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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: $25.00
Your Price: $14.99
You Save: $10.01 (40 %)
Rated by an independent jury of US wine professionals as one of the 100 affordable, contemporary Bordeaux (priced from $8 to $35) in 2008.
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MSRP: $21.00
Your Price: $12.99
You Save: $8.01 (38 %)
Medium- to full-bodied with a good core of juicy black fruit fine tannins and a medium finish. Very tight but clean and impressive. Best after 2010. 15000 cases made. James Suckling reviewer 89.
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MSRP: $80.00
Your Price: $56.99
You Save: $23.01 (29 %)
The sexy, up-front, evolved 2003 La Lagune exhibits a dark ruby/purple hue as well as big nose of cedar, spice box, black cherry read more...jam, licorice, and smoke.
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MSRP: $75.00
Your Price: $47.99
You Save: $27.01 (36 %)
The wine is soft and sensual in the mouth, expressive and immediately appealing, ending with gentle tannins and an oak note. This is an attractive, forward and well-balanced Haut-Medoc and is a very good value. Robert Parker 91.
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MSRP: $500.00
Your Price: $349.99
You Save: $150.01 (30 %)
Lovely aromas of dried lavender, crushed berries and minerals. Full-bodied, with firm, yet polished tannins and a medium finish of tobacco, berry and dark chocolate. A balanced and very pretty young red.
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MSRP: $80.00
Your Price: $51.99
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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: $79.99
Your Price: $53.99
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Very ripe aromas of musky currant , black raspberry, camphor and tobacco leaf. Round and plump for St. Estephe, with noteworthy volume and seamless texture; sweeter by far than the chateau's 2007 or 2006 samples but possesses harmonious framing acidity.
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MSRP: $50.00
Your Price: $32.99
You Save: $17.01 (34 %)
Very ripe aromas of musky currant , black raspberry, camphor and tobacco leaf. Round and plump for St. Estephe, with noteworthy volume and seamless texture; sweeter by far than the chateau's 2007 or 2006 samples but possesses harmonious framing acidity.
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MSRP: $80.00
Your Price: $53.99
You Save: $26.01 (33 %)
Aromas of blackberry and currant with just a hint of black licorice follow through to a full-bodied palate, with fine tannins and subtle ripe fruit, giving licorice and mineral undertones. Complex and refined. Very well done. Wine Spectator rating 92.
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MSRP: $80.00
Your Price: $54.99
You Save: $25.01 (31 %)
Opulent and round with blackberry and cassis fruit and quite some tannins as well as balancing acidity. The finish reveals a bit of earth and licorice as well as black spice and cigar ash before a final note of toasty oak.
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MSRP: $60.00
Your Price: $41.99
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Rating: 91-94 - As reviewed by Robert Parker. A strong effort for this estate, the 2006 Lagrange competes with the finest wines of the appellation.
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MSRP: $17.99
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A blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc. Delicious with all kinds of beef and lamb, slow-cooked stews or pot roast and mushrooms with garlic and herbs.
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MSRP: $130.00
Your Price: $89.99
You Save: $40.01 (31 %)
(85% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc). Another single vineyard that abuts Clos Fourtet but from a different angle.
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MSRP: $218.40
Your Price: $145.99
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Rating: 93/100 - As reviewed in Wine Advocate # 164 on Apr-06
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MSRP: $100.00
Your Price: $59.99
You Save: $40.01 (40 %)
This classically made, dense purple-hued wine exhibits enormous potential; excellent character and style with bold design. Once again, proprietor Anthony Barton delivers a wine with super... Robert Parker Wine Spectator TOP 100 #64 with 94 rating.
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MSRP: $200.00
Your Price: $119.99
You Save: $80.01 (40 %)
This classically made, dense purple-hued wine exhibits enormous potential; excellent character and style with bold design. Once again, proprietor Anthony Barton delivers a wine with super... Robert Parker Wine Spectator TOP 100 #64 with 94 rating.
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MSRP: $250.00
Your Price: $192.99
You Save: $57.01 (23 %)
Leoville Las Cases has produced another classic, potentiallylong-lived wine in 2007. Among the St.-Juliens, it, Ducru Beaucaillou, andLeoville Barton possess the potential for the greatest longevity.
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MSRP: $90.00
Your Price: $64.99
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Rating: 93/100 - As reviewed in Wine Advocate # 171 on Jun-07.
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MSRP: $175.00
Your Price: $109.99
You Save: $65.01 (37 %)
A deep ruby red in color, this fantastic Bordeaux is a blend of Merlot (70%) and Cabernet Franc (30%). The savory palate is loaded with black fruit and features a fresh and spectacularly long finish.
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MSRP: $35.00
Your Price: $24.99
You Save: $10.01 (29 %)
Deep ruby color. Nose is intense and complex, combining aromas of cassis, smoke and pencil shavings with hints of mint and green pepper. Full bodied on the palate with good concentration and very vinous flavors.
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