- Region: Île de Beauté, Corsica Tasting Notes: Red berries and spices. Fresh and fruity with silky tannins. Blend: 33% Niellucciu, 33% Sciaccarellu, 17% Merlot, 17% Syrah Hold Time: Now or up to 5 years Pair With: Grilled meat, Soft cheeses
- Region: Lussac-Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux Tasting Notes: Aroma of red currants, prunes and leather with hints of pepper. Flavor of cherries, blackberries, violets with a luxurious finish of vanilla and oak. Silky fruit body with soft velvety tannins. Blend: 75% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon Hold Time: Now or up to 10 years. Pair With: Smoked duck breast, braised lamb chops, Comté cheese.
- Region: Pécharmant, Dordogne-Bergerac, South-West Tasting Notes: Aromas of black cherry, and tobacco. Redcurrant and ripe red fruits blend with developed tannins for a well balanced, robust wine. Blend: 50% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon Hold Time: Now or up to 10 years Alcohol: 13.5% Pair With:This wine can pair well with veal stew, stuffed turkey, and lamb rack. It will also pair well with the rich “salade landaise”: lettuce with duck fillets, gimlets and “foie gras”.
- Region: Ardèche IGP, Rhone Tasting Notes: Aromas of Dried figs and red berries. This wine is tasty and fruity, full of sun. There are soft tannins and some spices in the end. Blend: Blend of 70% Syrah and 30% Grenache Hold Time: Now or up to 5 years Alcohol: 14.5% Pair With: Perfect wine for a dinner with friends or family, with simple dishes: lasagna, sheperd’s pie, roast chicken or cheeseburger.
- Region: Touraine, Middle Loire, Loire Valley Tasting Notes: Pale garnet color with aromas prunes, dates and earth, with the classic hints of bubblegum. Dry and light bodied with intangible yet gritty tannins, the theme of overripe black fruits, however fresh blueberries underripe blackberry and cherries all make their appearance for a complex blend of fruits. Blend: 100% Gamay Hold Time: Now or up to 5 years Pair With: Funky cheeses and goat cheese, grilled sausage, grilled portabella, lamb or marinated chicken dishes.
- Region: Saint-Amour Cru, Beaujolais Tasting Notes: Black fruits, blueberries and plums with dried notes of prunes and dates form a surprisingly light body with a hint of classic bubblegum. Earthy mushroom and cassis mingle with dark baking chocolate to form a robust tannic structure and lingering baking spice finish. Blend: 100% Gamay Hold Time: Now or up to 3 years Alcohol: 13.5% Pair With: Chicken dishes, grilled lamb and lightly spiced pork chops. Creamy and aged earthy cheese with salty cured meats. Truffle fries or Mediterranean spiced grilled vegetables.
- Region: Fleurie Cru, Beaujolais Tasting Notes: Iris, and red fruit. Bright, floral, and fruit forward with a light, energetic body and barely-there tannins. Blend: 100% Gamay Hold Time: Now or hold up to 6 years. But best drunk young. Alcohol: 13.5% Pair With: Creamy cheese like Brie or Camembert, and goat cheese. Light fish and seafood dishes, and of course a charcuterie.
- Region: Côtes de Roussillon AOP, Roussillon, Languedoc-Roussillon Tasting Notes: Red berries and prunes, herbs. Full flavor of overripe red and black berries, gentle tannins, long finish with a balsamic touch. Blend: 50% Carignan, 30% Grenache Noir, 20% Syrah Hold Time: Now or up to 10 years Pair With: Grilled or roasted meat. Duck breast and spicy dishes.
- Region: Terrasses Du Larzac AOP, Languedoc Tasting Notes: Jammy black fruits and dried fruits of blackberries, plums and dates. Potent notes of mushroom and forest floor, grape must and vanilla. Smooth finish laced with baking spices like clove, cinnamon and hints of pepper. Blend: 37% Syrah, 25% Grenache, 23% Cinsault, 15% Mourvèdre Hold Time: Now or up to 10 years Alcohol: 14% Pair With: Tomato based sauces and grilled meats like venison, veal and steak. Eggplant parmesan, spiced boar lasagna or pasta Arrabbiata.
- Region: Duché d'Uzès AOC, Rhône Valley Tasting Notes: Aromas of ripe strawberries and spices. Strong, fruity, soft tannins. Taste of cherries with hints of vanilla and eucalyptus. Blend: 80% Syrah, 20% Grenache Hold Time: Now or up to 8 years Alcohol: 13.5% Pair With: This fruity and tasty wine will pair well with Mediterranean cuisine like French, Italian, or Lebanese. Pair it with meats or vegetables cooked with herbs, spices or garlic along with a sprinkle of good olive oil.
