2010 - Present Wine

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2018

Vinous 96 Points | The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is impressive. Elegant and poised, the 2018 is a wine of reserve at this stage. Dark red/purplish berry fruit, mint, sage, spice, mocha and dried flowers open first, followed by a kick of vibrant acids that lends notable energy throughout. All this young Cabernet needs is time in the bottle to fully come together. I won't be surprised if it turns out to be a touch more compelling than the 2019 tasted alongside it. Truth be told, both vintages are captivating, but for very different reasons. Superb.

The Wine Advocate 95 Points | Currently being offered to mailing list members as part of a three-vintage pack (2008, 2013, 2018 for $700), the 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is a killer wine that should continue to drink well for another 15 years or so. It offers up evolved notes of cigar box but remains fresh, with intense redcurrant and cassis still in evidence on the nose. Medium to full-bodied, it's silky, aristocratic in bearing and long on the finish.

Decanter 93 Points | Considerably more depth than the Napa Valley release, although a bit shy on the nose at first. After oxygen exposure, aromas of grilled plums, lilies and roasted peppers frame a black-fruited core. The texture is fantastic, showing off a sweet, rich but classic frame that is both coating and refreshing. Finished with a beautifully earthy, iron-like quality.

Winemaker Description 

Fresh and lively, the wine opens exclusively with raspberry, mint and plum sauce. The baking spices soon follow, leaning clove initially but with plenty of cedar and vanilla. Still subtle, the ripe fruit elements, mostly cassis and fig at this stage, lurk beneath the surface along with beautiful hints of graphite and toasted sage, awaiting additional time in glass. Still very tightly wound, it’s the texture and mouthfeel that drive the palate initially.

The tannins in particular are somewhat coarse but not so angular to overshadow the abundant dark fruit. The dynamic tension on the mid-palate serves to focus and magnify the layers of black cherry, cocoa powder, and black pepper, before turning slightly earthy and dusty.

The structure is pronounced, but still harmonious and well defined. It’s in the transition to the finish that the acidity materializes in almost candy-like fashion, a beautiful contrast to the supple tannins. Here the wine’s density shines elegantly, well balanced between smoky, espresso bean and delicate, dried blackberry. It’s the latter that defines the finish at this moment, persistent in length and depth. 

Our Professional Description

67Wine.com | Leather, plums, pepper, and some green vegetal notes on the nose. Lighter medium body. Some citrus, blackberries, and prunes on the palate. Very soft and fading tannins. Pair with roasted poultry. Herbed dishes would play well with this subtly green wine. Great for all your Thanksgiving sides or your favorite hearty salads.

Winemaker Description

Camins 2 Dreams is a winery designed by two women with a creative desire to produce natural wines, utilizing the best sustainably and organically farmed grape cultivars available. Business and life partners Tara Goméz and Mireia Taribo work in tandem with SIP Certified growers to create wines of specific terroir with absolute regard for grape typicity and quality.

Winemaker Description

Smoke, tar, and char on the nose along with stewed plums, blackberries, and figs. The palate is softer on the tongue than the nose might suggest. Berries and figs come through with a little black pepper and cinnamon. Woody tannins settle into the sides of the tongues and linger a little with a background of umami. Pair with game meats, bbq, honeyed hams, and dark chocolate.

Expert Rating

Wine Enthusiast 95 Points | Quite inky in the glass, this bottling is loaded with thick, dark-fruit aromas of black plum, cassis and violet, as hints of cocoa arise slowly. It lands with a force on the palate, providing lively while powerful and offering fresh fruit and flower flavors as well as a dried meat and tarry earth backbone. 

Winemaker Description

Camins 2 Dreams is a winery designed by two women with a creative desire to produce natural wines, utilizing the best sustainably and organically farmed grape cultivars available. Business and life partners Tara Goméz

Winemaker Description 

Charles Woodson’s Intercept Wines has released a one-time, Limited-Edition Hall of Fame Cabernet Sauvignon to commemorate Charles Woodson’s enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

In 2019, Woodson launched the Intercept Wines brand and the team prepared to have the 2018 vintage ready for 2021 should he become a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

“When we found out Charles was eligible to be selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, we were eager to make a commemorative wine to celebrate the occasion,” said Intercept winemaker Amanda Gorter. “We wanted to create something special that truly embodied the sentiment of greatness from grape to glass.”

The 2018 Limited Edition Hall of Fame Cabernet Sauvignon from four premier districts in California’s Paso Robles AVA: Adelaida, Estrella, El Pomar, and Willow Creek. It is a full-bodied winewith bold tannins and exquisite structure, and can be enjoyed today or laid down to age.

The limited production resulted in 6,500 bottles, an homage to his 65 career interceptions. His career accolades are etched onto the bottle, and a note from Woodson lines the inside of the soft-touch matte black gift box.

Woodson explained, “Intercept has created this Hall of Fame Edition Cabernet Sauvignon – very fitting for this special time in my life! I’m sharing this moment with you because when I go in, we all go in!”

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

The Wine Spectator 92 Points | Soft and supple, with appealing raspberry and cherry flavors highlighted by roasted sage and spice notes. Finishes with polished tannins. Drink now through 2032. 428 cases made.

Winemaker Description 

With experience making Zinfandel dating back to the 1990’s, Ehren Jordan is a true vigneron, with decades of experience in cellars and vineyards all over the world. His obsessive hands-on farming practices and minimalist hands-off winemaking approach come through in every bottle- allowing site, variety and vintage to shine through. 

Memo Summary Notes

The Day Zinfandel Sonoma County 2022 is the latest release from the "Day" project by Ehren Jordan, the legendary winemaker behind iconic labels like Turley, Failla, and Neyers. After decades of making high-octane Zinfandels at Turley, Jordan launched Day to focus on a more restrained, "vigneron" style that emphasizes acidity and elegance over sheer power.

The 2022 vintage is a blend of top-tier, organically farmed sites in the Dry Creek Valley, including the El Diablo, Grist, and Lumberyard vineyards.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2015

Decanter 96 Points | This is world class with lovely floral, spicy, marmalade, barley sugar, apricot and crme brle aromatics. The palate brings lively acidity and layers of delightful fruity flavors. Incredibly long.

Winemaker Description 

The drought prompted a shorter harvest, which resulted in faster ripening fruit yielding berries with concentrated flavours and well balanced acidity. With the renovated cellar, we could make use of dedicated tanks intended for perfect maceration and fermentation of the Muscat.

