French Wine

Winemaker Description

This has incredible power and drive with blackberry, black olive and graphite. It’s full-bodied, yet dynamic and agile, with so much polished and muscular tannin. Yet, it remains in harmony and balance. So much character. The head of the chateau calls it diabolical beauty. 25% less production than the 2019. 52% cabernet sauvignon, 42% merlot, 3% cabernet franc and 3% petit verdot.

Expert Reviews

James Suckling 99- 100 Points | A blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot, the 2020 Haut-Bailly was harvested from the 9th to 25th of September. It has an alcohol of 14.3%. Deep purple-black in color, it prances out of the glass with naturally beautiful notions of fresh black cherries, violets, mulberries and boysenberries, giving way to hints of redcurrant jelly, star anise, tilled soil and menthol. The medium to full-bodied palate is delicately crafted with velvety/grainy tannins and fantastic freshness framing the perfumed red and black berry layers, finishing on a lingering fragrant-earth note. (2020). 

Robert Parker 96-98 Points | A legendary Haut-Bailly in the making, the 2020 sports a dense purple color to go with powerful notes of blackcurrants, black cherries, scorched earth, and graphite. Reminding me of the 2010, it takes plenty of air to show at its best yet is full-bodied, has a seamless texture, massive of ultra-fine tannins, and a blockbuster of a finish. It’s one of the most structured, powerful Haut-Bailly I’ve ever tasted, yet it still has the classic elegance, nuance, and length of this terrific terroir. It will need 5-7 years (or more) of bottle age but will have 50 years of overall longevity. The 2020 is 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, and 3% each of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. (2020). 

Jeb Dunnuck 96-98 Points | Deep, rich and explosive, the 2020 Haut-Bailly is magnificent from the very first taste. Dark fruit, chocolate, licorice and spice give the 2020 a level of unctuousness that is absolutely thrilling. Readers should be patient, as the 2020 is going to need time to come around. Yields are down 25% from 2019, and that richness comes through loud and clear. (2020). 

Vinous 95-97 Points | (Château Haut-Bailly, Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux, France, Red) Rich in texture and colour, this has clear layers and complexity, a wine that you want to take your time with, slow down and enjoy. One that will take its time to age also. This has a precision and a clarity to the aromatics, and a gentle buzz of minerality that gives a physical reaction in the mouth. Less exuberant than the 2018 or 2019, making this a vintage that suits the style of Haut-Bailly. A slight austerity to the tannins on the finish gives a blueberry redcurrant edge. 3% Petit Verdot completes the blend (now around eight years old), usually co-fermented with the Cabernet Sauvignon (sometimes with Cabernet Franc). IPT similar to 2016, 2010, 2005, but with a softness that comes from extremely ripe tannins. Strong potential for upscoring when it bottle. (Drink between 2030-2050). (2020),

Expert Reviews

98 Points Wine Enthusiast | This firmly structured wine with its high percentage of Merlot is powerful and dense. The bold black fruits and perfumed density are impressive.

97+ Points Jeb Dunnuck | A clear step up over the 2019, the 2020 Château Troplong Mondot is mostly Merlot yet includes 13% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Cabernet Franc, all of which was raised in 65% new French oak, with the balance in once-used barrels. The level of purity and finesse here is remarkable, and it reveals a deep ruby/purple hue as well as incredible aromatics of cassis, ripe black cherries, graphite, gunpowder, and spring flowers. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it has building, perfectly ripe tannins, flawless balance, and a great finish. Certainly light years away from the riper, more opulent style of the 2000's, the wines today under consultant Thomas Duclos are much more about finesse and elegance. While I certainly miss the sexy, riper style of the past, there is no denying the incredible quality from this château today. 

97 Points Robert Parker | The 2020 Troplong Mondot is composed of 85% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Cabernet Franc, harvested from 4th September and lasting for about three weeks. The pH is 3.53, the IPT (tannin index) is 75 and the alcohol is 14.5%. Opaque purple-black colored, it opens with a vivacious burst of black fruits—stewed plums, baked blackberries and boysenberries—giving way to a fragrant undercurrent of licorice, ground cloves, cinnamon stick and lilacs, with a touch of bouquet garni. The full-bodied palate is chock-full of plump, juicy black fruits and savory sparks, framed by fantastically ripe, fine-grained tannins and bold freshness, finishing long and opulent. 

