Fancifull Gift Baskets Wine List
- Marco Real 04 - Spain
The winemaking tends to favor younger, more easily accessible styles of red wine, with good levels of extraction, but with nice balance for earlier consumption. There is a measured use of wood, but only to add a little complexity, often for only a part of the final assemblage. The wines do not pass through a long elevage and are released early, often in the spring after harvest.
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- Pasqua Villa Borghetti 05 - Italy
Tasting Note:
An attracted garnet wine, well structured and balanced, it is dominated by fruit flavours gently supported by oaky characters and enhanced by a fine, easy finish.
Food Accompaniment:
Light Poultry and Meat
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- Penascal Tempranillo Rosado 04 - Spain
Real roses are marvels. And some of the best come from Spain. The Penascal is low in alcohol with tart cranberry flavors; light body; crisp and dry. An excellent summer wine.
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- Calera Pinot Noir 02 (375 ml) - California
We were excited to find a fine example of Pinot Noir in this price range. Ripe blackberry fruit and vanilla spice aromas are inviting to the nose, and similar black and red berry fruit flavors are enjoyed on the palate. It's just a touch hot upfront, causing a slight sting, but mellows out, with blackberry, black raspberry, black cherry, and vanilla spice flavors dominating.
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- Fontalem l'Auriolle 04 - Bordeaux, France
An excellent Bordeaux for the price! Dark red fruits, fennel and herbs in the nose. Bright on the palate with well balanced tannins and acid with a long smooth finish. Light enough to accompany hearty pastas but will go equally well with meats.
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- Regaleali Nero d'Avola 04 - Sicily
One of the most famous Nero d'Avola wines of Sicily. Regaleali Nero d'Avola expresses all the style and class of the best-known European wineries. It was the first wine to exalt the expressive and timeless wealth of the noble Sicilian tradition. Regaleali Nero d'Avola now has a completely new image which evidences its personality and natural elegance.
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- Eloro Nero d'Avola 04 - Italy
The first DOC Nero D'Avola imported to the United States. Bright ruby red in color, with violet reflections. Dry, medium to full-bodied, with moderate acidity and soft tannins. Eloro Nero D'Avola has an intense, ethereal nose of plum, and black cherry. Smooth and easy drinking with good balance, acidity and very little tannin. A bright fresh Nero D'Avola, expressing the dark fruit and a long finish, making this a food friendly and easy drinking selection.
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- Crianza 2000 - Spain
Red fruit, raisins and spice on the nose. Bright red fruit in the mouth with smoothly integrated tannins. A great wine, and rated 87 by Wine Spectator. Fine with hearty pastas but will go equally well with meats. Even turkey, depending on how it's dressed.
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- Aglianico 03 - Italy
It is an intense ruby-red colour, with purplish flecks. The complex bouquet leads with a hint of blackberry and ripe prunes, but is enriched by suggestions of spices, chocolate and roasted coffee. To the palate it is well-rounded, velvety, persistent and gently tannic. Pleasant hints of wood-smoke and vanilla are refined by aging.
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- Mont-Perat Bordeaux 03 - Bordeaux, France
A delicious offering from the Despagne firm, which clearly knows how to produce budget-priced Bordeaux that can compete with some of the region's more hallowed names, the 2003 Mont Perat exhibits abundant quantities of cedar, barbecue smoke, spicy herbs, and black cherry and currant fruit. Like all the Despagne wines, it possesses loads of character and soul. Enjoy it during its first 2-4 years of life.
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- Praxis Merlot 03 - California
Praxis is the second label of one of our favorite vinters, Bill Arbios of Arbios Cellars. The Praxis label allows Bill to play with different winemaking techniques. "Praxis makes perfect," he likes to say. All of Bill's wines tend to be more European in style - balanced without excessive alcohol. This Merlot is no exception. Aged for 16 months predominantly in American oak, Bill likes the spice and vanilla component that American Oak complements the varietal characteristics of Merlot in a lovely way. Aromas of black cherry, plum and blackberry predominate with scents of vanilla and roasted coffee rounding out the flavors.The Texture shows ample well-integrated and ripe tannins with a moderate to long finish.
