From France, this crisp and zesty blend will take you through a wine experience, having Claire Patelin encapsulated in this bottle a bit of the French way of life.
Clos de Nouys is an estate of about twenty hectares planted on the Vouvray appellation, managed by François Chainier. It is made up of vines that are on average 35 years old.
Already listed in the geological maps of 1907, it is one of the oldest wine estates of the AOC: its wines were served on board the Normandie liner in 1936 and on the most beautiful tables in the world. Its plots of vines were already noted among the best.
This 100% Chenin Blanc is grown on clay-limestone soils on the north bank of the Loire, on the hillsides of Vouvray.
The name of Clos du Marquis, created in 1902, was inspired by the Petit Clos adjacent to the Château de Léoville, residence of the Marquis de Las Cases. The Clos du Marquis is produced from top terroirs of the Saint-Julien Appellation that were not exclusively part of the old Domaine de Léoville cadastre. These terroirs are located slightly to the west and are surrounded by prestigious Classified Growths, particularly Seconds Crus Classés of Saint-Julien and Pauillac : Léoville Poyferré, Léoville Barton, Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande… The Clos du Marquis offers a fine expression of the Saint-Julien character : structure, complexity, harmony, distinction and ageing potential.
2011 is the second hottest vintage of the decade after 2003!
It will be remembered for the exceptionally hot and dry spring that meant a very early flowering.
The final maturity levels were very good, particularly for the phenological potential in the Cabernet Francs.
The Codex Reserve brand is the result of mixed inspirations. Its enigma comes from the winemakers and their desire to protect the terroirs from which they sourced the grapes. Specially selected to create this premium range, these vineyards offer the perfect conditions to grow juicy, full-flavoured grapes that make uniquely flavoured wines.
This specific Cabernet Sauvignon comes from carefully selected terroirs from the South of France, benefiting from hot sunny days and cooler nights at the end of summer. This aspect allows the harvest of balanced grapes, with lovely natural acidity and fruit-forward profile. The vines are planted on well-drained silty soils, with gravels retaining heat.
Of course, the exact location of such rare terroirs is a well-kept secret which is why the Codex brand is so mysterious…
Comte de Gironde has been owned by the Comin family for over a hundred years and since 2003 it is one of the daughters and her husband who together run the business with plantations of around 50 hectares of vines. The vineyard spans three municipalities in the appellation Entre-Deux-Mers on lands that are characteristic of the region’s terroir, full of muddy limestone. Soil that is very favorable for growing both Sauvignon Blanc for white and Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon for reds.
Fresh and elegant white Bordeaux on Sauvignon Blanc!
Comte de Gironde has been owned by the Comin family for over a hundred years and since 2003 it is one of the daughters and her husband who together run the business with plantations of around 50 hectares of vines. The vineyard spans three municipalities in the appellation Entre-Deux-Mers on lands that are characteristic of the region’s terroir, full of muddy limestone. Soil that is very favorable for growing both Sauvignon Blanc for white and Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon for reds.
Legend relates that the name of this imposing estate originates with Connétable Talbot, a famous English warrior, defeated at the battle of Castillon in 1453. Talbot is one of the Medoc’s oldest estates, its glory never tainted. Through the years, it has been fortunate enough to remain in good hands. The owners are Nancy Bignon-Cordier and her family. They are the fourth generation of Cordiers to manage this Saint-Julien fourth Classified Growth.
For many, Talbot embodies the ideal Saint-Julien, a generous bouquet, extremely stable and dependable during aging, a champion of longevity; even young Talbot is pleasant and rounded, always characterized by silky, mild and very civilized tannins. Talbot possesses an expansive character. It’s never withdrawn into itself and has the courtesy of being in a good mood every day.
Originally from Schönberg, in the Rhineland, fleeing the consequences of the defeat of Napoleon I, the Yung family origins settled for more than a century in Algeria. Already listed in the first edition of Féret des Vins d’Oranie in 1886, the family developed its vineyard until independence, until forced to abandon the wine estates it had owned since 1859.