Throughout the season we harvested in batches - from the riper berries that have great acidity to the raisins for sugar concentration.

Each batch is kept separate and treated differently. These batches make up the perfect ratio between sugar, alcohol and acidity which allows the wine to stop fermentation naturally and without intervention.

The wine was aged in a combination of 50 % newFrench oak, Hungarian oak and French Acacia. It was left for a period of 3 years in barrel on the gross lees before racking out and blending. It spent a further 6 months in tank before bottling.

Region Constantia, Western Cape.

Winemaker Description 

Originating from wild vines, Orangetraube was first selected as a recognized varietal in 1840 and has been a part of the Zahel family's field blends (Gemischter Satz) since the winery began in 1930, but only produced as a monovarietal white since 1954.

Two generations later, Alexander Zahel is the last remaining producer of this unique treasure of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. 

This unique historic variety from Vienna's vineyards is fresh, complex, and edgy, with under ripe stone fruit and zippy acidity. 

Winemaker Notes:

Campo di Camagi is one of the three labels of 100% Cabernet Franc produced by Andrea Franchetti from 2014, who wanted to devote the utmost attention to this historic grape of Bordeaux, enhancing its characteristics in relation to three different terroir of the estate. It is produced exclusively with grapes from a single plot of 1.5 hectares composed of a thin layer of quartz and limestone. The 27 year old vines struggle to grow in this space, the stems do not grow, the roots have filled it.

Expert Reviews 

Monica Larner writes:   Made with Cabernet Franc, the Tenuta di Trinoro 2020 Campo di Camagi shows a level of sharpness and precision that you don't get as clearly in the other wines in this series of single-vineyard releases. There is more oak spice with redwood and cedar, along with crushed granite and pencil shaving. The wine is linear and delivers big intensity to the palate, and it has the structure and acidity to accompany a long drinking window.  Drinking 2024 2045  - Robert Parker Wine Advocate 95+

James Suckling writes:  So perfumed with violets and lavender with some currants. Medium- to full-bodied with polish and finesse. Racy and fine. Finesse with drive. Very elegant and straightforward with a racy texture. Very long and lightly edgy. 92% cabernet franc and 8% merlot. Drink after 2027 but already beautiful.  - James Suckling 96

Bruce Sanderson writes:  A spicy red, featuring a beam of black currant and blackberry fruit shaded by violet, black pepper, iron and mint. Lithe and ends with a line of resonant tannins on the tobacco-tinged finish. Cabernet Franc. Best from 2025 through 2038. 166 cases made, 65 cases imported.  Wine Spectator 94

Jancis Robinson writes:  Racy, lively and a little fragile and delicate. Tense.  Drinking 2024 - 2034  - Jancis Robinson 17.5

Sierra de Tolono Rioja Blanco 2024 750ml

Experience the unique essence of the Toloño Mountains in every sip of Sierra de Toloño Rioja Blanco 2024. Sourced from organically farmed vines at over 600 meters elevation, this wine reflects Sandra Bravo's mission to show a lighter, more terroir-driven side of Rioja. No oak, no heaviness—just clean, honest fruit and a cool-climate edge that embodies the vibrant spirit of the Toloño Mountains.

Sandra Bravo - Artisanal Winemaker

High up in the foothills of the Sierra de Toloño, in Rioja Alavesa, Sandra Bravo works in some of the oldest and highest altitude vineyards in Rioja. This young winemaker translates the mountainous landscape into pure and expressive wines in her small winery in Villabuena de Álava, where she works with steel, anforas, and old wood.

International Experience

"I was studying Engineering and Enology in Rioja and then I was working in wineries of Bordeaux, Tuscany, New Zealand and California. When I came back to Spain, I spent 7 years in Priorat. All that experience gave me an open point of view to make different wines here in Rioja (where I come from). I have to say Priorat really influenced me to make artisanal wines, and to understand that the most important is the vineyard, the vineyard with soul."

Rioja Alavesa Terroir

"When I came back to Rioja in 2012, I decided to make wines respecting what the vineyard give and always looking for freshness. I was in love with this area in Rioja Alavesa, calcareous soil, small plots, Mediterranean herbs and always North wind with high altitude (right in the mountain that gives my name's project: Sierra de Toloño)... it was perfect! Because all of this my wines are really mineral."

Organically Farmed High-Altitude Vineyards

Sourced from organically farmed vines at over 600 meters elevation. The grapes are meticulously harvested from vineyards nestled in the Toloño Mountains, where optimal sunlight and fresh temperatures allow for perfect ripeness. These are some of the oldest and highest altitude vineyards in Rioja.

2024 Vintage Profile

The 2024 vintage delivers vibrant aromas of lemon peel, white peach, and wild herbs, with a palate that's crisp and zesty, underpinned by saline minerality and firm acidity. This vintage showcases the lighter, more terroir-driven side of Rioja that Sandra Bravo champions.

Tasting Notes

Appearance: Pale gold with green reflections
Aroma: Vibrant aromas of lemon peel, white peach, and wild herbs. Lively citrus notes with Mediterranean herbs
Palate: Crisp and zesty, underpinned by saline minerality and firm acidity. Clean, honest fruit with cool-climate edge. Balanced acidity with subtle minerality
Finish: Refreshing finish with lingering minerality

No Oak, No Heaviness

No oak, no heaviness—just clean, honest fruit and a cool-climate edge. The winery employs techniques to preserve the natural flavors and aromas of the grapes, ensuring a pure expression of the terroir without oak influence or heavy winemaking intervention.

Calcareous Soil & Minerality

The calcareous soil of Rioja Alavesa creates the distinctive mineral character that defines these wines. "Because all of this my wines are really mineral," Sandra explains. Each sip reveals the influence of the limestone-rich soils and mountainous terroir.

Cool-Climate Freshness

Sandra's mission is to show a lighter, more terroir-driven side of Rioja, always looking for freshness. The high altitude, North wind, and cool climate create wines with vibrant acidity and refreshing character that set them apart from traditional oaked Rioja whites.

Small Plots & Micro-Terroirs

She harvests multiple varieties from micro-terroirs over many small plots that together form a fresh, beautiful image of the area. This approach allows each vineyard site to contribute its unique character to the final blend.

Vineyard with Soul

"I have to say Priorat really influenced me to make artisanal wines, and to understand that the most important is the vineyard, the vineyard with soul." This philosophy guides every decision in the vineyard and winery, creating wines of authenticity and character.