- Region: Saint-Chinian AOC, Languedoc Tasting Notes: A subtle mix of flower and fruit and flavor of Cherry and mango with a hint of cocoa in the end. Blend: 50% Grenache, 50% Syrah Hold Time: Now or up to 10 years Alcohol: 14.5% Pair With: This wine will pair well with roasted or barbecued beef, game and liver pâté. It also is excellent with blue cheese, or try it with pizza and pasta with Bolognese sauce.
- Region: Cabardès AOC, Languedoc, Languedoc-Roussillon Tasting Notes: Aroma of cherry and blackcurrant. Flavor of black berries and hints of violet with mocha coffee. Blend: 50% Cabernet Franc, 50% Syrah Hold Time: up to 10 years Alcohol: 14.5% Pair With: Roasted game, grilled vegetable salad, blue cheese, and dark chocolate
- Region: Graves AOC, Bordeaux Tasting Notes: Aromas of violets and red fruits, with hints of baking spices. This elegant wine leads with black currants and cherries, hints of cinnamon and well structured smoky, gravelly tannins that open over time to provide a supple and richly balanced wine. Blend: 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot Hold Time: up to 7 years Alcohol: 12.5% Pair With: Red meats, duck and cheeses such as mild Brie or Camembert. Grilled or roast lamb with garlic and rosemary would also make a great pairing. From Thierry Yung, a 5th Generation Winemaker and somMailier Founder Laurent's Cousin
- Region: Côtes de Blaye, Côtes, Bordeaux Tasting Notes: Nose of strawberry and blackcurrant. Delicately fruity and tannic with soft vanilla flavor. Elegant and well-balanced. Intense and persistent. Blend: 90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon Hold Time: Now or up to 10 years Alcohol: 14.5% Pair With: This excellent wine will pair well with red and white meat, such as “Pot au feu”, braised veal and capon in cream and truffle sauce.
- Region: Graves AOC, Bordeaux Tasting Notes: Nose of blackcurrant and sweet chocolate. Strong and fruity body, balanced by freshness and silky tannin. Blend: 55% Cabernet Sauvignon and 45% Merlot. Hold Time: Now or up to 10 years Alcohol: 13.5% Pair With: This full-flavored wine is excellent with red meat, game, duck or lamb: try the mythical 7-hour roast leg of lamb with luscious potatoes. This wine will even stand spicy or very tasty dishes. Bordeaux wines traditionally accompany the local porcini mushrooms, so a mushroom omelet or quiche is a good choice. For a simpler and quicker meal, try an assortment of cheeses and charcuteries, or a good old cheeseburger.
- Region: Lirac AOC, Côtes du Rhône, Rhône Tasting Notes: Complex bouquet of black cherries and pepper with hints of licorice. Very balanced with silky tannins and full body of ripe black fruits. Blend: 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah, and 10% Mourvèdre Hold Time: Now or up to 10 years Alcohol: 15% Pair With: This wine can be served with grilled or stewed beef, barbecued lamb chops, and Mediterranean dishes like moussaka or baked veggies with olive oil and herbs, such as thyme, oregano, and savory.
- Region: Vacqueyras Cru, Côtes du Rhône, Rhône Tasting Notes: Aroma of strawberry, blackberry and pomegranate. Full bodied fruity texture with soft tannins and persistent finish. Blend: 49% Grenache, 37% Syrah, 11% Mourvèdre, 3% Cinsault Hold Time: Now or up to 5 years Alcohol: 15% Pair With: This is a sunny wine that will pair well with Mediterranean cuisine like roasted lamb leg with herbs or farm chicken with black olives and vegetables dishes. It will also do well with Mexican recipes and spicy dishes.
- Region: Bourgueil, Touraine Vineyards, Middle Loire, Loire Valley Tasting Notes: Aromas of spicy and peppery, with some red berries. Taste of raspberry jam, slight acidity and tannins, with a hint of violet and licorice in the end. Blend: 100% Cabernet Franc Hold Time: Now or up to 5 years Alcohol: 14% Pair With: Drink it with beef stew in wine sauce or a spicy tagine made with lamb shoulder. Also, with roasted duck or chicken, charcuteries and cheese.
- Region: Fleurie Cru, Beaujolias Tasting Notes: Aroma of rose, red fruits and violet. Bright and fruity flavor with subtle tannins, ripe plums and black cherry with a hint of sweet spices in the finish Blend: 100% Gamay Hold Time: Now or up to 5 years Alcohol: 13% Pair With: Beaujolais is easy to pair with...even fish like grilled tuna or salmon. You can have it with pasta and veggie dishes, salads, charcuterie, chicken Basquaise or with tarragon. Try it with tasty cheese like Brie or Roquefort, and finally chocolate mousse.
