French Wine

Winemaker Descripton 

Whispering Angel is today's worldwide reference for Provence Rosé. Made from Grenache, Cinsault and Rolle (Vermentino), its pale color is pleasing to the eye and draws one in. The rewarding taste profile is full and lush while being bone dry with a smooth finish.

Highly approachable and enjoyable with a broad range of cuisine, Whispering Angel is a premium Rosé that you can drink from mid-day to midnight. 

This rose wine is delicate, clean and minerally. Pale salmon in color. Fresh peach and strawberry on the nose with plenty of red berry fruits. Full bodied and dry, with pink grapefruit and hints of peach on the palate, lively acidity and a long finish.

A beautifully made wine.

Whispering Angel Rose is made by Sacha Lichine and his team at Chateau d'Esclans, in La Motte en Provence, south France. Made from grapes grown from some of the most choice land in the surrounding region of la Motte en Provence, consisting primarily of Grenache, Rolle (Vermentino) and Cinsault.

Tasting Notes: A beautifully pale pink, which is pleasing to the eye and draws one in. Palate : Fresh red berry fruit characteristics with floral notes. Ripe and fleshy feel on the palate. Finish : Great concentration. Smooth and round finish.

Expert Review (2024 vintage)

James Suckling 92 Points: A well-rounded, focused and delicious rosé showing dried raspberries, frozen strawberries and mild spices on the nose. Medium-bodied with bright acidity. Balanced and driven, with a lively center palate and a persistent, flavorful finish.

Winemaker Description

Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label is the signature champagne of the House. Dominated by Pinot Noir, it offers the perfect balance of structure and finesse. Golden-yellow in color, with a foaming necklace of tiny bubbles. It is pleasing to the nose; initially reminiscent of yellow and white fruits, then of vanilla and later brioche. Note the fine balance between the fruity aromas coming from the grape varieties and the toasty notes, the result of the three years of bottle aging. The first sip delivers all the freshness and strength so typical of Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label with a symphony of fruit following (pear, lemon). It is a true member of the Brut family, well-structured, admirably vinous. 

Expert Reviews 

James Suckling writes:  This has aromas of grapefruit, pomegranates, and biscuits. It’s honeyed and sleek with a medium body and supple bubbles. Soft and creamy finish. Majority pinot noir, with chardonnay and meunier. Around 40% reserve wines.  - James Suckling 91

Julia Sheppard writes:  Tasted in magnum, the nose offers yeasty bready aromas topped with fresh citrus, hints of stone fruit and strawberry tart. A palate of fresh croissants, red berries, green apple and lively lemon citrus, with the larger format lending lovely creaminess to the bright finish. Veuve Clicquot's iconic Yellow Label is a blend of 30% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Meunier and 50% Pinot Noir, which provides the cuvée's signature structure. Up to 45% reserve wines in the blend ensure consistency.  Drinking 2024 to 2030.  - Decanter 91

Alison Napjus writes:  This harmonious Champagne boasts a bright streak of tangerine peel–infused acidity, with flavors of ripe green apple, pastry cream and biscuit, plus accents of crystallized honey and candied ginger, all set on the lacy mousse. Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier. Drink now.  - Wine Spectator 90

Jeb Dunnuck writes:  Comprising 85% of production, the NV Champagne Yellow Label Brut is 40% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay, and the rest Meunier, with 35-40% reserve wine. Entirely fermented and aged in stainless steel tanks, it spends three years on the lees, and the wine sees 9 grams per liter of dosage, but the house does not disclose the disgorgement date. A golden straw hue, it’s ripe with aromas of yeasty bread dough, peaches, and fresh flowers. Medium-bodied on the palate, it’s ripe and juicy with rounded red berried fruit, a supple texture, a pillowy mousse, and a warming finish. Fresh and inviting, this is a solid and consistent aperitif to enjoy over the coming several years.  Drinking 2023 to 2026.  - Jeb Dunnuck 89

Winemaker Description

The 2022 Rhône vintage faced extreme heat and drought, with the hottest and driest growing season since 1950, surpassing even the 2003 vintage. Dry conditions in winter and spring were followed by intense heatwaves in June and July, causing significant stress on the vines. Mid-August rainfall provided some relief, promoting ripening, but yields were still notably low. The resulting wines are concentrated and full-bodied, with rich fruit.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

Jeb Dunnuck - 91 Points - May 9, 2025 "The Cotes Du Rhone is smoking good, offering up blackberries, pepper, and garrigue in a round, supple, medium to full-bodied style. Based on 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache, and 10% Mourvèdre, partially aged in oak foudres, this impressive effort shows remarkable quality for the appellation.

