French Wine

Château d'Esclans | Whispering Angel Rosé | Côtes de Provence 2025

There is a reason Whispering Angel became the world's most recognized Provence rosé: it is simply, consistently, beautifully made. Sacha Lichine and his team at Château d'Esclans set the benchmark for pale Provençal rosé, and the 2025 continues that tradition with the effortless elegance the wine is known for.

Pale salmon in the glass, it opens with fresh peach, strawberry, and delicate red berry fruit, with a floral lift that is quintessentially Provence. The palate is full and lush yet bone dry — pink grapefruit and hints of peach, lively acidity, and a smooth, round finish with real concentration. Grenache provides the body, Cinsault the freshness, and Rolle (Vermentino) the aromatic lift that ties it all together.

Drink it from mid-day to midnight. It goes with everything and offends no one.

James Suckling 91 Points | An elegant and scented nose of pink cherry pits, peach skin and cherry blossoms. Medium-bodied with fresh, round acidity and a textured finish. Elegant and pure finish. (Vintage 2025). 

Pair with: Grilled seafood · Summer salads · Charcuterie · Light pasta · Goat cheese

• Appellation: Côtes de Provence AOP
• Grapes: Grenache, Cinsault, Rolle (Vermentino)
• Vintage: 2025
• Style: Dry Rosé
• Size: 750ml

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 91 | 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.

Decanter 91 | 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 lovely creaminess to the bright finish. A blend of 50% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Meunier. Up to 45% reserve wines. Drinking 2024 to 2030.

Wine Spectator 90 | 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. Drink now.

Jeb Dunnuck 89 | A golden straw hue, ripe with aromas of yeasty bread dough, peaches, and fresh flowers. Medium-bodied on the palate, ripe and juicy with rounded red berried fruit, a supple texture, a pillowy mousse, and a warming finish. Fresh and inviting. Drinking 2023 to 2026.

Product Details

Bottle Size: 750ml
Vintage: NV (Non-Vintage)
Region: Champagne, France
Appellation: Champagne AOC
Grape Varieties: Pinot Noir (50%), Chardonnay (30%), Pinot Meunier (20%)
Style: Brut Champagne
Aging: 3 years on the lees

E. Guigal · Côtes du Rhône Rouge · Southern Rhône · France · 2022 · 750ml

E. Guigal is the most celebrated name in the Rhône Valley — a family estate founded in Ampuis in 1946 by Etienne Guigal and now run by his son Marcel, whose obsessive commitment to quality has made Guigal synonymous with the finest expressions of Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvèdre from Hermitage to Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The Côtes du Rhône Rouge is Guigal’s benchmark entry-level wine: a blend of 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache, and 10% Mourvèdre, partially aged in large oak foudres, and crafted to deliver genuine Rhône character at an honest price. The 2022 vintage was the hottest and driest growing season since 1950 — intense heatwaves followed by mid-August rainfall that promoted ripening and yielded concentrated, full-bodied wines of exceptional richness and depth. Jeb Dunnuck called it “smoking good.” At $18.99, this is one of the most compelling values in French red wine.

Deep ruby in the glass with an intensely aromatic nose of blackberry, black plum, pepper, garrigue, and a whisper of cocoa — generous, expressive, and unmistakably southern Rhône. On the palate: full-bodied and round, with lush dark fruit, velvety tannins, and a long, elegant finish that shows real finesse beyond the abundance of fruit. Three critics, three 90+ scores: Jeb Dunnuck 91, Wine Enthusiast 91, Wine Advocate 90. Drink now through 2028. Pair with charcuterie, braised lamb, beef stew, roast chicken, or a simple cheese board.

• Producer: E. Guigal (est. 1946, Ampuis)
• Wine: Côtes du Rhône Rouge AOC
• Vintage: 2022
• Origin: Southern Rhône Valley, France
• Blend: 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre
• Aging: Partially aged in large oak foudres
• Style: Full-bodied, generous southern Rhône red
• Scores: Jeb Dunnuck 91 · Wine Enthusiast 91 · Wine Advocate 90
• Drinking Window: Now–2028
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Blackberry, black plum, pepper, garrigue, cocoa, velvety tannins, long elegant finish
• Pair With: Charcuterie · Braised lamb · Beef stew · Roast chicken · Cheese board

The Rhône’s most celebrated name, three 90+ scores — southern France’s most reliable everyday red.

Expert Reviews

Jeb Dunnuck — 91 Points
“Smoking good — blackberries, pepper, and garrigue in a round, supple, medium to full-bodied style. Remarkable quality for the appellation.”

Wine Enthusiast — 91 Points
“Black plum and cocoa-dusted aromas bump against raspberry and black tea. Fulsome in body, with red fruit riding all the way to the finish, made more complex by velvety tannins.”

Wine Advocate — 90 Points
“Juicy, round and elegant — remarkably dense for the vintage and represents excellent value.”

Louis Jadot Mâcon-Villages — Mâconnais, Burgundy 2024

Louis Jadot is one of Burgundy’s most celebrated négociants — a house with over 160 years of history and an unrivalled reputation for honest, terroir-driven wines at every price point. The Mâcon-Villages is their benchmark expression of unoaked Burgundy Chardonnay: sourced from chalk and limestone soils across the Mâconnais, fermented in stainless steel with no oak contact, and crafted to deliver the pure, bright, food-friendly character that has made this appellation a perennial favorite. Wine Spectator awarded it 88 points. At under $17, it is one of the most compelling values in all of white Burgundy.

Floral and inviting on the nose: apple blossom, citrus zest, and white peach. On the palate, it is crisp and refreshing — bright green apple and lemon, underpinned by a nuanced mineral thread from the limestone soils, with a clean, lively finish and excellent balance. The quintessential unoaked Burgundy Chardonnay — effortlessly drinkable and endlessly food-friendly.

Wine Spectator 88 — Unoaked Burgundy Chardonnay of bright purity and limestone minerality.

• Producer: Louis Jadot, Beaune, Burgundy, France
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Mâcon-Villages AOC
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Soils: Chalk and limestone, Mâconnais
• Vinification: Stainless steel fermentation, no oak
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Apple blossom, citrus zest, white peach, green apple, lemon, limestone minerality
• Best Paired With: Oysters, grilled fish, roast chicken, light pasta, goat cheese, summer salads

A 160-year Burgundy house at its most approachable — Louis Jadot Mâcon-Villages is the benchmark for what unoaked Chardonnay can be.

Winemaker Description

Bright powder-pink with silver highlights. The nose offers a delicate bouquet of roses and red fruit, evolving toward tangy notes. On the palate, beautiful balance of freshness, liveliness, and deliciousness — strawberry and peach with tension and a long, saline, mineral finish. A blend of Cinsault, Grenache, and Syrah, harvested early morning to preserve fruit freshness and fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks.

About La Vieille Ferme

Produced by the Perrin family — the same family behind Château de Beaucastel — La Vieille Ferme Rosé is affectionately known as the "Chicken Wine" for its colorful label and has become a social media favorite for its lightness, character, and exceptional value. Sourced from the Ventoux appellation in the southern Rhône Valley, this rosé delivers Provençal charm at an unbeatable price.

Food Pairings

Serve at 10–12°C. Ideal with hors d'oeuvres, cold buffets, tomato salads, grilled meats, and summer-style dishes. Perfect chilled on its own as a porch or patio sipper.

Product Details

• Producer: La Vieille Ferme (Perrin Family)
• Appellation: Ventoux, Rhône Valley, France
• Grapes: Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah
• Closure: Screwcap
• Vintage: 2025
• Style: Dry, light-bodied, fruit-forward Provençal rosé
• Format: 750ml

Château Hyot Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux — Bordeaux, France 2019

Château Hyot is situated on the slopes just west of Castillon, in the Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux appellation — one of Bordeaux's most exciting value regions, where Merlot-dominant wines of genuine character are produced at a fraction of the price of their Saint-Émilion neighbors across the border. The estate's sandy-gravelly soils act as a natural flavor enhancer, contributing a distinctive minerality and freshness that elevates the wine beyond its price point. The 2019 vintage — one of Bordeaux's finest of the last decade — delivered exceptional ripeness and concentration across the Right Bank.

