Table of contents for Winter 2021/2022 in VertdeVin Wine Magazine

Do you know this property nestled in Saint-Emilion? Château Boutisse is a family property that covers 27 hectares, 24.7 of which are planted with vines. The rest being occupied by buildings, hedges, embankments, etc. Today and since 1996 the estate is the property of the Milhade family. It produces two qualities of wine there. Seventy percent of the production made is the first wine, Château Boutisse and twenty percent is the second wine, Baron de Boutisse. Let’s go together to meet Marc Milhade, enthusiastic and fascinating owner of Château Boutisse to help us discover this nugget. Above all, why do you make wine as a profession? Marc Milhade: Did I really have the choice? I fell into it when I was little, coming from a family of winegrowers! So the…

Since its creation, VertdeVin Magazine has offered qualitative tasting comments about wines and spirits from around the world. We realized that we can’t love wines and spirits without being in love with gastronomy. This is why we regularly offer food and wine pairings. Epicureanism is part of our DNA. Travel shapes the young but also the taste buds! At each meeting with a producer, at each vineyard discovery, at each spirit tasting, a table with food is never far away... However, Jonathan Choukroun Chicheportiche, the creator of your magazine, had an idea that he patiently let germinate until today. It is therefore time to unveil a new gourmet section of the magazine. Since the start of the year, VertdeVin Magazine has decided to highlight restaurants and their wines & spirits…

Château Léoville Poyferré 2001 Saint-Julien, 2ème Grand Cru Classé This wine expresses notes of juicy raspberry, juicy / tangy blackberry and more slightly of juicy / tangy cherry, tangy plum associated with touches of cornflower, pulpy fruits as well as fine hints of nutmeg, toasted almond, with a subtle hint of vanilla and a very discreet hint of truffle (in the background).* Château Léoville Poyferré 2003 Saint-Julien, 2ème Grand Cru Classé This wine expresses notes of juicy / tangy blackberry, ripe raspberry, and slightly tangy small red plum associated with strawberry, racy minerality, tonka bean, nutmeg as well as discreet hints of hazelnut, saffron and a subtle hint of vanilla.* Château Léoville Poyferré 2005 Saint-Julien, 2ème Grand Cru Classé This wine expresses notes of pulpy / juicy blackberry, fleshy /…

ARBOIS Domaine Duglois 2014 Arbois The nose is fruity, zesty with notes of juicy / crunchy vine peach. Along with the lemon zest, there are hints of juicy / fresh lime as well as hints of lychee and lime blossoms, not to mention a subtle hint of almond. There is also a hint of saffron on the nose. The palate is fruity with juice, a mineral texture as well as a certain gourmandize. Fleshy by the fruit with a tangy frame, it has notes of lemon, kumquat and tangerine all juicy / ripe associated with touches of crunchy apple as well as seeds, fresh lychee, lilac, with fine hints of verbena, almond, with a discreet hint of vanilla flower and toasted hazelnut. There is a very discreet saline touch on…

LANGUEDOC Domaine Paul Mas - Clos des Mures 2020 Languedoc The nose is fruity, racy and offers a certain radiance as well as a fine power. It reveals notes of blackberry, bright strawberry and more slightly small redcurrants associated with nutmeg, spices and a discreet hint of liquorice. The palate is fruity, well-balanced and offers juiciness, a tangy frame, good definition, a certain gourmandize, a fine tension, roundness as well as a little fat / a fine creaminess. On the palate this wine expresses notes of pulpy / juicy blackberry, creamy strawberry and more slightly cherry associated with touches of liquorice, cardamom, nutmeg as well as discreet hints of sweet blond tobacco and a hint of vanilla. Good length. Presence of a liquorice touch on the persistence. Score: 15.25/20 (90/100)…

FRONSAC Clos du Roy 2019 Fronsac On the nose it is fruity and offers a little calcareous power as well as a fine concentration. It reveals notes of fresh strawberry, cassis and more slightly fresh blackberry associated with fine touches of racy minerality as well as a discreet hint of spices and a subtle hint of toast. On the palate it is fruity, balanced and offers juiciness, a tangy frame, minerality, straightness, roundness as well as a stretched side. The wine expresses notes of juicy raspberry, crushed blackberry and more slightly pulpy cassis associated with tonka bean, toast as well as a subtle hint of cardamom. Tannins are racy, precise and relatively supple. Score: 15.25+/20 (90-91/100) Château Mayne-Vieil – Cuvée Aliénor 2019 Fronsac (The wine should be decanted beforehand) On…