Winemaker Description 

Winemaker Description

Intense color, ruby reflections, shiny. Nose of black fruit, blackberry, blackcurrant, blueberry with toasted notes. Authenticity of the terroir through the tannic structure and fruitiness of the wine. The nature of the sandy-gravelly soil acts as a flavor enhancer and is found in the minerality of this wine.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2019 

James Suckling 90 Points | Mulberries, dark plums, dried herbs, burdock and cigar box on the nose. Medium body with powdery tannins. Fruity, with fresh acidity and a flavorful, earthy finish. Drink or hold. 

90 Points Wine Enthusiast | From the slopes just west of Castillon, this is a ripe Merlot-dominated wine. A core of tannins and juicy acidity have combined into a savory wine that will be ready from 2023.

Winemaker Description 

The wine has a pale-gold colour with beautiful a shine. The nose is expressive and fruity, dominated by aromas of juicy fruit. There are touches of honey, adding a warm dimension. Elegant aromas of ripe pears bring a touch of freshness. On the palate, the wine is full bodied and gourmet, with a lively and saline finish that brings freshness and beautiful length. The sweetness of the nectarine blends harmoniously with subtle notes of lilac, giving the wine a beautiful floral complexity. A balanced wine with a persistent finish.

This 2024 vintage which should stand out for its aromatic richness and its aging capacity. Varietals: Grenache blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne, Viognier. 

This is a wine with an incredible freshness and great depth. It will be a wonderful match for Mediterranean dishes and fish.

Our Professional Review

Bart Hopkins of 67Wine.com | Crisp and lively with a delightful snap of citrus on the nose. Light, dry and minerally in the mouth, with aromas and flavors of lemon zest, fresh lime, quince and wet stones, framed with a scintillating touch of green pea and jalapeno. Clean and refreshing, easy and uncomplicated, this is a good wine to keep in the refrigerator for anytime sipping, and it makes a great match to shellfish and foods.

Winemaker Description 

Clean and refreshing on the palate with notes of melon and a mineral frame. This wine can be enjoyed when young but will also age well for 1-2 years after bottling. Pairs perfectly with antipasti, bruschetta, goat cheese, ham pastry or an arugula salad. 

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023

Jeb Dunnuck 90 Points | Juicy red berries, herbes de Provence, pepper... Medium-bodied and nicely balanced, with savory tannins and tons of personality and charm.

Natalie MacLean 90 Points" | Lifts bright red-berry and herbes-de-Provence aromatics... savory tannins and balanced mid-weight structure."

Winemaker Description 

The Chave family is based in a small village on the northern right bank of the Rhone. There have been Chaves growing vines on the famous Hermitage hill since 1481. Gerard Chave took over from his father in 1970 and rapidly achieved megastar status due to the extraordinary quality of his wines and has since passed on the winemaking responsibilities to his son Jean-Louis.

Their unmatched meticulousness continues through five centuries to render venerable expressions of the purest of Rhône terroir.

Winemaker Description 

This wine offers beautiful bright citrus framed by a backbone of clean acidity and minerality with a finish that is clean, bright and refreshing.

The name of the wine, ‘Les Pierres Grises,’ refers to the grey rocks that define the terrain of Saint Veran and this wine always keeps this terroir directly in focus.

Winemaker Description

Pretty, blackberry, dried-tobacco and herbal aromas and flavors.  Medium-bodied, mouth filling flavors and a delicious fruit finish.  A blend of 50% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc located a stone's throw from Chevalier's famed vineyards in Graves. Based on a special selection of vineyard lots handpicked by Deroncourt and vinified by Bernard’s team at Domaine de Chevalier, the Clos des Lunes aims to be little more modern in styling with an excellent quality-price ratio.

Founded by the owners of Domaine de Chevalier & Stephane Derenoncourt, one of the top winemakers in France, the Clos des Lunes 2022 is no ordinary Bordeaux.