97 Points James Suckling | A soft and round red with plum and milk chocolate. Hazelnuts. Full-bodied and layered. Juicy. Hints of sea salt. Power is there. Turns firm and vivid. So attractive now. Savory. Needs three to four years to open.

93 Points Decanter | This sets out its stall as a wine from a specific plot of pure limestone soils straight away, and this is a second wine to savour. As with last year, this is a masterclass in the impact of this particular soil type, with a bright violet colour, juicy blueberry fruits and touches of redcurrant. It has a tingling finish with a whoosh of salinity that gives tension and balance. 30% aged in barrels, the rest stays in stainless steel. 3.53pH. Still 100% Merlot as last year, but that will probably change in 2021 when some Cabernet Franc should be added. Not sold as an En Primeur, the 2018 has just been released onto the market. September 4 was the first day of picking.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

Jeb Dunnuck 97 points From an estate that is delivering its greatest run of vintages since the superb Post War series that preceded the frosts of 1956, the 2022 Canon is a magical wine that will be worth every effort to track down. Wafting from the glass with aromas of dark berries, wild plums and cherries mingled with hints of bay leaf, spices and violets, it's full-bodied, layered and multidimensional, with huge levels of concentration, vibrant acids and beautifully refined tannins. Concluding with a long, saline finish, this pure, perfumed and ineffably complete Canon is built for the ages, even if its structural polish is such that it will be approachable at a surprisingly early age. 99 Points Wine Advocate, April 28, 2023

Winemaker Description

Forbes Magazine | Almost 54 years ago, Robert “Kool” Bell along with his younger brother and childhood friends, started a band. The iconic band Kool & The Gang is now one of the longest non-stop touring bands in industry. An avid lover of Champagne, Kool had always envisioned having his own brand out of Europe. For many years, he sought out Grand Cru Vineyards from owners that have been selling for generations and decided to work with Paul Berthelot, a Multi-Vintage Grand Cru Producer since 1884.

Winemaker Description

Its traditional production makes Vocation Champagne a Blanc de Noirs to enjoy on any occasion and turn it into a memorable moment.

The Champagne region is synonymous with excellence, hard work and continuous work to continue offering recognized world-class wines and bubbles. Our vocation and respect for nature, as well as our lives, manage to create the best fruit which is the basis and structure for our final offering.

Vocation is the living representation of what has been our home for centuries and radiates our values ​​as a family by making and respecting the traditional way of making champagne, the precious liquid.

Winemaker Description

The Extra Brut Solessence Nature unwinds in the glass with scents of white flowers, crisp green apple, spring blossom and almond paste. Medium to full-bodied, ample and precise, it's a bright, vibrant wine with chalky structure and a long, saline finish.

Winemaker Description

Traditional blend of the 3 Champagne grape varieties from several harvests.  Made up of approximately 60% Pinot Noir, 20% Pinot Meunier and 20% Chardonnay for the white wine. A Pinot Meunier-based red wine is added.
 
The salmon-colored rose enhances the sparkling foam.  The generous bouquet evolves towards notes of raspberry and redcurrant. The mouth develops into a taste of fleshy cherry.

Expert Review - Vintage 2008

97 Points Wine Spectator:  Like a stallion out of the gate, this shows an initial explosion of power, in the form of mouthwatering flavors and fine texture, before quickly settling into an elegant gait. The racy acidity is seamlessly knit, buoying the lacy mousse and flavors of cassis, toasted brioche and tangerine, with accents of candied ginger, hazelnut and fleur de sel lingering on the long, creamy finish. Drink now through 2035.

96 Points Wine Enthusiast:  The new release of this producer's prestige cuvée comes in its usual beautifully sculpted bottle. The Champagne, from a great vintage in the region, is just approaching maturity still showing minerality from the high amount of Chardonnay in the blend. Nutty flavors are creeping in, keeping the great texture adding complexity. Drink this very fine wine now although it will also age further.

96 Points Decanter: Rare Champagne boasts an illustrious past, with its first vintage having been presented to Marie Antoinette in 1785. The wine is produced in very limited quantities and is restricted to exceptional years, with only 11 vintages being declared over the past four decades of production. 70% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir from selected grand cru vineyards. Simon Field MW: Gentle bead, lovely evolved notes of hazelnut, even a hint of praline, enrobed and ennobled by firm acidity and a persuasive finish. Alan Bednarski: Great, pure wine with still-fresh zesty flavours, delicate palate and sweet yeast notes, with a long flavourful finish of ripe melon. Tim Hall: A challenging, pressing start, wanting to overwhelm with shimmering and sharp attack, but shows intensity on the palate to match. Lovely lemon-apple notes and tempered texture.

