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MARGAUX, 2003 Château Dufort-Vivens
This second growth (Grand Cru Classé) AOC Margaux belongs to Gonzague Lurton, who oversees the property with great precision. Its infertile soil has been planted with the Médoc’s three chief grape varieties. Seventy-five percent of the vineyard is covered with Cabernet Sauvignon, producing the wine’s silky tannins, 20% is planted with Merlot offering good roundness, and 5% with Cabernet Franc ensuring structure and ageing potential. The harvest is hand-picked and carefully sorted and then each parcel is vinfied separately. The wines are matured in barrels, including new oak. This Margaux, boasting a deep red colour, is very aromatic, exhaling liquorice and discreet toasty notes. Red berry flavours and tannins express good balance on the palate, with a lengthy finish. This young wine is very concentrated, as it reflects the characteristics of the 2003 vintage, it is therefore ready to drink now. Food pairing: tournedos, roast venison, t-bone steak.
price: 30.00€
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Rivesaltes, La Perle Pourpre, Domaine Piquemal, 2006 (France)
The colour is a deep red. The small is instantly appetising, with enticing aromas that are full of black cherry and cassis-like fruit. Incredibly succulent on the palate, one almost has the impression of biting into chewy and juicy fruit. Soft tannins give this sufficient firmness on the palate, causing the flavours to linger. This is beautifully balanced between its sweetness and the freshness of its fruit flavours. One could be in the vinyard chewing on ripe and fresh grapes, but this has greater complexity. A snip at this price!
Drink with: chocolate or red fruit-based desserts, or on its own, for the sheer, instant pleasure it provides.
price: 9.50€
from the producer (Tél. 33 (0)4 68 64 09 14)
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La Chapelle de Sainte-Roseline 2004, Côtes de Provence (France)
This ia a very upmarket cuvée from this fine Provencal estate. Juicy and harmonious, with aromas that speak of the sun and that are underscored by a hint of liquorice, this is also very well blanced. The grapes used in its blend (syrah, cabernet sauvignon, mourvèdre), have been painstakingly cared for, doubly sorted and fermented with care. Maturation has taken place partly in new oak barrels and partly in larger wooden containers. This has enhanced the aromas without them being dominated by wood. Hand-crafted, so necessarily a bit costly.
Drink with: Preserved duck or goose, duck breast, game, tournedos Rossini.
price: 39.00€
from producer (Tél. 33(0) 4 94 99 50 30)
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Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Clos de l’Oratoire des Papes, 2005 (France)
Strong aromas remind one of wild herbs, prunes and liquorice. The flavours are concentrated but finely-honed. One can feel the sun here, and yet this stays in perfect balance for its style, softly powerful. A very fine châteauneuf at an acceptable price for this level of quality.
Drink with: Roasted meats, game, goose ou turkey.
price: 18.80€
from the producer (Tél. 33 (0)4 90 39 32 32)
www.everywine.co.uk
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Château Richelieu 2004, Fronsac (France)
This is nice and ripe in its fruit flavours, which are of the black fruit type. Merlot dominates the blends of Fronsac wines, and is clearly the main component here. The tannins show well but are not overtly agressive, and the balance is good. One could drink it now or keep it for a while. Very good value for money.
Drink with: roasted or, grilled red meat, meat dishes in sauce
price: 15.00€
from the producer (Tél. 33 (0) 5 57 51 13 94)
www.genesiswines.com
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Saint-Aubin 1er cru, Sur le Sentier du Clou, Domaine Larue 2005 (France)
Pinot Noir, which is the king of Burgundy’s red grape varieties, is rarely deep in colour, but this one shows more than many. The nose is nicely fruity, with hints of red and black fruit, slightly peppery. The flavours are deliciously pure on the palate. All the members of our tatsing panel loved this wine for its delicously pure fruit flavours, and its fresh and supple constitution. A fine Burgundy for a reasonable price. Drink with: roast chicken or other poultry.
price: 10.00€
from the producer (Tel. 33 (0)3 80 21 30 74)
www.everywine.co.uk
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ARGENTINA, Elementos, 2005 Shiraz Malbec
New World wines benefit from a more extravagant climate than in Europe, in addition grape varieties that aren’t neighbours in France, are shamelessly planted side by side over the other side of the Atlantic.
This red wine is a blend of two grapes. It combines tannic Malbec, the King from Cahors, - whose other growing area of predilection is Argentina - with Syrah, the Northern Rhone Valley’s queen, which fully reveals its peppery seduction when subject to intense sunlight.
The end result is impressive balance and melted tannins. Smokey and liquorice aromas mix with jammy red berry notes. The altitude at which the vineyard is planted offers freshness. Perfect with a t-bone steak, barbecued meat, country-style pâté, vegetables stuffed with minced lamb and spices.
price: 7.95€
www.cfv.fr
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