René & Vincent Dauvissat Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos 2007

René & Vincent Dauvissat Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos 2007

Beautiful medium dark gold color. Powerful nose from bottle opening and only got prettier with more air. Rich fruit nose with citrus fruit, poached pear, spices and a gentle hint of oak. Typical salty and mineral Chablis aromas are also there, but in the background. Bright palate with good acidity and powerful salty, fruity, mineral flavors with again, just a touch of spices and oak. So long finish. Among the best white wine I ever had. Sublime (95)

Bought at a wine store in France by a friend since Dauvissat’s wines are not available around here. Merci Baptiste!

More informations about Domaine Dauvissat:

larvf.com  (in french)

rarewineco.com (in english)

 

Domaine Jean-Marc et Hugues Pavelot Savigny-lès-Beaune 2012

Domaine Jean-Marc et Hugues Pavelot Savigny-lès-Beaune 2012

Ruby color. Nose of dries flowers, cherries, plums, spices and some leather and earth. Will follow on the palate flavors of sour cherries, spices and the earthy feel from the nose. A little austere now, will gaing finesse with air. Alcohol level of 13% Good+ (88)

Available at the SAQ for 36,00$ (Code SAQ : 12460135)

Producer’s website: domainepavelot.com

Represented in Québec by: maitredechai.ca

 

Pago de Cirsus Vendimia Seleccionada Navarra 2011

Pago de Cirsus Vendimia Seleccionada Navarra 2011

Dark cherry color. Powerful nose of pepper, fruit notes and smoke. Flavors of spicy berries where pepper comes again same for the smoky twist. A little harsh at first, the finish has some heat but it silky and tasty. Good (87)

Made of 35% Tempranillo, 35% Merlot and 30% de Syrah. Aged 12 months in oak barrels, 90% being from France, the other 10% from the US. Alcohol level of 14%

Available at the SAQ for 18,10$ (Code SAQ : 11222901)

Producer’s website : pagodecirsus.com

Their representative in Québec : vinsdandurand.com

Sample tasted during an activity related to the Grande dégustation de Montréal

#DégustLGDMTL #LGDMTL

Pago de Cirsus Vendimia Seleccionada Navarra 2011_2

Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc 2012

Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc 2012

The wine is almost uncolored. Nose of yellow apples, melon, wax and aromatic herbs. On the palate there is flavors of apples, pears, grilled nuts, just a touch of herbs and a biting acidity level. Completely dry, alcohol does not shows and is impressively fresh. Tasted blind, I would never have guessed a white Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Excellent (91)

Made of 20% Roussanne, 20% Grenache Blanc, 20% Clairette, 20% Bourboulenc and 20% Picpoul. Aged in stainless tanks for 6 months. Alcohol level of 15%

The 2013 vintage is currently sold by the SAQ for 87,00$ (Code SAQ :  12205193)

Clos des Papes website : clos-des-papes.fr

Barone Ricasoli Rocca Guicciarda Chianti Classico Riversa 2012

Barone Ricasoli Rocca Guicciarda Chianti Classico Riversa 2012

Medium dark ruby color. Expressive and charming nose of flowers and ripe berries. Flavors of cherries and strawberries with some spices and oak undertones. Silky on the palate and just so good that you just want to have a sip after the other. Really tasty while showing some complexity. Very good+ (89)

Made of Sangiovese (80%), Merlot and Cabernet-Sauvignon. Aged 15 months in a mix of oak barrels and vats. Alcohol level of 13,5%

Available at the SAQ for 28,25$ (Code SAQ : 10253440)

Barone Ricasoli’s website : ricasoli.it

Represented in Québec by La Société de Vins Fins : sdvf.ca

Tasted along a Fontodi Chianti Classico 2012 – no winner, but liked both of them!

Duo Chianti 2012

 

Geneviève Boucher

A sommelier or a wine lover near us: Geneviève Boucher

Why this new line of blog post ? Because I find it captivating !

Wine world is full of wine lovers who, by their interests and unique personality share theirs attachment to this lovely, intriguing yet touching beverage!

My life as a wine passionate was to this day sprinkled with wonderful encounters. Many have shaped of influenced my relationship with wine. So I’ve decided to share some of these persons that, at a moment or another have contributed to the flourishment of the wine lover I have become.

My questions and their current interest will be the base of these interviews.

Who’s the first person to have accepted the invite? The Dynamic and smiling Geneviève Boucher

Why Geneviève? First, as I client at réZin wine agency, I had the opportunity (and pleasure) to meet her on multiple occasions. I then was able to see how passionate she was for life and for wine in a contagious way. Then, it was almost natural for me to begin with her to start this new line of blog articles!

I met her for a coffee in the decor of Café Vasco da Gama on Peel Street in Montréal.

Coming from Westmount in Montréal and being French (which is kind of rare around there!), Geneviève was brought to wine by Steve Beauséjour and Xavier Burini, two colleagues at the resto-bar Le Cube. At that moment, she was doing a police course while having a job there. These guys played a key role in the interest she will develop for wine. This new passion was so strong that she dropped her police studies to register at the ITHQ (Quebec’s Hotel and Tourism Institute) to become a sommelier.