- Region: Cru Saint-Joseph, Côtes du Rhône, Rhône Tasting Notes: Aroma of red berries, oak and grape must. Flavor of bright red fruits compete with dry young tannins, notes of oak and baking spice on the finish. Blend: 100% Syrah Hold Time: Now or up to 8 years Pair With: Barbecue, grilled chicken, tagine.
- Region: Chiroubles Cru AOC, Beaujolais Tasting Notes: Aromas of ripe red berries. Very fresh. Good balance between sweetness and acidity. Hints of berries, violet and spices. Blend: 100% Gamay Hold Time: Now or up to 7 years Alcohol: 13.5% Pair With: This fruity wine will pair well with chicken, creamy cheese, roasted pork with apples, tapas and chocolate recipes.
- Region: Chinon, Touraine, Loire Valley Tasting Notes: Aromas of jammy cherry and blackcurrant, sweetly spicy. Ample and suave flavor, fruity and tannic, with herbal tones and a whiff of anise. Blend: 100% cabernet Franc Hold Time: Now or up to 10 years Alcohol: 13.5% Pair With: Pair with meat in red wine gravy... like the local specialty Coq au vin, or with barbecued or roasted meats, a platter of hams, charcuterie and pâtés.
- Region: Hautes Côtes de Beaune, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy Tasting Notes: Spicy, suggesting red berries and cinnamon. Ample fruity flavor, hint of blueberry and moss, light tannin and balanced acidity. Blend: 100% Pinot Noir Hold Time: Now or up to 7 years Alcohol: 14.5% Pair With: This wine will pair well will pork fillet, veal, or poultry dishes. Try chicken or turkey casseroles in creamy sauces, tasty not too spicy, and vegetarian food. Also, soft creamy cheese.
- Region: Crozes-Hermitage Cru AOC, Côtes du Rhône, Rhône Tasting Notes: Aromas of dark fruits, overripe blackberries and plum with hints of baking spices. A big wine with bold dark fruits and earthy , smoky tannins that mellow with time for a full, well balanced wine. Blend: 100% Syrah Hold Time: Now or up to 10 years Pair With: This pleasant and tasty wine will accompany a whole meal. You can have it with barbecued meat, charcuterie, spicy dishes and cheeses.
- Region: Côte Chalonnaise, Burgundy Tasting Notes: Aromas of cherry, and red currant with hints of earth. Bright fruit flavors and low silky tannins making this an enjoyable, clean and easy drinking wine. Blend: 100% Pinot Noir Hold Time: Now or up to 10 years Alcohol: 12.5% Pair With: Poultry dishes like duck, cheese such as Taleggio or Gruyere
- Region: Francs Côtes de Bordeaux, Côtes de Bordeaux, Bordeaux Tasting Notes: Aromas of cherry and strawberry jam, vanilla and mocha. Smooth and silky palate, melted tannins and spicy forest floor notes. Blend: 91% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon Hold Time: Now or up to 12 years Alcohol: 14% Pair With: A powerful wine that can pair well with beef, roast lamb and pasta recipes. You can also serve it with spicy food and a cheese board.
- Region: Grignan-les-Adhémar, Rhône Valley, Rhône Tasting Notes: Deep purple with ruby lights color the glass, followed by a powerful nose of black and red fruits, vanilla extract, and spices like dried ginger. Mouthwatering acidity belies a full bodied wine full of red fruits and integrated tannins. A dry and complex finish hints at cinnamon bark. Blend: 50% Grenache, 50% Syrah Hold Time: Now or up to 10 years Alcohol: 14% Pair With: This complex wine pairs well with game meats and fruit sauces, barbecued meats, and seared steak.
- Region: Rully, Côte Chalonnaise, Burgundy Tasting Notes: Aromas of prune, raspberry and violet. Remarkable for its fruity freshness and minerality, fine tannins and balanced acidity Blend: 100% Pinot Noir Hold Time: Now or up to 10 years Alcohol: 13.5% Pair With: This elegant wine will pair well with tasty meats: lamb chops, beef ribs, duck à l’orange and liver pâté. You can also drink it very cool with tuna carpaccio.
- Region: Hautes-Côtes de Nuits, Burgundy Tasting Notes: Aromas of black cherry and licorice. Balanced flavor between red berries, fresh fruit, and flowers. Light tannins, mild spices. Blend: 100% Pinot Noir Alcohol: 13% Pair With: Beef or poultry casseroles, and barbecued meats if used with mild spices because the taste of red Bourgogne is delicate. It would also pair well with a simple roast chicken, a rack of young lamb, beef carpaccio, and spring vegetables.
