French Wine

L. Aubry Fils | Brut | Premier Cru | Montagne de Reims, Champagne | NV (70% 2021 Base) | Transitioning Organic

Wine and Spirits: 92 Points — Fresh and complex, showing red currant, green pear, red apple and wildflower honey. Praised for its lively herbal acidity, generous fruit and the additional character contributed by Champagne's rare historic grape varieties.

James Suckling: 92 Points — Smooth, rounded and beautifully balanced, with bright lemon and citrus flavors, gentle nuttiness and a refined pastry-like texture on the finish.

Wine Spectator: 91 Points — Firm and mineral driven, with wild cherry, berry fruit, wet chalk and brine. A fine mousse carries notes of whole-grain toast, grapefruit pith and lemon thyme through the finish. (Disgorged March 2025)

Vinous: 91 Points — Gracious, elegant and charming, with delicate notes of orchard fruit, spice, dried flowers and mint. (Disgorged May 2021)

L. Aubry Fils is one of Champagne's most singular grower-producers. The Aubry family has cultivated vines in the region since 1790, and brothers Philippe and Pierre Aubry now run the estate from the Premier Cru village of Jouy-les-Reims in the Petite Montagne de Reims. Their particular distinction lies in the preservation of Champagne's rarest historic grape varieties — Arbanne, Petit Meslier and Fromenteau (the local name for Pinot Gris) — cultivated today by only a handful of producers in the region. These varieties appear in the Brut alongside the three classic Champagne grapes, lending the wine an aromatic complexity and originality that sets it apart from the mainstream.

The current release is composed of 31% Chardonnay, 31% Pinot Noir, 31% Pinot Meunier and 7% Arbanne, Petit Meslier and Fromenteau, drawn from Premier Cru vineyards in Jouy-les-Reims, Villedommange, Pargny-les-Reims and Coulommes-la-Montagne. The soils are fossil-rich limestone, contributing brightness, pronounced acidity and a firm mineral character. The estate is progressively transitioning toward organic farming, with close attention to soil health and the long-term preservation of its historic varieties.

The base is 70% from the 2021 harvest, supplemented by 30% reserve wines dating back to 1998 — a perpetual reserve that adds depth, maturity and consistency across releases. Vinification is primarily in stainless steel, preserving freshness and fruit purity, with a portion of the Chardonnay matured in previously used oak barrels for texture and subtle pastry richness. Malolactic fermentation is completed in full. After secondary fermentation in bottle, the wine ages more than 18 months on its lees and is finished at a dosage of approximately 4 grams per liter — dry, energetic and food-friendly.

The wine opens with aromas of green pear, crisp apple, white peach and red berries, followed by white flowers, citrus peel, fresh bread and subtle wildflower honey. With air, notes of toasted grain, almond, dried herbs and chalk emerge. The palate is lively and finely balanced — fresh orchard fruit and bright citrus are joined by wild cherry, raspberry and red currant, while a delicate mousse carries whole-grain toast, grapefruit pith, lemon thyme and roasted nuts. Firm acidity and a mineral foundation of wet chalk and brine lead to a clean, persistent and gently saline finish.

Serve as an aperitif or pair with oysters, shellfish, grilled fish, smoked salmon, sushi, roast chicken, charcuterie, mushroom dishes, fried appetizers and moderately aged cheeses. Serve well chilled at 46–50°F in a white wine or tulip-shaped Champagne glass.

• Producer: L. Aubry Fils
• Cuvée: Brut
• Classification: Premier Cru Brut
• Appellation: Champagne, France
• Region: Montagne de Reims
• Villages: Jouy-les-Reims, Villedommange, Pargny-les-Reims and Coulommes-la-Montagne
• Grape Varieties: 31% Chardonnay, 31% Pinot Noir, 31% Pinot Meunier, 7% Arbanne / Petit Meslier / Fromenteau
• Base Vintage: 70% 2021 harvest
• Reserve Wines: 30%, dating back to 1998
• Farming: Transitioning organic
• Soils: Fossil-rich limestone
• Vinification: Primarily stainless steel; portion of Chardonnay in used oak
• Malolactic Fermentation: Yes
• Lees Aging: 18+ months
• Dosage: ~4 g/L
• Bottle Size: 750ml

As a non-vintage Champagne, grape proportions, base vintages, reserve wine percentages, dosage, lees aging period and disgorgement dates may vary by release. Critic ratings may refer to different disgorgements of the same cuvée.

Egly-Ouriet | Les Vignes de Bisseuil | Premier Cru Extra Brut | Bisseuil, Montagne de Reims, Champagne | Biodynamic

Egly-Ouriet is one of Champagne's most revered grower-producers, based in the Grand Cru village of Ambonnay on the Montagne de Reims. The domaine farms its parcels with meticulous care — practicing organic and biodynamic viticulture, harvesting by hand, and working exclusively with indigenous yeasts — producing Champagnes of uncommon depth, vinous texture, and site-driven precision.

Les Vignes de Bisseuil is the estate's Chardonnay-led expression, drawn from a 1.5-hectare parcel in the Premier Cru village of Bisseuil, situated directly beside the Grand Cru of Aÿ. South-facing, chalk-rich slopes and vines over 40 years old deliver fruit of concentration, freshness, and crystalline mineral definition — a brighter, more finesse-driven counterpoint to the domaine's powerful Pinot Noir-dominant cuvées.

The current release blends 70% Chardonnay, 15% Pinot Noir, and 15% Pinot Meunier, fermented and matured in French oak barrels with approximately 10% new oak. Malolactic fermentation is blocked to preserve natural acidity and tension. The wine spends approximately 48 months aging on its lees before disgorgement, and is finished with a dosage of approximately 1 gram per liter — bottled unfined and unfiltered.

Bright and expressive on the nose: lemon zest, crisp pear, Mirabelle plum, and white flowers, with notes of fresh bread, toasted nuts, white pepper, and subtle spice. The palate is concentrated yet energetic — refined mousse, vibrant citrus acidity, and a pronounced chalky minerality, with ripe orchard fruit and a gently creamy texture leading to a long, precise, and saline finish.

Exceptional as an aperitif; equally at home alongside oysters, shellfish, smoked salmon, grilled fish, sushi, roast chicken, charcuterie, creamy cheeses, and lightly aged Comté.

• Producer: Egly-Ouriet
• Cuvée: Les Vignes de Bisseuil
• Classification: Premier Cru Extra Brut
• Appellation: Bisseuil, Montagne de Reims, Champagne, France
• Grape Varieties: 70% Chardonnay, 15% Pinot Noir, 15% Pinot Meunier
• Vine Age: 40+ years
• Farming: Practicing organic / biodynamic
• Soils: Chalk-rich
• Fermentation: Indigenous yeasts; French oak barrels (~10% new)
• Malolactic Fermentation: Blocked
• Lees Aging: ~48 months
• Dosage: ~1 g/L
• Bottling: Unfined and unfiltered
• Bottle Size: 750ml

Critical Acclaim

• James Suckling — 94 pts: Bright and precise, with lemon zest, pear, and white flowers on the nose. Concentrated yet energetic on the palate — chalky minerality, vibrant acidity, and a long saline finish. A benchmark grower Champagne from Bisseuil.
• Decanter — 93 pts: Refined and mineral-driven, with crisp orchard fruit, toasted nuts, and a creamy mousse. Exceptional freshness and length.
• Wine Advocate — 93 pts: Elegant and focused, with a pronounced chalky character and impressive depth. Unfined and unfiltered — a pure expression of Bisseuil terroir.

Blend proportions, base vintages, lees-aging period, dosage, and disgorgement date may vary by release.

Pierre Paillard Coteaux Champenois Les Mignottes Bouzy Rouge 2022 | 750ml | Bouzy Grand Cru, Champagne, France

A rare and beautifully expressive still red wine from the heart of Champagne, Les Mignottes is produced entirely from Pinot Noir grown in a single south-facing parcel in the Grand Cru village of Bouzy. Rather than undergoing a second fermentation to become sparkling Champagne, the wine is bottled under the Coteaux Champenois appellation, revealing the depth, fragrance and mineral character of Bouzy Pinot Noir in its purest form.

The Les Mignottes vineyard lies on the warm, fully exposed southern slopes of the Montagne de Reims. Its chalky limestone terroir contains a higher proportion of clay than many neighboring Bouzy parcels, helping the Pinot Noir achieve excellent ripeness while retaining the freshness and mineral definition characteristic of Champagne.

The vines are farmed organically, and yields are kept low to encourage concentration. The grapes are harvested by hand and vinified in a Burgundian style, using approximately one-third whole clusters and indigenous yeasts. Following a 15-day maceration, the wine is matured for 12 months in French oak barrels, with only a small proportion of new oak. It is bottled without fining or filtration, preserving its natural texture, aromatic detail and sense of place.