When her sommelier training was done, she worked as a sommelier at the Brontë restaurant then almost 8 years as marketing Director at the wine agency réZin. Also passionate about the restaurant world, she perfected her skills at Joe Beef, Lawrence, les 400 Coups and le 357C. Excellent to bring up front lesser known products and really into wine, Geneviève is, at only 27, on a new start. She just begin a new job as Canadian and Caraïbes Export Director for Michel Chapoutier.

Here is now her answers to the core questions that I will use as a base for all the upcoming interviews as well for this one with wine lovers and sommelier that will be opening themselves to us:

Passion for wine usually comes gradually, but from amateur to wine lover commonly origins from a specific moment. What is yours ?

« It happened when I was working at Le Cube. Back then, a colleague invited me on a visit of the Québec’s vineyard Les Pervenches. The wines, the people and their passion were contagious! »

“Comfort food” usually brings up the joy of eating a well appreciated meal that warms ourselves up. Do you have a “comfort wine” ?

« Many type of wines could fit there, but a Savigny-les-Beaunes or a Savagnin from Jura (with a bite of comet cheese), feels like heaven! »

It is almost impossible to split apart wine from the word “share” or “generosity”. Many of us, wine lovers, had the opportunity to share with amazing persons incredible wines in what could be called a magic moment. Any memories of one of those moments ?

With no doubt, she answered: «The evenings with my previous team at réZin where we had magnums of Fidèle de Vouette et Sorbée Champagne meant party time and happiness. » One another great moment that will stay in her mind was: «That time when, beside Alessandra Bera, a wine producer, we were looking at a sundown in the Piedmont hills while having a glass of old Moscato d’Asti. It was an unforgettable moment. » «Lately, I got caught on the origin of a wine while tasting blind. It was a Shiraz from Domaine de Tournon and it had the elegance of a Northern Rhône Valley wine. You got to be open minded when tasting wine ! »

In the recent years, Grand Cru level and well renowned wine prices just went crazy. Do you have a suggestion of a moderately priced good wine ?

Without aiming at a specific wine, Geneviève did point out regions to look after when looking for good value wines: « Southern France, Languedoc, the Rhône Valley or Greek white wines can be enjoyed without emptying your pockets! »

As a wine geek, it is nearly impossible not to have wine while camping of during a stay in a cabin. Any suggestion of a wine for outdoor aficionado ?

« Magnum size bottles are a « must have », especially with good company. Beaujolais and Sicily wines can be match with a lot of dishes while being enjoyable by themselves. » «If you’re out on a skiing trip, then I recommend Les Meysonniers, a Crozes-Hermitage from producer Michel Chapoutier »

Wine do bring us up to amazing things and discoveries, but also is at the origin of projects. What is your current project?

« Beside my new job for Michel Chapoutier, which is a challenge by itself, I do support some causes close to my heart. For example, on November 18th there will be an Art and wine Pop-up and the money gathered that night will go to the Fondation des étoiles for research on child diseases. »

To attend that event and meet Geneviève, here’s the link : fondationdesetoiles.ca/

Thanks again to Geneviève for having met me and share again her passion with me, and all of you !

 

Albert Bichot Le Bois des Chênes Beaujolais 2014

Albert Bichot Le Bois des Chênes Beaujolais 2014

Bright ruby color. Nose and palate of red berries, fine spices, earth, but mostly it’s its fruit concentration that is stunning for a wine of this price. Compares pretty well to a very popular wine here in Québec, but for much less. Good (87)

Made of Gamay. Age in stainless tanks for 8 to 12 months. Alcohol level of 12,5%

Available at the SAQ for 12,55$ (Code SAQ : 12663194)

Albert Bichot’s website : bourgogne-bichot.com

Represented in Québec by : elixirs.ca

Albert Bichot Le Bois des Chênes Beaujolais 2014

Fontodi Chianti Classico DOCG 2012

 Fontodi Chianti Classico DOCG 2012

Ruby color with purple hue. Aromas of red berries, spices, flowers and leather. Sappy fruit on the palate, the right amount of spice flavors, it drinks so well, especially with food where the wine simply shine. Still young and it shows with the tension and the little dryness on the finish. Air does help and adds silkiness on the palate to make me appreciate even more this wine. Very good+ (90)

Made of Sangiovese. Aged 12 months in French oak barrels. Alcohol level of 14%

Available at the SAQ for 29,90$ (Code SAQ : 00879841)

Fontodi’s website : fontodi.com

Represented in Québec by : montalvin.com

Drank this winr along a 2012 Barone Ricasoli Rocca Guicciarda Chianti Classico Riversa 2012. No winner, just two very good wine!

Duo Chianti 2012

No. 3 d’Angelus Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2011

No. 3 d’Angelus Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2011 

Dark violet color. Aromas of sweet and jammy berries, roasted spices, smoked wood, coffee and luxurious oak. More balanced on the palate than with the nose by the acidity, but still lacks some depth and strength on the finish. Still, it’s a tasty wine and gets better with air. Seems too young to be enjoyed now. Very good (89)

Made of Merlot (50%), Cabernet franc (47%) and Cabernet-sauvignon (3%). Aged in oak barrels. Alcohol level of 13,5%

The 2012 is currently sold at the SAQ for 55,00$ (Code SAQ : 12167019)

Tasted at an event made by SAQ Cellier

Producer’s website: angelus.com