The wine pours an intense ruby with shiny reflections. The nose is expressive and layered — blackberry, blackcurrant, blueberry, mulberry, dark plum, dried herbs, and a touch of cigar box and toasted oak. On the palate, it's medium-bodied and Merlot-driven, with powdery tannins, juicy acidity, and a savory, earthy, flavorful finish that reflects the authenticity of the terroir. Drink now or hold through 2026.

"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." — James Suckling, 90 Points

• Producer: Château Hyot, Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux, France
• Vintage: 2019
• Appellation: Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux AOC
• Varietal: Merlot-dominant
• Terroir: Sandy-gravelly slopes west of Castillon
• Size: 750ml
• Accolades: James Suckling 90 | Wine Enthusiast 90
• Drink: Now through 2026
• Tasting Notes: Blackberry, blackcurrant, dark plum, dried herbs, cigar box, powdery tannins, earthy finish
• Best Paired With: Roast lamb, grilled beef, duck, mushroom dishes, aged cheeses

Dual 90-point Right Bank Bordeaux at an exceptional price — Castillon terroir, 2019 vintage, and Merlot-driven generosity in every glass.

Jean Marc Brocard Chablis Sainte Claire Biodynamic — Chablis, Burgundy 2024

Jean Marc Brocard is one of Chablis' most respected and forward-thinking producers, farming biodynamically across his estate to honor the region's singular Kimmeridgian limestone terroir. Chablis is the northernmost appellation of Burgundy — a place where Chardonnay expresses itself with a precision, purity, and mineral tension found nowhere else in the world. The Sainte Claire is Brocard's entry point into the appellation and a benchmark for what classic Chablis should be: 100% Chardonnay, hand-harvested, naturally fermented with minimal intervention, and vinified without synthetic inputs. Nothing added, nothing taken away — just the wine and its terroir.

The 2024 pours a pale gold with green reflections. The nose opens with lemon, yellow stone fruit, and fresh citrus — clean, precise, and inviting. On the palate, it's wrapped and balanced with a tangy, layered character: Kimmeridgian minerality, crisp acidity, and a clean saline finish that makes it one of the most food-friendly whites in the shop. Serve well chilled and let the terroir do the talking.

"Farming biodynamically to honor the region's singular limestone terroir — hand-harvested, naturally fermented, minimal intervention. The result is a wine that speaks directly of its terroir." — Jean Marc Brocard

• Producer: Jean Marc Brocard, Chablis, Burgundy, France
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Chablis AOC
• Varietal: Chardonnay
• Farming: Certified Biodynamic; hand-harvested; no synthetic inputs
• Vinification: Natural fermentation, minimal intervention
• Terroir: Kimmeridgian limestone
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Lemon, yellow stone fruit, citrus, Kimmeridgian minerality, crisp acidity, saline finish
• Best Paired With: Oysters, clams, grilled sole, plateau de fruits de mer, goat cheese, leek tart, roast chicken with lemon

Classic Chablis from one of the appellation's most committed biodynamic producers — Kimmeridgian limestone, natural fermentation, and the kind of saline precision that makes it irresistible with a glass of oysters.

Côtes du Rhône Syrah from One of the Southern Rhône’s Most Historic Estates

Château de Saint Cosme has been in the hands of the Barruol family since 1490, making it one of the oldest continuously family-owned estates in the Rhône Valley. Under Louis Barruol, who took over in 1992, Saint Cosme has become a benchmark for the appellation. The 2025 Côtes du Rhône — 100% Syrah from the stony Villafranchian terraces of the Gard, with limestone sand, red clay, and pebbles — is fermented with natural yeasts and vinified in concrete vats, delivering a wine of remarkable purity, freshness, and character at an exceptional price.

Expert Review - Prior Vintage 2024 

• Wine Spectator — 90 pts: "A pure core of fresh blackberry, crunchy plum and violet in this vibrant version, with the subtlest brushing of vanilla. Layers of graphite and fine-grained tannins provide a solid framework. Compact, with savory details emerging toward the solid, medium-bodied finish, grounded in salty mineral notes and a waft of alder smoke. Drink now through 2028."

Winemaker Notes

100% Syrah from the stony Villafranchian terraces of the Gard. The vineyards are known for their limestone sand, red clay, and pebbles, which give freshness and intensity to the Syrah grapes. Partially destemmed, fermented with natural yeasts, and vinified in concrete vats. Typical spicy notes of sandalwood, violets, and black pepper.

Vineyard & Provenance

• Grape: 100% Syrah
• Appellation: Côtes du Rhône AOC, Southern Rhône, France
• Producer: Château de Saint Cosme (Barruol family, est. 1490)
• Vintage: 2024
• Vinification: Partially destemmed, natural yeasts, concrete vats
• Size: 750ml

Food Pairings

A natural match for Provençal and Mediterranean cuisine — exceptional with grilled beef or venison with black pepper and thyme, roasted duck, pork, mushroom dishes, and Moroccan tagines.

Famille Perrin Côtes du Rhône Réserve Blanc — Southern Rhône 2025

Famille Perrin’s Côtes du Rhône Réserve Blanc is the calling card of one of the Southern Rhône’s most prestigious winemaking dynasties — the same family behind the legendary Château de Beaucastel. Blending Viognier, Marsanne, Grenache Blanc, and Roussanne from carefully selected vineyards across the appellation, this wine delivers a Châteauneuf-du-Pape-style experience at an everyday price. At under $15, it is one of the most compelling values in all of Southern France.

The color is a luminous pale gold with delicate green reflections. The nose is expressive and aromatic: ripe pear, nectarine, honey, and a lift of lilac and fresh herbs. On the palate, it is full-bodied and generous, with a lively, saline finish that brings freshness and beautiful length. The sweetness of stone fruit blends harmoniously with subtle floral notes, giving the wine a complexity that evolves beautifully in the glass.

• Producer: Famille Perrin (Château de Beaucastel), Southern Rhône, France
• Vintage: 2025
• Appellation: Côtes du Rhône AOC
• Blend: Viognier, Marsanne, Grenache Blanc, Roussanne
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Ripe pear, nectarine, honey, lilac, fresh herbs, saline finish
• Best Paired With: Grilled trout, bouillabaisse, shrimp with garlic butter, mild curry, saffron rice, goat cheese, charcuterie

A Beaucastel-pedigree white at an honest price — Famille Perrin’s Réserve Blanc is the benchmark for what everyday Côtes du Rhône can be.

Château Miraval Côtes de Provence Rosé — Provence 2025

Château Miraval is the benchmark of Provence rosé — a 1,200-acre estate near the village of Correns, just north of Brignoles, in the heart of the appellation. The vineyards sit on clay and limestone soils, partially terraced at an average elevation of 350 meters, with significant day-to-night temperature swings that preserve the natural acidity and aromatic precision that define the Miraval style. Farmed organically, the estate blends Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, and Rolle into a rosé of exceptional refinement and consistency. The 2025 vintage was shaped by intense summer heat and early maturity — smaller-than-average berries with concentrated, expressive aromatics and the characteristic freshness of Provence. The result is one of the finest Miraval rosés in recent memory.

The color is an elegant, bright pale pink with silvery undertones. The nose is refined and captivating: a superb aromatic bouquet of white flowers, grapefruit, and white peach, with saline and lemony hints that signal the minerality to come. On the palate, it is ample, fresh, and luscious — vibrant white-fleshed fruit punctuated by saline and citrus notes that underscore its freshness and impart a beautiful, stony minerality. The finish is clean, long, and irresistibly Provençal. Serve well-chilled at 44–48°F.