96 Points Jeb Dunnuck: The 2008 Champagne Rare is luxurious with aromas of graham cracker, honeysuckle, quince, and orange zest. It is round and opulent, with a fine and pillowy mousse, and retains freshness throughout, with apricot and yellow flowers. It is impressive and long, and fully luxurious. Drinking well now, it is sure to hold its own for years to come. Drink 2022-2044.

93 Points Wine Advocate:  The newly released 2008 Brut Cuvée Rare is very promising, unwinding in the glass with a youthfully reserved nose of citrus oil, crisp green apple, freshly baked bread, iodine and oyster shell, as well as some rather herbaceous characteristics that depress my score a little, even if I suspect that they will resolve with a bit more bottle age. Medium to full-bodied, incisive and tightly wound, if the 2006 vintage was gourmand and demonstrative, the 2008 is slower to show all its cards. Built around racy acids and complemented by a pillowy mousse, this rendition of Cuvée Rare will reward a few years more on cork.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2020 

Burghound 93 Points | (From Les Cruots which is also known as Vignes Blanches). Touches of bitter chocolate and kirsch are present on the spicy aromas of plum, violet and soft wood. The finer if not denser flavors possess a velvety texture while also coating the palate with dry extract on the dusty and chalky finish that is likewise youthfully austere. I very much like the depth and persistence and this beauty should also age gracefully for as long as most anyone would like.

Barrel Sample: 93-96 Decanter 97 Points | A very elegant expression of Echezeaux, with a velvety black plum and rose petal fruit. There is a lovely freshness and so much finesse that the tannin and structure might surprise you at the end. This has the substance to age for decades. Produced from a 0.84ha parcel in Cruots next to Comte Liger-Belair. The vines were planted in 1954 and the destemmed fruit was gently fermented.

Barrel Sample: 97Vinous 92 Points | The 2020 Echézeaux Grand Cru offers mulberry sous-bois and very subtle star anis aromas on the nose. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grain tannins quite taut and fresh linear at the moment with touches of blood orange and Clementine towards the finish. Give this several years in bottle. (Drink between 2027-2055).

Winemaker Description 

Le Berceau de Fees" by Domaine Aux Moines is a lovely and juicy Chenin Blanc from young vineyards of famous Roche-aux-Moines grand cru. It opens on the nose to clean and straight aromas of fruit, flowers and aromatic herbs, surrounded by sharp saltiness. The sip is fresh and direct, animated by great acid shoulder and long mineral persistence. 

Please call or text us for current photograph of bottle - (212) 724-6767.

Expert Review

Wine Spectator 91 Points | Surprisingly tannic for such an old wine, but a lovely drink allthe same, with smoky aromas and concentrated blackberry flavors. Will the tannins soften? Try around 1995.--Mouton-Rothschild vertical.   –PM 

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

The Boxler Estate

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

Tasting Profile

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

Vintage

2021

Grape

Sylvaner

Region

Alsace, France

Format

750ml

Why Sylvaner?

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

Perfect Pairings

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

Pascal Balland · 'Les Hautes Pierres' Sancerre Blanc · Loire Valley · 2025

"The High Stones" — that's what Les Hautes Pierres means, and it tells you everything about this wine before you even open the bottle. Pascal Balland farms his Sancerre vineyards on the steep, stony hillsides above the village of Boué in the heart of the appellation, where Kimmeridgian limestone and silex (flint) soils define the mineral backbone that makes Sancerre one of the world's great white wine appellations. A family domaine with deep roots in the Loire, Balland brings a precise, uninterventionist hand to his winemaking — letting the terroir speak rather than the cellar. At $39.99, this is Sancerre at a price that respects both the wine and the buyer.

Harvested by hand, the grapes are pneumatically pressed and fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks to preserve freshness and aromatic purity. The wine rests on its fine lees before a light filtration and spring bottling. The 2025 shows everything you come to Sancerre for: a luminous pale gold in the glass, with a nose of white grapefruit, lemon zest, fresh-cut grass, and a signature flinty minerality. On the palate: crisp, dry, and laser-focused, with vibrant acidity, flavors of citrus and white peach, and a long, stony finish that lingers. Drink now through 2028.

