2010 - Present Wine

93 Points — John Gilman, View From the Cellar
92 Points — Wine Spectator
90–92 Points — Jasper Morris, MW, Inside Burgundy

Domaine Clos de la Chapelle’s 2023 Meursault Les Vignes Blanches is a beautifully concentrated, old-vine Chardonnay from a distinctive village-level climat situated below the celebrated Santenots vineyards. Combining the generous orchard-fruit character traditionally associated with Meursault with vibrant acidity, pale limestone minerality and finely integrated oak, this is a rich yet precise white Burgundy of remarkable depth and persistence.

The wine comes from a tiny 0.41-hectare parcel planted predominantly in 1948. Although Les Vignes Blanches is classified as Meursault Village, its old vines, individual terroir and limited production give it a personality that clearly distinguishes it from a blended village Meursault.

The Place

Meursault lies in the heart of Burgundy’s Côte de Beaune, immediately south of Volnay and north of Puligny-Montrachet. The village is internationally renowned for Chardonnay that combines richness, breadth and silky texture with fresh acidity and a distinctive mineral character.

Meursault has no Grand Cru vineyards, yet its finest Premier Cru and village-level climats produce some of Burgundy’s most complex and age-worthy white wines. The appellation’s varied marl, limestone, gravel and clay soils allow Chardonnay to express a wide range of styles, from supple and nutty to firm, citrus-driven and intensely mineral.

The Les Vignes Blanches Vineyard

Les Vignes Blanches is situated low on the Meursault slope, below Santenots and just south of the Meursault Premier Cru Santenots vineyards. It rests beneath a small rocky rise that contributes natural drainage and an unusually pronounced mineral character for this part of the slope.

The climat takes its name from the pale, gravelly limestone visible throughout the vineyard. Beneath and among this limestone is a meaningful clay component that retains water during warm, dry growing seasons. This combination gives the wine both richness and tension: clay contributes depth, texture and ripe orchard fruit, while the gravelly limestone provides freshness, salinity and mineral definition.

Many growers traditionally blend fruit from Les Vignes Blanches into a broader village-level Meursault. Domaine Clos de la Chapelle instead bottles the parcel separately to preserve its individual character and expression of place.

The Domaine’s Parcel

Domaine Clos de la Chapelle farms approximately 0.41 hectare—just over one acre—of Les Vignes Blanches. Most of the Chardonnay vines were planted in 1948, immediately following the Second World War, making them more than 75 years old at the time of the 2023 harvest.

These deeply rooted old vines naturally produce small quantities of concentrated fruit. Their extensive root systems penetrate multiple soil layers, helping the vines maintain balance during dry conditions and giving the finished wine notable depth, complexity and persistence.

The 2023 growing season demonstrated the value of the site’s water-retentive clay. According to Jasper Morris, the soils held sufficient moisture during the vintage, allowing the grapes to achieve generous ripeness while retaining adequate acidity.

The Grape: 100% Chardonnay.

Chardonnay is Burgundy’s principal white grape and an exceptionally transparent interpreter of terroir. In Les Vignes Blanches, it combines the broad texture and ripe orchard-fruit profile associated with Meursault with citrus freshness, oyster-shell salinity and a finely structured mineral finish.

Viticulture

Domaine Clos de la Chapelle’s vineyards are certified organic and are cultivated according to biodynamic principles. The estate avoids chemical pesticides and fertilizers, regularly ploughs its soils and carefully controls yields to encourage healthy vines and concentrated fruit.

The grapes are harvested by hand and sorted before pressing. The domaine’s objective is to preserve the purity of the fruit while allowing the individual soil, vine age and vintage conditions of each small parcel to remain clearly expressed in the finished wine.

Winemaking and Aging

The Chardonnay is whole-cluster pressed, followed by approximately 24 hours of settling. Fermentation and maturation take place in a combination of French oak barrel sizes, helping the wine develop texture and complexity without allowing the oak to dominate its old-vine fruit or mineral character.

The domaine may use up to 30% new oak for its white wines, with barrels sourced from several respected cooperages. Bâtonnage may be performed once per week for as long as six weeks after fermentation, or until malolactic fermentation begins.

The 2023 Les Vignes Blanches was matured for approximately 14 months in barrel. The use of different barrel sizes helps preserve freshness while contributing restrained notes of vanilla, toast and brioche. The wine is bottled approximately 15 to 18 months after harvest.

Tasting Notes

The 2023 displays a full lemon-yellow color and an expressive, layered bouquet of ripe peach, pear, yellow apple and citrus. With air, aromas of citronella, white flowers, toasted brioche, hazelnut and delicate vanilla emerge alongside a subtle reductive, mineral tension.

The palate is supple, concentrated and beautifully layered. Rich orchard fruit and ripe peach are balanced by vibrant acidity and savory notes of oyster shell and pale limestone. The old vines provide impressive mid-palate depth, while the wine’s mineral structure keeps its generous fruit precise and focused.

Notes of vanilla and toasted brioche are finely integrated into the fruit rather than dominant. The wine builds steadily across the palate, concluding with a long, refined and complex finish marked by citrus, orchard fruit, saline minerals and gentle oak spice.

This is a generous yet disciplined expression of Meursault—reminiscent of the traditional, richly textured style of the village, but supported by enough acidity and mineral tension to remain vibrant and age gracefully.

Professional Ratings

93 Points — John Gilman, View From the Cellar | John Gilman awarded the 2023 Meursault Les Vignes Blanches 93 points, recognizing it as one of the leading white wines in Domaine Clos de la Chapelle’s highly regarded 2023 collection.

92 Points — Wine Spectator: Citronella, peach, oyster shell, vanilla and toasted brioche flavors ride the supple texture in this harmonious white. Vibrant and succulent while building to the refined, complex aftertaste. Best from 2027 through 2040.

90–92 Points — Jasper Morris, MW, Inside Burgundy
Barrel Sample:  Old vines on clay soil below Santenots. A full lemon yellow, with a little reductive tension on the nose. Made in a mix of wood sizes. Nicely layered flesh and fruit on the palate, quite a rich orchard fruit, but balanced by adequate acidity These soils retained the water sufficiently in 2023. A good long finish, rather lovely and not far from old style Meursault. Barrel Sample: 90-92

The 2023 Vintage

The 2023 vintage produced generous, ripe fruit across the Côte de Beaune, but the finest sites maintained the acidity and mineral structure necessary for balance. At Les Vignes Blanches, the clay component retained valuable moisture during warm and dry periods, helping the old vines ripen steadily without losing freshness.

The result is a wine with generous fruit and textural richness, balanced by adequate acidity, limestone tension and a persistent mineral finish.

The Domaine

Domaine Clos de la Chapelle is a small, historic Burgundy estate based in Bligny-lès-Beaune and closely associated with Volnay. The domaine takes its name from the historic Volnay Premier Cru Clos de la Chapelle monopole, a walled vineyard situated opposite the Gothic chapel of Notre Dame de Pitié.

The property was acquired in 2011 by Mark O’Connell and his Burgundian partners and renamed Domaine Clos de la Chapelle in honor of its flagship vineyard. The estate now owns and farms approximately five hectares divided among 16 individual terroirs in Volnay, Pommard, Beaune, Pernand-Vergelesses, Meursault and Corton.

The vineyards are certified organic and farmed according to biodynamic principles. Grapes are harvested by hand, yields are deliberately restricted and intervention in the cellar is kept to a minimum. Total production across the entire domaine averages only approximately 1,800 cases annually.

Food Pairing

Meursault Les Vignes Blanches is an excellent accompaniment to lobster, scallops, crab, halibut, turbot, sea bass and sole meunière. Its combination of richness and acidity also pairs beautifully with roast chicken, pork tenderloin, veal in cream sauce and poultry with mushrooms.

Additional pairings include lobster ravioli, mushroom risotto, creamy pasta, roasted cauliflower and mature cheeses such as Comté, Gruyère or Délice de Bourgogne.

Serving and Cellaring

The domaine recommends serving the wine at approximately 16°C, or 61°F. It may initially be poured slightly cooler and allowed to warm gradually in the glass, revealing additional orchard fruit, hazelnut, brioche and mineral complexity.

When enjoyed young, opening the bottle approximately 30 minutes before serving will help the wine’s subtle reductive character dissipate. Its old-vine concentration, acidity and mineral structure should support graceful development through 2040.

Producer: Domaine Clos de la Chapelle
Country: France
Region: Burgundy
Subregion: Côte de Beaune
Village: Meursault
Appellation: Meursault AOC
Vineyard: Les Vignes Blanches
Classification: Village
Grape: 100% Chardonnay
Vineyard Holding: Approximately 0.41 hectare
Vine Age: Predominantly planted in 1948
Location: Below Santenots on the lower Meursault slope
Soil: Gravelly pale limestone with water-retentive clay
Farming: Certified organic; biodynamic principles
Harvest: Hand harvested
Pressing: Whole-cluster pressed
Aging: Approximately 14 months in French oak
Alcohol: 13.5%
Wine Type: Dry white wine
Bottle Size: 750ml

Domaine Clos de la Chapelle Meursault Les Vignes Blanches 2023

95 Points — Wine Spectator
94 Points — Jasper Morris, MW, Inside Burgundy

Domaine Clos de la Chapelle’s 2023 Corton-Charlemagne is a profound and exceptionally limited expression of one of Burgundy’s most celebrated white-wine vineyards. Produced entirely from Chardonnay, it combines the natural richness and power of the Corton hill with vibrant acidity, stony minerality and the remarkable precision for which the finest Corton-Charlemagne wines are known.

The Place

Corton-Charlemagne is a Grand Cru appellation situated at the northern end of Burgundy’s Côte de Beaune, where the rounded Hill of Corton rises above the villages of Aloxe-Corton, Pernand-Vergelesses and Ladoix-Serrigny. The appellation occupies the hill’s higher, cooler slopes at approximately 280 to 330 meters above sea level.

These elevated vineyards are planted on steep slopes composed of limestone, marl and thin, stony soils. The combination of altitude, exposure and mineral-rich geology gives Corton-Charlemagne its distinctive balance of concentration, freshness and long-lived structure. Although the appellation covers approximately 60 hectares currently under production, individual domaine holdings are often extremely small.