The 2022 vintage is vivid and perfumed, opening with aromas of ripe cherry, wild strawberry, raspberry and plum, accompanied by violets, lavender, exotic spice, cocoa and subtle savory-earth notes. The palate is supple and concentrated, with fine tannins, bright acidity and a mineral core that brings freshness and energy to the wine's generous fruit.

Medium to full-bodied yet elegant and refined, Les Mignottes combines the fragrance and precision of cool-climate Pinot Noir with the depth and ripeness associated with Bouzy's sunny, south-facing vineyards. The finish is long, balanced and lightly spicy, with lingering red fruit, dark stone and chalky mineral notes.

Approachable now for its vibrant fruit and silky texture, this limited-production Coteaux Champenois also possesses the structure and balance to develop additional complexity with careful cellaring.

Critical Acclaim

94 Points — James Suckling
Floral and refined, with lavender, violets, raspberries and strawberries. Fine tannins and bright acidity lead to a precise, elegant finish, with delicate fruit framed by French oak. Drink now or hold.

94 Points — Jeb Dunnuck
A beautifully energetic and balanced Bouzy Rouge, offering cherry, cocoa, spice, savory earth and mineral notes. Fine tannins and excellent ripeness carry through the long, clean finish. Drink 2025–2040.

92 Points — Wine Advocate
A supple and deeply expressive Pinot Noir showing ripe plum, cherry, violets and exotic spice. Medium to full-bodied, with generous depth, immediate charm and the potential to continue developing in bottle.

Food Pairing

An excellent partner for roasted duck, grilled salmon, roast chicken, pork tenderloin, veal, mushroom dishes, lentils, charcuterie and soft-ripened cheeses. Serve slightly cool, around 55–60°F, to highlight its fragrance and freshness.

Wine Details

• Producer: Champagne Pierre Paillard
• Country: France
• Region: Champagne
• Appellation: Coteaux Champenois
• Village: Bouzy Grand Cru
• Vineyard: Les Mignottes
• Vintage: 2022
• Wine Type: Dry, still red wine
• Grape Variety: 100% Pinot Noir
• Farming: Certified organic
• Vineyard Exposure: South-facing
• Soil: Chalky limestone with a higher proportion of clay
• Harvest: Hand-harvested
• Fermentation: Indigenous yeasts
• Whole Clusters: Approximately one-third
• Maceration: Approximately 15 days
• Aging: 12 months in French oak barrels
• Fining and Filtration: Unfined and unfiltered
• Alcohol: 13%
• Bottle Size: 750ml

Guy Charlemagne Champagne Grand Cru Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Grande Réserve — Le Mesnil-sur-Oger & Oger, Base 2022 

Important availability note:
The Guy Charlemagne Blanc de Blancs Grande Réserve Extra Brut Grand Cru, base 2019, is expected to arrive during the last week of August 2026. All other featured Guy Charlemagne Champagnes are currently in stock.

Guy Charlemagne is one of the Côte des Blancs’ most respected grower-producers, farming Grand Cru Chardonnay in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger — the village that defines the benchmark for Blanc de Blancs Champagne. The Grande Réserve is the estate’s signature non-vintage expression, assembled from Chardonnay grown exclusively in the Grand Cru villages of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger and Oger, with reserve wines blended in to add depth, complexity, and continuity across vintages. The Extra Brut dosage keeps the wine dry and focused, allowing the chalk-rich terroir of the Côte des Blancs to speak without interference. This is the entry point into the Charlemagne range — and it sets a remarkably high bar.

Pale golden with a fine, persistent mousse. The nose is fresh and expressive: lemon zest, crisp orchard fruit, white flowers, and crushed stone, followed by subtle brioche, almond, and fresh pastry from extended lees aging. On the palate, bright citrus fruit combines with a creamy mousse and a pronounced mineral core. The finish is long, clean, and saline — chalk, lemon, and toasted hazelnut lingering with precision.

• Producer: Guy Charlemagne, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Champagne, France
• Base Vintage: 2022
• Appellation: Champagne Grand Cru
• Villages: Le Mesnil-sur-Oger & Oger
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Style: Blanc de Blancs, Extra Brut (with reserve wines)
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Lemon zest, orchard fruit, white flowers, crushed stone, brioche, almond, saline chalk finish
• Serve: 46–50°F
• Best Paired With: Oysters, shellfish, sushi, smoked salmon, caviar, delicate white fish, soft-ripened cheeses

Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs from the village that defines the category — Guy Charlemagne’s Grande Réserve is the benchmark grower Champagne at an honest introductory price.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Critical Acclaim — Vintage 2015

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

R. Pouillon & Fils | Rosé de Macération | Premier Cru Rosé Brut | Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, Vallée de la Marne, Champagne | 2021 Base | Biodynamic

R. Pouillon & Fils is one of Champagne's most exciting and principled grower-producers, based in the Premier Cru village of Mareuil-sur-Aÿ in the Vallée de la Marne. Fabrice Pouillon farms his vineyards according to biodynamic principles — a commitment to the land that goes beyond organic certification, working in harmony with natural cycles to produce wines of exceptional purity, vitality, and terroir expression.

The Rosé de Macération is a deeply individual and highly distinctive rosé Champagne made entirely from Pinot Noir grown on clay-limestone soils in Mareuil-sur-Aÿ. Rather than producing the rosé by blending white Champagne with still red wine — the conventional method — Fabrice allows the freshly pressed juice to remain in contact with the grape skins for up to 12 hours. This short maceration extracts color, aroma, and gentle tannin while preserving the freshness and precision essential to Champagne, giving the wine its distinctive pale ruby color, structure, and expressive red-fruit character.

Fermentation takes place in a combination of traditional enameled tanks and neutral oak barrels. Approximately 80% of the wine is élevaged for eight months, while the remaining 20% is aged for 18 months in neutral oak. The current year's wine is then blended with the longer-aged portion retained from the previous harvest — a thoughtful assemblage that balances the natural tannic structure of a macerated rosé with the softness, complexity, and mellow texture developed through extended aging.

The 2021-base Rosé de Macération is pale ruby-red in the glass. The bouquet is intensely flinty with generous aromas of raspberry, wild strawberry, red cherry, citrus peel, dried flowers, spice, and subtle brioche. On the palate, structured and energetic — ripe red-fruit flavors with bright mineral acidity and an emphatic, persistent mousse. Impressive concentration without heaviness, with a distinctly dry, clean, precise, and refreshing finish. A gastronomic rosé Champagne with the depth and structure to accompany an entire meal.

Pair with duck, roast poultry, pork, grilled salmon, tuna, mushroom dishes, charcuterie, washed-rind cheeses, and aged Comté.

• Producer: R. Pouillon & Fils
• Cuvée: Rosé de Macération
• Classification: Premier Cru Rosé Brut
• Appellation: Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, Vallée de la Marne, Champagne, France
• Grape: Pinot Noir (100%)
• Base Vintage: 2021
• Farming: Biodynamic
• Soils: Clay-limestone
• Rosé Method: Skin maceration up to 12 hours
• Vinification: Enameled tanks & neutral oak; 80% élevaged 8 months, 20% aged 18 months in neutral oak
• Malolactic Fermentation: Yes
• Bottle Size: 750ml

Critical Acclaim

• James Suckling — 92 pts: Intensely flinty bouquet with generous raspberry fruit. Structured, dry, and powerful — bright mineral acidity and a pronounced mousse, finishing exceptionally clean and precise.

R. Pouillon & Fils | Les Châtaigniers | Extra-Brut | Festigny, Vallée de la Marne, Champagne | 2019 | Organic

R. Pouillon & Fils is one of Champagne's most exciting and principled grower-producers, based in the Premier Cru village of Mareuil-sur-Aÿ in the Vallée de la Marne. Fabrice Pouillon farms his vineyards with rigorous organic principles and a deep commitment to expressing the individual character of each parcel — producing wines of exceptional purity, vitality, and terroir transparency.

Les Châtaigniers is a distinctive single-vineyard Champagne from the village of Festigny, situated on the left bank of the Marne Valley in the Vallée du Flagot. The parcel's calcareous clay soils create an especially expressive terroir for Pinot Meunier — a grape that is often underestimated in Champagne but capable of extraordinary depth, structure, and refinement in the right hands and the right site. The clay-rich soils encourage generosity and texture, while the calcareous component contributes freshness, precision, and a firm mineral backbone.

The fruit is harvested by hand and vinified in oak casks ranging from new barrels to vessels up to ten years old, then rested for approximately 18 months in neutral barriques before bottling. Full malolactic fermentation adds roundness and creaminess. Beginning with the 2019 vintage, Pouillon extended his innovative Méthode Fabrice Pouillon to all estate Champagnes — using naturally sweet grape juice from the domaine for the secondary fermentation and dosage rather than externally sourced sugar, preserving a more direct connection between the finished Champagne, its fruit, and its vineyard of origin.