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- Waterbrook Melange 04 - Washington
The color is deep purple and the nose shows intense fruit with spicy, ripe aromas. On the palate, the tannins are perceptible but elegant with a long finish.
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- Domaine d'Aupilhac Rouge 04 - France
If you haven't yet discovered the wines of southern France, this would be a great place to start. It's like a slow dance with a beautiful girl on a summer evening. It's earthy and sultry and charged with potential. You just want to keep dancing. A dark black-red wine with scents of earthy herbs and blackberries. Solid structure with balanced tannins and acids, great finish. A blend of Mourvedre, Syrah, Carignan, Grenache and Cinsault. A hands-down winner at our last wine tasting. You'll find it in our Connoisseur's Choice basket, or choose it for any other wine basket on our site.
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- Beaumes De Venise 05 - France
This organic combination of grenache (70%) and syrah (30%) shows a very expressive and pure taste of berry fruit with hints of minerals and spice. Meant to drink while young and fresh, this is a very pure and delightful example of fruit-forwardness, with finesse to boot. Bottled unfiltered. Guy Jullien is the owner of this small domaine, located in the beautifully scenic Beaume de Venise appellation of the southern Rhone.
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- Chateau Loudenne Medoc 04 - Bordeaux, France
A medium body Bordeaux with dark fruit and grass nose, well-balanced tannins & acidity. Great with prime rib.
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- Valle dell Asso Piromafo 01 - Italy
Negramaro means Black-Bitter, Deep Red, Full-bodied, Earthy, Grassy and Aromatic. This is an organic wine.
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- Marilyn Merlot 04 - Napa Valley, California
The 2004 vintage Marilyn Merlot is a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. A substantial addition of Cabernet adds greater complexity to the nose and more structure to the mouth. This wine was barrel aged using 30% new wood to enhance the aromas of vanilla and roasted coffee. The fruity aromas and flavors are ripe and soft reflecting the maturity and quality of the grapes harvested.
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- Chateau Veyry Bordeaux 03 - France
This deliciously chewy wine features a deep ruby/purple color along with pure, sweet notes of black cherries, earth, and smoky barrique. Ripe, fleshy, full-bodied flavors display excellent purity, concentration, and balance. This is what Bordeaux is all about. Put some steaks on the barbecue!
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- Terricci 99 - Italy
This Super Tuscan is a blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc. It has a sumptuous structure, velvet texture, great body and balance. Supple on the tongue, with a nose of black current and raspberry this smooth full wine has a long finish and will go with a variety of foods. It is aged 18 months in barriques and 12 months in the bottle. Its incredible balance is a testament to the winemakers art. We have enjoyed it with aged Peccorino, grilled steaks, pasta Bolognese - the possibilities are endless. It is drinking well now, and will age easily for another 10-15 years or more. Wine Advocate gave it a 92 pt rating.
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- Arbios Cabernet 02 - California
An earthy aroma is accented with scents of cedar, violets and sage. Bright flavors of bing cherries and rich, warm vanilla blend easily on the palate. Arbios is full bodied, smooth and balanced. Two years in French oak give the wine a toasty character and the tannins are well integrated. The wine is ready to drink now and will keep for ten years or more.
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- Sang Des Cailloux Vacqueyras - Rhone, France
"Le Sang Des Cailloux (blood of the stones) is the darkest, prettiest blood you will ever see! The aromas are loaded with spice and black pepper, the magical scent of the Provençal Garrigue, and all so expansive you can breathe it in. The palate has an intriguing stony finish that calls to mind a great Vieux-Telegraphe, that impression that the wine was filtered over stones. Unfiltered, this stony, gunflint finish comes from the rain water filtered by the Sang des Cailloux stony soil, then sucked-up by the thirty-year-old vine roots, eked out into the grapes, which are then vinified and put into bottles. Of course it tastes like stones! I think this is one of the most impressive Southern Rhônes I have ever tasted, and it reeks of my beloved Provence. It will age beautifully. Wow!"- Kermit Lynch
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- Robert Sinskey Merlot 02 - Napa Valley, California
A fantastic nose with thyme, bay leaf and licorice mingled with the deeper scent of ripe blackberry. Underpinning the rich ruit are well-developed silky tannins, mouthwatering acidity, and a smooth, indulgent texture that echoes its velvety color. A complex and rewarding experience.