“Beautiful aromatic power combined with the freshness characteristic of Provence wines.” — Château Miraval, 2025 Vintage Notes

• Producer: Château Miraval, Correns, Côtes de Provence, France
• Vintage: 2025
• Appellation: Côtes de Provence AOC
• Blend: Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, Rolle
• Farming: Organically Farmed
• Terroir: Clay and limestone, terraced vineyards at 350m elevation
• Style: Elegant, mineral-driven, pale Provence rosé
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: White flowers, grapefruit, white peach, saline minerality, citrus, long fresh finish
• Serve: Well-chilled at 44–48°F
• Best Paired With: Aperitif, salads, grilled fish, Mediterranean cuisine, sushi, soft cheeses

The icon of Provence rosé — Miraval 2025 is elegance, minerality, and the south of France in every glass.

Château Greysac Cru Bourgeois Supérieur — Médoc, Bordeaux 2019

Château Greysac has a remarkable story. Built in the 1700s in the Médoc hamlet of Begadan, north of St. Estèphe, the estate was purchased in 2012 by Jean Guyon — a tastemaker, designer, and visionary who moved in the circles of fine art and couture fashion. Guyon arrived with a clear objective: to craft wines with the same care and attention to detail as a Cru Classé, but at far more approachable prices. He modernized the winery, overhauled vineyard practices with sustainability in mind, and by 2018 the estate was classified as Cru Bourgeois Supérieur. As the largest landowner in the Médoc, Guyon controls quality and consistency that few Bordelaise châteaux can claim — which is why, since 2015, Greysac has been the persistent #1 Médoc over $20 in the United States.

The 2019 — widely regarded as one of Bordeaux's finest vintages of the last decade — is a seamless, beautifully structured expression of the estate. The nose is plush and enticing: blackcurrant, blackberry, dark cherry, cedar, graphite, and a hint of spice. On the palate, it's medium-to-full-bodied with sappy black fruit, fine depth, smooth structured tannins, and a pure, caressing finish that belies its backbone. Aged 12 months in 50% one-year-old French oak and 50% tank, with malolactic fermentation in oak and three months of lees stirring.

"Seamless nose with plush black fruits and a hint of spice. Fabulous fruit on the palate with great balancing acidity and fine-grained tannins. Persistent finish." — Decanter, 96 Points

• Producer: Château Greysac, Begadan, Médoc, Bordeaux, France
• Classification: Cru Bourgeois Supérieur
• Vintage: 2019
• Appellation: Médoc AOC
• Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot
• Vineyard: 68 ha on clay-gravel hilltop; avg. 35-year-old vines; sustainably farmed
• Aging: 12 months, 50% one-year-old French oak / 50% tank; MLF in oak; 3 months lees stirring
• Size: 750ml
• Accolades: Decanter 96 | Vinous 91 | Jeb Dunnuck 90
• Tasting Notes: Blackcurrant, blackberry, dark cherry, cedar, graphite, smooth tannins, persistent finish
• Best Paired With: Roast lamb, grilled ribeye, duck confit, aged hard cheeses, classic Bordelaise cuisine

The #1 Médoc over $20 in the US — Cru Bourgeois Supérieur quality at an approachable price, in one of Bordeaux's greatest recent vintages.

Isle Saint Pierre IGP Méditerranée Rosé — Southern France 2025

Isle Saint-Pierre takes its name from a small island at the mouth of the Rhône river, where 200 hectares of vines grow on sandy, silty, alluvial soils that lend the wine a subtle iodized salinity and a distinctly Mediterranean character. The blend is a generous one — Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Syrah, Malbec, Nielluccio, Vermentino, and Colombard — farmed sustainably and vinified with cold maceration and 100% free-run juice to preserve maximum freshness and aromatic lift. The result is a bistro-style rosé that over-delivers at every turn.

The 2025 pours a pale, luminous pink. The nose is lively and inviting — ripe strawberry, fresh red fruit, and a hint of dried fig with a whisper of floral lift. On the palate, it's vibrant and easy-drinking with an elegant texture and a lingering fresh finish that keeps you coming back. Serve well-chilled at 8–10°C and open it without ceremony — this is a wine built for the moment.

"An exceptional value in Southern French rosé — lively, vibrant, and delicious at every turn." — 67Wine Staff

• Producer: Isle Saint-Pierre, IGP Méditerranée, Southern France
• Vintage: 2025
• Appellation: IGP Méditerranée
• Blend: Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Syrah, Malbec, Nielluccio, Vermentino, Colombard
• Terroir: Sandy, silty, alluvial soils — island at the mouth of the Rhône
• Vinification: Cold maceration, 100% free-run juice, aged in tank
• Farming: Sustainable
• Closure: Screwcap
• Size: 750ml
• Serve: 8–10°C
• Tasting Notes: Ripe strawberry, fresh red fruit, dried fig, elegant texture, fresh finish
• Best Paired With: Aperitifs, light salads, grilled fish, Mediterranean seafood, charcuterie

Southern French rosé at its most honest and enjoyable — sustainably farmed, screwcap sealed, and priced for every day of the summer.

La Petite Lune Rouge — Graves, Bordeaux 2022

La Petite Lune is the entry-level expression from Clos des Lunes — a project founded by the owners of Domaine de Chevalier, one of Pessac-Léognan's most celebrated Grand Cru Classé estates, in collaboration with Stéphane Dérenoncourt, widely regarded as one of the top winemakers in France. The vineyards sit a stone's throw from Chevalier's famed plots in Graves, and the wine is built on a special selection of vineyard lots handpicked by Dérenoncourt and vinified by Bernard's team at Domaine de Chevalier. The aim: a wine that is slightly more modern in styling than a classic Bordeaux, with an excellent quality-to-price ratio — and at under $20, it delivers exactly that.

The 2022 is a blend of 50% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Cabernet Franc. The nose is pretty and inviting — blackberry, dried tobacco, and herbal notes with a classic Graves character. On the palate, it's medium-bodied and mouth-filling with generous fruit, supple tannins, and a delicious, clean fruit finish. Approachable now and built for easy enjoyment.

"Founded by the owners of Domaine de Chevalier and Stéphane Dérenoncourt, one of the top winemakers in France — a Bordeaux of excellent quality-price ratio." — Clos des Lunes

• Producer: Clos des Lunes (Domaine de Chevalier & Stéphane Dérenoncourt), Graves, Bordeaux, France
• Vintage: 2022
• Appellation: Bordeaux AOC
• Blend: 50% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Blackberry, dried tobacco, herbal notes, medium-bodied, supple tannins, clean fruit finish
• Best Paired With: Grilled lamb, roast chicken, duck, mushroom dishes, aged cheeses

Grand Cru Classé pedigree and Dérenoncourt's touch at an everyday Bordeaux price — the smartest under-$20 red in the shop.

Château La Vaisinerie — Puisseguin Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux 2019

Puisseguin Saint-Émilion is one of Bordeaux's four Saint-Émilion satellites — appellations that share the Saint-Émilion name and its clay-limestone terroir, but offer wines of genuine character at a fraction of the price of their more famous neighbor. Château La Vaisinerie is a standout estate in the appellation, producing a Merlot-dominant blend (90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc) that earned four separate critic endorsements in the 2019 vintage — one of Bordeaux's finest of the last decade. The result is a wine of real refinement and balance that consistently punches above its price point.

The 2019 pours a deep ruby. The nose is expressive and layered — blue fruits, blackberry, black cherry, candied violets, sweet tobacco, crushed stones, and floral notes with a mineral undertow. On the palate, it's medium-bodied, pure, and impeccably balanced: supple tannins, fine acidity, a pretty core of fruit, and a sensual, velvety-smooth finish. Already drinking beautifully with a carafe; will continue to develop through 2029.