Alexana Winery, Terroir Series Pinot Noir 2018 Willamette valley Light & fruity in style, this Pinot noir shows suppleness and varied berries aromas. A slight hint of peppercorn and clove appears on the finale. The acidity is tart and the structure is lean. Score: 14.75+/20 (89/100) Crimston Vineyards, Eola-Amity Hills Chardonnay 2019 Eola-Amity Hills, Willamette Valley Full-bodied Chardonnay with a very aromatic personality. It shows delicate but fragrant aromas of honeysuckle, white peach, Lilies, and crushed rocks. The oak presence is subtle, giving more of a smoky aspect. The palate is wide, ample but overruled by the crisp, tangy acidity that helps hold the taste into a sustained finale. Score: 16/20 (92/100) Crimstom vineyards, Louise Vineyard Pinot Noir 2018 Eola-Amity Hills, Willamette Valley Louise Vineyard was named after founder Paul…

What is the story of your Maison de Champagne? Where is it located? Christian Briard: My Maison is nestled in the heart of the Marne Valley western part, kingdom of the Meuniers. Its establishment is recent (a dozen years) but its history is much longer, with ancestors found in the trade in Meuse since the 18th century, and perhaps even before! When DNA gets involved there is no escape! So, after long studies in on-board electronics and a fascinating job in the emerging smartcards, this DNA woke up, reminding me of my origins and the land’s beauty. I felt for it! What is your vision of Champagne? C.B.: Champagne? You mean Champagnes! Because we are indeed a wine region with diversity like any other wine region. The know-how exudes the…

Domaine Vacheron Le Paradis 2019 Sancerre The nose is elegant, delicate and offers complexity, a certain deepness and a fine grain. It reveals notes of lime, honeysuckle, small notes of lemon associated with delicate touches of zests, lime and discreet hints of local biotope. The palate is fruity and offers a beautiful controlled freshness, fullness, delicacy, a small controlled power, richness (full of justness), deepness. On the palate this wine expresses notes of juicy lemon, bright vine peach, small notes of apple associated with touches of acidulous mandarine, zests as well as hints of honeysuckle, verbena, hints of lychee and a discreet hint of acidulous green apple. Good length. An beautiful acidulous and discreet hints of good bitterness/toasted in the finish. (J.C.C.) Price: €€ La Leccia Trebbiano Cantagrillo 2018 Toscana…

CÔTE DE NUITS Camille Giroud - Les Longeroies 2018 Marsannay The nose is fruity and offers a certain aromatic power and a well-mastered concentration. It reveals notes of crushed blackberry, crushed strawberry and small notes of crushed small blue fruits associated with hints of cinnamon, nutmeg, fine hints of tonka beans and very slight hints of vanilla bourbon. The palate is fruity, racy and offers an acidulous frame, juiciness, freshness, a fine tension, a small fat, a fine creaminess, tension and a certain aromatic purity. On the palate this wine expresses notes of pulpy / juicy cassis, cherry cream and small notes of pulpy / fresh raspberry associated with touches of violet, rose as well as hints of vanilla, chocolate, toasted almond and a subtle hint of hazelnut. Suavity and…

SAINT-EMILION 2019 VINTAGE Château Jacques Noir 2019 Saint-Emilion The nose offers a fine power and fruit. It reveals notes of blackberry, blackcurrant and more slightly ripe red berries associated with a touch of violet as well as fine hints of cardamom, tonka bean and a very discreet hint of toast. The palate is fruity and offers unctuosity, juiciness, a little freshness as well as minerality. On the palate this wine expresses notes of juicy / fresh blackberry, pulpy blackcurrant and more slightly of ripe / pulpy strawberry associated with fine touches of tonka bean as well as a discreet hint of cocoa and nutmeg. Tannins are fine and discreetly marked. Presence of a touch of cocoa bitterness on the persistence. Score: 14.75/20 (88-89/100) Château Barrail Saint-André 2019 Saint-Emilion (No added…

2019 VINTAGE Château Coutet 2019 Barsac, 1er Grand Cru Classé de Sauternes The nose is fruity, syrupy, fresh, elegant, racy and offers a certain energy. There are notes of quince, lemon paste and small notes of mandarin paste associated with touches of pineapple in syrup, a hint of apricot, crushed mango as well as discreet hints of saffron, racy minerality and an imperceptible almost pâtisseries hint. The palate is fruity, nicely well-balanced, nicely conducted and offers juiciness, gourmandize, fat, jutosity, energy, an acidulous frame as well as tension. On the palate this wine expresses notes of quince paste, candied lemon and small notes crystallized mandarin associated with touches of dried apricot, pineapple in syrup, mango as well as hints of verbena, flowers of peach, saffron, lime, a discreet hint of…