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- Carpe Diem Pinot Noir 05 - Napa Valley, CA
Tasting Notes: Rich red fruit flavors of blackberry introduce you to a medium to full bodied juice. A slightly tannic and deep berry mouthfeel leads to a long finish that reveals some vanillin characteristics.
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- Chateau Monbrison Margaux 03 - France
The soft, supple, medium-bodied 2003 exhibits a plum/ruby/garnet color, elegant fruit, herb, and spice characteristics, but little depth and persistence. It should be consumed over the next 5-8 years.
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- Les Pallieres Gigondas 04 - Southern Rhone, France
This is a large, complicated domaine because of so many different parcels and micro-climates. The wine spends a year in tank after which a selection is made, and it is moved to old wood foudres for the second year. The 2004 may be the best Les Pallieres made under the new regime. Tipping the scales at 15.2% alcohol, it is hardly light, but it does have a cool-climate elegance, nice wood spice, plenty of sweet cherries, garrigue, and a floral note. Medium to full-bodied, this wine seems to be the best example yet of combining power and elegance from this well-known property. About 25% stems are used in the winemaking, and the wine is of course bottled unfiltered. Score range: 91-93 points. Score: 93. -Robert Parker, February 2006.
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- Schneider Cabernet Franc 03 - New York
This luscious cabernet franc has enticing aromas of spice, ripe berries, dried herbs and smoky cedar. On the palate, it has delicious flavors of sweet blueberries and ripe red currants that are finely balanced by a soft silky texture. This alluring wine is approachable now, but has enough structure to last another seven to ten years.
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- Les Pagodes de Cos 03 - Bordeaux, France
Good Colour. Good plump nose. No lack of volume. Ripe and fresh. Plenty of depth and good acidity. This is very good indeed for a second wine. No weakness. Medium to medium-full body.
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- Chateau Le Prieuré 03 - Bordeaux, France
This Grand Cru from Saint-Emilion gathers up great bunches of fresh violets into a massive bouquet that heightens the rich plum fruit when the wine is tasted. Traces of leather also emerge.
Blend: 60% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Franc
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- Trefethen Cabernet 03 - Napa Valley, CA
Deep ruby in color, this complex Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits luxurious nose of blackberry, black cherry, plum, black currant, black pepper, cola nut, and chocolate with a hint of black pepper and olive. The tannins are ripe and velvety, leading to a richly textured palate. The wine's fresh, rich raspberry jam, blackberry, currant, and chocolate flavors lead to a long persistent finish of cherry and toasted oak vanilla.
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- Chateau Leoville Barton 02 - Bordeaux, France
Medium to full-bodied and rich, with high but well-integrated tannin, and a long, 40+ second finish.
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- Cain Concept 02 - California
Are you looking for a really beautiful California wine? Right here. I always enjoy visiting Cain at the big trade tastings and watch it blow people away with its refined yet simple pureness. It doesn't take a wine genius to fall under the spell of our favorite king of Spring Mountain, and yet Cain is also a favorite among wine geniuses.
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- Nuits Saint Georges 04 - Burgundy, France
89-91 Points and a Key Buy from Allen Meadows: "This is more elegant still and slightly finer with detailed, expressive and pure aromas of earth, black fruit and plum that dissolve into beautifully complex, refined and balanced flavors that also display ample finishing minerality and better overall phenolic ripeness. A really lovely effort that should age effortlessly."
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- Da Vinci Brunello 01 - Italy
"Gorgeous aroma of raspberry, flowers, and minerals follow through to a silky palate, with lovely tannins and a medium finish."
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- Chateau Lynch Bages 03 - Bordeaux, France
Lynch-Bages made primarily from Cabernet-Sauvignon, is famous for its fine bouquet and rich tannins, which become soft and delicious with age. Lynch-Bages is powerful with a long aftertaste. A wine with silky, refined tannins and delicate fruit. Full-bodied, with chewy tannins and a lovely long, textured finish.