- Region: Saint-Chinian AOC, Languedoc Tasting Notes: Notes of jammy red fruit, raspberry, tobacco and cocoa. A rich and powerful wine with a velvety palate, cassis and ripe black fruits blend with notes of clove and smoked meats, providing excellent structure with the smoky and earthy tannins. Blend: 80% Syrah, 20% Grenache Hold Time: Now or up to 10 years Alcohol: 15% Pair With: This rich and generous wine will pair well with prime beef, lamb leg, tapas and funky cheese. Some would try dark chocolate, 60-70% cocoa.
- Region: Alsace Tasting Notes: Aroma of black and red berries, sweet spices, hints of oak. Flavor of bright blackberries and blueberries with hints of anise and baking spices, this wine has an energetic acidity and balanced subtle tannins. Blend: 100% Pinot Noir Hold Time: Now or up to 10 years Pair With: Red meat and game. Aged and rustic cow's milk cheese like Alpine or Comté.
- Region: Irancy, Burgundy Tasting Notes: A deceivingly pale, rusty garnet color displays aromas of cherry blossoms, overripe dark fruits and fresh blueberries. A surprising light palate of fresh blueberries and cherries give way to barrel spices and clove on the finish. Blend: 100% Pinot Noir Hold Time: Now or up to 10 years Alcohol: 13.5% Pair With: Red meat, Barbecue, charcuteries
- Region: Auxey-Duresses, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy Tasting Notes: Ample elegant flavor, fruity and fresh, slightly tannic when young, good persistence. Aromas of red berries with a hint of pepper Blend: 100% Pinot Noir Hold Time: Now or up to 7 years Alcohol: 12.5% Pair With: This well-balanced wine will pair well with meat casseroles of either beef or poultry - but not too spicy. It will also taste good with cream and mushroom sauces and mild cheeses.
- Region: Cahors, Garonne-Tarn-Lot, South-West Tasting Notes: Aroma of stewed fruit with a smoky edge. Ripe fruit, tasty, good tannins. Hints of spices, licorice, and blackcurrant. Blend: 100% Malbec Hold Time: Now or up to 10 years Alcohol: 13% Pair With: This strong and tasty wine is ideal for formal dinners and celebrations. It will pair well with game and liver pâté, beef tournedos Rossini or with pepper sauce, truffle omelets, duck or lamb.
- Region: Margaux AOC, Bordeaux Tasting Notes: Aroma of blackcurrant and Lilac with well balanced tannins and freshness, spicy red fruits and leather Blend: 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot Hold Time: Now or up to 6 years Alcohol: 14.5% Pair With: Margaux wine pairs well with rich red meat, beef, lamb or duck. The Bordeaux area is famous for Foie gras, cepes and other types of mushrooms, which they often use in local recipes, as well as red wine sauces slowly cooked with shallots called Bordelaise sauce.
- Region: Saint-Estèphe, Medoc, Bordeaux Tasting Notes: Tight fruit notes of blackberry, black currant and cassis balanced with mushroom, graphite, leather and smoke. Elegant tannins lead to a persistent finish of tobacco and hints of mint. Blend: 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon Hold Time: Now or up to 15 years Alcohol: 14% Pair With: Roasted lamb or game meats, ribeye or fatty steak. Tomato based pasta or a bordelaise sauce. Aged cheeses like Mimolette or Gouda, or a sharp cheddar.
- Region: Pessac-Léognan, Graves, Bordeaux Tasting Notes: Delicate nose of blackberries and earth. Leads to a complex taste of black currant with a hint of licorice and pepper. Blend: 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 20% Petit Verdot Hold Time: Now or up to 10 years Pair With: Roasted red meat, barbecue, and dark chocolate.
- Region: Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cru, Côtes du Rhône, Rhône Tasting Notes: Aromas of cocoa and dried fruits. This full bodied wine has notes of prune, roasted meats and lots of developed tannins. With patience the tannins soften and the fruit ripens. Blend: 83% Grenache, 2% Syrah, 15% Mourvedre Hold Time: Now or up to 10 years Alcohol: 15% Pair With: Tagine, or fatty meats such as prime rib and roasted lamb.
