LeDomduVin: Mise en place

Mise en place

Billecart Salmon Le Clos Saint-Hilaire Champagne 1996

@champagne_billecart_salmon #billecartsalmon

Clos de Tart Grand Cru Monopole Bourgogne 2016

@closdetart #closdetart

Château Lafite Rothschild Pauillac Bordeaux 2015

@chateaulafiterothschild #lafiterothschild

Jean Grivot Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru Bourgogne 2018

@domainegrivot #domainegrivot

Château L'Evangile Pomerol Bordeaux 2016

@chateaulevangile #evangile

Dom Perignon Vintage Champagne 2013

@domperignonofficial #domperignon

Château Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan Bordeaux 2016

@chateauhautbrion_ #hautbrion

Krug Clos du Mesnil Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru 2006

@krugchampagne #krug

Henriot Champagne Millesime 2008

@champagnehenriot #henriot

Château Figeac Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Bordeaux 2016

@chateau_figeac #figeac

Henriot "L'Inattendue" Chardonnay Grand Cru 2016

@champagnehenriot #henriot

Château Pichon Baron Pauillac Bordeaux 2016

@pichonbaron #pichonbaron

Château La Conseillante Pomerol Bordeaux 2005

@laconseillante #laconseillante




********  work in progress ********






Château Palmer Margaux Bordeaux 2009
@chateaupalmer #palmer #chateaupalmer


Anne Gros Richebourg Grand Cru Bourgogne 2020
@domaineannegros #annegros


Krug Grande Cuvée 171ème Édition Champagne NV
@krugchampagne #krug


Dom Perignon Plenitude 2 Vintage Champagne 2004
@domperignonofficial #domperignon


Château Latour Pauillac Bordeaux 1995
#chateaulatour #latour #chateaulatour


Château Mouton-Rothschild Pauillac Bordeaux 2015
@chateaumoutonrothschild_ #moutonrothschild


Cheers! Santé!


Dom


@ledomduvin #ledomduvin #wine #vin #vino #wein #sommelier #sommelierlife #sommlife #miseenplace #ilovemyjob #wineyearly #lovewine #wineinlife #lifeinwine





Unless stated otherwise, all rights reserved ©LeDomduVin 2025, on all the contents above including, but not limited to, photos, pictures, drawings, illustrations, collages, visuals, maps, memes, posts, texts, writings, quotes, notes, tasting notes, descriptions, wine descriptions, definitions, recipes, graphs, tables, and even music and video (when and where applicable).

LeDomduVin: L'importance de l'avinage de la carafe avant le carafage et/ou la décantation du vin

L'importance de l'avinage de la carafe avant le carafage et/ou la décantation du vin

L'importance de l'avinage de la carafe avant le carafage et/ou la décantation du vin, on en parle?

Je reposte cette vidéo (ci-dessous) que j'avais faite il y a quelques années sur l'importance de l'avinage de la carafe avant carafage ou décantation, car je viens encore de voir une vidéo professionnelle faite par un caviste, où il ne fait pas d'avinage de la carafe avant de procéder au carafage du vin.

Cela peut vous paraître anodin, mais c'est une étape importante du carafage et de la décantation qui est malheureusement souvent oubliée, voir inexistante dans la plupart des vidéos professionnelles et amateurs que j'ai pu voir sur YouTube et ailleurs, au restaurant et même dans les compétitions telles que les meilleurs Sommeliers du monde, par exemple.

Alors que pourtant, c'est une étape essentielle à la bonne réalisation du carafage et de la décantation, qui, de mon temps, était enseignée à l'école hôtelière et réalisée dans tous les bons restaurants, mais qui semble avoir disparue et/ou avoir été oubliée de nos jours.

Pourquoi je la qualifie d'importante et d'essentielle? Car elle permet de nettoyer la carafe de tous résidus potentiellement nuisibles au vin (poussière, eau, sel, détergent ou vinaigre si mal rincer, etc...) et d'imprégner les arômes du vin dans la carafe avant de procéder au carafage ou à la décantation du vin.