The Vineyard

Domaine Clos de la Chapelle farms just 0.30 hectare—less than one acre—of Corton-Charlemagne. Its parcel is located on the Pernand-Vergelesses side of the hill, facing west, and is planted with approximately 45-year-old Chardonnay vines. The soils contain a high proportion of limestone and marl, contributing to the wine’s firm mineral backbone, chalky texture and naturally persistent finish.

Production is correspondingly tiny, making this one of the domaine’s rarest and most sought-after bottlings.

The Grape

100% Chardonnay. Corton-Charlemagne is reserved exclusively for white Grand Cru Burgundy produced from Chardonnay. In this remarkable terroir, the grape develops considerable body and concentration while retaining the acidity, mineral tension and definition necessary for extended bottle aging.

Winemaking

Following harvest and sorting, the grapes are whole-cluster pressed. After a short settling of the juice, fermentation takes place in barrel with native yeasts. The wine is then matured in barrel for approximately 12 to 18 months, depending upon the character of the vintage, followed by a light fining before bottling.

Jasper Morris noted that the 2023 was produced from five barrels, with the fruit pressed without prior crushing and one barrel reserved for a longer period of élevage.

Tasting Notes

The 2023 opens with expansive aromas of lemon, ripe apple, fresh citrus, crushed stone and discreetly toasted oak. With air, additional notes of white flowers, orchard fruit and subtle spice begin to emerge.

The palate is broad and expressive yet beautifully controlled, supported by vibrant acidity and a firm, steely mineral backbone. Ripe citrus and apple flavors are layered with chalk, stone and finely integrated oak. There is impressive depth through the middle of the palate, followed by a long, focused and seemingly endless finish marked by freshness, chalky texture and mouthwatering mineral persistence.

This is a powerful yet precise Corton-Charlemagne: already expressive, but structured to reward patient cellaring.

Professional Ratings

95 Points Wine Spectator This white is expansive and expressive, with lemon, apple tart, citronella, stone and toasty oak aromas and flavors. Delineated by vibrant acidity, with well-integrated oak and a chalky feel on the seemingly endless finish.

94 Points — Jasper Morris, MW, Inside Burgundy 5 barrels, without crushing before pressing, one will be kept back for a longer elevage. Quite a deep yellow. The bouquet is very different to Pierre Meurgey’s Corton-Charlemagne (more or less the same fruit but some was crushed), the Clos de la Chapelle version offering more precision but less character. This version has a steely backbone, some ripe citrus, a little flesh, medium tension, apples at the back. Just needs a little more tension for the 4th star. Barrel Sample: 92-94

The Domaine

Domaine Clos de la Chapelle is based in Volnay and takes its name from the historic Volnay Premier Cru Clos de la Chapelle monopole, acquired by Victor Boillot in 1865. After remaining with the Boillot family for nearly 150 years, the estate was acquired in 2010 by Burgundy enthusiast Mark O’Connell and his Burgundian partners.

Today, the domaine cultivates approximately five hectares divided among 16 vineyards, including prized Premier Cru and Grand Cru parcels in Volnay, Pommard, Beaune, Meursault and Corton. Annual production is extremely limited, totaling approximately 2,000 cases across the entire estate.

Food Pairing and Service

Serve at approximately 54–57°F. This structured, mineral-driven white Burgundy is an exceptional partner for lobster, scallops, halibut, sea bass, crab, roast poultry, veal in cream sauce, escargots and richly textured cheeses such as Comté or Délice de Bourgogne.

While the wine may be enjoyed young with decanting, Corton-Charlemagne is renowned for its ability to develop for decades. Additional bottle age will allow its citrus, stone and oak elements to integrate while revealing more complex notes of honey, toasted nuts, truffle and spice.

Region: Burgundy, France
Subregion: Côte de Beaune
Appellation: Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru
Village Area: Pernand-Vergelesses side of the Hill of Corton
Grape: 100% Chardonnay
Vineyard Holding: 0.30 hectare
Vine Age: Approximately 45 years
Soil: Limestone and marl
Wine Type: Dry white wine
Bottle Size: 750ml

Domaine Clos de la Chapelle Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru 2023

94 Points — Vinous

The prestige bottling. The finest vintage. The most celebrated designation in grower Champagne. Henri Goutorbe's 2015 Cuvée Special Club is the house at its most refined and expressive — a Pinot Noir-driven vintage Champagne from Aÿ Grand Cru, produced under the Special Club designation reserved for top members of the Club Trésors de Champagne. Disgorged October 2024 after nearly a decade in the cellar, it captures both the personality of the generous 2015 vintage and the pedigree of one of Champagne's most celebrated villages.

The Special Club Designation

The Club Trésors de Champagne is an association of elite grower-producers committed to expressing individual terroir and village character. Members may only release a Special Club bottling in years they deem exceptional, and each wine must pass a blind tasting panel before it can carry the designation. The distinctive embossed bottle is a guarantee of quality, provenance and the producer's highest ambitions for that vintage.

The Place: Aÿ Grand Cru

Henri Goutorbe is based in Aÿ, one of Champagne's 17 Grand Cru villages and the historic heartland of Pinot Noir in the Vallée de la Marne. Aÿ's south-facing slopes, deep chalk soils and warm mesoclimate allow Pinot Noir to achieve exceptional ripeness and concentration, producing wines with body, ripe red and dark fruit, and a distinctly vinous character. The village's chalk-rich geology preserves freshness and mineral tension, preventing the wines from becoming heavy or overripe.

The Blend

The 2015 Special Club is composed of 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay, sourced from the estate's finest Grand Cru parcels in Aÿ. Pinot Noir provides the wine's structure, depth and ripe red-fruit character; Chardonnay contributes freshness, lift and the mineral precision that gives the wine its elegant, long-lived profile.

The 2015 Vintage

The warm, generous 2015 growing season produced concentrated, expressive fruit throughout Champagne. In Aÿ, Pinot Noir achieved excellent ripeness while retaining the acidity and structure necessary for extended aging. The vintage delivered the depth and personality required for a Special Club bottling — a wine designed to reward patience and develop complexity over many years in the cellar.

Winemaking and Aging

The grapes are harvested by hand and carefully sorted. Vinification follows traditional methods, with fermentation in temperature-controlled tanks and extended aging on the lees in bottle. The wine was disgorged in October 2024 — nearly a decade after the harvest — allowing it to develop the layered complexity, refined mousse and subtle oxidative depth that define a mature prestige Champagne.

Tasting Notes

The 2015 Special Club opens with layered aromas of kirsch, cinnamon, dried flowers, ginger, citrus confit and marzipan. With air, notes of ripe orchard fruit, baked apple, toasted brioche, roasted nuts and subtle pastry cream emerge, underscored by delicate mineral tension.

The palate is broad and vinous yet precise, with fine mousse, impressive concentration and a long, elegant finish marked by pear, lemon curd, spice and chalky tension. Vinous describes the finish as deceptively long and understated — a thing of beauty — and notes that the wine has been gently shaped by the passage of time in a way that reveals the essence of Aÿ in a ten-year-old Champagne.

Professional Ratings

94 Points — Vinous (December 2025): The 2015 Special Club is a very pretty, expressive wine that captures the essence of Aÿ in a ten-year-old Champagne. Kirsch, cinnamon, dried flowers, ginger, citrus confit and marzipan all caress the palate. Readers looking for a Champagne that has been gently shaped by the passage of time will find that here. The deceptively long, understated finish is a thing of beauty. This is one of the finest Champagnes I have tasted from Goutorbe in some time. Disgorged October 2024.

The Producer

Henri Goutorbe is a historic family grower-producer based in Aÿ Grand Cru. The estate has farmed its own vineyards for generations and produces a range of Champagnes that reflect the depth, richness and mineral character of Aÿ terroir. The Goutorbe style is built around ripe Pinot Noir, careful vineyard work and traditional winemaking — producing Champagnes that are expressive, structured and age-worthy.

Food Pairing

Rich enough to enjoy on its own, the Special Club pairs beautifully with lobster, scallops, roast chicken, truffle dishes, foie gras, creamy cheeses and elegant seafood preparations. Its depth and Pinot Noir structure also make it an excellent partner for duck, veal and mushroom-based dishes.

Serving and Cellaring

Serve at approximately 50–54°F in a generous tulip-shaped Champagne glass or white-wine glass. Already showing beautifully, the 2015 has the structure and concentration to develop additional complexity through the early 2030s.

Producer: Henri Goutorbe
Cuvée: Cuvée Special Club
Vintage: 2015
Country: France
Region: Champagne
Subregion: Vallée de la Marne
Village: Aÿ Grand Cru
Classification: Grand Cru
Style: Vintage Brut Champagne
Blend: 70% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay
Disgorgement: October 2024
Harvest: Hand harvested
Wine Type: Dry sparkling wine
Bottle Size: 750ml

One of the rarest and most sought-after wines produced by Egly-Ouriet, the Cuvée des Grands Côtes Vieilles Vignes is a still red Coteaux Champenois made entirely from Pinot Noir. The fruit comes from a single south-facing vineyard in the Grand Cru village of Ambonnay, situated directly below the domaine’s celebrated Les Crayères parcel.

The vineyard’s old vines, more than 60 years of age, are rooted in soils containing a higher proportion of clay than the neighboring chalk-dominant Les Crayères site. This warmer, clay-rich terroir is particularly well suited to producing deeply flavored, structured Pinot Noir. The vineyard is farmed according to practicing-organic principles, with meticulous attention to vine health, ripeness and naturally low yields.

The grapes are harvested by hand and fermented with indigenous yeasts in French oak barrels. The wine is then matured in barrel for approximately 22 months, with around 30% new oak. It is bottled individually by hand directly from barrel, without fining or filtration, preserving the wine’s natural concentration, texture and expression of its Ambonnay terroir.

The 2023 Cuvée des Grands Côtes is an intense yet beautifully refined expression of Pinot Noir. Aromas of ripe raspberry, red cherry and wild strawberry are joined by rose petals, savory spices, crushed stone and subtly toasted oak. The palate combines generous fruit with freshness and mineral precision, framed by finely textured tannins and a long, complex finish.

Although produced within Champagne, this is not a sparkling wine. Coteaux Champenois is the appellation reserved for the region’s rare still wines, and Egly-Ouriet’s Ambonnay Rouge is widely regarded as one of its most distinguished examples. Its depth, structure and ability to develop in the cellar frequently invite comparison with fine red Burgundy.

