Domaine le Vieux Chene Cotes Catalanes Blanc IGP 2014
Brilliant, pale straw color. The nose is subtle and fresh with scents of wild spring flowers with ripe peaches, green apple, and crisp citrus notes. The palate is in full accord with the nose delivering a vibrant, tart fruit core with bright lemon zest and mineral accents being totally dry. It's medium-bodied with zesty green fruits and great balance offering bright citrus notes. $12 – 3.5 Stars – 87 points
Dom. Brial Chateau Les Pins Muscat De Rivesaltes 2012
Brilliant straw color with hints of gold. The nose is wonderfully intense and complex with layers of ripe peach, apricot, orange zest, lemon, and mint with accents of honey, and white flowers. The palate is equal to the nose delivering waves of ripe orchard fruits with supporting tropical fruits, fresh herbs, and bright citrus elements. It's beautifully layered with complex fruit notes and a perfect dose of citrus juice to keep it fresh and compelling. $18 – 4 Stars – 91 points
Chateau de Jau Muscat De Rivesaltes 2010
Brilliant, deep golden color. The nose is simply beautiful with bright notes of honey, apricot, lush and sweet tropical fruits with loads of wild flowers accents of mineral and mango. The palate is in full accord with the nose delivering a rich and silky fruit core with enough acid to keep it clean with notes of fresh herbs emerging on the finish. Beautifully intense with a rich, chewy center and a crisp line of acidity that runs from head to toe. $19 – 4 Stars – 92 points
Deneufbourg le muscat Muscat De Rivesaltes 2012
Brilliant, pale straw cololr. The nose reveals an intensely fruity wine with layers of baked peach, pineapple, apple, and star fruit with hints of candied ginger. The palate echoes the nose delivering a very sweet and fruity core with lingering notes of cotton candy and concentrated pear juice. This is a very sweet wine that's stuffed with fruit but I would love to see a bit more citrus-like acid to add a lift and a vibrant edge. $12 – 3 Stars – 85 points
Les Dauphins Reserve, Rouge Cotes-du-Rhone 2013
Deep, crimson red with hints of ruby. The nose classically represents the region offering waves of ripe and dried tart berries with accents of earth, wild flowers, brown baking spices, and dried herbs. The palate echoes the nose delivering a juicy core of ripe black fruits with flanking notes of herbs, earth, and spice. Medium-bodied with ideal balance along with a vibrant dose of acidity and soft tannins. $12.99 – 4.5 Stars – 94 points
Les Dauphins Reserve, Blanc Cotes-du-Rhone 2013
Brilliant, pale straw color. The nose is fresh and floral with scents of red grapefruit, white peach, and apricot with hints of mineral and citrus zest. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering a vibrant, fruit-driven core with flanking notes of mineral and crisp lemon zest. Medium-bodied and vibrant with a generous dose of crisp acidity. Made with a classic blend of 65% Grenache Blanc, 15% Marsanne, 10% Clairette, and 10% Viognier. $12.99 – 4 Stars – 90 points
Les Dauphins Reserve Cotes-du-Rhone, Rosé 2013
Brilliant salmon with hints of orange on the edges. The nose is fresh and vibrant with the scents of strawberry, cranberry, and semi-tart raspberry with accents of mineral and thyme. The palate confirms the nose delivering a dry berry-driven core with hints of orange rind and red grapefruit with a soft, trailing minerality Crisp and vibrant with a generous dose of fresh acidity. $12.99 – 3.5 Stars – 88 points
Chateau Lassègue Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2005
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekDeepest, darkest ruby red from center to the edges. Dense, ripe cherry, cassis, and plum with supporting notes of chocolate married with bright herbs featuring a bright, sweet rosemary note free of pine-like resin with hints of mineral and toasted oak infused with brown baking spices. The palate reflects and extends the complexity and richness of that which the aromatics promise. The fruit is layered with mineral, earth, oak, and spice. Intense with tight aromas and flavors that will not reveal themselves unless given time to breathe. The tannins are quite formidable at this stage but a few hours of aeration begins to soften the edges. $150 – 5 Stars – 97 points
Helfrich Grand Cru Steinklotz Gewürztraminer Alsace 2012
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekBeautiful pale golden color with dozens of legs streaming down the glass. The aromatics leap from the glass offering a complex melange ranging from wild flowers to citrus, tropical, and stone fruits with a brilliant mineral edge. Delivers waves of ripe and semi-tart tropical and orchard fruits with candied ginger, mint, and exotic Asian spice notes. Like all great Alsace Grand Cru wines this one offers seductive, rich flavors while never losing its vibrancy. $25 – 5 Stars – 97 points
Helfrich Grand Cru Riesling Alsace 2011
Brilliant straw color with hints of gold. The nose reveals a classic Riesling offering waves of orchard fruits with exotic tropical notes, a fine minerality, and varietal/terrior based petrol tones. The palate affirms the nose offering waves of complex fruit, floral, and mineral flavors. Each sip reveals formerly hidden nuances. Perfectly balanced and ideal for the dinner table pairing well with everything from roast pork to grilled firm fish and shellfish. $25 – 4 Stars – 90 points
