Les Dégustations Ugo

A fully mature Saint-Émilion, shaped by time, boasting that lovely tertiary complexity that turns a simple tasting into a brief journey back to the 90s. . Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Clos des Menuts (Red) . Vintage: 1993 . 🍇: Merlot: 85% 🍇: Cabernet Franc: 10% 🍇: Cabernet Sauvignon: 5% . 👀: In the glass, the red has clearly moved past the stage of youthful fruitiness. The color leans towards a mature garnet, with brick-red highlights at the rim. Intensity remains, though time has gently softened the bold hues of youth. . 👃: And this is where things get serious. The initial nose immediately evokes very ripe red fruit, plum, and candied cherry, followed by more evolved notes: forest floor, fallen leaves, blond tobacco, fine leather, and sweet spices. It has that slightly dusty, earthy quality I love in old Bordeaux. Not "I forgot to dust" dusty, but rather the scent of an old wooden library, a leather chest, and a rainy Sunday. The fruit has receded into the backgr...

This is a wine that is perfect to drink right now, yet it also feels like it has more stories to tell with a bit more bottle age. . Pessac-Léognan Blanc, Château de France cuvée . Vintage: 2024 . 🍇: 80% Sauvignon, 20% Sémillon . 👀: Pale yellow hue with luminous highlights; it has a brilliance that immediately makes you want to swirl the glass. Visually, it is clean, crisp, and precise. . 👃: First impression on the nose: citrus, lemon, and grapefruit, with a lovely sense of freshness. Then come more vegetal and herbaceous notes. The Sémillon steps in to mellow things out a bit, adding a rounder, softer, almost slightly honeyed quality. Underlying it all is a subtle hint of wet stone and chalk. The oak is present, but it doesn't scream "BARREL!" with every sniff. And frankly, thank goodness for that. . 👄: The attack is crisp and fresh. The Sauvignon arrives with its citrus notes, tension, and that touch of acidity that makes you want another sip before you...

A rich, fleshy, and approachable Bordeaux Malbec that has enough character to stand out without veering into "over-muscled" red wine territory. . Château Haut-Grelot Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux Red . Vintage: 2020 . 🍇: 100% Malbec . 👀: The color is a deep, dark red, possessing an intensity reminiscent of black cherries at the peak of ripeness.  One look at the glass and you realize this isn't a wine for the faint of heart. It is dense, glossy, and almost velvety. . 👃: Initial nose: black fruits. Blackberry, blackcurrant, blueberry, black cherry... The fruit is generous but avoids the "industrial jam" profile; there is a fresh quality underlying it. Then come spicier, slightly peppery notes, along with a subtle vegetal touch characteristic of Malbec in its Bordeaux guise. As the wine breathes, the fruit notes deepen and darken. . 👄: And then... BAM. The attack is bold and fruity, with a lovely sense of substance. The Malbec delivers juiciness, charact...

A full-bodied, rich, and elegantly oaked Chardonnay, yet with enough tension to avoid the pitfall of heaviness. . Domaine Louis Lequin et Fils – Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru "Morgeot" (White Burgundy) . Vintage: 2022 . 🍇: Chardonnay . 👀: The color is a luminous, brilliant golden yellow. Not the sort of shy yellow that stays in the background; here, the wine clearly announces it has something to say. You can sense the richness just by looking at it—suggesting a texture that is unctuous, enveloping, and almost creamy. . 👃: Initial nose: white-fleshed fruits, ripe pear, and peach, followed by richer, more indulgent notes. The oak is present but not in a "new IKEA furniture" kind of way. Instead, it complements the fruit with hints of vanilla, hazelnut, brioche, and pastry. It evolves in the glass, revealing fresh butter, a touch of dried fruit, and a slightly toasty quality. Above all, there is that distinctive Burgundian character: a streak of freshness...

Il y a des cépages qui entrent dans une pièce en claquant la porte.  La Marsanne , elle, arrive avec une assiette de fromages sous le bras. Elle s’installe,  elle regarde autour d'elle.  Et au bout de dix minutes, tout le monde parle d’elle. J’ai toujours trouvé que la Marsanne était un peu sous-estimée.  Pas vraiment oubliée.  Elle est là, bien installée dans le paysage rhodanien, mais elle vit souvent dans l’ombre de sa grande copine la Roussanne, du flamboyant Viognier ou, évidemment, de l’immense Syrah.  Et pourtant… Versez-moi un verre de belle Marsanne.  Attendez cinq minutes,  puis revenez me dire qu’elle est timide.  Une histoire de soleil, de cailloux et de patience.  La Marsanne est une enfant de la vallée du Rhône.  Plus précisément, son berceau est généralement situé autour du village de Marsanne, dans la Drôme, au nord-est de Montélimar.  Et pour une fois, l’étymologie ne nous emmène pas dans une enquêt...

