LeDomduVin: Thierry Germain Domaine des Roches Neuves Saumur Champigny "Terres Chaudes" Loire Valley 2018

Thierry Germain Domaine des Roches Neuves Saumur Champigny "Terres Chaudes" 

Loire Valley 2018

In truth, I'm a bit biased when it comes to Thierry Germain's wines, as I have been buying them for a long time (the last 2 decades, at least), and I have always loved them.

Cab Franc is not the usual crowd-pleaser, yet, I used this particular wine for 2 big events recently, and it was a real success, everyone loved it.

I wanted a different type of wine than the usual (and utterly boring) Merlot or Cab Sauv offered at parties and events. And, as I am a huge fan of Cabernet Franc, I thought I would dare.

The tricky part with Cabernet Franc-based wines is that they can be dry, tannic, astringent, earthy, austere, and even green (vegetable/leaf), especially if slightly unripe.

Yet, I knew that by selecting a wine from Thierry Germain / Domaine des Roches Neuves, I was not taking much risk, as they are always fruit-driven, balanced, and harmonious (and organic).

As expected, the wine did not disappoint and showed really well. Boasting aromas of ripe dark berries and cherries, plum, with earthy notes complemented by subtle oak and mineral nuances. The palate is lush, ripe, generous, and ample, without being heavy, balanced by the right amount of acidity and a solid grip of present yet integrated tannins, providing backbone and structure to this charming wine combining both intensity and depth.

To be honest, the juiciness, freshness, and complexity of this wine make it suitable to be enjoyed both alone or with food. I tasted it with a "cooked sous-vide" 48 hours US Prime Short Ribs, and it was to die for. Loved it.

After the tasting, I brought the rest of the bottle home to finish it with my dinner. I had a glass with some roasted chicken I prepared, delicious! And left some to be tasted the next day, as I felt it could use more opening. And, I was right, the next day, coming back home after work, I poured myself the last glass, and it was even better. Man, what a wine! Highly recommended. Moreover, it is a steal at this price!

Thank you, Thierry Germain!

Santé! Cheers!

Dom

#ledomduvin @ledomduvin #lesphotosadom #wine #vin #vino #wein #domainedesrochesneuves @domaine_des_roches_neuves #thierrygermain #loirevalley #cabernetfranc #saumurchampigny #tasting #tastingnotes

Unless stated otherwise, all right reserved ©LeDomduVin 2022 on all the contents above including, but not limited to, photos, pictures, drawings, illustrations, visuals, maps, memes, posts, texts, writings, quotes, notes, tasting notes, descriptions, wine descriptions, definitions, recipes, graphs, tables, and even music and video (when and where applicable).

LeDomduVin: Domaine Dujac Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Aux Combottes 2003

Domaine Dujac Gevrey-Chambertin

1er Cru Aux Combottes 2003

What an extremely pleasurable and satisfying wine! Amazing! And, it is a lot to say for a guy like me, as I am definitely not a fan of the 2003 vintage in Burgundy and even less in Bordeaux.

2003 was the first severe heat wave of the 21st century to hit Europe. It produced the hottest summer recorded in Europe since at least 1540.

France was hit especially hard. It began in June and lasted throughout mi-august, raising summer temperatures 20 to 30% higher than the seasonal average.

It was a weird vintage in many western European countries, as the producers facing such a heat wave for the first time did not know what to do.

As grapes reached their maturity much earlier than usual, some decided to harvest earlier to keep the acidity and prevent over-ripeness but also feared the weather may change to rain.

Others waited to take advantage of the full ripeness and concentration of the flavors, hoping it might rain in September to produce more juice.

And some did both, resulting in awkward, unbalanced, and inharmonious wines, displaying overly mature or often overripe, cooked fruit flavors lacking or with weird acidity and unintegrated green and earthy tannins.

Even wine critics and the press were fooled by this unprecedented vintage, rating the wines highly at first, "En Primeur", more specifically for Bordeaux, then lowering their scores 2 years later at release.

I will always remember 2003 as one of my worst "En Primeur" campaigns ever. So many people canceled their orders and it took months or even years to get rid of the unwanted stock.

However, this Dujac Gevrey-Chambertin Combottes is definitely an excellent example that some producers also managed to produce amazing wines in 2003, and how good producers know how to make good wine, good year, bad year. Showing extremely well now. Really approachable and enjoyable. Rich, ripe, lush, ample, smooth, generous, and layered, coating the palate with both ripe red and dark fruits. Great structure and texture, and enough acidity to keep it fresh. Very "suave" in my opinion. Highly recommended.   - Dom (11.11.2022)

Santé! Cheers!