Steel, Anforas & Old Wood

In her small winery in Villabuena de Álava, Sandra works with steel, anforas, and old wood. This combination of traditional and modern vessels allows her to craft wines that honor tradition while expressing contemporary vision.

Mediterranean Herbs & North Wind

The area features Mediterranean herbs and always North wind with high altitude. These elements combine to create a unique microclimate that imparts distinctive aromatic complexity and freshness to the wines.

Pure & Expressive Wines

This young winemaker translates the mountainous landscape into pure and expressive wines. Each bottle captures the essence of the Sierra de Toloño, offering an honest expression of place and vintage.

Food Pairing Suggestions

The Sierra de Toloño Rioja Blanco 2024 is an excellent partner for a wide range of dishes:

• Grilled fish and seafood
• Fresh salads with citrus vinaigrette
• Creamy risottos
• Light pasta dishes
• Goat cheese and soft cheeses
• Tapas and Spanish cuisine
• Shellfish and oysters

Serving Suggestions

Serve chilled to unlock its full potential. The crisp acidity and vibrant flavors make it ideal for summer gatherings or quiet evenings at home. Whether you're hosting or enjoying a casual meal, this wine enhances the experience.

Respecting What the Vineyard Gives

"When I came back to Rioja in 2012, I decided to make wines respecting what the vineyard give." This philosophy of minimal intervention and respect for terroir creates wines that are authentic expressions of their origin.

Rioja Reimagined

Sandra Bravo's international experience gave her "an open point of view to make different wines here in Rioja." The result is a fresh, modern interpretation of Rioja Blanco that showcases the region's potential for elegant, terroir-driven white wines.

Perfect for Every Occasion

This wine is not just a wine; it's an invitation to indulge in culinary exploration. Let the refreshing taste of the Toloño Mountains elevate your meals. Discover the magic of pairing with this exceptional white wine, and find yourself enchanted with every sip.

From the heart of Alsace, one of France's most celebrated wine regions, the Domaine Justin Boxler Sylvaner 2021 is a pristine, terroir-driven white that captures the quiet elegance and mineral precision that defines great Alsatian winemaking. Understated yet deeply satisfying, this is a bottle that rewards those who seek authenticity over spectacle.

The Boxler Estate

Domaine Justin Boxler is a benchmark producer in Alsace, farming some of the region's most expressive terroirs with a commitment to minimal intervention and varietal integrity. Their Sylvaner is a testament to what this often-overlooked grape can achieve in the right hands — fresh, focused, and genuinely compelling.

Tasting Profile

Pale yellow with a bright, clear appearance. The nose offers delicate anise, fresh citrus, and subtle herbal notes. On the palate it's powerful and mineral-driven with lively acidity, a clean texture, and a fresh, lingering finish. Classic Alsatian Sylvaner at its finest.

Vintage

2021

Grape

Sylvaner

Region

Alsace, France

Format

750ml

Why Sylvaner?

Sylvaner is one of Alsace's most food-friendly grapes — less aromatic than Riesling or Gewurztraminer, but prized for its refreshing acidity, mineral backbone, and remarkable versatility at the table. It's the kind of wine that makes every meal better.

Perfect Pairings

Serve well-chilled (46–50°F) with shellfish, whitefish, sauerkraut, choucroute garnie, fresh goat cheese, or light vegetable dishes. An effortless companion to Alsatian cuisine and beyond.

Winemaker Description

Deep dark purple in color. Leather on the nose. Black plums with tannins and a little heat on the palate. It's medium-bodied with a cleaner finish than you expect it to be. Let it open up a little for the most enjoyment. Pair with grilled meats.

Winemaker Descrption 

Milan Nestarec Youngster Red is a red natural wine made from a blend of Zweigelt, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Dornfelder. The grapes are hand-harvested and destemmed. The juice ferments in 2000-liter stainless steel tanks. The wine ferments for about 2 months, with occasional pigeage and indigenous yeast fermentation. Elevage takes place in the same tanks for about 2 months. The wine is bottled unfiltered, unfined, and with zero sulfur added.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2018

Wine Spectator 93 Points | This is richly layered, with cassis, crushed plum and blackberry puree flavors moving through slowly but steadily, while warm earth, ganache and black licorice notes follow along. Picks up a tarry edge on the finish as the fruit takes an encore. For fans of the muscular, fruit-driven style. Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2022 through 2036. (2018). 

Wine Advocate 97 Points | The 2018 Insignia is a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot, 3% Malbec and 2% Cabernet Franc. The vineyard sources this year include: 30% Las Rocas (Stags Leap District),18% Yountville (Oak Knoll District), 13% Banca Dorada (Rutherford), 18% Suscol (South Napa Valley), 14% Home Ranch (St. Helena), 12% Las Rocas (Stags Leap District), 7% Barboza (Stags Leap District). It was aged for 24 months in 100% new French oak barrels. Deep garnet-purple colored, it comes storming out of the glass with powerful notes of blackcurrant cordial, stewed black plums and boysenberries, plus hints of cedar chest, graphite, menthol and wet slate with a fragrant waft of clove oil. The medium to full-bodied palate already demonstrates remarkable balance at this youthful stage, featuring a firm backbone of fine-grained tannins and bold freshness to support the tightly wound, crunchy black fruits, finishing long and spicy. (2018).

Jeb Dunnuck 95 Points | Very much in the style of the vintage with its pure, concentrated, yet also elegant and focused style, the 2018 Insignia offers up a vivid purple hue to go with lots of red and blue fruits, menthol, tobacco, graphite, and distinct minerality. With an almost Bordeaux-like style, medium to full-bodied richness, present tannins, and a great finish, it's a beautiful, classic Cabernet Sauvignon blend from this team that's going to benefit from 4-5 years of bottle age and keep for two decades or more. (2018). 

James Suckling 99 Points | Blackberry and black chocolate with mint, conifer and clove. Sweet tobacco, violets and flowers, too. Some graphite. Cool and complex. Full-bodied with ultra fine, dusty tannins and a wonderful, extremely long finish. Savory and refined. A classic-styled 2018. This needs time, but is so approachable and gorgeous. One of the best Insignias ever. Alive and changing all the time. 40% Stags Leap AVA. 87% cabernet sauvignon, 8% petit verdot, 3% malbec and 2% cabernet franc. Leave this for five or six years, but so wonderful now. (2018). 

