Avant

Kendall-Jackson

Avant Unoaked California Chardonnay 2024

Just a grocery store wine but I really enjoy the refreshing taste of it, especially with grilled oysters! My friend spent a few days with me who I met in the Navy while in Japan back in the 80’s. Of course friends always cook good food and drink delicious wine while together! — 5 months ago

Tom, Jan and 8 others liked this

Jacques-Frédéric Mugnier

Clos de la Maréchale Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Pinot Noir 2012

Belle matière et concentration sans être trop. Assez Puissant et encore serré un peu. À attendre quelques années surement avant d’être à son peak. 90-91

Very nice now, powerful and tight still, needs a few years of cellar still,to be at it’s peak.
— 4 years ago

Romain, Jean-Philip and 10 others liked this

Domaine Henri Delagrange et Fils

Clos des Chênes Volnay 1er Cru Pinot Noir 2014

Much better and more open then the last bottle I opened, nice fruit, good structure and balance, very good.

La dernière bouteille étant un peu fermée, j’ai carafé une petite heure avant de servir, sans être le plus expressif, il s’est révéler plus ouvert que la dernière.
Un fruit assez généreux pour le millésime, belle structure et texture intéressante, un vin assez sérieux encore mais qui en donne pas mal maintenant, belle longueur, c’est bien fait. 91
— 5 years ago

Mike, Neil and 6 others liked this

Mathieu Apffel

Avant La Tempête Blanc Sec Jacquère 2018

Before the storm! Apremont Jacquere planted in 1956, destroyed in 2019 by hail. Orchard fresh fruit salad. Stony pallet and pineapple acidity. There is a creamy character, nice little background to the fruit and mineral. Does need some air to disparate some ‘natural odors’ but I find those easy to get past. — 5 years ago

La Grange aux Belles

53 Anjou Cabernet Franc 2019

Beautiful concentrated expression of Cabernet-Francs. Natural wine, without input, not filtered. Deep purple dress. Open nose. A round, fresh mouth that honours the fruit with marked floral notes. Allow to aerate one hour before serving.

Belle expression très concentrée du Cabernet-Francs. Vin nature, sans intrant, non filtré. Robe pourpre profonde. Nez ouvert. Bouche ronde et fraîche mettant le fruit à l’honneur avec des notes florales marquées. Laisser aérer une heure avant de servir.
— 5 years ago

Diane, Tom and 20 others liked this

Rene Rostaing

Côte Blonde Côte-Rôtie Syrah 2005

Opened with slow oxygenation for 5 hours before tasting. Palate is expressive and changes nicely in the glass all night, very floral, violets and still some varietal Syrah scents and profile despite the 15 years. Palate is medium bodied, freshness is there, the tannins have melted and are of very nice texture, the medium plus length finale ends with some peppery and flowery tones. Nice but expected a little more. 90-91

Ouvert 5 heures avant dégustation en retirant le bouchon seulement. Un nez aromatique et évoluant très bien dans le verre, floral, violettes et montrant assez peu d’évolution. La bouche de texture soyeuse est assez fraîche, des tannins fondus, c’est fin et assez élégant sans être très complexe, une finale de longueur de niveau moyenne plus sur de jolis accents floraux et poivrés. Très bien mais je m’attendais à un peu plus.
— 5 years ago

Ira, Nicolas and 14 others liked this
Ira Schwartz

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@Mario Vaillancourt I am in your camp. My expectations would’ve been elevated
Somm David T

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Love this cuvée but, finding this one doesn’t age as long as my initial expectation.

Viñedas Emiliana

Valle Central Carménère 2013

Resto italien aéroport Garulhos São Paulo. Avant départ de Vincent pour le Canada. — 7 years ago

Daniel P. liked this

Château de Sancerre

Passe Avant le Meilleur Sancerre Sauvignon Blanc 2024

Pale lemon color, with aromas of citrus, floral and flinty stone fruits. On the palate flavors of grapefruit, pineapple and peach with floral notes and slight herb spice. Medium+ finish, vivid acidity ending with citrus and stony mineral spice. Nice! — 7 months ago

Tom, Wulf and 3 others liked this

Bodegas Volver

Single Vineyard Tempranillo

Un très bon Tempranillo. Corsé, épicé en premier et velouté par la suite, un peu opposé comme sensation mais c’est ce que j’ai ressenti. Boisée, cassis cerise. A besoin de respirer un peu avant de boire. Ce fût très bien avec un poulet Masala. SAQ $21,90 — 3 years ago

Domaine Guillot-Broux

Beaumont Mâcon-Cruzille Gamay 2017

A gamay in the Burgundian style structured by a marked elevage with toasted oaky notes. (very well done). The fruit is not highlighted. Since gamay does not have the same vertical depth as Pinot Noir, the primary characteristics are a little behind.