• Producer: Pascal Balland
• Vintage: 2025
• Appellation: Sancerre AOC, Loire Valley, France
• Varietal: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
• Soils: Kimmeridgian limestone & silex (flint) — Les Hautes Pierres hillside
• Vinification: Hand harvested · Pneumatic press · Stainless steel fermentation · Fine lees aging · Spring bottling
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: White grapefruit, lemon zest, fresh grass, flint minerality, crisp acidity, long stony finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now through 2028
• Food Pairings: Oysters, chèvre, grilled sole, asparagus, sushi, light summer salads

Kimmeridgian limestone, silex soils, and Pascal Balland's precise hand — Sancerre as it was meant to be.

Le Coeur de la Reine · Sauvignon Blanc · Touraine AOC · 2025

"The Heart of the Queen" is a collaboration between two fourth-generation Loire Valley families — Ludivine Marteau and Vincent Leclair — whose roots in Touraine run as deep as the clay-and-flint soils they farm. The Marteaus tend a 29-hectare estate on the south bank of the Cher, while Vincent's family works 45 hectares in Pouillé in the Cher Valley. Together, they farm with the kind of meticulous care that only generational stewardship produces: short-cane pruning, selective ploughing, spring de-budding, deleafing, grass cover, and green harvest — all in service of low yields and exceptional fruit. At $16.99, this is Loire Sauvignon Blanc punching well above its price.

The 2025 is vinified with precision: 60% of the cuvée undergoes 6 hours of skin maceration for texture and aromatic lift, followed by gentle pneumatic pressing and a 7-day cool maceration at 5°C. Fermentation runs 3–4 weeks at 17°C, then the wine rests on its lees in tank to build roundness. The result is a Sauvignon Blanc of real character — an intense nose of citrus, white peach, and blackcurrant bud, leading to a palate that is supple and elegant with a spicy, mineral finish and generous length. Drink now through 2027.

• Producer: Le Coeur de la Reine (Marteau & Leclair families)
• Vintage: 2025
• Appellation: Touraine AOC, Loire Valley, France
• Varietal: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
• Soils: Clay and flint (perruches), south bank of the Cher
• Vinification: 60% skin maceration (6 hrs) · Pneumatic press · Cool maceration 7 days at 5°C · Fermented at 17°C · Lees aging in tank
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Citrus, white peach, blackcurrant bud, supple palate, spicy mineral finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now through 2027
• Food Pairings: Oysters, goat cheese, grilled fish, asparagus, light summer salads

Fourth-generation Loire families, clay-flint terroir, and lees-aged precision — Touraine Sauvignon Blanc at its most expressive.

Domaine Moreau-Naudet Chablis 2024 — Chablis, Burgundy

Domaine Moreau-Naudet is one of Chablis’ most revered estates, with roots stretching back to the 17th century. The domaine as it exists today was born in 1950 from the marriage of Marie Naudet and René Moreau, and was elevated to greatness by Stéphane Moreau — a winemaker of extraordinary talent whose untimely passing in 2016 was a profound loss to the wine world. His family and team have carried on his vision with unwavering dedication: organic treatments only, manual harvesting, natural yeast fermentation in stainless steel, and aging on the lees for depth and texture. Their style draws frequent comparisons to Vincent Dauvissat — extreme purity, intensity, and a distinct sense of place.

The 2024 Chablis is vinified entirely in tank, preserving the appellation’s signature freshness and minerality. The nose offers lemon peel, spring flowers, and a youthful reductive lift. On the palate it is medium- to full-bodied and racy, with bright, precise acidity and a long, saline finish that is unmistakably Chablis.

Wine Advocate — “Racy palate framed by bright acids, concluding with a saline finish.”

• Producer: Domaine Moreau-Naudet, Chablis, Burgundy, France
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Chablis AOC
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Farming: Organic treatments, manual harvest, low yields
• Winemaking: Natural yeast, stainless steel, lees aging 10–11 months
• Format: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Lemon peel, spring flowers, saline minerality, bright acidity, clean finish
• Best Paired With: Oysters, grilled sole, sea bass, lobster, fresh goat cheese, sushi

A benchmark village Chablis at an honest price — Moreau-Naudet is the standard for what Chablis purity and terroir expression can be.