In 1862 Charles Young joined his older brother, already settled in Gironde. He then decides to acquire for his 2 children and his 2 nephews, the Château Haut Mondain, a 42-hectare AOC Bordeaux wine estate, followed then by Château Barail, Les Hauts de Palette and Moulin de Tassin.
Since 2020, the Charles Yung & Fils vineyards have been committed to a societal and environmental approach by obtaining High Environmental Value (HVE), level 3 certification.
The history of the Domaine Daniel Dampt et Fils in Chablis, northern Burgundy , dates back more than 150 years. With 10 hectares of Chablis Premier Cru vineyards, 12 hectares of Petit Chablis vineyards and some wonderful bottles from the Chablis Grand Cru appellation, the family domaine manages its vineyards sustainably to protect the environment and safeguard the natural characteristics of the Chardonnay grape.
With accents of green apple, the refreshing and lively character of this elegant Chablis is a joy. It will give of its best after two to three years and is a fine pairing for ham in Chablis sauce.
For more info, visit Domaine Daniel Dampt & Filswebsite.
The history of the Domaine Daniel Dampt et Fils in Chablis, northern Burgundy , dates back more than 150 years. With 10 hectares of Chablis Premier Cru vineyards, 12 hectares of Petit Chablis vineyards and some wonderful bottles from the Chablis Grand Cru appellation, the family domaine manages its vineyards sustainably to protect the environment and safeguard the natural characteristics of the Chardonnay grape.
The Premier Cru Les Lys offers freshness and acidity on a mineral structure as desired. All the elegance of Chardonnay from fifty-year-old vines on this exceptional terroir will delight you with pan-fried langoustines.
For more info, visit Domaine Daniel Dampt & Filswebsite.
The Domaine de Beaulieu is one of the estates to follow in Chinon, located in the Touraine region of the Loire Valley in France.
Situated just near the house of François Rabelais (the greatest French author of the 16th century), the estate is run by Michaël Manceau, the 3rd generation of the winegrowers. The Domaine de Beaulieu covers 13,5 ha. Michaël uses natural methods to control yields to enhance the quality of his wines. The winegrower is passionate about his vines, his estate and the dynamism of continuous improvement.
The Domaine de Fiervaux was born from a family farm established in Saumurois with 4ha of vines, and taken over in 1890 by Henri Maitreau. 40 years later, his son Jules succeeded him, constantly improving the vineyard. In 1960, Georges Cousin and his wife Juliette Maitreau, daughter of Jules, took over the reins and developed the estate, hence the origin of the name Cousin-Maitreau, developing the vineyard from 8 ha to 28 ha with the planting of several grape varieties in order to create a wide range.
Domaine de la Chézatte is a family owned estate in the most northerly village in Sancerre. Its sustainably farmed vineyards are south-facing with soils of flint and limestone so it’s an ideal spot for growing Sauvignon Blanc.
The white Sancerre represents today 85% of the whole production; 10% of Sancerre red and 5% of Sancerre Rosé. The Domaine de la Chézatte has different terroirs with various soil tyles: silex (60%), White Soils ‘Terres Blanches’ (23%), Caillotte (17%).
For more info, visit Domaine de la Chézatte website.
Domaine de la Chézatte is a family owned estate in the most northerly village in Sancerre. Its sustainably farmed vineyards are south-facing with soils of flint and limestone so it’s an ideal spot for growing Sauvignon Blanc.
The white Sancerre represents today 85% of the whole production; 10% of Sancerre red and 5% of Sancerre Rosé. The Domaine de la Chézatte has different terroirs with various soil tyles: silex (60%), White Soils ‘Terres Blanches’ (23%), Caillotte (17%).
For more info, visit Domaine de la Chézatte website.
Domaine de la Chézatte is a family owned estate in the most northerly village in Sancerre. Its sustainably farmed vineyards are south-facing with soils of flint and limestone so it’s an ideal spot for growing Sauvignon Blanc.
The white Sancerre represents today 85% of the whole production; 10% of Sancerre red and 5% of Sancerre Rosé. The Domaine de la Chézatte has different terroirs with various soil tyles: silex (60%), White Soils ‘Terres Blanches’ (23%), Caillotte (17%).
For more info, visit Domaine de la Chézatte website.