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- Chateau Pichon Longueville 04 - Bordeaux, France
A blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 7% Petit Verdot, and 4% Cabernet Franc, the 2004 Pichon Lalande is vaguely reminiscent of the 1986 and 1988. Deep ruby/purple-tinged, with moderately high, firm tannin, a degree of austerity, plummy black currant fruit intermixed with licorice, smoke, and dried herbs, good freshness, and medium body, give it 2-3 years of cellaring, and drink it over the following 15+ years.
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- Penascal Sauvignon Blanc 04 - Spain
This is a lively, fresh, well focused Sauvignon Blanc featuring good fruit in the lime, grapefruit, and green pear range and surprising richness. Shows just a hint of grassy Sauvignon Blanc character. Quite clean and very refreshing.
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- Calera Chardonnay 02 (375 ml) - California
The 2002 Central Coast Chardonnay is a smooth, rich and beautiful wine with flavors of apple, pear, summer melons and hints of peach. This wine has a soft, silky texture and a full, creamy, buttery finish.
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- Pasqua Pinot Grigio 06 - Italy
Very light colored, almost transparent, with a very floral nose. On the tongue honeysuckle and melon with no spices noticed competing for attention. Very low acidity made for a pleasant finish
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- Chateau Haut Rian 04 - Bordeaux, France
The white wines of Bordeaux provide a great alternative to your run-of-the-mill California Chardonnay. We were delighted to find this floral blend of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc. Chateau Haut Rian is lively, clean, crisp, with lovely citrus notes and a lush, lingering finish.
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- Lyric 05 - South Africa
South Africa has been producing outstanding wines for many years and this one is as sweet as a song. Tropical fruit in the nose and a smooth balanced clean finish make this blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay a standout in the glass.
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- Drepanum Bianco 04 - Sicily, Italy
This lively, medium-bodied white is made from the native Inzolia and Grillo grapes. Lovely citrus fruit character, hints of passion fruit and kiwi and a crisp clean finish.
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- Foxes Island Chardonnay 02 - New Zealand
A full-bodied and complex Chardonnay produced exclusively from two Marlborough estate vineyards. This supple and fragrant Chardonnay is ready to enjoy with fine food now or can be cellared with confidence over the next three years.
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- Trefethen Dry Riesling 06 - Napa Valley, CA
Intriguing jasmine, white peach and ginger characterize this wine's inviting aromas. Remarkably bright and lively on the palate with zesty citrus flavors that gently open to a wonderfully light, lingering finish.
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- Sancerre Millesime 05 - France
100% Sauvignon Blanc
The wine is a beautiful bright pale yellow colour. A pure nose, hints of citrus fruits and white flowers. On the palate it is fresh and full. The finish is typically elegant, well-balanced and long.
Drinking advice
Excellent served at about 50 degrees Farenheit with fish, shell fish, white meats, and the local speciality cheese, Crottin de Chavignol. Otherwise serve simply by itself as an aperitif.
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- Oliver Savary Chablis 05 - Burgundy, France
Located in the north of Burgundy, the soil of Chablis is composed of limestone and clay -- this minerality is deliciously evident in the wine. Great acidity -- brisk, dry and fruity. Perfect for chicken or grilled salmon.
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- Domaine Ostertag Riesling 06 - France
Very light colored, almost transparent, with a very floral nose. On the tongue honeysuckle and melon with no spices noticed competing for attention. Very low acidity made for a pleasant finish.
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- Trefethen Chardonnay 05 - Napa Valley, CA
Beguiling ripe, yellow apple, peach, honeyed citrus and light butter scents, with intriguing hints of anise and tarragon. On the beautifully structured palate, its bright apple, lemon and pineapple flavors boast a refreshing minerality that persists throughout the wine's long, clean finish.
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- Dutton Goldfield Chard 04 - California
This is an exciting Russian River Chardonnay rich in tropical citrus, fruit, spice and floral greet the nose, all carry through on the palate revealing layers of sophistication accented by a bright mineral signature and a long complex layered lime, tangerine finish.
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- Chassagne-Montrachet 05 - France
Lively aromas of lemon cream and white flowers complicated by smoky oak. Then sweet and exotic in the mouth, with the ripe, fleshy apricot and peach flavors nicely lifted by harmonious acids. Conveys an almost buttery ripeness and a texture of liquid silk. A wine with considerable sex appeal and lovely lingering sweetness. Produced by one of our favorites, Philippe Colim.
