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France
The earliest history of French wine goes back to the 6th
century BC, and many of France's regions count their wine-making history to
Roman times. France is the original
source of many grape varieties (such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot
Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and Syrah), winemaking practices, and critically
acclaimed wine regions (such as Bordeaux, Burgundy, and Champagne). French wine plays an important role in French
identity and pride. The combination of French wine and the equally influential
French gastronomy has been an important one.
Two central concepts to high-quality French wines are the
notion of terroir and the Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) system. Terroir refers to the unique combination of
natural factors associated with any particular vineyard. These factors include such things as soil,
underlying rock, altitude, slope of hill or terrain, orientation toward the
sun, and microclimate (typical rain, winds, humidity, temperature variations,
etc.). Even in the same area, no two
vineyards have exactly the same terroir, thus being the base of the Appellation
d'origine contrôlée (AOC) system that has been model for appellation and wine
laws across the globe.
In many respects,
French wines have more of a regional than a national identity, as evidenced by
different grape varieties, production methods and different classification
systems in the various regions. Most
varieties of grape are associated with a certain region, such as Cabernet Sauvignon
in Bordeaux and Syrah in Rhône, although there are some varieties that are
found in two or more regions, such as Chardonnay in Bourgogne (including
Chablis) and Champagne, and Sauvignon Blanc in Loire and Bordeaux. Quality levels and prices vary enormously,
and some wines are made for immediate consumption while other are meant for
long-time cellaring, as French production ranges from cheap and simple table
wines to some of the world's most famous and expensive wines.
MSRP: $400.00
Your Price: $349.90
You Save: $50.10 (13 %)
blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc will rival or perhaps eclipse vintages such as 2000, 1998, 1990, and 1989. Its dense purple color is followed by an extraordinary perfume of charcoal, espresso roast, blackberries, and blueberries! Excellent.
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MSRP: $100.00
Your Price: $59.90
You Save: $40.10 (40 %)
Very attractive aromas of ripe fruit, licorice and minerals. Full-bodied, with good, chewy tannins and a long, licorice and berry aftertaste. Very well done. A new wine from Château Bonnet. Wine Spectator rating 90.
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MSRP: $28.00
Your Price: $14.90
You Save: $13.10 (47 %)
The 2008 harvest was quite successful giving bright gamay fruit laden with flavors of raspberry and strawberry. A longtime favorite.
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MSRP: $110.00
Your Price: $84.90
You Save: $25.10 (23 %)
Rich, juicy fruit and very ripe tannins. Beautifully succulent fruit supported by very ripe tannins, fine balance and charm. Attractive and stylish. IWC rating of 91.
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MSRP: $90.00
Your Price: $58.90
You Save: $31.10 (35 %)
The 2003 Gruaud Laroses dark plum/garnet color is followed by sweet aromas of damp earth, forest floor, herbs, espresso roast, cassis, licorice, and plums. Rating: 92/100 - As reviewed by Wine Spectator.
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MSRP: $80.00
Your Price: $56.90
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"Lots of dried fruits with hints of honey and spices. Full and rich with a thick, sweet, dense palate. Long, refined finish. ...excellent...92-94" WS 03/06.
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MSRP: $130.00
Your Price: $98.90
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A dense and rich red, with aromas of blackberries and blueberries, with an undertone of minerals. Full-bodied, with lots of tannins and loads of structure and length. Just a baby, but already muscular and developed. Best wine from this estate in years.
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MSRP: $200.00
Your Price: $134.90
You Save: $65.10 (33 %)
A wine that continues to improve with age. Shows loads of ripe plum, almost prune, with hints of vanilla and mineral. Full, chewy and tight. Still needs time.--Lynch-Bages non-blind vertical. Wine Spectator rating 94.
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MSRP: $80.00
Your Price: $53.90
You Save: $26.10 (33 %)
This is a wonderful rare wine which is only available in limited quantities . Usually there are no more than a few bottles in stock and may sell out quickly. Wine Advocate rating of 93 points.
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MSRP: $850.00
Your Price: $649.90
You Save: $200.10 (24 %)
Robert Parker rating of 94. Wine Spectator rating of 93. Marvelous, robust with an earthy finish. Splendid nose with currants throughout the brilliant hue of this delicious wine!
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MSRP: $1,600.00
Your Price: $1,344.90
You Save: $255.10 (16 %)
We were unaware at that time that we were harvesting one of the greatest vintages of the late 20th century. The grapes had rarely, perhaps never, been as concentrated, particularly the Cabernet. Perfect rating of 100.
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MSRP: $800.00
Your Price: $549.90
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Robert Parker rating of 93. Wine Spectator rating of 92.
