Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Vieux Château Palon – 2021
Montagne-Saint-Émilion AOC – Right Bank, Bordeaux, France 🇫🇷

Overview
A distinctive Right Bank Bordeaux, this cuvée flips the classic Merlot-dominant Saint-Émilion script. Instead, it is crafted from 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Cabernet Franc, making it unusually bold, structured, and aromatically lifted for the appellation.

Aromas & Flavors
Blackcurrant, blackberry, and cassis dominate, with graphite, cedar, and tobacco leaf from the Cabernets. Subtle violet and peppery notes emerge from the Franc.

Mouthfeel
Firm tannins, medium-plus body, and a long, savory finish. More muscular and linear than many Montagne-Saint-Émilions, leaning toward Left Bank style but with Right Bank elegance.

Food Pairings
Grilled ribeye, lamb chops with rosemary, cassoulet, duck confit, aged Comté or Tomme de Savoie cheeses.

Verdict
An atypical but fascinating Montagne-Saint-Émilion that highlights Cabernet structure over Merlot plushness. For those who love Pauillac or Saint-Julien, this bottle is a bridge into the Right Bank world. Cheers!

Did You Know?
Montagne-Saint-Émilion is one of the four “satellite” appellations of Saint-Émilion, known for offering excellent value Bordeaux reds. Few estates here lean so heavily on Cabernet Sauvignon, which makes Palon stand out stylistically. — 15 days ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Blend of Mourvèdre (about 75%) and Grenache with a splash of Cinsault and Carignan in this ripe and spicy wine from one of smallest appellations in France. Deep Ruby with aromas of ripe black fruits and floral spice. On the palate flavors of plum and black currant with black pepper and herbs. Lively tannins, medium+ finish ending with fruit and spice. Nice value! — 3 years ago

Peter van den Besselaar

8.9

Vintage 2005 | half bottle | nectar | with apple from the oven | knowing what I paid fourteen years ago this is the best p/q Sauternes I ever bought — 4 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Clos Floridène – 2021
Graves, Bordeaux – France 🇫🇷

Overview
Founded by the late Denis Dubourdieu, Clos Floridène has built a reputation for producing approachable yet refined wines from Graves. This 2021 vintage is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot, delivering structure with easy drinkability. (Educational note: Graves, one of Bordeaux’s oldest appellations, is famed for its gravel soils that add freshness and balance to its reds and whites.)

Aromas & Flavors
Juicy red fruits (cherry, raspberry, plum) with blackberry and cassis, framed by cedar, oak spice, and a subtle earthy note.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with polished tannins and balanced acidity. Solid yet affable structure, making it an effortless “uncork and pour” wine.

Food Pairings
Great with roasted chicken, duck breast, grilled lamb chops, or charcuterie. Also pairs with earthy mushroom dishes or semi-aged cheeses.

Verdict
A charming Graves red — approachable, structured, and thoroughly enjoyable. The 2021 Clos Floridène captures Left Bank elegance in a wine ready to drink today. 🍷

Did You Know?
Clos Floridène was founded in 1982 and guided by Denis Dubourdieu, one of Bordeaux’s most respected enologists, often called the “pope of white wine.” — a month ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

9.0

This producer consistently over-delivers for the price. #napavalley #cabernetfranc presents black and purple fruit on the nose, violet hints, some wet slate undertones. Gleaming acidity framing plum compote, cigar box and earthy soft tannins on the sterling long finish. — 8 months ago

Noel Lourdes

9.3

Notes of cigar on the nose and dry fruit on the palate. Full bodied @ 15% and at below €20 it’s far superior to some of the over priced and over rated appellations in Bordeaux — 4 years ago

Walter Klincewicz

9.0

One of many Cru Bourgeois from Haut-Medoc. I do believe they are “leading the pack” among Bordeaux appellations. — 5 years ago

Marco Rodriguez

9.2

Big bold wine. Blackberries, earthy tones, with mild spice and long tannins. A mouthful! — 3 months ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.0

Vintage 2020 | second take in fourteen days, blind tasted recognised as Rhone syrah| warm with nice rondeur — 3 months ago

Paul T HB

9.7

Tasted & immediately looked up what I had bought, $50.00 but so worth it.
K&L notes,

This is no cheap rosé, it's true. But consider, for a minute, that this is no simple quaffer of a pink wine. It hails from Palette, one of the smallest appellations in all of France. It is, in a sense, a sort of Provençal monopole, since Château Palette owns nearly all the acreage in this tiny 23-hectare zone. Their vines are old, too. In some cases, more than 100 years old. The red grapes are the usual suspects for this part of France: Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Syrah with small amounts of Cinsault, Carignane, and other local varieties. But at Simone, they translate into a rosé unlike any other. We're talking power here, and a certain something serious. The rosé is fermented in small foudres and is then racked into barriques and left on the lees until the following spring. Rich with raspberries and herbs, this mouth-filling rosé holds onto its natural acidity, as it does not undergo malolactic fermentation thanks to the very cool cellars of this historic chateau. This wine costs as much as many reds. Fortunately, it has the concentration and complexity to go along with the price. Serve it with serious food and be prepared to broaden your appreciation of what rosé can be.
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— 4 years ago