French Roots
French Roots
by Anthony Lynch by Anthony Lynch
12-Bottle Sampler 12-Bottle Sampler
French Roots
French Roots
Old vine
Bernard Diochon
Kermit in Richard Olney’s cellar
France
|
Normally $381.95 SPECIAL SAMPLER PRICE $267.00 (a 30% discount) |
This item does not take further discounts
“French wine is roots wine. Did not white Burgundy launch a thousand Chardonnays and more worldwide? And did not the wines of Bordeaux launch thousands of Cabernets and Merlots? And today, renditions of Rhône wines are in vogue as New World vintners plant more and more Syrah, Viognier, Mourvèdre and other Rhône Valley varieties. What would the wine world look like today without having France as its model? France has been the reference point not only for its grape varieties but also for its viticulture and vinification. Even its oak barrels nurture young wines worldwide now. Has there ever been any question? If you wanted the greatest bottles, you looked to France.”
—Kermit Lynch, “Why France Still Matters,” Food & Wine
As with hairstyles, wine drinking is dictated by fashion—as an unfortunate example, bigger was better in the ’80s. Nowadays, you might wander into a wine bar and sample a Jura Poulsard, a Loire pet-nat, and a sherry-like rancio from the Roussillon. Exotic, yes; delicious, possibly; but are these the classic appellations that built France’s reputation as the finest wine-producing country on Earth? Decidedly not.
Don’t get me wrong: here at KLWM, we love our Irouléguy blanc, we drink Bugey Cerdon for breakfast, and don’t even get us started about Patrimonio—all three colors of it. But in order to appreciate how far we’ve all come as sophisticated wine drinkers, it is impossible to deny the role that France’s truly legendary appellations have played in laying down the groundwork for our quirky, obscure, and sometimes hard-to-pronounce vinous flings. Without the greats like Burgundy, Bordeaux, and Alsace, we Americans wouldn’t have the slightest idea what in the world a Vin Jaune is, or why we should even care.
As a tribute to these historic appellations, this month’s featured sampler includes wines from France’s fabled wine regions. It is a reminder that there is nothing boring about a regal Merlot from the Right Bank, and that fine Champagne is unrivaled in its class and delicacy. You’ll see that these classic terroirs go beyond the objective nature of trendiness: fashionable or not, they continue to embody the noblest of France’s wine traditions, and provide bountiful pleasure in the process.
NV Champagne Brut 1er Cru “Cachet Or” • J. Lassalle $44.00
J. Lassalle makes classic Champagne in every sense: rich and luxurious, well-balanced, with a fine mousse.
2024 Bordeaux Blanc • Château Ducasse $20.00
A buoyant, food-friendly white made from Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc, offering zingy citrus and lip-smacking salinity.
2023 Riesling • Kuentz-Bas $22.00
Kuentz-Bas in Alsace excels in the art of “everyday wine”—this energetic, aromatic dry Riesling is the house specialty here.
2023 Mâcon-Villages • Henri Perrusset $25.00
With sumptuous flavors of orchard fruit and Meyer lemon, it offers all the traits that make Burgundian Chardonnay so charming.
2024 Vouvray • Champalou $28.00
A delightful balance of minerality with luscious fruit and floral notes make this Loire Chenin Blanc a perfect apéritif.
2024 Bandol Rosé • Domaine de Terrebrune $40.00
A terroir-driven rosé exuding Provençal soul, from the nose of wild thyme and white peach to its salty, sea-kissed finish.
2023 Côtes du Rhône Rouge • Selected by Kermit Lynch $14.95
Sourced from stony, sun-baked vineyards, our annual blend captures classic southern Rhône flavors in a versatile and approachable red.
2022 Chinon “Cuvée Terroir” • Charles Joguet $28.00
Tart red fruit, herbaceousness, and graphite earthiness make this Loire Cabernet Franc perfect for just about any casual meal.
2024 Moulin-à-Vent “Vieilles Vignes” • Bernard Diochon $29.00
Domaine Diochon’s old-vine Moulin-à-Vent is soulful and savory, with notes of red currant, iron, and smoke. This is cru Beaujolais built to last!
2022 Crozes Hermitage “Tiercerolles” • Barruol / Lynch $42.00
Louis Barruol vinifies several of the finest parcels in Crozes and blends them at our request for this ready-to-drink northern Rhône Syrah.
2019 Lalande-de-Pomerol • Château Belles-Graves $42.00
Black cherries, wet stone, and a touch of tobacco make this a textbook Right Bank Bordeaux, perfect with a rare ribeye.
2023 Côte de Nuits-Villages • Domaine Gachot-Monot $47.00
Elegant red Burgundy with a restrained nose, supple Pinot fruit, a beguiling hint of spice, and juicy flesh on the palate.
Old vine
Bernard Diochon
Kermit in Richard Olney’s cellar
It is impossible to deny the role that France’s truly legendary appellations have played in laying down the groundwork for our quirky, obscure, and sometimes hard-to-pronounce vinous flings.
|
Normally $381.95 SPECIAL SAMPLER PRICE $267.00 (a 30% discount) |
Kermit once said...
Kermit once said...
Great winemakers, great terroirs, there is never any hurry. And I no longer buy into this idea of “peak” maturity. Great winemakers, great terroirs, their wines offer different pleasures at different ages.
Inspiring Thirst, page 312