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2017

The top Cabernet is the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Dancing Bear Ranch, which comes all from the Howell Mountain AVA. It's another inky colored beauty boasting a terrific perfume of black and blue fruits, ground herbs, spice box, graphite, and forest floor. With brilliant minerality on the palate as well as full-bodied richness and an expansive, opulent texture, it has sweet tannins and is approachable today, yet will benefit from short-term cellaring and cruise for 25-30 years. It's one of the few 2017s to come close to its 2016 counterpart. Bravo!  Drinking 2024 to 2054.  Jeb Dunnuck 97

Bottled only three weeks ago, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Dancing Bear Ranch is composed of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and 1% Merlot, having spent 22 months in 60% new French oak. Very deep garnet-purple in color, it reveals beautiful notions of kirsch, red and black currant preserves, raspberry pie and warm plums with hints of red roses, stewed tea, underbrush and cinnamon stick. Medium-bodied, the palate has wonderful red fruit and floral intensity intermingled with black fruits, framed by firm, grainy tannins and a wicked backbone of freshness, finishing very long and mineral laced. Very different from the epic 2016 Dancing Bear, but very exciting!  Drinking 2020 to 2038.  - Robert Parker Wine Advocate 95+

The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Dancing Bear ranch is a gorgeous Howell Mountain red. Succulent black cherry, plum, licorice, spice, new leather, rose petal and blood orange all run through this deep, resonant, unctuous Cabernet Sauvignon from Cakebread. This is a very pretty wine.  Drinking 2022 to 2032.  - Vinous 93

Winemaker Description

A medium-bodied Pinot Noir with remarkable floral, cherry and raspberry aromas. In the mouth, bright fruit flavors with a wonderful texture and extraordinary acidity. Smooth and balanced with a long, silky and velvety finish.

Expert Review

92 Points Wine Spectator | A medium-bodied red with aromas of wild raspberries, porcini, dried herbs and smoked meat. Powdery, fine tannins with a chalky feel. Concentrated and taut with a savory, mineral finish. Drink or hold. (2019)

Icardi Barbaresco Montubert Organic 2020 750ml

A benchmark Barbaresco from one of Piedmont's most principled organic estates. The Icardi family has farmed without herbicides or pesticides since 1914, and the Montubert vineyard expresses the full nobility of Nebbiolo — structured, aromatic, and built to age gracefully.

James Suckling 93 Points: Red-fruited and spiced with crushed walnuts and licorice. Medium-bodied with polished, delicate tannins. Fresh and vivid fruit character with a polished mineral finish and hints of citrus peel and dried herbs.

Wine Enthusiast 91 Points: Sweetly spiced and charming, showing aromas of candied cherries, allspice, cedar, and mixed wild herbs. Elegant tannins with flavors of dried cranberries and dried orange peel. Drink now–2035.

Wine Spectator 90 Points: Savory with juniper, eucalyptus, and mint accenting a cherry, strawberry, and floral core. Lean and taut with dusty tannins. Best from 2027 through 2042.

Food Pairings

• Braised short ribs, osso buco, and slow-roasted lamb
• Aged Parmigiano-Reggiano and hard cheeses
• Truffle pasta, mushroom risotto, and game meats
• Roasted duck and venison

Wine Details

• Varietal: Nebbiolo
• Appellation: Barbaresco DOCG, Piedmont, Italy
• Vintage: 2020
• Size: 750ml
• Farming: Certified Organic
• Producer: Icardi

Expert Review - Vintage 2016 

The Wine Advocate 95 Points | 2016 was a superb vintage in Rioja, and the 2016 Viña Gravonia Blanco, which has the cellar aroma that all the wines, especially the whites, have, due to the longer time the wines spend in barrel. The white vines in this vineyard are now 92 years old and their juice was fermented in old oak vats with indigenous yeasts. They explained, "We have never used selected yeasts." It was matured in their well-seasoned American oak barrels for four years. It's paler than any of the other whites, and it has a little less pungency, with very good freshness. It's elegant, subtle, clean and ethereal. They had good yields and a good climatic year. 42,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in November 2022. I give these wines a conservative drinking window, but they will probably last much longer. 

Winemaker Description 

A true classic from one of Spain’s most revered traditional wineries, Viña Gravonia Blanco is not your average white wine. Made from 100% Viura and aged for four years in oak and an additional time in bottle before release, the 2016 vintage offers a rare combination of complexity, texture, and age-worthy finesse.

On the nose, it reveals layers of dried stone fruit, chamomile, toasted almonds, and subtle oxidative notes reminiscent of fine sherry. The palate is textured and elegant, with a dry, savory character and remarkable freshness that defies its age.

This is a wine for lovers of history, craftsmanship, and the timeless style that only Lopez de Heredia can deliver.

Think aged white Burgundy meets classic Rioja—delicate, yet full of soul.

Winemaker Description 

While this is a fruit-forward Moroccan red, it is made in an OldWorld style with moderate extraction, excellent balance, and complex aromatics: plenty of ripe purple black fruits and dark confiture, with hints of sandalwood. 

Allegrini · Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG · Veneto · Italy · 2021

Allegrini is one of the Valpolicella Classico’s most celebrated families — a benchmark producer whose Amarone has become emblematic of Italian oenology, standing alongside Barolo and Brunello di Montalcino as one of the country’s great red wines. The 2021 is a true classic of the appellation: Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, and Oseleta grapes air-dried until at least December, checked daily for perfect health, then vinified with the patience and precision that only a family with generations of expertise can bring. Lengthy refining and aging yields a wine of imposing structure, depth, and the kind of complexity that rewards both the cellar and the table. Rated 94 by James Suckling and 93 by Decanter, Wine Enthusiast, and Wine Spectator.

