French Wine

Our Professional Review

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

Winemaker Description 

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

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

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

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

Expert Reviews

Antonio Galloni writes:  The NV Brut Reserve is a tasty, non-vintage Champagne. Orchard fruit, lime, white flowers and white pepper. Silky, creamy and exceptionally polished, the Brut Reserve is a total charmer. All the elements are so well balanced. This release is based on 2019. Dosage is 6.10 grams per liter. Disgorged: 4th quarter 2022.  - Vinous 91

Tom Hewson writes:  Billecart-Salmon's 2019-based Brut Réserve continues the impressive rebirth of this cuvée, showing more focus, length and sapidity than previous versions. The dosage has dropped to 3g/L (from 9g/L in 2016), but the delicious nut oil and brown bread reserve wine depth props up roasted lime and apricot fruit. One to watch. 40% Meunier, 30% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay.  - Decanter 92

James Suckling writes:  Excellent clarity of fruit here with lemon and orange zest, sliced pears, fresh figs and walnuts. Saline components. Medium-bodied, sleek and fresh, with tight bubbles and bright acidity. Focused and refreshing. 40% meunier, 30% chardonnay and 30% pinot noir. 2019 base with 62% reserve wine. Disgorged end of 2022. 3g/L dosage. Drink now. 92 Points

Alison Napjus writes:  Firm and minerally, this well-knit Champagne layers flavors of grainy pear, preserved lemon, toast point and crystallized honey on a creamy mousse. Reveals hints of smoke and saline on the finish. Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Drink now.   - Wine Spectator 91

Winemaker Description

The Brut Réserve is a light, fine and harmonious champagne. It is made up of a blend of 40% Pinot Meunier, 30% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay from three different years and sourced from the best sites in the Champagne region.
Reflections of straw yellow, fine slowly rising bubbles and persistent mousse. Intense with radiant freshness. Floral notes with fresh fruits highlighted by light biscuit aromas. Pure with delicate texture, fresh apple and crunchy pears.

The ideal partner for every occasion. It is perfect as an aperitif and can be enjoyed with a wide variety of dishes.

Winemaker Description

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Notes

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

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

Expert Reviews - Vinttage 2023 

James Suckling 91 Points | A crafty, lively and delicious sauvignon blanc with aromas of tropical fruit, grass and mild spices on the nose. Medium-bodied with fresh acidity. Bright and vivid with a frank finish. Drink now. Screw cap. 

Wine Enthusiast 89 Points | This wine captures some of the best elements that can infuse a Loire Sauvignon Blanc. Fragrant aromas of white peach and pomelo jump out of the glass and roll around in a bed of lime zest and field grass. The palate is more restrained than the nose and delivers reserved flavors of lemon citrus, crab apple and white nectarine.

Winemaker Description 

Remarkably aromatic with pleasant flower and fruit fragrances. On the palate it reveals a freshness and vivacity that is pure and clean. Citrus, apple and gooseberry aromas with hints of passion fruit are found in this lively and bright wine. An incredible value. Here is an excellent aperitif that is also outstanding with fish, seafood and certain white meats. Enjoy Petit Bourgeois with a halibut steak in lemon butter, a kingfish carpaccio, some grilled white fish or goat cheese. Winemaker Description. 

Winemaker Description 

The village of Lugny is located high up in the south of the Mâcon region. It has a great reputation for its white wines, which has made Mâcon famous. It is well known that the village of Lugny, with its limestone soils and warm climate, produces the most coveted white wines of the region. The vineyard of "Les Genièvres" is one of the best. Maison Louis Latour selects the best grapes of this village, which thanks to its terroir, was the only village planted with Chardonnay 30 years ago.

Louis Latour Mâcon-Lugny "Les Genièvres" 2023 is pale yellow in color. Its intense nose reveals aromas of muscatel and brioche. Ample and round on the palate, this wine offers aromas of yellow peach. Nice length.

Winemaker Description 

Pretty pale-pink, very limpid color with bluish reflections. This wine offers an exquisite nose with delicate notes of grapefruit and white flowers. Fresh and well-balanced, the palate is lively and reveals seductive aromas of citrus and sea iodine.

