Over the course of a week, I taste a bunch of wine, usually with friends, and almost always with my wife.  Here are some of the wines we tasted over the past few weeks. These are wines that were not sent as samples—in most cases, I actually paid for these wines (although a few have been given as gifts).

2003 Domaine de l’Ancienne Cure L’Extase Monbazillac, France: Retail $50. From 500ml. Semillon, Sauvignon and Muscadelle. Under cork. I bought three bottles of this wine from the winery back in 2012 when the family and I were riding bikes through the region. This wine comes from the difficult 2003 vintage–an epic heatwave throughout France. Dark, even really dark in the glass, perhaps even beyond amber with a sweet (and ever-so-slight) sour nose, that also conveys walnut, hazelnut, orange rind, and salted caramel. Whoa. The palate is instantly tart but also robust and full-bodied. Whoa again. Rich, unctuous, sweet, and gangbusters: everything (and more) that one would expect from an aged, premium Monbazillac. Whoa. Outstanding. 96 points.

NV Bollinger Champagne Special Cuvée Brut, France: Retail $60. 60% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay, 15% Pinot Meunier. Over 85% Grands and Premiers crus. My wife was leaving for the week and even though it was a Monday, which normally means that we only open samples, she felt she had the authority to venture into the cellar and pick anything she damned-well pleased. And she chose this. I forgave her. Always one of the best NV Bruts from the larger houses, this particular bottle is, well, fantastic. Great fruit, brilliant acidity, lengthy finish, and plenty of that brioche-like goodness that is key with champagne. Outstanding. 93 Points.

1996 Marc Brédif Moelleux Nectar Vouvray, Loire Valley, France: Retail $35. Under cork. 100% Chenin Blanc. I purchased four bottles of this wine back in 2007. I consumed two bottles that same year (2007) but this is the first I have cracked since. Whoa. Beyond “golden” and well into “amber” with an absolutely incredible nose: baked apple, roasted walnut, a touch of petrol, and a whole lot of verve. Whoa. The palate is initially tart, quite tart. Then comes a healthy dose of citrus fruit, a nutty gorgeousness, and a hint of wet rock. Another whoa. The finish lasts for close to an hour. A fabulous wine. From before I knew my wife. Of over twenty years. Yeah. Yum. Extraordinary. 97 Points.

2022 Château Miraval Côtes de Provence Rosé, France: Retail $25. Cinsault, Grenache, Rolle, Syrah. Under cork. There has been a lot written about this wine and its owner(s). Hell, I have written a ton about the wine and dysfunctional ownership. But. There are two constants. First, the Perrin family, through all the trials and tribulations, is still in charge of winemaking, which is a very good thing. Second, this wine, for as long as I have been familiar with it, has been stellar. This is my first glimpse at the 2022 and it more than falls in line with that statement. Great fruit: cherry, strawberry, melon, apricot, rhubarb (OK, the last is not a fruit, but if you make it into a pie??). The palate is tart, fruity, balanced, really quite lovely. Once again, Bradgelina, errr Brad, I mean the Perrin Family has knocked it out of the park. Outstanding. 93 Points.

NV Moutard Père et Fils Champagne Cépage Chardonnay Champ Persin, France: Retail $45? 100% Chardonnay. I bought six bottles of this wine from Garagiste.com which took close to six months to receive. Worth the wait. I have stated many times that I prefer my champagnes with Pinot Noir being the dominant (or only) force in the wine. I am slowly coming around, however, to the other side. I am particularly surprised that the fruit for this wine comes from the Côte des Bar, a region that was only recently added to the “official” Champagne production area. A bit golden in the glass with a lovely nose of tart lemon and fresh croissant. Yum. The palate has a fine mousse, a zingy tartness, and wave upon wave of fruit. In fact, more so than other champagnes I have had recently, this wine is really defined by its fruit, and it is fantastic. Excellent. 91 Points.

WINE OF THE WEEK: Once again, I really can’t complain about any of the wines we pulled this week from the cellar as they were all fantastic. Two bottles, however, really stood out, and they were both dessert wines. The first, the 2003 Domaine de l’Ancienne Cure L’Extase Monbazillac, I expected to be good. I purchased two bottles from the winery in 2005 and despite being twenty years old at this point, I figured it would still be good. And it was, whoa. The other, this Week’s Wine of the Week, the 1996 Marc Brédif Moelleux Nectar Vouvray, I also figured would be “good” just not this good. We don’t drink a ton of dessert wine any more despite having accumulated quite a few, so it is beyond satisfying that when we actually pull one, it delivers like this Vouvray (which we purchased from the winery however many years ago) did.

What was/were your Wine(s) of the Week?