The 2021 is still very youthful but with enormous potential. The nose is intense and classic — bay leaves, fresh black pepper, prunes, blood orange, tamarind, licorice, and plums simmering with herbs. On the palate, creamy and full-bodied with roasted peppercorn, crushed black cherry, espresso, thyme, and cocoa, framed by firm, velvety, fine-grained tannins and refreshing acidity. Long, fresh, and elegant on the finish with graphite and spice. Drink now through 2040.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021

“Still very youthful, but with so much potential. Intense and zippy on the attack, there’s some wonderfully bright fruit fighting to break through the woody veil, with an orange peel halo. Beautifully balanced — but don’t open this yet!”
— Decanter · 93 Points

“This is what happens when earth meets elegance. Forest walks lead to a kitchen where plums simmer with herbs for wild game while cocoa adds its luxury touch. The palate keeps that old-school Amarone soul but adds modern polish, dusty tannins framing everything just right.”
— Wine Enthusiast · 93 Points · Cellar Selection

“Sleek and well-structured, offering flavors of crushed black cherry and black plum, black licorice, espresso, and thyme, all enmeshed with sculpted, fine-grained tannins. Long and fresh, with delicate notes of spices and graphite playing on the finish.”
— Wine Spectator · 93 Points

• Producer: Allegrini, Fumane, Valpolicella Classico, Veneto, Italy
• Vintage: 2021
• Appellation: Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG
• Blend: 45% Corvina, 45% Corvinone, 5% Rondinella, 5% Oseleta
• Method: Appassimento — grapes air-dried until at least December; checked daily
• Style: Dry red — full-bodied, imposing structure, velvety tannins
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Bay leaf, black pepper, prune, blood orange, tamarind, licorice, espresso, cocoa, graphite, velvety tannins
• Cellar: Drink now through 2040
• Pairings: Braised short rib, wild boar ragù, aged Parmigiano-Reggiano, venison, osso buco, dark chocolate

JS:94 · D:93 · WE:93 · WS:93 · Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG — Allegrini’s benchmark appassimento red. Imposing, complex, and built for the ages.

Domaine Roux Vougeot Premier Cru Les Petits Vougeots 2023 is a refined red Burgundy produced from 100% Pinot Noir in one of the four Premier Cru sites surrounding the historic Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru. Les Petits Vougeots is distinguished by shallow, gravelly soils over ancient limestone, a terroir that contributes depth, structure, and mineral definition to the wine.

The bouquet is expressive and complex, opening with aromas of Morello cherry, black cherry, black currant, and violet. Subtle notes of summer truffle, licorice, bramble, earth, and fine spice add savory depth as the wine develops in the glass.

On the palate, the wine is concentrated and richly textured, with layers of dark fruit supported by fresh acidity and finely structured tannins. The balance between fruit, earth, and mineral character gives the wine both power and elegance, leading to a long, persistent finish.

This distinguished Vougeot Premier Cru is an excellent companion to roasted duck, lamb, beef, venison, mushroom dishes, and mature cheeses. Its impressive 1.5-liter magnum format makes it particularly suitable for celebrations, entertaining, or extended development in the cellar.

The wine is hand-harvested with selection in the vineyard and matured for approximately 15 to 18 months in French oak barrels, including about 30% new oak. The producer indicates an aging potential of approximately 20 to 25 years.

Domaine Roux Gevrey-Chambertin Creux-Brouillard 2023 is a distinguished red Burgundy produced from Pinot Noir in the celebrated Côte de Nuits village of Gevrey-Chambertin. Sourced from the Creux-Brouillard vineyard, this wine combines the appellation’s characteristic depth and structure with the refined, expressive style of the Roux family.

The bouquet opens with aromas of ripe black cherry, raspberry, and red plum, followed by subtle notes of violet, earth, gentle spice, and forest floor. With time in the glass, additional savory and mineral nuances add complexity.

On the palate, the wine is concentrated yet balanced, with layers of red and dark fruit supported by fresh acidity and finely structured tannins. The texture is polished and supple, leading to a long, elegant finish marked by lingering cherry, spice, and earthy mineral notes.

This expressive Gevrey-Chambertin is an excellent companion to roasted lamb, beef, duck, game birds, mushroom dishes, and mature cheeses. Its impressive 1.5-liter magnum format makes it especially suitable for celebrations, entertaining, or further development in the cellar.

Domaine Roux Chambolle-Musigny Premier Cru Les Borniques 2018 is a refined red Burgundy produced from Pinot Noir in one of Chambolle-Musigny’s Premier Cru vineyards. The Roux family works with a very small parcel in Les Borniques, yielding a wine that emphasizes elegance, aromatic complexity, and the graceful texture for which Chambolle-Musigny is celebrated.

The bouquet is open and expressive, with aromas of ripe red cherry, raspberry, wild strawberry, violet, and rose petal. Subtle notes of spice, earth, and forest floor add depth as the wine develops in the glass.

On the palate, the wine is fresh, layered, and beautifully balanced. Silky tannins frame ripe red fruit, while lively acidity gives the wine lift and precision. The finish is long and expansive, unfolding with floral notes, fine spice, and persistent mineral detail.

This elegant Premier Cru is an excellent match for roasted duck, veal, lamb, game birds, mushroom dishes, and mature cheeses. Its impressive 1.5-liter magnum format makes it especially well suited to celebrations, entertaining, and further development in the cellar.

Domaine Roux Chambolle-Musigny Les Athets 2023 is an elegant red Burgundy produced from Pinot Noir in the celebrated Côte de Nuits village of Chambolle-Musigny. The Les Athets vineyard expresses the graceful, aromatic character associated with the appellation, combining delicate fruit, refined structure, and an appealing mineral freshness.

The bouquet opens with aromas of red cherry, wild strawberry, raspberry, and violet, followed by subtle notes of rose petal, gentle spice, and forest floor. With time in the glass, the wine reveals additional earthy and savory complexity.

On the palate, it is silky and finely balanced, with vibrant red fruit, fresh acidity, and polished tannins. The texture is supple and elegant rather than heavy, leading to a long, lifted finish with lingering notes of cherry, flowers, spice, and delicate minerality.

This refined Chambolle-Musigny is an excellent companion to roasted duck, veal, poultry, pork tenderloin, mushroom dishes, and soft or moderately aged cheeses. Its impressive 1.5-liter magnum format makes it an excellent choice for celebrations, entertaining, or further development in the cellar.

Domaine Roux Puligny-Montrachet Les Enseignères 2020 is an elegant white Burgundy produced from Chardonnay in the celebrated Côte de Beaune village of Puligny-Montrachet. Les Enseignères is a highly regarded village-level vineyard situated near the Grand Cru vineyards of Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet and Bâtard-Montrachet, an exceptional location known for producing Chardonnay with precision, depth, and pronounced mineral character.

The bouquet is refined and expressive, revealing aromas of lemon, green apple, white peach, and delicate white flowers. With air, subtle notes of hazelnut, fresh pastry, gentle spice, and crushed limestone add complexity.

