French Wine

Simonnet-Febvre Chablis 2023 | Chardonnay | Chablis, Burgundy | 750ml

Simonnet-Febvre is one of Chablis' oldest and most respected négociants, with roots going back to 1840. Their Chablis is a benchmark expression of the appellation — unoaked, precise, and unmistakably mineral, shaped by the region's famous Kimmeridgian limestone soils packed with ancient marine fossils. This is Chardonnay stripped of all artifice: no oak, no butter, no softening. Just the pure, stony soul of Chablis.

The 2023 vintage opens with a lovely golden shimmer and green reflections. The nose is rich and complex — subtle floral notes, white peach, yellow plum, and that signature mineral undercurrent that only Chablis can deliver. On the palate, it's structured and harmonious, with bright acidity, chardonnay-typical fruit, and an excellent aromatic persistence through the finish.

Wine Spectator 89 Points — "An elegant style, this white evokes white peach, yellow plum and floral aromas and flavors, with fine harmony and expression. Approachable now, leaving a fresh, appealing finish."

• Appellation: Chablis, Burgundy, France
• Grape: 100% Chardonnay
• Vintage: 2023
• Style: Unoaked, mineral-driven white
• Score: Wine Spectator 89 pts
• Best With: Oysters, shellfish, grilled fish, goat cheese, sushi

Dolin Vermouth de Chambery Dry — Savoie, France 750ml

The benchmark of French dry vermouth — Dolin Vermouth de Chambéry Dry has been crafted in the Alpine town of Chambéry since 1821, earning its place as the go-to vermouth for discerning bartenders and home mixologists worldwide. Light, floral, and impeccably balanced, it elevates every cocktail it touches without ever overpowering.

The Producer

Founded in 1821, Dolin is one of the oldest and most respected vermouth houses in France, and the only producer still based in Chambéry — the historic heartland of French vermouth. Their Dry expression is made from a delicate white wine base infused with more than 30 Alpine herbs and botanicals, selected and blended using traditional methods that have remained largely unchanged for two centuries. Dolin holds the coveted IGP Vermouth de Chambéry designation, the only vermouth appellation in France.

Tasting Profile

Pale straw with a luminous clarity. The nose is delicate and aromatic — fresh Alpine herbs, white flowers, citrus zest, and subtle spice. On the palate it’s light, clean, and refreshingly dry with a complex yet understated botanical character and a crisp, lingering finish. Elegant rather than assertive — the hallmark of great dry vermouth.

Cocktail Applications

• Classic Martini: The gold standard — Dolin’s light profile lets the gin or vodka shine while adding essential complexity
• Fifty-Fifty Martini: Equal parts gin and Dolin Dry for a more vermouth-forward, nuanced cocktail
• Spritz: Over ice with a splash of soda and a lemon twist for a refreshing aperitif
• On its own: Chilled, over ice with a citrus twist — a classic French aperitif style
• Cooking: Adds depth to sauces, risottos, and seafood dishes

Perfect Pairings

Serve chilled as an aperitif alongside raw shellfish, oysters, goat cheese, pesto, or light seafood. Its freshness and herbal complexity make it a natural companion to delicate, clean flavors.

Refrigerate after opening and consume within 2–3 weeks for optimal freshness.

Critical Acclaim

Wine Enthusiast — 91 Points
"This cru bourgeois estate has produced a generously rich wine. Dense tannins and balanced acidity come from a texture that offers dusty tannins and ripe blackberry fruits. Drink from 2021."

Winemaker Description

Deep red berry aromas underscored by black pepper, crushed herbs, and licorice. Lean and elegant on the palate with lovely red currant flavors, very fine tannins, a pleasingly chewy texture, and spice on the finish.

Primary Varietals - Cabernet Sauvignon with some Merlot, Cabernet Franc

About Château Haut Queyran

Château Haut Queyran is a Cru Bourgeois estate in the Médoc appellation of Bordeaux, producing structured, terroir-driven reds from the classic Bordeaux varieties — Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. The Cru Bourgeois classification, reinstated in 2020 after rigorous quality audits, recognizes estates that consistently deliver quality above their price point. At under $30, Haut Queyran represents one of the most compelling value propositions in the Médoc, offering genuine Bordeaux structure and aging potential without the grand cru price tag.

Food Pairings

Roast lamb, grilled ribeye, duck confit, mushroom risotto, and aged hard cheeses. Decant 30–60 minutes before serving; will continue to develop through 2028.