Broad, vinous, and deeply expressive. Aromas of golden apple, quince, ripe pear, and subtle red fruit joined by floral, herbal, and gently savory notes, with hints of flint, warm spice, toasted grain, and earthy minerality. On the palate, the natural roundness of Pinot Meunier is balanced by vibrant acidity and a fine, persistent mousse. Generous fruit and supple texture are anchored by mineral tension, giving the wine both richness and energy. The finish is long, dry, and layered — lingering orchard fruit, chalk, spice, and a delicate reductive character. A gastronomic Champagne with the depth and structure to accompany an entire meal.

Pair with roasted poultry, pork, veal, creamy mushroom dishes, fried seafood, richer fish preparations, washed-rind cheeses, and aged Comté.

• Producer: R. Pouillon & Fils
• Cuvée: Les Châtaigniers
• Style: Extra-Brut
• Appellation: Festigny, Vallée de la Marne, Champagne, France
• Grape: Pinot Meunier (100%)
• Vintage: 2019
• Farming: Organic
• Soils: Calcareous clay (Vallée du Flagot)
• Vinification: Oak casks (new to 10 years old); Méthode Fabrice Pouillon
• Élevage: ~18 months in neutral barriques; full malolactic fermentation
• Dosage: Extra-Brut (estate grape juice)
• Bottle Size: 750ml

Critical Acclaim — Vintage 2019

• WineLens — 95 pts: Complex and distinctive — apple, quince, herbal and floral notes with touches of flint and gentle reduction. Medium to full-bodied with excellent freshness and acidity, beautiful roundness, impressive dimension, and a long finish.

A distinctive, terroir-driven rosé Champagne from Pascal Doquet, one of the Côte des Blancs’ leading organic grower-producers. Anthocyanes is crafted from equal parts Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, all harvested in 2018, combining the mineral precision of the Côte des Blancs with the structure and expressive red-fruit character of Pinot Noir.

The Pinot Noir comes from La Barre, a named vineyard site in Vertus. It is macerated on the skins for approximately 48 hours before pressing, extracting its vivid color and aromatic intensity through the traditional saignée method. The wine is then matured in barrel for up to one year before being blended with Chardonnay from Vertus and bottled for its secondary fermentation.

The name Anthocyanes refers to anthocyanins, the natural pigments found in grape skins that give the Champagne its striking rosé color. Despite its depth of color and character, this is not a heavy or overtly vinous rosé. It retains the freshness, finesse and mineral energy associated with Pascal Doquet’s Champagnes.

Pale to medium salmon-pink in the glass, it opens with aromas of sliced strawberries, red berries, citrus peel and rose petals, followed by delicate notes of honey, spice and chalk. The palate is lively and finely textured, with elegant bubbles, bright acidity and a balanced combination of ripe red fruit, citrus freshness and savory mineral character. The finish is dry, energetic and persistent.

This expressive rosé Champagne is excellent as an aperitif but also has enough structure for the table. Pair it with salmon, tuna tartare, sushi, shellfish, roast poultry, charcuterie, mushroom dishes, creamy cheeses or aged goat cheese.

Grapes: 50% Chardonnay and 50% Pinot Noir
Region: Champagne, France
Village: Vertus
Classification: Premier Cru
Pinot Noir Vineyard: La Barre
Base Vintage: 2018
Farming: Certified organic
Production: Rosé de saignée
Maceration: Approximately 48 hours
Maturation: Pinot Noir aged in barrel for up to one year
Style: Rosé Premier Cru Brut
Bottle Size: 750ml
Alcohol: Approximately 12.5%

Highly Rated

90 Points — The Wine Advocate
90 Points — James Suckling

Pascal Doquet Arpège Blanc de Blancs Brut Nature — Côte des Blancs 2019 Base

Pascal Doquet is one of the leading organic growers of the Côte des Blancs, farming his vineyards in Vertus, Villeneuve, and Mont Aimé with certified organic practices and a deep commitment to terroir transparency. The Arpège is his entry-point Blanc de Blancs — 100% Chardonnay from parcels not selected for his limited-production Coeur de Terroir bottlings — yet it is anything but secondary. The chalk and flinty silex soils of Mont Aimé give the wine its distinctive mineral structure and smoky depth, while a substantial proportion of reserve wine held in enamel tanks adds complexity and consistency. Finished with zero dosage, the Brut Nature designation allows the Chardonnay and its vineyard origins to speak with exceptional clarity. Rated 93 points by James Suckling and 91 by The Wine Advocate.

The bouquet opens with ripe pear, crisp apple, and citrus, followed by spice, black tea, white flowers, and lightly toasted brioche. On the palate, the wine is energetic and finely textured — bright acidity, delicate bubbles, and a pronounced chalky, saline character. Subtle smoky and savory notes add complexity, and the finish is dry, focused, and persistent. An exceptional aperitif with the structure to carry through a full meal.

James Suckling 93 • Wine Advocate 91 • Wine Spectator 90 — "A refined yet expressive Champagne… terroir-driven and precise."

• Producer: Pascal Doquet, Côte des Blancs, Champagne, France
• Base Vintage: 2019 (with reserve wines)
• Appellation: Champagne Premier Cru
• Vineyards: Vertus, Villeneuve & Mont Aimé
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Style: Blanc de Blancs, Brut Nature
• Dosage: 0 g/L
• Farming: Certified Organic
• Reserve Wine: Held in enamel tanks for freshness and purity
• Alcohol: ~12.5%
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Ripe pear, apple, citrus, spice, black tea, white flowers, brioche, chalky minerality, smoky notes, saline finish
• Best Paired With: Oysters, shellfish, sushi, sashimi, grilled seafood, roast poultry, creamy cheeses, aged goat cheese

93 points from James Suckling. Zero dosage. Certified organic. Pascal Doquet's Arpège is Côte des Blancs Blanc de Blancs at its most honest and mineral-driven.

Yann Alexandre Blanches Terres Rosé 1er Cru Brut — Champagne 2018 Base

This elegant Premier Cru rosé is drawn from two exceptional lieu-dits: Les Blanches Terres in Coulommes-la-Montagne for Chardonnay, and Saint Lié in Villedommange for Pinot Noir. At 94% Chardonnay, it is a blanc de blancs in spirit — mineral-driven, precise, and tensile — with 6% Pinot Noir red wine added to impart delicate color, red-fruit lift, and subtle structure. The 2018 base is blended with 60% reserve wine, grounding the cuvée in depth and consistency, before a minimum of 48 months en tirage develops a refined mousse, creamy texture, and layered complexity.

The nose is graceful and expressive: white peach, strawberry, and fresh raspberry over a bed of chalk and white flowers. On the palate, the wine is precise and mineral-driven, with fine, persistent bubbles carrying notes of citrus cream, red currant, and brioche to a clean, saline finish. The Brut dosage of 6 g/L keeps the wine focused and dry, while the partial oak vinification adds just enough texture to elevate it at the table.

"Elegant and gastronomic — a Chardonnay-driven rosé Champagne of rare freshness, mineral energy, and delicate red-fruit charm."

• Producer: Yann & Séverine Alexandre, Montagne de Reims, Champagne, France
• Base Vintage: 2018
• Appellation: Champagne Premier Cru
• Vineyards: Les Blanches Terres (Coulommes-la-Montagne) & Saint Lié (Villedommange)
• Blend: 94% Chardonnay, 6% Pinot Noir (red wine addition)
• Reserve Wine: 60%
• Vinification: Primarily stainless steel; 15% Chardonnay in oak; partial malolactic fermentation
• Lees Aging: Minimum 48 months en tirage
• Dosage: 6 g/L | Acidity: 5.51 g/L | pH: 2.9 | Alcohol: 12%
• Farming: Certified Sustainable by OCACIA
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: White peach, strawberry, raspberry, chalk, white flowers, citrus cream, red currant, brioche, saline finish
• Best Paired With: Smoked salmon, tuna tartare, shellfish, sushi, roast poultry, charcuterie, creamy cheeses

Sixty percent reserve wine, 48 months on the lees, and two Premier Cru lieu-dits of rare mineral character — Yann Alexandre's Blanches Terres Rosé is grower Champagne at its most refined.

J. Vignier Ora Alba Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut — Côte des Blancs 2013 Base

Ora Alba — "the first light of day" — is J. Vignier's interpretation of northern Côte des Blancs Chardonnay at its most luminous and precise. Produced entirely from Grand Cru fruit sourced from three prestigious villages — Cramant, Chouilly, and Oiry — the cuvée draws on deep Cretaceous chalk complemented by marl and clay, a geology that yields Champagne of both mineral tension and generous texture. Cramant contributes structure and pronounced chalky minerality, Chouilly adds elegance and ripe fruit, and Oiry brings freshness and linear precision. Vinified and aged in stainless steel with full malolactic fermentation, then aged on the lees for an extended period before disgorgement, the 2013 base gives the wine exceptional depth and a decade-plus of development. Certified sustainable by Socofret.