Dom

PS: Kudos to Jeremy Seysses that I had the pleasure to meet many times during my London years 1997-2002

#ledomduvin @ledomduvin #lesphotosadom #wine #vin #vino #wein #domainedujac @drinkdujac #burgundy #sommelier #sommelierlife #sommlife #ilovemyjob #tasting #tastingnotes

Unless stated otherwise, all right reserved ©LeDomduVin 2022 on all the contents above including, but not limited to, photos, pictures, drawings, illustrations, visuals, maps, memes, posts, texts, writings, quotes, notes, tasting notes, descriptions, wine descriptions, definitions, recipes, graphs, tables, and even music and video (when and where applicable).

LeDomduVin: Krug Vintage 1990

Champagne Krug Vintage 1990

I tasted it last Friday, shortly after tasting DP P2 2002, (*), and I must say that both were stunning Champagnes, yet totally different in so many ways.

Where DP P2 2002 is rich and complex, yet in a fresh, vibrant, sophisticated, and elegant way, (without necessarily being feminine), Krug 1990 brings power, depth, richness, and concentration, in a rather more masculine way.

A blend of 40% Pinot Noir, 37% Chardonnay, and 23% Pinot Meunier, from a vintage, often qualified as "exceptional", Krug 1990 perfectly reflects the complexity of this particular vintage. It has a beautiful, hypnotic, deep golden color in the glass. Enticing and appetizing nose filled with toasted brioche, roasted almond, pastry dough, dried stone, citrus fruits, and caramelized plum tart aromas. The palate is opulent, ample and rich, complex and layered, yet, fortunately, really well balanced by the acidity still conferring great freshness to this Champagne, despite his age and the ton of flavors coating the palate from beginning to end, which could have been overwhelming without this fresh note. The long and tasty finish is definitely calling for another glass. Although really enjoyable now, it still has the potential to age for many more years to come.    - Dom (11.11.2022)

Santé! Cheers!

Dom

(*) see my previous post for DP P2 2002 description/tasting notes

#ledomduvin @ledomduvin #lesphotosadom #wine #vin #vino #wein #champagne #krug @krugchampagne #tasting #champagnetasting #tastingnotes

Unless stated otherwise, all right reserved ©LeDomduVin 2022 on all the contents above including, but not limited to, photos, pictures, drawings, illustrations, visuals, maps, memes, posts, texts, writings, quotes, notes, tasting notes, descriptions, wine descriptions, definitions, recipes, graphs, tables, and even music and video (when and where applicable).

LeDomduVin: Champagne Roger Coulon Heri-Hodie Premier Cru Vrigny NV

Champagne Roger Coulon Heri-Hodie 

Premier Cru Vrigny NV

Thank you @maxime.duval.04 for making me taste and discover this Champagne from Roger Coulon. 

It is delightful, fresh and refined, delicate, almost fragile, complex and rich in a light and elegant way, and very consistent and intricate from beginning to end, graceful like a ballerina. Love it, and it is a steal at this price.

Santé! Cheers!

Dom

#ledomduvin @ledomduvin #lesphotosadom #wine #vin #vino #wein @champagnerogercoulon #rogercoulon #champagne #vintage #sommelier #sommelierlife #sommlife #ilovemyjob #tasting #tastingnotes

Unless stated otherwise, all right reserved ©LeDomduVin 2022 on all the contents above including, but not limited to, photos, pictures, drawings, illustrations, visuals, maps, memes, posts, texts, writings, quotes, notes, tasting notes, descriptions, wine descriptions, definitions, recipes, graphs, tables, and even music and video (when and where applicable).

LeDomduVin: Dom Perignon Plenitude 2 (P2) 2002

Dom Perignon Plenitude 2 (P2) 2002

What an amazing champagne!

DP P2 is usually always very pleasing, yet, this vintage 2002 was truly amazing: fresh, enticing, and delightfully aromatic on the nose (fresh almond, citrus, white flowers, mineral, slightly toasted), then, rich and, complex, and layered, multidimensional, yet focus and precise on the palate, long and persistent, beautifully balanced and harmonious, great acidity, lively and generous from beginning to end. Refreshing, graceful and powerful in a very refined and elegant way. Loved it. - Dom (11.11.2022)

#ledomduvin @ledomduvin #lesphotosadom #wine #vin #vino #wein #domperignon @domperignonofficial #champagne #vintage #DPP2 #sommelier #sommelierlife #sommlife #ilovemyjob #tasting #tastingnotes

Unless stated otherwise, all right reserved ©LeDomduVin 2022 on all the contents above including, but not limited to, photos, pictures, drawings, illustrations, visuals, maps, memes, posts, texts, writings, quotes, notes, tasting notes, descriptions, wine descriptions, definitions, recipes, graphs, tables, and even music and video (when and where applicable).