This exceptionally limited wine may be enjoyed after decanting or cellared for further development. Serve slightly cool with roast duck, game birds, veal, beef tenderloin, wild mushrooms, truffle dishes or aged cheeses.

Grape variety: 100% Pinot Noir
Appellation: Coteaux Champenois
Village: Ambonnay Grand Cru, Montagne de Reims
Vineyard: Single south-facing parcel below Les Crayères
Vine age: More than 60 years
Farming: Practicing organic
Fermentation: Indigenous yeasts in French oak barrels
Élevage: Approximately 22 months in barrel, including around 30% new oak
Bottling: Bottled by hand directly from barrel; unfined and unfiltered
Wine style: Still red wine
Alcohol: 13% ABV
Bottle size: 750ml

Pierre Paillard Champagne Extra-Brut Grand Cru Bouzy Les Terres Roses XIX | 750ml | Bouzy Grand Cru, Montagne de Reims, Champagne, France

Pierre Paillard's Les Terres Roses XIX is a refined and vinous rosé Champagne produced entirely from the Grand Cru vineyards of Bouzy, one of the Montagne de Reims' most celebrated villages. Bouzy is particularly renowned for its powerful, deeply flavored Pinot Noir, while its chalk-rich soils bring freshness, structure and mineral definition to the finished wine.

The XIX release is based primarily on the 2019 harvest and is composed of approximately 70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Noir. Five percent of the blend is Bouzy Rouge — a still red wine made from old-vine Pinot Noir — which contributes the cuvée's delicate color, red-fruit character and subtle tannic structure.

Fermentation takes place in oak, followed by approximately three years of aging on the lees before disgorgement. A low dosage of 2 grams per liter preserves the wine's dry, precise Extra-Brut character while allowing the richness of the Bouzy fruit to remain beautifully expressive.

Pale pink in color, Les Terres Roses XIX opens with pure aromas of raspberry, red currant, wild strawberry and cherry, joined by notes of grapefruit, mandarin, iris blossom and crushed chalk. The palate is generous yet finely structured, balancing ripe red fruit with vibrant citrus acidity, a creamy mousse and a subtle touch of toast from its oak fermentation and extended lees aging.

The finish is long, dry and mineral-driven, with lingering notes of red berries, citrus peel, almond and saline chalk. It is both elegant enough to serve as an aperitif and sufficiently structured for the table.

Food Pairing

An excellent pairing with smoked salmon, tuna tartare, lobster, grilled shrimp, roast poultry, duck, charcuterie, mushroom dishes and soft-ripened cheeses. Serve well chilled in a white-wine or tulip-shaped Champagne glass.

Wine Details

• Producer: Champagne Pierre Paillard
• Country: France
• Region: Champagne
• Appellation: Champagne Grand Cru
• Village: Bouzy
• Area: Montagne de Reims
• Cuvée: Les Terres Roses XIX
• Base Harvest: Primarily 2019
• Wine Type: Rosé Champagne, Extra Brut
• Blend: Approximately 70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Noir, including 5% Bouzy Rouge
• Farming: Certified organic
• Fermentation: Oak
• Lees Aging: Approximately 3 years
• Dosage: 2 grams per liter
• Classification: Grand Cru, Extra Brut
• Bottle Size: 750ml

Pierre Paillard Champagne Grand Cru Extra Brut Les Parcelles Bouzy XXII 2022 | 750ml | Bouzy Grand Cru, Montagne de Reims, Champagne, France

Les Parcelles Bouzy XXII is the signature expression of Pierre Paillard's historic estate in the Grand Cru village of Bouzy. Based primarily on the 2022 harvest, this Pinot Noir–dominant Extra Brut Champagne balances the generosity and power associated with Bouzy's sunny southern slopes with the precision, freshness and mineral structure provided by its chalk-rich soils.

The Paillard family has cultivated vines in Bouzy for more than two centuries. Today, eighth-generation brothers Antoine and Quentin Paillard oversee an estate of approximately 11 hectares, farmed organically and situated entirely within this celebrated Grand Cru village on the southern side of the Montagne de Reims.

Les Parcelles XXII is composed of 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay. The blend is based on 80% wine from the 2022 harvest, complemented by 20% reserve wine to add depth, harmony and continuity of style. The fruit comes from mature, south-facing vineyards in Bouzy, including Les Maillerettes, Les Mignottes and Les Mottelettes, planted over chalky soils containing a proportion of clay.

Fermentation takes place with indigenous yeasts in 350-liter oak barrels, followed by full malolactic fermentation. The wine remains in barrel during its initial élevage and then matures for 36 months on the lees after the secondary fermentation. It is disgorged with a very low dosage of 2 grams per liter and bottled without fining or filtration, preserving its vinous texture and distinctive Bouzy character.

Richly aromatic and expressive, the wine opens with roasted apricot, dried pear, ripe citrus and Seville orange, joined by notes of brown pastry, buttered toast and warm spice. The palate is broad, bright and detailed, combining generous, sun-ripened fruit with lively freshness and a fine chalky backbone.

Pinot Noir provides body, structure and depth, while Chardonnay contributes lift, citrus definition and elegance. Notes of bitter orange, white pepper and toasted pastry unfold across the palate, leading to a long, dry and pleasantly savory finish. Despite the natural richness of the warm 2022 growing season, the wine retains youthful energy, freshness and excellent balance.

Les Parcelles is an ideal introduction to the Pierre Paillard style: vinous and generous enough to accompany a meal, yet precise and energetic enough to enjoy as an aperitif. It may be enjoyed now for its expressive fruit and complexity or cellared for further development.

Critical Acclaim

93 Points — Decanter
An expressive and mature Champagne showing roasted apricot, dried pear, Seville orange, pastry and buttered-toast notes. Broad and detailed on the palate, with bitter citrus, white pepper and a long, pleasantly dry finish.

Food Pairing

A versatile gastronomic Champagne for roasted poultry, grilled salmon, seared scallops, lobster, mushroom dishes, aged Comté, creamy cheeses and savory pastries. Its bright citrus character and Extra Brut dryness also make it an excellent match for fried seafood, oysters and tempura.

Wine Details

• Producer: Champagne Pierre Paillard
• Country: France
• Region: Champagne
• Appellation: Champagne Grand Cru
• Village: Bouzy
• Area: Montagne de Reims
• Cuvée: Les Parcelles XXII
• Base Harvest: 2022
• Blend: 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay
• Reserve Wine: 20%
• Vineyard Sources: Les Maillerettes, Les Mignottes and Les Mottelettes
• Vine Age: More than 55 years
• Exposure: South-facing
• Soil: Chalk with some clay
• Farming: Certified organic
• Fermentation: Indigenous yeasts
• Vessel: 350-liter oak barrels
• Malolactic Fermentation: Completed
• Lees Aging: 36 months
• Dosage: 2 grams per liter
• Classification: Extra Brut
• Fining and Filtration: Unfined and unfiltered
• Bottle Size: 750ml

Pierre Paillard Champagne Taissy 1er Cru 2020 | 750ml | Taissy Premier Cru, Montagne de Reims, Champagne, France

A singular expression of old-vine Meunier from the northern Montagne de Reims, Pierre Paillard's Taissy 2020 is a vintage Blanc de Noirs Champagne produced from a single Premier Cru vineyard. Combining generous fruit with chalky precision, it reveals the depth, elegance and naturally saline character Meunier can achieve when grown in an exceptional terroir.

The wine comes from the lieu-dit Les Dessus de Monthouzons in the Premier Cru village of Taissy. The Meunier vines were planted in 1963 on the lower, north-facing slopes of the Montagne de Reims. Here, a thin layer of clay lies directly over Champagne's chalk bedrock, giving the wine both richness and a firm mineral structure.

Produced entirely from Meunier, Taissy 2020 was vinified and aged in oak barrels. It was bottled under natural cork for the second fermentation and matured for approximately four and a half years on the lees before disgorgement. A very low Extra Brut dosage preserves the wine's clarity, freshness and distinctively saline finish.

The bouquet is expressive and layered, opening with dried pear, peach, citrus peel and grapefruit oil. With air, notes of crushed flowers, chamomile, mint, wet stone, gentle caramel and delicate spice emerge.

Full-bodied and vinous on the palate, the wine combines ripe orchard fruit with red-fruit accents of strawberry and black cherry. Its generous texture is balanced by vibrant acidity, finely integrated bubbles and a compact, chalky mineral core. Salty earth, dried citrus and subtle barrel-derived spice carry through the long, focused finish.

Taissy is broader and more textural than Pierre Paillard's especially linear Ludes bottling, yet it retains impressive freshness and definition. It offers a compelling demonstration of Meunier's ability to produce serious, age-worthy Champagne when sourced from old vines and handled with precision.

Enjoy now with time in the glass, or cellar as its fruit, oak and lees-derived complexity become increasingly integrated.

Critical Acclaim

95+ Points — Jeb Dunnuck
Elegant and structured, with wet stone, dried peach, citrus oil, strawberry, black cherry and delicate spice. Full-bodied and concentrated, with refined bubbles, saline earth and a long, focused finish. Recommended drinking window: 2026–2040.

92 Points — Vinous
A lifted and attractive expression of pure Meunier, showing dried pear, crushed flowers, chamomile, mint and light caramel. The wine's generous fruit and oak become increasingly harmonious with air.

Food Pairing

A gastronomic Champagne that pairs beautifully with roast chicken, duck, grilled pork, smoked trout, salmon, mushroom dishes, creamy risotto and aged cheeses. Its saline minerality and Extra Brut dryness also complement oysters, shellfish and fried seafood.

Wine Details

• Producer: Champagne Pierre Paillard
• Country: France
• Region: Champagne
• Area: Montagne de Reims
• Village: Taissy
• Classification: Premier Cru
• Vintage: 2020
• Wine Type: Blanc de Noirs, Extra Brut
• Grape Variety: 100% Meunier
• Vineyard: Les Dessus de Monthouzons
• Vine Age: Planted in 1963
• Vineyard Position: Lower, north-facing slopes of the Montagne de Reims
• Soil: Thin clay layer directly over chalk
• Farming: Certified organic
• Vinification and Aging: Oak barrels
• Secondary Fermentation: In bottle under natural cork
• Lees Aging: Approximately 4.5 years
• Dosage: 2 grams per liter
• Bottle Size: 750ml

Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Pinot Noir — California 2024

Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi is California's most trusted everyday wine brand, and this Pinot Noir is a textbook expression of the approachable, fruit-forward style that has made it a household name. Sourced from vineyards across California and crafted to highlight the soft, silky character that defines the varietal, it delivers genuine Pinot Noir pleasure at under $8 — a benchmark for what everyday California red can be. Light-bodied, smooth, and endlessly versatile at the table, it is the kind of wine that earns a permanent spot in the rack.