Our Professional Review

Bart Hopkins writes:  One of our favorite recommendations for the past three years, Gerard Boulay Sancerre Rose is made of 100% Pinot Noir and is certain to make your mouth water!  The wine is balanced between juicyness and acidity, with obvious red berry notes.  Boulay’s Sibylle Rose is made from mature 35 to 40+ year old vines, in the village of Chavignol, where many believe the best Sancerre is made.  - 67Wine Buyer

Winemaker Notes

Unlike many Sancerre Roses, Gerard harvests his Pinot specifically to make rose by direct press, then into tank. It is not a selection of young vines as he has no young Pinot vines. What makes the rosé one year could make red another, and vice versa, depending on what the vintage gives. 

Varietals: Pinot Noir. Organic: Practicing. Vineyard: From 35-40 year old Pinot Noir vines on the steep hillsides in front of the Boulay home in Chavignol. Orientation: Multiple parcels, varied exposure. Soil: Steep clay hillside. Viticulture: Gerard works the soil manually and lets nature make the wine. Vinification: Tank fermented. Boulay adds no yeast and minimal amounts of SO2. Aging: Tank aged. Production: 200 cases annually.

Critic Notes

Antonio Galloni writes:  The 2023 Rosé Sibylle is redolent with crushed berry fruit, rosewater, spice, mint and orange peel. Sensual and layered in the glass, the 2023 possesses lovely textural resonance to play off its effusive aromatics. It’s a gorgeous wine from Gerard Boulay.  Drinking 2024 - 2026.  - Vinous 90

Expert Review - Vintage 2019 

James Suckling writes 92 Points |  Fruity nose of ripe blackberries, currants, chocolate orange and oyster shell. It’s medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity. Balanced and fresh with some spicy and salty notes to close. Drink from 2023. 

Jane Anson writes 93 Points | On the outskirts of St Julien, making some of the best value wines on the Médoc peninsula. This is a great 2019, really one to look out for, good value and full of blackberry and black cherry fruits, polished with muscular frame, can easily last another decade or more. Eric Boissenot consultant.  - Jane Anson 93

William Kelley of the Wine Advocate writes 90 Points | The 2019 Lanessan continues to perform very well, wafting from the glass with aromas of sweet berries, licorice and fresh tobacco. Medium to full-bodied, layered and concentrated, with rich, powdery tannins and a vibrant core of fruit, it's a fine effort from a property with immense potential. 

Antonio Galloni of Vinous writes 91 Points | The 2019 Lanessan is a powerful, deep wine. Grilled herbs, pepper, sage, mint and tobacco lend notable aromatic intensity. The Cabernet is especially marked here. Lanessan is pretty assertive in 2019. There is quite a bit of Cabernet savoriness and tannin. 

Georgina Hindle of Decanter writes 91 Points | Lovely texture here, deep and intense but also smooth, with high-toned blackcurrant and black cherry. There's a pleasing chalky dryness to the tannins and an appealing minerality that comes through. Solid core, well presented but not hugely long.  Drinking 2022 - 2030.

Jancis Robinson writes 16/20 Points |  Tasted blind. Some lusciousness on the nose. Energy and lift with sleek fruit, good balance and interest. 

Winemaker Description 

Maison Louis Latour, in keeping with its tradition of excellent quality, purchases grapes from competent growers with holdings in the most esteemed vineyards in the Mâcon-Villages zone. The wine is bottled during the following spring at 'Clos Chameroy' in the outskirts of Beaune. The Mâcon-Villages "Chameroy" represents the epitome of classical white Burgundy reflecting the fusion between the noble Chardonnay grape and the calciferous terrain of the Mâcon area. It possesses a fresh, creamy bouquet which enlivens the palate with suave, billowing flavor.

A lovely refreshing wine with citrus aromas such as grapefruit. It is well-balanced and an enjoyable, easy wine to drink. Makes a perfect match to shellfish and seafood, charcuterie and Comté cheese.

Winemaker Notes

Expert Review

James Suckling writes:  Dark cherries, cassis, dry earth and baking spices on the nose follow through to a medium body with creamy tannins and texture. Well-balanced with a creamy core of berries and a delicious finish. Syrah, grenache and carignan. From organically grown grapes. Drink now.  - James Suckling 91

Antonio Galloni writes:  The 2022 Guilhem is airy and breezy, with the grace that makes it a real charmer. This pale-colored, beautifully textured Rosé is impeccable in its balance. Pretty floral notes fill out the mid-palate effortlessly. Despite its light color, the 2022 offers plenty of depth and tons of stylish appeal.  - Vinous 90

35% Syrah, 35% Grenache, 30% Carignan

Winemaker Description

Mineral driven, elegant and refreshing. Inviting floral aromas with bright, clean citrus flavors on the palate. 