LeDomduVin: Friday night quartet

Friday night quartet

Recently, I opened, tasted, and served a few bottles of 3 of these beautiful ladies, it was a real treat. 

Dom Perignon Plenitude 2 (P2) 2002

What an amazing champagne! DP P2 is usually always very pleasing, yet, this vintage 2002 was truly amazing: fresh, enticing, and delightfully aromatic on the nose (fresh almond, citrus, white flowers, mineral, slightly toasted), then, rich and, complex, and layered, multidimensional yet focus and precise on the palate, long and persistent, beautifully balanced and harmonious, great acidity, lively and generous from beginning to end. Refreshing, graceful, and powerful in a very refined and elegant way. Loved it. 

Domaine Pierre Girardin Griotte-Chambertin Grand Cru 2018

Lovely juicy wine, full of "Griottes", the name of the wild cherry in France. Vibrant, yet somewhat unsettled, at first, offering juicy, sour, yet ripped red cherry aromas and puckering sharp acidity, with a slightly pearling, tingling sensation on the tongue. Fresh and zesty at the opening, yet nicely developing and taming down after about 45 minutes of opening in the bottle, offering a more harmonious, balanced, and focused palate, light to medium-bodied, full of bright, juicy red cherry fruits and minerals, lingering in the finish. Youthful and refreshing, very enjoyable now, while a few more years in the cellar will make it even better. 

Chateau Palmer Margaux 2005

Majestuous, noble wine, showing a lot of stature, character, and maturity. Ripe dark and red fruits mingling with gentle oaky, sandalwood nuances, floral, mineral, and earthy notes. Gorgeous, ripe, complex, generous, opulent, ample, soft, and silky, beautifully coating the whole palate while expanding gracefully and seamlessly, like a confident monarch, to a long-lasting finish. Rich and layered, concentrated without being heavy and perfectly balanced between the ripeness of the fruit, the acidity, and the present yet integrated tannins, adding respectively substance, texture, and structure. 

Looooooooooove it!

Juyondai Chotokusen Banshu Yamadanishiki Junmai Daiginjo 

As I prefer to write a full post about it, please check my next post for the details and descriptions.  

Santé! Cheers!

Dom

#ledomduvin @ledomduvin #lesphotosadom #wine #vin #vino #wein #sommelier #sommelierlife #sommlife #ilovemyjob #tasting #tastingnotes #champagne #burgundy #bordeaux #sake @domperignonofficial @domainepierregirardin @chateaupalmer

Unless stated otherwise, all right reserved ©LeDomduVin 2022 on all the contents above including, but not limited to, photos, pictures, drawings, illustrations, visuals, maps, memes, posts, texts, writings, quotes, notes, tasting notes, descriptions, wine descriptions, definitions, recipes, graphs, tables, and even music and video (when and where applicable).

LeDomduVin: Bacalhoa Quinta do Carmo 'Dom Martinho' Tinto 2017

Bacalhoa Quinta do Carmo 'Dom Martinho' 

Tinto 2017 Vinho Regional Alentejano, Portugal

I passed by the supermarket the other day and wanted to drink something different. 

I was reading something about Portugal recently about the quality of their wines, which made me laugh as I have been buying, selling, serving and drinking Portuguese wines for the past 30 years, they have always been really good and great value for money too. 

Ok, granted, they are probably better now than they were before due to the changes of technology, techniques and practices in the vineyards and in the cellar over these last 30 years, but still, they were still very good then. 

However, I came across this bottle, about HKD 150, and decided to try it. As per the back label, it is made from a selection of Aragonez, Trincadeira, Alicante Bouschet and Cabernet Sauvignon from one of the key vineyards, named "Dom Martinho" , of Quinta do Carmo (owned by the group "Bacalhoa"). 

Deep, dark color. Earthy nose with aromas of dark fruits and berries, ripe plum, blackberry, and graphite notes. The palate was a bit tight and earthy at first, but really opened up and soften up after a few hours. It was even better the next day. Soft, ripe and supple, medium bodied, layered and ample, without being heavy, due to good acidity to balance the ripeness of the fruit and the earthiness. The tannins are super soft and well integrated, making this wine almost milky, soft and super easy to drink. Not the most complex, but a nice, quaffable wine, without over thinking about it. 

Cheers! Santé! 

- Dom (06-08/11/2022)

#ledomduvin @ledomduvin #lesphotosadom #wine #vin #vino #wein  #bacalhoa @bacalhoa #portugal #portuguesewine #winetasting #tasting #tastingnotes 

LeDomduVin: Dom Perignon 2012

Dom Perignon 2012

"What a gorgeous champagne!" was the first thing that came to my mind. 