Domaine Hoffmann-Jayer Côtes de Nuits-Villages Clos de Magny 2020 — Burgundy

Domaine Hoffmann-Jayer is based in Magny-les-Villers, at the crossroads of the Hautes Côtes de Beaune and Hautes Côtes de Nuits — a ten-hectare estate with a remarkable range of appellations, from Échezeaux Grand Cru down to village-level Côtes de Nuits-Villages. Under Alexandre’s stewardship, every parcel is treated with equal rigor: hand-harvesting across the board, no chemical herbicides or pesticides, organic certification in progress, and early experiments with biodynamics. The results are already thrilling — wines of precision, depth, and a distinct sense of terroir that punch well above their appellation level.

The 2020 Clos de Magny is a wine built for the cellar. James Suckling awarded it 92 points, noting “plenty of blackberry and black cherry fruit wrapped around ample fine tannins” and a “long, well-structured finish” suggesting many years of life ahead. Still in an early phase of development, it is best from 2026 — but already compelling.

James Suckling 92 — “Long, well-structured finish suggests this has many years of life ahead of it.”

• Producer: Domaine Hoffmann-Jayer, Magny-les-Villers, Burgundy, France
• Vintage: 2020
• Appellation: Côtes de Nuits-Villages AOC
• Varietal: Pinot Noir
• Farming: Hand-harvested, no chemicals, organic certification in progress, biodynamic trials
• Format: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Blackberry, black cherry, fine tannins, well-structured, long finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now or best from 2026+, many years ahead
• Best Paired With: Roast duck, lamb chops, mushroom dishes, aged Époisses, beef bourguignon

A 92-point village Burgundy at an honest price — Hoffmann-Jayer’s Clos de Magny is the benchmark for what Côtes de Nuits-Villages can be.

Domaine Harmand-Geoffroy Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes — Burgundy 2022

Domaine Harmand-Geoffroy is one of Gevrey-Chambertin’s most respected family estates, farming some of the village’s finest parcels with meticulous care and an unwavering commitment to terroir expression. The Vieilles Vignes cuvée is sourced from the Champ Perrier lieu-dit on the Brochon side of the appellation, where vines averaging 50 to 60+ years of age dig deep into the limestone-rich soils to produce fruit of extraordinary concentration, complexity, and character. Rated Outstanding by Burghound — the highest accolade from the world’s foremost Burgundy authority — the 2022 is a serious, age-worthy Gevrey-Chambertin villages that demands attention and rewards patience.

The nose is brooding and sauvage: black cherry, forest floor, subtle oak, and an overtly wild, mineral-inflected aromatic profile of real depth. On the palate, it is solidly concentrated and quite powerful for a village-level wine — medium-bodied with evident minerality, abundant sap buffering a firm tannic spine, and a serious, lingering finish of impressive length. A Gevrey villages that drinks like a premier cru and will reward cellaring for a decade or more.

Burghound — Outstanding — 90 Points - “Subtle though still easily discerned wood on the brooding and overtly sauvage-inflected black cherry and forest floor aromas. Solidly concentrated and quite powerful, with evident minerality on the serious and lingering finish where abundant sap buffers the firm tannic spine. An excellent, age-worthy Gevrey villages worth checking out.” (Vintage 2022). 

• Producer: Domaine Harmand-Geoffroy, Gevrey-Chambertin, Côte de Nuits, Burgundy, France
• Vintage: 2022
• Appellation: Gevrey-Chambertin AOC
• Lieu-Dit: Champ Perrier, Brochon
• Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir
• Vine Age: 50–60+ years
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Black cherry, forest floor, subtle oak, sauvage minerality, concentrated, firm tannins, long powerful finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink 2026–2040+
• Best Paired With: Roast duck, venison, beef bourguignon, lamb rack, aged Comté or Époisses

Fifty-plus-year-old vines, Burghound Outstanding, and a tannic spine built for the cellar — Harmand-Geoffroy’s Vieilles Vignes is Gevrey-Chambertin at its most compelling.

