Tasting notes, Jan. 31, 2024; French Values

                     French Values

2022 Claude Branger Le Fils de Gras Moutons
On Sale for $14.40
Muscadet Sèvre et Maine / Loire Valley / France
100% Melon de Bourgogne 
The “children of the fat sheep” (Fils de Gras Moutons) is so-named for the 40 year-old, early maturing Melon de Bourgogne vines from which its fruit is sourced (the later ripening fruit informs Branger’s “Fat Sheep” or Gras Moutons bottling). 
2022 Salvard Unique Blanc
On Sale for $16
Touraine / Loire Valley / France
100% Sauvignon Blanc
The Delaille family farms over 100 acres of land in and around the Cheverny appellation. Unique Sauvignon is sourced from 20 year-old vines and is fermented and aged entirely in stainless steel.
2022 Gaillard Marsanne 
On Sale for $20
Chavanay / St Joseph / France
100% Marsanne
Marsanne is known for its rich texture and almond inflected aromas and flavors. Gaillard’s entry level rendition of the varietal offers a buttery mouthfeel along with plentiful stone fruit characteristics.
2021 Domaine de la Beche Vieilles Vignes Morgon
On Sale for $14.40
Morgon / Beaujolais / France
100% Gamay
Morgon is considered to be one of the best places in the world to grow the Gamay varietal. It is here where we find a combination of elevation and granite soil which combine to create a seamless cru Beaujolais. This 2021 is youthful and vibrant. 
2020 Perrin Cotes du Rhone Villages
On Sale for $12.99
Southern Rhone Valley / France
Grenache, Syrah
Produced from a variety of sources scattered throughout the Southern Rhone Valley, Perrin’s Villages bottling is elegant and concentrated, displaying the typical plum and garrigue aromas of the region.
2020 Croix-Mouton
Bordeaux Supérieur Rouge
On Sale for $16
Lugon / Bordeaux / France
97% Merlot, 2.5% Cabernet Franc, 0.5% Petit Verdot
A modern styled Bordeaux red sourced from vineyards composed of primarily clay soils (perfect for Merlot). The wine is fermented in wood before spending a brief period (9 months) in small oak barrels, a portion of which are first use (50%).