Innholdsfortegnelse for Winter 2020 i VertdeVin Wine Magazine

The Perse Family Vineyards brings together five properties located on the right bank of Bordeaux, Château Bellevue Mondotte, Château Monbousquet, Château Pavie-Decesse, Château Pavie and Clos Lunelles. Even though Pavie, whose origins date back to the 4th century, was not the first property acquired, it is currently the flagship of the family vineyards. For a little anecdote until the end of the 19th century, the property was known as Domaine Pimpinelle. Over the past two centuries, three great families have marked the history of the property; the Bouffard family, the Valette family and today the Perse family. Château Pavie is a 37-hectare (91.5 acres) property majestically set on the Pavie slope, thus dominating the Dordogne valley. In 1955, it obtained recognition as a “Premier Grand Cru Classé” for the undeniable…

Owner of 15 estates with exemplary profiles, Gérard Bertrand is the ambassador of fine wines of Languedoc-Roussillon around the world, tirelessly promoting the enchanting terroir located between the ancient Roman city of Narbonne and the Mediterranean Sea. Known for its success story, fame and most of all as one of the godfathers of biodynamics principles – for which he was one of the first to extend to a voluminous production – Gérard Bertrand is one exceptional character that has done so much for the region’s image with his quest to bring out the best in terroirs from his region and promote them worldwide. One of these estate – Domaine de l’Aigle has managed to actually push boundaries within the Limoux AOC. Acquired in 2006 from Burgundian producer Antonin Rodet, Domaine…

Château d’Aiguilhe 2018 Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux The nose is fruity, elegant and offers fleshiness, a certain aromatic purity, a very fine richness, a very beautiful quality of the fruit as well as a fine gourmandize. It reveals notes of bright cassis, bright black plum and small notes of liquorice associated with touches of cornflowers, small blue fruits as well as fine hints of sweet spices and a very discreet hint of blond tobacco (in the background). The palate is fruity, well-balanced, racy and offers minerality, juiciness, a beautiful gourmandize, a great definition of the fruit as well as suavity. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of bright cassis, bright blueberry and small notes of crushed raspberry associated with a touch of bright blue plum, very fine hints of…

FRONSAC 2018 Château Magondeau - Beau Site 2018 Fronsac The nose is fresh, finely tight and offers power. It reveals notes of small blue frutis, wild blackberry, small notes of violet associated with fine touches of strawberry as well as a fine hint of rose, liquorice and spices. The palate offers a mineral frame, a racy minerality, a small fat as well as freshness, a fine tension and gourmandize. On the palate this wine expresses notes of pulpy/fresh blackberry, pulpy cassis, small notes of small fresh blue berries associated with touches of cornflower, violet, a racy minerality as well as fine hints of liquorice, nutmeg, a hint of caramelization and a discreet hint of vanilla. Good length. Tannins are well-built. A very discreet hint of hazelnut on the persistence. Score:…

Delaforce Fine white Port The nose offers a small power. It reveals notes of dry apricot, dry Mirabelle, small notes of dry yellow currant associated with fine touches of nutmeg, small yellow fruits and a very discreet hint of dry almond. The palate is fruity and offers fullness, a small suavity, a fine straightness, energy and a fine fat. The palate is fruity and offers fullness, a small suavity, a fine straightness, energy and a fine fat. On the palate this Porto expresses notes of crushed Mirabelle, small dry yellow fruits, small notes of candied yellow peach associated with a fine touch of quince, dry apricot as well as a discreet hint of fresh hazelnut, dry almond and pepper (in the background). Good length. Score: 15/20 (89-90/100) Ramos Pinto –…

Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey is a 1er Grand Cru Classé of Sauternes whose origins date back to the 15th century. This vineyard, owned by Silvio Denz, a Swiss entrepreneur passionate about wine, covers 35 hectares, 32 of which are planted. 15 hectares are dedicated to the production of the first wine (Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey), 15 hectares to the second wine (Chapelle de Lafaurie) and 2 hectares to produce Bordeaux Blanc (dry). Each year the property produces between 20,000 and 40,000 bottles of Sauternes. I suggest we go together to discover this property, enlightened by the explanations of David Bolzan (General Manager of Vignobles Silvio Denz). Where does the name of the property come from? David Bolzan: This is the name of the previous owners. It is a composite name that comes from the…