C'est une pratique que beaucoup de Sommeliers et autres professionnels du vin ne font pas ou plus, mais qui pourtant me semble logique et indispensable à la bonne préparation d'un vin (ayant besoin d'être carafer ou décanter) avant son service, et que j'aimerais bien voir remise au goût du jour.

Pour ou contre? Dites moi ce que vous en pensez en commentaires.

Voici la video: 

Prenez soin de vous, et surtout, avinez la carafe avant de procéder au carafage ou à la décantation de vos vins. C'est important!

Cheers! Santé!

Dom

@ledomduvin #ledomduvin #aviner #avinage #carafer #carafage #decantation #decanter #vin #wine #vino #wein #sommelier #sommelierlife #sommlife #wineknowledge #wineeducation

Unless stated otherwise, all rights reserved ©LeDomduVin 2025, on all the contents above including, but not limited to, photos, pictures, drawings, illustrations, collages, visuals, maps, memes, posts, texts, writings, quotes, notes, tasting notes, descriptions, wine descriptions, definitions, recipes, graphs, tables, and even music and video (when and where applicable).

LeDomduVin: Château Figeac Saint-Emilion 2016

Château Figeac Saint-Emilion 2016

There is something sentimental between Chateau Figeac and me.

It was one of the first chateaux on the right bank that I visited as a future sommelier while studying at the hospitality, catering, and tourism school in Talence (Mention Complémentaire de Sommellerie au Lycée Polyvalent d'Hôtellerie et de Tourisme de Gascogne) back in 1997.

Comte Eric d’Aramon, who directed Chateau Figeac from 1988 to 2013, was the godfather of our graduating class.

As a result, we had the privilege of visiting the Chateau and its cellar and tasting some of the wines. We even received a bottle during graduation to celebrate earning our diplomas as certified Sommeliers.

It was a memorable experience that left me with a timeless bond with this estate.

Since 1892, Château Figeac has belonged to the Manoncourt family and is an iconic historical estate in Saint-Émilion.

It is renowned for its exceptional wines and distinctive terroir, which sets it apart from other wines in the region.

Its terroir is characterized by gravelly soils better suited to the Cabernets (Sauvignon and Franc).

This is atypical for Saint-Émilion, where most vines are planted in deep limestone soil topped with a fine layer of clay and limestone, an ideal ground for cultivating Merlot (and Cabernet Franc).

This explains why the vineyard is planted with roughly 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Cabernet Franc, and only 30% Merlot, compared to other Saint-Emilion estates where Merlot is more predominant.

Although located on the right bank of Bordeaux, this terroir particularity gives the wines of Figeac a certain resemblance to those of the Médoc and Graves while retaining the unique and distinctive Figeac style.

Château Figeac's wines are often described as aristocratic, sophisticated, complex, and intricate. They usually have a robust structure with firm tannins and earthy tones harmonized with nuanced elegance and freshness.

While still recognizable, Figeac’s style has improved under Managing Director and winemaker Frederic Faye, who took over from Comte Eric d’Aramon in 2013 after serving as the estate's Technical Director for about a decade.

Changes in techniques and modern practices in the vineyard and cellar, along with the inauguration of a brand-new cellar in 2021, have resulted in riper, cleaner, more polished, and more vibrant wines.

The aging process in 100% new oak barrels also significantly enhances their complex aromatic profile.

Chateau Figeac Saint-Emilion 2016

Chateau Figeac 2016 is absolutely succulent! It is the perfect result of all the efforts and changes made to this estate since 2013. I opened two bottles a week apart and was speechless at how good the wine was each time. Just by removing the cork, beautiful aromas immediately fill the air of the room—a sign of great wine!

This wine is a blend of 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, and 26% Cabernet Franc. In the glass, it exhibits a lovely deep ruby color. On the nose, it is attractive and exuberant, offering ripe yet fresh and refined aromas of dark fruits and berries, crème de cassis, blueberries, and dark cherries, along with floral and earthy notes mingling with truffle, licorice, and dark chocolate. The palate is gorgeous and inviting from the first sip. Medium to full-bodied, it gently expands with great balance, freshness, and a suave, silky texture while remaining focused and sharp, featuring an elegant and integrated structure. Like a ballerina, it displays finesse, elegance, purity, sophistication, strength, density, and intensity while maintaining lightness and agility. The earthy and mineral finish is both endless and seamless, with present yet very integrated tannins. This is a must-have for your personal cellar!

