I was again asked to help with a tasting at DeVines downtown, the theme being "Best of France#1".
30 participants, $35 Cdn, guest appearance by Marc Vigneron from Nobilis Wines who lives in the Loire valley and is an importer as well.
Reception wine was the NV Rolet Cremant du Jura. More of a rose style, Poulsard grape, strawberry, cherry, crisp, delicious for $25 Cdn. Very popular for the attendees!
1). `06 Raquillet La Brigadiere (Mercurey). Nice chardonnay for $42, tad flat at first but opened out in the glass. Lessy, good acidity, floral nose and complex too.
2). `07 Domaine de Treloar One Block (Roussillon). 80% Grenache with Syrah and Mourvedre. Very fine tannins, nice spice. Light cherry color, violets on nose, chocolate after an hour. Entry-level wine from Jon Hesford. Need to find his other reds! Very keen comments from those in the room. $20 Cdn.
3). `07 Dom les Cotes de la Roche Saint Amour (Beaujolais). Flew off the shelf after the tasting! $23, very soft tannins, lots of raspberry. If I was a beau-jolly fan, I would look out for these guys, they are right up there.
4). `06 Prieure La Chaume Bel Canto Fiefs Vendeens (Loire). 100% merlot, obscure area south of Nantes. Way too young, chalky, clay terroir. Not a big hit, $26.
5). `07 Cave de Tain Crozes-Hermitage Les Hauts du Fief. WOTN for many I think with nice perfumed Syrah nose. Cherry, smoke, ripe fruit, spice, pepper. $27 good price I guess.
6). `01 Chateau Lafleur de Quinault (St. Emilion, Bordeaux). Bottle #2 was corked but only I found it initially! Busy doing chores so no real notes but a few hums and aghs. "Licorice, young,velvet" I heard. $88 Cdn.
7). `05 Le Dauphin de Guiraud-375ml. Nice Sauterne, very spicy nose, peach, pineapple, not big acidity however but could be masked by the fruit? $38 Cdn.
from the Fiefs Vendéens. And CAD26 
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