Winemaker Description

The wine has a lovely shimmer with a pretty golden color with green reflections. The rich and complex nose is characterized by pleasant and subtle floral and mineral aromas. It has a wonderful structure in the mouth with minerality, and charming chardonnay-typical aromas. It is a harmonious wine that is not only fine and elegant, but also has an excellent aromatic persistence.

Best paired with cold with oysters, shellfish, fish, and/or goats cheese. 

Expert Review - Vintage 2022 

James Sucking 91 Points | This has excellent freshness with notes of sea shells, sliced apples, wet stones and a touch of jasmine. Crisp and brisk, medium-bodied, with a subtle peppery spritz at the end.

Our Professional Review

Rand Sieger of 67Wine.com writes | An approachable and tasty Bordeaux. Merlot is the dominant grape and Cabernet Sauvignon plays a supporting role, adding complexity. There are aromas and flavors of blackberry, blueberry, dark plum, black cherry, licorice, and cedar all with a beautifully persistent finish. Made with organically grown grapes.

Expert Reviews

Jeb Dunnuck 93 Points | (Tasting Date November 17, 2023) |  A rich though youthful golden hue, the NV Champagne Special Cuvée Brut is classic and ripe with lush, rounded, and complex aromas of golden apricot, hazelnut, wet stone, and black cherry. Made with 45% of the wine coming from the 2019 vintage, with 55% reserve wine, it’s full-bodied yet elegant and light on its feet, with a ripe and luxurious feel and just a hint of warmth on the finish. The mousse is refined and rounded. Long on the palate, it's inviting now but will have plenty of life ahead of it if stored property. This exceptional cuvée with its distinctive personality continues to be one of the best entry wines to the range from this house and is a benchmark wine for them.

James Suckling 93 Points |  (Reviewed August 7, 2023) Lovely density and a fine-bubble texture. Dried apple and apricot with hints of dried flowers. Medium to full body. with medium-rich fruit. Spice, zest and ginger character. Usually 10% in barrel. 60% pinot noir, 25% chardonnay and 15% pinot meunier. About 40% reserve wine kept in magnums. Always really well done. Drink now.

Decanter 95 Points | If it’s good enough for James Bond, it’s good enough for you. Bollinger Champagne has made a number of cameos in James Bond films over the year. This non-vintage Special Cuvée is an example of a classic Champagne done well. Notes of marzipan on the nose and the palate give toastiness and leesy notes, specifically sourdough. It’s classic for a reason and would only elevate any table it finds itself on. 

Jancis Robinson 17/20 Points (Tasted October 14, 2022) |  Look out for that lot code, as this is a particularly stunning rendition of Bollinger, almost certainly improved with the bottling in magnum. Very fine texture, quite deeply coloured, remarkably fine mousse. Savoury, biscuity notes on the palate. Great length – a lovely example.  - Jancis Robinson 17

Robert Parker 92 Points |  Like its rosé counterpart, the latest release of Bollinger's NV Brut Special Cuvée is showing especially well, bursting from the glass with aromas of honeyed apples, crisp stone fruit, buttery pastry, ripe lemons and fresh walnuts. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and vinous, with a deep core of beautifully ripe fruit, racy acids and a pillowy mousse, it's a charming, characterful wine that proves that Special Cuvée is firmly back where it belongs.  Drinking 2021 - 2025.

Winemaker Description 

This medium-bodied wine is harmonious, with forward, plump fruit and a silky texture balanced by gentle tannins and elegant structure. The very typical Pinot aromas and flavors of red cherries and wild strawberries are complemented by a delicious, lingering finish.

Expert Review - Vintage 2023 

90 Points James Suckling | A fruity, mellow and refreshing wine with notes of red currants, cranberries and apricots. Medium-bodied with a supple character throughout. Fruity and playful. (2023).