Product Details

• Producer: Château Haut Queyran
• Appellation: Médoc AOC, Bordeaux, France
• Classification: Cru Bourgeois
• Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc
• Vintage: 2018
• Style: Structured, elegant Bordeaux red
• Drink: Now–2028 (decant 30–60 min)
• Format: 750ml

Jean Loron Château de Mirande Mâcon-Villages — Burgundy 2023

Jean Loron is one of Burgundy’s most respected négociant-éleveurs, with roots in the Mâconnais stretching back generations. The Château de Mirande Mâcon-Villages is a textbook expression of what this southern Burgundy appellation does best — pure, unoaked Chardonnay of genuine depth and freshness, sourced from vines averaging forty years of age. Aged for six months on the lees without any oak contact, the wine develops natural richness, structure, and complexity while preserving the bright, citrus-driven character that defines great Mâcon-Villages. An outstanding value in White Burgundy.

The nose is open and intense: citrus fruits, ripe pear, and a hint of butter. On the palate, it is juicy and full — the forty-year-old vines deliver genuine depth and concentration, while the lees aging adds a creamy, textured mid-palate. The finish is long, crisp, and refreshing, with a clean mineral precision that invites another glass.

67 Wine — “Château de Mirande is the Mâcon-Villages that reminds you why White Burgundy became famous — pure Chardonnay, old vines, and six months on the lees. Unoaked, honest, and delicious.”

• Producer: Jean Loron, Mâconnais, Burgundy, France
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Mâcon-Villages AOC
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Vine Age: 40 years average
• Aging: 6 months on lees, unoaked
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Citrus, ripe pear, butter, creamy mid-palate, crisp mineral finish
• Best Paired With: Grilled fish, oysters, roast chicken, goat cheese, creamy pasta, charcuterie

Forty-year-old vines, six months on lees, zero oak — Jean Loron’s Château de Mirande is Mâcon-Villages at its most honest and compelling.

Château de Pitray | Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux | 2019

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

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

Critical Acclaim — Vintage 2019

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

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

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

67 Wine Picks

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

Winemaker Description

Complex on the nose with aromas of black fruits, woody and spicy notes. On the palate, the expression is harmonious and balanced with ripe fruit and a toasted character. Silky tannins make this a perfect expression of the spirit of the Crus Bourgeois.

Critical Acclaim — Vintage 2018

Vinous (Neal Martin) — 92 Points
"The 2018 Prieuré de Beyzac has a really lovely bouquet of perfumed red cherries and wild strawberry with well-integrated oak. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, pinpoint acidity, and great precision toward the finish. This is one of the outstanding Cru Bourgeois of the vintage. Absolutely superb. Drinking 2023–2035."

Decanter (Georgina Hindle) — 92 Points
"Sweet red cherry and vanilla nose. Forward and energetic, with tannic weight, freshness, and very glossy fruit and oak on the palate. Drinking 2023–2030."

James Suckling — 91 Points
"Aromas of stewed blackberries, dried violets, walnuts, and dark chocolate. Medium-to-full-bodied with firm, chalky tannins. Chewy and structured. Try from 2023."

About Château Prieuré de Beyzac

Château Prieuré de Beyzac is a Cru Bourgeois estate in the Haut-Médoc appellation of Bordeaux, producing structured, terroir-driven reds from the classic Bordeaux varieties — Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot. The 2018 vintage is widely regarded as one of the greatest in recent Bordeaux history, combining exceptional ripeness with natural freshness and structure. At under $25, Prieuré de Beyzac represents outstanding value for a wine earning 92-point scores from both Vinous and Decanter — and named one of the outstanding Cru Bourgeois of the vintage by Neal Martin.

Food Pairings

Roast lamb, grilled ribeye, duck confit, braised short ribs, mushroom-based dishes, and aged hard cheeses. Decant 30–60 minutes before serving; will continue to develop through 2035.

Product Details

• Producer: Château Prieuré de Beyzac
• Appellation: Haut-Médoc AOC, Bordeaux, France
• Classification: Cru Bourgeois
• Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot
• Vintage: 2018
• Style: Medium-to-full-bodied, precise, cellar-worthy Bordeaux
• Drink: Now–2035 (decant 30–60 min)
• Format: 750ml

The world’s most iconic Provence rosé, now in a certified Kosher expression — Whispering Angel from Château d’Esclans is the benchmark by which all modern rosé is measured. Pale, elegant, and endlessly drinkable, it brings the sun-drenched terroir of the Côtes de Provence to your glass with effortless sophistication.