An accessible, warm, and thoroughly enjoyable wine the kind that makes you want to share it with others. . AOP Malepère Red, La Tour du Fort cuvée, Domaine Le Fort . Vintage: 2024 . 🍇: Merlot, Grenache, Cabernet Franc . 👀: The wine displays a beautiful, deep red hue, with a sense of richness and lusciousness that immediately makes you want to take the next step. It’s glossy and dense. Visually, it promises fruit, sunshine, and likely a few adventures to come. . 👃: On the initial nose, the focus is clearly on red and black fruit. Cherry, blackberry, and fully ripe fruit... accompanied by that warm sensation typical of Southern reds. The Grenache brings a sunny, luscious quality; the Merlot plays up the fruit and roundness; while the Cabernet Franc adds a bit of depth and definition. Then there’s a subtle spicy note that draws you back to the glass. . 👄: The attack is supple and fruity, with a rather generous mouthfeel. The red and black fruit notes return, offering a del...

A rich, textured, and luminous Rhône white, with enough freshness to avoid the trap of becoming heavy or sluggish. . Saint-Joseph Blanc "Révoltées" – Famille De Boel (France) . Vintage: 2024 . 🍇: 50% Marsanne, 50% Roussanne . 👀: The color is a luminous, brilliant golden yellow—hinting right away at a round, sun-kissed, and generous character. . 👃: First impression: ripe pear, white peach, and apricot, followed by notes of white flowers. There is also a more subtle nuance underneath—a touch of honey, almost waxy—that adds depth to the profile. It’s the kind of nose that makes you want to dive back into the glass, just to make sure you haven't missed anything. . 👄: The attack is supple and enveloping, with lovely substance. The Marsanne clearly plays its part, providing an almost creamy texture, while the Roussanne enlivens the blend with added freshness and aromatic complexity. The wine unfolds gracefully, without rushing; it takes its time, offering great ...

Mike Echo Uniform is a Champagne that makes no pretense. . Mike Echo Uniform Brut Cuvée from Champagne Akileire. . 🍇: 100% Meunier. Dosage: 1g/L. . 👀: In the glass, it displays a brilliant, pale gold hue with an almost metallic sheen that immediately invites you to bring the glass closer. The bubbles are fine and energetic, rising elegantly in a steady stream. Visually, it promises something fresh and precise, yet with enough substance to back it up. . 👃: And this is where the Meunier takes center stage. First, there are notes of fresh apple, pear, and white fruit. Then, it gains complexity: a touch of pastry, fresh bread—almost brioche—along with a slight toasty quality derived from the 15% barrel aging. Above all, there is a lovely sensation of ripe fruit without any heaviness. An enticing, delicious nose. . 👄: The attack is lively, precise, and thoroughly refreshing. Here, the Meunier reveals its earthy, fruity character, yet the texture is far from thin. There is vo...

Il y a des domaines que l’on découvre avant même d’y avoir posé les pieds. Terre des Dames est de ceux-là. À Murviel-lès-Béziers, dans l’arrière-pays de Béziers, un ancien mas du XVIIIᵉ siècle regarde ses vignes. De petites parcelles, des murets anciens, de la garrigue sauvage. Un paysage qui semble avoir appris la patience. Et puis il y a une femme. Lidewij van Wilgen. Née aux Pays-Bas, elle travaillait dans la publicité à Amsterdam avant de changer de vie. En 2002, elle quitte cet univers pour rejoindre le Languedoc, avec une envie qui paraît finalement assez simple : le vin, la nature, quelque chose de plus vrai. Elle se forme ensuite à la viticulture et à l’œnologie et prend les rênes de Terre des Dames. Ce qui me plaît dans cette histoire, c’est qu’elle ne ressemble pas à celle d’une personne qui aurait simplement acheté un domaine. Elle ressemble davantage à celle de quelqu’un qui a choisi une autre façon de vivre. Aujourd’hui, Terre des Dames compte envir...