Château de Chénas - Cœur de Granit 2018 Moulin-à-Vent The nose is fruity, racy, well-defined and offers a quite precise fruit. It reveals notes of pulpy/juicy violet plum, juicy blackberry, small notes of juicy blueberry associated with touches of strawberry as well as hints of spices, vanilla and a discreet hint of toasted. The palate is fruity, juicy, fresh, precise/squared, very discreet tight, well-built, racy and offers a small racy minerality (granit). On the palate this wine expresses notes of juicy/fresh blackberry, juicy/fresh cassis, small notes of small crunchy/juicy violet plum associated with touches of juicy/fresh/ripe cherry as well as fine hints of racy minerality, violet and very fine hints of chocolate/toasted. Tannins are well-built. Good length. A beautiful wine on the fruit. Score: 15.5/20 (90-91/100) Château du Moulin à…

2018 RED PESSAC-LÉOGNAN Château Nouchet 2018 Pessac-Léognan The nose is fresh, aromatic and offers a fine racy power. It reveals notes of ripe wild cassis, ripe plum, small notes of wild raspberry associated with touches of small red berries as well as fine hints of pepper, violet as well as discreet hints of cuben pepper, toasted, chocolate and an imperceptible hint of vanilla (in the background). The palate is fruity, mineral, well-balanced and offers a mineral frame, freshness, juiciness as well as a fine tension, density and suavity. On the palate this wine expresses notes of juicy/fresh blackberry, crushed/fresh cassis, small notes of raspberry associated with touches of violet, nutmeg as well as fine hints of small fleshy/juicy red fruits, very fine hints of sweet spices and toasted. Score: 15.5/20…

LANGUEDOC Campredon par Alain Chabanon 2018 Languedoc The nose is fruity, precise and offers a fine intensity as well as a fine straightness. It reveals notes of small wild berries, blackberry, small notes of small crunchy red fruits associated with discreet hints of crunchy cherry, cherry blossom, fresh violet as well as discreet hints of spices and sense of the place (local biotope). The palate is fruity, juicy and offers freshness, gourmandize, a finely creamy touch, fat as well as suavity, dynamism and a certain purity of the fruit. On the palate this wine expresses notes of small creamy red berries, juicy cassis, small notes of creamy/juicy cherry associated with touches of small red berries, lily, rose as well as very fine hints of zan, spices and an imperceptible hint…

Domaine Sigalas, Assyrtiko 2017 Santorini Located in the peaceful vineyard of Oia, in Santorini, the vineyards of Sigalas are a traditional beauty. This tank fermented Assyrtiko is the flagship of the estate, it is highly aromatic and clean, with a purity known to this island and a seductive sea salt character. It has a great balance between structure, weighty volume, richness, and the counterbalancing freshness and pure energy. Score: 16/20 (92/100) Estate Argyros, Assyrtiko 2017 Santorini The particularity of Argyros stands in their authentic, ungrafted old vines which some are over 200 years old in their private vineyard located in Episkopi Gonia. This Assyrtiko expresses a good example of the high acidity potential of this varietal with citrus, lemongrass, and stony aromas, yet with finesse. The discreet touch of oak…

Château Haut-Bailly is a family property located in the Pessac-Léognan appellation, and a Graves Classified Growth (Cru Classé) since 1953. “It’s probably since the Middle Ages that we have been making wine in Haut-Bailly. Our terroir has always interested remarkable men who have known how to unseal its potential and have never ceased to reveal it. As early as 1461, local archives have recorded the excellence of these lands for growing vines.” As the vineyard grew by acquiring plots located around the château, plots still present today in the Haut-Bailly vineyard. From the middle of the 17th century, thanks in particular to Firmin Le Bailly, the plot of the property began to be well established, resembling the current plot. The property remained in the hands of the Le Bailly family…

Château Garreau is a property of the Landes, producer of Armagnac and Floc de Gascogne. The property covers 85 hectares of which 27 hectares of vines are planted in a terroir of tawny sands. The rest of the estate is occupied by forests and ponds. Each year Château Garreau distills around 150 hectoliters of pure alcohol (i.e. 300 hectoliters of Armagnac) and produces around 30,000 bottles of Floc de Gascogne (red and white). The production of Armagnac is divided into four main cuvées: VSOP, XO, Cuvée du Siècle Extra, Cuvée Royale then vintages. The estate also has a production of Blanche d´Armagnac. The estate was built in several stages, but from the 17th century there has been a production of Armagnac combined with polycultural agriculture. The property specialized in the…