"Blue fruits and cola cubes on the nose. Linear and direct, powerful but restrained, with a core of dark, juicy fruits and a mineral undertow giving freshness and a velvety-smooth texture to the tannins. One I want another glass of." — Georgina Hindle, Decanter, 90 Points

• Producer: Château La Vaisinerie, Puisseguin Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux, France
• Vintage: 2019
• Appellation: Puisseguin Saint-Émilion AOC
• Blend: 90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc
• Size: 750ml
• Accolades: Decanter 90 | James Suckling 90 | Jeb Dunnuck | Vinous (Neal Martin)
• Drink: Now–2029 (decant if opening today)
• Tasting Notes: Blue fruits, blackberry, black cherry, candied violets, sweet tobacco, crushed stone, supple tannins, sensual finish
• Best Paired With: Roast lamb, duck confit, grilled ribeye, mushroom dishes, aged cheeses

Four-critic Right Bank Bordeaux at a satellite appellation price — Saint-Émilion terroir, 2019 vintage, and Merlot-driven elegance in every glass.

William Fèvre · Chablis Champs Royaux · Chablis AOC · Burgundy · 2024

William Fèvre is one of Chablis’ most storied domaines, farming 37 hectares across the appellation’s most prized exposures on both banks of the Serein river. Champs Royaux — the “Royal Fields” — draws from vineyards rooted in Kimmeridgian limestone, the ancient seabed of oyster fossils and marine sediment that defines Chablis’ signature minerality. Fermented on native yeasts in predominantly stainless steel with full malolactic conversion, this is a textbook expression of the appellation: linear, fresh, and built for the table.

The 2024 opens with a clean, inviting nose of citrus, white fruit, and a whisper of chalk. On the palate, it is fresh and supple — medium-bodied with bright acidity, a subtle mineral thread, and a slightly oaky finish that adds just enough texture without obscuring the wine’s essential freshness. Classic Chablis character at an exceptional price point.

• Producer: William Fèvre
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Chablis AOC, Burgundy, France
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Soils: Kimmeridgian limestone (oyster fossils & marine sediment)
• Vinification: Native yeasts; 95% stainless steel, 5% old French oak; full malolactic fermentation
• Aging: 10–12 months stainless steel; 5–6 months old French oak
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Citrus, white fruit, crushed chalk, subtle oak, linear mineral finish
• Pairings: Oysters, grilled seafood, chicken in cream sauce, soft cheeses
• Serve: Well-chilled, 44–48°F

Chablis AOC — Kimmeridgian minerality and classic Burgundian precision from one of the appellation’s benchmark estates.

Louis Jadot Beaujolais Villages — Beaujolais, Burgundy 2024

Louis Jadot is one of Burgundy's most celebrated négociants, and their Beaujolais Villages is the house's calling card for everyday drinking done right. Sourced from the granite-rich hillside vineyards of the Beaujolais Villages appellation — a step above basic Beaujolais — this 100% Gamay is vinified to highlight the grape's natural exuberance: bright acidity, low tannins, and an irresistible cascade of red and black fruit. Chill it for 20 minutes and it becomes one of the most versatile, crowd-pleasing bottles on the table.

The nose opens with ripe strawberry, raspberry, black plum, rosehip, and white blossoms — fresh, fragrant, and immediately inviting. On the palate, the wine is juicy and medium-bodied with firm red and black fruit, a lively acidity, and a clean, fruit-forward finish. It is the kind of wine that disappears fast — and for good reason.

Wine Enthusiast — "A good, hearty and muscular Beaujolais that would pair with grilled vegetables and meats. Nose of black plum, rosehip, strawberry and blossom. On the palate the wine is firm with red and black fruit predominating." (Vintage 2024). 

• Producer: Louis Jadot, Beaune, Burgundy, France
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Beaujolais Villages AOC
• Region: Beaujolais, Burgundy, France
• Varietal: 100% Gamay
• Style: Juicy, fruit-forward, low-tannin red wine
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Strawberry, raspberry, black plum, rosehip, white blossoms, bright acidity, clean finish
• Best Paired With: Grilled salmon, roast chicken, grilled vegetables, charcuterie, soft cheeses

A benchmark Beaujolais Villages at an honest price — Louis Jadot's Villages bottling is the go-to for effortless, food-friendly French red wine any night of the week.

La Vieille Ferme · Blanc · Luberon AOC · Rhône · France · 2024 · Magnum 1.5L

La Vieille Ferme is produced by the Perrin family — the same family behind Château de Beaucastel, one of the Southern Rhône’s most celebrated estates — and it is widely regarded as one of the world’s great value white wines. Affectionately known as the “Chicken Wine” for its colorful label, the Blanc blends Bourboulenc, Grenache Blanc, Ugni Blanc, and Vermentino from the Luberon for a fresh, aromatic, and food-friendly expression of the Southern Rhône. Now in a generous 1.5L magnum — the ideal format for the table, the patio, or any gathering that deserves a second glass.

The 2024 pours pale yellow-green with silver undertones. The nose opens with crisp green apple, pear, and a bouquet of mountain flowers — white thorn and wild verbena. On the palate, juicy fruit and great freshness lead to a saline finish that adds length and savoriness. Lovely balance, delicate bitterness on the close, and the kind of effortless drinkability that has made this wine a global phenomenon.

• Producer: Perrin Family (Château de Beaucastel), Luberon, France
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Luberon AOC, Southern Rhône, France
• Blend: Bourboulenc, Grenache Blanc, Ugni Blanc, Vermentino
• Style: Dry white — fresh, aromatic, saline
• Format: Magnum — 1.5L
• Tasting Notes: Green apple, pear, white thorn, wild verbena, juicy fruit, saline finish
• Pairings: Roast chicken with lemon and thyme, grilled sea bass, mussels in white wine, shrimp cocktail, goat cheese salads, charcuterie

Luberon AOC — the “Chicken Wine” from the Beaucastel family. World-class value, now in a 1.5L magnum built for sharing.

Cave de Lugny Mâcon-Lugny Les Charmes — Mâconnais, Burgundy, France 2024

Cave de Lugny is one of the largest and most respected cooperative cellars in the Mâconnais — the southern reaches of Burgundy where Chardonnay finds its most approachable, food-friendly, and consistently excellent expression. Founded in 1926, the cooperative brings together growers farming the predominantly limestone plateaus around the village of Lugny, a terroir ideally suited to producing unoaked Chardonnay of genuine character and regional typicity. Les Charmes is Cave de Lugny's flagship single-vineyard cuvée — sourced from the limestone plateau of the same name in the heart of Lugny, a step up in concentration and character from their standard bottlings, and a unique expression of this particular plot in the Mâconnais. Unoaked and vinified to preserve the natural freshness and floral aromatics of the limestone terroir, it is Burgundy Chardonnay at its most versatile and food-friendly — and one of the great white wine values under $20.

The nose is floral and inviting: honey, acacia, and citrus with a freshness that speaks to the limestone soils. On the palate, it is ample and velvety with a spicy edge — generous and textured, yet retaining the bright acidity and freshness that make Mâcon-Lugny such a reliable partner at the table. Unoaked, clean, and incredibly versatile.

"Mâcon-Lugny Les Charmes comes from the predominantly limestone plateau of the same name in the town of Lugny. Ample, velvety, and spicy on the palate with floral and fruity aromas of honey, acacia, and citrus — a unique expression of this particular plot in the Mâconnais." — Cave de Lugny, Winemaker

• Producer: Cave de Lugny, Lugny, Mâconnais, Burgundy, France (est. 1926)
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Mâcon-Lugny AOC
• Vineyard: Les Charmes
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Winemaking: Unoaked
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Honey, acacia, citrus, floral, ample and velvety, spicy edge, fresh finish
• Style: Medium-bodied, unoaked, fresh, food-friendly
• Drink: Now through 2027
• Best Paired With: Pan-seared sea bass, garlic shrimp, sushi, roast chicken with lemon and thyme, goat cheese (Chabichou or Selles-sur-Cher), asparagus

Single-vineyard Mâconnais Chardonnay from one of Burgundy's finest cooperatives — Cave de Lugny Les Charmes 2024 s velvety, fresh, and one of the great white wine values under $20.