I was really impressed both times I opened it in the past few weeks. You know that when you say to yourself out loud, “Damn, this wine is good!” after the first sip, and then you go for a second and a third, that’s when you know it’s a truly great wine!

Cheers! Santé!

That’s all, folks, for today!

Dom

@ledomduvin #ledomduvin @chateau_figeac #chateaufigeac #figeac #saintemilion #wine #vin #vino #wein #tastingnotes #sommelier #sommlife #lovewine #ilovemyjob #sommelierlife 

Unless stated otherwise, all rights reserved ©LeDomduVin 2025, on all the contents above including, but not limited to, photos, pictures, drawings, illustrations, collages, visuals, maps, memes, posts, texts, writings, quotes, notes, tasting notes, descriptions, wine descriptions, definitions, recipes, graphs, tables, and even music and video (when and where applicable).

LeDomduVin: La Mission Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan 2009

Château La Mission Haut-Brion 

Pessac-Léognan 2009

Château La Mission Haut-Brion is one of Bordeaux's most prestigious wine estates in the Pessac-Léognan appellation. It is one of my favorite Bordeaux wines, along with Château Haut-Brion.

Founded in the sixteenth century, the estate has a long wine-growing history. It was named after the Lazarist missionaries who lived there in the seventeenth century.

Since 1983, the estate has belonged to the Dillon family, which also owns the neighboring Château Haut-Brion.

While both properties share similarities in terroir and wine style, Haut-Brion is often described as masculine (rich, powerful, layered, and structured), while La Mission is regarded as feminine (elegant, refined, complex, and textured).

The vineyard covers about 29.2 hectares and is located on the road to Pessac in the southwestern suburb of Bordeaux.

Although surrounded by busy roads and residential areas, it still benefits from an exceptional terroir marked by gravelly soils and a favorable microclimate that enhances the unique quality of its wines.

La Mission Haut-Brion produces both red and white wines. The vineyard spans 25.44 hectares planted with red grapes (48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Merlot Noir, 11% Cabernet Franc) and 3.74 hectares of white grapes (63% Sémillon, 37% Sauvignon).

While its whites have gained some notoriety, Château La Mission Haut-Brion is celebrated for its exceptional red wine, often compared to the Premiers Grands Crus Classés of the Médoc. The estate also produces a second wine, La Chapelle de La Mission Haut-Brion.

The wines of La Mission Haut-Brion delight wine lovers and collectors. They are renowned for their elegance, complexity, and ageing potential.

Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion Pessac-Leognan 2009

In my 33 years as a Sommelier and Wine Buyer, I have been lucky enough to open countless bottles of La Mission Haut-Brion (and probably even more Haut-Brion) and have rarely been disappointed. In fact, this vintage, 2009, once again, exceeded my expectations.

Beyond its dark color, right at opening, it offers attractive aromas of ripe dark berries and fruits mingling earthy, smoky, and floral notes. The palate is ripe, dense, ample, rich, complex, layered, yet suave, refined, and elegant. It is finely textured and structured, generously expanding from the attack and coating through the mid-palate to the seamless finish. It is a magnificent wine!

Cheers! Santé!

Dom

@ledomduvin #ledomduvin @chateaulamissionhautbrion #lamissionhautbrion #chateaulamissionhautbrion #pessacleognan #graves #wine #vin #vino #wein #tastingnotes #sommelier #sommelierlife #sommlife #ilovemyjob #lovewine #wineyearly #lifeinwine #winelife

Unless stated otherwise, all rights reserved ©LeDomduVin 2025, on all the contents above including, but not limited to, photos, pictures, drawings, illustrations, collages, visuals, maps, memes, posts, texts, writings, quotes, notes, tasting notes, descriptions, wine descriptions, definitions, recipes, graphs, tables, and even music and video (when and where applicable).