AMAZING - Chateau Grand-Puy-Lacoste 2022 Lacoste Borie (France)

 

 

If somebody tells you the 2022 Bordeauxs are great, believe them - even the 2nd wines are spectacular, like this one ... today it's the Chateau Grand-Puy-Lacoste 2022 Lacoste Borie

AWESOME - Chateau la Fleur de Bouard 2022 Lalande de Pomerol (France)

 

Time to talk Bordeaux, I spent the better part of a month there in January 2025 and the wines bearing the date 2022 are spectacular. This is just another one of those finds: Chateau la Fleur de Bouard 2022 Lalande de Pomerol

 

FABULOUS Gerard Bertrand 2021 Chateau L'Hospitalet La Clape Grand Vin (F...

 

The south of France can make some beautiful wines, some exceptional wines in fact; I could go on here, or I could just tell you about this one ... Let me tell you about the 

Gerard Bertrand 2021 Chateau L'Hospitalet La Clape Grand Vin

SUPERB - Chateau La Nerthe 2020 Les Cassagnes (France)

 

For those looking for 'Neuf-du-Pape quality, without paying 'Neuf-du-Pape prices, might I suggest this alternative by one of their great producers : 

Chateau La Nerthe 2020 Les Cassagnes, Cotes-du-Rhone Villages

STUNNING Chateau Montus 2017 Madiran (France)

You want to get to know the Tannat grape? 

Start with a bottle of Chateau Montus - the OG of Tannat : 

Chateau Montus 2017 Madiran

 

The Written Part ...

An 80% Tannat with 20% Cabernet Sauvignon – taking up a 35 hectares of the 37 hectare Montus vineyard. Vine age is about 27 years. Fermentation and maceration follow what happens at Boucassé (see above). Here 50% of the wine sees new oak for 12 months. Then 24 months in 80 hectoliter foudre (large barrels). 36 months of aging the wine rests in bottle 2 years before release.

The note … Weighty wine with lots of smoky, gritty tannin grip. Floral with good acidity; the fruit either lingers or has decided to hide within the oak – each sip holds a different outcome. It'll take time to emerge, but this oak will always be there. It's an intense wine where food needs to be involved. (****)

STUNNING Domaine Boudau 2020 Patrimoine (France)

Talk about a takeaway. 

This wine from the Roussillon was an eye-opener about how good the wines of the region can be: 

Domaine Boudau 2020 Patrimoine 

FRESH & CLEAN William Fevre 2020 Petit Chablis (France)

Chardonnay from Chablis is not your same old-same old. 

There is something about these wines that just sing in the mouth : 

William Fevre 2020 Petit Chablis

MARVELOUS Domaine Tempier 2020 Bandol - Lulu & Lucien (France)

Bandol is part of Provence and while there is Rosé there, 

it is primarily known as a red wine region embracing Mourvedre : 

Domaine Tempier 2020 Bandol

Chateau Boucasse 2017 Les Jardins Philosophiques (France)

For a part of the country known for wines made from the Tannat grape, 

how does Madiran do with white wines? Let me tell you

Chateau Boucasse 2017 Les Jardins Philosophiques

 

... The Written Notes ...

A white blend made from the indigenous Petit Courbu and Petit Manseng from Boucassé’s 85-hectare vineyard. The vines are 45 years of age and these grapes take up nine hectares of the vineyard, at no more than 110 m above sea level. It is fermented in stainless steel and then aged in same for 12 months, but on fine lees.

The note … Grapefruit peel and pith that plays off of an oxidized sensation on the tongue. Great acidity back stops the wine giving it an exceptional length on the finish. A beauty of a sipper.

WONDERFUL La Chablisienne 2019 Les Venerables Chablis

Have we all forgotten about the wonderful world of Chablis? 

I have thankfully been reminded about it - you're welcome 

Les Chablisienne 2019 Les Venerables Chablis

PALATE PLEASING Clotilde Legrand 2017 Les Terrages (France)

The new generation is female. Watch the video to find out what I'm talking about : 

Clotilde Legrand 2017 Les Terrages