Henri Bourgeois is one of the Loire Valley's most storied estates, with roots in Sancerre stretching back generations. The Petit Bourgeois is their entry into the broader Val de Loire appellation — a wine that delivers the house's signature precision and aromatic lift at an exceptional price point. Sourced from carefully selected Loire vineyards, it captures everything that makes the region's Sauvignon Blanc so compelling.

The 2024 is remarkably aromatic: floral and fresh on the nose with citrus blossom, green apple, gooseberry, and a whisper of passion fruit. On the palate, bright acidity and a clean, vivid texture carry flavors of lemon zest, crisp apple, and fresh herbs to a lively, refreshing finish. Pure, precise, and an outstanding value.

• Producer: Henri Bourgeois
• Appellation: Val de Loire IGP, Loire Valley, France
• Grape: Sauvignon Blanc
• Vintage: 2024
• Closure: Screwcap
• Serve: 46–50°F
• Pairings: Halibut in lemon butter, grilled white fish, seafood, goat cheese, vegetable dishes
• Size: 750ml

Critical Acclaim - Vintage 2024

• Vinatis — 18/20 (~93 pts): Excellent value. Floral, soft, and fruity — ideal for aperitifs, cheese, and seafood.

Henri Bourgeois | Petit Bourgeois Sauvignon Blanc | Val de Loire IGP | Loire Valley, France | 2024

Hugel Gentil — Alsace, France 2024

Hugel is one of Alsace's most storied and respected family estates, based in Riquewihr and producing wine since 1639 — nearly four centuries of unbroken winemaking in one of France's most distinctive wine regions. Gentil is their signature multi-varietal blend and one of the great value wines of Alsace: a kaleidoscope of grapiness produced exclusively from hand-harvested grapes grown in predominantly clay and limestone vineyards across a dozen of the most favored localities in and around Riquewihr. The 2024 is a blend of 30% Riesling, 20% Gewurztraminer, 15% Pinot Gris, 15% Pinot Blanc, 15% Sylvaner, and 5% Muscat — each variety contributing its own character to the whole.

The 2024 pours a pale, luminous gold. The nose is aromatic and inviting — citrus is the keynote, with a subtle overtone of rose and the gentle grapiness that only Muscat can bring. On the palate, it's slender and almost delicate, with lemon setting the tone and a live-wire acidity that makes it shine. Bone-dry, superbly refreshing, and straight as an arrow — the Riesling's finesse, the Gewurztraminer's spice, the Pinot Gris's body, and the Muscat's aromatic lift all in perfect balance.

"Straight as an arrow, slender, almost delicate, but with a live-wire acidity that makes it shine. Superbly refreshing. Bone-dry." — Vinous, 89 Points

• Producer: Hugel & Fils, Riquewihr, Alsace, France
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Alsace AOC
• Blend: 30% Riesling, 20% Gewurztraminer, 15% Pinot Gris, 15% Pinot Blanc, 15% Sylvaner, 5% Muscat
• Farming: Hand-harvested, clay and limestone vineyards
• Style: Bone-dry, aromatic
• Size: 750ml
• Accolades: Vinous 89
• Tasting Notes: Citrus, rose, lemon, grapiness, live-wire acidity, bone-dry, refreshing finish
• Best Paired With: Alsatian tarte flambée, grilled fish, sushi, Thai cuisine, soft cheeses, charcuterie

Nearly four centuries of Alsatian winemaking in a glass — six varieties, hand-harvested, bone-dry, and one of the great everyday whites of France.

Pol Roger Brut Réserve — Épernay, Champagne, France NV

Pol Roger is one of Champagne's most storied and beloved houses, founded in Épernay in 1849 and still family-owned today. It is perhaps best known as the preferred Champagne of Sir Winston Churchill — who reportedly consumed 42,000 bottles in his lifetime and kept a standing order at the house until his death. The Brut Réserve is their flagship non-vintage expression: a blend of equal parts Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Meunier drawn from a minimum of three base vintages, aged six months post-disgorgement with a dosage of 8g/L. It is a Champagne of remarkable consistency, elegance, and depth — and one of the great benchmarks of the non-vintage category.

The wine pours a pale gold with a fine, persistent mousse. The nose is richly biscuity and complex — steamed rice, fresh pear, Amalfi lemon, citrus blossom, mandarin oil, honeycomb, elderflower, and fresh bread. On the palate, it's creamy and beautifully balanced: medium-to-full-bodied, fleshy and enveloping, with a rich core of red apple, stone fruit, ripe red berries, and grapefruit, lively acidity, and a pillowy mousse that dissolves into a dry, harmonious, honeyed finish. Ready to enjoy now or over the next decade.

"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." — Decanter, 93 Points

• Producer: Pol Roger, Épernay, Champagne, France
• Style: Non-vintage Brut Champagne
• Blend: Equal parts Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Meunier
• Base Vintages: Minimum 3
• Dosage: 8g/L (Brut)
• Aging: 6 months post-disgorgement
• Size: 750ml
• Accolades: Decanter 93 | James Suckling 92 | Wine Advocate 92 | Wine Enthusiast 91 | Jeb Dunnuck 91
• Tasting Notes: Biscuit, pear, lemon, citrus blossom, honeycomb, elderflower, red apple, stone fruit, pillowy mousse
• Best Paired With: Oysters, caviar, smoked salmon, sushi, grilled fish, soft cheeses, light appetizers, or as an aperitif

Churchill's Champagne — five critic scores of 91–93 points, equal-parts blend, and nearly 175 years of Épernay tradition in every glass.

Château Larose Trintaudon — Haut-Médoc Cru Bourgeois Supérieur 2019

Château Larose Trintaudon is one of the Haut-Médoc’s most celebrated Cru Bourgeois estates — elevated to Cru Bourgeois Supérieur as of the 2018 vintage, a distinction that reflects the consistent quality and ambition of this property. The 2019 vintage, one of Bordeaux’s finest in a generation, is a textbook expression of understated Médoc elegance: structured, fruit-driven, and built to age.

The nose opens with blueberry, blackcurrant, and black cherry, layered with sweet tobacco, moss, and violet edges. On the palate, the wine is fleshy and full-bodied with chewy, polished tannins, cassis, bitter plum, and a savory, mineral-tinged finish that lingers with chalky precision. Give it two to three years and it will reward handsomely.

James Suckling 93 • Decanter 90 • Wine Spectator

• Producer: Château Larose Trintaudon, Haut-Médoc, Bordeaux
• Vintage: 2019
• Classification: Cru Bourgeois Supérieur, Haut-Médoc
• Blend: 50% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Blueberry, blackcurrant, black cherry, tobacco, cassis, chalky minerality
• Cellar Potential: Drink 2023–2032+
• Best Paired With: Roast lamb, beef tenderloin, duck confit, aged hard cheeses

A critically acclaimed Haut-Médoc at a Cru Bourgeois price — one of the best value Bordeaux reds in the cellar.

Elegant, food-friendly, and consistently delightful, the Chateau Graville-Lacoste Graves Blanc 2024 is a benchmark expression of white Bordeaux — a classic blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, and Muscadelle from one of the appellation's most reliable estates.

Crisp, aromatic, and refreshingly versatile, this is the kind of bottle that earns a permanent place on your table. 

