Introduction to France Tasting

Took Geoff to see the Essendon store and get a rundown of some basic French styles from Philip.

• NV André Clouet Champagne Grande Réserve Brut 91 Points

  France, Champagne

  The nose is quite yeasty, with stewed apples and the palette while acidic, also has pretty florals and honey pollen with a relaxed mouthfeel and a quite intense mineral finish.

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• 2010 Jean Reverdy & Fils Sancerre 90 Points

  France, Loire Valley, Upper Loire, Sancerre

  A fresh Sancerre with subtle fruit, asparagus, gooseberry and flint. The palette is minerally and well integrated with fruit.

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• 2009 Kientzler Gewurztraminer 90 Points

  France, Alsace

  Great floral nose with honeysuckle and citrus peel. The palette has a good sour balance to the residual sugar.

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• 2009 Domaine de Chantemerle Chablis 93 Points

  France, Burgundy, Chablis

  A nice stinky and earth start for an entry level Chablis with plenty of citrus and stone fruit that moves nicely towards the austere mineral palette. The finish is clean and fresh.

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• 2009 Maison Roche de Bellene Rully 1er Cru Les Cloux Blanc 93 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte Chalonnaise, Rully 1er Cru

  An interesting grapefruit and lemon nose against a flinty background. The grapefruit carries nicely through to the palette which is balanced and finishes long and intensely.

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• 2008 Domaine Taupenot-Merme Saint-Romain 93 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Saint-Romain

  Forest berries, cherry and earthiness work well with the acidity and soft tannins through to the long finish.

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• 2010 Château du Rouët Côtes de Provence Cuvée Réservée 89 Points

  France, Provence, Côtes de Provence

  A really distinctive nose of bubblegum melon and unripe strawberries. The palette is full and rounded and the whole package works quite well. Drink now.

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• 2009 Domaine Newman Côte de Beaune La Grande Châtelaine 92 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune

  A bright red fruit nose with an earthy background and a soft red fruit palette with dusty tannins. Incredible value Burgundy putting many local Pinots at the same price in their place.

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• 2009 Mas de Guiot Gard Cabernet/Syrah 94 Points

  France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Gard

  A really cracking value BBQ wine, with a hint of chocolate and Asian spices, supple tannins and a long and full palette that finishes with a raspberry note.

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• 2009 Domaine la Roubine Côtes du Rhône Villages Sablet La Grange des Briguières 93 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône Villages Sablet

  A terrific value Côtes du Rhône, blue fruits and violets in the nose and a big tannic chocolate and leather palette. This one will keep for a decade.

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• 2008 Domaine du Vieux Lazaret Châteauneuf-du-Pape 94 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

  Berries, liquorice and perfumed herbs on the nose with a soft, but rich herb and fruit palette with lots of length.

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• 2009 Château Poitevin 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc

  Great value, easy drinking Bordeaux - not surprising for 2009. Plenty of violets and cabernet fruit with a balanced palette that will improve with a few years in the bottle.

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