Our Professional Review 

Bart Hopkins, 67 Wine Buyer, writes:  A classic mineral driven Sancerre with a lovely bouquet of freshly squeezed lime, lemon zest, gooseberry and peach blossom with a pleasant grassy note. Crisp and lively in the mouth, deliciously refreshing,  with excellent precision and energetic focus on the finish.  

Winemaker Description 

Wave after wave of mouth-puckering acidity and a mineral-packed finish will keep you coming back for more! Perhaps the most impressive feature of the wine is its impeccable balance of flavor intensity, structural tension and length: everything is where it should be, making this Sauvignon Blanc almost too easy to drink. This is an exceptional seafood wine — think oysters, scallops, smoked trout, shellfish — but it is also perfect for a salad of fresh greens with apples, goat cheese and walnuts.

Expert Ratings - Vintage 2019

Georgina Hindle of Decanter 90 Points writes | Blue fruits and cola cubes on the nose. Linear and direct, this is powerful but restrained, with a core of dark, juicy fruits and a mineral undertow giving freshness and a velvety-smooth texture to the tannins. Needs more time to expand and be fully expressive, but this is nice and one I want another glass of. Can be enjoyed today with some time in carafe or hold on for a few more years. Drinking 2022 - 2029.

James Suckling 90 Points | Aromas of blackberries, sweet tobacco and some crushed stones follow through to a medium body with a pretty core of fruit and well-integrated tannins. Give it a year or two to soften. Drink after 2024.

Jeb Dunnuck writes | Black cherries, candied violets, spicy oak, and floral notes all emerge from the 2019 Château La Vaisinerie, a medium-bodied, soft, supple, nicely textured, and impeccably balanced Puisseguin. It's already drinking nicely and should have a solid 8-10 years of prime drinking.   - Jeb Dunncuk

Neal Martin writes | The 2019 La Vaisinerie has thankfully dispensed with the New World ambitions that I found on the nose before, now displaying more refinement and focus. The palate is medium-bodied and pure, with supple tannins, fine acidity and a sensual finish. I am happy to raise my score.  - Vinous

90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc

Winemaker Description - Vintage 2024

This wine showcases one of the great secrets of the Guigal family: their specialization in the great white Rhône varieties. While only 8% of wines from the Rhône are white, Guigal's are a full 25% of their production; today they are the single largest producer of white wines in the region. It is a beautiful, seamless blend that represents unbelievable value.

The blend is 60% Viognier, highlighting Guigal's instrumental role in the revival of the grape. The wine is rich yet fresh, making it vibrant and food-friendly —an ideal pairing for seafood, poultry, creamy pasta, and more

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2018 

James Suckling writes:  Some nice, floral character to the plum and berry aromas and flavors. Some leaves. Medium-bodied with medium, polished tannins and a medium finish. Drink or hold.  - James Suckling 90

Neal Martin writes:  The 2018 Greysac has a well-defined bouquet of wild strawberry and raspberry fruit laced with cigar box and smoky aromas. The finely balanced palate offers sappy red fruit laced with black pepper and tobacco. I admire the cohesion here, and there is fine weight on the finish. Definitely a cut above a lot of Cru Bourgeois Médocs, though it deserves 2–3 years in bottle.  Drinking 2023 - 2030.   - Vinous 

James Lawther MW writes:  Big and bold with plenty of dark fruit and chocolatey oak. Sweet and generous on the palate, the oak again evident but integrated and the fruit present. Perhaps more winemaking than terroir.  Drinking 2023 -2028.  - Jancis Robinson 15.5

Winemaker description

Pale yellow-green colour with silver undertones. this wine opens up a nose full of freshness notes crisp-green apples and pears mixed bouquet mountain flowers such as white thorns wild verbena. these aromas linger on the palate very nice balance between juicy fruit great freshness. saline finish bring delicate hint bitterness which gives length savoriness.

Serve with a starter or a cold buffet.

Expert Review - Vintage 2023

James Suckling 91 Points | This has quite an aromatic complexity, with spicy, floral and nutty notes. Charming and medium-bodied with a very satisfying balance of juiciness and citrusy freshness that lights up the long finish. A cuvee of 30% gewurztraminer, 23.5% pinot gris, 18.7% riesling, 18% sylvaner, 6% pinot blanc and 3.8% muscat.

