Crozes-Hermitage Appellation sits on the east bank of the Rhone river surrounding the large granite dome of the Hermitage hill. There are 2600 acres of vineyard spread over a relatively large area. For years Crozes-Hermitage have traded off the name of their illustrious neighbour, Hermitage, with very few growers willing to put the effort in to produce a high quality product. However the 80’s has seen the emergence of a new generation of young producers that have raised the reputation and image of this appellation. Although the wines will never match those of Hermitage, at a third of the price they are an excellent introduction to the fabulous Syrah reds of the Northern Rhone.
Among the emerging producers is Florent Viale of Domaine du Colombier. For years they have supplied wine to the negociant firm Guigal., which makes the small amount of wine produced here very hard to obtain. With 28 acres of vineyards, including 4 acres in Hermitage and very old vines (40 years old for the reds, and 80 – 100 for the whites), this is truly one of the stars of the appellation.
The Crozes-Hermitage is harvested with low yields, around 25hl/hc and aged 70% in barrel. The best are selected for a special cuvée, entitled "Cuvée Gaby".
-Expression of young Syrah, the ruby colored is a excellent example of this style with a nose of ripe plums and prunes, mulberry, violets and olives. The palate is round and pliant with lots of ripe fruit upfront that slowly stretches to a spicy finish.
Showing posts with label french red wine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label french red wine. Show all posts
Monday, 29 November 2010
Lucien Muzard Bourgogne - French red wine
The Muzard Family has been making wine in the Santenay Appellation for nine generations – Today, Lucien Muzard and his two sons (Herve and Claude) cultivate 22 hectares of vines.
Thanks to some of the best positioned vineyards in the village of Santenay, they are producing wines of a very high quality. The family has managed to keep to traditional methods at the same time as instituting new technology. The aging of the wines is done in oak barrels but never more than 35% new (depending on the character of the vintage).
Their philosophy is simple: “Lots of care and good work in the vineyard (gentle ploughing, no herbicide, no pesticide, low yield, green harvest, hand harvest etc…) and in the “chais” (winery) - let the fruit do the talking!
Grape variety: Pinot Noir. Average of the vines: 55 years old. Soil: Clay-marl-chalk.
Maturation: 12 months in oak barrels (30% new). 750 cases made per year.
“Nice and elegant fruit. Balanced with a soft structure. To be drunk while young.”
Thanks to some of the best positioned vineyards in the village of Santenay, they are producing wines of a very high quality. The family has managed to keep to traditional methods at the same time as instituting new technology. The aging of the wines is done in oak barrels but never more than 35% new (depending on the character of the vintage).
Their philosophy is simple: “Lots of care and good work in the vineyard (gentle ploughing, no herbicide, no pesticide, low yield, green harvest, hand harvest etc…) and in the “chais” (winery) - let the fruit do the talking!
Grape variety: Pinot Noir. Average of the vines: 55 years old. Soil: Clay-marl-chalk.
Maturation: 12 months in oak barrels (30% new). 750 cases made per year.
“Nice and elegant fruit. Balanced with a soft structure. To be drunk while young.”
Château de Bourg Beaujolais Nouveau - French red wine
The Beaujolais region covers a 55 km long stretch of mainly granite hills running south from the Mâcon to Lyon. Here the Gamay grape, growing in sandy clay over granite gives uniquely fresh, vivid, light but fruity wines. Two thirds of all Burgundy comes from Beaujolais, with the standing joke being “There are 3 rivers flowing into Lyon – the Rhone, the Saone and Beaujolais”.
The vines are all free standing, pruned in the gobelet system, which necessitates hand picking. Vinification is by carbonic maceration (the whole bunches are fermented uncrushed under pressure), a method that gives intensely aromatic, fruity, wines low in tannins and ideal for early consumption. Every year, on the third Thursday in November, there is enormous fanfare at the release of the new Beaujolais vintage, aptly named Beaujolais-Nouveau.
However not all Beaujolais are frivolous quaffers. The serious quality wines come from the northern half of Beaujolais where the soil is far more granitic. There are 39 villages here, which carry the Beaujolais-Villages appellation, and 10 of these are entitled to carry their village name.
These are the Crus of Beaujolais -
St. Amour, Juliénas, Chénas, Moulin-à-Vent, Chiroubles, Fleurie, Morgon, Regnié, Côte de Brouilly, Brouilly.
The wines from these villages range from crisply fragrant to rich and brooding and are well worth the effort of seeking out.
Bruno, Denis and Patrick Matray run this small domaine based in the village of Fleurie 50km to the north of Lyon. Long recognized for the quality of their wines in particular their estate Chateau du Bourg in the commune of Fleurie,. The 10ha estate is excellently situated on the Colline de Montgenas. They make elegant, fruity wines that are typical of the Fleurie appellation. On the heights above the village, the Matray family also works Domaine de la Côte d'Adule the vines of which back up onto the slopes of Adule valley.
Classic aromas of freshly crushed berries and violet leap from the glass in this wonderfully aromatic Beaujolais. Sensual, juicy with soft tannins and round mouth feel, benchmark for the appellation.
The vines are all free standing, pruned in the gobelet system, which necessitates hand picking. Vinification is by carbonic maceration (the whole bunches are fermented uncrushed under pressure), a method that gives intensely aromatic, fruity, wines low in tannins and ideal for early consumption. Every year, on the third Thursday in November, there is enormous fanfare at the release of the new Beaujolais vintage, aptly named Beaujolais-Nouveau.
However not all Beaujolais are frivolous quaffers. The serious quality wines come from the northern half of Beaujolais where the soil is far more granitic. There are 39 villages here, which carry the Beaujolais-Villages appellation, and 10 of these are entitled to carry their village name.
These are the Crus of Beaujolais -
St. Amour, Juliénas, Chénas, Moulin-à-Vent, Chiroubles, Fleurie, Morgon, Regnié, Côte de Brouilly, Brouilly.
The wines from these villages range from crisply fragrant to rich and brooding and are well worth the effort of seeking out.
Bruno, Denis and Patrick Matray run this small domaine based in the village of Fleurie 50km to the north of Lyon. Long recognized for the quality of their wines in particular their estate Chateau du Bourg in the commune of Fleurie,. The 10ha estate is excellently situated on the Colline de Montgenas. They make elegant, fruity wines that are typical of the Fleurie appellation. On the heights above the village, the Matray family also works Domaine de la Côte d'Adule the vines of which back up onto the slopes of Adule valley.
Classic aromas of freshly crushed berries and violet leap from the glass in this wonderfully aromatic Beaujolais. Sensual, juicy with soft tannins and round mouth feel, benchmark for the appellation.
Saturday, 13 November 2010
Château Tour Sieujean - French red wine
Vintage: 2005 – Silver Medal Bruxelles 2007
Soil : gravels
Surface : 7.30 ha
Average age of the vineyards: 20 years
Grape varieties: 40% Merlot, 60% Cabernet Sauvignon
Vinification: Traditional method in stainless steel tanks after a period of pre-fermentation.
Aging in French oak barrels during 12 months.
Tasting notes: Dense black robe.
To the nose : blackcurrant and blackberries aromas mixed with toasted hints consequences of the aging in barrels. The mouth is ample and round, with ripe and silky tannins, composed of a range of nuances of fruits and spices.
To be served with: Drink at 17-18°C with a Navarin lamb or a roasted duckling served with mushrooms.
Also perfect with hard cheese like Beaufort or Comté.
To be kept: 6-8 years
Importer: Ballande New Zealand Limited - Level 1, 31 Normanby Road, Mt Eden, Auckland 1024
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