic herbs, with a mineral edge reminiscent of 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, one knows a sincere, vibrant and irresistibly seductive wine awaits.

In the glass, a radiant ruby colour that already announces a fine energy. On the nose, a bewitching bouquet of raspberry, peony, violet and a hint of soft 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 prolongs the pleasure on the finish.

To be drunk slightly chilled, with roast 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 elevate his terroir!

Domaine de la Garance, Les Armières 2010

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

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

Domaine des Tours 2020

With a tournedos Rossini on Christmas evening? An unforgettable 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, an emblematic 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, soft spices and a hint of garrigue. A wonderful elegance, entirely delicate.

On the palate, it 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 unique to Emmanuel Reynaud's wines, between suppleness and intensity.

Alongside it, a tournedos Rossini, a combination of tender beef and melting foie gras. The marriage is divine: the lightness of the wine 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 moment it is opened, this 35-year-old wine reveals a captivating nose, where stewed fruits, leather, truffle, soft spices and a hint of blonde tobacco mingle together. 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 with 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 lightness of the puff pastry and the melting stuffing find in this Châteauneuf an ideal ally, bringing complexity and depth to every bite.

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