Winemaker Description 

A kaleidoscope of grapiness, produced exclusively from hand harvested grapes in predominantly clay and limestone vineyards, from a dozen of the most favored localities in and around Riquewihr. Gentil Hugel allies the suave, spicy flavor of Gewurztraminer, the body of Pinot Gris, the finesse of Riesling, the grapiness of Muscat and the refreshing character of both Pinot Blanc and Sylvaner. Winemaker Description. 

Expert Ratings -Vintage 2019 

James Suckling writes:  Blueberry, blackcurrant, and black cherry in the nose with some sweet tobacco and moss. Full-bodied with chewy tannins that are polished and savory. Fruity yet reserved finish. Give this two or three years to open. Try after 2023.  - James Suckling 93

Jane Anson writes:  A Cru Bourgeois Superieur as of the 2018 vintage, giving a good display of understated Médoc charm with its 2019 vintage. Blackberry and black cherry fruits, firm tannins, well measured with an elegant frame. Violet edges to the colour also suggesting bright acidities, a little austere overall at this stage but great potential to develop over the next few years in bottle.  - Decanter 90

James Molesworth writes:  Direct, with a good mix of cassis, bitter plum, savory and tobacco notes. Fresh and focused through the finish, with a lingering hint of chalky minerality. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.  - Wine Spectator

Winemaker Notes

Expert Ratings - Vintage 2020 

Roger Voss of the Wine Enthusaist writes 90 Points | A well-balanced wine, this is structured and still young. It has spice and toast as well as juicy black fruits. The wine is on its way, but should not be drunk before 2025. 

Winemaker Description (Vintage 2023)

A fresh wine driven by citrus and white fruit. Fresh and supple, with a very slightly oaky finish, and marked by they typical mineral notes.

Pair with grilled seafood or chicken in a cream sauce. And, as always, oysters.

The “Royal Fields” of Chablis sit atop a layer of Kimmeridgian soils rich in minerals and oyster fossils which are famed for the freshness they give these classic wines, a freshness that comes through clearly in this bottling. Made from a selection of vineyards with ideal exposures on both banks of the Serein river, gentle winemaking and malolactic fermentation make for a linear, fresh white.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

VARIETY: 100% Chardonnay

VINEYARD: 37 hectares across the Chablis region on Kimmeridgian subsoil

WINEMAKING: Fermented on its own yeasts in mostly stainless steel (five percent in old French oak) with full malolactic conversion.

AGING: 95% stainless steel, 10-12 months; 5% old French oak, 5-6 months
 

Our Professional Review

67Wine.com Staff Notes | An exceptional value in Southern French rosé!  Domaine Isle Saint-Pierre is a lively, vibrant quaffer that over delivers at every turn.  It is simply a delicious, easy-drinking “bistro-style” wine that is perfect for everyday drinking! Ripe strawberry. Fruity nose that gives an elegant in-mouth texture, with hints of red fruit and dried fig with a lingering fresh taste.

Winemaker Description 

Delight your senses with Isle Saint Pierre Mediterranee Rose, an exquisite representation of the remarkable Rhone region. This elegant Rose from the IGP Mediterranee appellation exemplifies the exceptional characteristics of the varietals of the region. Combining Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Arinarnoa, Petit Verdot, Tannat, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah, this captivating blend is cultivated sustainably in the 200 hectares vineyard located on an island at the mouth of the Rhone river. The sandy, silty, alluvial soils add depth and complexity to this luscious Rose, handcrafted with cold maceration and 100% free-run juice to preserve its fresh and fruity character. Aged in tank, the wine emerges as a remarkable representation of the Mediterranean tradition, an exceptional value that brings a slice of Southern France right to your table.

Indulge in the enticing allure of Isle Saint Pierre Mediterranee Rose, presented with an elegant, airy robe of shiny, pale rose petal hues. This delightful Rose captivates with its fresh and fruity nose that wafts a harmonious melody of red fruits. The palate is invitingly frank, carrying an impressive volume of sweetness that intrigues the senses. The saline terroir adds an intriguing iodized note, an homage to the vineyard's proximity to the sea. Savor this wine between 8 and 10 degrees to appreciate its full aromatic potential and vibrant flavor profile.