Lucien Crochet · Sancerre Rosé · Pinot Noir · Loire Valley · 2025

In Bué — one of Sancerre's most celebrated villages — the Crochet family has been growing Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc on Oxfordian and Kimmeridgian limestone for generations. Gilles Crochet, who trained at the legendary Domaine Dujac in Morey-Saint-Denis before returning to the family estate in 1983, brings a Burgundian sensibility to everything he makes. His Sancerre Rosé is one of the appellation's finest: 100% Pinot Noir, hand-harvested (a rare practice in Sancerre), direct-pressed, and aged six months on fine lees in stainless steel. No shortcuts, no compromises — just the visceral salinity and mineral precision that Crochet's limestone terroir delivers vintage after vintage. At $34.99, this is Sancerre Rosé at its most serious and most rewarding.

Pale pink in the glass with a nose of stunning intensity: vineyard peach, white pepper, and a subtle spicy lift that opens with aeration into citrus zest and fresh orange. Frank on the attack, the palate is both juicy and crisp — indulgent peach fruit supported by lively citrus and a fine, freshness-driven balance. The finish is long and persistent, with a refreshing return of menthol and mineral salinity. Drink now through 2028.

“Vinous without being at all overbearing, it offers the visceral salinity of the domaine’s white wines alongside the red-fruited elegance of Pinot Noir from these distinctive soils.”
— Vinous

• Producer: Domaine Lucien Crochet
• Vintage: 2025
• Appellation: Sancerre AOC, Loire Valley, France
• Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir
• Soils: Oxfordian & Kimmeridgian limestone · Bué, Sancerre
• Vinification: Hand harvested · Direct press · 6 months on fine lees in stainless steel
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Vineyard peach, white pepper, citrus zest, orange, juicy palate, mineral salinity, menthol finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now through 2028
• Food Pairings: Grilled salmon, tuna tartare, chèvre, summer vegetable tart, light charcuterie

Hand-harvested Pinot Noir, Kimmeridgian limestone, and six months on lees — Sancerre Rosé as it was meant to be made.

Winemaker Description

Since its 175th anniversary, Pol Roger has decided to offer a very limited range of older vintages from its iconic cuvées. After the original disgorgement, these bottles were then returned to the famously deep and cool Pol Roger cellars for additional extended maturation where they have rested undisturbed until their release. Not only do these bottles have a label, cap and collar based on a historic Pol Roger design, they also have been dressed by hand and arrive in an elegant wooden box.

The Sir Winston Churchill Cuvée was created in 1975 as a tribute to the "Old Lion", using the qualities he appreciated in champagne : robustness, structure and maturity. Whilst its exact composition is a secret guarded by family members, it is undeniable that it is based on a formula of which its dedicatee would have approved : "My tastes are simple, I am easily satisfied with the best". Made exclusively with grapes from the Grands Crus of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay already in production during the Churchill era, this cuvée is only produced in the very best vintages.

The predominance of Pinot Noir unquestionably ensures structure, fullness and robustness, while Chardonnay lends elegance, finesse and freshness. Produced in limited quantities, this cuvée has matured for 10 years prior to disgorgement.

Bottle Size: 750ml | Region: Champagne, France

Bérêche et Fils’ Ambonnay Grand Cru is one of the most coveted single-village expressions in their portfolio — and among the most compelling Blanc de Noirs in all of Champagne. Sourced from a single lieu-dit, “Les Tourets,” in the western part of Ambonnay village, this is Pinot Noir of extraordinary purity and presence. Ambonnay’s signature cashmere-like texture is immediately apparent: open, enveloping, and generous, with a volume and power that never tips into heaviness. Brioche and honey on the attack give way to floral lift and a finish that is invigorating, slightly iodized, and saline — the unmistakable signature of chalk and grand cru terroir. A wine of genuine rarity, with just 2,325 bottles produced.

Critical Review
“A beautiful, enveloping wine; brioche-like on the attack, floral, with notes of honey and ripeness. The finish is invigorating, slightly iodized, and saline.” — Le Rouge et le Blanc

Varietal: Pinot Noir (Blanc de Noirs)
Vintage: 2020
Appellation: Ambonnay Grand Cru, Champagne, France
Lieu-dit: Les Tourets
Style: Extra Brut
Farming: Biodynamic
Production: 2,325 bottles
Bottle Size: 750ml

Expert Reviews 

James Suckling — 92 Points | Aromas of wild strawberries, watermelon rind, nectarine, and chalk. The medium-bodied palate has bright acidity with flavors of salted nuts, oyster shells, and orange blossoms. The generous texture is carried on a finely beaded mousse. Precise and fresh.