Critical Acclaim

James Suckling — 91 Points
"A silky, seductive and saline Côtes de Provence rosé with aromas of small berries, red currants and salt. It’s medium-bodied, succulent, fresh and playful, with a caressing texture and a vivid, saline finish."

The Wine

Crafted from a classic Provençal blend of Grenache, Cinsault, and Rolle (Vermentino), Whispering Angel is the worldwide reference for Provence rosé. Its signature pale blush color draws you in immediately, while the taste profile delivers everything you want: full and lush, bone dry, with a smooth, lingering finish. Highly approachable and enjoyable from mid-day to midnight.

Kosher Certified

This expression of Whispering Angel is fully Kosher certified, making it an exceptional choice for Passover Seders, Shabbat dinners, and any occasion where Kosher wine is required — without any compromise on quality or the iconic Whispering Angel character.

Tasting Profile

Pale salmon-pink with a luminous clarity. The nose is delicate and inviting — small red berries, red currants, fresh citrus, and a distinctive saline minerality. On the palate it’s silky and medium-bodied with bright acidity, a lush, succulent texture, and a vivid, clean finish with a beautiful saline lift. Classic Whispering Angel.

Food Pairings

Serve well-chilled (46–50°F) with grilled fish, seafood, light salads, mezze, roasted chicken, or soft cheeses. Equally at home at a Passover Seder, a summer lunch, or an elegant dinner party. Versatile, crowd-pleasing, and always impressive.

Product Details

• Producer: Château d’Esclans
• Region: Côtes de Provence AOC, Provence, France
• Blend: Grenache, Cinsault, Rolle (Vermentino)
• Certification: Kosher
• Vintage: 2024
• Style: Pale, bone-dry, medium-bodied Provence rosé
• Serve: Well-chilled, 46–50°F
• Format: 750ml

Domaines Ott BY OTT Côtes de Provence Rosé — Provence 2025

Domaines Ott is the founding dynasty of Provence rosé — a family that has shaped the identity of the appellation for 130 years, since Marcel Ott established the estate in the late 19th century. From Château de Selle to Clos Mireille to Château Romassan, the Ott family has patiently crafted a singular vision of rosé rooted in three terroirs, two appellations, and an uncompromising pursuit of authenticity. BY OTT is their entry into the Côtes de Provence AOC — grown organically from estate vineyards and carefully selected partner growers nestled between land and sea. The 2025 blend is 60% Grenache, 25% Cinsault, 7% Mourvèdre, 4% Syrah, and 4% Rolle — each variety playing a precise role: Grenache for texture and generous fruitiness, Cinsault for freshness, Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Rolle for depth and length. Three terroirs, one shared light.

The color is a beautiful pastel pink with soft rosewood tints — luminous and distinctly Provençal. The nose is fresh and enticing: red berries, citrus fruits, and white blossom, with the generous, sun-drenched character of the 2025 vintage. On the palate, it is luscious and fruity with a smooth, silky mouthfeel — fresh citrus zest weaving through the mid-palate and accompanying a persistent, elegant finish. This is Provence rosé as Domaines Ott has always envisioned it: vibrant, nuanced, and luminous.

“Enticing, fresh and generous — this rosé wine combines our winegrowing savoir-faire with the vibrant essence of Provence.” — Jean-François Ott

• Producer: Domaines Ott, Côtes de Provence, France
• Vintage: 2025
• Appellation: Côtes de Provence AOC
• Blend: 60% Grenache, 25% Cinsault, 7% Mourvèdre, 4% Syrah, 4% Rolle
• Farming: Organically grown
• Style: Fresh, luscious, silky Provence rosé
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Red berries, citrus fruits, white blossom, silky mouthfeel, fresh citrus zest, persistent finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now — best enjoyed young and fresh
• Best Paired With: Grilled fish, seafood, salads, Mediterranean cuisine, soft cheeses, aperitif

The house that defined Provence rosé — Domaines Ott BY OTT 2025 is luminous, generous, and unmistakably Provençal.

