The days are getting longer and that extra hour in the evening is perfect for an extra glass of wine. If you’re wondering what that glass should be, here are some delicious French wines that are new to our shelves. Spring is almost here.
2019 Vignerons du Pallet, Les Petites Sardines $10
Muscadet Sèvre et Maine
A good value Muscadet. The nose, dominated by the fresh aromas brought by the sea spray of the Atlantic, also has light floral notes. The wine is characterized by its finesse and has a slight pearliness that is pleasant on the palate.
2019 Viv á Vias, Le Ballon Blanc $11
50% Vermento, 50% Sauvignon Blanc
Le Ballon produces affordable and delicious organic wines in Languedoc-Roussillon France. A fresh and crisp style with notes of stone fruit and white flowers. An ideal aperitif wine to be enjoyed alongside seafood or onion tarte. Organic
2020 J. Mourat, Chenin de Jardin $18
This excellent organic, no sulfite added Chenin Blanc. Mourat is located in Fiefs Vendeen, on the Atlantic coast. It has a saltiness to balance the rich Chenin fruit. And yes, that is a naked Gnome on the label. Organic. No Added Sulfites
2019 Goisot, Saint-Bris Exogyra Virgula $28
Sauvignon Blanc
A very different Sauvignon Blanc with a texture more like a Burgundy. The Exogyra Virgula, offers pungent gooseberry and asparagus scents on a nose that seems to grab the olfactory senses. The palate is fresh and clean, more linear than the aromatics suggest, with dill and white pepper notes toward the spicy finish. Sustainable, Organic
2017 Domaine Foussier, Les Romains Sancerre $29
Sauvignon Blanc
Vines that range in age from 35 to 40 years in clay soil on a southwestern facing slope produce this wine. The Romains has a crisp nose with a heavy mineral accent. There is a richness and vivacity to this wine that leads into a long finish with strong acidity and nuances of tropical fruit and sage. Organic. Was $45 now $29
2019 Domaine Fondrèche, Ventoux Rosé $13
50% Cinsault, 30% Syrah, 20% Grenache
Freshness and gluttony at the rendezvous. With a pretty soft and luminous pink, with a flattering nose of raspberry, peach and flowers, it unfolds at the palate sensations both delicate and persistent. Was $20 now $13
2019 Château Barbebelle, Cuvée Madeleine d’Aix en Provence Rosé $16
50% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 25% Cinsault
A smoothly textured rosé, this is ripe with tangy mandarin and lime flavors allied with ripe red-berry fruits. The classic blend of Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault gives pepper, some light structure and a fresh aftertaste.
2017 Domaine Vetriccie, Íle de Beauté Rouge $11
40% Niellucciu, 30% Sciaccarellu, 20% Merlot, 10% Syrah
A great Corsican red with aromas of black olive, currant, a hint of violet and licorice and rounded with spice. The wine is fleshy and medium bodies with fresh blackberry.
2019 Vic á Vias, Le Ballon Rouge $11
50% Grenache, 30% Cinsault, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon
Grenache, Cinsault and Cabernet Sauvignon varietals blend agreeably to create a deep cherry, pomegranate and earthy nose. Medium-intensity meets medium-acidity to appease any porch-wine seeker. Organic
2019 Château Vaugelas, Cuvèe Fut de Chene Corbieres $13
60% Syrah, 20% Grenache, 15% Carignan, 5% Mouvèdre
An old favorite Southern French red with a nose of red fruits (strawberry, raspberry) leading to more dominant black cherry aromas. Lightly spicy, with peppery notes finishing with vanilla and licorice.
2018 Delas, Saint-Espirit Côtes du Rhône $15
Syrah (majority) and Grenache
From steep granite hillsides in the Ardèche region of the Rhône. The nose is classic Syrah, with berry fruit, violet and licorice. It has a full, rounded palate with delicate tannins, making it a unique wine in the Côtes-du-Rhône appellation.
2015 Château Moncets, Lalande de Pomerol $21
82% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc
A good Bordeaux from a good vintage. This wine, hugely rich and packed with tannins, has equally powerful black fruits, rich texture and blackberry and licorice flavors.
2018 Raymond Usseglio, Cuvée Girard Châteaunuef du Pape $45
90% Grenache, 4% Mourvèdre, 4% Syrah, 2% Cinsault, 2% Counoise
Deep ruby/purple, with a meaty, powerful bouquet of black raspberries, ground pepper, cured meats, and flowery garrigue, this beauty is medium to full-bodied and has a wonderful, supple mouthfeel, silky tannins and a great finish. It should age well with a solid 10-12 years or more of prime drinking.
2016 Clos Basté, Esprit de Basté Madrian $30
75% Tannat, 25% Cabernet Franc
Esprit de Basté is a rich red that exemplifies the “spirit” of the area and Madiran. Powerful and fleshy, this wine can be drunk young (fruity) or after a few years to gain finesse. Organic