Whimsically Indulging In That Ol’ Box-O-Chocolates Paradigm

Thus the circle closed when an old friend, colleague and even further back, a respected adversary, dropped in on us in her new gig, as leader of a valuable distribution team and purveyor of some of the finest wines around.  A bevy of French wines in the bag, we all got lost in the haze of nerds recently:

Champagne Marc Hebrart Noces de Craie Grand Cru 2012.  Lawdy lawd how do we begin?  An absolutely gorgeous grower Champagne, this Extra Brut Blanc de Noirs gives you loads of crisp apple and pear notes, extreme minerality, and not a drop of sugary sweetness anywhere.  For all you acid freaks, I give to you your Shangri-La.
 
Gérard Boulay Sancerre Chavignol 2015.  Stunning Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire, you get hints of white grapefruit, lemon zest, wet stones and chalk, finishing with a iridescent lightning strike of acidity.

Bénédict & Stéphane Tissot Les Graviers 2015.  Chardonnay from the Jura.  Breathtaking Cling peaches and an almost-briny-apricot nuance buoyed by chalk and stone characters, this unique and uniquely delicious white wine is something you gotta try.

Domaine Forey Pere et Fils Vosné Romanée 2014.  A beautiful, sublime Pinot Noir, there is subtle hints of dusty earth, dried cherries, slight cola and walnut husk undertones, and shadowy acidity that has elements of Caravaggio in a glass.  (Is that a bit much? Tough.)

Gérard Raphet Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru 2014.  Alright, hold it.  What do we have here?  A touch of underbrush, white pepper, garrigue and Peter Heering, this wine is what slow-dancing-in-a-Paris-jazz-bar-after-a-glass-of-port-or-three-the-room-awash-with-clove-cigarettes-and-sandalwood-perfume would taste like.

Boyer-Martenot Bourgogne Aligoté 2015.  Lots of orchard and stone fruit abound in this racy little number, like driving down PCH in a convertible with the top down after a rainstorm.

Domaine la Bouíssiere Vacqueryas 2014.  Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre team up in this meaty, medium-to-full-bodied offering.  Blackberries, lavender, mesquite and dried herbs coalesce to bring you an incredible red; for the Chateauneuf-du-Pape lovers out there.

Foreau Vouvray Demi-Sec 2003.  A real treat, this well-aged, slightly-sweet Chenin Blanc, there is a hint of mascarpone, peaches and tropical fruits, tethered to a core of lanolin and honeyed almonds.  This is one of those wines you just wish wouldn’t end.  Like seeing Tom Waits live, and hoping he never runs out of encores, this wine will impart of deep yearning in your soul.