Producer Description 

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

Expert Ratings

Expert Review - Vintage 2018

Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points | From the team of Nicolas Glumineau at Pichon Comtesse de Lalande, the 2018 Château De Pez is a gorgeous 2018 that should be on every Bordeaux lover's radar (and should be a great value as well). Notes of blackcurrants, blueberries, candied violets, and graphite define the bouquet, and it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, rockingly polished tannins, terrific purity, and a great finish. It's terrific and is going to have 15-20 years or more of longevity. The blend is 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 49% Merlot, and the balance Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc.

Wine Enthusiast 94 Points | Under the same Rouzaud family ownership as Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande in Pauillac, this estate has produced a structured wine. It offers dense and solid tannins, rich with a firm texture and black currant fruits. The wine has weight and density that need aging. Drink from 2026.

James Suckling 93 Points | Spices and dark berries with some nutmeg and cedar. Medium to full body, really polished tannins and a refined and pretty finish. So fine. Tight yet balanced. Give it three or four years to open. Try after 2023.

The Wine Advocate 92 Points | A blend of 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 49% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, the deep garnet-purple colored 2018 de Pez leaps from the glass with vibrant black cherries, ripe blackberries and blackcurrant pastilles notes, giving way to nuances of black olives, lavender and forest floor. The medium-bodied palate offers nicely rounded tannins and a lively backbone to counter the bold fruit, finishing savory.

Decanter 92 Points | Always an extremely classy St-Estèphe, and this is an excellent wine that has restraint but punch, and plenty of cassis and blackberry fruits, with a governing hand of tannins that are never overdone.

Wine Spectator 92 Points |  Fresh red currant and bitter cherry notes are laced with floral and chalk notes. Piercing in feel through the finish, with the fruit and minerality in lockstep as a touch of cedar appears, leaving a mouthwatering edge. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2032.

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

James Suckling 91 Points | Candied cherries, sweet cranberries and a touch of stewed herbs. Lightly chewy in terms of tannins, with a fluid center palate and a medium-length finish. A bit overripe, but approachable. A good, simple Chateauneuf that shows early appeal.

Winemaker Description

It is a delicious and supple wine, synonymous with sharing and conviviality, adapting perfectly to meat dishes in sauces or more simply grilled. Its aromas make it a Châteauneuf-du-Pape accessible to many tasters, from beginners to the most experienced. 

Winemaker  Description

The elegance, freshness, bright fruit, and utter quaffability of this beautiful wine will immediately blow you away. 

Winemaker Description

We cultivate 8 hectares of this Premier Cru located on the slopes of the village Milly and on the right backs of the river Serein. We are the biggest owners of this cru.

When some of the plots were planted, we found impressive fossils of Exogyra virgula that had been perfectly preserved. The remarkable stony and sunny soil is captured in this powerful and complex wine. It flourishes with age and expresses mineral aromas reminiscent of gunflint. The Côte de Lechet is indeed one of the Premiers Crus of the Chablisian vineyard with the most exceptional ageing potential. 

To serve with fish or poultry, with white butter or cream sauces.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022 

Allen Meadows of Burghound writes 91-93 Points | Moderate wood is present on the vaguely exotic nose of white and yellow peach, iodine and algae nuances. There is impressive density and intensity to the utterly delicious and beautifully textured medium-bodied flavors that also exude a subtle minerality on the tangy, succulent and bone-dry finale that is like sucking on an oyster shell. Good stuff and well-worth considering. 

Andy Howard MW of Decanter writes 91 Points |   Rich and concentrated as expected. Plenty of lees activity going on but there is zesty lemon acidity to keep the palate very fresh. Would expect this to be very good once in bottle. Tank sample.  Drinking 2024 to 2028.

Producer Description 

A dry vermouth made with a delicate wine base and more than 30 Alpine herbs. It is light, fresh, and clean, with a subtle and complex palate. It is an ideal aperitif or accompaniment to raw shellfish, goat cheese, or pesto. Producer Description.

Winemaker Description

Classic Muscadet on granite. The core of the "La Pépie" Sur Lie bottling is the 10-hectare heart of the Pépière estate, which is part of the Clisson cru in the tiny commune of Pépière near the winery; there is also a significant percentage of their cru Château Thébaud fruit typically, as well as some purchased fruit from a nearby organic farmer friend in the mix. Farming is certified-organic and the harvest by hand. 100% Melon. Winemaker Description. 