The nose opens with inviting aromas of ripe strawberries, red cherries, and raspberries, with subtle notes of vanilla and light oak. On the palate, flavors of red berries, plum, and a hint of mocha unfold with soft, silky tannins and a smooth, clean finish. Fermented to preserve the delicate fruit character and fresh acidity that define this approachable California Pinot Noir style.

"Aromas of ripe strawberries, red cherries, and raspberries with subtle vanilla and oak. Soft, silky tannins with a smooth, fruit-forward finish." — Winemaker Notes 

• Producer: Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi, California
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: California
• Varietal: Pinot Noir
• Style: Light-bodied, soft, fruit-forward California Pinot Noir
• Vinification: Fermented to preserve delicate red fruit character and fresh acidity
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Strawberries, red cherries, raspberries, plum, vanilla, mocha, silky finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now
• Best Paired With: Grilled salmon, roast chicken, mushroom risotto, charcuterie, brie

An everyday California Pinot Noir that punches well above its price — Woodbridge is the reliable, crowd-pleasing red that belongs on every table.

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.

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

J. Vignier Silexus Sezannensis Brut — Côte de Sézanne 2016 Base

The name says it all: Silexus Sezannensis is a Champagne defined entirely by its soil. Drawn from the Chatet parcel near Saudoy in the Côte de Sézanne — where four of the Vignier family’s twelve hectares are planted — this 100% Chardonnay cuvée grows on a complex mixture of silex and sand over deep Cretaceous chalk, with marl, clay, and silica adding further texture and character. The dark flint stones absorb warmth during the day and release it slowly around the vines at night, encouraging even ripening and full Chardonnay maturity. The underlying chalk preserves freshness, acidity, and a pronounced mineral drive. Vinified in stainless steel with full malolactic fermentation and aged a minimum of 84 months en tirage, the 2016 base emerges with depth, integration, and a flinty character that is unmistakably its own. Certified sustainable by Socofret.

Expressive and mineral-driven on the nose: ripe citrus, yellow apple, white peach, and delicate flowers, with subtle brioche, almond, and crushed stone emerging with air. The palate is generous yet focused — fine bubbles, bright acidity, and a distinctive flinty, smoky character that carries through the long, dry finish. The Sézanne terroir gives the wine a broader, more expressive texture than the northern Côte des Blancs, while the silex soils keep it precise, taut, and deeply mineral.

“Silexus Sezannensis is a Champagne of place above all else — silex and chalk in Saudoy, rendered with 84 months of patience and a clarity of terroir that is rare at any price.”

• Producer: J. Vignier, Côte de Sézanne, Champagne, France
• Base Vintage: 2016
• Appellation: Champagne
• Village: Saudoy, Côte de Sézanne
• Vineyard: Chatet (south-facing)
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Style: Blanc de Blancs Brut
• Soil: Silex and sand over Cretaceous chalk, with marl, clay and silica
• Farming: Certified Sustainable by Socofret
• Vinification: Stainless steel; full malolactic fermentation
• Lees Aging: Minimum 84 months en tirage
• Residual Sugar: 5.3 g/L | Acidity: 4.6 g/L | pH: 3.07 | Alcohol: 12.5%
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Citrus, yellow apple, white peach, white flowers, brioche, almond, crushed stone, flinty smokiness, long dry finish
• Best Paired With: Oysters, caviar, scallops, lobster, sushi, roasted white fish, poultry, mushroom dishes, aged cheeses

2016 base. 84 months en tirage. Single parcel in Saudoy. J. Vignier’s Silexus Sezannensis is Côte de Sézanne Blanc de Blancs at its most terroir-driven and compelling.

J. Vignier Les Abbesses Blanc de Blancs Brut — Côte de Sézanne 2015

Les Abbesses is J. Vignier’s single-vineyard expression of the Côte de Sézanne — a 100% Chardonnay Blanc de Blancs from one exceptional parcel in Vindey, a village whose name is believed to derive from the Latin vinum dei: “wine of God.” The vineyard is planted on a rare combination of silex and alluvial soils over deep Cretaceous chalk — the flint-rich surface absorbs warmth during the day, driving full Chardonnay maturity, while the underlying chalk preserves freshness, tension, and mineral precision. 2015 was the inaugural vintage of this cuvée. Vinified in stainless steel with full malolactic fermentation and aged 60 months in bottle, it emerges with the depth and integration of a wine that has found its voice. Certified sustainable by Socofret.

Deep and self-possessed on the nose: white flowers, ripe orchard fruit, and fresh citrus, with subtle brioche and a focused mineral core emerging with air. The palate is elegant yet generous — fine bubbles, creamy texture, and a chalky freshness that carries through a long, dry, and graceful finish. The Sézanne terroir gives the wine a rounder, more expressive character than the northern Côte des Blancs, while the silex soils add a distinctive smoky, flinty edge that sets Les Abbesses apart.

“Les Abbesses is the inaugural expression of a remarkable terroir — silex and chalk in Vindey, the village of the ‘wine of God,’ rendered with precision and generosity in equal measure.”

• Producer: J. Vignier, Côte de Sézanne, Champagne, France
• Vintage: 2015 (inaugural release)
• Appellation: Champagne
• Village: Vindey, Côte de Sézanne
• Vineyard: Les Abbesses (single-vineyard)
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Style: Blanc de Blancs Brut
• Soil: Silex and alluvium over deep Cretaceous chalk
• Farming: Certified Sustainable by Socofret
• Vinification: Stainless steel; full malolactic fermentation
• Bottle Aging: 60 months
• Residual Sugar: 4.5 g/L | Acidity: 4.4 g/L | pH: 3.08 | Alcohol: 12.3%
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: White flowers, orchard fruit, citrus, brioche, silex smokiness, chalky minerality, long dry finish
• Best Paired With: Oysters, caviar, scallops, lobster, roasted white fish, creamy poultry, mushroom risotto, soft-ripened cheeses

2015 vintage. 60 months in bottle. A single parcel in Vindey — silex over chalk. J. Vignier’s Les Abbesses is Côte de Sézanne Blanc de Blancs at its most distinctive and compelling.

J. Vignier Deux Terres Blanc de Blancs Brut — Cramant & Côte de Sézanne 2010

Deux Terres — “Two Lands” — is J. Vignier’s most geographically ambitious cuvée, drawing 100% Chardonnay from two distinct and contrasting terroirs: Le Bateau in the Grand Cru village of Cramant on the Côte des Blancs, and Les Bercottes in Barbonne-Fayel on the Côte de Sézanne. The connection between the two sites runs deeper than geography — the Sézanne vines were planted by massal selection using cuttings from the family’s oldest Cramant vineyards, creating a living lineage between the two parcels. The vines are 50 to 60 years old, rooted in Cretaceous chalk, marl, and clay. Vinified in stainless steel with full malolactic fermentation and aged a minimum of eight years en tirage, the 2010 vintage — one of Champagne’s finest of the decade — emerges with extraordinary depth, integration, and a long, dry finish. Certified sustainable by Socofret.

Elegant and finely structured: citrus, orchard fruit, toasted brioche, almond, and subtle pastry notes on the nose, deepening with air into mature Champagne complexity. The palate is rich yet focused — Cramant’s chalky precision and Sézanne’s generous, expressive fruit resolved into a wine of remarkable harmony. Eight-plus years on the lees have built a creamy mousse and seamless texture, while the naturally bright acidity keeps everything energetic and long on the finish.

“Deux Terres is a study in complementary opposites — Cramant’s mineral precision and Sézanne’s generous fruit, united by 50-year-old vines and eight years of patience.”

• Producer: J. Vignier, Champagne, France
• Vintage: 2010
• Appellation: Champagne
• Vineyards: Le Bateau, Cramant (Grand Cru) & Les Bercottes, Barbonne-Fayel (Côte de Sézanne)
• Vine Age: 50–60 years
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Style: Blanc de Blancs Brut
• Soil: Cretaceous chalk, marl and clay
• Farming: Certified Sustainable by Socofret
• Vinification: Stainless steel; full malolactic fermentation
• Lees Aging: Minimum 8 years en tirage
• Residual Sugar: 2.8 g/L | Acidity: 4.8 g/L | Alcohol: 11.8%
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Citrus, orchard fruit, brioche, almond, pastry, creamy mousse, chalky minerality, long dry finish
• Best Paired With: Oysters, caviar, lobster, scallops, roasted fish, creamy poultry, mushroom risotto, aged cheeses

2010 vintage. 8+ years on the lees. Two terroirs, one lineage. J. Vignier’s Deux Terres is among the most compelling aged Blanc de Blancs Champagnes available today.

J. Vignier Les Longues Verges Grand Cru Brut — Cramant & Chouilly 2013

Les Longues Verges is J. Vignier’s most distinctive single-vineyard cuvée — a Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs from a unique parcel that straddles the boundary between two of the Côte des Blancs’ most celebrated villages: Cramant and Chouilly. The name itself is a piece of history: “verges” was an old French unit of measurement, roughly 50 meters, used before the metric system. The vineyard’s northeast-facing exposure on Cretaceous chalk, marl, and clay preserves freshness and acidity while encouraging the Chardonnay to develop exceptional purity and concentration. Vinified in stainless steel with full malolactic fermentation, bottled in May 2014, and aged 84 months in bottle before release — the 2013 vintage emerges with the depth and integration of a wine that has been given all the time it needs. Certified sustainable by Socofret.

Elegant and focused on the nose: bright citrus, white peach, and orchard fruit joined by jasmine, fennel, ginger, and toasted brioche. The palate is long, juicy, and finely structured — creamy texture balanced by vivid acidity and the steely, chalk-driven minerality that defines Grand Cru Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs. Cramant’s refined structure and Chouilly’s generous fruit meet in a wine of compelling harmony and a finish that lingers with precision and grace.

“Les Longues Verges sits at the boundary of two Grand Cru villages — and the wine itself is a study in contrasts beautifully resolved: structure and generosity, freshness and depth, history and precision.”

