Regional France Provence Bandol Coteaux Aix en Provence Palette Coteaux Varois en Provence By Derek Smedley MW Last Updated 9/17/2017 Derek Smedley MW, Rectory Cottage, Lilley, Hertfordshire, LU2 8LU. www.dereksmedleymw.co.uk
August 12, 2012 REGIONAL FRANCE Tasting notes from the following growers: Contents Château Bas... 4 Coteaux d Aix en Provence... 4 Château Beaulieu... 5 Coteaux Aix-en-Provence... 5 Domaine Bunan... 6 Bandol... 6 Château Chaberts... 6 Coteaux Varois en Provence... 6 Chevalier Torpez... 6... 6 Clos Cibonne... 7 Provence... 7 Clos Sainte Magdeleine... 8 Cassis... 8 Château Les Crostes... 8... 8 Domaine des Diables... 8... 8 Château d Esclans... 9... 9 Domaine du Grand Cros... 10... 10 Mas de Cadenet... 11... 11 Mas Fleury... 11... 11 Château Paradis... 11 Coteaux d Aix-En-Provence... 11 Domaine Richeaume... 13... 13 Château Riotor... 13... 13 www.dereksmedleymw.co.uk Master of Wine: Derek Smedley 2
REGIONAL FRANCE August 12, 2012 Domaine Saint André de Figuière... 13... 13 Domaine Sainte Lucie... 17... 17 Domaine de la Sauveuse... 17... 17 Château Simone... 19 Palette... 19 Domaine Valette... 19... 19 3 Master of Wine: Derek Smedley Master of Wine: Derek Smedley
August 12, 2012 REGIONAL FRANCE Regional France Provence Date & place of tasting shown in italics Growers / Wineries are in alphabetical order with area underneath Château Bas Coteaux d Aix en Provence White Wines Alvernegues White 2005 86 Rolle Ugni Blanc Grenache Blanc Sweet fruit shows on the nose with a mix of flavours. High mid acidity lacks a bit of depth and length. Pierres du Sud White 2005 89 Sauvignon Blanc / Role /Grenache Blanc There is a complex mix of fruits showing on the nose. Has crispness but also ripeness. Depth of flavour, gooseberry mixed with leafy greengage. Nice length. Cuvée du Temple White 2004 90 There is depth of lime and greengage. It has complexity and a good mix of sweetness and acidity. Fruit is very evident on the palate and there is a fleshy feel towards the back. Alvernegues Rosé 2005 87 Syrah Grenache Cabernet Sauvignon It shows a nice mix of fruit flavours on the nose. The palate has sweetness but lacks some depth and the acidity on the finish is rather aggressive. Pierres du Sud Rosé 2005 87 Light and fragrant there is some peppery spice coming from the Syrah. Mix of red and black fruits. Has a fragrance and sweetness with a freshness showing on the finish. www.dereksmedleymw.co.uk Master of Wine: Derek Smedley 4
REGIONAL FRANCE August 12, 2012 Cuvée du Temple Rosé 2004 89 A mix of ripe and fresh raspberry flavours on the nose. The palate has a depth of fruit and a nice balance of ripeness and fresh acidity. Red Wines Alvernegues Red 2005 87 Syrah Cabernet Grenache There is lots of peppery blackcurrant on the nose. The palate has a weight of fruit and there is a fair balance between acidity and sweetness. It just lacks a bit of length. Pierres du Sud Red 2003 87 It is very firm on the nose, quite hard. The fruit on the palate has sweetness but the mid palate is very tight. Pepper spice enlivens the leafy cassis on the finish. Cuvée du Temple Red 2003 90 Rich black and red fruit gives richness to the nose. The weight of supple fruit shows on the palate with a complex mix of flavours. The end is long but goes a bit dry right at the back. Château Beaulieu Coteaux Aix-en-Provence Rosé 2014 91 2015-17 Tasted at the Royal College of Physicians July 2015 Wild strawberry gives richness on the nose and a nice depth of fruit on the start of the palate. The mid palate is lighter with a fresh mix of redcurrant and raspberry but there is sweetness at the back and on the finish. Cuvée Alexandre Rosé 2015 90 2017-18 Tasted in Lincoln s Inn March 2017 Fragrant red fruits the nose is light and bright the palate starts with freshness. Sweeter in the middle some red cherry the fresh fruits at the back give brightness on the finish. Cuvee Alexandere Rosé 2016 90 2017-19 Tasted at the Royal College of Physicians May 2017 5 Master of Wine: Derek Smedley Master of Wine: Derek Smedley