Stephen Carrier winemaker of Château Fieuzal (Pessac-Léognan) Wine is all about sharing with friends or guests, people you want to make happy - That’s my ultimate goal. “Wines is like art as for me every bottle has its own character according to when and with whom you drink it.” Daily wine work is an intense and fantastic job starting from vine pruning and finishing with bottling. It is a long process to achieve a blend of many blocks from your vineyard where you have spent as much time as you have. Because I consider winemakers to have - strong vineyard skills as I need great fruits to make great wine. No argument there. My first experience with wine is when I went down into my grand father’s Champagne cellar where…

Domaine Grand - En Beaumont 2012 Château-Chalon The nose is elegant, racy and offers a fine racy minerality. It reveals notes of juicy yellow nectarine, quince and small notes of pear associated with touches of fresh hazelnut, crushed almond, a slight hint of cooked apple, slight hints of racy minerality, white flowers as well as a very discreet hint of pepper, oriental spices and apple blossoms / verbena. The mouth is mineral, racy, elegant, well-balanced, beautifully conducted and offers a small freshness, harmony, a small melodious side, a slightly acidulous frame, precision, a very fine straightness, finesse as well as suavity. On the palate this wine expresses notes of fleshy / juicy nectarine, fleshy / juicy mirabelle plum and small notes of curry associated with touches of dried citrus fruits,…

SAINT-ÉMILION PREMIER GRAND CRU CLASSÉ 2010 La Mondotte 2010 Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Premier Grand Cru Classé The nose is elegant, racy and offers a beautiful controlled power, deepness. It reveals notes of wild cassis, blackberry, small notes of incense associated with small touches of black pepper, blueberry, ripe wild strawberry as well as fine hints of tobacco, tonka bean, cloves, dry mild tobacco and a discreet hint of spices. The palate si fruity, juicy, gourmand and offers a beautiful freshness, a beautiful definition, acidity, deepness, suavity, precision, a beautiful dynamism as well as an acidulous frame. On the palate this wine expresses notes of juicy/acidulous cassis, Boysen berry, small notes of strawberry associated with small touches of acidulous Boysen berry, small notes of strawberry associated with small touches of acidulous…

GRANDS CRUS CLASSÉS 2018 Château Doisy-Daëne 2018 Barsac, Second Grand Cru Classé The nose is elegant, racy and offers concentration (full of finesse), power (well-built/dosed) and a very beautiful deepness (full of finesse). It reveals notes of kumquat, clementine fresh zests, small notes of small fruits associated with fine touches of zests, lychee, sugared pear, a very discreet hint of sweet spices and grey pepper (in the background). The palate is fruity, well-balanced, elegant and offers a fine acidulous frame, juiciness as well as tension, harmony, suavity and dynamism. On the palate this wine expresses notes of crystallized lemon, fresh lychee, white fruits/ripe apple, small notes of juicy pear associated with small touches of quenette, a very discreet hint of papaya as well as an imperceptible hint of lime, a…

IGP CAMPANIA San Salvadore – Falanghina 2019 IGP Campania Falanghina The nose is fruity, fresh, gourmand and offers a beautiful nose as well as generosity. It reveals notes of ripe lychee, quenette, small notes of fleshy vine peach associated with small touches of exotic fruits, kumquat as well as fine hints of lemon flowers, a discreet hint of elderflower and an imperceptible hint of local copse/sense of the place. The palate is fruity, well-balanced and offers a juicy/acidulous frame, a good definition, gourmandize as well as a beautiful juiciness, a beautiful definition, a small racy minerality, an aromatic purity and a fine unctuosity. On the palate this wine expresses notes of juicy quenette, pulpy/juicy vine peach, small notes of lychee associated with fine touches of juicy kumquat as well as…