On the palate, the wine is beautifully balanced, combining a silky texture with bright acidity and finely etched mineral tension. Flavors of citrus, pear, and orchard fruit are complemented by restrained oak and a subtle creamy richness. The finish is long, polished, and persistent, with lingering notes of lemon, white flowers, and chalky minerality.

This sophisticated Puligny-Montrachet is an excellent partner for lobster, scallops, grilled or roasted fish, poultry in cream sauce, mushroom dishes, and mature cheeses. Its impressive 1.5-liter magnum format makes it especially suitable for celebrations, entertaining, or further development in the cellar.

Domaine Roux Meursault Premier Cru Clos des Poruzots 2020 is a powerful and refined white Burgundy produced from Chardonnay in one of Meursault’s recognized Premier Cru vineyards. Clos des Poruzots is noted for marl and limestone soils that can give the wines both generous texture and a firm mineral structure. Crafted by the Roux family of Saint-Aubin, this is a concentrated expression of Meursault with excellent depth, balance, and aging potential.

The bouquet is layered and expressive, opening with aromas of ripe pear, lemon, white peach, and delicate white flowers. Notes of toasted almond, hazelnut, fresh pastry, and subtle spice emerge with air, adding complexity and richness.

On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and beautifully structured. Ripe orchard fruit and citrus flavors are supported by lively acidity, finely integrated oak, and a pronounced mineral backbone. The texture is broad and silky, while the finish is long and persistent, with lingering notes of toasted nuts, lime, and stony minerality.

This impressive Premier Cru Meursault is an excellent partner for lobster, scallops, roasted or grilled fish, poultry in cream sauce, mushrooms, and mature cheeses. Its generous 1.5-liter magnum format makes it especially suitable for celebrations, entertaining, or extended development in the cellar.

Domaine Roux Meursault Les Grands Charrons 2023 is a refined white Burgundy produced from Chardonnay in the celebrated village of Meursault. Les Grands Charrons is a well-regarded vineyard site situated near the Premier Cru climat of La Goutte d’Or, an excellent location for producing Chardonnay with both generous texture and pronounced mineral character. 

The bouquet is expressive and layered, offering aromas of ripe pear, yellow apple, lemon, white flowers, and subtle notes of toasted hazelnut. With time in the glass, hints of fresh pastry, gentle spice, and stony minerality add complexity.

On the palate, the wine is rich and rounded while retaining excellent freshness and balance. Flavors of orchard fruit, citrus, and white peach are supported by a silky texture, finely integrated oak, and a firm mineral backbone. The finish is long and polished, with lingering notes of pear, hazelnut, and limestone.

This elegant Meursault is an excellent partner for lobster, scallops, roasted fish, poultry in cream sauce, mushroom dishes, and mature cheeses. Its impressive 1.5-liter magnum format makes it especially suitable for celebrations, entertaining, or further development in the cellar.

Domaine Roux Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru Les Macherelles 2023 is a distinguished white Burgundy produced from Chardonnay in one of Chassagne-Montrachet’s recognized Premier Cru vineyards. Crafted by the Roux family of Saint-Aubin, the wine combines the richness associated with the appellation with the precision and mineral character of its limestone-rich soils.

The nose is layered and expressive, revealing aromas of ripe pear, lemon, white peach, honeysuckle, and acacia blossom. Subtle notes of hazelnut, gentle spice, and restrained oak add complexity without overwhelming the purity of the fruit.

On the palate, the wine is concentrated yet beautifully balanced. Ripe orchard fruit and citrus flavors are supported by fresh acidity, a refined creamy texture, and pronounced mineral tension. The finish is long and persistent, with lingering notes of pear, toasted nuts, and finely etched limestone minerality.

Elegant in its youth but structured for further development, this Premier Cru white Burgundy is an excellent companion to lobster, scallops, roasted fish, poultry in cream sauce, mushroom dishes, and mature cheeses. Its impressive 1.5-liter magnum format makes it particularly suitable for celebrations, entertaining, or extended cellar aging.

PIERRE PAILLARD CHAMPAGNE 1ER CRU EXTRA BRUT BLANC DE NOIRS LUDES 2020 | 750ML

🇫🇷 France — Pinot Meunier | Ludes, Montagne de Reims, Champagne

A terroir-driven Blanc de Noirs of rare precision and mineral intensity. The bouquet opens with ripe white peach, apricot, nectarine, red apple, citrus peel, brioche, and subtle floral accents. On the palate it is vinous yet sharply defined — fine bubbles, lively acidity, and a pronounced chalky salinity that takes precedence over the grape’s naturally generous fruit. The finish is long, dry, and energetic with an elegant, pleasantly bitter edge. A powerful yet beautifully controlled expression of Meunier — more linear, saline, and structured than the grape is often expected to be.

Produced entirely from old-vine Pinot Meunier (planted 1970) grown in the lieux-dits Les Hautes-Pertes and Les Vigneulles-de-Devant in the Premier Cru village of Ludes, near Grand Cru Mailly-Champagne. The soils are highly calcareous with very little clay over deep chalk subsoil — the source of the wine’s distinctive mineral tension. Vinified and aged in oak barrels, bottled under natural cork for secondary fermentation, then matured approximately 4.5 years on the lees before disgorgement at a very low dosage of 2 g/L.

94 Points — James Suckling

Pairs well with: Oysters, sushi, sashimi, smoked trout, grilled white fish, scallops, shellfish, roast poultry, and creamy cheeses. An exceptional aperitif.

Grape: 100% Pinot Meunier
Classification: Premier Cru
Village: Ludes, Montagne de Reims
Vintage: 2020
Lees Aging: ~4.5 years
Dosage: 2 g/L (Extra Brut)
Format: 750ml
Score: 94 pts James Suckling

Guy Charlemagne | Les Coullemets — Mesnillésimes | Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut | Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Côte des Blancs, Champagne | 2016

Guy Charlemagne is a celebrated grower-producer based in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger — one of Champagne's most prestigious Grand Cru villages, renowned worldwide for producing Blanc de Blancs of extraordinary mineral precision, tension, and longevity. The estate's vineyards average 58–60 years of age and are planted with massal selections, contributing depth, concentration, and a strong sense of place. Guy Charlemagne uses extended bottle aging and slightly reduced pressure for its parcel wines, creating a fine mousse and elegant, creamy texture while preserving clarity and tension.

Les Coullemets is part of Guy Charlemagne's distinguished “Mesnillésimes” series — single-vineyard, single-vintage expressions of individual Le Mesnil lieux-dits that showcase the unique character of each parcel. Les Coullemets is produced entirely from Chardonnay grown in the chalk-rich soils of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, reflecting the naturally firm structure, mineral precision, and saline depth for which the village is celebrated.

