{"title":"French Wine Lover 2026","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"domaines-schlumberger-les-princes-abbes-pinot-gris-alsace-france-2018","title":"Domaines Schlumberger, Les Princes Abbes Pinot Gris, Alsace, France 2018","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eTOP VALUE - this was a special large purchase.  This wine is just entering the prime of its life!  There is not a better deal from Alsace. \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOverview of the Wine\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eThe vineyards of Domaines Schlumberger were originally planted by the Romans and were later controlled by the Prince Abbotts of Murbach, an order of monks who established their seat at the town of Guebwiller in the southern end of Alsace. When the estates of the Abbey were put up for sale after the French Revolution, a local mill owner named Nicolas Schlumberger purchased 20 hectares.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eToday, the Nicolas Schlumberger's heirs own and cultivate a 135 hectares spread located over four miles on the steep flanks of the Vosges Mountains. The Schlumberger vineyards are the largest in Alsace, and one of the largest blocks of contiguous vineyards in France. The domaine also has the distinction of owning the largest acreage of Alsace grand cru vineyards, and references to the famous blocks of Kessler, Kitterle and Saering date back to ancient Roman times.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDomaines Schlumberger is renowned for its luscious wines, full in body and flavor. Their richness and delicate sweetness is balanced by excellent acidity. Therefore, the wines are never cloying or overly heavy. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWinemaker\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eMichel Ottermann\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eGrape \/ Blend\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePinot Gris\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOrigin\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eAlsace, France\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWinemaker's Tasting Notes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eThe robe is lemon yellow with light reflections, of good intensity. The disk is bright, limpid and transparent. The wine shows youth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe nose is marked, pleasant and of good intensity. We perceive a dominant of fruity scents, sweet almond, orgeat syrup as well as a characteristic but fine smoky touch. The airing enhances these scents and reveals yellow fruits, quince, Mirabelle plum, honey, flowers, acacia and orange blossom. The nose beautifully shows the varietal complexity of the Pinot Gris. A bit short but precise in its definition. The work at the vineyard and during aging, is remarkable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe onset in the mouth is moderately ample, rich, the alcohol support is full-bodied. The wine evolves on an incisive medium, marked by a sparkling note. The range of scents is in line with that of the nose, still dominated by orgeat syrup, sweet almond, yellow fruits, Mirabelle plum, quince, acacia flowers, orange blossom, honey and this complex smoky profile. We perceive a hint of firm bitterness. The finish has a good length, 8-9 caudalies, as well as a hint of bitterness and a persistent liveliness. The wine is full balanced, tasty and with good length. The tonicity of the vintage gives it a good energy, optimized by an exquisite aromatic palette. A nice work.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis wine is perfect with a tasty cuisine. A hare terrine with Armagnac wine, a chicken pastilla, roasted veal sweetbreads with butter and black garlic or a soft and washed-rind cheese, such as the Chamberat Fermier (region of Allier).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eServing temperature : 12°C.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e92 Points - James Suckling\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWith plenty of floral-honey, caramelized-pear and some melon aromas, medium-full body and a creamy texture, this is a very classic Alsace pinot gris. But it is drier than most with a nice touch of positive tannin at the clean finish. Generous, dry and fruity wine. The wine of compromise, accessible to all. Rather food-friendly. Drink now.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis wine goes well with apéritifs, Asian food, cold cuts, and cooked fishes.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eProduct size: 750ml\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SGWS","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47811036578097,"sku":null,"price":16.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/files\/Domaines-Schlumberger-Les-Princes-Abbes-Pinot-Gris-Alsace-France-2018.jpg?v=1700521931"},{"product_id":"pierre-gaillard-operation-dragoon-rouge-cotes-du-rhone-france-2021","title":"Pierre Gaillard, \"Operation Dragoon\" Rouge, Côtes du Rhône, France, 2021","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eOverview of the Wine\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eCodename for the Allied invasion of Southern France, Operation Dragoon was launched August 15, 1944. During the next month, the French army liberated Toulon and Marseille while the American soldiers advanced National Route 7 with the help of the French Resistance to release the Rhône Valley. This four week campaign, combined with D-Day, was instrumental in the ending of the war. This blend of 70% Grenache, 30% Syrah is the homage to all those people who liberated the Rhone Valley, helping bring peace back to the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen he was 12 years old, he was caught plowing a nearby parcel with a horse.