RED WINES Taboadella 1255 – Grande Villae 2018 Dão The nose is squared / well-defined and offers power, deepness as well as a small intensity. It reveals notes of pulpy Boysen berry, pulpy cassis, small notes of small pulpy/fleshy blue fruits associated with fine touches of fresh raspberry, sense of the place as well as discreet hints of dry local copse, pepper, subtle hints of spices and nutmeg. The palate is fruity, squared, finely tight, well-balanced and offers a juicy/finely acidulous frame, gourmandize and tension. On the palate this wine expresses notes of fleshy/pulpy blackberry, cassis and small notes of violet associated with touches of acidulous/juicy blue fruits as well as a very discreet hint of eucalyptus, subtle hints of cardamom and spices. Tannins are finely marked. Good length. Score:…

COLUMBIA VALLEY RED WINES Woodhouse Wine Estate, Dussek – Syrah 2017 Columbia Valley Part of the Woodhouse Wine estates, a small family-owned winery in Washington, Dussek makes bold and dynamic wines. This Syrah is the perfect example as it has an overwhelmingly fragrant expression. It’s bolder and more deeply structured than most made in Washington, yet expressive and balanced with bold blackberry. Pepper and grilled anise flavors build power forward with polished tannins. Score: 14+/20 (87/100) Château Ste Michelle, Col Solare, Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 Columbia Valley This Partnership between Tuscany’s reputed Marchesi Antinori and Washington State’s very own Chateau Ste. Michelle started in 1995 and has reached iconic status ever since. It showcases the unique ripeness that is so characteristic of the tiny, but warmest sub-appellation of Red Mountain. Full-bodied,…

Gekkeikan Sake Inc. – 30th Yamadanishiki Junmai Ginjo BMG – Anniversary Special Edition 16% alc – USA The saké is transparent with a pale straw color. The nose is intense with fresh green coffee beans and lot of fruits like banana (isoamyle), roasted rice and apple. In the mouth, it’s fresh with a light fizz at the attack and high acidity. We can feel the banana (banana candy) and green apple with a hint of cooked rice water. The medium finish is slightly bitter which allows to cleanse the palate. Score: 14/20 (86-87/100)) Aihara Shuzo Co. Ltd – Ugonotsuki Junmai Ginjo Yamadanishiki 16% alc – Hiroshima – Japan The saké is transparent with a pale straw color. The nose is clean with high intensity of fruits like banana, pineapple and…

Monluc 2009 Armagnac (Organic) (53.3 °) The nose is fruity and offers a certain power, gourmandize, aromatic purity as well as a very fine intensity. There are notes of peach in syrup, jammy lemon and small notes of orange associated with touches of dry lemon, orange blossom, dry yellow grapes as well as fine hints of pâtisseries, caramelization, a subtle hint of acacia, sweet spices, blond tobacco and a very discreet hint of pepper. The palate is fruity, well-balanced, powerful, all in length, racy and offers a acidulous frame, good definition, elegance, a small aerial side, fine grain, tension, a beautiful guideline as well as a pretty precision. In the mouth this Armagnac expresses notes of orange, orange zest, orange and small notes of pepper associated with small touches of…

Château du Breuil – VSOP Calvados Pays d’Auge (40%) The nose is fruity and offers a small power. It reveals notes of cooked yellow apple, mirabelle plum and small notes of butter associated with fine touches almost citrus. The palate is fruity, well-balanced and offers freshness, a good definition, energy, a good guideline, a fine roundness as well as power. On the palate, this Calvados expresses notes of cooked yellow apple, crushed pear and small notes of Tarte Tatin / butter as well as a subtle hint of flowers (in the background) and an imperceptible hint almost pepper. Score: 15/20 (89-90/100) Château du Breuil – Fine Calvados Calvados Pays d’Auge (40%) The nose is elegant, aromatic and offers a fine freshness, a certain aromatic purity as well as a controlled…

COGNAC XO Martell – XO Cognac The nose is powerful and offers a certain intensity, a small incisive side as well as a fine grain. It reveals notes of dry orange zests, dry quince, small notes of dry flowers associated with small touches of orangette, dry lemon as well as discreet hints of dry peach, caramelization, violet and pepper. The palate is fruity and offers a small fat, goumandize, a small incisive side, a fine straightness as well as a small juiciness, a fine freshness, a fine acidulous frame, power and fullness. On the palate this Cognac expresses notes of dry orange, orangette, small notes of dry zests associated with small touches of dry lemon, caramel pear as well as hints of cigar, cedar, crème brûlée and a discreet hint…