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MSRP: $650.00
Your Price: $499.90
You Save: $150.10 (23 %)
This beauty can be drunk now or cellared for two decades or more. 93 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate #171 (JUN 2007)
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MSRP: $950.00
Your Price: $684.90
You Save: $265.10 (28 %)
Robert Parker rating of 94. Wine Spectator rating of 95. Marvelous, robust with an earthy finish. Splendid nose with currants throughout the brilliant hue of this delicious wine!
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MSRP: $60.00
Your Price: $44.90
You Save: $15.10 (25 %)
"90 out of 100...Aromas of currant and fresh flowers follow through to a medium-to-full body, with chewy tannins and a slightly woody finish, but the fruit comes through. Turns long and pretty. Best after 2010." - WS
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MSRP: $900.00
Your Price: $748.90
You Save: $151.10 (17 %)
Dark purple black in color. Complex aromas of mineral, licorice, lead pencil and blackberry follow through to a full body, with ultrafine tannins and a caressing, pretty finish. Has a lovely texture. Shows elegance and refinement. Wine Spectator 95.
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MSRP: $260.00
Your Price: $184.90
You Save: $75.10 (29 %)
Stunningly rich and powerful, the darkpurple-tinged 2005 Palmer is a blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, and7% Petit Verdot. Robert Parker rating 97.
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MSRP: $75.00
Your Price: $47.90
You Save: $27.10 (36 %)
Rating: (89-91) - As reviewed in Wine Advocate # 170 on Apr-07
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MSRP: $200.00
Your Price: $124.90
You Save: $75.10 (38 %)
Robert Parker 95 "The 2006 Pichon Lalande, which blows away the 2005, represents a return to the velvety-textured, rich, sexy style most readers would associate with Pichon Lalande.
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Rating: 91-93/100 - As reviewed by International Wine Cellar in Issue 108, May/June 2003. Perfumed, classy aromas of dark berries, spices, licorice and bitter chocolate; a real essence of Margaux.
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MSRP: $40.00
Your Price: $25.90
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The current release is rich with bright black current fruit with great texture,finesse and suppleness in a long lingering finish. Excellent with red meats and butterflied leg of lamb.
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MSRP: $85.00
Your Price: $62.90
You Save: $22.10 (26 %)
Wine Spectator rating of 94. Barnyard on the nose and starts out that way, its medium bodied and has notes of black cherry. There's some very well integrated tannins and its got a nice finish with some secondary aromas: saddle leather and cigar box.
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MSRP: $40.00
Your Price: $29.90
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Super fruit, fragrant, plump and plummy, finely honed tannin frame. Rating: 87/100 - As reviewed in Wine Advocate # 146 on Apr-03.
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MSRP: $40.00
Your Price: $24.90
You Save: $15.10 (38 %)
The 2008 Garrigues Vacqueyras is strikingly pure, showing lifted blackberry and violet notes along with just a hint of roasted herbs and mineral. Zero oak interference makes this 70% grenache and 30% syrah a great wine ambassador from Vacqueyras.
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MSRP: $40.00
Your Price: $26.90
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The 2006 is lighter on its feet than the 2005, more immediately read more...attractive, but not without the weight to accompany hearty meat-based dishes. WE Top 100 #24 rating 93/100.
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MSRP: $40.00
Your Price: $28.90
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A blend of equal parts Grenache and Syrah, the 2007 Vacqueyras Le Clos was brought up in cement tanks. It exhibits gorgeous notes of kirsch liqueur, licorice, and smoked herbs, a full-bodied, fleshy mouthfeel, pure fruit, sweet tannin, and a long finish."
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MSRP: $200.00
Your Price: $149.90
You Save: $50.10 (25 %)
Thick and liqueur-like, good strong sweetness and a solid streak of acidity that brings a brightness, a vivacity to the wine; orange peels and honeysuckle on the nose, pineapple and tropical fruits; flavors of tangerine and Gran Marnier!
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MSRP: $28.00
Your Price: $19.90
You Save: $8.10 (29 %)
Quite dry and moderately acidic. Slight toast and almonds on the nose, lots of vegetable tastes with mineral finish. Well-balanced, a good food accompaniment.
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MSRP: $17.00
Your Price: $12.90
You Save: $4.10 (24 %)
A Silvaner and Pinot Blanc blend. Fresh, very pleasant, and fruity with a good body, and opened tea and mineral aromas. Well balanced with an excellent freshness. A nice dry wine with an enjoyable fruit. Easy-drinking, crispy wine.
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MSRP: $350.00
Your Price: $254.99
You Save: $95.01 (27 %)
Mostly floral aromas together with hints of exotic fruit, including mango that introduces exceptionally rich and powerful full-bodied flavors oozing dry extract and this is almost chewy on the strikingly intense finish.
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