Lucien Crochet Sancerre — Loire Valley 2024

Lucien Crochet is one of Sancerre's most respected family domaines, farming vines across three distinct chalky soil types — caillottes, terres blanches, and silex — that together define the appellation's signature minerality and precision. The 2024 Sancerre is a bright, energetic expression of Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc: aromatic, focused, and beautifully balanced. Fermented and aged in stainless steel to preserve freshness, it is a textbook Sancerre that over-delivers at its price point.

The nose is pure and inviting: elderflower, lime zest, white peach, and crushed chalk. On the palate, it is medium-bodied with vibrant acidity, a silky mineral texture, and a clean, lingering finish of citrus and stone. It is the kind of wine that disappears fast at the table — equally at home as an aperitif or alongside a full meal.

Bart Hopkins, 67Wine.com — "A bright, energetic Sancerre that drinks beautifully. Excellent aromatic purity and precision with a lovely mélange of citrus and white orchard fruits that mingle with perfectly balanced mineral notes and refreshing acidity. Well rounded and long on the finish."

• Producer: Lucien Crochet, Bué, Sancerre, Loire Valley, France
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Sancerre AOC
• Soils: Caillottes, terres blanches & silex (chalky limestone)
• Varietal: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
• Vinification: Stainless steel fermentation and aging
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Elderflower, lime zest, white peach, crushed chalk, citrus, mineral finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now through 2029
• Best Paired With: Oysters, grilled fish, goat cheese, seafood pasta, green salads, vegetarian fare

A benchmark Sancerre from one of the appellation's finest family estates — precise, mineral, and endlessly drinkable.

Les Allées de Cantemerle — Haut-Médoc, Bordeaux 2019

Château Cantemerle is one of Bordeaux's most storied estates — a Fifth Growth of the 1855 Classification, nestled in the southern Haut-Médoc appellation amid one of the most beautiful park settings in all of Bordeaux. Les Allées de Cantemerle is the estate's second wine, crafted primarily from the château's younger vines with a high proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged partly in tank and partly in barrel to avoid over-oaking, it captures the generous, fruit-forward character of Cantemerle in a more approachable, earlier-drinking style — a wine that invites sharing and friendliness even in its youth. The 2019 vintage is one of Bordeaux's finest of the decade: a warm, dry year that produced wines of exceptional ripeness, concentration, and balance.

The nose is wonderfully aromatic and expressive — the aromas really just jump out of the glass. Juicy red fruits dominate: strawberries, raspberries, and red cherries, quite bright and a refreshing change from the darker fruit profile of many Haut-Médoc wines. On the palate, it is lively and fun, light-bodied with hints of spice underneath the fruit giving structure and backbone. The finish is spicy and persistent, with the fruit-forwardness and easy-drinking style that makes this wine hard not to like.

🏆 Decanter 90 Points — "Wonderfully aromatic and expressive on the nose — the aromas really just jump out the glass. Juicy red fruits — strawberries, raspberries and red cherries. Lively and fun, light with hints of spice giving structure and backbone. Hard not to like for its fruit-forwardness and easy drinking style."

• Producer: Château Cantemerle, Haut-Médoc, Bordeaux, France
• Vintage: 2019
• Appellation: Haut-Médoc AOC
• Classification: 2nd Wine of Château Cantemerle (1855 Fifth Growth)
• Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon dominant blend
• Vinification: Aged partly in tank, partly in barrel
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Strawberry, raspberry, red cherry, spice, lively acidity, persistent finish
• Drink: Now through 2028
• Best Paired With: Roast lamb, duck confit, grilled beef, charcuterie, aged cheeses

The approachable face of a Bordeaux Fifth Growth — Les Allées de Cantemerle 2019 is lively, generous, and built for the table right now.

Château Blaignan — Médoc Cru Bourgeois 2019

With a grape-growing tradition stretching back to the 14th century, Château Blaignan is one of the Médoc’s most storied estates. The 2019 vintage — widely regarded as one of Bordeaux’s finest in a generation — showcases everything this historic property does best: ripe, structured fruit, velvet tannins, and a beautifully balanced finish that rewards both immediate drinking and patient cellaring.

The nose is intensely fruity with pronounced blackcurrant, black cherry, and a hint of spice. On the palate, dark cherry and plum compote lead the way, with tobacco, savory notes, and a pretty iron hint on the focused, fine-grained finish. Full-bodied with structure and elegance in equal measure.

Wine Enthusiast 90 • Wine Spectator 89 — “Drink now through 2029.”

