Tag Archives: French wine

Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Château La Tour du Pin Figeac, Saint Émilion, Grand Cru, Bordeaux, France, 12.5% abv., 1998, US$37 (opened October 30, 2025)

I panicked a little while searching for something to take to a friend’s for dinner. I found this 1998 sitting at the bottom of the wine cabinet. I had honestly forgotten it was there. Initially, I was concerned I’d missed … Continue reading

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Watching the 2025 Harvest at Le Romanée-Conti – Chardonnay, Gerard Boyer, ‘Aux Gravains’, Savigny-les-Beaune, Premier Cru, Bourgogne, France, 2023, 13% abv., 35 Euros (C$58)

Doubters of global warming will continue to rail against obvious signs, but while I was in Burgundy for Harvest 2025, it was hard to ignore the facts about the effects. This year was extremely hot, and there were vineyards being … Continue reading

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Watching the 2025 Harvest at Montrachet – Chardonnay, Domaine Joseph Pascal, Puligny-Montrachet, Premier Cru, Les Chalumaux, Bourgogne, France, 2022, 13% abv., 31 Euros/glass (C$50/glass), 90 Euros/bottle (C$147)

If I had tried, even just a little, to make it happen and to arrive at Montrachet on the day they were harvesting, there is no hope I could have done it. But there I was, on my mauve rental … Continue reading

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Vermentinu, Natiu, Domaine Mlle. Devichi, AOP Patrimonio, Barbaggio, Corsica, France, 13% abv.,

When we were deciding where to go on our European adventure, I pushed hard for Corsica.  I’d wanted to go there ever since taking the WSET Diploma ‘Light Wines of the World’ course. I set to it, started researching well-known … Continue reading

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A ‘No Spit’ Bucket List Day in Burgundy’s Côte D’Or with Hautes Côtes 

When we started planning a trip anchored to the 2024 Monaco Grand Prix, I knew I also needed to plan a stop just up the road in Burgundy. Now, Burgundy is a hallowed wine region, and one which demands much … Continue reading

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Aleatico + Nielluciu, Le Rappu, Clos Paoli, AOP Coteaux du Cap Corse, Morsiglia, Cap Corse, Corsica, France, NV, 15% abv., 16 €

Ever since I studied the wines of Corsica during the WSET Diploma Wines of the World course, I have wanted to visit the island, birthplace of Napoleon, and see it for myself. We made a trip in June 2024 and … Continue reading

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Charity fundraising tasting

During Cov*d, I offered a wine tasting with paired hors d’oeuvres to a local Rotary Club fundraiser for the Victoria Hospice Society in the memory of my father-in-law, Ken, who spent his last days there. Of course, because of Cov*d, … Continue reading

Posted in cabernet sauvignon, Cabernet Sauvignon / Blends, California, France, Grenache / Garnacha, Italy, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, Petite Sirah, Plavac Mali, RED, Shiraz / Syrah, Zinfandel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Chenin Blanc, David Monopole, Arnaud Lambert, Brézé, Saumur AOC, Loire Valley, France, 2020, 13.9% abv., US$88

In September 2023, we dropped into Monterey, California for the Rennsport 7 Reunion, a kind of convention for Porsche enthusiasts.  On the last night, and to celebrate 20 years of being together, we dined at ‘Passionfish’. We are no slouches … Continue reading

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Chardonnay, Premier Cru Chablis, Kirkland Signature, AOC Chablis, France, 2019, 13.5% abv., US$17.79

While perusing the shelves at Costco Lihue, I picked this Premier Cru Chablis up for a song. Aged in stainless steel for a year, this was a great wine to enjoy in the warmth of Kauai on the lanai.  I … Continue reading

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Pinot Noir, Savigny-les-Beaune 1er Cru Aux Vergelesses, Simon Bizes et Fils, Côte-d’Or, Bourgogne, France, 2010, 13.5% abv. US$95

Simon Bizes et Fils is a fifth generation Burgundian winery in Savigny-les-Beaunes south of Dijon. The Pinot Noir grapes for this 2010 bottle come from vineyards planted in 1939, 1949 and 1954. On the eyes, it’s a translucent garnet with … Continue reading

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