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For this round of wine reviews , we asked our national panel of experts to rate wines from France . As always , these selections include brief tasting notes , a rating and the wine ’ s retail price , which can vary from store to store and market to market . Unless noted otherwise , the price reflects a 750-ml . bottle . If you ’ re a wine professional and you ’ re interested in participating in the panel , please contact Kyle Swartz at kswartz @ epgacceleration . com or 763-383-4447 .

FIVE STARS

( 98 ) Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte Rouge 2017 ( Pessac Leognan ). Dynamic flavors of black cherry , pomegranate and wild berries burst into a medley of rose petals and juicy dark fruits , with freshly picked herbs wafting through the core . The finish shows notes of tea leaf , sandalwood and vanilla bean . ($ 121.99 )

( 97 ) Les Fillottes Rouge 2016 ( Pomerol ). The wine shows bright , juicy red cherries and raspberries that sink into a beautifully plush palate . The midpalate becomes gorgeously creamy while continuing to show red fruit , while also adding notes of violets and rose petals with hints of mocha . The finish is long and tantalizing with whiffs of white herbs , sage and a dusty minerality . ($ 88.79 )

( 96 ) Domaine Marguerite Carillon Pinot Noir Premier Cru Volnay Santenots 2020 ( Volnay ). Flavors of black cherry and pomegranate flow through the velvet palate with notes of violets and wildflowers . The mid-palate offers notes of forest floor , fresh meadow flowers and just a whiff of anise that flows into a finish of wild berries , sandalwood and fresh herbs . ($ 84.99 )

( 94 ) Joseph Le Roi Les Fourneaux 1er Cru 2017 ( Chablis ). 2017 was a tough year in Chablis . But the grapes that

RATING SYSTEM

Five stars ( 92-100 points ) A top-flight wine . Superior in taste and character and providing an outstanding price / value relationship .

Four stars ( 86-91 points ) A superb wine and an excellent value . A wine for which customers will keep coming back .

Three stars ( 80-85 points ) An above-average wine at a reasonable price point , one that many consumers will enjoy .

survived the frost produced excellent wines . A taste of mineral , green apple , kiwi leads to a long , persistent finish . If you can spare it , splash a bit on your seared buttered scallops . ($ 45 )

( 93 ) Domaine des Causses Lirac Reserve Syrah Cru Cotes du Rhone 2019 ( Rhone ). Fresh blueberry and graphite on the nose . Medium-bodied wine that shows notes of stewed stone fruits and pencil shavings on the palate . Slight bit of chewy tannins , yet balanced and full of

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