August 12, 2012 REGIONAL FRANCE The nose is light fresh and fragrant the palate starts with redcurrant freshness. Richer in the middle the fresh summer fruits brighten the finish. Domaine Bunan La Cadière-D Azur Bandol Red Wines Moulin des Costes 2013 92 2016-22 Mourvedre 70% Cinsault 20% Syrah 10% Tasted in Nice June 2016 The fruit is sweet the nose rich and ripe the mid palate supple ripe black plum There is an underlying bramble freshness balance between rich fruit and freshness. A powerful mix of black fruits at the back the sweetness of the fruit gives richness and depth on the finish. Château Chaberts Garéoult Coteaux Varois en Provence Cuvée Prestige Rosé 2009 91 2011-12 Grenache Cinsault Tasted in Morestead Hampshire March 2011 There is a lovely lilac fragrance on the nose underpinned by black cherry, bramble and mulberry. The palate is fresh at the start with sweet more exotic passion fruit showing in the middle. The freshness on the back palate lifts the flavours on the finish. Chevalier Torpez Made in St T Rosé 2016 91 2017-19 Tasted at the Royal College of Physicians May 2017 Fragrant and fresh the nose is light with red fruits the palate richer white peach wild strawberries. Redcurrant and raspberry give a bright fresh feel to the finish. www.dereksmedleymw.co.uk Master of Wine: Derek Smedley 6
REGIONAL FRANCE August 12, 2012 Clos Cibonne Provence White Wines Tentations Blanc 2014 87 2016-17 Rolle 100% Tasted at the Red Squirrel tasting London September 2016 Apricot richness on the nose the palate is fresher more grapefruit in character. The mid palate has quite high acidity lacks a bit of richness and the finish is firm and slightly short. Cuvée des Vigtnettes Rosé 2014 87 2016-17 Tibouren 90% Grenache 10% Tasted at the Red Squirrel tasting London September 2016 Light on the nose the palate is fresh bright lacking a bit of sweetness and mid body. Fresh red fruits the back palate and finish have fragrance but are very light. Red Wines Tentations Rouge 2013 88 2016-20 Syrah 50% Grenache 30% Tibouren 20% Tasted at the Red Squirrel tasting London September 2016 The red fruits on the nose are herbal and fresh the palate starts with a bramble and bilberry mix. Sweeter in the middle more depth of fruits blackberries and mulberries the finish is lighter and fresh with herbal freshness. Tentations Rouge 2014 89 2017-21 Syrah 50% Grenache 30% Tibouren 20% Tasted at the Red Squirrel Tasting September 2017 The nose is spicy herbal with a mix of red and black fruits. There is mid sweetness depth of flavour the ripe mix of red cherry and wild strawberry underpinned by bilberry freshness the back palate has spicy freshness the finish sweet fruit. Cuvée Tradition Rouge 2014 90 2016-22 Tibouren 90% Grenache 10% Tasted at the Red Squirrel tasting London September 2016 Sweet and ripe on the nose with black fruits appearing to dominate. The mid palate is fleshy and supple a mix of rich black cherry and mulberry. The finish is lighter with fresh fruits and good length. Cuvée Tradition Rouge 2016 91 2017-23 7 Master of Wine: Derek Smedley Master of Wine: Derek Smedley
August 12, 2012 REGIONAL FRANCE Tibouren 90% Grenache 10% Tasted at the Red Squirrel Tasting September 2017 The nose has herbal freshness with more black fruits than red the palate starts sweet with ripe fruit fleshy richness discreet tannins. The black and red fruits at the back are fresh the finish bright and long. Clos Sainte Magdeleine Cassis White Wines Cassis 2013 88 2015-18 Marsanne Ugni Blanc Clairette Bourboulenc Tasted at the Yapp tasting Hardy s Restaurant April 2015 The mix of fruits on the nose is fresh the palate fruity with white peach and tropical fruits underpinned by lime and grapefruit. Lighter at the back the finish is fresh, fruity and long. Château Les Crostes Lorgues Rosé Château Les Crostes 2010 86 2011-13 Tasted in Lilley February 2011 The nose lacks depth and the red cherry that shows is quite hard. The palate is red fruited dry with quite high acidity. It tends to lack depth of flavour and the crispness on the finish overrides and hides the fruit. La Bastide des Crostes 87 2011-13 Tasted in Lilley February 2011 Although the nose is light there is more weight of fruit on the palate. It is very red fruited and the mid palate has some sweetness but towards the back the acidity takes over leaving the finish firm and tight. Domaine des Diables www.dereksmedleymw.co.uk Master of Wine: Derek Smedley 8