The Isle Saint Pierre Mediterranee Rose is the perfect accompaniment for an aperitif or as a distinguished companion to Mediterranean cuisine. Its light, crisp character pairs wonderfully with a range of dishes from light salads to flavorful seafood, adding a refreshingly sweet and fruity touch to your meal. Enjoy this exemplary Rose at the optimal temperature between 8 and 10 degrees for the best gastronomic experience. Experience the vibrant essence of Southern France with every sip of this versatile and delightful wine.

Come, enjoy the Isle Saint Pierre Mediterranee Rose, and let its taste transport you to the romantic landscapes of the Rhone region, where the wine embodies the spirit and character of its unique terroir.

Winemaker Description 

This crisp, fruit-forward, juicy wine has expressive aromas and flavors of ripe red berries, with nice weight in the mouth. 

If you like Beaujolais, this is one you'll want to come back to again and again. It features strawberry, raspberry, and black fruits. Chill for 20 minutes and enjoy with grilled salmon, roast chicken, lighter meats and of course most vegetarian dishes.

Expert Review

Reggie Solomon writes:  This is a good, hearty and muscular Beaujolais that would pair with grilled vegetables and meats. This wine has a nose of black plum, rosehip, strawberry and blossom. On the palate the wine is firm with red and black fruit predominating.  - Wine Enthusiast 

Winemaker Description 

Mâcon-Lugny Les Charmes comes from the predominantly limestone plateau of the same name, located in the town of Lugny. This wine with an ample, velvety and spicy mouthfeel reveals floral and fruity aromas (honey, acacia, citrus) which gives it a unique style of this particular plot of vines in the Mâconnais region. 

Because it is unoaked and has a touch of weight, it is incredibly versatile:

• Seafood: Pan-seared sea bass, garlic shrimp, or sushi.

• Poultry: Classic roast chicken with lemon and thyme.

• Cheese: It is the classic pairing for goat cheese (specifically Chabichou or Selles-sur-Cher), as the wine's acidity cuts through the creamy cheese.

Expert Review - Collection 246

The Wine Spectator 93 Points | A harmonious Champagne that shows impeccable balance, with depth and focus to its flavors of white cherry, Honeycrisp apple, tangerine peel and biscuit, while retaining vibrancy and grace. A chalky underpinning comes to the fore on the creamy finish, joining delicate spice and floral accents. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunier. Drink now through 2030.

Vinous 93 Points | The NV Brut Collection 246 is positively stellar. It’s a terrific example of where Roederer is going with this cuvée stylistically. Brisk saline notes cut through a core of orchard fruit, mint, white pepper and slate. There are no hard angles or awkward contours. The 246 is based on 2021, an extremely tricky vintage for Champagne. Chef de Caves Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon bumped up the percentage of Chardonnay considerably and focused on Pinots from the Montagne de Reims. About 30% of the lots underwent malolactic fermentation to soften the edges. Twenty-four percent of the wines were fermented in oak, the rest in tank. The 246 is a blend of 55% base 2021 vintage wines described above, plus 30% perpetual reserve going back to 2012 (mostly from Cumières, Vertus and Verzy) in tank and 10% young-vine juice from Cristal plots aged in cask. The final blend is 54% Chardonnay (as opposed to the more typical 44%), 35% Pinot Noir and 11% Meunier. Dosage is 7 grams per liter. More importantly, the 246 is impeccably done and absolutely delicious. 

James Suckling 93 Points | This has pretty and elegant aromas of pears, apple blossoms, grapefruit and chalk. It’s silky, fresh and beautifully balanced on the palate, with very soft bubbles. Based on 2021, with reserve wine from a perpetual reserve created in 2012, plus reserve wines kept in oak from 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

Our Professional Review

Rand Sieger, 67 Wine Buyer: Always one of the first rosés to hit the market, this traditional S. Rhone blend comes from 25-50 year old vines grown along the Gassac Riber. It boasts a pleasant, intense nose with hints of strawberries. Full and round on the palate with red fruit flavors.

Winemaker Description

Always one of the first rosés to hit the market, this traditional S. Rhone blend comes from 25-50 year old vines grown along the Gassac Riber. It boasts a pleasant, intense nose with hints of strawberries. Full and round on the palate with red fruit flavors.