• Producer: J. Vignier, Côte des Blancs, Champagne, France
• Vintage: 2013
• Appellation: Champagne Grand Cru
• Villages: Cramant & Chouilly
• Vineyard: Les Longues Verges (northeast exposure)
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Style: Blanc de Blancs Brut
• Soil: Cretaceous chalk, marl and clay
• Farming: Certified Sustainable by Socofret
• Vinification: Stainless steel; full malolactic fermentation
• Bottle Aging: 84 months
• Residual Sugar: 4.4 g/L | Acidity: 4.2 g/L | pH: 3.07 | Alcohol: 12.5%
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Citrus, white peach, orchard fruit, jasmine, fennel, ginger, brioche, creamy texture, steely chalky minerality
• Best Paired With: Oysters, caviar, lobster, scallops, sushi, roasted white fish, creamy poultry, mushroom risotto, aged cheeses

2013 vintage. 84 months in bottle. A single parcel spanning two Grand Cru villages. J. Vignier’s Les Longues Verges is Côte des Blancs Blanc de Blancs at its most singular and precise.

Pascal Doquet Champs Libres Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut — Côte des Blancs 2018 Base

Pascal Doquet is one of the leading certified organic growers of the Côte des Blancs, and Champs Libres — "Free Fields" — is his most wide-ranging Blanc de Blancs, drawing 100% Chardonnay from six distinct vineyard sources: Vertus, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Villeneuve, Mont Aimé, Bassuet, and Bassu. Where his Arpège focuses on Premier Cru terroir, Champs Libres casts a broader net, assembling a cuvée of genuine complexity and breadth. The 2018 base was fermented in tank with full malolactic fermentation to soften the vintage's naturally high acidity while preserving freshness and mineral definition. Finished at approximately 2–3 g/L dosage, the Extra Brut style keeps the wine focused, dry, and expressive. Rated 92 points by James Suckling and 90 by The Wine Advocate.

The nose is vivid and refined: warm apple, baked pear, and citrus open to white flowers, orange peel, pastry spice, and a subtle touch of nougat. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied and finely textured — delicate bubbles, lively acidity, and a distinctly chalky, saline mineral character. Fresh green apple, citrus, and lightly savory pastry lead into a clean, energetic, and persistent finish. James Suckling calls it "laser-focused… with lively energy and a delicious finish."

James Suckling 92 • Wine Advocate 90 — "A vivid, crisp and laser-focused Blanc de Blancs with aromas of warm apples, baked pears and pastry spices… lively energy and a delicious finish." — James Suckling

• Producer: Pascal Doquet, Côte des Blancs, Champagne, France
• Base Vintage: 2018
• Appellation: Champagne
• Vineyard Sources: Vertus, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Villeneuve, Mont Aimé, Bassuet & Bassu
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Style: Blanc de Blancs, Extra Brut
• Dosage: ~2–3 g/L
• Fermentation: Tank; full malolactic fermentation
• Farming: Certified Organic
• Alcohol: 12.5%
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Warm apple, baked pear, citrus, white flowers, orange peel, pastry spice, nougat, chalky minerality, saline finish
• Best Paired With: Oysters, shellfish, sushi, grilled fish, roast chicken, soft-ripened cheeses, aged goat cheese

92 points from James Suckling. Six vineyard sources. Certified organic. Pascal Doquet's Champs Libres is Côte des Blancs Blanc de Blancs at its most expressive and accessible.

Yann Alexandre Grande Réserve 1er Cru Brut — Champagne 2015 Base

Yann Alexandre's Grande Réserve is a benchmark Premier Cru grower Champagne assembled from four carefully selected vineyard parcels in the villages of Coulommes-la-Montagne, Villedommange, and Vrigny. Compared with his Brut Noir, the vineyard imprint here is more distinctly calcareous — giving the wine pronounced chalky minerality, structure, and freshness. The blend of 45% Pinot Noir, 45% Chardonnay, and 10% Pinot Meunier is fermented 80% in stainless steel and 20% in neutral oak, then aged seven years en tirage in the Alexandre family's cool cellar. The result is a deeply gastronomic Champagne of rare precision and sense of place.

Wet clay and stone on the nose combine with buttery shortcrust pastry and a delicate edge of honey. The concentrated palate shows beautiful evolution — honeycomb, chewy beeswax, and a rich, structured body lifted by brisk, fine bubbles. The finish is long and saline, emphasizing the wine's chalky mineral drive and impeccable balance between maturity and freshness.

"Deeply gastronomic and impressively sustained — a Premier Cru Champagne of rare precision and sense of place."

• Producer: Yann & Séverine Alexandre, Montagne de Reims, Champagne, France
• Base Vintage: 2015
• Appellation: Champagne Premier Cru
• Vineyard Sources: Four parcels in Coulommes-la-Montagne, Villedommange & Vrigny
• Blend: 45% Pinot Noir, 45% Chardonnay, 10% Pinot Meunier
• Reserve Wine: 40%
• Vinification: 80% stainless steel, 20% neutral oak; malolactic fermentation
• Lees Aging: Seven years en tirage
• Acidity: 4.67 g/L | pH: 3.02 | Alcohol: 12%
• Farming: Certified Sustainable by OCACIA
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Wet clay, stone, shortcrust pastry, honey, honeycomb, beeswax, chalky minerality, saline finish
• Best Paired With: Roast chicken, turkey, veal, lobster, scallops, grilled fish, creamy mushroom dishes, aged cheeses

Seven years on the lees, four Premier Cru parcels, and a 2015 base of exceptional depth — Yann Alexandre's Grande Réserve is grower Champagne at its most compelling.

J. Vignier Aux Origines Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne (2017 Base)

“Aux Origines” — where it all began — is a deeply personal Champagne that honors the roots of the Vignier family’s winemaking history. Produced entirely from Chardonnay grown in Les Simarts, the first vineyards planted by Nathalie Vignier’s grandparents, Marie-Louise and Paul, in the village of Barbonne-Fayel during the 1960s, this is a wine of place, memory, and exceptional craft. The Côte de Sézanne’s clay and sandy soils over chalk yield generous, expressive Chardonnay with both ripe fruit character and the chalky minerality that defines great Champagne. Fermented in stainless steel with full malolactic fermentation, rested seven months on fine lees, then aged a minimum of 36 months in bottle before disgorgement — the result is a Blanc de Blancs of remarkable depth, texture, and elegance.

• Producer: J. Vignier
• Cuvée: Aux Origines
• Grape: 100% Chardonnay
• Region: Côte de Sézanne, Champagne, France
• Vineyard: Les Simarts, Barbonne-Fayel
• Base Vintage: 2017
• Size: 750ml
• Farming: Certified Sustainable (Socofret)
• Vinification: Stainless steel; full malolactic fermentation; 7 months on fine lees; 36+ months bottle aging
• Alcohol: 12.5%

Pairs beautifully with oysters, caviar, shellfish, sushi, delicate white fish, soft cheeses, or light poultry. Serve well chilled.

G.D. Vajra Barolo Coste di Rose — Piedmont 2022

G.D. Vajra is one of Barolo’s most beloved family estates — a domaine defined by roots, continuity, and an almost philosophical commitment to the land. Founded by Aldo Vajra in Vergne, on the western slopes of the Barolo DOCG, the estate is today run by his children Giuseppe, Francesca, and Isidoro, who share a single conviction: that great wine is an act of identification with place and people. Coste di Rose is the estate’s single-vineyard Barolo from the Coste di Rose MGA in Vergne — a site known for its floral, elegant expression of Nebbiolo, with chalky soils that produce silky tannins and remarkable finesse. The 2022 vintage earned 96 points from James Suckling and 94 from Jeb Dunnuck.

The nose is quintessentially Vajra: floral and lifted, with rose petals, crunchy red fruit, fresh raspberries, and a minty, bright energy. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied with a blanket of delicate, tender fruit, chalky and precise yet silky tannins, and refreshing acidity that gives the wine wonderful clarity and immediacy. Dark blue fruits, spice, leather, and incense add depth through the finish. Drinkable now with proper aeration, but will reward patience.

James Suckling 96 — "Floral, as is typical of this estate, with crunchy red fruit and rose petals. Medium-bodied, with a blanket of delicate, tender fruit defined by chalky, precise yet silky tannins. Drinkable now with proper aeration, but will improve with some bottle age." (Vintage 2022). 

Jeb Dunnuck 94 — "Fresh and minty with aromas of ripe raspberries and pressed roses. Well-defined ripe tannins, refreshing acidity, and an immediacy that retains great clarity." (Vintage 2022).

• Producer: G.D. Vajra, Vergne, Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
• Vintage: 2022
• Appellation: Barolo DOCG
• MGA (Single Vineyard): Coste di Rose, Vergne
• Varietal: 100% Nebbiolo
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Rose petal, raspberry, red fruit, mint, dark blue fruit, spice, leather, silky tannins
• Cellar Potential: Drink now (with aeration) or cellar 10–15+ years
• Best Paired With: Roast lamb, braised short ribs, truffle risotto, aged Parmigiano, wild mushroom pasta

A 96-point single-vineyard Barolo from one of Piedmont’s most soulful family estates — floral, precise, and built to age.

CHÂTEAU LA GARDE PESSAC-LÉOGNAN 2015 | 750ML

🇫🇷 France — Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot | Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux

With more than a decade of bottle age, Château La Garde 2015 is entering a beautiful window of maturity. The bouquet opens with violet, blackberry, black currant, and dark cherry, accompanied by crushed stone, cedar, tobacco, graphite, and subtle spice — the classic mineral signature of Pessac-Léognan. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, linear, and precise, with concentrated dark fruit, fresh acidity, and finely integrated tannins. Secondary notes of tobacco, earth, and cedar are becoming increasingly expressive. Decant for 45–90 minutes and serve at 60–65°F.

The estate occupies one of the finest gravel outcrops in the Pessac-Léognan appellation. Dourthe acquired Château La Garde in 1990, recognizing the exceptional potential of its terroir, and has invested significantly in both vineyard and cellar to produce wines of precision, balance, and refined structure. The 2015 blend is 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, and 3% Petit Verdot.

93 Points — James Suckling
“Violet, dark-berry and stone aromas follow through to a medium to full body. Linear and very fine. Tight and fresh. Precise and beautiful. A serious young red.” (Vintage 2015). 

91 Points — Wine Enthusiast
Firm tannins, fresh acidity, and layered blackberry and black-currant fruit. (Vintage 2015). 

Pairs well with: Grilled or roasted beef, rack of lamb, duck breast, braised short ribs, wild mushrooms, aged cheeses.

