Over the course of a week, I taste a bunch of wine, usually with friends, and almost always with my wife. Here are some of the wines we tasted over the past few weeks. These are wines that were not sent as samples—in most cases, I actually paid for these wines (although a few have been given as gifts).
NV Duval-Leroy Champagne Grand Brut, Champagne, France: Retail $50. Extremely Heavy Bottle (832g; 29.2oz). Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier. I last tried this in 2024 when my wife saw it at Cosco for $40. Well, this time, I was the culprit, but the price was the same. Last time, I was a bit underwhelmed, I guess (88 Points), it was fine, but I thought there were better options out there for forty bucks. I do like this bottle better, though, as it has a bit more moxie, a tad more tartness, and just a little better balanced. I am still not sure about $40, but this is certainly a notch or two above the last bottle. Excellent. 90 Points.
2021 Fontanafredda Langhe Arneis Bricco Tondo, Langhe, Piedmont, Italy: Retail $22. Under screw cap. 100% Arneis. Responsible bottle. Arneis is quickly moving up the list of favorite Italian white varieties and this is a great example why. Grown almost exclusively in Piedmont, the variety was on the verge of extinction in the latter half of the 20th Century as the popularity of Nebbiolo exploded. A renewed interest in native Italian grapes, however, saved the variety with close to 1,500 hectares (~3500 acres) now planted. Brilliant straw, close to yellow in the glass with Asian pear, almond, a bit of flint, but also a bit reductive with a slightly smoky or matchstick aspect on the nose. The palate is fruity and inviting with a balancing tartness and nice depth. I paid just over $13 (on sale) for this wine at H-E-B (I love my H-E-B) and I might go back and buy some more. Excellent. 90 Points.
NV Mailly Champagne Grand Cru Brut Réserve, Champagne, France: Retail $55. Extremely Heavy Bottle (898g; 31.6oz). 75% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay. 100% Grand Cru. My wife literally goes through Mailly faster than she goes through water. Seriously. While the “regular” price is now, in my opinion, too high, this often goes on sale at Total Wine for around $40, which is a fair price. Light golden color with citrus, pear, and freshly baked croissant. The palate is fruity—perhaps as rich in fruit as any NV Brut I can remember with near perfect acidity, the yeasty goodness that separates champagne from most other sparklers, and a delicate yet vibrant bubble. Excellent. 92 Points.
2023 Château Miraval Rosé, Côtes de Provence, France: Retail $25. Heavy Bottle (613g; 21.6oz). Cinsault, Grenache, Rolle, Syrah. I believe this is officially the last bottle of the 2023 that we have and it may have been the best. While the notes are similar, there is more depth and complexity than I remember in previous bottles. I think that just proves my point that a True Rosé, like any well-made wine, can improve over time; there is no rush to consume them within minutes of purchase as some would have you believe. Outstanding. 94 Points.
2022 Il Poggione Rosso di Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy: Retail $32. Very Responsible Bottle (447g; 15.8oz). Under cork. 100% Sangiovese. Based on my previous bottle, which I received as a sample, I bought a few of these for one of my wife’s work parties and this one was left over. Wonderful. Dark and red fruit on the nose with some earth and pepper (both black). The palate is quite tart, and the fruit does its best at keeping up and it does so, for the most part. This wine does not claim to be a world-beater, but it really does a fantastic job at winning at least the block. Fantastic. Excellent. 91 Points.
2024 Les Sarrins Rosé, Côtes de Provence, France: Retail $25. Very Heavy Bottle (705g; 24.8oz). Agglomerated stopper. Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah. We have now, officially, run out of this vintage and wine. All gone. And H-E-B says they are no longer going to carry it. That is a shame as it is one of the best rosés on the market. Outstanding. 93 Points.
WINE OF THE WEEK: This week, choosing the Wine of the Week was a bit melancholic as it seems as though we will not be drinking any more of it (at least for a while). We bought the 2024 Les Sarrins Rosé by the case from our local H-E-B, as I believe it was one of the best rosés on the market. It is made by Bruno Paillard of Champagne fame and we thoroughly enjoyed it. I am not sure why the store stopped carrying it; it certainly wasn’t because we didn’t buy enough of it….
What was your Wine of the Week?
the drunken cyclist 