Few winemakers have come to define their region like Mas de Daumas Gassac has with the Languedoc. What sets Mas de Daumas Gassac apart is their unflinching commitment to pushing the boundaries — of the appellation’s rules, of conventional farming techniques, of “expected” grape varieties.

Aimé and Véronique Guibert purchased the land in the early 1970s; they had planned to start a farm, but weren’t sure what type of crops they wanted to grow. It took convincing from a Bordeaux-based soil scientist, who saw great grape-growing potential in the limestone-rich land, as densely mineral-laden as Burgundy’s Côte d’Or.

Making wine in the Languedoc is nothing new — the Greeks and Romans were doing it millennia ago. In planting their estate to vines, the Guiberts chose to buck local tradition and plant a wide (very wide) assortment of international grapes; there’s Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, sure, but also Petite Arvine, Tempranillo, Nebbiolo and more. Prior to owning the estate, the Guiberts traveled the world as part of a family leather business, and became enamored with grapes from far-off and exotic locales. 

Winemaker Description 

Pale gold in color with delicately toasty aromas alongside fruit and complexity. This wine is creamy and beautifully balanced with a dry, harmonious finish.

Expert Reviews 

93 Points Decanter | Richly biscuity on the nose, with steamed rice, fresh pear and citrus blossom complexity. Creamy mousse dissolves into red apple peel, lemon and stone fruits, with a depth of honeyed biscuits. The Reserve NV from Pol Roger is a blend of base wines from at least three vintages. With 6 months of post-disgorgement ageing, the wine is ready to enjoy now.

James Suckling 92 Points | Fresh Amalfi lemons, pear skins, apples, rhubarb and hints of anise on the nose. Excellent depth and flavor concentration here, with a medium body and creamy bubbles. Fruit and spice deliciously integrated.

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 92 Points | The current release of Pol Roger's NV Brut Réserve is quite dramatic, bursting with aromas of mandarin oil, honeycomb, elderflower, fresh bread and musky peach. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and enveloping, it's generous and textural, with a rich core of fruit, lively acids and a pillowy mousse.

Wine Enthusiast 91 Points | The nonvintage Champagne from this producer always has richness from the Pinot Noir in the blend. This bottling also has a touch of toast, showing some bottle aging. Put the two elements together and this satisfyingly ripe wine is ready to drink.

Jeb Dunnuck 91 Points | Equal parts Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Meunier make up the NV Champagne Reserve Brut, with 8 grams per liter dosage. The nose is bright and fresh with green apple and lively lemon lime citrus as well as fresh pastry. The palate is dry though generous, with fruit upfront of ripe red berries and grapefruit. Well-suited as an aperitif, it is ready to drink now or over the next 10 years.

Expert Reviews

James Suckling 93 Points: Lovely aromas of raspberries, gingerbread, toast and honey on the nose. I like the generosity and concentration of flavor on the palate, with a medium body and soft, creamy bubbles. Long finish. 43% meunier, 29% chardonnay and 28% pinot noir, with over 50% reserve wines. Blend of 15 vintages, with percentages based on the 2020 vintage, back to 2006. Delicious now.

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 91 Points: This blend of 43% Pinot Meunier, 29% Chardonnay and 28% Pinot Noir, with 71% vins de réserve and 10% perpetual reserve, the NV Brut Réserve offers up aromas of spring flowers, herbs, blossoms, lime and brioche. Medium to full-bodied, tense and precise, with a crystalline texture enhanced by bright acids, this is a long, delicate and ethereal Champagne. It matured 8% in barrels and 36 months on the lees in bottle, followed by six months after disgorgement with three grams per liter dosage.

Wine Enthusiast 92: This Champagne is a classic. The nonvintage wine shows real richness and depth. It is structured, open with a honeyed aroma and ripe, rounded white fruits.

Winemaker Notes

August 2025, Dinners:  This is just a terrific wine.  We drank this wine with burgers, roast chicken, hanger steaks and it just worked so well.  50% Grenache and 50% Syrah, the wine fills your mouth with black fruit and cherry-like flavors and does it all in a gentle way.  Finishes absolutely clean, fresh and mouthwatering.  Everyone of our friends enjoyed drinking it.  -  Bernie & Dorothy, Paulo & Barbara, and Annie - Follow the Drinker®

Expert Review - Vintage 2022 

Wine Spectator 89 Points | Gentleness and ripeness are rendered in a lovely way in this version, which offers dusty earth and chalky mineral hints. Shows real depth, with black pepper, pretty lavender and simmering incense notes in the backdrop, anchored by a foundation of iron. Drink now through 2028. 10,000 cases made, 2,500 cases imported. 