Fresh and refined on the nose: lemon zest, white peach, green apple, and delicate white flowers, with subtle brioche and toasted almond emerging with air. The palate is precise and energetic — layers of citrus, orchard fruit, and chalky minerality carried by fine bubbles and a softly creamy texture. The finish is long, dry, and elegant, with a persistent mineral drive that speaks clearly of its Grand Cru origins.

"Ora Alba is the Vignier family's vision of northern Côte des Blancs Chardonnay — bright, luminous, and deeply mineral."

• Producer: J. Vignier, Côte des Blancs, Champagne, France
• Base Vintage: 2013
• Appellation: Champagne Grand Cru
• Villages: Cramant, Chouilly & Oiry
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Style: Blanc de Blancs Brut
• Soil: Cretaceous chalk, marl and clay
• Farming: Certified Sustainable by Socofret
• Vinification: Stainless steel; full malolactic fermentation
• Lees Aging: Extended aging before disgorgement
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Lemon zest, white peach, green apple, white flowers, brioche, toasted almond, chalky minerality, long dry finish
• Best Paired With: Oysters, caviar, lobster, scallops, sushi, roasted white fish, creamy poultry, mushroom risotto, aged cheeses

A 2013 base. Three Grand Cru villages. Extended lees aging. J. Vignier's Ora Alba is northern Côte des Blancs Blanc de Blancs at its most precise and compelling.

Gérard Bertrand Esprit de Côte des Roses Sparkling Rosé — Languedoc, France NV

Gérard Bertrand harvested his first grapes in 1975 in the vines of Château de Villemajou in the heart of the Corbières, discovering a passion for wine that would define his life. After twelve years apprenticing alongside his father Georges, he took over the family estate following his father’s accidental death in 1987 — and channeled the values of performance and excellence he had learned on the rugby field into building one of the South of France’s most celebrated wine estates. The Esprit de Côte des Roses Sparkling Rosé is a tribute to the Mediterranean lifestyle: a unique blend of Pinot Noir, Grenache Noir, and Chardonnay, presented in the house’s iconic sculpted bottle with a rose-shaped finish. Wine Enthusiast awarded it 92 points.

Pale pink in color, clear and crystalline, with a fine mousse of tiny bubbles. The nose is elegant and inviting — fresh red berries, white flowers, sharp lime, and chalk. On the palate, the wine is lively and tasty, with a delicate, creamy mousse and an ideal balance between freshness and roundness. The finish is silky and slightly toasted, with real length and sophistication. The base wines are blended with reserve rosé wines aged in barrel, then undergo a second fermentation and aging on lees for added complexity and texture.

Wine Enthusiast 92 — "A fine mousse of tiny bubbles… pops of sharp lime and chalk on the nose. The palate is clean, easy and soft, proving quite comforting rather than aggressive in acidity." — Matt Kettmann

• Producer: Gérard Bertrand, Languedoc, France
• Vintage: Non-Vintage
• Appellation: Côte des Roses, Languedoc
• Blend: 55% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir, 15% Grenache Noir
• Method: Traditional method — second fermentation + aging on lees, reserve wines aged in barrel
• Style: Brut Sparkling Rosé
• Bottle: Iconic sculpted bottle with rose-shaped finish
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Fresh red berries, white flowers, lime, chalk, creamy mousse, silky toasted finish
• Best Paired With: Oysters, grilled fish, charcuterie, soft cheeses, strawberries, aperitivo, summer entertaining

A 92-point sparkling rosé in an iconic bottle — Gérard Bertrand’s Esprit de Côte des Roses is the benchmark for what Mediterranean sparkling rosé can be.

Domaine des Loges Sauvignon Blanc — Loire Valley 2025

The Domaine des Loges family history can be traced back to 1789 — farmers and winegrowers in the heart of the Nantes vineyard, passing their know-how from generation to generation for over two centuries. In 2013, brothers Gwenaël and Benjamin Barre took over from their parents Maurice and Marie-Annick, expanding the estate to 41 hectares in the Muscadet appellation around the village of Monnières. The brothers harvest most of their grapes at night to keep them fresh and preserve delicate aromas, plant cover crops of rye, vetch, and red clover between the rows for natural fertilization, and vinify with care in stainless steel to maintain vibrant fruit character. The result is a Sauvignon Blanc of exceptional value and varietal precision.

Intense straw yellow in color. The nose is aromatic and inviting — passion fruit, citrus, and white flowers, with a clean, mineral freshness that speaks to the flint, sand, and marl-limestone soils of the Loire. On the palate, the wine is round and aromatic, with exotic fruit flavors, bright acidity, and a clean, refreshing finish. Delicate, precise, and endlessly food-friendly.

Family estate since 1789 — night-harvested, stainless steel vinified, cover-cropped for natural soil health. Gwenaël and Benjamin Barre, Monnières, Loire Valley.

• Producer: Domaine des Loges (Gwenaël & Benjamin Barre), Loire Valley, France
• Vintage: 2025
• Appellation: Loire Valley (Val de Loire IGP / Touraine)
• Varietal: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
• Vinification: Stainless steel — night-harvested to preserve aromatics
• Style: White Wine — Dry, Crisp & Aromatic
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Passion fruit, citrus, white flowers, exotic fruit, bright acidity, mineral freshness
• Best Paired With: Oysters, lobster, shellfish, white fish (mullet, cod), grilled fish, goat cheese, light salads

Two centuries of Loire Valley farming in a bottle — Domaine des Loges Sauvignon Blanc is the benchmark for what honest, aromatic French white wine can be at this price.

CHÂTEAU JASSON CÔTES DE PROVENCE ROSÉ 2024 | 750ML

🇫🇷 France — Grenache, Cinsault | La Londe-les-Maures, Côtes de Provence

The flagship cuvée of Château Jasson, produced from a rigorous selection of the estate’s finest plots. Grenache (70%) and Cinsault (30%) from 60-year-old vines grown in clay-limestone soils with a marked presence of blue schist — a terroir that imparts remarkable depth, mineral intensity, and aromatic concentration. The old vines give this vintage a silky texture and a refined, complex expression that sets it apart from the typical Provence rosé.

Nestled between the Mediterranean Sea and the Massif des Maures in the golden triangle of Provence, Château Jasson benefits from maritime breezes that bring an iodine and mineral touch to the wines, while generous sunshine ensures optimal ripeness. These lands have been dedicated to vines since the Greeks planted the first vines there in the 6th century BC.

Since 2021, the Saint Vincent family has been breathing new life into the estate under Felix’s leadership — combining tradition and innovation, with sustainable practices at the core: natural plowing, organic fertilizers, and active biodiversity preservation including 350 birdhouses installed across the property.

Pairs well with: Grilled fish, bouillabaisse, ratatouille, charcuterie, soft cheeses, and Mediterranean cuisine.

Grapes: 70% Grenache, 30% Cinsault
Vines: 60 years old
Region: La Londe-les-Maures, Côtes de Provence, France
Vintage: 2024
Format: 750ml
Viticulture: Sustainable

Château Mondot Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2021

Perched atop a singular hill overlooking the ancient village of Saint-Émilion, Château Mondot has stood as an understated beacon of exceptional terroir since its creation in 1700. The estate — the second wine of the legendary Château Troplong Mondot — occupies a position like no other in the appellation, its lofty elevation and unique soil profile setting it apart from its neighbors on the limestone plateau.

The secret lies beneath the surface: Mondot's hill is one of the only places in Saint-Émilion where ancient Agenais Molasse clays, formed during the region's geological creation, have survived erosion to great depths, overlying the astéries limestone so characteristic of the appellation. This rare clay-over-limestone profile is the defining signature of Mondot's wines — lending them structure, freshness, and a distinctive mineral tension that sets them apart.

The 2021 Mondot holds a special place in the estate's history: it is the last vintage produced exclusively from Merlot grown on Saint-Émilion's limestone plateau — a milestone worth cellaring. Bright and vibrant in character, the wine reflects the cool, precise nature of the 2021 vintage with crystalline energy and elegant restraint.

Deep ruby in the glass, the wine opens with floral wildflower and crushed flower aromas, followed by red cherry, blackberry, currant, orange peel, cola, mint, and white pepper, with a touch of toasted oak and blue fruit. The palate is refined and focused — not plush or heavy — with pure acidity, a gorgeous tannic structure, and a mouthwatering, saline finish with notes of liquorice and wet stone. Drink from 2027.