• Producer: Château Blaignan, Médoc, Bordeaux
• Vintage: 2019
• Classification: Cru Bourgeois, Médoc
• Blend: 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc
• Aging: 18 months in vats and oak barrels
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Blackcurrant, black cherry, plum compote, tobacco, spice, iron finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now through 2029 (3–12 years from harvest)
• Best Paired With: Roast lamb, duck, beef bourguignon, aged hard cheeses

Seven centuries of terroir knowledge in every bottle — Château Blaignan is a Médoc classic at a Cru Bourgeois price.

Critical Acclaim — Vintage 2023 (Barrel Samples)

Vinous (Antonio Galloni) — 90–92 Points
"A very pretty, aromatic wine. Crushed red berry fruit, cinnamon, dried herbs, and a kiss of French oak are all nicely delineated. This juicy, perfumed, Merlot-based Haut-Médoc is a fine choice for drinking over the next decade or so. The 2023 is absolutely delicious."

James Suckling — 91–92 Points
"A crunchy red with blackcurrant and lead-pencil character. Medium body, fine tannins, and an attractive finish. Polished and friendly. 59% Merlot, 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot."

Jeb Dunnuck — 89–91 Points
"A terrific Haut-Médoc with a juicy, medium-bodied, elegant style and the pure, ripe red and almost blue fruit character of the vintage. Spice, spring flowers, and hints of charcoal define the aromatics, with beautiful tannins and balance."

About Madame de Beaucaillou

Madame de Beaucaillou is a relatively new and highly regarded addition to the portfolio of Château Ducru-Beaucaillou — the legendary Second Growth estate in Saint-Julien. First released in 2019 to celebrate the estate’s 300th harvest, this cuvée is a tribute to Madame Eugène-Borie, the long-standing matriarch of the owning family. Sourced from the Haut-Médoc appellation rather than Saint-Julien, it offers the winemaking precision and pedigree of Ducru-Beaucaillou at a fraction of the grand vin price — a rare opportunity to access Second Growth DNA under $30.

Food Pairings

Grilled veal chops, roast chicken with herbs, steak frites, roasted root vegetables, savory mushroom tart, Brie de Meaux, and mild Tomme de Savoie.

Product Details

• Producer: Château Ducru-Beaucaillou (Madame de Beaucaillou)
• Appellation: Haut-Médoc AOC, Bordeaux, France
• Blend: 59% Merlot, 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot
• Vintage: 2023
• Style: Medium-bodied, aromatic, Merlot-driven Bordeaux
• Drink: Now–2033
• Format: 750ml

Château Peyrabon Haut-Médoc Cru Bourgeois — Bordeaux 2016

The 2016 Bordeaux vintage is widely regarded as one of the greatest of the modern era — a year of perfect balance between power and elegance, with a growing season that delivered concentration, freshness, and structure in equal measure. Château Peyrabon, situated just west of the prestigious Pauillac appellation in the Haut-Médoc, is one of the appellation's most consistent Cru Bourgeois overachievers. High in Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2016 is now in its prime drinking window and has earned 91 points from both Wine Enthusiast and Vinous, and 90 points from Decanter — a Best Buy by any measure at this price.

The nose is finely detailed and captivating: blackberry, raspberry, pressed flower, blackcurrant, and mineral aromas that exude class. On the palate, the wine is well-balanced and medium-to-full-bodied with fine-grain tannins, ripe generous black-currant fruit, a distinctive saline quality with touches of oyster shell and spice, and a poised, edgy finish of cedar and dark fruit. It is drinking beautifully now and will continue to evolve through 2038.

Wine Enthusiast 91 Best Buy — "With its high proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine has a good structure and ripe, generous black-currant flavors. Its fresh character gives juiciness that contrasts with the rich fruits. Drink from 2023." (Vintage 2016).
Vinous 91 — "Finely detailed bouquet with blackberry, raspberry, pressed flower and mineral aromas. This exudes class. Fine grain tannin, one of the more saline Cru Bourgeois with touches of oyster shell and spice. Very fine." (Vintage 2016). 
Decanter 90 — "Rich, ripe black fruit with plenty of structural support from grippy and energetic tannins, well balanced by bright acidity. Drinking Window 2023–2038." (Vintage 2016). 