Winemaker Description 

Ruby red, nicely bright. Fresh cherry and blackberry nose, notes of cracked pepper. Dark berry and touches of anise flavors, the quality of winemaking is evident. Touches of sweet cherries and raspberry on the palate.  A Parisian brasserie favorite.

Winemaker Description

A very different year from 2022! After the spring frosts, the sun was long in coming, and the end of spring was marked by a lot of rain and humidity.
No drought to deplore this year, but excess humidity throughout the year, and until the harvest.

Diseases (mildew and powdery mildew) set in very early in the vines, the result of a cool and humid summer.

The 2023 harvests were marked by a lot of loss of grapes, due to rot (acetic pitting), linked to excess humidity.

For wines, the 2023 vintage is fresher than the previous year, with less alcohol concentration.

The aroma is rather floral and very fresh, with a nice balance. For reds, the tannins are more supple and the aromas are finer and more delicate.

If no wine region on earth can rival the stylistic diversity on display in France’s Loire Valley, the appellation of Anjou offers the perfect microcosm of the region as a whole. Long a staple of the bistros of Paris, the area is home a to a mind-bogglingly vast array of expressions— from white to red, bone-dry lusciously sweet, still to sparkling— derived from a handful of different grapes, from Cabernet Franc and Gamay to Sauvignon Blanc and Charodnnay. But one grape variety could be called the most distinctive of all: Chenin Blanc.

Sourced from vineyards that fall exactly along the border of the two sub-regions of Anjou, this gorgeously subtle white from fourth-generation winemaker Pascal Biotteau comes from the village of Saint-Jean-de-Mauvrets, situated on the old Roman road from Angers to Poitiers. 

Notes

The Mary Taylor Anjou Blanc Pascal Biotteau 2023 is a beautifully fresh and expressive Loire Valley white, made from Chenin Blanc. It offers bright aromas of crisp green apple, ripe pear, white peach, and delicate floral notes, with hints of honey and citrus zest. On the palate, it is vibrant and well-balanced, with refreshing acidity and a clean, mineral-driven finish.

Sourced from the rolling vineyards of Anjou in the Loire Valley, France, this elegant Chenin Blanc captures the region’s signature freshness and purity. Pascal Biotteau crafts this wine with a focus on terroir-driven expression, resulting in a lively, food-friendly white that pairs beautifully with seafood, soft cheeses, or light poultry dishes. A perfect choice for lovers of crisp, mineral-driven wines.

Winemaker Description 

The nose is fruity with aromas of ripe cherries and spices. This wine is medium-bodied with lively acidity and silky tannins.

50% Grenache, 50% Syrah

Expert Review

Winemaker Description 

Crisp, fresh, and refreshing with notes of citrus, cut grass, and subtle tropical fruits. 

Expert Review - Vintage 2023

James Suckling 90 Points | Brimming with red fruit aromas, with notes of spices and dried herbs including laurel. Rich and fleshy, but with healthy tannins and an excellent freshness that drives the very harmonious finish. This producer’s biggest wine is a blend of wines from the left and right banks of the Rhone. Roughly 50-50 grenache and syrah. Drink now.

Winemaker Description

An intense wine with blackcurrant and raspberry notes complemented by notes of white pepper. Powerful and fruity on the palate with lovely roasted notes, and silky, delicate tannins.