Located in the Graves appellation of Bordeaux, Chateau Graville-Lacoste is a family-owned estate with a long tradition of producing expressive, terroir-driven white Bordeaux. Imported by the legendary Kermit Lynch, the estate's Graves Blanc is celebrated for its harmony, freshness, and remarkable food versatility — a wine that consistently overdelivers at its price point.

Expert Review

Madison H. Brown, Kermit Lynch Importing: “Brimming with honeysuckle, lychee, and citrus, this Bordeaux blend is reliably harmonious with Eastern cuisine — sushi, dumplings, Szechuan dishes, light curries, and vermicelli bowls all jive. I sampled a glass or two with saag paneer, butter chicken, and naan and found the Graves’ acidity a refreshing foil to the meal’s garam-masala-scented richness.”

Tasting Profile

Pale gold with bright highlights. Fresh and aromatic on the nose — honeysuckle, lychee, citrus zest, cut grass, and a hint of tropical fruit. Crisp and refreshing on the palate with lively acidity, a clean mineral backbone, and a dry, precise finish. Classic white Graves: harmonious, food-friendly, and endlessly drinkable.

Food Pairings

Serve well-chilled (44–48°F). Exceptionally versatile — pairs beautifully with sushi, dumplings, Thai and Vietnamese cuisine, light curries, grilled fish, goat cheese, and fresh salads. One of the most food-friendly whites in Bordeaux.

• Producer: Chateau Graville-Lacoste
• Appellation: Graves AOC, Bordeaux, France
• Blend: Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, Muscadelle
• Importer: Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant
• Vintage: 2024
• Format: 750ml

67Wine Buyer's Note

Bernie & Dorothy, Paulo & Barbara, and Annie — Follow the Drinker® (August 2025)
This is just a terrific wine. We drank it with burgers, roast chicken, and 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 enjoyed drinking it.

Winemaker Description

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

Product Details

• Producer: Domaine Pélaquié
• Region: Côtes du Rhône AOC, Southern Rhône, France
• Blend: 50% Grenache, 50% Syrah
• Vintage: 2023
• Drinking Window: Now–2030
• Format: 750ml

Château Les Gravettes — Bordeaux Supérieur 2019

Bordeaux Supérieur is the appellation that over-delivers — and Château Les Gravettes is a textbook example of why. The 2019 vintage, one of Bordeaux’s most celebrated in recent memory, brings explosive intensity and classic structure at a price that makes it an instant cellar staple.

The wine pours a deep, brilliant dark ruby. The nose is complex and inviting — blackberries, blueberries, baking spices, and walnuts. On the palate, it is medium-to-full-bodied with chewy tannins, juicy fruit, and a chalky texture that carries through to a flavorful, aromatic finish. Harmonious and long, with the balance to drink now or hold for several more years.

“Juicy with a chalky texture and a flavorful finish.” — James Suckling, 91 Points

• Producer: Château Les Gravettes, Bordeaux, France
• Vintage: 2019
• Appellation: Bordeaux Supérieur
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Blackberry, blueberry, baking spices, walnuts, chalky texture, aromatic finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now or hold through 2027+
• Best Paired With: Leg of lamb with herbs, game, goat’s cheese, roast duck

A 91-point Bordeaux at a rock-bottom price — Château Les Gravettes is the kind of find that makes wine lovers smile.

Olivier Leflaive Les Sétilles — Bourgogne Blanc, Burgundy 2023

Olivier Leflaive is one of Burgundy's most respected négociant-éleveurs, founded in 1984 in Puligny-Montrachet by a member of the legendary Leflaive family — one of the most storied names in white Burgundy. The maison specializes in white wines from the Côte de Beaune and is known for sustainable farming and minimal-intervention winemaking. Les Sétilles — named for the small stones found in the vineyards — is the flagship entry-level wine and one of the most consistently praised value Burgundies on the market. While technically labeled as a Bourgogne Blanc, the fruit is sourced primarily from vineyards in Puligny-Montrachet and Meursault, two of the Côte de Beaune's most celebrated white wine villages. The result is a wine with the DNA of much more expensive village-level Burgundy at a fraction of the price — a genuine insider's choice for those who know.

The nose offers aromas of white flowers, peach, grilled almond, and lemon peel on a mineral-tinged background, with appealing Granny Smith apple and nectarine fruit and a hint of white blossom. The attack is full and warm on the palate, with a surprisingly fresh texture for the vintage — lively acidity driving spicy, bitter citrus through to an elegantly long and lasting finish. Astonishing quality given the volume of production.

Decanter 90 — "Appealing Granny Smith apple and nectarine fruit aroma with a hint of white blossom. Surprisingly fresh texture for the vintage, and an elegantly lovely finish — astonishing quality given the volume of production."

Wine Spectator 90 — "Peach, almond, toasty oak and earth notes highlight this plush white. Backed by lively acidity that drives the spicy, bitter citrus finish. Fine balance and length."

• Producer: Olivier Leflaive, Puligny-Montrachet, Burgundy, France
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Bourgogne Blanc AOC
• Fruit Sources: Puligny-Montrachet & Meursault vineyards
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: White flowers, peach, grilled almond, lemon peel, Granny Smith apple, nectarine, mineral, lively acidity, long finish
• Drink: Now through 2028
• Best Paired With: Lobster with drawn butter, seared scallops, grilled fish, roast chicken with tarragon, veal, Brie, aged Comté, light cream pasta

Puligny-Montrachet and Meursault fruit at a Bourgogne Blanc price — Les Sétilles is Burgundy's best-kept secret and one of the great white wine values under $40.

Alix Carlin · Sancerre Blanc · Loire Valley · France · 2025

Alix Carlin is a rising name in Sancerre — a producer crafting Sauvignon Blanc in a gentle, flowery, mineral style that captures the essence of the appellation without excess. Sancerre is the Loire Valley’s most celebrated white wine appellation, where Sauvignon Blanc grown on the region’s distinctive flinty soils (silex) and limestone (Kimmeridgian chalk) produces wines of extraordinary aromatic precision and mineral tension. Carlin’s approach is restrained and elegant: generous fruit, perfect balance, and a dry, refreshing mineral finish that makes this a terrific value in an appellation where prices can quickly climb.

The 2025 is delicious and refined — flowery and aromatic on the nose with classic Sancerre character: citrus, white flowers, and a whisper of flint. On the palate, it is generous yet perfectly balanced, with bright acidity and a clean, dry mineral finish that lingers with elegance. The ideal aperitif, and a natural partner for the table.

• Producer: Alix Carlin, Sancerre, Loire Valley, France
• Vintage: 2025
• Appellation: Sancerre AOC, Loire Valley
• Varietal: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
• Style: Dry white — flowery, mineral, refined
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Citrus, white flowers, flint, bright acidity, dry mineral finish
• Pairings: Crottin de Chavignol (classic), goat cheese, oysters, shellfish, sole, cod, white fish, aperitif

Sancerre AOC — flowery, mineral Sauvignon Blanc from a refined Loire producer. Generous, balanced, and a terrific value in the appellation.

Studio by Miraval Côtes de Provence Rosé — Provence 2025

Studio by Miraval is a collaboration between the celebrated Perrin Family — the force behind Château Beaucastel and some of the Rhône’s greatest wines — and the legendary Miraval estate in Provence. Named as a tribute to the recording studio where Pink Floyd recorded The Wall, this wine embodies the spirit of Art de Vivre around the Mediterranean. Strongly influenced by sea spray and the proximity of the Mediterranean Sea, the salty, almost iodized soils of the estate give the wine a unique coastal character that sets it apart from the crowd. The 2025 vintage — marked by intense summer heat, early maturity, and beautifully concentrated, aromatic berries — earned 90 points from Decanter and is punching well above its price.

The color is a seductive, clear, bright pale-pink with pastel reflections. The nose is all finesse and elegance: small red fruit, cherry blossom, and a superb aromatic bouquet. On the palate, it is lively and ample — blood orange, redcurrant, and cranberry are perfectly balanced by a fresh mineral structure and a hint of bitterness, with a long, tasty finish that lingers with iodized freshness.