• Producer: Château Peyrabon, Haut-Médoc, Bordeaux, France
• Vintage: 2016
• Appellation: Haut-Médoc AOC, Cru Bourgeois
• Region: Bordeaux, France
• Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon-led blend (Merlot)
• Drinking Window: Now – 2038
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Blackberry, raspberry, blackcurrant, pressed flower, oyster shell, cedar, dark spice, mineral finish
• Best Paired With: Rack of lamb, pan-seared duck breast, prime rib, wild mushroom sauté, aged Comté

A 91-point Cru Bourgeois from a legendary Bordeaux vintage at an honest price — Château Peyrabon 2016 is the benchmark for what Haut-Médoc Cabernet can deliver under $25.

Ruinart Champagne Brut Blanc de Blancs NV — Reims, Champagne

Ruinart is the oldest established Champagne house, founded in 1729 by Nicolas Ruinart in Reims. For nearly three centuries, the house has been synonymous with Chardonnay-driven Champagne of exceptional finesse and elegance — and the Blanc de Blancs is their purest expression of that philosophy. Sourced from the Côtes des Blancs, Montagne de Reims, and Sézanne, this 100% Chardonnay cuvée captures the full spectrum of what the grape can achieve in Champagne: vivid, precise, and endlessly refined.

The NV opens with scents of citrus zest, green apple, lemon (fresh and candied), sliced pear, white flowers, and fresh bread. On the palate it is medium to full-bodied, pillowy yet incisive, with a vibrant core of fruit, brisk acidity, and a mouth-filling mousse. Steeped apricot, candied ginger, kumquat, toast point, and salted Marcona almond layer through the mid-palate, with a long, minerally, saline finish that is effortlessly integrated and impossible to stop sipping.

James Suckling 93 — “Lovely balance of juicy fruit and acidity that dances nimbly across the palate. Delicate, silky finish.”
Wine Spectator 93 — “Fresh and racy, yet there’s an effortless quality to the integration that makes this hard to stop sipping.”
Wine Advocate 90 — “Vibrant core of fruit and brisk acids, complemented by a mouth-filling mousse.”

• Producer: Ruinart, Reims, Champagne, France (est. 1729)
• Style: Brut Blanc de Blancs NV
• Appellation: Champagne AOC
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Sources: Côtes des Blancs, Montagne de Reims, Sézanne
• Format: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Citrus zest, green apple, lemon, pear, white flowers, apricot, candied ginger, toast, Marcona almond, saline mineral finish
• Best Paired With: Oysters, lobster, Dover sole, sushi, fresh goat cheese, caviar, light canapés

The oldest Champagne house. The purest Chardonnay expression. Ruinart Blanc de Blancs is the benchmark.

Réserve du Naufraget | Vouvray AOC | Loire Valley, France | 2024

From Maison Pierre Chainier, a family-owned négociant based in Amboise on the banks of the Loire, this Vouvray is a textbook expression of Chenin Blanc from one of France's most storied appellations. Grown on the chalky Tuffeau soils upstream from Tours, the grapes are handpicked in October — some with a touch of noble rot (botrytis) that concentrates natural sugars and adds aromatic complexity. A slow, month-long fermentation yields a beautifully off-dry style: a sweet, generous entry that resolves into a clean, refreshing finish.

Rich and aromatic on the nose with orange peel, honeysuckle, ripe quince, and a whisper of beeswax. The palate is round and textured, with flavors of honey, poached pear, and candied citrus carried by bright Chenin acidity. The finish lingers with a gentle honeyed note. One of the most food-versatile whites available at this price.

• Producer: Maison Pierre Chainier
• Appellation: Vouvray AOC, Loire Valley, France
• Grape: 100% Chenin Blanc
• Style: Off-Dry
• Vintage: 2024
• Closure: Screwcap
• Serve: 46–50°F
• Pairings: Thai green curry, Szechuan dishes, spicy tuna rolls, pork with apple sauce, honey-glazed ham, fruit tarts, almond pastries
• Size: 750ml

Hugel Classic Riesling — Alsace, France 2024

Famille Hugel is one of Alsace's most storied and respected wine dynasties — founded in Riquewihr in 1639 and now in its fourteenth generation of family ownership, making it one of the oldest continuously operating wine estates in the world. From their base in the medieval village of Riquewihr at the heart of the Alsace wine route, the Hugel family has been a defining force in establishing Alsace Riesling as one of the world's great white wine styles: dry, mineral, precise, and built for the table. The Classic Riesling is the family's signature expression — sourced from around half estate-grown fruit from Riquewihr, supplemented by select villages to the north and south, and crafted to showcase the finesse, frankness, and electric minerality that define Hugel's house style. It is their most demanding variety, as Riesling is also the latest ripening — expressing itself best on the steepest slopes with the most complex minerality.