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- Meursault Perrieres 04 - Burgundy, France
I've got to admit that just a few years ago I didn't really think much of white wines; they were simple, even boring. WRONG! You could hardly ask for a more beautiful or complex wine than this. On the nose, pure aromas of grapefruit, orange and steely minerality abound. Dense and pure, the palate is filled with precise tangerine, orange and mineral flavors with a finish that goes on forever. A taste experience you won't forget.
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- Castellblanch Cava Rosado - Spain
Dark and Rosy, with a sweet strawberry fizz-like bouquet. The palate is firm and the flavor package delivers a full of ripe tangerine and nectarine. Yes, it tastes somewhat like a confection, meaning it's rather sweet, but the balance and acids are right there, so it goes down well.
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- Ruggeri Prosecco Valdobbiadene - Italy
The perfect summer sparkler! Lively, bright, fresh apple fruit flavors. This wine is served in all the top resturants in SF & New York! Great with antipasti or after dinner with biscotti.
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- Roederer Estate Brut (CA) - Napa Valley, California
Rich, deep strawish color, fine, tiny beads, very good active mousse; tart apple aromas with a decidedly crisp turn to it, excellent fruit definition; medium bodied, zesty on the palate, refreshiing and crisp; fine core fruit flavors with a slightly creamy accent; very good finsh, zesty aftertaste.
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- Henriot Brut Souverain - Champagne, France
Beautiful golden color. Persistent sparkle, fine, regular bubbles. Pleasant nose made very elegant by the large amount of Chardonnay. Sharp, well-balanced and harmonious on the palate.
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- Roederer Brut Premiere - Napa Valley, California
From one of the great Champagne producers, its elegant complexities come from barrel-ageing some of the blend, together with at least four years maturation in bottle before disgorging. Moreover, the addition of a small dosage in this non-vintage blend, results in a fruitier style of champagne, yet with a surprising depth of flavour.
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- Henriot Brut Rose - Champagne, France
Obtaining a very delicate rose and preserving all the elegant lightness that is Champagne's top characteristic is a difficult and fascinating exercise. This cuvee charms with its lovely balance in an aromatic range of red fruit, whose persistence is remarkable.
Composition of the cuvee:
- 42% Chardonnay, a high proportion compared to the average within the appellation
- 58% Pinot Noir, 20% of which is vinified as red
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- Roederer Blanc de Blancs 98 - Napa Valley, California
Intense yellow colour; Restrained and elegant first nose, with scents of white flowers and minerals developing into nuttier notes of almonds and marzipan. Rounded and vinous palate. Very intense, with ultra-refined aromas and nicely contrasting glimpses of toast and wood. A crisp wine with a terrific staying power.
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- Henriot Millesime - Champagne, France
Beautiful golden color. Persistent sparkle, fine, regular bubbles. Pleasant nose made very elegant by the large amount of Chardonnay. Sharp, well-balanced and harmonious on the palate.
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- Dom Perignon - Champagne, France
The most incredible champagne. Dom Perignon has always been enjoyed in the most exclusive and most famous places around the world. An effervescent wine of golden hue with glints of silver and green and numerous delicate and vivacious bubbles. The nose has fine intensity with classic background aromas of puree of apples, poached pears, vanilla, hazelnuts, melba toast and yellow-plum jam as well as superb hints of quince and chalk. On the palate the attack is incisive and combines acidic freshness with the finesse of the bubbles. Try it with rock lobster Parisian style, lobster thermidor, caviar, poached turbot with champagne sauce, or, on its own, since Dom Perignon is sufficient unto itself.
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- Cristal Champagne - Champagne, France
The jewel of Louis Roederer House is Cristal, created in 1876 for Tsar Alexander II. This is champagne at its finest, as inspired today as it has always been, the embodiment of elegance and purity. Cristal is made according to the strictest criteria, based on a drastic process of selection applying to the vintage, the cru, the village, the grapes, and, finally, the wines. Only Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes from the House's ten most celebrated crus are used in the production of this legendary cuvee.
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