France Archives

#LanguedocDay: a great reason to have a party

June 9, 2014 by Nancy (CSW) Comments are Disabled

We were recently contacted and asked if we would like to participate in a celebration of the wines of the Languedoc region of southern France. It didn’t take long for us to decide yes! We joined others around the country in celebrating #LanguedocDay on May 30. We invited a few of our wine friends and put together dishes we thought would match with each of the four wines we received as tasting samples.

2010 Bordeaux – Final Tasting

November 6, 2013 by Nancy (CSW) Comments are Disabled

We have spent the month of October immersed in Bordeaux, figuratively of course. We concluded our month-long series of tastings last Thursday night at Fine Wines of Stockton with a collection of Bordeaux from through out the appellation.

2010 Bordeaux — Pauillac

October 29, 2013 by Nancy (CSW) Comments are Disabled

Our continuing 2010 vintage Bordeaux tasting at Fine Wines of Stockton brings us to Pauillac. Located just north of Saint-Julien along the left bank of the Gironde estuary, it is home to an amazing three of the five châteaux classified as 1st Growth (Lafite Rothschild, Latour and Mouton Rothschild). An additional 15 otherwise classified estates are located within Pauillac as well.

2010 Bordeaux — Saint-Julien

October 24, 2013 by Nancy (CSW) Comments are Disabled

We have found much to like about the 2010 Bordeaux vintage. Lots of fruit flavors, a variable amount of complexity, plenty of tannins and modest wood influence, to name just a few of our favorite qualities. We continued our tasting at Fine Wines of Stockton with Bordeaux from Saint-Julien.

Tannat — One of Our New Favorites

April 6, 2013 by Nancy (CSW) Comments are Disabled

This is a varietal we were introduced to by our good friend, Dave. One Monday night, a couple of years ago, he brought a bottle of 2008 Pasos Vineyards (1) Tannat. It was inky dark, had complex dark fruit flavors with eucalyptus and perfumed scents. The tannins were substantial, but well integrated. We loved the combination of fruit flavors and big tannins. This experience with Tannat was enough to prompt us to look for it on wine lists and in wine stores.

Right Bank Bordeaux Vintages 2005 to 2009

March 19, 2013 by Nancy (CSW) Comments are Disabled

The Thursday night tasting at Fine Wines of Stockton had us tasting Right Bank Bordeaux vintages 2005 to 2009. All wines originated from Pomerol. Kind of. Except for one. George, the wine shop owner, was short one Right Bank wine for this vintage range, so he chose a Left Bank wine with the highest percentage of Merlot he had in his cellar. He knows how to improvise.

Cabernet Franc – That Other Cabernet

March 4, 2013 by Nancy (CSW) Comments are Disabled

Cabernet Franc is most often used as a blending grape because it has such a distinctive bouquet. But, it also makes a lovely wine all on its own. Our tasting this week was six Cabernet Franc wines from the USA, France and Argentina.

Bits and Pieces

December 30, 2012 by Nancy (CSW) Comments are Disabled

Here is what we have been tasting in the last week or so. It is a bit of this and that. Three of these wines we have tasted before and have updated our previous posts. As always, it is interesting to taste how wines change over time.

2009 Bordeaux – The Final Tasting of the Year

December 19, 2012 by Nancy (CSW) Comments are Disabled

Thursday night at Fine Wines of Stockton we tasted the final group of 2009 Bordeaux.

Thanksgiving Times Two

November 27, 2012 by Nancy (CSW) 1 comment

We enjoyed a lovely Thanksgiving with family in San Francisco. It was a gloriously clear day. The view from the City to Marin County was crystal clear, it couldn’t have been a nicer day.