- Region: Pauillac, Médoc, Bordeaux Tasting Notes: Aromas of cedar, ripe berries, and cherries. Blackcurrant, touches of vanilla and leather. Strong, tannic. Softens with age. Blend: 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot Hold Time: Now or up to 10 years Alcohol: 13.5% Pair With: This fleshy and tasty wine will pair well with barbecued or roasted meats, beef, lamb leg or duck breasts. It can also be paired with Indian recipes like tandoori, or tasty creamy cheeses like Camembert and Brie, or sautéed mushrooms.
- Region: Aloxe-Corton, Côte de Beaune, Bourgogne Tasting Notes: Aroma of black and red berries with a whiff of cinnamon. Fruity flavors of prunes and orange peel. Good tannins and balanced acidity Blend: 100% Pinot Noir Hold Time: Now or up to 12 years Alcohol: 13.5% Pair With: This is a powerful wine that will pair well with barbecued beef, meat casseroles and tasty cheese. It would also pair with chicken curry in coconut sauce, quiche with gruyere cheese, and smoked pork.
- Region: Savigny-lès-Beaune, Côte de Beaune, Bourgogne Tasting Notes: Aromas of strawberry and black currant. Supple tannins. Blackberries and blueberries with hints of violet and licorice. Blend: 100% Pinot Noir Hold Time: Now or up to 10 years Alcohol: 13% Pair With: This wine is very elegant with complex aromas. It can be paired with all meats and poultry providing the recipe is not too spicy. It also pairs with the local recipe of Boeuf Bourguignon and Coq au vin. Additionally, try pairing with mild mature cheese like Comté or creamy Camembert and Brie.
- Blend: 100% Pinot Noir Wine Region: La Maltroie Premier Cru, Chassagne-Montrachet, Cote de Beaune, Cote d'Or, Burgundy Tasting Notes: The grapes were raised on an eastern facing bank of clay marls and limestone, producing characteristically complex wines with delicate fruit and concentrated spices. The nose opens with fresh cherries and ripe raspberries, enhanced with spice notes. The finesse of the delicate fruit and suave tannins are rivaled by a full body, concentrated spices and soft notes of smoke. The producer only uses indigenous yeasts, with the goal of the grapes and terroir to fully express themselves. Afterward the wine spends 12 months on lees in French oak, then additional ageing in French oak casks from 1 to 2 years. When to Drink: This wine comes of age around 7 to 9 years, but can keep for the next 10. Decant if it's too hard to resist.
- Blend: 100% Syrah Wine Region: Crozes-Hermitage, Northern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône, Tasting Notes: Produced in the little village of Tain l'Hermitage, South facing and sheltered from the northern winds, the well developed grapes undergo manual harvest and cold maceration to preserve the fruit qualities. Then ageing in 30% new oak and 70% stainless tanks for 15 months allow to fruit to thrive while the tannins settle and mellow into the wines. Creating a dense ruby color with a nose of just overripe red fruits, currants, hints of florals and smoke. The tannins are balanced, tight and silky, melding with the long and persistent finish of graphite and baking spices after enjoyable flavors of cherry and cassis. When to Drink: This wine is ready to drink and fruit forward, but will continue to flourish for the next five years and develop more earthy and game qualities. Pairing: While young, this wine pairs well with grilled red meat and roasted vegetables, however as it ages and gains more undergrowth characteristics it pairs excellently with game dishes. Lamb with rosemary, poached mushrooms, savory peppered pappardelle pasta and duck are excellent choices.
- Blend: 100% Pinot Noir Wine Region: Village, Chambolle-Musigny, Burgundy Tasting Notes: Burgundy took to naming it's subregions after the finest vineyard, and so 'Chambolle'-Musigny is able to brag about prestigious terroir without the exclusive price tag! It's also known for producing the most 'feminine' of red wines in Burgundy, evoking notes of violets and red fruit on the nose with strawberries and raspberries on the tongue. A vibrant wine with silky smooth tannins and a long finish, it pairs impeccably with lamb and duck. When to Drink: This wine is ready to drink around 5 years old, but also has great longevity. Keep 2-10 years.
- Blend: 98% Syrah 2% Viognier Wine Region: Cote Rotie, Cotes du Rhone, Rhone Tasting Notes: An elegant wine in expression and production. The nose offers a complex array of red fruits, smoked meats and graphite. The palate opens into ripe dark fruits, with rich earth and peppery notes. This wine has all the finesse desired of a Cote Rotie, solidly built and balanced with velvety fine tannins. The producers describe this wine as dense, suave and intense, benefitting from the slow and delicate 20 day maceration and fermentation process, followed by a generous 15 months ageing in 2nd generation oak barrels. When to Drink: Drink young while the fruit is still intense, so only keep in the cellar another 2-5 years. Upon opening, add to your decanter an hour before serving to enjoy the wine at it's fullest expression.