Winemaker Description 

Divided over the appellations of Menetou Salon, Pouilly Fume and Sancerre always attracting plaudits and winning medals, the family are rightly very proud of their success .

Marked by its charming hilltop village in the easternmost territory of the Loire, Sancerre is famous for its racy, vivacious, citrus-dominant Sauvignon blanc. Its enormous popularity in 1970s French bistros led to its success as the go-to restaurant white around the globe in the 1980s. While the region claims a continental climate, noted for short, hot summers and long, cold winters, variations in topography—rolling hills and steep slopes from about 600 to 1,300 feet in elevation—with great soil variations, contribute the variations in character in Sancerre Sauvignon blancs. 

Winemaker Description 

"Attitude" has a beautiful freshness in mouth, a frank attack, delicate green and lemon flavors, citrus fruits, green apple and kiwi aromas. The minerality gives a long finish to the wine, a smoothness and elegance.

Very pleasant with or without food, in particular with seafood, asparagus, roasted fish and goat's milk cheese.

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

James Suckling 90 Points | A prototypical unoaked white Macon that’s simultaneously fresh and creamy on the medium-bodied palate, with plenty of crisp pear and touches of acacia blossoms and fresh pineapple. Very clean and animating finish that pulls you back for more.

Winemaker Description

The wine is vinified in stainless steel and then aged for about 5-6 months in neutral oak barrels to give the wine some texture. It is ruby red in color – so bright and clean you can read through it! It has red and black berries, cherries, blackcurrant, licorice and spice notes on the nose. On the palate it is smooth, with a nice length of red cherries and black fruits on the finish. The tannins are silky and well balanced resulting in a harmonious and easy drinking wine.

Enjoy with poached eggs in red wine sauce – the famous “Oeufs Meurette”, cured meats, salmon entrees, ratatouille and creamy cheeses such as French Camembert.

Winemaker Description 

For Pierre Chainier, the Loire was a case of love at first sight, with its vineyards and fresh, fruity wines: so easy to drink either young or venerably old: like the 1893 Vouvrays, still in perfect condition today. Today, the Maison Pierre Chainier is still a family business, based in Amboise, a royal town built on the banks of the River Loire. They are a family of wine merchants, specializing in Touraine wines. With average production of approximately 6 millions bottles.

The Vouvray vineyards are situated upstream from Tours in the North of the Loire valley. Vines are planted on clay limestone and clay siliceous grounds on the chalky “Tuffeau” soil. The vines roots overhang the cellars built in the rock nearby the houses called “Troglodytes”. The ripe grapes are handpicked during October. Some of the grapes have noble rot also known as botrytis which concentrates the sugar in the grapes. The wines ferment very slowly over a month. 

Produced from 100% Chenin Blanc This off-dry wine gives a sweet sensation with a dry finish on the palate. A concentration of rich flavors develops fruity aromas such as orange peel, honey and ripe quince. It has a great long finish with a slight honey taste. Delicious! 

Expert Ratings - Vintage 2019

Wine Spectator 93 points | A solid, slightly burly version, featuring streaks of tar and bay leaf mixed with dark plum and black currant preserve flavors. The finish is underscored by a warm paving stone note, which adds cut, drive and a hint of old school. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Best from 2024. (2019). 

Wine Enthusiast 95 Points |  From a reliable estate, this wine is firm in feel. It also has open black fruits that pair alongside the generous tannins. It is good long-term aging. Barrel Sample: 93-95Wine Advocate 92 points Deep purple-black in color, the 2019 Meyney strides confidently out of the glass with classic notes of cassis, warm plums and baked blackberries plus hints of cedar chest, bay leaves, pencil lead and clove oil plus a waft of underbrush. The medium to full-bodied palate has a generous core of ripe black fruits with a slight touch of oak poking through and a firm backbone of ripe, grainy tannins, finishing with impressive length. (2019).

Decanter 93 points | One of the wines I use as a marker of how good the vintage is in St Estèphe, because it isn't classified but is in a brilliant location right next door to Montrose. And this is good, extremely concentrated, pure cassis and bilberry flavours, tons of tannins, clear austerity and fairly high acidity as I am getting in a lot of these 2019s. Not the same luscious character as 2018, but in many ways that makes it more typical of the appellation, and the alcohol seems less over the top than in 2018. Lots to enjoy here, not quite up to 2016 standard but not far. Tasted two weeks apart, and if anything its expression had deepened second time around.  Barrel Sample: 93Jeb Dunnuck 94 points This estate has been on a roll of late, and the 2019 Château Meyney is a terrific wine. Beautiful notes of crème de cassis, spicy oak, dried flowers, and dried tobacco all emerge from the glass, and this beauty is medium to full-bodied, with a seamless texture, ultra-fine tannins, and a great finish. Count me impressed. Not a powerhouse, it should drink nicely right out of the gate yet also evolve for 20 years or more. Range: 92-94 Points. (2019).

James Suckling 92 Points |  Aromas of ripe berries, licorice and chocolate with a touch of mushroom and some dustiness. Silky, polished texture with medium body and firm tannins. Holds long and even, with a lingering sensation of crushed stones. Hold for a couple of years. Second wine of Meyney. Best after 2023.

Vinous 95 points The 2019 Meyney has a divine bouquet, so pure and winsome with floral red berry scents, beautifully integrated new oak and superb precision. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, fleshy to the point where you can almost overlook the backbone of this Saint-Estèphe. It could have been blowsy, yet it retains superb balance and feels luxuriant and long on the finish. This is a stellar showing easily eclipsing its performances either in barrel or just after bottling. Tasted blind at the Southwold annual tasting.  —  Neal Martin. (2019).

Winemaker Description

A dominant fruitiness (blackcurrant, cherry), blackberries with a small spicy note. A supple and round on the palate with melted tannins and a beautiful length with a lot of finesse.

Perfect with red meats, either grilled or roasted, cold cuts, vegetable salads, meat or poultry tarts, simmered beef and vegetables (pot-au-feu). Veal, cold tabbouleh, or hard cheeses like Gouda.

Winemaker Description 

Expert Review

91 Points James Suckling | Pale apricot color with aromas of pomegranates, grapefruit, rosemary, lavender and peaches. Fresh and delicate, yet fragrant and flavorful, with a medium body and bright acidity. Lovely fresh pink fruit.

Winemaker Description 

Alain Chavy produces restrained, structured, and long-lived white Burgundies from 17 acres of vineyards in Puligny-Montrachet, with small holdings in the neighboring villages of Chassagne and Meursault. Alain established Domaine Alain Chavy in 2003 with vineyards inherited from his father and includes some of Puligny's top premier crus. 

The Alain Chavy Bourgogne Chardonnay 2022 features a bouquet of green apple, citrus, and subtle floral notes, with hints of toasted almonds and minerality. On the palate, it is crisp and well-balanced, offering flavors of lemon, pear, and a touch of honey, complemented by a firm acidity and a taut, fresh character. The finish is clean and refreshing, with lingering citrus and mineral notes.

This Chardonnay pairs beautifully with seafood dishes, roasted chicken, creamy pastas, and soft cheeses like Brie and Camembert.

Expert Reviews

Antonio Galloni of Vinous writes 91 Points | The NV Brut Rosé (base 2020) is another wine that points to the progress Mathieu Roland-Billecart has made here in recent years. Pliant, creamy and super-expressive, this edition is striking. It has a good bit of textural richness and is fresher than the 2018 tasted alongside it. Of course, some of that may be as simple as time in bottle. Pomegranate and grapefruit are laced into the brisk, finely cut finish. This release is based on 2020, with 46% reserve wines back to 2014. Dosage is 4.7 grams per liter. Disgorged: second trimester 2023.  Drinking 2024 to 2030.

Tim Hewson of Decanter writes 92 Points | Based on the 2020 vintage, Billecart-Salmon's signature rosé appears to be on its finest form of recent years under cellar master Florent Nys, full of fragrant, crunchy redcurrant, red cherry and orange fruit with an alluring hibiscus-like floral lift and subtle green peppercorn spicing. The Meunier wraps the intensity of the vintage base in a little softness that keeps the focus on effortless ease (helped by the selection of delicate Chardonnays and young, fresh reserve wines), all adding up to a rosé of immediacy and charm, sweet-natured without sweetness and fragrant without overt fruitiness. 40% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir and 30% Pinot Meunier.  Drinking 2024 to 2027.

Winemaker Description 

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

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

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