Ray Vanderhoff

9.3

Blend of Grenache (58%), Cinsault (28%), Mourvèdre (7%) and Syrah (7%). Light and pale pink color with golden highlights. Lovely aromas of dried lavender and rose petals, lemon and applesauce. The palate features strawberries, orange peel, peach and a hint of vanilla. A pronounced mineral note on the long and luxurious finish. Brilliant acidity! Clean and pure. — 6 months ago

Daniel M

9.0

Domaines des 7 chemins Jérôme et Rémy Buffière cuvée délice crozes hermitage rouge 2018

There is bacon here, and blackberry, pepper. This is great. The palate is well designed with a strong acid, some blackberry along with a milky mouthfeel (malo?), some tannins kicking up a notch, blackberry and pepper in the finish. This is a good crozes, really — 4 years ago

Johan Kuhlau

9.0

Gott. Tyngre än t.ex. Huff. Smörigt. Antagligen ekfatslagrat. Hade ca 7 gram socker - påminner aningens om dessertvin i första smaken (inte i sötma) tycker Johan. Inte snabbdrucket. — 7 years ago

Bob Bryden

Founder The Lake Sommelier, LLC, Author Wine Talk

9.0

I had the 2011 at a restaurant in Cancun about 7 months ago and rated it 8.6. This one much better with vanilla, fully ripe dark fruit, a balanced structure and moderate finish. Pre-phylloxera root stock at a reasonable price. Enjoyable! — 8 years ago

with Christi

Eric Urbani

9.0

We tasted nine Gigondas, 2003-2010, from Domaine Saint-Damien, Domaine Santa Duc and Chateau de Saint Cosme, considered by many to be the top three domaines.  Coming in at #7 — 3 years ago

Michael Herzog

9.4

7 / 9 of these have been ridiculoso. This was awesome. Still bright. Blind I would have guessed 2011 or 2010. That’s how good it was. I know he stores them cold and doesn’t release them until they’re ready, but why don’t more Domaines do this? I am sure he gasses them a bit but it works. Damn good. — 4 years ago

with Kuan

Jordan Wardlaw

9.2

Very serious Crozes sporting intense smoky bacon and sausage right up front. There’s almost a pepperoni type note to this wine- intensely meaty, smoky and savory. Violets showing up on the nose with air. Juicy blackberry on the entry and finishing with freshly cracked black pepper. For me this is what Crozes Hermitage can and should be in terms of quality. Perhaps too sweaty and savory for most, but a serious wine that is drinking great now and will do so for another 5-7 years. — 7 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.4

Big change from ’15 vintage; ’16 a blend of 95% Cab Sauv, 4% Merlot & 1% Carmenere, whereas ’15 was almost 50% Carmenere. Now wine certified organic & biodynamic, aged for 7 months in new French oak, then transferred 23% in new French oak, 49% 2-year old oak, remainder in oak vats, total of 23 months of aging. Aromas of nice dark berry fruit aromas, some nutty & peppery spice. Palate has array of berry flavors, licorice, cedar & herb pepper. Tannins starting to soften long finish ending with fruit & spice. — 4 years ago

Matthew

9.0

Interesting Young syrah, to drink now — 5 years ago

Alex Gualino

9.0

TOURAINE CHENONCEAUX
Appellation Touraine Protégé
La Bruyère - Récolte 2016

The vineyards of AOC Touraine-Chenonceaux, which include 27 municipalities, extend over a reduced area on both banks of the Cher River and are an integral part of the Loire Valley, one of the 7 European vineyards listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It is also one of the Loire's most recently established appellations in the large AOC Touraine family.

Established in 2016, the AOC Touraine-Chenonceaux is named after the famous Château de Chenonceau spanning the Cher RIver. Domaine La Bruyère's 20 hectares are located on the secondary valleys of Loir-et-Cher; an array of hillside plots grounded on clay-limestone-siliceous soils mixed with a layer of flint (known as Perruches), which take advantage of the micro-climate of the Cher Valley by showing good complexity and stylistically sitting between Sancerre and Brouilly.

Pierre Chainier source classic Loire varietal wines, as well as owning some excellent properties throughout the region. For both elements of their wine business, they look to principles of agriculture raisonné alongside the most modern wine-making techniques. Within Touraine, they have significant vineyard holdings and 7 domaines, including Domaine de La Bruyère in this newly established appellation of Touraine-Chenonceaux. Conversely, Clos de Nouys, their 25 acre estate, is one of the oldest in the AOC Vouvray. Here vines average 35 years of age and Clos de Nouys' parcels of vines were already listed among the best sites on geological maps dating from 1907.

Made from 100% Sauvignon Blanc grapes (they also grow Sauvignon Rose), their Touraine-Chenonceaux Blanc is the result of a rigorous selection process, both of parcels at harvest and of particular cuvées. Vines are cultivated following the principles of sustainable agriculture. The final wine rests on lees for six months before bottling. With its clear robe of golden hues, fresh and round on the palate, this white wine reveals aromas of citrus with notes of white, buttery flowers. An intense citrus nose: candied lemon and orange, developing into apricot and lime, about to turn into brioches. Beautifully fresh and vibrant, once chilled, it will perfectly partner with white meat dishes, fish and seafood (including Sushi) or goat cheese. Or depart from traditional Sauvignon pairings and try with exotic and intense flavors, such as Tagines or Indian Curries. — 5 years ago

with Mark