Our Professional Review

Oscar Garcia Moncada 67Wine.com | Taittinger La Francaise Brut NV has been a staple for generations in the Champagne world. Their legacy is one of a kind. This particular bottling  opens up with a nose driven by notes of nectarines, hazelnut and some yeasty nuances. Light-bodied with a refreshing mouth-feel and nice consistent bubbles.  Very fresh and enticing finish. The perfect NV Champagne to serve as an Aperitif.
Oscar Garcia Moncada 

Expert Reviews

Lettie Teague writes:  Taittinger Champagne Brut La Française | The family-owned Taittinger Champagne house is synonymous with Chardonnay, from its acclaimed all-Chardonnay prestige cuvée, Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs, to this non-vintage bottling, which is 40% Chardonnay (the remainder, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier). Also notable: Unlike many large Champagne houses that buy most of their grapes from growers and own only a small amount of vineyards themselves, the Taittingers hold over 700 acres. This wine was produced from “at least” 35 different Champagne villages, according to a company fact sheet and spends almost four years on the lees. It is a dry, decidedly crisp, rather subtle and even delicate Champagne with notes of citrus and brioche. While I love the Taittinger Comtes de Champagne, at $200-$250 a bottle, it’s not one I can afford to drink very often. I’ll happily “settle” for drinking the Brut La Française for less than half the price.  - Wall Street Journal December 16-17, 2023.

95 Points Tasting Panel | Bright and lively, this is one of my favorite non vintage Bruts. Crisp and balanced, with smooth, exuberant, Chardonnay-driven style; racy, elegant, and totally charming; long and memorable. 

92 Points James Suckling | A dry, fresh and delicious Taittinger with aromas and flavors of apples, fresh lemons and minerals. Full-bodied. Precise. White pepper and salt at the end. 40% chardonnay and 35% pinot noir, the rest pinot meunier. Three to four years on the lees. Drink now.

Our Professional Review 

This old vines Pinot Blanc Auxerrois comes from steep slopes near the town of Colmar. It is elegant, yet complex and rich.  Delicate yellow plum and white berry fruit intermingles with stony minerality and a subtle hint of spice.   Rand Sieger - 67 Wine Buyer

Expert Review - Vintage 2023

Vinous 91 Points | The 2023 Pinot Blanc Auxerrois Vieilles Vignes, from vines planted between 60 and 75 years ago, is a pure Auxerrois. The palate is unusually smooth and fluid, just flowing and bright. This moves with poise and grace, living off its smooth texture and surprising freshness. The 2023 is exceptionally serene. (Bone-dry)

Winemaker Notes

Winemaker Description 

This Sauvignon Blanc is pale yellow with green reflections and a concentrated nose of lemon and exotic fruits. Elegant and aromatic, the palate delivers a lengthy finish tinged with spice.

Ideal for appetizers, this is the perfect wine to open your palate, serving as a great match for soft cheeses-particularly goat cheese which is a specialty of the Loire region-summertime salads, seafood and grilled meats. Blend: 100% Sauvignon Blanc.-Winemaker Notes

In 1989, Paul Buisse purchased over 173 acres of vineyards in an area recognized as one of the best for winegrowing in the Touraine appellation of the Loire Valley. Upon his retirement in 2010, Paul Buisse sold the company to his friend, Pierre Chainier, whose family has a long history of working in wine and trade dating back to 1749. Since, the Chainier family have become pioneers in sustainable farming, being the first to employ green practices in the region. The vision of the Chainiers is to bring knowledge, experience and a passion for winemaking to the industry.

Expert Review - Vintage 2024

93 Points by Tasting Panel: The 2024 rendition of this consistently fine rosé hits a winning balance between expressive fruit flavors and the sense of restraint that has made Provence the global standard for wines of this type. It shows a bit more palate weight than less expensive rosés but remains refreshing, with a touch of citrus acidity energizing classic notes of strawberries and red cherries. – Michael Franz

92 Points by VinePair: This sleek wine is a quintessential example of the Provençal style… It offers notes of both juicy, acidic grapefruit juice as well as bitter grapefruit pith and a chalky minerality. – Hannah Staab

Elizabeth Gabay MW writes:  This rosé stood out for its exuberant fruity ch2049arm. From the cool northern reaches of Coteaux d’Aix, comes this very pale creamy white pink. Fragrant aromas of orchard blossom, perfumed pears, apples and fresh citrus, the wine opens out to rich white fruit, pears, ripe white peaches, raw, toasty hazelnuts and ripe concentrated weightiness. Balanced by fresh, well-integrated acidity, this rosé is silky smooth and elegant, the ripe charm of the fruit gives attractive flavour and joyousness.  - Decanter Magazine

Producer Description 

A hypnotizing pale pink color with notes of citrus, wild berries, and white peach. Refreshingly crisp and dry with a mineral finish.