Federal Wine & Spirits

29 State Street, Boston, MA 02109

Read our notes on this tasting

The Wines of This Week's Tasting:

Jean-Jacques Dubourdieu
October 21, 2026

 

White

2022 Clos Floridene Blanc Graves

James Molworth Wine Spectator “Offers good energy, with generous thyme, verbena and lemon gelée notes bouncing through. Reveals subtle fleur de sel echoes, which add underlying tension on the finish. Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon. Drink now through 2026.   $35, Case  $30

2021 Ch. Couhins Lurton Blanc Pessac Leognan

Neal Martin Vinous a fresh bouquet with apple blossom, persimmon and crushed stone scents that gain intensity in the glass. The palate is well-balanced and fresh, with a citrus peel entry and a vibrant, harmonious finish that urges you back for another sip. Chapeau!”  $59, Case  $51

2021 Ch Malartic la Graviere Blanc

Georgina Hindle Decanter “Green and red apple, pear, caramel, brioche and toasted lemon tart. You can feel they achieved good ripeness in the weight and density on the palate - it's not overly rich but can take the oak elements, delivering a more nuanced and sophisticated style this year that's not just fresh and fruity, but also weighty and textured. You get the crushed stone and cooling mint effect on the tongue as well as the peach, plum, and green apple crispness. A sharp tang on the finish is thrilling, accentuating the life and vibrancy you get the whole way through. Less overtly acidic than some, it's more in the background while the other more nuanced details sit on top. A lovely wine this year, lots to like with all the necessary elements to age$68, Case  $58

Red

2020 Clos Floridene Rouge Graves

Jancis Robinson Deep purple as is the Dubourdieu way in 2020. Real freshness and zest on the nose. Remarkable sweetness of fruit followed by really dry tannins on the end. Salty and savoury. 

Jeff Leve Savory edged, bright, spicy, red plums and currants on the nose lead you to the vibrant, chewy, lifted, red berry-filled, medium-bodied palate with its dusty tannins in the finish. Drink from 2023-2032  $32, Case  $28

2017  Domaine  du Chevalier  Rouge

Georgina Hindle Decanter 2023 “Heady and perfumed, dark fruits, expressive and full on the nose. Clean and clear, ripe, but graceful, I love the delicacy yet depth, intensity of juice and fleshiness but altogether lean and straight profile. Keeps the focus and tension, great drinkability and lovely spiced edges - cinnamon, toast, liquorice, dark chocolate and cedar, all soft, barely there but accent the wine. Could drink this now but will continue to age really well. Precise and fun, controlled and characterful. Not trying too hard but still with signature. Great push of blackcurrant and plum and cherry fruit, cola, blueberries. Nicely shaped with verve. A lovely, accessible and easy-to-enjoy bottle  $117, Case  $100

1975  Ch. Latour Martillac Pessac-Léognan

 No recent notes. We shall tasste  $95, Case  $81

Sweet

2022 Doisy Daene Barsac, Sauternes

Georgina Hindle Decanter “Lively and energetic, a lifted expression with bitter orange peel countering the pineapple and mango fruit. Lovely complexity and construction, an unctuous, almost sherbet mid-palate, which then becomes more mineral and focused. Feels well worked with lots of life and definition as well as richness. Lots to like here. Half Bottle  $45, Case  $39

Len Rothenberg

Mix any twelve at their case prices

Attendees at the tasting can purchase any at its case price

 

Order by phone at 617.367.8605, or reserve here: order@federalwine.com

 

Please pass this on to any friends who are wine enthusiasts!

 

           - Len Rothenberg

 


 

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