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe studied Viticulture and Enology in Beaune, and obtained a Graduate Diploma in Winemaking from Montpellier. Vineyard Manager for a highly-regarded estate in Côte-Rôtie. In 1987, he established his own business in the upper part of the medieval town of Malleval with vineyards in the northern part of the Rhone Valley, ranging from Côte-Rôtie down through Cornas in the South. His wines are generous and express clear and precise fruity aromas, with a profound color and refined tannins.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePierre finds his inspiration all the while respecting the \"raw material\" – in other words: the grape harvest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eWinemaker\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003ePierre Gaillard\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eGrape \/ Blend\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e70% Grenache, 30% Syrah\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eOrigin\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eRhône, France\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eTasting Notes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eTerrific value that offers lots of peppery herbs, spice and juicy berry fruit. Medium-bodied, beautifully textured and straight up delicious.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFresh wild strawberries and herbs de Provence with a hint of smoked meat and lavender on the finish. Fine tannins and bright acid. A very clean expression of the Rhone Valley.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e91 Points - Wine Independent\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eThe 2021 Operation Dragoon, 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah, is medium garnet-purple in color. It comes skipping out of the glass with bright cheery notes of black raspberries, mulberries, and kirsch followed by hints of black pepper and garrigue. The medium-bodied palate is soft and juicy, with lively red berry flavors and a spicy kick to the finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct size: 750ml\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"USA Wine West","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50963078742321,"sku":null,"price":22.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/files\/Pierre_Gaillard_Operation_Dragoon_Rouge_Cotes_du_Rhone_France_2021.jpg?v=1742328034"},{"product_id":"chateau-de-trinquevedel-tavel-rose-rhone-france-2025","title":"Chateau de Trinquevedel, Tavel Rose, Rhone, France, 2025","description":"\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eOverview of the Wine\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan id=\"maincontent\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"indent-section\"\u003eGuillaume Demoulin is the fourth generation of his family to farm the vineyards of Château de Trinquevedel. His great-grandfather, Eugène, bought the 18th century château in 1936—a decision that coincided with the establishment of Tavel’s A.O.C that same year. Guillaume, with the help of his wife, Céline, farms thirty-two hectares that are situated in the hills of the Montagne Noire. Their stony vineyards resemble those of the famous Châteauneuf, comprised of sand and galets roulés. The climate and sun exposure produce grapes with tremendous concentration and power. The rosés of Château de Trinquevedel consistently enjoy aromas of ripe, red berries with notes of the ubiquitous spicy garrigue.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWinemaker\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan id=\"maincontent\"\u003eGuillaume Demoulin\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eGrape \/ Blend\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e50% Grenache, 20% Cinsault, 12% Clairette, 10% Syrah, 5% Mourvèdre, and 3% Bourboulenc\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eOrigin\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eProvence, France\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eTasting Notes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eThis dark, full-bodied rosé from the southern Rhône commands the stage with its hearty presence. Ripe red berries and fine tannins make this Tavel an ideal match for a bistro burger with fries or a charcuterie and cheese board. In terms of food pairings, it can be enjoyed like a quaffable red wine from a nearby region, yet its unique sheen and shimmer, both in the glass and on the palate, distinguish it as a wine in its own right.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e91 Points - Vinous (2024 Vintage)\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eThe 2024 Tavel Rosé displays its usual reddish shade and all of its typical power and intensity. There’s real grip and structure here, tugging at the cheeks and lending serious chew. Deep, dark, bitter cherry fruit, sagebrush, river stones and orange pith unfurl in this brooding, powerful Rosé built for the dinner table. It’s not a shy wine—that much is for sure—but its balance is unflappable. \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eProduct Size: 750ml\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kermit Lynch","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54432954351921,"sku":null,"price":20.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/files\/ChateaudeTrinquevedel_TavelRose_Rhone_France_2025_43292fd0-2779-4af7-9951-9bd0c13384b3.jpg?v=1787740618"}],"url":"https:\/\/marchantofwine.com\/collections\/french-wine-lover.oembed","provider":"Merchant of Wine","version":"1.0","type":"link"}