REGIONAL FRANCE August 12, 2012 Le Petit Diable Rosé 2012 91 2013-14 Tasted at Lincoln s Inn July 2013 Rosé wines from Provence are made for summer sun and this one suits this baking English July. The nose has red fruited freshness lovely fragrances with wild strawberry and redcurrant. The start of the palate is light fresh fruited and although it fills out in the middle a touch of red cherry the racy red fruits and mineral refresh the finish, a second glass is so tempting. Le Petit Diable Rosé 2013 91 2014-16 Tasted at Lincoln s Inn February 2014 It may seem early in the year to be listing a fragrant Rosé but the wild strawberry and redcurrant freshness goes very well with fish and chicken as well as making a great glass for sipping in the summer sun. Fresh at the start there is a hint of sweetness on the mid palate some richer red fruits but the finish is light fresh lots of summer fruits. Le Petit Diable Rosé 2014 88 2015-17 Tasted at the Royal College of Physicians July 2015 The nose is light but has freshness and fragrance the palate has mix of fruits but a slight lack of depth. It is richer in the middle but the back palate lacks fruit and the finish is quite lean. Château d Esclans Whispering Angel Rosé Cuvée d Esclans 2012 91 2013-14 Sacha Lichine Tasted at the Carlton Club April 2013 Provence is the spiritual home of rosé wines designed for sunny days but their freshness and fragrance can dispel cloudy, rain swept gloom. Whispering Angel has wild strawberry fragrances with a nice mix of red fruits on the palate. The sweeter strawberry in the middle is refreshed by raspberry that brings out the fragrances on the finish. It is a great wine for sipping in the sun both goes well with fish and the lighter meats such chicken. Whispering Angel Rosé Cuvée d Esclans 2013 91 2014-16 Sacha Lichine Tasted at the Carlton Club April 2013 The 2013 vintage is a good follow on to 2012 fresh on the nose raspberry and redcurrant the mid palate has a little more depth richer wild strawberry and red cherry. The fresher fruits are there at the back racy an exciting mix of fragrances a wine with character a hint of sweetness yet freshness. An ideal aperitif and suits fish, chicken and goes well with pork. 9 Master of Wine: Derek Smedley Master of Wine: Derek Smedley
August 12, 2012 REGIONAL FRANCE Whispering Angel Rosé Cuvée d Esclans 2014 91 2014-16 Sacha Lichine Tasted at the Carlton Club December 2015 The nose has fragrance smoky rose petal the palate starts fresh with wild strawberries giving more depth in the middle. The hints of sweetness are underpinned by fresh red fruits light and bright at the back with the flavours lingering on the finish. Whispering Angel Rosé Cuvée d Esclans 2015 91 2016-18 Sacha Lichine Tasted at the Carlton Club February 2016 Fragrant floral the nose is a summer bed of roses the start of the palate bright with raspberry and redcurrant freshness. Mid richness wild strawberries give a hint of sweetness but the back palate has the freshness of raspberry the finish is bright with lingering flavours. Whispering Angel Rosé Cuvée d Esclans 2016 91 2017-19 Sacha Lichine Tasted in Lilley December 2016 Roses the nose has a hint of smoke the start palate has raspberry and loganberry freshness. There is a richer feel to the mid palate wild strawberries and tangerines a mix of flavours interest. Bright at the back the fruit is fresh the finish has fragrant charm. Grenache