Wine Enthusiast — 93 pts
"Floral wildflower aromas. Partial wood aging has produced a wine with light toast and pure acidity. Black-currant flavors are dominant with bright acidity as well as structure. Drink from 2027." (Vintage 2021). 

Decanter — 93 pts
"Beautifully delicate and fragrant — a touch of cola, blue fruits and salt with green pepper and toasted oak. Refined and focussed, crisp and mouthwatering, excellent energy and sense of life with a delicious moreish liquorice, wet stone finish. A serious, well-constructed wine with depth but no heaviness." (Vintage 2021). 

James Suckling — 92 pts
"A vivid and bright red with currant, orange peel and some light spices. Medium body and fine tannins that turn dusty in the finish." (Vintage 2021).

Vinous — 91 pts
"A bright, vibrant wine. Crushed flowers, red cherry fruit, orange peel, mint and white pepper abound. A wine of crystalline energy and tension — super-impressive." (Vintage 2021).

Wine Advocate — 90 pts
"Charming and expressive, bursting with aromas of blackberries, plums, orange zest and spices. Medium to full-bodied, ample and velvety, seamless and suave, with succulent acids and a mouthwateringly saline finish. The last rendition of Mondot produced exclusively from Merlot growing on Saint-Émilion's limestone plateau." (Vintage 2021).

Varietal: 100% Merlot (final vintage)
Appellation: Saint-Émilion Grand Cru AOC, Bordeaux, France
Vintage: 2021
Format: 750ml
Scores: 93 WE | 93 Decanter | 92 JS | 91 Vinous | 90 WA

Domaine de la Chaise Touraine Sauvignon Blanc — Loire Valley 2024

Domaine de la Chaise’s Touraine Sauvignon is a textbook expression of the Loire Valley’s most celebrated white grape — and the 2024 vintage is a compelling argument for why Touraine remains one of France’s great white wine values. Sourced from the Clos des Roussettes vineyard in St-Georges-sur-Cher — the heart of the Touraine AOC — on argilo-calcareous soils that lend the wine its characteristic mineral tension, the wine is fermented at low temperature to preserve freshness and aromatic precision. At under $13, it is one of the most exciting values in all of the Loire.

The color is a brilliant golden yellow. The nose is expressive and aromatic: exotic fruits, pineapple, passion fruit, and white peach with a lifted, fresh character. On the palate, it is round and generous in attack, with well-balanced acidity and a clean, mineral finish. It delivers the kind of bright, food-friendly pleasure that only great Loire Sauvignon can — and it drinks beautifully right now.

• Producer: Domaine de la Chaise, St-Georges-sur-Cher, Loire Valley, France
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Touraine AOC
• Vineyard: Clos des Roussettes — argilo-calcareous soils
• Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
• ABV: 12.5%
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Pineapple, passion fruit, white peach, exotic fruit, mineral finish
• Best Paired With: Oysters, grilled fish, seafood, goat cheese, light salads, aperitif

A single-vineyard Loire Sauvignon at an honest price — Domaine de la Chaise is the benchmark for what everyday Touraine can be.

Domaine Michel Niellon | Chassagne-Montrachet | Burgundy, France | 2023

One of Chassagne-Montrachet's most trusted names, Michel Niellon has long produced village-level whites of uncommon precision and depth. The 2023 vintage brings a ripe yet fresh expression of the appellation — orchard fruit, white flowers, and hazelnut on the nose, followed by yellow apple, lemon curd, and flint on the palate. The texture is rounded and polished, balanced by underlying freshness and chalky lift. A wine of aromatic depth and quiet authority.

Tasting Notes

Pear and apple compote, citrus confit, rosemary oil. Punchy and delicious flavors with a clean, dry, and refreshing finish. A few years of cellaring will reward patience.

Critical Acclaim

Burghound 88 Points — Allen Meadows
"A ripe but agreeably fresh and layered nose reflects notes of pear and apple compote, citrus confit and a suggestion of rosemary oil. The punchy and delicious, if not especially dense, flavors also conclude in a clean, dry and refreshing finale. This could use better depth so a few years of cellaring should prove to be beneficial."

• Appellation: Chassagne-Montrachet, Côte de Beaune, Burgundy
• Grape: Chardonnay
• Vintage: 2023
• Format: 750ml
• Producer: Domaine Michel Niellon

Domaine Michel Niellon · Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru · Les Chaumées – Clos de la Truffière · Burgundy · 2023

Domaine Michel Niellon is one of Chassagne-Montrachet’s most revered addresses — a small, meticulous family estate that has farmed its premier cru parcels for generations with an unwavering commitment to terroir expression over winemaking intervention. Les Chaumées – Clos de la Truffière is among the domaine’s most prized holdings: a monopole planted with ancient vines, some more than a century old, set very high on the slope where the combination of altitude, old vine concentration, and Chassagne’s signature limestone soils produces Chardonnay of extraordinary tension and longevity. The 2023 earned 96 points from Charles Curtis MW at Decanter — a wine built for the cellar and the ages.

The 2023 opens with pronounced ripe fruit aromas of lemon peel, nectarine, and gooseberry, edged with saline minerality. The texture is impressively fresh for the vintage — lilting and silky — with marvellous concentration and great tension on the palate. A wine of rare substance and precision, it will benefit from a decade in the cellar and has the structure to drink beautifully for several decades after that.

“Pronounced ripe fruit aromas of lemon peel, nectarine and gooseberry, with an edge of saline minerality. The texture is impressively fresh for the vintage, with a lilting, silky texture, marvellous concentration and great tension on the palate. The grapes are from ancient vines, some more than a century old, planted very high on the slope. This will benefit from a decade in the cellar, but it has the substance to drink for several decades after that.”
— Charles Curtis MW, Decanter · 96 Points

• Producer: Domaine Michel Niellon, Chassagne-Montrachet, Burgundy, France
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru
• Climat: Les Chaumées – Clos de la Truffière (monopole)
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Vines: Ancient vines, some 100+ years old; high on the slope
• Style: Dry white — mineral, concentrated, exceptional tension
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Lemon peel, nectarine, gooseberry, saline minerality, silky texture, great concentration and tension
• Cellar: Drink 2033–2050+
• Pairings: Lobster, turbot, Dover sole, scallops, white truffle dishes, aged Comté

Decanter 96 · Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru — century-old vines, monopole climat, and a decade or more of cellaring ahead. One of Burgundy’s most compelling 2023s.

Domaine Bitouzet-Prieur Meursault Les Corbins — Côte de Beaune 2023

Domaine Bitouzet-Prieur is one of Meursault’s most respected family estates, known for wines of precision, tension, and genuine terroir expression. Les Corbins is a southeast-facing lieu-dit located north of the village of Meursault on the road to Volnay, sitting just beneath the premier cru Les Plures — a position that speaks to the quality of the site. François Bitouzet farms a hectare and a half of Chardonnay here, planted between 1974 and 1987 in a particularly deep and rocky clay-limestone soil that imparts the wine’s signature intense minerality and acid-driven tension. Aged 16 months in 20% new barrels, this is a textbook Meursault of excellent weight and complexity — a village wine that drinks with the authority of a premier cru.

The nose is enchanting: intense minerality, subtle buttercream, spice, and a lifted touch of mint. On the palate, it is weighty and precise — the Bitouzet house style of acid-driven tension is fully on display, with the deep clay-limestone soils delivering concentration and structure alongside the classic Meursault richness. A wine of real distinction that will reward cellaring.

67 Wine — “Les Corbins sits just beneath the premier cru Les Plures, and it shows. Intense minerality, buttercream, spice and mint — with the acid-driven tension that defines the Bitouzet-Prieur house style. A village Meursault that drinks like a premier cru.”

• Producer: Domaine Bitouzet-Prieur, Meursault, Côte de Beaune, Burgundy, France
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Meursault AOC
• Lieu-Dit: Les Corbins (SE-facing, north of Meursault village, below premier cru Les Plures)
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Vine Age: Planted 1974–1987
• Soil: Deep, rocky clay-limestone
• Aging: 16 months, 20% new oak barrels
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Intense minerality, buttercream, spice, mint, excellent weight, acid-driven tension, long finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink 2025–2035+
• Best Paired With: Lobster, roast turbot, scallops, roast chicken with cream sauce, aged Comté

Southeast-facing, clay-limestone, vines from 1974 — Bitouzet-Prieur’s Les Corbins is the village Meursault that earns its place among the greats.

Bérêche et Fils has been producing Champagne since the mid-19th century, and the estate’s reputation as one of the finest in the entire region has only grown under the stewardship of brothers Raphaël and Vincent Bérêche. Their approach is uncompromising: single-vineyard plots, minimal dosage, no malolactic fermentation, and a deep respect for terroir that allows each site to speak with clarity and precision. The result is a house style that is unmistakably racy, mineral, and built for the long haul.