Right after popping the cork, incentive yeasty scents of brioche mingling with apple, peach, nuts, and lemon zest were already emanating from the bottle. They became even richer, more aromatic, while I was pouring it. Boasting a bright pale golden color chiseled by fine lines of small and fast bubbles. Aromas evolved with floral and mineral nuances entangled with nutty, peachy, and limey notes. The palate is rich and concentrated, flavorful and layered, yet harmonious, balanced, and lifted by great acidity, bringing focus and freshness throughout the expanding palate, leading to a long, persistent, and generous finish. Although extremely comfortable and enjoyable now, DP 2012 has tremendous potential to age and evolve for a few more decades to come.  

- Dom (LeDomduVin - 05/11/2022)

#ledomduvin @ledomduvin #lesphotosadom #wine #vin #vino #wein #champagne #domperignon #vintage #vintagechampagne #brut @domperignonofficial #tastingnotes #tasting

Unless stated otherwise, all right reserved ©LeDomduVin 2022 on all the contents above including, but not limited to, photos, pictures, drawings, illustrations, visuals, maps, memes, posts, texts, writings, quotes, notes, tasting notes, descriptions, wine descriptions, definitions, recipes, graphs, tables, and even music and video (when and where applicable).

LeDomduVin: Cigars

Cigars 

For those who may not know, a Sommelier is someone that has studied and has been trained on anything you can serve at a table, including, but limited to: 

Drink (wine, beer, spirits, sake, whisky, cognac, armagnac, port, liquors, cocktails, and basically all alcoholic beverages in general, but also none alcoholic beverages too like coffee, tea, chocolate, etc ..)...

Food (it is very important for a Sommelier to have deep knowledge and even skills about all sorts of food, but also cooking and recipes ingredients, in order to make food and wine pairing, and find the most ideal match (I do not believe in the perfect match, as wine like food is very subjective and taste differ from one person to another). 

And, even smoke! 

Cigars are parts of the service at the table. For those who enjoy smoking them (like me), they are the quintessence of the relaxing time that comes after the meal with a digestive, while enjoying endless conversations with guests, family, and friends. 

I have not smoked a cigar for a long while now, as I completely stopped smoking cigarettes 3 years ago, and did not want to smoke anything, not to be tempted to go back to the cigarettes. Once a smoker, always a smoker, unfortunately. 

Yet, despite a few rare and weird occasions, I have succeeded for the past 3 years in not falling back. Very proud of myself for it. 

However, a cigar is very enjoyable and I keep great memories of my time in London (1997-2002), where I have been initiated to smoke quality cigars and took great pleasure in smoking them. More especially the Partagas Serie D, one of my favorite cigars. 

Dom 

#ledomduvin @ledomduvin #lesphotosadom #cigar #cigars #smoke #sommelier #sommelierlife #sommlife #ilovemyjob

Unless stated otherwise, all right reserved ©LeDomduVin 2022 on all the contents above including, but not limited to, photos, pictures, drawings, illustrations, visuals, maps, memes, posts, texts, writings, quotes, notes, tasting notes, descriptions, wine descriptions, definitions, recipes, graphs, tables, and even music and video (when and where applicable).

LeDomduVin: Weekend Quintet

Weekend Quintet

Over the weekend, I had the chance to open, taste and serve these beautiful ladies: 

Denis Mortet Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Lavaux St Jacques 2015 (x 3)

Armand Rousseau Mazy Chambertin Grand Cru 2015

Château La Mission Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan 2016

Although they were all very young, fresh, and aromatic, and showed great potential for aging, the Burgundy drank wonderfully. Yet, La Mission Haut-Brion took the longest to open up and was only starting to emerge after 3 hours of decanting. LMHB is definitely too young for now. 

Full descriptions soon on my blog at www.ledomduvin.com 

Cheers! Santé! 

Dom

#ledomduvin @ledomduvin #lesphotosadom #wine #vin #vino #wein  #burgundy #bordeaux #denismortet #armandrousseau #lamissionhautbrion #sommelier #sommelierlife #sommlife #ilovemyjob @domainedenismortet @domaine_armand_rousseau 

@chateaulamissionhautbrion 

Unless stated otherwise, all right reserved ©LeDomduVin 2022 on all the contents above including, but not limited to, photos, pictures, drawings, illustrations, visuals, maps, memes, posts, texts, writings, quotes, notes, tasting notes, descriptions, wine descriptions, definitions, recipes, graphs, tables, and even music and video (when and where applicable).