Le Guide Hachette des Vins is a wine guide from the French Hachette network of publishers. The book was first published in 1985 and remains one of the oldest and most known guides to wine-buying in France.
Ranging from Cité which is the lowest note all the way to 3 Stars Coup de coeur which is the highest possible award.
Hachette’s wine assessors are advised only the appellation and vintage of the wines they sample in order to maintain objectivity.
The guide has been available in an online format since 2008 at www.hachette-vins.com.
1. Chateau Ferran, Pessac-Leognan, France
Clean, bright, elegant cherry red with modest bluish rim. On the nose is intense, red fruits aromas, subtle floral hints with herbaeous notes. On the mouth is fresh, good acidity, red fruits touch. Long finish and pleasant. It matches with cold meat, sausages, pork or chicken. Grilled meat and mushrooms. Quiche Lorraine. Rice and pasta.
Year: 2001
Awarded medal: 2 stars-favorite
Price: 5$
2. Domaine Rossignol Muscat de Rivesaltes, Languedoc-Roussillon, France
It is slowly reaching drinking maturity with a very classic style. Aromas of macerated fruits and spices are present on the nose and the mouth, quite generous, is limpid. One already takes a lot of pleasure in drinking it.
Year: 2002
Awarded medal: 2 stars-favorite
Price: 5$
3. Domaine Papillon Macon Peronne Cuvee Berthelots, Burgundy, France
The Cuvée Papillon 2001 asserts itself with a clear color and a nice ambitious and fruity nose with citrus fruit notes. The attack on the palate is lively and gives way to a nice fruity presence that will evolve perfectly with time.
Year: 2001
Awarded medal: 2 stars
Price: 5$
4. Chateau Lamothe-Vincent, Bordeaux, France
On the nose, there are notes of red and black fruits with a hint of liquorice. The mouth is balanced with soft tannins. To be enjoyed with white meat!
Year: 2013
Awarded medal: 2 stars
Price: 7$
5. Chateau Juncarret, Graves de Vayres, France
A 16th century castle, home of the treasurer general of France under the Ancien Régime. Since 1955, the Rouquette family has owned it and produces on 28.5 hectares of gravel and burgundy in all three colors.
The fruit of a blend of Sauvignon, Semillon and Muscadelle, this bright, pale yellow 2014 has a beautiful mineral (flint) and fruity (citrus) fragrance. The mouth, lively and salty while offering fat and sweetness, shines by its balance and elegance.
Year: 2014
Awarded medal: 2 stars
Price: 7$
6. Brotte Cotes du Rhone Esprit Barville, France
A red with a dominant of Grenache and with accents of the South, enchanting by its warm notes of ripe fruits and sweet spices. No less seductive, the palate is supported by pretty and very silky tannins, signs of a soft and careful vinification.
Year: 2012
Awarded medal: 2 stars
Price: 7$
7. Domaines Vinsmoselle Coteaux de Schengen Grand Premier Cru Riesling, Moselle, Luxembourg
Decorated with pale yellow with golden reflections, this 2013 presents a fine and elegant nose dominated by lemongrass. Fresh on the attack, it evolves towards roundness, carried by the powerful flavors of ripe pineapple, mango and apricot invigorated in the finish by notes of citrus fruits.
Year: 2015
Awarded medal: 2 stars
Price: 7$
8. Jeff Carrel Les Darons Languedoc, France
Composed mainly of grapes from vines over forty years old, Les Darons (the Fathers in slang) is aptly named! Charming with its fruity and spicy nose, balanced and powerful, it has slightly toasted nuances (although aged in barrels) which bring a relief and a generosity of the most appreciable. A solid and self-confident wine for those who have enough bottles to appreciate the good things in life!
Year: 2012
Awarded medal: 2 stars
Price: 7$
9. Chateau Lathibaude, Graves de Vayres, France
The olfaction reveals beautiful floral and fruity aromas with vanilla notes, the result of a partial ageing in contact with oak. Fresh from the attack, the mouth is rich and harmonious, without any heaviness. The mineral finish is a nice nod to the terroir of clayey gravel. Crustaceans and shellfish will give it a courteous replica.
Year: 2012
Awarded medal: 2 stars-favorite
Price: 7$
10. Domaine Boudau Le Petit Closi Rouge, IGP Cotes Catalanes, France
This cuvée draped in a garnet robe reveals an expressive nose that revolves around red fruits (cherry, strawberry, raspberry). The mouth is round, silky and persistent on the fruit.