This Cramant Grand Cru is a singular expression of one of Champagne’s most celebrated Chardonnay terroirs — a finely defined, powdery, and ethereally fresh wine resting upon an incredible bedrock of chalk. The nose is ample and delicate, evoking hawthorn against a backdrop of slightly damp chalk. The palate is unctuous and pure, revealing notes of iodine and extraordinary mineral tension. The finish — soft, chalky, and seemingly endless — gives way to the sheer emotion that only a great Cramant can evoke. A magnificent vintage with excellent aging potential.

Varietal: Chardonnay (Blanc de Blancs)
Vintage: 2020
Appellation: Cramant Grand Cru, Champagne, France
Style: Extra Brut / Zero Dosage
Farming: Biodynamic
Bottle Size: 750ml

Defaix Frères Rully 1er Cru Les Cloux — Burgundy 2022

Defaix Frères is a family domaine with deep roots in the Côte Chalonnaise, farming 11 acres of Rully Premier Cru holdings that have been in the family for generations. Les Cloux is one of Rully’s most prized Premier Cru vineyards — a south-facing site that captures the full warmth of the Burgundian sun while retaining the limestone-driven minerality that defines the appellation. The 2022 vintage was a gift: a warm, dry growing season that produced Chardonnay of exceptional ripeness and concentration, with the structure to age gracefully for a decade or more. At this price, it is one of the most compelling Premier Cru values in all of Burgundy.

The color is a luminous golden straw. The nose is refined and expressive: ripe citrus, green apple, white peach, and delicate white flowers, layered with warm spice and a signature note of roasted hazelnut from judicious oak élevage. On the palate, it is fresh and beautifully balanced — crisp acidity framing a subtle creamy texture, with flavors of lemon zest, orchard fruit, and gentle limestone minerality leading to a long, clean, and elegant finish.

“Delicious, open, and friendly — ripe, crisp apples and pears with an undercurrent of warm spices and roasted hazelnut. A judicious use of oak.”

• Producer: Defaix Frères, Rully, Côte Chalonnaise, Burgundy, France
• Vintage: 2022
• Appellation: Rully 1er Cru Les Cloux AOC
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Holdings: 11 acres of Rully Premier Cru
• Style: Refined, expressive, mineral-driven white Burgundy
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Citrus, green apple, white peach, white flowers, roasted hazelnut, warm spice, limestone minerality
• Cellar Potential: Drink now or cellar 8–10 years
• Best Paired With: Roast chicken, lobster, seafood, creamy pastas, egg dishes, patés, soft cheeses

Premier Cru Burgundy at an honest price — Defaix Frères Les Cloux is the Côte Chalonnaise at its most compelling.

Our Notes

This is a special wine, coming from a 1 hectare monopole adjacent to the family home in Rully.  Aged in 50% new oak for 18 months, it is still a bit tight, with grippy tannins.  But underneath the structure are layers of beautiful plum and red cherry fruit, crushed red flowers, and subtle earthiness.  This is a wine that will develop beautifully for the next five to ten years. 

Expert Rating

91 Points Jasper Morris: More density to the purple colour and the nose suggests greater structure, and a slightly riper, fuller style of pinot, raspberries taking over from the cherries. Just a little peppery note at the back of the palate which works well to balance the more voluptuous fruit. Very much more complete than the already attractive Préaux. Drink from 2025-2030.
Barrel Sample: 90-91

A beautifully refined Premier Cru Pinot Noir from the Côte Chalonnaise, offering a perfect balance of elegance and depth. Sourced from the prized Clos du Chapitre vineyard, this wine opens with vibrant aromas of red cherry, wild strawberry, and subtle rose petals, layered with hints of spice and gentle earthiness.

On the palate, it is silky and precise, with fine tannins and bright acidity that carry flavors of ripe red berries, light oak, and a touch of minerality. The finish is long, fresh, and quietly complex—classic Burgundy with both charm and structure.

Grape: 100% Pinot Noir
Country: France
Region: Burgundy, Rully 1er Cru

Pair with: Roast chicken, duck breast, mushroom dishes, salmon, or soft-ripened cheeses

The Elegance of Sichel House's Maison Sichel Saint-Estephe 2020

Discover the elegance of Maison Sichel Saint-Estephe 2020, a premium Bordeaux wine that exemplifies the rich viticultural heritage of the Saint-Estèphe appellation. The Sichel family are truly expert winemakers, and this Saint-Estèphe is no exception. This exceptional vintage showcases the unique terroir of the northern Médoc, marrying tradition with modern winemaking techniques to create a wine with fine elegance, structure, and balance.

Bordeaux Blend Composition

50% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Petit Verdot. This classic Bordeaux blend combines the best characteristics of each varietal, creating a wine with complexity, depth, and aging potential.

Tasting Notes

Appearance: Deep crimson
Aroma: Bramble fruit, blackcurrant, capsicum, cocoa, and cedar. Enticing bouquet of dark fruits and subtle earthy undertones
Palate: Layers of ripe blackberry and plum, complemented by hints of cedar and spice. Blackcurrant, capsicum, cocoa, and cedar. Smooth yet structured tannins. Fine elegance, structure, and balance
Finish: Balanced finish that lingers pleasantly

Aging Potential

Still young, this vintage will develop for many years with flavors of leather and cinnamon, truffle and clove starting to emerge. This remarkable depth and aging potential make it perfect for cellaring or enjoying now with decanting.

Maison Sichel - Six Generations of Excellence

Maison Sichel is a Bordeaux-based, family-owned and run négociant of six generations. The Sichel family have been a significant presence in Bordeaux since 1883 and have continued to expand operations by purchasing several properties in Bordeaux including Château Angludet and Château Argadens.

Château Palmer Partnership

The Sichel family also joined with three other families in 1938 to purchase the now legendary Château Palmer, one of Bordeaux's most prestigious estates. This partnership demonstrates the family's commitment to excellence and their deep roots in Bordeaux winemaking.

Expanded Portfolio

Maison Sichel continued to expand their operations outside of Bordeaux and have several high-quality own-label wines such as the Domaine Peter Sichel, Sichel Sauternes, and the Sichel Margaux. Each wine represents the family's dedication to quality and terroir expression.

Saint-Estèphe Appellation

Saint-Estèphe, located in the northern Médoc, is renowned for producing robust and complex red wines. The appellation's gravelly soils with clay subsoil create ideal conditions for Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, resulting in wines with structure, power, and exceptional aging potential.

2020 Vintage Quality

This specific vintage showcases the unique terroir of the area, with exceptional fruit quality translating to remarkable flavor profiles. The 2020 vintage in Bordeaux produced wines of excellent concentration and balance, making this an outstanding example of Saint-Estèphe.

Fine Elegance, Structure & Balance

A wine with fine elegance, structure, and balance. The wine's tannins are smooth yet structured, ensuring a balanced finish that demonstrates the craftsmanship and expertise of the Sichel family's winemaking.

Expert Winemakers

The Sichel family are truly expert winemakers with over 140 years of experience in Bordeaux. In every sip, one can sense the passion and craftsmanship that Maison Sichel embodies, from vineyard management to final bottling.

Food Pairing Suggestions

This vintage stands out not only for its rich flavors but also for its remarkable depth, making it a perfect partner for various dishes:

• Rich stews and braised meats
• Grilled meats and steaks
• Roasted lamb and beef
• Game meats
• Aged cheeses
• Hearty cassoulet
• Mushroom-based dishes

Perfect for Celebratory Occasions

For wine enthusiasts and casual drinkers alike, this bottle represents an ideal choice for celebratory occasions or a sophisticated addition to any cellar. The wine's elegance and structure make it suitable for special dinners and important moments.

Bordeaux Heritage Since 1883

Maison Sichel has long been synonymous with premium Bordeaux wines, each bottle a testament to the region's rich viticultural heritage. The Sichel family's significant presence in Bordeaux since 1883 ensures authenticity and quality in every bottle.

Northern Médoc Terroir

The unique terroir of the northern Médoc, with its gravelly soils and maritime influence, creates wines with distinctive character. This Saint-Estèphe showcases the power and structure that the appellation is famous for, while maintaining elegance and finesse.

Tradition Meets Modern Winemaking

This wine exemplifies the marriage of tradition with modern winemaking techniques. The Sichel family honors Bordeaux's winemaking heritage while employing contemporary methods to ensure optimal quality and expression of terroir.

Developing Complexity

With flavors of leather and cinnamon, truffle and clove starting to emerge as the wine develops, this Saint-Estèphe offers both immediate enjoyment and long-term cellaring potential. The wine will continue to evolve and reveal new layers of complexity over the years.

Explore Beaurenard Estate Chateauneuf-du-Pape Biodynamic 2021

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021

The Wine Advocate 94 Points | The 2021 Chateauneuf du Pape is just as tasty as the Boisrenard special cuvée this vintage, with very similar notes of black raspberries, black olives and garrigue. Perhaps a bit lighter-bodied (still medium to full-bodied), it's a touch creamy on the mid-palate, then adds hints of dark chocolate on the supple, lingering finish. The assemblage here is less Grenache-heavy (65%), with 15% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre and small amounts of other permitted varieties. - 

James Suckling 93 Points | Here’s a very well structured Chateauneuf for the challenging 2021 vintage with complex wild herb and berry aromas. Only medium-bodied for the appellation, but with healthy tannins and a positive mineral acidity that drives the long clean finish. A cuvee of 50% grenache, 30% syrah, 10% mourvedre and 10% cinsault. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink or hold.

The Wine Spectator 93 Points | A pure, focused style, with generous raspberry ganache and red licorice flavors that are juicy, inviting and well-framed by finely sculpted tannins and graphite shavings. Full-bodied without being heavy, with black pepper, wild herbs and mesquite playing out on the fresh, structured finish. Grenache. Drink now through 2035.

Jeb Dunnuck 92 Points | A beautiful wine, the 2021 Châteauneuf Du Pape has a deeper ruby hue to go with Burgundian aromatics of ripe red and black berries, sappy underbrush, exotic flowers, and an undeniable sense of minerality. It's balanced, medium-bodied, has good mid-palate depth, and gorgeously integrated structure that emerges with time in the glass. It's not a powerhouse, but it has a layered, complete, seamless profile that's going to evolve gracefully over the coming 15 years. The classic Cuvée is 65% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre, and the rest a mix of permitted varieties, partially destemmed, and aged in a mix of foudre, tank, and barrels, with a tiny percentage in new oak.

Memo Summary Notes

The 2021 Domaine de Beaurenard Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a benchmark for biodynamic winemaking in the Southern Rhône. Despite a challenging 2021 vintage marked by frost, this estate produced a wine noted for its freshness, elegance, and "linear" style rather than sheer power.

Rich Heritage of Beaurenard Estate

Beaurenard Estate, located in the renowned Chateauneuf-du-Pape region, is celebrated for its commitment to biodynamic farming. The 2021 vintage is not only a testament to this heritage but also reflects the estate's dedication to producing high-quality wines. The biodynamic approach fosters a holistic environment, enhancing the wine's complexity. Therefore, when you enjoy a glass of Beaurenard, you are savoring not just the wine itself, but the rich history and sustainable practices behind it.

A Wonderful Tasting Experience

This biodynamic wine offers vibrant aromas of ripe red fruits complemented by subtle earthy tones. On the palate, it delivers a balanced mix of richness and refreshing acidity. Because of its exceptional structure, Beaurenard Estate Chateauneuf-du-Pape pairs beautifully with hearty dishes, making it an ideal choice for gatherings. Whether you are a seasoned wine enthusiast or casually exploring options, this wine is sure to impress.

Why Choose Biodynamic Wine?

Biodynamic wines like Beaurenard are crafted with careful consideration of the ecosystem. The absence of synthetic chemicals enhances both the purity of the flavor and the health of the vineyard. Additionally, the 2021 vintage stands out because it embodies the core principles of biodiversity and sustainability. As a result, choosing Beaurenard Estate's Chateauneuf-du-Pape is not just a delight for your palate, but also a conscious choice for the environment.

Winemaker Description

This Premier Cru displays a crisp, mineral-driven profile characterized by notes of citrus, green apple, and subtle floral hints, with a refreshing acidity that balances its complexity. Sourced from the Montmains Premier Cru site — known for its stony Kimmeridgian soils and excellent sun exposure — this is a classic expression of Chablis: precise, taut, and unmistakably Burgundian.

About Les Marronniers

Les Marronniers is a respected Chablis producer with deep roots in the appellation, farming vineyards on the region’s distinctive Kimmeridgian limestone and clay soils — the ancient marine sediment that gives Chablis its signature minerality and saline character. Their Premier Cru Montmains is sourced from one of Chablis’ most celebrated Premier Cru sites, situated on the left bank of the Serein River with ideal south-southwest exposure. Certified Kosher for Passover and Mevushal, this wine brings the full character of Chablis Premier Cru to the kosher table without compromise.

About Montmains

Montmains is one of the largest and most highly regarded Premier Cru sites in Chablis, located on the left bank of the Serein River. Its stony, Kimmeridgian soils — composed of ancient oyster fossils, limestone, and clay — are the geological foundation of Chablis’ distinctive mineral character. Wines from Montmains are known for their structure, depth, and the classic “Chablis funk”: a stony, saline, almost oyster-shell quality that sets them apart from any other Chardonnay in the world.

Food Pairings

Oysters, grilled fish, steamed lobster, shrimp, sushi, grilled scallops, soft ripened cheeses, and light poultry dishes. A natural match for Shabbat fish courses and holiday tables. The quintessential wine for oysters.

Product Details

• Producer: Les Marronniers
• Appellation: Chablis Premier Cru, Burgundy, France
• Vineyard: Montmains Premier Cru
• Grape: Chardonnay
• Soils: Kimmeridgian limestone and clay
• Certification: Kosher for Passover, Mevushal
• Vintage: 2023
• Style: Crisp, mineral, structured Chablis Premier Cru
• Format: 750ml

Winemaker Description 

Blended Syrah, Grenache, and Mouvedre, this bold Brut Rosé offers a rush of strawberry and dried fruit aromas. It is effervescent and expansive on the mid-palate and is a bit more fruit-forward than the Paul de coste Rose light - a truly compelling sparkling wine from Provence.

Paul de Coste is an estate producing exceptional sparkling wines in the South of France. Started in 1952 with just one wine, the estate over time has added a full range of sparking wines from the South of France. Since the company was founded in the years following WWII, three generations of family has managed the operations with the same passion and philosophy for quality. Today, Paul de Coste wines are famous in France.

Memo Summary Notes

It is produced by Compagnie Française des Grands Vins (CFGV), a historic house known for mastering the Méthode Charmat (tank method) to create fresh, fruit-forward bubbles.

96 Points by Antonio Galloni, Vinous

Vincent Cuillier's 2022 Brut Nature Blanc de Pinot Noir Clos Forestier is magnificent. Bright, punchy and explosive, the 2022 offers a compelling mix of vibrant fruit and saline, mineral-drenched energy. This feels so alive, so full of life. Sandy soils confer tons of aromatic presence to lift a core of Pinot fruit. Compelling. Bottled with no dosage. Disgorged: March 2025; multiple disgorgements throughout the year.

~ Antonio Galloni, VINOUS – November 2025

Winemaker Description

In the eastern reaches of Sancerre lies a distinctive terroir defined by silex — the French term for flint — a dense, siliceous soil that gives this wine its singular mineral character. Light yellow with a golden core, the nose reveals fine, elegant flint-smoke notes that immediately announce the wine’s origins. Beneath the minerality, a layer of yellow fruit and delicate florals adds complexity and density.

On the palate, the flint-smoke character continues, framed by a full, juicy mouthfeel that remains precise and elegant. Powerful acidity drives the long, tense finish. This is Sauvignon Blanc at its most mineral and structured — the clay-siliceous soils, rich in siliceous conglomerates, providing exceptional finesse and a marked aromatic intensity that sets the Silex cuvée apart from classic Sancerre.

About J de Villebois

J de Villebois is a leading producer of Kosher Loire Valley wines, crafting appellation-driven Sauvignon Blancs from Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé, and Touraine under strict kosher supervision. The Silex cuvée represents the estate’s prestige expression — sourced exclusively from flint-rich parcels in the eastern sector of Sancerre, where the terroir imparts a smoky, mineral complexity rarely found at any price point.

Kosher Certification

Fully Kosher certified and suitable for Passover. An exceptional choice for Shabbat, Passover Seder, and any occasion requiring Kosher wine without compromise on quality.

Food Pairings

Oysters, grilled sole, sea bass, sushi, goat cheese, asparagus, and herb-roasted chicken. A natural partner for Passover Seder fish courses and light spring dishes.

Product Details

• Producer: J de Villebois
• Region: Sancerre AOC, Loire Valley, France
• Grape: Sauvignon Blanc
• Terroir: Silex (flint) soils
• Certification: Kosher, Kosher for Passover
• Vintage: 2024
• Style: Mineral, flint-driven, high-acid Loire white
• Format: 750ml

Tasting Notes

Appearance: Bright, pale yellow — light and almost transparent with a touch of gold at the edges.

Aroma: Green apple peel, earthy minerals, lemon zest and pith, light earthy tones, and subtle hints of tropical fruit — pineapple and guava.

Palate: Bone dry, light to medium-bodied. Vibrant acidity and minerality with layers of apple, pear, and subtle citrus. Freshly sliced lemon dominates the mid-palate, with earthy tones keeping everything in balance.