Careglio – Roero DOCG 2018 Baldissero d’Alba, Nessuna Menzione On the nose is fruity and it offers a certain generosity, a little tension as well as a slight sensation of sweetness. It reveals notes of candied cherry, candied raspberry and slight hint of plum associated with fineness of rose, small red berries as well as an imperceptible hint of rosemary. On the palate, fruitiness, well-balanced and offers juiciness, a tangy structure, tension, dynamism as well as straightness. The wine expresses notes of pulpy / tangy cherry, tangy raspberry and more slightly fresh violet associated with touches of rose, small red berries as well as fine hints of plum, with discreet hints of fresh rosemary as well as an imperceptible hint of pepper. Tannins are well-built. Presence of a little bitterness…

Alexana Winery, Gran Rouge GSM 2018 Columbia Valley, Washington Filled with bold fruitiness, red cherry, brambleberry, raspberry, blackberry, this dark-colored wine also has a lot of oak presence and hints of cajun. Overall, this is a powerful, but balanced wine, with an overall low acidity that is calibrated with the crispness of the fruit character. The palate is smooth but quite concentrated. Score: 15.25/20 (90/100) Airfield Estate Lone Birch Syrah 2017 Yakima Valley, Washington A very bold wine with jammy components, but also a strong oak presence, dark chocolate, tar, and spices. The Palate is robust and powerful, full-bodied, and very structured. Tannins are grippy and squared. Score: 14.75+/20 (89/100) Avennia Arnaut Boushey Vineyard Syrah 2017 Yakima Valley, Washington Boushey vineyards, located on the cooler, western side of Yakima Valley,…

Meeting with Domaine Rolet, one of the spearheads of the Arbois appellation. What is the signature of the estate’s wines? What makes it possible to recognize them in blind tasting? Regarding red wines, we have something very gourmand and crunchy. I think it is also a certain philosophy of work that allows us to have red wines that stand out a bit, with a lot of substance, balanced structures and tannins. We like reds easy to drink but which also keep their potential to be cellared. Our vinotheque hosts over 40 vintages waiting for wine lovers. Regarding the whites, we have a great reputation for both the non oxydative and oxydatives cuvées. There is a lot of balance in our whites and still good aging potential. We have topped Chardonnay,…

Mura Mura, a new winery in Monferrato area, have hosted a special and international convention last November 5. Starting by the point the world of wine can’t be decisive to sort out the problems caused by climate change, this conference enhances the importance of wineries and human behaviours may actually have. Illustrious characters of the world wine sector have told their efforts to set up sustainable agriculture before then organic or biodynamic. Among the speakers, Carlin Petrini (fondatore di Slow Food), Aubert de Villaine (Domaine de la Romanée Conti), José Vouillamoz (Académie Internationale du Vin), Alessio Planeta (Planeta), Willi Bründlmayer (Weingut Bründlmayer), Carlo Mondavi (Raen) and Alvaro Palacios (Bodega Alvaro Palacios), Mario Pojer, Saskia De Rotschild (Château Lafite), Thomas Duroux (Château Palmer), and Jean-Pierre Perrin (Château de Beaucastel). In this…

The 161st Hospices de Beaune Wine Auction reached € 12.6 million, a historic vintage for the oldest charity auction in the world. New Record Price for Charity Barrel: The ‘Pièce des Présidents’ On November 21, 2021 the 161st Hôspices de Beaune wine was conducted. The previous sales event has been postponed and all events have been cancelled, wine lovers have been looking forward to the day. Despite of currant scenario the city was filled with tourist and wine lovers carrying a glass of wine, and the auction room was filled with chaos with wine buyers from France and non-European. Due to the weather conditions the harvest was historically short in quantity, just 349 barrels, barely half of last year, are being auctioned. Ludivine Griveau, oenologist at the Hospices explains: “Due…

Colas Robin Brut Nature Champagne Piollot Père & Fils 2015 This Champagne has a nice deep straw color with different sizes of bubbles. They are quite fast. The mousse is soft. The first nose is fresh, fruity with cooked apple notes, almond and roasted hazelnuts. The second nose is all about white pepper and flower like jasmine. The attack is fresh with lively fine and numerous fast bubbles. There are fruits like apricot and peach. The middle of the mouth is floral, pure, limpide. We can taste Philadelphus flowers. We also have pastis landais (brioche) and lemon zest. The acidity brings freshness and structure to this gastronomic Champagne. The finish is delicate with salty minerality and we can feel pine needles and marzipan notes. Score: 18,5+/20 (97-98/100) 50/50 Sublimité Brut…