The nose is unusually expressive for a Classic: a kiss of crushed fennel seed rises above pear and lemon — aromatic, precise, and inviting. On the palate, it is super slender and vividly bright, almost sylph-like, with exquisite lemony charm and lemon pithiness. Electric, vivid, and bone-dry, with a lip-smacking finish that is a tonic on any occasion. Wonderful balance and elegance — the ideal partner to fish and seafood.

Vinous 89 — "The palate is super slender and vividly bright, almost sylph-like but with exquisite lemony charm and lemon pithiness. This is an electric, vivid little Riesling; the finish is bone-dry and lip-smacking and should be a tonic on a hot day." (Vintage 2024). 

• Producer: Famille Hugel, Riquewihr, Alsace, France (est. 1639)
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Alsace AOC
• Varietal: 100% Riesling
• Style: Bone-dry
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Crushed fennel seed, pear, lemon, lemon pith, electric acidity, mineral, bone-dry lip-smacking finish
• Drink: Now through 2030
• Best Paired With: Grilled fish, oysters, sushi, scallops, lobster, Alsatian choucroute, soft cheeses, asparagus

Fourteen generations of Alsace Riesling mastery — Hugel Classic 2024 is electric, bone-dry, and one of France's most reliably brilliant white wine values.

Our Professional Review 

Starts out with sweet, slightly stewed red plum and cherry fruit on the nose and on entry, then opens up to baking spice, medicinal herbs, and crushed flowers.  Medium bodied, and very satisfying on the palate with finely etched but assertive tannins.   

Rand Sieger, 67 Wine Buyer

Memo Summary Notes

The 2019 Château La Bastienne comes from Montagne-Saint-Émilion, one of the "satellite" appellations of Saint-Émilion. The 2019 vintage in Bordeaux is widely considered exceptional, characterized by a perfect balance of concentration, freshness, and elegance.

Our Professional Review

Rand Sieger, 67 Wine Buyer: A fresh, bright Bordeaux Blanc with aromas of citrus and white stone fruits backed by subtle herbs and bracing minerality. Incredible complexity for an amazing price!

About the Wine Château La Rame is among the oldest and most renowned properties in the Sainte-Croix-du-Mont appellation, situated on a hill overlooking the Garonne River, 25 miles southeast of Bordeaux. While the estate is world-famous for its sweet wines, this "Sec" (dry) bottling is a sommelier favorite for its oyster-shell minerality and electric freshness.

95% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Sémillon from hillside clay-limestone soils blessed with an exceptional substratum — a bed of fossilized oysters dating from the Tertiary era. Vines average 25 years old. Manual harvest, fermented in temperature-controlled vats, and aged 6 months on fine lees.

Tasting & Pairings

Citrus, white stone fruit, subtle herbs, and bracing oyster-shell minerality. Crisp, vibrant, and electric with impressive complexity for the price.

• Fresh oysters, mussels, or moules frites — the fossilized oyster terroir meets actual oysters. A perfect match.
• Grilled white fish with lemon and sea salt — the classic Bordeaux Blanc pairing.
• Goat cheese (chèvre) — the acidity and minerality cut through creamy cheese beautifully.

Blason d'Issan — Margaux, Bordeaux 2023

Château d'Issan is one of Margaux's most historic and romantic estates — a Third Growth (3ème Cru Classé) of the 1855 Classification, whose motto Regum Mensis Arisque Deorum (“For the tables of kings and the altars of gods”) speaks to centuries of prestige. Blason d'Issan is the estate's second wine, crafted to express the same Margaux elegance and precision as the Grand Vin at a more accessible price point. The 2023 vintage marks a historic moment for the estate: the first vintage since the acquisition of neighbouring Pontac Lynch in 2020 not to include Malbec in the blend, returning to a purer expression of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Aged in 50% new oak with a yield of 30–32 hl/h, the 2023 Blason is a wine of extraordinary purity, precision, and promise.