Finish: Crisp and clean, with a bright acid punch on the back palate.

Winemaking

Vinified and aged entirely in stainless steel tanks to preserve the wine’s natural freshness, purity, and mineral character — the hallmarks of classic Chablis. No oak influence; just the pure expression of Kimmeridgian terroir and Chardonnay.

About Pascal Bouchard

Pascal Bouchard is a respected Chablis producer with vineyards spanning the appellation’s most prized terroirs, from village-level Chablis to Premier and Grand Cru sites. The domaine has been producing wines in Chablis for generations, with a philosophy rooted in minimal intervention and maximum terroir expression. Their kosher Chablis — certified Kosher for Passover and Mevushal — is crafted to the same exacting standards as their full range, bringing the authentic character of Chablis to the kosher table without compromise.

Food Pairings

Grilled fish, sushi and sashimi, soft cheeses, and light poultry dishes. A natural match for Shabbat fish courses, Passover seders, and holiday tables. The quintessential wine for seafood.

Product Details

• Producer: Pascal Bouchard
• Appellation: Chablis AOC, Burgundy, France
• Grape: Chardonnay
• Soils: Kimmeridgian limestone and clay
• Aging: Stainless steel — no oak
• Certification: Kosher for Passover, Mevushal
• Vintage: 2023
• Style: Crisp, mineral, unoaked Chablis
• Format: 750ml

Winemaker Description

Owned and operated by the highly-acclaimed Château Peybonhomme-Les Tours. This is an entirely biodynamic estate and the winemaking is very low intervention. This bottling is 70% Merlot, 15% Cabernet-Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet-Franc, and 5% Malbec.

Memo Summary Notes

Château La Grolet 2022 is a standout "natural" Bordeaux from the Côtes de Bourg (located on the Right Bank, across the river from Margaux). Owned by the Hubert family (who also own Château Peybonhomme-Les Tours), this estate is a pioneer in sustainable viticulture, having been certified biodynamic for over 20 years.

Pair with 

Classic: Grilled lamb chops with rosemary or a traditional beef stew (Bœuf Bourguignon).

Rustic: Hearty lentil stews, tourtière (meat pie), or roasted root vegetables.

Cheese: Pairs exceptionally well with Comté or aged Cheddar.

Winemaker Description 

The Crémant d’Alsace Brut Zero Rosé from Valentin Zusslin is 100% made with Pinot Noir, raised according to the traditional method for 18 months on slats, without dosage or addition of sulphites. The dress has salmon shades typical of this grape variety and reveals a beautiful fine effervescence, a sign of a neat farm.

On the nose as in the mouth, it delivers net aromas of red fruits – currant, blackcurrant, raspberry – supplemented with sweet spices and gourmet notes of hazelnut or macaroon. The tasting shows it brightly, dry, very digestible and with a controlled aromatic finish.

James Suckling writes | A rosé that for its class is relatively dry and winey, making it an excellent sparkling wine to accompany a meal.

Memo Summary Notes 

The Domaine Valentin Zusslin Crémant d'Alsace Brut Zéro Rosé is a highly regarded, biodynamic sparkling wine from Alsace, France. Known for its purity and lack of added sugar (Non-Dosé), it is a favorite among fans of "natural" and terroir-driven wines.

Paring Suggestions

Aperitif: Excellent on its own to wake up the palate.

Expert Reviews

Decanter Magazine by Simon Field MW writes 93 Points |  Made up, half and half, of base wine from the sunny 2018 harvest, and reserve wine from Rodolphe’s Perpetual Reserve which goes back to 1988, this is one of the most consistently excellent NV wines on the market. Its current iteration is especially impressive, floral, chalky, upstanding, and very complex; the palate sharing notes of dried apricot, plum and lemon pith with more developed intimations of sour honey and patisserie. An exemplary wine with real purity and precision on the finish. 

The Wine Spectator by Alison Napjus writes 91 Points | Sleek and mouthwatering, with a fine, satiny mousse and a fresh panoply of crunchy pear, grapefruit sorbet, pickled ginger and spring blossom notes. Bright and finely knit, with rich hints of toast and mineral echoing on the finish. Disgorged November 2019. Drink now through 2025.

Winemaker Descriptions

Discover the elegance and purity of Pierre Peters Cuvée de Réserve Blanc de Blancs, a non-vintage Champagne crafted exclusively from Chardonnay grapes. This refined Champagne offers delicate aromas of citrus, white flowers, and brioche, with a crisp acidity and a long, elegant finish.

Memo Summary Notes

Produced by Rodolphe Péters, this wine is celebrated for its precision, chalky minerality, and the unique use of a "perpetual reserve" system that dates back to 1988.

Its high acidity and saline finish make it a perfect match for raw oysters, sushi, or creamy risotto.

Winemaker Description 

This vintage is the fruit of setting up my establishment. It embodies my doubts, my
fears, my mistakes, my great joy, my passion, my convictions.

This wine plot is located on a rocky outcrop, on the summit of the Palais Mount. Its name comes from the Latin word “barra”, copied from the Gallic “barro” which means
“elevation, summit, peak”. Chalky brown soils, clay-limestone subsoils. Located at 300 meters high, on a plateau.

There is a forest which occupies the ridge of the mountain which protects and shelters the vineyard from the wind. This cool environment helps to produce the floral and aromatic character plus the freshness of the wines.

Fresh white fruits aromas accompanied by floral touches and mineral notes. It leaves a fresh cool taste in mouth and blends together a tonic effect with smoothness. This tense and invigorating juice leaves a long-lasting intense sensation in the mouth. The end result is remarkable thanks to the aromatic, sapid and well-delineated finality. 

Memo Summary Notes

The Domaine Ninot Rully "La Barre" Blanc 2022 is a bright, organic expression of Chardonnay from the Côte Chalonnaise, crafted by the talented Erell Ninot, who was previously named "Best Young Winemaker" in Burgundy.

A classic partner for poultry in creamy sauces (Blanquette de veau), grilled sea bass, or scallops. It also pairs wonderfully with regional cheeses like Comté or mild Gruyère.
 

Crafted from a 20-hour maceration of Pinot Noir grapes, each parcel is vinified separately in stainless steel and epoxy-lined tanks. The wine is bottled according to the lunar calendar and undergoes secondary fermentation in the bottle, preserving the unique characteristics of each terroir.

This meticulous approach highlights the natural expression of the Meunier grape, resulting in a fresh, vibrant rosé with nuanced red fruit, subtle spice, and floral notes. The wine balances elegance with intensity, offering a complex, layered palate and a delicate, persistent mousse.

Perfect for festive occasions, it pairs beautifully with seafood, charcuterie, or light poultry dishes, making it a standout choice for holiday celebrations or special gatherings.

Grape: 100% Pinot Noir (Saignée method)
Country: France – Champagne

This striking Brut Nature Champagne showcases the precision and depth of 100% Pinot Noir from Christophe Mignon’s meticulously farmed vineyards in the western Vallée de la Marne. Vinified with a minimalist approach and zero dosage, the wine is fermented and matured in large oak foudres, allowing the purity of the fruit and the character of the terroir to shine without excess influence.

In the glass, it reveals a beautiful shimmering hue with a fine, persistent mousse. The nose is clean and refined, offering subtle woody notes layered with red apple, citrus peel, and hints of toasted almond. On the palate, the wine is powerful yet impeccably precise, delivering vibrant freshness, excellent tension, and a long, mineral-driven finish. The oak integration is seamless, enhancing structure and complexity while preserving energy and elegance.

This Champagne is a compelling expression of Pinot Noir in its most transparent form—vinous, structured, and deeply expressive—crafted for those who appreciate authenticity, finesse, and terroir-driven Champagne.

Grape: 100% Pinot Noir
Region: Champagne, France
Style: Brut Nature (Zero Dosage)
Base Year: 2018

Crafted from Chardonnay grown on the chalky and clay-limestone soils of Festigny, this Brut Nature Champagne is vinified and matured partially in large oak foudres, allowing texture and depth to develop without masking purity. The nose is clean and refined, revealing subtle notes of fresh apple, lemon zest, white flowers, and a gentle hint of toasted almond from oak aging.

On the palate, the wine is precise and energetic, driven by vibrant acidity and a finely integrated mousse. Flavors of citrus, green pear, and almond are layered with a delicate saline edge and restrained woody nuance. With zero dosage, the finish is long, focused, and mineral, highlighting the natural expression of Chardonnay and the craftsmanship of Christophe Mignon.

Elegant, structured, and deeply expressive, this Champagne is an excellent choice for lovers of terroir-driven, low-intervention wines and pairs beautifully with shellfish, seafood, or simply enjoyed on its own as a contemplative aperitif.