Un gamay dans le style bourguignon structuré par un élèvage marqué aux notes toastées de fût. Le fruit n’est pas mis en avant. Le gamay n’ayant pas la même profondeur verticale que le pinot noir, les caractéristiques primaires sont un peu en retrait.
— 5 years ago

Andrew, Sharon and 18 others liked this

Larry Cherubino

Ad Hoc Avant Gardening Frankland Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec 2018

Love the flavour. Could do with couple more years to develop just a slightly smoother finish on palette. — 5 years ago

Holden Manz

Avant Garde Collection Chardonnay Barrel Fermented 2019

‘19 Holden Manx Barrel Fermented Chardonnay. Standout orchard fruits highlighted by peach pit/mango mid palate…not hiding behind toasty new oak. It’s still creamy & round, with just enough acidity to balance. — 5 years ago

David, Ted and 40 others liked this
Ron R

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What’s the back-story here, @David L? Thanks.
David L

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@Ron R Sean & his son @Greg Ballington started importing wine for distributing from South Africa. This is one of many wines they are carrying. Don’t know how many states they’re in as of yet. 

Domaine François Cotat

Chavignol Sancerre Pinot Noir Rosé 2017

Bouteille orpheline exposée dans la vitrine du restaurant le Pied de cochon à Montréal, transformé temporairement, pandémie oblige, en pizzeria/caviste. Une fois les formalités d'adoption complétées, ce rosé n'a pas eu à patienter longtemps avant de rencontrer la vrille. On est loin ici du rosé de canicule. Sérieux, séveux, avec un profil aromatique assez unique et difficilement descriptible. On y trouve un petit fruit rouge, mais en mode mineur. La courte finale nous empêche d'exagérer la notation, mais ne gâche en rien l'expérience. Beau hasard! — 6 years ago

Josh, Nicolas and 1 other liked this

Claude Dugat

Gevrey-Chambertin Pinot Noir 2013

The nose is animal to start with, black fruit, menthol, some vanilla and spice. The palate has a nice roundness at the start with a good middle with slightly tart fruit, but the tannins are rustic and a bit too dry at the finish, to tarnish the balance a little bit in my opinion. Not bad but this is expensive for a Village wine of that quality. 88-89 pts

Épaulé deux heures avant de servir. Un nez animal au départ, fruits noirs, des épices, vanille un peu, menthol, un boisé qui ne semble pas être digéré. La bouche est ferme et puissante, l’attaque est bien, le milieu de bouche est agréable avec une certaine droiture et du fruit un peu acidulé, mais des tannins qui sont un peu rustiques en finale viennent un peu ternir mon impression finale. À ce prix c’est trop bien payé pour la qualité et moins mon style. 88-89 pts
— 6 years ago

Ron, Jean-Philip and 3 others liked this

Domaine Carneros (Taittinger)

Avant Garde Carneros Pinot Noir Rosé 2021

Very smooth and crisp. Would absolutely recommend. Not too sweet — 9 months ago

Massa Vecchia

Maremma Toscana IGT Rosato 2018

1630 bottles produced
Old school natural wine
Niccolaini was the avant-garde of the movement without ever being in it himself.
I got told stories of a farm with no electricity perhaps a decade ago or so
Massa Vecchia is appreciated for all its labels and you can find out which one is your favourite
Personally i am not a rose drinker, but i knew i wasn't going to be disappointed here
This is more like a Valentini cerasuolo d'Abruzzo, but even more extract, i dare to say if you sell this wine for a red nobody would argue.
It's funky to start, it gives you cola and china and its fresh and fun, plus very long and mineral.
Quite earthy perhaps not a precise fruit to define, but real good altogether
For my understanding this is the last vintage made by Niccolaini' daughter in law as a winemaker and i keep a bottle of the next vintage..i am very curious to how he has come back to his captain seat.
— 4 years ago

Rob, Ira and 7 others liked this
Ira Schwartz

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@Ceccherini Cristiano Which wines from this producer are your favorite? Thanks
Ceccherini Cristiano

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@Ira Schwartz i really like the Ariento and La Querciola😍
Ceccherini Cristiano

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@Ira Schwartz perhaps Ariento top
It changed my point of view on the vermentino grape and the natural white wine altogether, but that was a while ago, I'd say if i recall well the 2007 version. I was told(i haven't tasted😔) that the last few vintages made by Francesca Sfondrini were a little oakier, but i trust Niccolaini being back to adjust that.

Jean Delobre

La Ferme des Sept Lunes Syrah 2020

Early greedy syrah. Superbe mesmerising nose made of floral fragrances, violette flower forward, touch of pepper. A primeur wine full of charm.

Syrah primeur, gourmande. Superbe nez enivrant sur des fragrances florales violette en avant, touche poivrée. Vin primeur plein de charme.
— 5 years ago

Peter, Tom and 16 others liked this
Peter van den Besselaar

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What year Romain?
Romain Fitoussi

Romain Fitoussi

2020 i forgot. Thank you 😊

Domaine Carneros (Taittinger)

Avant Garde Carneros Pinot Noir 2012

One small ice cube to get you there;)
This is a family favorite and a bottle from our Napa 2015 trip.
— 6 years ago

Marcel Lapierre

Morgon Gamay 2009

Encore une tres belle bouteille de Lapierre, si je ne me trompe pas il s’agit de son dernier millésime vinifié avant son décès en 2010. Un Morgon à point avec le tartare de thon! Belle structure, alliant puissance et finesse, tres bon. Je ne vois pas de presse à boire mes autres bouteilles — 6 years ago

Francis le, Mario and 5 others liked this