2006 Billaud-Simon Petit Chablis (Burgundy) France – Chardonnay grape“Floral nose with a hint of flint and ripe pears. Fairly ripe on the palate, with good, ripe white fruit, refreshing citrus-like acidity and unmistakably a smoke-like mineral component. Very classy, clean, balanced wine for near-time consumption. Just plain delicious and a very good quality price ratio.” (90 pts.) – wijnidee.com
2007 Domaine Francois Mikulski Bourgogne Aligoté (Burgundy) France – Aligoté grape
“This is crisp Aligoté with a serious pedigree – old vines celebrating their 80th birthday this year…It has a touch of the body and flesh of a Chardonnay, yet it’s much more forceful, with a mineral-driven, high-toned “zing” that recalls a razor-sharp Chablis or the crackle of a good Sauvignon Blanc. A good Aligoté can deliver a lemon-and-ocean flavor profile not unlike a good Muscadet, though the framework is bigger, with more push.” Crush Wine & Spirits (CWS)
2007 Nicolas Potel Bourgogne Rouge Cuvée Gérard Potel (Burgundy) France – Pinot Noir grape
“Potel’s Bourgogne Rouge 06 delivers vibrant cherry flavors with bright acidity. A great value and versatile food wine. A notably ripe nose of dark berry fruit and strong earth notes leads to rich, full and delicious flavors supported by round tannins that will permit this to be enjoyed now but it should benefit from a year, or perhaps two, in bottle first.” CWS
2008 Jean-Paul Brun Beaujolais Terres Dorees Vieilles Vignes (Burgundy) France – Gamay grape
“JP Brun’s “entry level” effort shows up Cru Beaujolais from less talented producers. With strawberry/cherry notes, a fresh acidity and a strong underpinning of minerality, the Terres Dorees is sure to delight the Beaujolais purist. An “old-school pioneer,” Brun prefers to make wonderfully fruity and delicate Beaujolais. His traditional methodology includes organic vineyard practices, using naturally occurring yeasts (instead of making his own in the laboratory), and minimal, if any sulfuring.” CWS