Cinsault Syrah Rosé Le Poussin 2012 90 2014-15 Sacha Lichine Tasted at the Royal College of Physicians February 2014 The nose has a fragrant charm and the palate is light with a mix of red fruits. There is more depth at the back some sweet strawberry but the finish has the freshness of redcurrant light and fragrant. Domaine du Grand Cros Carnoules Câtes de Provence Rosé 2016 89 2017-19 Grenache Cinsault Carignan Mourvèdre Tasted at the Royal College of Physicians May 2017 Floral fresh the nose is light the palate bright with a mix of red fruits. A hint of sweetness in the middle is underpinned by redcurrant freshness at the back. www.dereksmedleymw.co.uk Master of Wine: Derek Smedley 10
REGIONAL FRANCE August 12, 2012 Mas de Cadenet AOC Sainte Victoire Arbaude Rose 2013 89 2014-17 Grenache 40% Cinsault 40% Syrah 20% Tasted at Hexton Manor November 2014 Fragrant on the nose raspberry and wild strawberry on the palate there is freshness with a hint of sweetness. The back palate is light fresh fruited the finish a fruit salad of red fruits. Red Wines Prestige Rouge 2011 91 2014-20 Grenache 45% Syrah 45% Cabernet Sauvignon10% Tasted at Hexton Manor November 2014 The fruit feels ripe the nose has depth and the palate sweet fruited richness. Black fruits are underpinned by mulberry and strawberry the richness balanced by bramble at the back lighter peppery on the finish with good length. Mas Fleury Rosé 2015 85 2017 Tasted in Lincoln s Inn March 2017 The nose is very light slightly herbal and the palate is lacking in richness fresh red fruits. A hint of sweetness is overtaken by the acidity and the finish is short and quite hard. Château Paradis Coteaux d Aix-En-Provence Rosé 2015 88 2017-18 Tasted in Lincoln s Inn March 2017 Very light fresh fruits rose petal fragrances the fruit is discreet the start of the palate light. Raspberry in the middle slightly more depth the back palate is nervy fresh with a mix of fresh red fruits. 11 Master of Wine: Derek Smedley Master of Wine: Derek Smedley
August 12, 2012 REGIONAL FRANCE Rosé 2016 87 2017-19 Tasted in Lilley April 2017 The nose has a mix of fragrant red fruits very fresh and the palate is bright with bitter cherry and redcurrant. Quite firm in the middle the back palate is light and it finishes with quite high acidity. Rosé Essenciel 2013 87 2015-16 Tasted at the Royal College of Physicians July 2015 Fragrant fresh the nose is citrusy with some red fruits the palate is light lacking in mid sweetness. Slightly more depth at the back but the finish is hard very fresh and lacks fruit. Rosé Essenciel 2014 87 2016-17 Tasted at Lincoln s Inn January 2016 The nose is light fragrant but lacking in fruit the palate fresh lacking mid depth. Red fruits at the back give a little more weight but the finish is very fresh and light. Rosé Essenciel 2014 87 2015-16 Tasted at Lincoln s Inn January 2016 Fragrant rose petals and red fruits the nose is fresh the start of the palate bright There is mid sweetness some wild strawberries and loganberries lighter at the back freshness and length. Rosé Essenciel 2015 90 2016-19 Syrah Grenache Noir Tasted at Lincoln s Inn September 2016 Tasted in Lincoln s Inn March 2017 The first impression is one of apricots a hint of sweetness on the nose but the start of the palate is light and fresh with a mix of red fruits. There is mid richness, the Grenache in the blend, but the fruit at the back is fresh, light and fragrant with just a hint of white pepper from the Syrah on the finish. Rosé Essenciel 2016 90 2017-20 Syrah Grenache Noir Tasted in Lilley April 2017 Fragrant fresh the nose has red fruits with a hint of apricot and the start of the palate is light and fresh. Richer in the middle there is depth of flavour wild strawberry with redcurrant giving freshness on the finish. www.dereksmedleymw.co.uk Master of Wine: Derek Smedley 12