Winemaker's Notes

Deutz crafts this Brut Rosé from a blend of premier Pinot Noir grands crus from the Montagne de Reims (~90%) with a touch of Chardonnay (~10%). Its distinctive color and character come from the addition of approximately 8% still red wine from old vines on the hill of Ay — notably from the celebrated “Meurtet” plot owned by Deutz.

On the nose, fresh and direct aromas of cherries, blackberries, pomegranates, and redcurrants. The palate is deliciously full-bodied, with flavors of fresh strawberries and raspberries, and a pleasantly acidulous finish that adds finesse and balance to this romantic, elegant Champagne.

Food Pairings

Equally at home as an aperitif or at the table — pair with salmon with mushrooms, beef carpaccio, duck with red berry sauce, roast lamb chops, or creamy cheeses such as Chaource or Brillat-Savarin.

• Winery: Deutz
• Appellation: Champagne, France
• Blend: ~90% Pinot Noir, ~10% Chardonnay
• Style: Brut Rosé, Non-Vintage
• Format: 750ml
• Mousse: Fine, lacy, elegant
• Drinking Window: Drink now

This 100% Pinot Noir is hand sorted, destemmed, and aged in used oak for 12 months.  This is a friendly red with loads of sunny, delicious red fruit, delicate whispers of smoke, and unmistakable Burgundian minerality.  The tannins are present but fine, making the wine super approachable.  This is the kind of red I would enjoy sipping by a crackling fire, reading a Victorian novel.  This would pair beautifully with rabbit, venison, duck, or anything mushroom.

A classic Côte Chalonnaise Pinot Noir that overdelivers for the price, the 2022 Defaix Rully Rouge shows a beautifully balanced Burgundy style—fresh, vibrant, and quietly structured.

Tasting profile:
• Aromas of ripe red berries, cherry, and plum, layered with subtle earthy notes and a hint of spice
• Medium-bodied with bright acidity and lively freshness, giving it that lifted, elegant feel
• Fine, slightly grippy tannins add structure without heaviness, leading to a clean, gently rustic finish
• Touches of pepper and soft florals bring complexity and classic Burgundian charm

Style:
Elegant, earthy Pinot Noir with a juicy core of red fruit—more about finesse than power, very drinkable but with enough structure to age a few years.

Food pairing:
• Roast chicken, turkey, or duck
• Mushroom dishes, lentils, earthy vegetarian plates
• Charcuterie & soft cheeses (Brie, Reblochon)
• Light pork dishes or grilled salmon

A pure expression of Burgundy Chardonnay grown on clay and limestone soils, offering finesse, balance, and a beautifully structured aromatic profile. Fresh and lively, with subtle orchard fruit and a clean, elegant finish, this is an easy-drinking yet classic “pleasure wine.” 

Food Pairing:
Perfect with soft cheeses, cold cuts, pâté, mixed salads, and light appetizers like gougères or simple poultry dishes.

Our Notes: 

100% Chardonnay from clay and chalk soils of the Cote d'Auxerre.  This is the purest of pure expressions of Chardonnay, offering up enticing aromas of mirabelle plum, and ripe pear.  It is fresh and lively on the palate, making it a perfect companion to soft ripened cheeses, cold cuts,and paté.

Experience the Excellence of Marcel Lapierre Morgon

Experience a world-class natural wine from one of Beaujolais' most legendary producers. Marcel Lapierre's children Mathieu and Camille carry on their father's pioneering legacy, honoring the principles he famously championed: hand-harvesting ripe, organically farmed grapes, allowing natural fermentation with no additives, and bottling unfiltered with zero sulphur. This exceptional 750ml bottle represents a rare cuvée spéciale from vines over one hundred years old on Morgon's splendid Côte du Py, showcasing the pinnacle of natural winemaking.

A Legendary Terroir

While Beaujolais is known for producing easy-drinking wines, the combination of century-old vines, exceptional terroir, and skilled winemaking yields something truly special—elegant, structured wines capable of maturing for decades, without losing that irresistible early-drinking charm. The Côte du Py in Morgon is one of Beaujolais' most prestigious sites, and these ancient vines produce grapes of extraordinary concentration and character.

Tasting Profile

The texture here is pure velvet, a Lapierre trademark. Substance, flesh, and serious density are delivered with total finesse and seductiveness. Crafted from 100% Gamay grapes, this wine offers vibrant acidity and ripe fruit flavors with complex layers that reflect the exceptional terroir. The absence of sulphur allows the grapes' innate qualities to shine through, preserving fresh and fruity flavors with complete authenticity. This world-class wine will entice and inspire for many years to come.

Natural Winemaking Philosophy

The no sulphur approach sets this wine apart, representing Marcel Lapierre's commitment to natural winemaking. By avoiding sulphur and other additives, the wine retains its purity and allows you to savor each sip with confidence. The organic farming practices and minimal intervention in the cellar ensure that what you're tasting is the true expression of the vineyard and vintage. This is wine in its most authentic form, suitable for those sensitive to sulfites and anyone who values natural, sustainable winemaking.

Perfect Pairings

• Grilled meats and roasted chicken
• Hearty stews and braised dishes
• Charcuterie and pâtés
• Aged cheeses
• Mushroom-based dishes

The Lapierre Legacy

Marcel Lapierre was a pioneer of the natural wine movement and one of the original "Gang of Four" who revolutionized Beaujolais winemaking. His children continue this legacy with the same dedication to quality, sustainability, and authenticity. Whether you're sharing stories with friends or enjoying a quiet evening, this Morgon is perfect for any occasion and represents the very best of what Beaujolais can achieve.

"This world-class wine will entice and inspire for many years to come." - Anthony Lynch, Importer

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

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023

James Suckling 90 Points | Medium- to full-bodied, this is juicy and succulent with a saline note and dried herbs, the dark fruit well defined and balanced. 70% merlot and 30% cabernet franc. Try after 2028.

Memo Summary Notes

The 2023 Château Saint-André Corbin is a high-value Bordeaux red from Saint-Georges-Saint-Émilion, the smallest of the "satellite" appellations of Saint-Émilion. This vintage continues the estate’s reputation for producing "Right Bank" wines that punch well above their price point.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2020

Vinous 90 Points | The 2020 Citran is fortunately showing less reduction on the nose than it did from barrel, revealing blackberry and briary scents, touches of graphite and pressed iris flower. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins. Moderate depth, filling out nicely towards the finish. This is a fresh and tensile Citran that should age well over the next 15-20 years.

Jeb Dunnuck 90 Points | Red and black fruits, spice, saddle leather, and tobacco leaf notes all emerge from the 2020 Château Citran, a rock-solid, medium-bodied, balanced Haut-Médoc. It has the pure, focused, nicely structured style of the vintage and is going to evolve for 15 years or more.

James Suckling 89+ Points | A firm, racy wine with crushed-berry, walnut and spice character. Medium body and firm finish. A little austere now.

Memo Summary Notes

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc

The 2020 Château Citran is a "rock-solid" representative of the Haut-Médoc, benefiting significantly from what many critics consider a legendary Bordeaux vintage. Historically one of the oldest estates in the Médoc, Citran is known for delivering classic, structured Left Bank profiles without the "Grand Cru" price tag.

Château Citran is currently owned by the Merlaut family (who also own the famed Chasse-Spleen). Their expertise in the Haut-Médoc shows through in the 2020—it offers the "saddle leather" and "cedar wood" complexity usually reserved for much more expensive bottles from nearby Margaux.

Pairing: This is a classic "meat and potatoes" wine. It pairs exceptionally well with grilled steak, lamb chops, or a hearty mushroom stew.

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

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

About the Wine

The 2021 Vincent Girardin Saint Romain "Les Vieilles Vignes" is a standout example of why Saint Romain is often called Burgundy’s best-kept secret. Sitting at higher elevation than its famous neighbors in Meursault, Saint Romain produces wines with a signature bracing freshness and vivid minerality that set them apart from the richer, more opulent whites of the Côte de Beaune.

The "Vieilles Vignes" (Old Vines) designation indicates grapes from vines averaging 50+ years old — adding a layer of concentration and depth that younger vines simply cannot match. The result is a Chardonnay of real precision: taut, mineral-driven, and built to age.

Tasting Notes

• Bright citrus and green apple on the nose with floral lift
• Crisp, focused palate with chalky minerality and restrained oak
• Long, fresh finish with excellent tension and length

Food Pairings

• Grilled fish, scallops, or lobster
• Roast chicken with herbs
• Aged goat cheese or Comté

Product Details

• Producer: Vincent Girardin
• Appellation: Saint Romain, Côte de Beaune, Burgundy
• Grape: 100% Chardonnay
• Vines: 50+ years old
• Vintage: 2021
• Format: 750ml