2015 & 2019 Various French Blanc & Rouge Tasting Lot

“Red-berry fruits and a full-bodied texture form the hallmark of this ripe wine. It has spice, a rich character that is generous and fruity. (RV)” (11/2016)

“Fresh and focused, with cherry, tangy blackberry and red licorice notes, backed by crisp acidity and violet details. Mineral-tinged finish. (GS)” (11/2016)

“Bright yellow. Ripe citrus and orchard fruits and a suggestion of smoky lees on the deeply perfumed nose. Juicy orange and pear flavors are sharpened and given spine by a jolt of tangy acidity, which adds back-end lift and definition. Smoothly plays depth off vivacity and finishes long and toasty, with a lingering note of refreshingly bitter citrus zest. (JR)” (01/2017)

“From a fossil-rich Kimmeridgian terroir above Chavignol, the vines opposite the cellars, where the slope is steep and the soils are thin. The fruit was vinified in stainless steel, and the wine bottled in May 2016. The nose is fresh, pure, classic, bright and smoky, with scents suggestive of flint, gunpowder and crushed rocks. A very balanced and pointed palate, bright, with very direct structure, and a light blanket of pithy fruit over the top, all wrapped up a fine texture. This has a very good style.” (07/2017)

“The 2015 Sancerre La Côte des Monts Damnés has a deep, intense and smoky nose with a strong lemon perfume. Full-bodied, round and elegant, with a vital but refined acidity, this is a pretty lush, aromatic and charming Monts Damnés, but its finish is long and complex and reveals a very nice phenolic grip, finesse and tension. The 2015 is excellent already today, but will gain further complexity over the years. Nice bitter grapefruit aromas in the aftertaste. (SR)” (10/2016)

“A light brioche carries note alluring straw, white peach and verbena flavors, with a light melon rind hint adding to the racy finish. Pretty, delivering length and cut. (JM)” (01/2017)

“This accessible, forward Bourgogne Pinot Noir is made in a Côte de Beaune style, using grapes from Santenay Premier Cru, Chassagne and Volnay village sites. No new wood is used in the maturation, allowing the very pretty cherry fruit to shine through, sustained by a fine line of tannin on the palate. (CC)” (01/2021)

“A fresh, ripe, earthy and nicely layered nose reveals mostly notes of various dark berries. There is outstanding volume for a wine at this level with fine richness and mid-palate density, all wrapped in a suave, round and saline-inflected finale. This is a very good Bourgogne where the only nit is a touch of backend warmth. Note that this would make a fine choice for a house red. *Outstanding Top Value*” (04/2021)

“A blend from below Pommard along with village level grapes from Santenay and Monthelie. No new wood is used – instead the recycled barrels come from the vinification integrale system used for the top cuvées (those, which are actually fermented in barrel – as it takes two barrels to arrive at enough wine to fill one afterwards). Dense purple, quite exciting stuff. There is real bounce and vigour through the middle, with a generous, but properly fresh fruit.” (10/2020)

“A blend of fruit from Pommard, Auxey-Duresses and Monthélie, Boillot's 2019 Bourgogne Pinot Noir exhibits aromas of raspberries, sweet spices and dark chocolate. Medium-bodied, lively and melting, with refined tannins and tangy acids, this has turned out very nicely. (WK)” (01/2021)