REGIONAL FRANCE August 12, 2012 Domaine Richeaume Red Wines Cuvee Tradition 2010 91 2013-18 Syrah Cabernet Sauvignon Grenache Noir Tasted at the Royal College of Physicians February 2013 The fruit on the nose feels ripe giving depth and sweetness and the palate is full sweet and fleshy. Under all of the ripe flavours there is some freshness with hints of redcurrant and this brings out the peppery spiciness on the finish. Château Riotor White Wines Château Riotor Blanc 2013 89 2015-18 Vermentino 100% Tasted at the Royal College of Physicians July 2015 The nose is light fresh but a bit hard. There is more depth on the palate with a mix of tropical fruits underpinned by lime and lemon freshness the back palate is bright but it finishes with sweetness. Domaine Saint André de Figuière La Londe Les Maiures White Wines Valrerie Signature White 2009 90 2010-11 35% Vermentino 35% Semillon 30% Ugni Blanc Tasted at France under One Roof March 2010 The nose has a floral charm lemon and orange blossoms. The freshness on the palate brings out the fragrant fruit mix, lemon peel and fresh apple all very much to the fore. The fruit although light lasts well. Valérie Cuvée Signature 2011 91 2012-15 Rolle Sémillon Ugni Blanc Tasted in Lilley March 2012 13 Master of Wine: Derek Smedley Master of Wine: Derek Smedley
August 12, 2012 REGIONAL FRANCE Rich fruit on the nose is backed by freshness and the palate tends to be the same with ripe pineapple and apricots at the start and in the middle then lime and grapefruit towards the back refreshing the finish. Vieilles Vignes White 2009 91 2010-12 70% Vermentino 30% Semillon Tasted at France under One Roof March 2010 The nose is quite fleshy with a touch of pineapple behind the lemon peel. Fresh at the start sweeter fruit gives weight in the middle. Layers of flavour ensure complexity with the richer pineapple and apricot filling out the finish. Les Olivades Rosé 2010 90 2011-13 Vin de Pays de la Mediterranée Tasted at Edward Parker Wines Norfolk August 2011 The red fruit mix on the nose is fresh and fragrant. The palate has a nice mix of flavours sweet strawberry with fresher red cherry behind. The finish is fragrant quite light but long. Atmosphère Extra Brut 2009 88 2011-13 Tasted in Lilley February 2011 It is very light quite fragrant with very crisp red fruits. The palate is very dry with slightly bitter fresh raspberry and the mid palate lacks a bit of weight but then there are richer red fruits at the back with right on the finish an underlying raciness. Le Saint André Rosé 2009 89 2010-11 Vin de Pays du Var 25% Cinsault 25% Syrah 25% Grenache 25% Cabernet Tasted at France under One Roof March 2010 Rose petal and wild strawberries are refreshed by raspberries, an attractive fragrant mix. The mid palate is sweeter, just a hint of bramble. There is a lovely fresh feel to the finish. Le Saint André 2010 88 2011-13 Vin de Pays du Var Grenache Cinault Syrah Cabernet Tasted in Lilley February 2011 Fresh raspberry and mulberry feature on the nose and on the start of the palate. There is a richer feel in the middle but the racy freshness is there at the back. There is not a great complexity but some nice red fruits on the finish. Le Saint André 2011 90 2012-14 Vin de Pays du Var www.dereksmedleymw.co.uk Master of Wine: Derek Smedley 14
REGIONAL FRANCE August 12, 2012 Grenache Cinsault Syrah Cabernet Sauvignon Tasted in Lilley March 2012 The nose has all the richness of ripe strawberries and there is weight of flavour on the palate lots of red cherries and loganberries. Towards the back the freshness that cuts in gives a lighter feel and brings out the red fruited fragrances. Magali Signature Rosé 2009 89 2010-11 25% Grenache 25% Cinsault 25% Syrah 25% Cabernet Tasted at France under One Roof March 2010 It is very light floral with red fruits and rose petals. The freshness of the red fruit mix is there on the palate backed by some sweetness but towards the back racy mineral crispness shows. Magali Cuvée Signature 2010 90 2011-13 Mourvèdre Grenache Cinault Tasted in Lilley February 2011 There is an attractive