As the first "course" in this "Tour de France" tasting... ok, you get the pun. The race held its first ever stages in Corsica this summer so we started here also. This wine has a light yellow color, a nose of tart citrus, minerals, and smoke. These are reflected on the palate with some melon and pear. Great with "French fries" with truffle salt.

Wow, this is great! A white wine that grabs you by the shoulders from behind and "pulls your head out". What you were doing is irrelevant, the wine is now in control.
"We have assumed control, we have assumed control,..."
White stone fruit, grapefruit and other citrus flavors, with spice and mineral notes all dance with the sparkling acidity. That dance goes on and on and your palate parties on... I'm tired. Now or later; matters not.

Take this for what it's worth from a non-chard, non-Burg guy: this is excellent. Sat on it for a couple years knowing I'd want to open it at a tasting so I didn't have to drink it all, then wishing I did have it all... hooh boy...
Almost ripe apple, pear, and bright citrus backed by the right amount (read "lots") of acidity that just cleans up the palate and holds that last note of fruit up into the air for examination... solid A!
Feels like it could go another 10+ yrs.

Light gold in color, this wine has a floral, honeysuckle, and stone fruit nose. Off dry on the palate, there's modest acidity to balance things out. Lychee, melon, and spice notes also show up. Next time with spicier food...

Proving myself to have a lack of focus and attention to detail when dealing with Burgundy again! I apologize to those present at this tasting... I served this as a red "Burgundy", even though Morgon rang a different bell... No wonder we all agreed we like our home team, Oregon Pinots better. Comparing them to this seemingly slightly underripe gamay is very unfair. Tart cherry, berry flavors, pomegranate, cranberry, some stemminess, flowers, and minerals... it's a fine wine but doesn't turn me on.

Still very young in color and on the palate. You've got some expressive, but typical southern Rhone non-fruit notes coming through that may shock the casual observer. Balance is very nice. Best if you can wait another year to try.

Another excellent performance. Deep black fruit with spices, leather/ sangre de toro, and stone/mineral notes. Tannins obvious but mellowing. Best at 5-7 years of age.

Once again this wine did for us what it was supposed to, given the vintage and its age. Minimal garnet at the edge, it o/w has a deep ruby color. The nose is classic left bank stuff: dark berries, cassis, plum, cedar, pencil shavings, stone, tobacco, and the hint of tar. Palate is similar with moderate intensity and depth. Texture is smooth and the finish is bedroom quality. If you're comparing it to LB's best then you might be tempted to score it less. That's not how I roll; this is a great wine.

For purposes of this tasting, a Tannat based wine was chosen as an example of... well, tannic! Once you've had a solid Madiran, you are no longer confused with the difference between "dry" and "tannic". Not a drop of saliva left in the room in 10 seconds. Rustic black fruit and some earth notes are there but you won't appreciate this w/o some fatty meat. Have fun (and water ready).

Served with various Endangered Species chocolate bars, this wine is all about ripe black fruit, minerals/ stone, and the modest to moderate sweetness. The tannins meld with the chocolate and a minute or so into the tasting of this wine the room goes silent... then clamor. Enjoy!