The 2016 vintage in Champagne produced wines of exceptional freshness, tension, and aging potential. The bouquet opens with white flowers, crisp apple, citrus peel, and ripe pear, followed by fresh pineapple, brioche, toasted nuts, gentle spice, and a subtle smoky quality. On the palate, taut and energetic — bright acidity with a refined mousse and a pronounced chalky mineral core. Lemon, white peach, almond, and orchard fruit lead into a long, fresh finish marked by bitter citrus, salinity, and finely etched minerality. The Extra Brut dosage keeps the wine dry and focused, allowing the purity of the Chardonnay and the distinctive character of Les Coullemets to remain at the forefront. Expressive now, with the structure and concentration to develop further with additional bottle age.

Serve as a sophisticated aperitif or pair with oysters, caviar, lobster, crab, seared scallops, grilled sole, halibut with lemon butter, sushi, and mild creamy cheeses.

• Producer: Guy Charlemagne
• Cuvée: Les Coullemets (Mesnillésimes series)
• Classification: Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut
• Appellation: Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Côte des Blancs, Champagne, France
• Grape: Chardonnay (100%)
• Vintage: 2016
• Vine Age: ~58–60 years; massal selections
• Alcohol: 12.5% ABV
• Serving: 48–54°F; enjoy now or cellar for further development
• Bottle Size: 750ml

Critical Acclaim — Vintage 2016

• Vinous — 91 pts: Laced with hints of lemon oil, chalk, mint and dried flowers. Light on its feet and vibrant — a classic Champagne from Mesnil. Bracing saline notes support the mid-palate and finish.

Guy Charlemagne Vieilles Vignes Mésnillésime — Le Mesnil-sur-Oger 2015

Guy Charlemagne's Mésnillésime is the estate's most serious statement — a single-vintage, single-village Blanc de Blancs drawn exclusively from old vines averaging 58 years of age, rooted in the chalk-rich Grand Cru soils of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. The 2015 vintage delivered a warm, concentrated expression of Chardonnay, vinified partly in oak barrels without malolactic fermentation to preserve the wine's tension and mineral purity. After approximately six years of lees aging, it was disgorged with a dosage of just 3 g/L — firmly Extra Brut — allowing the terroir of Le Mesnil to speak without interference.

In the glass, pale gold with green highlights and a fine, persistent mousse. The bouquet opens with candied lemon, ripe apple, pear, acacia honey, and white flowers, deepening with air into brioche, toasted almond, flint, and a delicate iodine-like smokiness. The palate is rich yet precise — ripe orchard fruit and candied citrus layered with pastry, subtle oak, and chalky minerality, carried by bright acidity to a long, saline finish of citrus zest, flint, and vanilla. A gastronomic Champagne built for the table: oysters, caviar, lobster, roasted turbot, sole meunière, or aged Comté.

Wine Enthusiast 95 • Vinous 90 — "Done in a light-bodied, ethereal style. Dried lemon peel, crushed flowers, chamomile and dried herbs show the gentle patina of age."

• Producer: Guy Charlemagne, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Champagne, France
• Vintage: 2015
• Appellation: Champagne Grand Cru
• Village: Le Mesnil-sur-Oger
• Cuvée: Vieilles Vignes Mésnillésime
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Style: Blanc de Blancs, Extra Brut
• Vinification: Partially aged in oak; no malolactic fermentation
• Dosage: Approximately 3 g/L
• Lees Aging: Approximately six years
• Size: 750ml
• Serving Temperature: 48–54°F
• Best Paired With: Oysters, caviar, lobster, roasted turbot, sole meunière, aged Comté
• Cellar Potential: Enjoy now or cellar for further development

A 95-point grower Champagne from one of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger's most dedicated estates — old vines, low dosage, and six years on lees make this one of the most compelling Blanc de Blancs available today.

Château Simard | Saint-Émilion AOC | Bordeaux, France | 2015

Château Simard has a history rooted in the very foundations of Saint-Émilion. The estate takes its name from Johan de Las Symas, a Jurat of Saint-Émilion in the 15th century who founded the village of Simard — where the Vauthier family's two estates are currently located. The vineyard was purchased in 1954 by Claude Mazière, and in 2008 his nephew Alain Vauthier — the celebrated proprietor of Château Ausone, one of Bordeaux's most iconic estates — took the reins. The estate has thus remained in the same family for seven decades, and the Vauthier connection to Ausone brings world-class winemaking expertise to every vintage.

Located in the southern valley of Saint-Émilion running down to the plain, the 40-hectare estate is planted on a patchwork of clay-limestone, sand, and gravel soils. The blend is 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon — though the 2015 is composed of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. After manual harvesting and meticulous berry sorting, the wine is fermented and aged primarily in concrete and stainless-steel tanks to preserve freshness and roundness, with approximately 30% oak. The result is a wine of pure fruit, concentration, and generosity — the very definition of Saint-Émilion's accessible, pleasure-driven style.

The 2015 is a superb vintage for Saint-Émilion. Medium to deep garnet-purple in the glass. The nose is vibrantly scented with red currants, black cherries, warm plums, violets, oranges, lemons, and fragrant earth. On the palate, medium-bodied, very fine, fruity, and elegant — ripe, fine-grained tannins, wonderful freshness, and a red cherry lift on the finish. Silky, juicy, and delicious. Ready to drink now or hold.

Pair with roast lamb, duck confit, beef bourguignon, mushroom dishes, and aged hard cheeses.

• Producer: Château Simard (Vauthier Family / Château Ausone)
• Appellation: Saint-Émilion AOC, Bordeaux, France
• Blend: 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc
• Vintage: 2015
• Vinification: Concrete & stainless-steel tanks; ~30% oak aging
• Bottle Size: 750ml

Critical Acclaim — Vintage 2015

• Wine Advocate — 91 pts: Vibrantly scented of red currants, black cherries and warm plums with hints of violets and fragrant earth. Medium-bodied, very fine, fruity and elegant with ripe, fine-grained tannins and wonderful freshness. Finishes with a red cherry lift.
• James Suckling — 91 pts: Oranges and lemons with blackberry and dark-earth character. Full-bodied, round, juicy and silky. Delicious and soft. A gorgeous wine. Drink now or hold.
• Vinous Media — 90 pts: Intense and dark — succulent jammy fruit with exotic spice, leather and rose petal overtones wrapping around the juicy finish. An attractive, early-drinking Simard.