Grapes: 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot
Region: Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux, France
Vintage: 2015
Format: 750ml
Scores: 93 pts James Suckling | 91 pts Wine Enthusiast

Château Fontenil, established in 1986, is the home estate of celebrated Bordeaux oenologists Dany and Michel Rolland. Before purchasing this Right Bank property, the Rollands worked as consultants to numerous producers throughout the region.

Their 11 hectares in Fronsac are planted predominantly to Merlot on a south-facing slope of clay and limestone overlooking the Isle River and the town of Libourne.

The vineyards are sustainably farmed and manually harvested. The average vine age is more than 45 years, and yields are carefully limited.

“Comes on with aromas of warm, ripe plum fruit beginning to show some stewed character, followed by a hint of tobacco. The palate is juicy, with some wood and spice on the finish.”

—Rand Sieger, 67 Wine Buyer

----------

Château Fontenil 2016 is a polished, expressive Right Bank Bordeaux from the Fronsac appellation, produced at the home estate of renowned Bordeaux oenologists Dany and Michel Rolland. The couple acquired the property in 1986 after years of consulting for estates throughout the region, naming it Fontenil after one of the vineyard’s original parcels.

The estate occupies approximately nine hectares in the commune of Saillans, on a south-facing hillside overlooking the Isle River and the town of Libourne. The vineyards are rooted in Fronsac’s distinctive clay-and-limestone soils, which are particularly well suited to Merlot and help produce wines with generous fruit, mineral freshness, and naturally structured tannins. The vines used for the 2016 vintage averaged more than 45 years of age.

Produced from 100% Merlot, Château Fontenil represents the rich yet refined character for which Fronsac is increasingly admired. The grapes were harvested by hand and subjected to double sorting to ensure that only healthy, fully ripe fruit entered the winery. Vinification took place in small temperature-controlled wooden and stainless-steel vats, as well as in new French oak barrels. Malolactic fermentation was also carried out in new oak, followed by 15 to 18 months of maturation in French barrels, approximately 40% of which were new.

The 2016 vintage displays a deep ruby-purple color and an expressive bouquet of black cherry, raspberry, plum, currant, and wild blueberry. With air, the wine reveals additional layers of violet, dried flowers, cinnamon, licorice, fine chocolate, tobacco leaf, cedar, subtle toast, and forest floor.

On the palate, it is medium to full-bodied, round, and supple, combining ripe dark fruit with bright red-fruit freshness. The tannins are silky and beautifully integrated, providing structure without heaviness. Notes of raspberry, black cherry, pepper, spice, and gently toasted oak carry into a long, harmonious, and savory finish.

The strength of the 2016 vintage lies in its balance. It offers the ripe fruit and velvety texture associated with Michel Rolland’s approach, while retaining the freshness, elegance, and mineral definition of its Fronsac terroir. Published reviews praised the wine for its perfume, vibrancy, purity, and polished tannins. Falstaff awarded the vintage 93 points, describing a fresh, balanced wine with dark berries, cherry, licorice, chocolate, and well-integrated oak.

The Guide Hachette des Vins also highlighted its combination of black fruit, raspberry, pepper, and integrated toasted notes, along with a rounded palate, silky tannins, and a long, flavorful finish.

Now entering a very attractive stage of maturity, Château Fontenil 2016 can be enjoyed today after a brief decant, while still possessing enough fruit and structure for additional cellar development. It is an excellent value for drinkers seeking the plushness and depth of Merlot-based Right Bank Bordeaux without the pricing of neighboring Pomerol or Saint-Émilion.

Appellation: Fronsac
Region: Bordeaux, France
Vintage: 2016
Grape Variety: Predominantly Merlot
Vineyard Size: Approximately 9 hectares
Soils: Clay and limestone over Fronsac molasse
Average Vine Age: More than 45 years
Harvest: Hand harvested with double sorting
Vinification: Small temperature-controlled wooden and stainless-steel vats; partial vinification in new French oak
Malolactic Fermentation: In new French oak barrels
Aging: 15–18 months in French oak, approximately 40% new
Alcohol: 13%
Critical Acclaim: 93 Points, Falstaff
Bottle Size: 750ml

Food Pairings: Roast lamb, grilled steak, duck breast, braised beef, short ribs, pork tenderloin, mushroom dishes, lentils, and firm aged cheeses.

Serving Recommendation: Serve at approximately 60–65°F. Decant for 30 to 60 minutes to allow the fruit, spice, and mature savory notes to fully open.

A classic, mineral-driven Chablis that beautifully reflects the lesser-known Cote de Brechain. A pale, shimmering gold in the glass, the wine opens with aromas of tart green apple, lemon zest, and soft, white flower hints. These notes of apple and citrus carry over to the palate, where they are met by a prominent, yet balanced acidity and the characteristic, oh-so-slightly chalky Chablis minerality that provides for a satisfying, lengthy finish.

Pride Mountain Vineyards sits at 2,100 feet elevation on the Napa-Sonoma border, straddling the county line in a way that is as unique as the wines it produces. Above the fog layer, bathed in sunshine from morning to evening, with warm mornings and cool afternoons, the vineyard's growing conditions are unlike anywhere else in California — producing wines of extraordinary intensity, varietal character, and natural acidity that age gracefully for decades.

The Pride Mountain Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 750ml is a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, and 4% Cabernet Franc, sourced 64% from the Sonoma side of the property and 36% from Napa. Aged 18 months in 50% new and 50% neutral French oak, it opens with aromas of blackberry, crème de cassis, sage, tobacco leaf, and cedar, with delicate hints of violet emerging as it opens. The palate is full-bodied yet nuanced, with fine tannins, integrated acidity, and a beautiful tension between fruit, floral, and savory herbal notes. Built to age gracefully over the next 20 years.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

• James Suckling — 95 Points: "Classic aromas of blackcurrants, dark cherries, cedar and graphite. Full-bodied with fine tannins and integrated acidity. Well balanced and refined, with a drying finish."
• Wine Advocate — 92 Points: "Plush and velvety with scents of dried herbs, black olives and black cherries. Mountain tannins nicely managed — present but ripe and soft, lingering pleasantly on the finish."
• Vinous — 91 Points: "Aromatic, savory and light on its feet. Crushed rose petal, sage, mint and blood orange lend notable lift and brightness. A distinctly red-fruited Cabernet."
• Jeb Dunnuck — 90 Points: "Darker currants, leafy herbs, underbrush, and a kiss of menthol. Medium-bodied with a nicely balanced, charming mouthfeel."

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Blackberry, crème de cassis, sage, tobacco leaf, cedar, and violet
• Palate: Full-bodied with Damson plum, licorice, boysenberry, and fine tannins
• Finish: Long, refined, and drying with excellent structure

Wine Details

• 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, 4% Cabernet Franc
• Napa-Sonoma border — 2,100ft elevation
• Aged 18 months in 50% new French oak
• Vintage: 2022 | Age 20+ years | 750ml

Tenuta di Biserno Insoglio del Cinghiale — Maremma Toscana IGT 2024

Insoglio del Cinghiale is the founding wine of Tenuta di Biserno — the Upper Maremma estate created and nurtured by the Antinori family, one of Italy’s most celebrated winemaking dynasties. The name tells the story: “Insoglio” is the place in the Maremma scrubland where the wild boar (cinghiale) goes to root and roll — and the cinghiale is an expression of the soul and culture of this wild, beautiful coastal territory. The wine is a richly fruity, exquisitely structured blend of Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc, hand-harvested, carefully sorted, destemmed, and soft-crushed, then aged 7 months partly in steel and partly in wood to preserve freshness and build complexity. The 2024 vintage was a discovery-filled year: a wet spring built water reserves, a cooler harvest preserved freshness, and slow ripening of later varieties added remarkable complexity. Decanter awarded it 94 points.

Intense and lively purple-red with violet reflections. The nose is expressive: violet, berries, and light peppery spice. On the palate, it is enveloping, fresh, and medium-bodied, with well-smoothed tannins, ripe concentrated fruit, and a long, precise finish of real charm and vibrancy.

Decanter 94 (Georgina Hindle) — “Ripe and concentrated but this also has a touch of charm and vibrancy about it… a purity and precision to the fruit and a long length.” (Vintage 2024). 

• Producer: Tenuta di Biserno (Antinori family), Upper Maremma, Tuscany, Italy
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Toscana IGT
• Blend: Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc
• Aging: 7 months, partly steel, partly wood
• ABV: 14%
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Violet, berries, peppery spice, ripe concentrated fruit, smooth tannins, long precise finish
• Best Paired With: Braised or roasted meats, wild boar ragù, hard cheeses, grilled lamb

A 94-point Antinori Maremma blend at an honest price — Insoglio del Cinghiale is the benchmark for what Upper Maremma Toscana IGT can be.

Michele Chiarlo Tortoniano Barolo DOCG — Piedmont, Italy 2022

Michele Chiarlo has been vinifying the essence of Piedmont since 1956 — one of the region’s most visionary and historically significant producers. Founder Michele Chiarlo was among the first in Italy to introduce malolactic fermentation, and long before DOC laws were adopted, he was already aging his wines in oak and bottle for extended periods. Today the estate farms the finest crus of Barolo, Barbaresco, Nizza, and Gavi, using indigenous grapes — Nebbiolo, Barbera, Cortese, Moscato — to express the full depth of Piedmontese terroir. Tortoniano takes its name from the Tortonian-era soils in which the vines are planted — ancient marine sediments laid down 9 million years ago, rich in magnesium and manganese, that give the wine its distinctive mineral character and longevity. Grape clusters are thinned and harvested up to 15 days later than usual for maximum concentration, then aged two years in large oak casks and one year in bottle before release. 

Garnet with brilliant luminous hues. The nose is inviting and complex: rose petals, juniper berries, and fine spices — the unmistakable signature of great Nebbiolo. On the palate, it is elegant with ample structure and silky tannins, and a long, refined finish that speaks clearly of its ancient soils. A Barolo of real depth and class.

