1 | Wine | Page 234

"Good intensity on the nose, with aromas of fresh red fruit, notes of sweet spices and a hint of herbs. On the palate it is full of freshness, with rounded body, soft tannins and crisp acidity. Serve with juicy red meats with spicy sauces, BBQ and charcouterie."

"With fresh floral aromas, the wine shows elegant, rich fruit on the palate. This is one of the purest expressions of Chardonnay in Burgundy."

An intense wine from the Becot family (Michel Rolland is the consultant), this blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc was cropped at a very low 25.5. hectoliters per hectare. The wine has an opaque ruby/purple color and a big, projected nose of red and black fruits, toasty oak, graphite, and a hint of burning embers. A large-scaled wine at 14.5% alcohol, with the requisite glycerin and unctuous texture, this is a thick, juicy, very pure and impressively well-made wine from one of the most fashionable satellites of the Cotes de Bordeaux (Castillon), and thus kudos should go to proprietress Julliette Becot. Drink it over the next decade." Reviewed by Robert Parker.

"This is a decidedly sexy, voluptuous style that retains plenty of aromatic nuances. It is another terrific entry-level wine from Rocca di Castagnoli."

"Light gold. Deeply pitched aromas of pear skin, honeycomb and anise, with notes of buttered toast and truffle adding complexity. Then brighter on the palate, which displays sweet orchard fruit and lemon curd flavors and notes of sweet butter and smoky lees. Offers a suave blend of richness and vivacity and finishes sappy, spicy and long."