R. Pouillon & Fils | Méthode Fabrice Pouillon — Chemin du Bois | Extra-Brut | Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, Vallée de la Marne, Champagne | 2018 | Organic & Biodynamic

R. Pouillon & Fils is one of Champagne's most exciting and principled grower-producers, based in the Premier Cru village of Mareuil-sur-Aÿ in the Vallée de la Marne. Fabrice Pouillon farms his vineyards according to organic and biodynamic principles, with close attention paid to soil health, vine balance, and full physiological ripeness at harvest.

Chemin du Bois is one of Fabrice Pouillon's most innovative and daring Champagnes — created to demonstrate how thoughtful farming, natural ripeness, and minimal intervention can reshape the traditional Champagne method. Produced entirely from Pinot Noir grown in the single Chemin du Bois vineyard in Mareuil-sur-Aÿ on clay-limestone soils, this cuvée is defined by Pouillon's proprietary Méthode Fabrice Pouillon — a radical departure from conventional Champagne production.

Conventional Champagne permits the addition of externally sourced sugar at three stages: chaptalization, the prise de mousse that creates the bubbles, and dosage after disgorgement. Chemin du Bois uses none of it. Instead, approximately 15% of the juice is reserved in stainless steel until spring. The remaining juice ferments spontaneously with ambient yeasts in neutral barrels. After approximately 12 months, the finished base wine is blended with the reserved grape juice, initiating a second natural fermentation entirely from the estate's own fruit. When dosage is used, it too is prepared from grape juice rather than refined sugar. The result is a Champagne of remarkable purity, individuality, and direct terroir connection.

Full-bodied and muscular, the 2018 combines the generosity and warmth of the vintage with Pouillon's characteristic precision. Ripe orchard fruit, citrus peel, red apple, and subtle red-fruit tones joined by warm brioche, spice, toasted grain, and chalky minerality. On the palate, broad and textural with a powerful, gastronomic attack, a layered mid-palate supported by vibrant acidity, a persistent mousse, and a long, enveloping finish. Despite its breadth and concentration, the wine remains energetic and beautifully controlled.

A profound, vinous Champagne intended as much for the table as for celebration. Pair with roast poultry, veal, pork, lobster, seared scallops, mushroom dishes, aged Comté, and other richly flavored cheeses.

• Producer: R. Pouillon & Fils
• Cuvée: Méthode Fabrice Pouillon — Chemin du Bois
• Style: Extra-Brut
• Appellation: Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, Vallée de la Marne, Champagne, France
• Grape: Pinot Noir (100%)
• Vintage: 2018
• Farming: Organic & biodynamic principles
• Soils: Clay-limestone; single vineyard Chemin du Bois
• Fermentation: Ambient yeasts in neutral barrels; no externally sourced sugar at any stage
• Secondary Fermentation: Initiated by reserved estate grape juice (15% of harvest)
• Élevage: ~12 months in oak casks; full malolactic fermentation
• Dosage: Extra-Brut (estate grape juice only)
• Bottle Size: 750ml

Critical Acclaim — Vintage 2018

• Wine Advocate — 92 pts: Full-bodied and muscular — broad-shouldered and textural opening developing into a layered and flavorful mid-palate. Vibrant acidity provides energy and definition, while the long, enveloping finish captures the warmth and generosity of the 2018 vintage.

R. Pouillon & Fils | Les Terres Froides | Blanc de Blancs Extra-Brut | Tauxières-Mutry, Montagne de Reims, Champagne | 2020 | Organic

R. Pouillon & Fils is one of Champagne's most exciting and principled grower-producers, based in the Premier Cru village of Mareuil-sur-Aÿ in the Vallée de la Marne. Fabrice Pouillon farms his vineyards with rigorous organic principles and biodynamic practices — emphasizing healthy soils, balanced vines, careful observation, and minimal intervention, allowing each vineyard's natural character to remain at the center of the finished Champagne.

Les Terres Froides — "the cold lands" — is a precise and mineral-driven Blanc de Blancs from a distinctive single vineyard in the village of Tauxières-Mutry, within the Montagne de Reims. Fabrice Pouillon farms approximately half a hectare in the lieu-dit Les Fourches, southwest of Tauxières-Mutry and close to Tours-sur-Marne. The vineyard's northern exposure and cool microclimate contribute to a long, gradual ripening season, preserving exceptional freshness, acidity, and aromatic precision. Tauxières-Mutry was historically awarded a 99% rating under the échelle des crus classification — just one point below Grand Cru status — and the soils in this parcel contain a higher proportion of chalk than those closer to the village, creating an exceptional environment for Chardonnay.

The wine is vinified in a combination of neutral barriques and traditional enameled tanks, undergoes malolactic fermentation, and is raised for approximately eight months before bottling — a restrained approach that preserves the freshness and saline character of the Chardonnay while adding subtle texture and complexity.

Lemon zest, crisp green apple, white peach, pear, and delicate white flowers on the nose, evolving into crushed chalk, oyster shell, fresh bread, and subtle spice. On the palate, taut, focused, and beautifully delineated — bright citrus and orchard fruit carried by vibrant acidity and a fine, persistent mousse. A pronounced chalky minerality gives the wine tension and exceptional length. The Extra-Brut dosage keeps the finish dry, refreshing, and laser-precise.

For Chablis drinkers. For those who would rather begin a meal with oysters and end it with nothing but a refill. This is Champagne at its absolute finest.

Pair with oysters, shellfish, caviar, sushi, grilled fish, scallops, goat cheese, fresh cheeses, and lightly prepared poultry.

• Producer: R. Pouillon & Fils
• Cuvée: Les Terres Froides Blanc de Blancs
• Style: Blanc de Blancs Extra-Brut
• Appellation: Tauxières-Mutry, Montagne de Reims, Champagne, France
• Grape: Chardonnay (100%)
• Vintage: 2020
• Farming: Organic with biodynamic principles
• Vineyard: Les Terres Froides (lieu-dit of Les Fourches); northern exposure; ~0.5 ha
• Soils: Chalk-rich clay-limestone; 99% échelle des crus
• Vinification: Neutral barriques & enameled tanks; malolactic fermentation
• Élevage: ~8 months before bottling
• Dosage: Extra-Brut
• Alcohol: 12% ABV
• Bottle Size: 750ml