• Producer: Michele Chiarlo, Calamandrana, Piedmont, Italy (est. 1956)
• Vintage: 2022
• Appellation: Barolo DOCG
• Varietal: 100% Nebbiolo — Tortonian-era soils (9 million years old), rich in magnesium & manganese
• Aging: 2 years in large oak casks + 1 year in bottle before release
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Rose petals, juniper berries, fine spices, elegant structure, silky tannins, long refined finish
• Best Paired With: Mushroom pasta, roasted fowl, braised beef, matured cheeses, truffle dishes

A 9-million-year-old terroir in a glass — Michele Chiarlo Tortoniano is the benchmark for what classic Barolo can be.

Tenuta San Guido Le Difese — Toscana IGT 2024

Le Difese is the second wine of Sassicaia — and that pedigree means everything. Tenuta San Guido is the legendary Bolgheri estate that created the Super Tuscan category, producing one of Italy’s most celebrated wines in Sassicaia. Le Difese is crafted from the estate’s younger vines using the same philosophy and the same winemaking team: fermentation on the skins in temperature-controlled stainless steel, followed by 8 months of maturation in French and American oak barrels. The 2024 vintage was exceptional — early, uniform budbreak, ideal flowering and fruit set, warm July with early veraison, and cool nights through August ensuring perfect phenolic and technical ripeness. James Suckling awarded it 92 points. At under $57, it is one of the most compelling values in all of Tuscan wine.

Intense black fruit aromas and flavors, with vanilla and spice from oak, plums, cherries, light chocolate, and cinnamon. Full-bodied with supple tannins, a tangy touch of orange peel, and a crisp, satisfying finish. A delicious and complete glass of Tuscany.

James Suckling 92 — “A fresh and crunchy red with aromas of plums, cherries, light chocolate and cinnamon… fine tannins and a crisp finish. Tangy, with a touch of orange peel. A delicious and satisfying glass of Tuscany red. The second wine of Sassicaia.” (Vintage 2024). 

• Producer: Tenuta San Guido, Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Toscana IGT
• Blend: 70% Sangiovese, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon
• Aging: 8 months in French and American oak barrels
• ABV: 13.5%
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Black fruit, plum, cherry, chocolate, cinnamon, vanilla, orange peel, supple tannins
• Best Paired With: Grilled steak, steak salad, burgers, Bolognese, marinara, casual beef dishes

The second wine of one of Italy’s greatest estates at an honest price — Le Difese is the benchmark for what a Super Tuscan second label can be.

Michele Chiarlo Reyna Barbaresco DOCG — Piedmont, Italy 2023

Barbaresco is known as the queen of Italian wine — and Reyna (“queen” in Piedmontese dialect) is Michele Chiarlo’s tribute to that regal character. Sourced from steep hillside vineyards in Barbaresco and Neive, facing southeast and southwest, the vines are planted in bluish-grey calcareous clay marl rich in microelements — the same ancient soils that define the finest expressions of Nebbiolo in the Langhe. Grapes are hand-harvested 10–15 days later than normal for maximum ripeness and concentration, then fermented at controlled temperatures, put through malolactic fermentation, and aged 18 months in large casks of French Allier and Slavonian oak before bottle aging. James Suckling awarded it 92 points. 

Garnet red with brilliant hues. The nose is fine and expressive: small red fruits, rose petals, tea leaves, prunes, black cherries, licorice, and smashed flowers with a deep rhubarb undertone. On the palate, it is medium-bodied with firm, dusty yet polished tannins, brilliant acidity, and a long, tight, aristocratic finish full of flavor. Drink now or hold.

James Suckling 92 (Aldo Fiordelli) — “A ripe, fruity style, showing prunes, black cherries, licorice and bark, plus vibrant smashed flowers and a deep rhubarb undertone. Medium-bodied, offering firm, dusty yet polished tannins, with brilliant acidity and a tight, tense finish.” (Vintage 2023). 

• Producer: Michele Chiarlo, Calamandrana, Piedmont, Italy (est. 1956)
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Barbaresco DOCG
• Varietal: 100% Nebbiolo — Barbaresco & Neive, bluish-grey calcareous clay marl
• Aging: 18 months in large French Allier & Slavonian oak casks + bottle aging
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Red fruits, rose petals, tea leaves, prunes, black cherry, licorice, smashed flowers, polished tannins
• Best Paired With: Risotto, braised veal shank, lamb with herbs, truffle dishes, aged Parmigiano

The queen of Italian wine from one of Piedmont’s founding estates — Michele Chiarlo Reyna is the benchmark for what classic Barbaresco can be.

CHÂTEAU FAGE GRAVES DE VAYRES RED 2022 | 750ML

🇫🇷 France — Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Petit Verdot | Graves de Vayres, Bordeaux

A juicy, vibrant Bordeaux red from the ultra-confidential Graves de Vayres appellation. Deep dark cherries, blackberries, toasted spices, and walnuts on the nose, with a lifted character and nicely integrated oak. The palate is medium-bodied and fresh, with pliant tannins, well-judged acidity, and a smooth, chocolaty finish with gentle grip. A well-crafted wine that drinks beautifully now or rewards short-term cellaring.

Château Fage is an authentic family vineyard estate nestled in the heart of Graves de Vayres — a property where terroir and tradition are taken seriously, and where every vintage reflects the character of this quietly exceptional corner of Bordeaux.

90 Points — James Suckling
“A juicy and vibrant red that goes deep on dark cherries, blackberries, toasted spices and walnuts. Medium-bodied with polished tannins and vivid acidity. The finish is smooth, with a chocolaty character. Drink or hold.” (Vintage 2022). 

90 Points — Vinous Media
“Lifted nose with nicely integrated oak and redcurrant, boysenberry and light violet scents. The palate is medium-bodied and quite fresh, with pliant tannins, well-judged acidity and gentle grip on the finish. A well-crafted Graves de Vayres that comes recommended.” (Vintage 2022). 

Grapes: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Petit Verdot
Region: Graves de Vayres, Bordeaux, France
Vintage: 2022
Format: 750ml
Scores: 90 pts James Suckling | 90 pts Vinous Media

MONTES ALPHA MALBEC VALLE DE COLCHAGUA 2023 | 750ML

🇨🇱 Chile — Malbec | Valle de Colchagua

Deep ruby red with an intense violet hue. The nose focuses around pronounced aromas of ripe sour cherries, violets, and wildflowers, while a touch of crème de cassis, jam, and anise round out the aromatic profile. The generous palate has tremendous volume, and perfectly round tannins lend structure to a long, lingering finish.

“We always seek to go further — this time, we wanted to go higher, to go beyond wisdom. It is challenging, and you need two wings to fly.”

A creative flight of two generations: our founder Aurelio Montes and his son of the same name, Aurelio Montes, embark on this creative journey that brings a unique Carménère to life.

— Aurelio Montes

Grape: Malbec
Region: Valle de Colchagua, Chile
Vintage: 2023
Format: 750ml

MONTES ALPHA CHARDONNAY ACONCAGUA COSTA 2023 | 750ML

🇨🇱 Chile — Chardonnay | Aconcagua Costa

Brilliant, light golden-yellow in color. The perfumed nose offers notes of cherimoya, ripe pineapple, pear, and banana, with a mineral undercurrent that speaks to the terroir. On the palate, crisp acidity complements a voluptuous structure and body, with flavors of grilled pineapple, spice-poached pear, and toasted hazelnut. The finish is long, elegant, and vibrant, with a lingering note of lemon peel.

Grown in the Aconcagua Costa region, where proximity to the Pacific Ocean and pronounced sea breezes allow Chardonnay to ripen slowly and completely. Soils range from sandy to clay-loam, lending enormous complexity and cold-climate typicity. Aged 35% in French oak barrels for 12 months.

Pairs well with: White meat, fish, and pasta.

92 Points — Wine Spectator
“Bright verbena and citrus blossom notes lead in this moderately rich style, with grilled pineapple and spice-poached pear flavors that are sleek in feel and linger, adding toasted hazelnut and lemon peel on the vibrant finish.” (Vintage 2023). 
— Aaron Romano

90 Points — Wine Enthusiast
“Hints of salt emerge on the nose of this medium-bodied Chardonnay. The creamy palate shows notes of citrus, spices, and herbs. Moderate freshness brings balance and drives the flavors through a lasting finish.” — Jesica Vargas. (Vintage 2023). 

Grape: Chardonnay
Region: Aconcagua Costa, Chile
Vintage: 2023
Format: 750ml
Scores: 92 pts Wine Spectator | 90 pts Wine Enthusiast

Director’s Cut by Francis Ford Coppola — Sonoma County, California 2023

Francis Ford Coppola Winery is one of California's most iconic producers — a Sonoma institution whose Director’s Cut label represents the winemaker’s purest creative vision, free from compromise. Just as a director’s cut is an unfiltered expression of a filmmaker’s intent, the Director’s Cut Cabernet Sauvignon is crafted to reflect quintessential Sonoma character: bold, honest, and true to the land. The 2023 is sourced from Sonoma County’s climatically diverse appellations — one of only a handful of regions in the world where cool-climate freshness and warm-weather depth coexist — producing a Cabernet with structure, complexity, and real presence at its price point.

The nose is deep and inviting: blackberry, boysenberry, clove, black currant confiture, black raspberry, cardamom, dried orange peel, and notes of vanilla and green olive. On the palate, the wine is rich and full-bodied with ripe dark fruit, dusty tannins, a velvety texture, and a long, warming finish. It is bold, expressive, and deeply satisfying — the kind of Sonoma Cabernet that punches well above its price.

"Deep, with aromas of blackberry, boysenberry, clove, and notes of vanilla on the nose. The flavors are rich, featuring notes of black currant confiture, black raspberry, cardamom, dried orange peel, and green olive, with dusty tannins on the finish." — Tonya Pitts, Wine Enthusiast, 88 Points. (Vintage 2023). 

• Producer: Francis Ford Coppola Winery, Sonoma County, California
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Sonoma County, California
• Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
• Aging: Oak-aged for dark fruit, vanilla & baking spice complexity
• Closure: Cork
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Blackberry, boysenberry, black currant, cardamom, clove, dried orange peel, vanilla, dusty tannins, long finish
• Best Paired With: Grilled ribeye, braised short ribs, lamb chops, aged cheddar, mushroom risotto

Sonoma’s benchmark value Cabernet at an honest price — Director’s Cut is the standard for what bold, oak-aged California Cabernet Sauvignon can deliver.

