Tasted and Approved - MARCH 2024 

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

We will publish monthly tasting reports: monthly tastings among colleagues, tasting competitions in which Didier our manager participates, wines tasted in restaurants or wine bars, there is something for all tastes and all budgets... 

Let's see if our taste buds agree with yours! 

First, on the Champagne side

Bollinger RD 1997- disgorgement 2009

The color is magnificent, of a very beautiful subtle golden color, marked by nuances of evolution, with a slight coppery reflection. The nose stands out with blood orange, caramelized mirabelle plum, old cellar with an omnipresent oxidative touch. On the palate, the bubble is barely present, very fine and evanescent. Walnut, orange zest, curry, lemon zest stand out. Surprisingly more of a palate Champagne than a nose Champagne. Less intense finish on orange zest and lemon! 

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

Jacques Selosse VO - disgorgement 2010

The color is rather deep, slightly cloudy, golden yellow with orange reflections. The nose is a true perfume combining yellow fruit, chalkiness, praline, hazelnut, nougat, and orange zest. On the palate, very beautiful freshness with a slight oxidative note. Notes of almond, praline, blood orange, candied lemon, brioche, and a slight roasted touch. The length is rather discreet, but lovely aromas remain present!

Selosse, always a pleasure and rarely disappointing! 

Champagne Clandestin - Boréal, harvest 2021

Blind, one might almost hesitate with a rosé! In any case, this is clearly not a blanc de blancs. The color is slightly pinkish, there is substance. A jovial nose, typical Pinot Noir with a vegetal and mineral touch. On the palate, beautiful sharp acidity; the brut nature side with zero dosage is well felt, a very slight oxidation and a fairly fine bubble. Even more pleasant after a few minutes of opening. 

Discover our Champagne from Great Houses and our Growers' Champagne!

Next, on the White Wines side

Riesling Scharzhofberger Auslese 1979 - Egon Muller

The color is old gold with slight camel reflections. What a nose! Roasted mandarin, caramel, mushroom, tropical fruits, dried fruits, Provençal herbs, candied citrus, mango can be distinguished. On the palate, still residual sugar with a sweet side, very intoxicating | gourmet. The aromatics are once again very complex, captivating, suave, typical of old Rieslings. A touch of hydrocarbon and notes of caramelized almond, clementine, exotic fruit. Beautiful complexity with a finish on mushroom and a very pleasant tertiary note.

Dagueneau - Le Mont Damné Chavignol 2011

A very beautiful tasting! Opinions diverge within our team, but it's a delight for most, even if some can't get past the Sauvignon notes they find unpleasant on the nose... 

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

Héritiers Comte Lafon Viré Clessé 2012

Another white that doesn't please everyone, depending on appreciation of its evolution. 

Lovely straw-yellow color. On the nose, aromas of exotic fruits and flowers dominate. However, some perceive too much oxidation, even a fault. 

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

Bourgogne Aligoté "La Charme aux Prêtres" 2020 - Sylvain Pataille

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

 

Clos des Fées 2014 Grenache Blanc Vieilles Vignes

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

Domaine Barraud - Pouilly Fuissé Alliance Vieilles Vignes 2021

Pleasant from its youth! A lovely wine on the nose nestled between limestone, green apple, and citrus. On the palate, freshness and salinity endowed with beautiful tension, the wine is very pleasant! Precise finish still enhanced with citrus, perfect to accompany scallop carpaccio with passion fruit! 
 

Finally, on the Red Wines side

Jean Foillard - Morgon 2021 Cuvée Corcelette

A super juice! Very pleasant, perfectly well made, SPOT-ON! 

Another very beautiful Morgon by Foillard on beautiful terroir. One of our favorite crus from Beaujolais! Crunchy fruit, beautiful finesse, fruit fruit fruit and more fruit, all with magnificent purity and a velvety finish! Very pleasant young, can also age a bit, enjoyed as an aperitif and at the table!

Secreto Patagonico Mantra Rebel Pinot Noir 2020

An Argentine Wine 100% Pinot Noir, that's not common!

Far from the traditional Malbec found massively in Argentina (in all ranges), this Pinot Noir cuvée is pleasant, it can be classified as a friends' wine: nice for a dinner and for the wallet, it's a simple and rather well-made wine. 

Beautiful, fairly translucent garnet color, a fine nose dotted with red fruits and sweet spices with a touch of stem for a rather pleasant vegetal side. On the palate, roundness, freshness, and silky touch, the stewed cherry is well felt, a touch of licorice, 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, sweet spices, charcoal, freshly picked small black berries, blackberry jam, and candied currant. What a nose! Absolutely love it, a great Pinot nose... On the palate, lovely finesse with dark fruits, pepper, grilled meat, faded rose,... Superb complexity with great refinement despite an "old school" style. Very beautiful Pinot, a great wine in an austere style.

Cote-rôtie 2000 - Jean-Paul and Jean-Luc Jamet

The color is clear, rather dark brick red. The nose is magnificent, gamey, a side of wild boar meat, sweet spices, pepper, bacon, all particularly smoky. Superb evolved nose. On the palate, magnificent smokiness, with marked power on blood orange (enhanced by the dish), smoked bacon, grilled meat, noble leather, cocoa. A very beautiful Côte Rôtie with an outstanding pairing. Incredible length, focused on blood orange and smoked bacon. 

Château Pichon-Longueville Comtesse 1990 - Pauillac

The color is perfectly in line with its age, light brick red. A nose of smoked meat, bacon, cold ash, and Havana tobacco. On the palate, a lovely wine with beautiful finesse, notes of blackcurrant, cold tobacco, cigar, and mushrooms. In the mouth, it's smoky, with very voluptuous, silky tannins. Black tobacco, black leather, sweet spices, and tangy dark fruit stand out. Very lovely, though it lacks just a touch of substance. Beautiful smoky and powerful finish.