Besides tasting wines for the Review of Washington Wines, we've been picking up some new French wines to try. Here are our latest discoveries. 

2020 By Ott Côtes de Provence Rosé ($29 - The Thief, Walla Walla) - This features a brilliant copper-pink color and enticing aromas of strawberry, pink peach, tangerine, red currants, pink roses, lavender and pink incense. The flavors are fresh and vibrant, with notes of grape skins, peach stones and Provence hillside minerals. The back picks up fraise and cassis liqueurs, recurring tangerine peel and light spices on the dry finish. This evokes a Côte d'Azur afternoon. 18.5/20 points.

2019 Domaine de Salvard Cheverney ($19 The Thief) - This is 85% Sauvignon Blanc, 15% Chardonnay from the upper Loire, near Blois. It displays a straw-gold color and attractive aromas of pear, peach, citrus, pear blossoms, jasmine and oyster shell. The flavors are bright and juicy, accented by grape skins and saline minerals. The vibrancy continues on the back with poire and pêche liqueurs and lemon zest, followed by a crisp, persistently minerally finish. Terrific value. 18.5/20 points.

2018 William Fevre Chablis, "Champs Royaux" ($33.99 - Esquin) - From a respected grower-negotiant, this Chardonnay offers an iridescent greenish-gold color and aromas of green apple, quince, melon, citrus, apple blossoms, spring flowers and wet stone. The flavors are brisk and brightly fruited, with notes of grape and apple skins and calcareous minerals. The back picks up melon rind and lemon zest on the way to a bracing but unaustere crisp finish. 18.5/20 points.

2019 Château de Pizay Morgon ($19.99 - Esquin) - We stayed at the Château two nights in 2014. This Cru Beaujolais shows a brilliant purple-crimson color and enticing aromas of fraises de bois, red currants, orange peel, red roses and sweet incense. The medium bodied flavors are deliciously fruit forward, with notes of red licorice, cocoa, medium roast coffee and granitic minerals. The back picks up fraise and cassis liqueurs and recurring orange  peel, followed by a nicely juiced moderate tannin and acid finish. Excellent value. 18.5/20 points.

2019 Domaine des Chers Saint-Amour, Vieilles Vignes ($25 - The Thief) - A lovely name and a charming Cru Beaujolais. It shows a ruby color and perfumed aromas of strawberries, cherries, wild currants, crushed roses, spring flowers and sweet incense. The flavors, as well, are alluring, with bright red fruits that are intermixed with red licorice, cocoa, orange pekoe tea and granitic minerals. The back reveals gently pressed berries, mocha and toffee and then gains intensity on the vigorous, juicy moderate tannin finis. 18.5/20 points.

2019 Daniel Bouland Morgon "Bellevue," Cuvée No. 3 ($40 - The Thief) - This is a rich, tasty Morgon from 40 year-old vines. It boasts a deep ruby color and intoxicating aromas of wild fruits  - raspberries, bayberries, brambly currants - with scents of crushed roses, tobacco, sandalwood and incense. The flavors are ample yet deep and mouth filling, with layers of red fruits that are intermixed with licorice, cocoa powder, black tea and rock minerals. On the back, the wine takes a lavish turn with sensations of pressed fruits, framboise, creme de cassis, charcoal stick and lanolin ("legs"), followed by a lengthy moderate tannin finish. 19/20 points.

We love the South Rhone wines of Gigondas and Chateauneuf du Pape. Being Grenache dominated (with some Syrah and Mourvèdre) the reds offer a lot of flavor interest.

2018 Crous Saint Martin Gigondas, "Les Espalieres" ($24.99 - Esquin) - This is a great value. Composed of 80% Grenache and 10% each of Syrah and Mourvèdre, it offers a deep ruby color and effusive aromas of raspberry, pomegranate, rosebuds, tobacco, lavender and spiced incense. The flavors are generous and mouth filling, with notes of red licorice, cocoa, medium roast coffee and minerals. The appeal continues on the back with pressed fruits, roasted nuts, framboise and cassis liqueurs, followed by a slightly grainy moderate tannin finish. 18.5/20 points.

2018 Notre Dame des Pallières Gigondas ($29.99 - Esquin) - This is a super value. Deep ruby colored, it possesses seductive aromas of wild raspberries, blueberries, black currants, black roses, mulberry, tobacco, garrigue (lavender and herbs) and spiced incense. The flavors are full and generous, yet focused, with black and blue fruits that are intermixed with licorice, cocoa, French roast and Montmirial minerals. On the back, the wine turns chewy textured with roasted berries and nuts,  framboise and creme de cassis liqueurs and charcoal, followed by a savory moderate tannin finish. 18.5+/20 points.

2017 Domaine Santa Duc Gigondas, "Aux Lieu Dits" ($38.99 - Esquin) - From eight vineyards ("lieu dits") this is an elegantly styled Gigondas with a deep ruby color and enticing aromas of raspberries, red currants, pomegranates, crushed roses, tobacco, lavender, violets and spiced incense. The flavors are deliciously generous yet substantial, with layers of red fruits that are intermixed with licorice, cocoa, medium roast coffee and mountain minerals. On the back, the wine builds up with macerated fruits, roasted nuts, framboise and creme de cassis, all followed by a lingering spiced (nutmeg, clove) precise fruit acid and tannin finish. 19/20 points.

2017 Domaine Chante Cigale Châteauneuf du Pape ($38.99 - Esquin) - Composed of 65% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre and 5% Cinsault, this displays a deep ruby color and rich, smoky aromas of wild raspberries, black currants, black plums, crushed black roses, dark leaf tobacco, garrigue and spiced incense. The flavors, as well, are dramatic, with thick dark fruits that are infused with licorice, dark chocolate, roasted coffee beans and mas earth and minerals. The saturation continues on the back with macerated fruits, roasted nuts, mocha, framboise and creme de cassis and burnt charcoal, all pushing on into lengthy ripe sweetish tannin finish. 19/20 points.

2018 Château Vieux Lazaret Châteauneuf du Pape Blanc ($50.99 - Esquin) - Most Châteauneuf du Pape is red, but a small amount of white wine is made. Composed of 45% Grenache Blanc, 30% Clairette, 20% Bourboulenc and 5% Roussanne, this displays a brilliant lemon-gold color and intriguing aromas of pear, peach, Casaba melon, grapefruit, pear blossoms, herbal tea, white lavender and green incense. The flavors, as well, are striking, with vivid white and yellow fruits that are invigorated by grape skins, peach stones and stony mas minerals. The resonance continues on the back with poire and pêche liqueurs, melon rind and grapefruit peel along with a sprinkling of exotic herbs, followed by a lingering full finish. 19+/20 points.