Here are some more wines from around the world that we've tried recently.

French Wines

N.V. Langlois Crémant de Loire ($21.99 - Safeway) - Composed of 70% Cabernet Franc and 30% Pinot Noir, this displays a brilliant copper-tinged pink color, streaming bubbles and attractive aromas of strawberry, pink cherry, tangerine, cherry blossoms and pink flowers. The flavors, as well, are appealing, with bright fruits that fill the mouth, along with notes of grape skins, cherry stones and minerals. The back is enlivened by fraise and cerise liquuers and CO2 on the brisk, dry finely fruited finish. 18.5/20 points.

2016 Domaine Brussett Gigondas, "Les Secrets de Montmirial" (Purchased for $57.99 in 2018) - This is Brussett's old vine Reserve. It exhibits a deep ruby color and intense aromas of black currant, black cherry, black plum, crushed roses, dark tobacco, garrigue and spiced incense. The dark fruit flavors are intense, still youthful, with notes of licorice root, extra dark cocoa, French roast and Montmirial minerals. The penetration continues on the back with creme de cassis and kirsch liqueurs band charcoal, followed by a lengthy still ripe tannin finish. 19+/20 points.

2019 Saumaize-Michelin Pouilly-Fuissé, "Clos" Sur la Roche ($49.99 - wine.com) - From beneath the Rock of Vergisson, this is an outstanding Pouilly-Fuissé. It shows a brilliant gold color an d perfume aromas of pear-apple, white peach, citrus, apple blossoms, acacia flowers, wisteria and wet stone. The flavors are intense and mouth filling, pure Chardonnay, with notes of grape and pear skins, peach stones and Vergisson granitic minerals. On the back, the wine gains intensity, with poire and pêche liqueurs and lemon custard on the way to a lingering, finely fruited finish. "Back to France, I love it!" says Lynn. 19+/20 points.

2019 Louis Jadot Chorey-les-Beaune "Les Beaumonts" ($47.99 - wine.com) - Chorey is situated below Aloxe-Corton. This displays a brick red color and attractive aromas of strawberry, cherry, red currant, rosebuds, cherry blossoms, orange peel and whiffs of sweet incense. The flavors are medium bodied but substantial, with supple red fruits that are imbued with licorice, cocoa powder, orange pekoe tea and damp earth. The appeal continues on the back with gently pressed fruits, fraise and cerise liqueurs and soft pencil lead, followed by a smooth ripe tannin finish, For those who appreciate a charming Pinot Noir, this gets 19/20 points.

Back in 2018, when I learned that the 2015 was turning out to be a great year for Burgundy, I bought heavily into that vintage. Recently, we opened a few bottles which have turned out to be beautiful wines.

2015 Louis Jadot Côtes de Nuits Villages (Purchased for $44.99) - This multi vineyard blend shows a garnet edged brick color and rich, sultry maturing aromas of semi-dried fruits - cherries, plums, orange - with scents of crushed roses, tobacco leaf, sandalwood and stick incense. The flavors are rounding out with supple red fruits that are intermixed with licorice root, coffee beans and earth. The back reveals roasted berries, toffee, dried orange peel and smooth tannins on the suave finish. 19/20 points.

2015 Faiveley Mercurey Premier Cru, Clos ds Myglands ($44.99) - Deep garnet edge-colored (typical of a maturing Burgundy), this possesses sultry aromas of semi-dried fruits - strawberry, cherries, black currants - with scents of crushed roses, mulberry, tobacco, dried orange peel, sandalwood and incense. The flavors are rounding out with what the Burgundians call "velours," with notes of licorice, cocoa, coffee beans and Saone river minerals. On the back, the wine retains its focus, supported by pressed fruits, roasted nuts and creme de cassis, followed by a lengthy chewy tannin finish. 19/20 points.

2015 Louis Jadot Chambolle-Musigny Premier Cru, Les Fuées ($124.99) - Deep ruby-garnet colored, this wine possesses an intoxicating bouquet of wild strawberry, old tree cherry, black currant, crushed rose petals, orange peel and exotic incense. The flavors are simultaneously bold and refines with thick red fruits that are infused with licorice root, cocoa powder, black tea and granitic minerals. The penetration continues on the back with fraise and creme de cassis liqueurs, dried orange peel, suede leather and charcoal stick, followed by an ultra-long sweetish tannin finish. Will continue to age beautifully. 19.5/20 points.

2015 Domaine Jacques Fréderic Mugnier Nuits-St. Georges Premier Cru, Clos de la Maréchale ($124.99) - This is a classic Nuits-St. Georges. It exhibits a ruby-garnet color and a rich bouquet of semi dried fruits - raspberries, cherries, red currants, orange peel - with scents of dried roses, aged cigar wrapper, sandalwood and oriental incense. The flavors are rich and vigorous, with notes of licorice, cocoa, black tea and granitic minerals. On the back, the Burgundian "velours" emerges with dried fruits and orange peel on the lengthy finish. 19.5/20 points.

International Sauvignon Blancs

Recently, we picked up some Sauvignon Blancs from around the world that show what can be done with this undervalued variety.

2020 Ferrari-Carano Fumé Blanc Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma County ($18) - Back in the 1980's Ferrari-Carano was one of the first wineries to call Sauvignon Blanc "Fumé Blanc" after the ones of the upper Loire Valley. This vintage shows a brilliant straw color and attractive aromas of pear, peach, citrus, pear blossoms, jasmine, lemongrass and green incense. The flavors are brisk yet nicely fruited, with notes of grape and pear skins and stony minerals. The vibrancy continues on the back with poire and pêche liqueurs, grapefruit peel and neutral oak on the crisp finish. "I love it," says Lynn. A bargain when purchased for $13.99. 18.5/20 points.

2021 Wautoma Springs Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley ($18) - This is a bright, fresh, lively Washington Sauvignon Blanc, with notes of grape skins, melon rind and saline minerals, and a bit of passionfruit on the back adds a bit of tropicality. Full review to be in the June issue of the Review of Washington Wines. 18.5/20 points.

2020 J. de Villebois Pouilly-Fumé ($29.99 - Safeway) - This is Fumé Blanc (the local name for Sauvignon Blanc) from Pouilly-sur-Loire. It shows a brilliant lemon-gold color and striking aromas of green apple, white peach, gooseberry, lime, gunflint and white smoke. The flavors, as well, are distinctive, with white and green fruits that are accented by grape and apple skins, peach stones and Kimmeridgian marl minerals. The vibrancy continues on the back with Calvados and pêche liqueurs and lime zest on the way to a crisp, persistently minerally finish. 18.5+/20 points.

When it comes to wine, New Zealand is best known for its dry, crisp Sauvignon Blancs. Most are commercial but here are two fine examples.

2021 Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough ($16.99 - Safeway)  - Light straw colored, this possesses expressive aromas of green pear, gooseberry, kiwi, lime, peat blossoms, jasmine, cut grass and wet stone. The flavors are brisk and lively yet ripe and mouthwatering, with notes of grape and pear skins and riverside minerals. The back picks up pear liqueur and lime zest on the way to a racy yet finely fruited finish. 18.5/20 points.

2021 Anthony Joseph Vidal Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough ($28.99 - Safeway) - This displays a brilliant lemon-gold color and floral aromas of green apple, white peach, passionfruit, gooseberry, apple blossoms, lemongrass, dill and wet stone. The flavors are crisp, almost laser-like, with notes of grape and pear skins, peach stones and minerals. The resonance continues ob the back with apple and peach h. liqueurs, and three months on lees adds texture, all accented by lime zest on the brisk finish. 18.5+/20 points.