Domaine Zafeirakis · Microcosmos Malagousia · PGI Tyrnavos · Thessaly · Greece · 2025

The Zafeirakis family has been practicing viticulture in Tyrnavos, in the heart of Thessaly in Central Greece, for more than a century. Christos Zafeirakis — the fourth generation — returned home after studies and stages in Italy to plant his first organic vineyard in 2005, driven by a philosophy of love, knowledge, and respect for tradition. Microcosmos is his single-vineyard Malagousia, grown on old vines in flinty soils at the domaine — a wine that captures the aromatic brilliance and mineral precision that makes Malagousia one of Greece’s most exciting indigenous white varieties.

The 2025 opens with beautiful aromas of stone fruit and citrus blossoms — fresh peach, apricot, and white flowers. On the palate, zippy bright acidity carries the fruit with elegance, balanced by a ripe, mineral character drawn from the flinty soils. Harmonious, fresh, and expressive from first sip to finish.

• Producer: Domaine Zafeirakis (Christos Zafeirakis), Tyrnavos, Thessaly, Greece
• Vintage: 2025
• Appellation: PGI Tyrnavos, Thessaly, Greece
• Varietal: 100% Malagousia
• Vineyard: Old vines on flinty soils, estate-grown
• Farming: Certified Organic (since 2005)
• Style: Dry white — aromatic, mineral, fresh
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Peach, apricot, citrus blossoms, white flowers, zippy acidity, flinty mineral finish
• Pairings: Grilled fish with lemon and olive oil, pasta primavera, light appetizers, fresh cheeses, seafood mezze

PGI Tyrnavos — certified organic Malagousia from a fourth-generation Greek estate. Aromatic, mineral, and a compelling introduction to Greece’s finest indigenous white.

Domaine Michel Niellon · Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru · Clos de la Maltroie · Burgundy · 2023

Domaine Michel Niellon is one of Chassagne-Montrachet’s most celebrated small estates — a benchmark producer whose premier cru holdings represent some of the finest terroir in the Côte de Beaune. Clos de la Maltroie is one of the appellation’s most distinguished premier cru climats: a walled enclosure with deep limestone soils that consistently produces Chardonnay of impressive weight, precision, and aging potential. Niellon’s approach is classically Burgundian — minimal intervention, terroir-driven, and built for the cellar. The 2023 vintage in Burgundy delivered wines of exceptional freshness and aromatic intensity, and the Clos de la Maltroie is no exception.

Golden lemon in the glass, the wine opens with aromas of tropical fruit, peach, pear, petrol, and hawthorn flowers. On the palate, succulent and concentrated — juicy peach, fresh pear, exotic fruits, and bright citrus lead to a lemon zest finish of real length and precision. Medium to full-bodied, lively, and tightly wound around bright acids and chalky extract. Ready soon but with the capacity to age gracefully for a decade or more.

Expert Review - Vintage 2023

Allen Meadows 90 Points | A more floral-suffused nose offers up vaguely exotic aromas of white peach, lychee and passion fruit along with just sliced citrus hints. I very much like the sense of underlying tension and caressing mouthfeel the barely middle weight flavors display before culminating in a balanced, long and agreeably dry finale. This too could use better depth but the development potential seems clear.

Expert Reviews — Prior Vintages

“Pale lemon color. The character shows more on the palate, white fruit with a little sucrosity. Ready soon but with capacity to age.”
— Wine Spectator · 92 Points

“Aromas of pear, beeswax, toasted nuts, white flowers and youthful reduction. A medium to full-bodied, lively and tightly wound young wine built around bright acids and chalky extract.”
— Wine Advocate · 91 Points

• Producer: Domaine Michel Niellon, Chassagne-Montrachet, Burgundy, France
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru
• Climat: Clos de la Maltroie
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Style: Dry white — concentrated, mineral, chalky
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Tropical fruit, peach, pear, petrol, hawthorn, exotic fruit, lemon zest, chalky finish
• Pairings: Lobster, turbot, Dover sole, scallops, roast chicken with cream sauce, aged Comté
• Cellar: Drink now through 2035+

Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru — Clos de la Maltroie from one of Burgundy’s most meticulous small estates. Concentrated, chalky, and built to age.

Domaine Louis Jadot Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Fuées — Burgundy 2022

Les Fuées is one of Chambolle-Musigny's 24 Premier Cru vineyards, distinguished by chalky soil over hard bedrock and an eastern exposure that imparts a signature mineral precision. Jadot's 2022 is a textbook expression of the site — feminine, elegant, and layered, with fine tannins and a core of red and dark fruit framed by spice, violet, and exotic tea. Fermented in vats for up to four weeks and aged 18–20 months in oak, this is a wine built for the cellar: 15–20 years of development potential. James Suckling awarded it 96 points, calling it “outstanding.”

The nose is fragrant and cool: flowers, ripe plums, blood orange, cinnamon, exotic tea, and peonies. On the palate, medium to full body with velvety, saturated tannins and a succulent core of red and dark currant. The concentration is effortlessly offset by spicy acidity, fanning out on a long, mineral-driven finish of remarkable purity and tension. In a word, classy.

James Suckling 96 • Vinous 94 • Wine Advocate 94 • Burghound 92

Critical Acclaim - Vintage 2022

James Suckling — 96 Points
"This big and at first subtle wine opens with fragrant flowers, ripe plums and cinnamon, fills the palate with richness on a full body, but then tightens up on the finish to show it has the structure to age well. Outstanding wine to drink now."

Vinous Media — 94 Points
"The 2022 Chambolle-Musigny Les Fuées 1er Cru, which Frédéric Barnier said suffered less during the growing season, is a conspicuous step up in complexity from the Les Baudes: much more mineralé and precision, far more terroir expression. The palate is medium-bodied with saturated tannins, the concentration effortlessly offset by the spice of acidity. It's quite spicy as it fans out on the finish. Excellent."

The Wine Advocate — 94 Points
"The 2022 Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Fuées (Domaine Louis Jadot) is excellent, mingling aromas of sweet red berries with notions of blood orange, spices and peonies. Medium to full-bodied, velvety and seamless, it's deep and layered, with a succulent core of fruit and attractive purity and tension."

Burghound (Allen Meadows) — 92 Points
"This is aromatically quite cool and fresh as well as appealingly elegant on the mix of red and dark currant, exotic tea and violet-scented nose. The sleek, intense and succulent medium weight flavors aren't particularly concentrated yet the sap still manages to coat the palate on the lingering and balanced bitter pit fruit-inflected finale that is almost aggressively mineral-driven. This is a lovely and well-balanced Fuées with fine development potential, which is just as well as it does need to develop better depth. In a word, classy."

• Producer: Domaine Louis Jadot, Beaune, Burgundy, France
• Vintage: 2022
• Appellation: Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru, Côte de Nuits, Burgundy
• Vineyard: Les Fuées — chalky soil over hard bedrock, eastern exposure
• Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir
• Vinification: Vat fermentation up to 4 weeks, 18–20 months oak aging
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Flowers, plum, blood orange, cinnamon, tea, peonies, red currant, mineral finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now or cellar 15–20 years
• Best Paired With: Duck breast, lamb chops, mushroom risotto, aged Comté, venison

A 96-point Premier Cru Burgundy from one of the Côte de Nuits’ most trusted addresses — Les Fuées at its most expressive.

Plush Upper Galilee Merlot with ripe dark fruit, spice and silky texture.

Dalton Estate Merlot 2023 is a rich, approachable expression of Merlot from Israel’s Upper Galilee, one of the country’s most important premium wine-growing regions. Generous and polished, the wine combines ripe fruit with gentle oak influence, delivering the supple texture and inviting character that make Merlot such an appealing and versatile red.

Deep purple in color, the wine opens with expressive aromas of ripe plum, black cherry and dark berries, complemented by notes of clove, fruit preserves and subtle vanilla. The palate is smooth and fruit-driven, with juicy cherry and plum flavors framed by soft tannins and gentle spice. Aging in seasoned oak adds complexity without overwhelming the freshness of the fruit, leading to a balanced, lingering finish.

The Merlot grapes are sourced from vineyards in the Upper Galilee and selectively harvested at optimal ripeness. Following fermentation, the wine is transferred to second- and third-use barrels for aging for up to a year. The restrained use of oak allows the varietal character and Galilee fruit to remain at the forefront.

Tasting Notes:
Plum • Black Cherry • Dark Berries • Clove • Vanilla • Baking Spice

Food Pairing:
A wonderfully versatile red for the table. Pair with beef brisket, roast chicken, grilled meats, lamb, casseroles, lasagna, mushroom dishes, burgers or aged cheeses. Its plush fruit and soft tannins also make it enjoyable on its own.

An excellent choice for the Rosh Hashanah table and other holiday gatherings.

Region: Upper Galilee, Israel
Grape: Merlot
Vintage: 2023
Style: Dry Red Wine
Alcohol: 14.5%
Kosher: Yes
Mevushal: No
Kosher for Passover: Yes
Vegan: Yes

Santi's Solane Valpolicella Ripasso is a rich, elegant expression of one of Veneto's most celebrated wines. Produced using the traditional ripasso method—where young Valpolicella wine is refermented on the dried grape skins from Amarone—this wine gains added depth, richness, and complexity.

The 2021 vintage opens with inviting aromas of ripe black cherry, plum, dried cranberry, sweet spice, and violet, accented by hints of cocoa, tobacco, and vanilla. The palate is silky and full-bodied, offering layers of dark berry fruit, baking spices, and subtle chocolate wrapped around refined tannins. Fresh acidity keeps the wine balanced, leading to a long, smooth finish with lingering notes of spice and dried fruit.

Food Pairing

An excellent companion to grilled steaks, roasted meats, braised short ribs, mushroom risotto, hearty pasta dishes, aged cheeses, and traditional Italian cuisine.

Serving Temperature

Serve at 60–65°F (16–18°C). Decanting for 30–45 minutes before serving will further enhance its aromas and complexity.

About the Producer

Founded in 1843, Santi is one of the historic names of the Veneto, renowned for producing wines that faithfully express the character of Valpolicella. The Solane Ripasso showcases the winery's commitment to tradition, combining the freshness of classic Valpolicella with the richness and elegance achieved through the Ripasso method.

A beautifully balanced Ripasso that delivers the richness of Amarone-inspired winemaking with exceptional value, making it a perfect choice for both weeknight dinners and special occasions.

Country: Italy
Region: Veneto
Appellation: Valpolicella Ripasso DOC
Vintage: 2021
Wine Type: Red Wine
Grape Varieties: Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella