Les Dégustations Ugo

A Pinot Noir that relies more on charm than raw power. An elegant, lively bottle—and one that’s appetizing enough to make you want to move straight to the meal. . Santenay Rouge "Vieilles Vignes" (Old Vines) from Domaine Louis Lequin et Fils . Vintage: 2020 . 🍇: 100% Pinot Noir. Old vines aged 45 to 60 years. . 👀: First impression: a luminous ruby ​​red, with that characteristic Pinot Noir transparency. You don’t need an opaque, heavy red to realize there’s real substance here. The color looks almost light... yet it catches the light beautifully. . 👃: And here, the Pinot begins its performance. Red fruits appear immediately cherry, raspberry, redcurrant along with a riper note reminiscent of black cherry. Then come earthier tones: a hint of forest floor, damp leaves, and the scent of earth after the rain. With aeration, the bouquet gains depth. A slightly spicy touch emerges, accompanied by an almost floral quality. It’s the kind of nose that makes you want to ...

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...

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...

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 deep, peppery, fruity, and elegant Syrah. . Saint-Joseph Red Clos Chanson cuvée from Domaine Christophe Pichon . Vintage: 2023 . 🍇: 100% Syrah. 60-year-old vines. . 👀: The color is deep, dark, almost opaque, with lovely purplish-red hues. It is brilliant and dense, yet avoids the trap of tasting like industrial jam. You can already sense a wine with real substance a true Northern Rhône Syrah, offering that blend of power and freshness that makes you want to see what lies behind the curtain. . 👃: The Syrah arrives with its classic profile but plenty of character: blackberry, blackcurrant, blueberry, and black plum, accompanied by wilder notes of pepper, violet, and spices.  Then come deeper nuances: hints of licorice, smoke, and forest floor. And that slight peppery edge. it’s impossible not to think of a Syrah that truly knows its craft. . 👄: The attack is bold and fleshy, but freshness quickly snaps everything into focus. The texture is velvety, with lovely subst...

A profound, spicy Languedoc—full of fruit, substance, and, above all, real personality. . AOP Languedoc Red, "L'Unique" cuvée from Domaine Terre des Dames. . Vintage: 2020. Production: 1,900 bottles. . 🍇: 80% Syrah, 20% Old-vine Grenache. . 👀: The color is deep and dark—almost black at the core—with garnet highlights appearing when swirled. Visually, it is dense yet not heavy; it possesses depth and dimension. You can tell right away that this wine isn't just going to offer a shy, fleeting hello. . 👃: On the initial nose, the Syrah takes center stage: black blackberry, blackcurrant, plum, violet, and sweet spices. Then it evolves. There is pepper, notes of *garrigue* (wild Mediterranean scrubland), and a slight smokiness—almost reminiscent of cured meat. The Grenache follows with a sun-kissed, generous quality, evoking ripe fruit. And then, the oak. Two years in 600-liter barrels inevitably leaves a mark, but here the oak plays a supporting role rather ...

What if the Big Bad Wolf actually had a soft heart? . Pic Saint-Loup Red, "Le Grand Méchant Loup" cuvée by Vignobles Vellas . Vintage: 2023 . 🍇: Syrah, Grenache Noir, Mourvèdre . 👀: In the glass, it’s dark and deep—almost like garnet velvet. A color that doesn't ask for permission to enter the room. You can already sense the dark fruit behind the glass: something generous and sun-kissed, with a hint of mysterious shadow lingering in the background. In short, visually, the wolf is baring its fangs. . 👃: Syrah leads the way with dark fruit and spicy, peppery notes, while Grenache brings ripe fruit into the mix. Mourvèdre plays the tough guy, offering wilder, earthy notes with a touch of licorice. It smells a bit like blackberry jam decided to go camping in the *garrigue* scrubland. There’s sunshine, wild scrub, spices, and fruit. A truly mouth-watering nose. . 👄: The attack is bold and generous, with that dark fruit returning immediately. There is plenty of ...

A red IGP Côtes de Thongues blending three grape varieties that, together, can easily turn your glass into a mini Mediterranean getaway. . IGP Côtes de Thongues red, "Pech de Montfo" cuvée from Domaine Coste Rousse . Vintage: 2024 . 🍇: Syrah, Grenache, Cinsault . 👀: Deep, brilliant ruby ​​red color, with a hint of violet intensity reminding you that the 2024 vintage is still a youngster. It makes you want to dive right in with your nose before you’ve even swirled the glass. . 👃: Fruit takes the lead: cherry, blackberry, black raspberry, with a touch of ripe plum. The Syrah adds a peppery, slightly spicy edge; the Grenache smooths things out; and the Cinsault brings a touch of freshness to the mix. It’s rich and sun-kissed, yet never heavy. . 👄: The attack is supple and fruity, with a solid presence on the palate but without delivering a "tannic punch." The fruit feels almost crisp and fresh—cherry, plum, and dark berries—followed by spices and a hint...

🍷Eng And Fr Description of the Domain in the first comment  .  A wine that evokes Provence and sun-warmed stones. . Château de Rasque "Pièce Noble" Côtes de Provence Red . Vintage: 2023 . 🍇: 60% Syrah, 40% Grenache . 👀: In the glass, it displays a deep, brilliant ruby ​​hue with violet highlights a reminder that this 2023 vintage still possesses all the spirited energy of youth. . 👃: The initial nose is forthright. Dark fruits arrive in force: blackberry, blackcurrant, and black cherry. Then come notes of pepper, a hint of licorice, sun-warmed *garrigue* herbs, and that scent of hot stone found after a summer day in Provence. The very stony, clay-limestone soils seem to have left their mark right in the glass. As it opens up, the wine gains depth. . 👄: Lively on the palate. The attack is generous without being heavy. The Syrah provides a solid backbone and tannins that are present yet already well-polished, while the Grenache rounds out the edges with its lus...

🍷Eng And Fr Description of the Domain in the first comment  .  It strikes a very natural balance between lusciousness, freshness, and character. . Château des Coccinelles Côtes du Rhône Red . Vintage: 2023 . 🍇: Grenache and Syrah . 👀: Deep ruby ​​red color with garnet highlights. . 👃: On the initial nose, there are aromas of garrigue baking in the sun thyme, rosemary, a hint of black pepper followed by fruit notes. Black cherry takes the lead, followed by ripe blackberry and a touch of plum. As the wine opens up, subtle notes of licorice emerge, along with a hint of black olive that adds character. . 👄: The attack is supple, almost caressing. Then, the Grenache brings a crisp, juicy fruit quality, while the Syrah adds backbone with its spices and well-defined structure. The tannins are present but polished; there is no show of force, just enough to carry the wine to a fresh, slightly peppery finish that makes you want to take another sip immediately. This isn'...

🍷Eng And Fr Description of the Domain in the first comment  .  The kind of bottle where you pour yourself a glass to taste it, and oddly enough the bottle ends up empty. . Costières de Nîmes Red, "Esprit de Famille" cuvée from Domaine La Bergerade . Vintage: 2023 . 🍇: Syrah and Grenache . 👀: A deep ruby ​​hue dense yet not opaque with a brilliant sheen that catches the light. It swirls slowly in the glass, clinging well to the sides... you can tell right away this isn't going to be a shy wine. . 👃: And honestly, it kicks off immediately. A beautiful explosion of dark fruit: blackberry, black cherry, and plume almost compote-like. Then the Syrah begins to tell its story with a hint of freshly ground black pepper and a touch of violet almost dried lavender. Next, the oak aging adds its own signature or rather, a touch of fine wood bringing more enveloping notes: bitter cocoa, licorice, and a whisper of subtle vanilla. . 👄: The attack is supple, generous, an...

🍷Eng And Fr Description of the Domain in the first comment  .  A Morgon that reminds you why well-crafted Gamay can absolutely school bottles three times the price. . Domaine Striffling "Grand Charmette" Morgon (Red) . Vintage: 2022 . 🍇: Gamay. Vine age: 80 years . 👀: That color... a black-cherry red leaning slightly toward deep ruby, with a brilliant, almost brazen sheen. It’s clean, lively, vibrant. Not a tired wine. It pulses with energy. . 👃: It opens with an incredibly generous basket of dark fruit: ripe Burlat cherry, wild blackberry, fresh plum. Then, something wilder and earthier emerges—notes of damp forest floor after an August thunderstorm. A hint of fruit pit, a subtle floral touch. And above all, that unapologetic "natural wine" character. . 👄: No unnecessary foreplay. It hits the palate with dazzling, pure, almost crunchy fruit. Gamay playing its most authentic tune here. Supple yet lively texture. It glides beautifully but retains a d...