RED WINES Domaine de Peirecèdes, Règue des Botes 2016 Côtes de Provence Pierrefeu Nice ruby color, limpid and shiny. The first nose is a little bit closed and animal. Notes of undergrowth, mushroom (porcini mushrooms), humus. An animal and metallic side appears. We perceive fruits such as black cherry and also tomato coulis. Nice freshness and good acidity on the attack. We find black fruits like cherry which develops on the kirsch cherry. We feel the tomato coulis and little by little fresh berries appear: blackberries in particular. Tannins are smooth on the palate. The tasting ends with a nice fresh length on menthol and also leather notes. Nice balance and power. Score: 17+/20 (94-95/100) Château La Tulipe Noire 2016 Côtes de Provence Nice limpid and shiny wine with ruby…

MONTAGNE SAINT-ÉMILION Château Plaisance - Réserve de la Famille 2019 Montagne Saint-Emilion On the nose it is fruity, well-rounded and offers power, delicacy as well as a nice fine texture. It reveals notes of bright cassis / finely tangy, crunchy strawberry and more slightly cherry associated with small touches of blueberry, vanilla, spices as well as a subtle hint of pepper. The palate is fruity, balanced and offers juiciness, gourmandize, good definition, elegance, a little concentration as well as finesse. On the palate this wine expresses pulpy / juicy cassis, crunchy wild strawberry and more slightly raspberry associated with small touches of dark chocolate / cocoa, cherry as well as a subtle hint of vanilla and a hint of pepper. Tannins are precise and silky. Good length and good persistence…

2019 VINTAGE – RED WINES Château Rochemorin 2019 Pessac-Léognan The nose is fruity and offers freshness as well as a very fine intensity. It reveals notes of cassis, racy minerality and more slightly strawberry associated with touches of pepper, salinity as well as fine hints of spices. The palate is fruity, balanced and offers juiciness, a mineral / tangy frame, a good definition, a certain gourmandize, a little tension as well as a certain finesse. On the palate this wine expresses notes of pulpy / juicy cassis, crushed blackberry and more slightly violet associated with touches of strawberry, small fresh fruits, hints of racy minerality, liquorice, chocolate as well as a subtle hint of camphor and crushed hazelnut. Tannins are finely suave. Good length. Presence of a small chewiness on…

Gianni Doglia – Viti Vecchie 2018, Bricco di Nizza Nizza DOCG On the nose it is fruity, fresh and offers a fine varietal touch. It reveals notes of blackcurrant, blackberry and more lightly violet associated with small touches of small black fruits as well as discreet hints of pepper. The palate is fruity and offers juiciness, minerality, a tangy frame. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of raspberry, small red berries and more slightly tangy / pulpy red plum associated with touches of cassis as well as fine hints of violet, liquorice, discreet hints of laurel / grove local. A fine saline hint on the finish / persistence. Score: 14.75/20 (88-89/100) Il Botolo – Bricco di Nizza 2016 Nizza Riserva DOCG On the nose offers beautiful concentration. There are…

SCOTCH WHISKIES Single Malt Parliament Aged 21 Years Glendronach Scotch Whisky Very nice amber color, limpid and clear. Very nice floral nose with hints of roses. There are also grains and dried fruits such as apricot and orange. There is a beautiful complexity with a smoky side that emerges. It’s fresh and tangy with a touch of salted butter caramel. In the nose background, we smell rosewood. Lots of spices from the start with pepper, cinnamon and cloves... The palate is soft, velvety after this first powerful encounter. The rancio and the dried fruits appear with the dried apricot, the almond but also the pecan nut. The finish ends with vanilla and mocha. A whisky that deserves aeration and a slow tasting. Score: 16/20 (92/100) Glenglassaugh Pedro Ximenez Wood Finish…

Les Curiosités de Laubade, L’Enchanteur De l’Adour au Ciron 2010 Armagnac (Maturing in barrels of Château Doisy Daëne. Bottled in: 09/2021. 45.2%) The nose is aromatic, elegant and offers fruit as well as delicacy in its power. There are notes of candied lemon, quince and small notes of dry white grapes associated with fine touches of rancio, lychee, black pepper as well as a subtle toasted hint and a very discreet hint of crème brulée The palate is fruity, elegant and offers delicacy in its power, roundness, fat, a beautiful acidity (in the background) as well as a beautiful balance. On the palate, this Armagnac expresses notes of candied quince, candied peach and small notes of crushed / stewed white small fruits associated with touches of rancio, black pepper, toasted…