freshness on the nose all very red fruit in character. Wild strawberry intermingles with red cherry both refreshed by raspberry, layers of fruit giving complexity. Under the freshness there is an attractive sweetness. Magali Cuvée Signature 2011 92 2012-15 Grenache Cinsault Syrah Cabernet Sauvignon Tasted in Lilley March 2012 The mix of wild strawberry and redcurrant is fresh lovely and fragrant. There is more depth on the mid palate with strawberry coming to the fore but the crisp redcurrant that lies behind gives a lovely freshness on the long finish. Vieilles Vignes Rosé 2009 91 2010-12 50% Mourvèdre 25% Grenache 25% Cinsault Tasted at France under One Roof March 2010 The nose has an attractive mix of red fruits, the freshness of raspberry with the weightier feel of red cherry. Sweetness of fruit enriches the mid palate with the crispness of mineral and flint giving brightness to the finish. Vieille Vignes 2010 91 2011-13 Mourvèdre Grenache Cinault Tasted in Lilley February 2011 15 Master of Wine: Derek Smedley Master of Wine: Derek Smedley
August 12, 2012 REGIONAL FRANCE The nose is very fragrant with lots of minerals and schist. The palate although quite light at the start has an attractive red fruit mix fragrant cherry backed by wild strawberries. The finish is long fragrant with lots of lovely mineral and shale which gives the finish an elegant charm. Vieilles Vignes 2011 91 2012-14 Mourvèdre Grenache Syrah Tasted in Lilley March 2012 The nose has all the fragrances of a rose bed with behind an attractive mix of red fruits. Although the palate starts quite light there are some lovely fresh red fruits showing loganberry underpinned by wild strawberry with this fresh mix lingering on the finish. Confidentielle Rosé 2009 91 2010-12 40% Mourvèdre 30% Grenache 30% Cinsault Tasted at France under One Roof March 2010 The complex mix of red fruits is refreshed by mineral purity giving the nose a lovely racy character. Raspberry on the palate refreshes with the hints of wild strawberry giving more weight, a richer feel. Fruit and mineral crispness ensure the flavours linger. Confidentielle Rosé 2015 89 2016-18 Cinsault 30% Grenache 30% Mourvèdre 40% Tasted on Le Ponant Cruise June 2016 Pale salmon in colour the nose is light and bright the palate has redcurrant freshness. A hint of sweetness at the back the fresh red fruits show through on the finish. Red Wines François Signature Red 2008 90 2010-14 25% Grenache 25% Cinsault 25% Syrah 25% Cabernet Tasted at France under One Roof March 2010 There is a lot of fruit showing on the nose all quite cassis dominated. Fresher red is there on the mid palate refreshing the middle and the hint of pepper towards the back adds some spice. Vieilles Vignes Red 2008 90 2010-14 60% Mourvèdre 40% Syrah Tasted at France under One Roof March 2010 It is very fresh on the nose, black fruited but with more of a bilberry and black cherry influence than the sweeter cassis. The tannins feel ripe give flesh on the mid palate then the racier bilberry takes over lifting and refreshing the finish. www.dereksmedleymw.co.uk Master of Wine: Derek Smedley 16
REGIONAL FRANCE August 12, 2012 Domaine Sainte Lucie White Wines MiP Made in Provence Classic White 2012 90 2013-15 Vermentino 100% Tasted at the Royal College of Physicians August 2013 Citrus lime and lemon refresh the nose but the palate is richer with tangerine and yellow peach. The citrus is there at the back refreshing and giving crispness to the finish. MiP Made in Provence Rosé 2012 91 2013-14 Tasted in Lincoln s Inn April 2013 Provence is the spiritual home of rosé wines designed for sunny days but their freshness and fragrance can dispel cloudy, rain swept gloom. MiP has wild strawberry fragrances with a nice mix of red fruits on the palate. The sweeter strawberry in the middle is refreshed by raspberry that brings out the fragrances and refreshes the finish. It is a great wine for sipping in the sun chatting with friends. MiP Made