Category Archives: France
Bordeaux, Château Kirwan, Grand Cru Classé, Margaux, France, 2009, 13.5% abv. C$100
Just yesterday (November 7, 2016), Jean-Henri Schÿler, owner of this Bordeaux third-growth, Château Kirwan, and négociant Maison Schröder & Schÿler passed away at age 85. The Kirwan name actually has Irish roots (from the Gaelic meaning black). In the mid … Continue reading
Cairanne, Peyre Blanche, Famille Perrin, Côtes du Rhône Villages AC, France, 2012, 14.5% abv, C$24++
Today I ran into a friend who also reads this blog and made my day by saying she loves it! Usually I get, “Yes, well, ummm, I’m kinda busy. Isn’t it good enough that I subscribed? You mean I have to … Continue reading
Les Cornuds, Famille Perrin, Vinsobres AC, France, 2011, 14.5% abv. C$20++
Here’s a classic 50-50 Syrah and Grenache blend from Vinsobres which is located in the northern part of France’s Southern Rhône Valley. Vinsobres became its own AC in 2006; before that it was part of the Côtes du Rhône Villages. … Continue reading
Brut Vintage, Gold Label, Lanson, Champagne AC, France, 1999, US$75.00
I was awarded this bottle, oh yes I was… along with an engraved decanter for having the highest overall score in 2014 for WSET graduates in BC. As someone who doesn’t even work in the industry (alas, the blog doesn’t … Continue reading
Château Chasse-Spleen, Moulis-en-Médoc AC, France, 2009, 14% abv, C$50
Wine Spectator gave this a 90 points when it came to the market. I bought it along with several others at the BC Bordeaux release in 2010. Tucked away for a little ageing and forgotten in a box, when we … Continue reading
Domaine Huet, Le Mont, Sec, Vouvray AC, France, 2011, 13.5% abv. US$30
Do a quick search on this site and you’ll find five other reports on Huet wines that I’ve enjoyed over the past several years, as well as an accounting of our trip there in June 2014. One of my favourite … Continue reading
Grand Cru Classé de Graves, Château Carbonnieux, Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux, France, 2011, 13.5% abv, C$65
Today I learned I passed the French Wine Scholar course, so it is logical to celebrate with a French wine, mais bien sûr! I opened the 2009 version a while back, but friends brought this 2011 over to share. A Sauvignon Blanc … Continue reading
Sauvignon Blanc, Le Tronsec, Joseph Mellot, Pouilly-Fumé, Loire, France, 2013, 12.5% abv. C$35
We stopped into the Joseph Mellot storefront in the centre of Sancerre when visiting the Loire in September 2014. So, when looking for a Sauvignon Blanc recently, purchasing this white wine classic was an easy decision. The grapes for this … Continue reading
Pinot Noir, Domaine Ostertag, Fronholz, Vin d’Alsace, France, 2008, 12.5% abv.
From all accounts, André Ostertag is one interesting guy. One blogger who published about his visit there in 2010 noted “The Committee Interprofessionnel du Vins d’Alsace (CIVA) says that ‘André Ostertag is an eccentric, a wacky winemaking freak surrounded by the sanity and … Continue reading
Clos du Joncuas, Gigondas AC, Southern Rhône Valley, France, 2006, 14.5% abv.
Gigondas (yes, you pronounce the ‘s’) is an appellation in France’s Southern Rhône Valley often referred to as the ‘little brother’ of better known Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Its wines are known more for their power than their elegance and they are only allowed to … Continue reading
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