2005 Domaine Michel Lafarge Bourgogne (France, Burgundy, Bourgogne)

Had this the other day with dinner. Tremendously delicious wine. Sappy and fresh, but with good weight, silky texture, plum and raspberry fruit and a nice dose of earth, forest floor and autumn aromas. For a Bourgogne, this might be close to as good as it gets. If it was still available around $25 quid, this would be my house wine, as I can see it pairing with a wide range of dishes.

2005 Domaine de la Pépière Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine Granite de Clisson (France, Loire Valley, Pays Nantais, Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine)

This is a bit confounding. Maybe the most austere white wine I've ever had. Liquid rocks and seashells with saline undertow, cut grass, and a curiously a hint of coconut milk. Long and dense on the palate and finish. Practically undrinkable on its own, but it shone with some Reblochon. Needs food and/or a few years to soften up. Hard for me to judge this wine at my level of experience.

2005 Michel Lafarge Bourgogne (France, Burgundy, Bourgogne)

This is mind-boggling stuff. Has a tremendous nose of leafy, mossy forest floor, red currants, and raspberry. Great balance and structure on the palate and amazing freshness and length. The fruit is laser focused and pure on the palate and simply won't quit. I will say that this has been open for two days before it showed its best. As far as Bourgogne goes, this blows everything out of the water I've ever tried. It's expensive for Bourgogne, but not for what it is. I'm willing to bet that this wine has 10 years of improvement ahead of it, and I am thrilled to own a few more. Ridiculously good and a real buy at $29/bottle.

1997 Luneau-Papin Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine Le L D'Or (France, Loire Valley, Pays Nantais, Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine)

Great wine. Seems so fresh and zingy, it's near impossible that it's eleven years old. Tastes like a young Muscadet...fresh, racy, minerals and crushed sea shells and some nice green apple peel fruit. This has got to be tasted to be believed. In my opinion worlds better than the 1995 Clos des Allees.

Wine and Food Pairing Alert

I know I've been slow posting recently, but that's because I am drinking more stuff I've had before. The summer delivery lull is at least a partial culprit to that. That being said, I recently tried Cantalet cheese that's effectively a French version of English farm cheddar that is from the Auvergne region in France. Really a great cheese that goes tremendously with none other than a nice Muscadet. I personally have been enjoying it with 2005 Luneau-Papin "Clos des Alles", but I'm sure a Pepiere or something similar would do just fine.

1995 Luneau-Papin Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine Le L D'Or (France, Loire Valley, Pays Nantais, Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine)

Looks incredibly young. Light straw/pale yellow color. No sign of age and/or oxidation. Interesting marzipane and oily lemon on the nose with a hint of petrol that reminds ever-so-slightly of old Riesling. On the palate, this is liquid minerals with lemon zest. Drinking this reminds me of the taste of an oyster on the half-shell with some lemon juice and sea salt garnish. Just delicious. Was a great pairing with seared scallops.