in Provence Rosé 2014 91 2015-17 Tasted at the Lea & Sandeman tasting London March 2015 Tasted at the Royal College of Physicians July 2015 Light on the nose the palate has a mix of redcurrant and wild strawberry lovely and fragrant. There is a touch of mid sweetness slightly more depth at the back but the finish is light red fruited refreshing. Made in Provence Premium Rosé 2014 91 2015-17 Tasted at the Lea & Sandeman tasting London March 2015 Rose petal fragrances the nose is light the red fruited mix on the palate fresh. Red cherry gives a mid firmness with the freshness of raspberry and red currant coming through at the back. L Hydropathe Elite Rosé 2014 92 2015-17 Tasted at the Lea & Sandeman tasting London March 2015 The nose has a mix of red fruits quite full and the palate has depth of flavour strawberry and mulberry layers of fruit. Although lighter at the back it fills out on the finish Domaine de la Sauveuse White Wines 17 Master of Wine: Derek Smedley Master of Wine: Derek Smedley
August 12, 2012 REGIONAL FRANCE White 2004 Cuvée Carolle 89 It is very rich and perfumed on the nose. Ripe feel to the fruit with a toasty character showing in the middle and on the finish. White 2005 Cuvée Carolle 89 The mix of Ugni Blanc & Rolle works well, lovely and fragrant lots of flowery fruits. Greengage and lime on the palate with a ripe feel in the middle. Nice perfumed end. Rosé 2004 Cuvee Carolle 87 It is very fragrant with sweetness on the nose also showing on the palate. It lacks real depth of fruit and beginning to show dryness on the finish. Rosé 2005 89 Cinsault Grenache Syrah Carignan It is very light and flowery, more Vin Gris than Rosé. Freshness, raspberry and wild strawberry fruits backed by an appealing fragrance. Light lingering end. Red Wines Red 2000 Cuvée Carolle 90 There is very rich mix of flavours on the nose attractive sweet leafy cassis with a pepper spice. The palate has depth and sweetness but it does not feel jammy all nicely balanced with good length. Red 2002 Cuvée Carolle 89 There is depth of ripe fruit on the nose, a mix of flavours. Ripe start to the palate slightly held back by structure showing in the middle. The fruit is there and showing well on the finish and the whole has depth. Red 2004 Cuvée Carolle 89 Syrah Cabernet Sauvignon Grenache Mourvèdre There is sweet and ripe leafy cassis on the nose with just a hint of pepper. Good weight of flavour on the palate, touch of oak showing and the finish is a bit tight. www.dereksmedleymw.co.uk Master of Wine: Derek Smedley 18
REGIONAL FRANCE August 12, 2012 Red 2002 Philippe 88 The Syrah in the blend spices up the blackcurrants of the Cabernet. Ripe fruit shows at the start but the middle is very firm and although there is sweetness on the finish it slips a bit and leaves a touch of oak dryness. Château Simone Palette White Wines Château Simone 2008 86 2012-14 Clairette Grenache Blanc Ugni Blanc Bourboulenc Muscat Tasted in London at the Yapp Brothers tasting September 2012 The fruit on the nose has an earthy vegetal character with the freshness of cut apple. Sweeter flavours give a richer feel on the mid palate but the back palate is light slightly spicy but the fruit falls away and the finish quite short. Palette Rosé 2013 90 2015-17 Syrah Grenache Noir Carignan Tasted at the Yapp tasting Hardy s Restaurant April 2015 Strawberry rich on the nose the palate starts with depth of fruit. Fresher in the middle a redcurrant and red cherry mix the back palate is fresh the finish long and fragrant. Domaine Valette Les Arcs sur-argens Rosé 2015 90 2016-18 Tasted in Nice June 2016 Light and fresh with red fruits the nose is fragrant the palate has a mix of raspberry and red currant. Richer at the back more depth of fruit the sweeter red fruits balanced by redcurrant freshness. 19 Master of Wine: Derek Smedley Master of Wine: Derek Smedley
August 12, 2012 REGIONAL FRANCE Derek Smedley MW www.dereksmedleymw.co.uk Master of Wine: Derek Smedley 20