Vallée des Pins Rosé Coteaux d'Aix en Provence 2024
Brilliant, light salmon color. The nose is moderately intense, offering scents of strawberry, crushed red berries, and slate with supporting notes of star fruit and citrus zest. The palate confirms the nose delivering a red fruit-driven core with flavors of raspberry, apricot stone, and kumquat. The finish is long and lingering. Medium-bodied and nicely balanced with a vibrant texture. $17.99 – 4 Stars – 90 points
Les Grands Carmes Rosé Coteaux d'Aix en Provence 2024
Brilliant, light salmon color. The nose is moderately intense, offering scents of strawberry, nectarine, and kumquat with supporting notes of honeysuckle, slate, and citrus zest. The palate confirms the nose delivering a ripe orchard fruits-driven core with flavors of peach, raspberry, quince, and salt. The finish is long and lingering. Medium-bodied and nicely balanced with a juicy texture. $17.99 – 3.5 Stars – 89 points
Langlois-Chateau Brut Cremant de Loire NV
Brilliant, light pale straw color with a fine bead of bubbles. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of green apple, slate, and citrus zest with supporting notes of red currant, bees wax, brioche, and honeysuckle. The palate confirms the nose delivering a ripe orchard fruits-driven core with flavors of crisp red apple, lemongrass, and quince. The finish is long and lingering with subtle dry tannins. Medium-bodied and perfectly balanced with a vibrant texture. $23.99 – 4 Stars – 93 points
Langlois-Chateau Rosé Brut Cremant de Loire NV
Brilliant, light peach color with a fine bead of bubbles. The nose is moderately intense, offering scents of red berries, orange peel, and slate with supporting notes of brioche, apricot stone, and ripe red grapefruit. The palate confirms the nose delivering a red fruit-driven core with flavors of raspberry, red cherry, nectarine, and wet stones. The finish is long and lingering. Medium-bodied and perfectly balanced with a vibrant texture. $23.99 – 4 Stars – 90 points
Domaine La Manarine Cotes-du-Rhone, Rouge 2021
Brilliant, deep ruby color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of black currant, forest floor, and five spice with supporting notes of dried herbs, garrigue, leather, and black tea. The palate echoes the nose delivering a black fruit-driven core with flavors of blackberry, boysenberry, black plum, and slate. The finish is long and lingering with dry tannins. Medium to full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a meaty texture. $18 – 4 Stars – 93 points
Maison Rémy Passot et Fils Beaujolais Cru Fleurie 2022
Brilliant, deep ruby/purple color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of raspberry, hibiscus flower, and red currant with supporting notes of red cherry, kumquat, pomegranate, and black tea. The palate confirms the nose delivering a red fruit-driven core with flavors of boysenberry, strawberry, and slate. The finish is long and lingering with ripe tannins. Medium to full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a supple texture. $27 – 4 Stars – 92 points
Domaine de Rombeau Le Botaniste Cotes Du Roussillon 2022
Brilliant, deep garnet color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of cassis, baking spices, and boysenberry with supporting notes of black tea, blueberry, and plum. The palate confirms the nose delivering a red and black fruits-driven core with flavors of black cherry, five spice, red currant, and oak. The finish is long and lingering with firm tannins. Full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a meaty texture. Made with a blend of Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvèdre. $35 – 4 Stars – 93 points
Champagne André Diligen Véhémence Champagne NV
Brilliant, medium golden color with a fine bead of bubbles. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of apricot stone, pear, and artisan cider with supporting notes of pineapple, soursop, slate, and quince paste. The palate echoes the nose delivering a ripe orchard and tropical fruits-driven core with flavors of citrus zest, white peach, wet stones, and brioche. The finish is long, lingering, and tart. Medium-bodied and perfectly balanced with a supple texture. $55 – 4 Stars – 92 points
Thunevin-Calvet Cuvee Constance Cotes Du Roussillon-Villages 2018
Brilliant, deep ruby color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of black plum, cocoa, and graphite with supporting notes of slate, garrigue, and bramble. The palate confirms the nose delivering a black fruit-driven core with flavors of blackberry, raspberry, black tea, and licorice. The finish is long and lingering with silky tannins. Full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a opulent texture. $24 – 4 Stars – 92 points
Les Vignes Retrouvées Saint-Mont 2021
Brilliant, light green/gold straw color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of honeysuckle, apricot stone, and blanched almonds with supporting notes of citrus zest, bees wax, and sea salt. The palate confirms the nose delivering a ripe orchard and citrus fruits-driven core with flavors of lemongrass, green tea, gooseberry, and green melon. The finish is crisp. Medium-bodied and perfectly balanced with a vibrant texture. Made with an unusual blend of Gros Manseng, Petit Courbu, and Arrufiac. $22 – 4 Stars – 92 points