Decanter 90 — “Concentrated, a really nice balance between cranberry and citrus. Open and lifted and aromatic, floral, dry and full of flavour. This is punching above its weight for the price.”

• Producer: Studio by Miraval, Perrin Family, Provence, France
• Vintage: 2025
• Appellation: Côtes de Provence AOC
• Style: Dry Rosé
• Terroir: Mediterranean coastal soils with sea spray influence
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Cherry blossom, small red fruit, blood orange, redcurrant, cranberry, fresh mineral structure, iodized finish
• Serve: Well-chilled at 44–48°F
• Best Paired With: Grilled fish, seafood, light salads, goat cheese, Provençal cuisine; perfect as an apéritif

Pink Floyd’s studio, the Perrin Family’s expertise, and the Mediterranean’s soul — Studio by Miraval is the Provence rosé that always earns its place at the table.

67Wine Buyer's Note

Bart Hopkins, 67Wine
Stephanie Fumoso is the great-granddaughter of Eugène Bonfils, who founded Domaine Gour de Chaulé in 1900. The estate has 10 hectares in the village of Gigondas, planted mainly to Grenache with small percentages of Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Cinsault. The 2022 Cuvée Tradition is a pure expression of this beautiful part of the Southern Rhône — juicy, herb-infused strawberry fruit on the nose accented with crushed pepper and savory spices. Energetic and lively in the mouth, with a gentle grip of tannins and a lick of acidity on the long, elegant finish. Well balanced and perfectly suited to the dinner table — serve with braised meats, roasted vegetables, and hearty Mediterranean dishes.

Expert Reviews — Vintage 2022

James Suckling — 93 Points
"A refined, chiseled and bright red based mostly on Grenache with the addition of Syrah and Mourvèdre. The nose is precise and charming, with notes of wild strawberries, dried flowers, wet stones, and baking spices. Medium-bodied with fine tannins. Fresh and well-balanced. Beautiful volume. Silky texture with a purity of fruit and a harmonious finish. Drink or hold."

Vinous — 93 Points
"The full-bodied 2022 Gigondas Cuvée Tradition 1871 is a total delight. Succulent red fruits mingle with floral tones and a pinch of dried herbs. Smooth tannins and bright acidity neatly structure this silky-textured Gigondas, which culminates with a concentrated, sapid finish. Give it two more years in bottle to develop even more complexity."

About the Vineyard

Several important vineyard sites form this Gigondas, including Gour de Chaulé, Les Blaches, and Les Bousquets. The Grenache vines average well over a half century in age, contributing the concentration and complexity that defines this cuvée.

Product Details

• Producer: Domaine Gour de Chaulé
• Region: Gigondas AOC, Southern Rhône, France
• Blend: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault
• Vine Age: 50+ years
• Vintage: 2022
• Style: Full-bodied, structured Southern Rhône red
• Format: 750ml

Mary Taylor Anjou Blanc — Pascal Biotteau, Loire Valley 2024

If no wine region on earth can rival the stylistic diversity of France's Loire Valley, the appellation of Anjou offers the perfect microcosm of the region as a whole. This gorgeously subtle Chenin Blanc comes from fourth-generation winemaker Pascal Biotteau in the village of Saint-Jean-de-Mauvrets — situated on the old Roman road from Angers to Poitiers, along the border of Anjou's two sub-regions. Imported by Mary Taylor, whose mission is to bring honest, terroir-driven wines from small European producers to American tables at fair prices, this is Loire Chenin Blanc at its most pure and unpretentious.

The nose is bright and inviting: 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, a clean mineral-driven finish, and the quiet confidence that only old-vine Chenin Blanc from Anjou can deliver. Drink now through 2027.

"The perfect microcosm of the Loire — fresh, mineral, and utterly honest." — Mary Taylor Wines

• Producer: Pascal Biotteau, Saint-Jean-de-Mauvrets, Anjou, Loire Valley, France
• Importer: Mary Taylor Wines
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Anjou Blanc AOC
• Varietal: 100% Chenin Blanc
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Green apple, pear, white peach, honey, citrus zest, mineral finish
• Drink: Now through 2027
• Best Paired With: Grilled white fish, oysters, lobster bisque, soft cheeses, fresh goat cheese, light poultry, spring vegetable risotto

A textbook Anjou Blanc at a price that makes it an everyday essential — this Chenin Blanc is the Loire in a glass.

Domaine Schoffit Pinot Blanc Auxerrois Vieilles Vignes Sec — Alsace 2024

Bernard Schoffit is one of Alsace’s most celebrated and quietly brilliant producers — a pioneer in the region’s greatest Grand Cru, Rangen de Thann, where he has reclaimed 6.5 hectares of near-vertical, abandoned slopes through sheer determination and ambition. His gift for winemaking extends well beyond Rangen: from his vineyards near Colmar, he applies the same rigorous approach to yields and viticulture, coaxing extraordinary wines from old vines with intense varietal purity, concentrated fruit, and perfect balancing acidity.

This Pinot Blanc Auxerrois Vieilles Vignes is sourced from steep slopes near Colmar, from vines planted between 60 and 75 years ago. Pure Auxerrois — bone dry, elegant, and unusually smooth. The nose offers delicate yellow plum, white berry fruit, stony minerality, and a subtle hint of spice. On the palate, it flows with poise and grace — bright, fluid, and surprisingly fresh, with a long, concentrated finish that belies its modest price.

“Unusually smooth and fluid, just flowing and bright… exceptionally serene.” — Vinous, 91 Points (2023 prior vintage)

“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

• Producer: Domaine Schoffit, Colmar, Alsace, France
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Alsace AOC
• Varietal: 100% Auxerrois (Pinot Blanc Auxerrois)
• Vine Age: 60–75 years old
• Style: Bone Dry (Sec)
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Yellow plum, white berry, stony minerality, citrus, subtle spice, long finish
• Best Paired With: Alsatian tarte flambée, grilled trout, roast pork, soft-ripened cheeses, charcuterie

Old vines, a legendary producer, and a price that makes it an instant cellar staple — Schoffit Auxerrois is one of Alsace’s great white wine values.

Château Bel-Air Lussac Saint-Émilion 2020 — Bordeaux, France

Château Bel-Air is a benchmark estate in Lussac Saint-Émilion, the satellite appellation just north of Saint-Émilion proper, where clay-limestone soils and a cooler microclimate produce Merlot and Cabernet Franc of remarkable depth and elegance. The 2020 Cuvée Jean & Gabriel — equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Franc, raised in one-third new French oak — is a standout achievement in an exceptional vintage. James Suckling awarded it 92 points; the Wine Advocate 91; Jeb Dunnuck 90 — calling it “well worth seeking out” with 8–10 years of prime drinking ahead.

The nose is complex and inviting: crushed raspberries and blackberries, kirsch, lavender, dark spices, and a whisper of wild mushroom and damp earth. On the palate it is medium- to full-bodied, with savory layers of red and black fruit, soft tannins, and a seamless, balanced finish of outstanding length.

James Suckling 92 • Wine Advocate 91 • Jeb Dunnuck 90 — “Seamless, balanced mouthfeel and outstanding length.”

• Producer: Château Bel-Air, Lussac Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux, France
• Vintage: 2020
• Appellation: Lussac Saint-Émilion AOC
• Blend: 50% Merlot, 50% Cabernet Franc
• Aging: One-third new French oak
• Format: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Blackberry, raspberry, kirsch, lavender, dark spice, earthy, seamless finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now or cellar 8–10 years
• Best Paired With: Roast lamb, duck confit, beef bourguignon, aged Comté, mushroom risotto

A 92-point Right Bank Bordeaux at an honest price — Château Bel-Air is the benchmark for what Lussac Saint-Émilion can be.

Bollinger Special Cuvée Brut NV — Aÿ, Champagne, France

Bollinger is one of Champagne's most storied and revered houses — a family-owned Grande Marque founded in 1829 in Aÿ, at the heart of the Pinot Noir-dominant Montagne de Reims. Fiercely independent, resolutely traditional, and uncompromising in quality, Bollinger is the only major Champagne house to still ferment a portion of its reserve wines in magnum and to use a significant proportion of oak-aged reserve wines in its blends. The Special Cuvée is the house's flagship non-vintage Brut — a benchmark of the Bollinger style and one of the most consistently celebrated Champagnes in the world. The current release is based on the 2019 vintage (45%), blended with 55% reserve wines, with 60% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay, and 15% Pinot Meunier — approximately 10% vinified in oak barrel, with around 40% reserve wine kept in magnums.

The color is a rich, youthful golden hue. The nose is classic and complex: golden apricot, hazelnut, wet stone, black cherry, dried apple, marzipan, and toasty sourdough — the unmistakable Bollinger signature of depth, richness, and biscuity autolytic character. On the palate, it is full-bodied yet elegant and light on its feet, with a ripe and luxurious feel, racy acidity, and a pillowy, refined mousse. Savoury, biscuity notes carry through to a long, inviting finish with just a hint of warmth. Exceptional now, with plenty of life ahead.

Decanter 95 — "A classic Champagne done well. Notes of marzipan, toastiness and leesy sourdough. Classic for a reason — would only elevate any table it finds itself on."

Jancis Robinson 17/20 — "A particularly stunning rendition of Bollinger. Very fine texture, remarkably fine mousse. Savoury, biscuity notes. Great length — a lovely example."

Jeb Dunnuck 93 — "Classic and ripe with lush, rounded aromas of golden apricot, hazelnut, wet stone and black cherry. Full-bodied yet elegant. One of the best entry wines to the range from this house — a benchmark wine."

James Suckling 93 — "Lovely density and fine-bubble texture. Dried apple and apricot, spice, zest and ginger. Always really well done."

Robert Parker 92 — "Bursting from the glass with honeyed apples, crisp stone fruit, buttery pastry, ripe lemons and fresh walnuts. Charming, characterful — Special Cuvée is firmly back where it belongs."

• Producer: Bollinger, Aÿ, Champagne, France
• Style: Non-Vintage Brut Champagne
• Blend: 60% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay, 15% Pinot Meunier
• Reserve Wine: 55% (including ~40% aged in magnum)
• Base Vintage: 2019
• Oak: ~10% vinified in barrel
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Golden apricot, hazelnut, wet stone, black cherry, dried apple, marzipan, sourdough, pillowy mousse, long finish
• Drink: Now through 2028
• Best Paired With: Oysters, lobster, grilled fish, roast chicken, aged Comté, charcuterie, aperitivo

James Bond's Champagne of choice — Bollinger Special Cuvée is the benchmark non-vintage Brut, and one of the great Champagnes at any price.

Xavier Flouret is one of France’s most respected wine importers and negociants, with deep roots in the Loire Valley and a reputation for sourcing wines that express the purest character of their appellations. The “French Blonde” is his signature Sancerre — a name that captures the wine’s personality perfectly: bright, elegant, effortlessly charming, and unmistakably French.

Crafted from 100% Sauvignon Blanc grown in the heart of the Sancerre appellation, this is a textbook Loire white — mineral-driven, precise, and refreshing. Inviting aromas of white flowers, fresh herbs, and citrus zest lift from the glass. On the palate, bright citrus flavors and crisp acidity are anchored by a refined mineral backbone, leading to a clean, elegant finish with lingering floral and fruity nuances. The kind of Sancerre you reach for again and again.

• Producer: Xavier Flouret, Loire Valley, France
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Sancerre AOC
• Varietal: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: White flowers, fresh herbs, citrus zest, crisp acidity, mineral backbone, clean finish
• Best Paired With: Fresh goat cheese, oysters, grilled fish, seafood, spring vegetables, light aperitif

Mineral, elegant, and effortlessly drinkable — French Blonde is Sancerre at its most inviting.

Xavier Flouret Sancerre Blanc “French Blonde” — Loire Valley 2024

92 Points – View from the Cellar (John Gilman)
"Deep and complex bouquet of gooseberry, lime, a beautiful base of chalky minerality, newly-cut grass, just a whisper of anise and a topnote of citrus blossoms. On the palate the wine is crisp, full-bodied, focused and nicely soil-driven in personality, with a fine core of fruit, a lovely spine of acidity, excellent balance and a long, complex and nicely grassy finish." Drink 2025–2035.

There is a kind of magic that only the caillottes soils of Sancerre can conjure — shallow, stony limestone that forces the vine to dig deep, yielding wines of exceptional aromatic precision and a minerality that seems to hum with the energy of the earth itself. Renaissance Magie des Caillottes is exactly that: a wine born of restraint and conviction, where no synthetic chemicals, no shortcuts, and no compromises stand between the grape and the glass.

A joint venture between the Frères Fleuriet and Stéphane Marchand, Renaissance has become one of Sancerre's most exciting organic and biodynamic estates. Their Magie des Caillottes is a testament to what happens when farming philosophy and terroir align perfectly — floral and fruity on the nose with citrus, gooseberry, and crushed stone, then precise and tensile on the palate, with a long, harmonious finish that lingers with elegance and purpose.

This is a Sancerre that drinks beautifully now yet has the structure to reward patience through 2035.

Tasting Notes
Citrus blossom, gooseberry, lime zest, and crushed chalk on the nose. The palate is crisp and focused — full-bodied yet precise — with a beautiful chalky minerality from the caillottes soils, vibrant acidity, and a long, grassy, harmonious finish.

Food Pairing
A natural match for oysters, grilled fish, shellfish, and fresh goat cheese. Equally stunning as a standalone aperitif.

Product Details

• Appellation: Sancerre, Loire Valley, France
• Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
• Vintage: 2024
• Format: 750ml
• Farming: Organic & Biodynamic
• Drinking Window: 2025–2035
• Producer: Renaissance (Frères Fleuriet & Stéphane Marchand)

Château de Pitray | Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux | 2019

Right Bank Bordeaux that punches well above its price. The 2019 Château de Pitray is a blend of 75% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Malbec — a classic Castillon formula that delivers old-world charm with immediate drinkability. Expect a bouquet of blackberry, currant, and dried herbs with a subtle marine note and a whisper of Japanese nori. On the palate, the texture is soft and velvety, with supple tannins, nicely judged acidity, and a fresh, clean finish. Dense enough to reward a few more years in the cellar, yet approachable right now — the kind of bottle that earns its place at a Sunday supper without a second thought.

• Appellation: Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux, France
• Blend: 75% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Franc, 2% Malbec
• Vintage: 2019
• Format: 750ml
• Drink Window: Now – 2030+

Critical Acclaim — Vintage 2019

Wine Enthusiast — Roger Voss | 91 Points: Soft and velvety in texture, this wine is full of ripe fruit. Cushioned by the texture, the tannins are dense enough to promise aging to this wine with potential. Drink from 2024.

James Suckling | 91 Points: Aromas of berries and mushrooms with some fresh herbs. Some currants, too. Medium body, fine tannins and a fresh finish. Very drinkable now, but will age beautifully. Best after 2023.

Neal Martin, Vinous: Old school bouquet with blackberry and light marine scents, a touch of Japanese nori. Medium-bodied with supple, soft tannins. Nicely judged acidity — a Pitray that has charm and drinkability.

67 Wine Picks

"Drinks above its price tag! There's a medley of secondary and even tertiary aromas and flavors in this wine that always fits the bill for a laid-back Sunday Supper." — Oscar