The nose is wonderfully pure: blackcurrants, orange peel, raspberries, dark berries, cassis, pen ink, and white flowers — aromatic, vivid, and deeply expressive. On the palate, it is medium to full-bodied with chewy, powdery tannins of exceptional quality, lively acidity, and a rich, fleshy, charming texture. Notes of cocoa bean, liquorice root, and oyster shell salinity add complexity and classical Margaux balance. The finish is long, silky, sapid, and utterly precise.

🏆 James Suckling 96–97 — "The purity of the fruit is really wonderful. Blackcurrants, orange peel and raspberries. Full body, chewy tannins and a juicy finish. Linear and vivid. The quality of the tannins and the powdery texture are really alluring. Silky. And so precise." (Vintage 2023).

🏆 Jane Anson 95 — Inside Bordeaux. "Fine tannins, well balanced, inky and powerful but with oyster shell salinity. Chalky tannins, well constructed, full of cocoa bean, cassis, liquorice root, classical balance." (Vintage 2023). 

🏆 Wine Advocate 93–95 — William Kelley. "Aromas of dark berries, cassis, pen ink and white flowers. Medium to full-bodied, velvety and enveloping — rich, fleshy and charming, with lively acids, good depth and a long, sapid finish." (Vintage 2023). 

• Producer: Château d'Issan, Margaux, Bordeaux, France
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Margaux AOC
• Classification: 2nd Wine of Château d'Issan (1855 Third Growth)
• Blend: 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 2.5% Cabernet Franc, 2.5% Petit Verdot
• Maturation: 50% new oak
• ABV: 13.83%
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Blackcurrant, cassis, orange peel, raspberry, dark berries, cocoa bean, liquorice root, oyster shell, silky finish
• Drink: 2026–2035
• Best Paired With: Roast lamb, beef tenderloin, duck confit, truffle dishes, aged hard cheeses

Margaux precision at its finest — Blason d'Issan 2023 is vivid, silky, and one of the great second wine values in Bordeaux.

A fantastic Rhone from Le Vieux Donjon Chateauneuf du Pape 2023 

Critical Acclaim — Vintage 2023

James Suckling — 95 Points
"An attractive, layered, velvety, and poised Châteauneuf-du-Pape with aromas of cherries, strawberries, dried herbs, tar, and baking spices. Full-bodied with fine tannins. Succulent and well composed. There’s elegance here, yet it has character and structure. Seductive and flavorful with a long finish."

Jeb Dunnuck — 92–94 Points (Barrel Sample)
"The 2023 Châteauneuf-du-Pape will be beautiful, with a charming, soft, supple, forward style. Ripe red and black fruits, peppery herbs, and lavender notes all define the bouquet, and it hits the palate with medium-to-full-bodied richness, a layered, elegant mouthfeel, and sweet tannins. Based on 75% Grenache, 10% each of Syrah and Mourvèdre, and the rest Cinsault — 50% destemmed and raised entirely in foudre. It’s clearly outstanding and another classic release from this brilliant estate."

About Le Vieux Donjon

Le Vieux Donjon is one of Châteauneuf-du-Pape’s most celebrated and consistent family estates, owned and farmed by the Michel family for generations. The domaine takes its name from the ancient papal tower — the “old dungeon” — that overlooks their vineyards in the heart of the appellation. Farming organically on the iconic galets roulés — the large rounded stones that retain heat and reflect sunlight onto the vines — Le Vieux Donjon produces Grenache-dominant blends of extraordinary depth, complexity, and age-worthiness. The estate is widely regarded as a benchmark Châteauneuf-du-Pape producer, consistently earning top scores from the world’s leading critics vintage after vintage.

Food Pairings

Roasted lamb, duck confit, wild boar, herb-crusted beef tenderloin, truffle dishes, aged Comté, and Provençal stews. Decant 1–2 hours before serving; cellar through 2035+.

Product Details

• Producer: Le Vieux Donjon
• Appellation: Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC, Rhône Valley, France
• Blend: 75% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre, 5% Cinsault
• Aging: Foudre (large oak casks)
• Vintage: 2023
• Style: Full-bodied, layered, cellar-worthy Southern Rhône red
• Drink: Now–2035+ (decant 1–2 hours)
• Format: 750ml

Domaine Isabelle & Denis Pommier — Chablis AOC 2023

Appellation: Chablis AOC, Burgundy | Varietal: Chardonnay | Format: 750ml | Farming: Certified Organic (AgriBio since 2010)

Founded in 1990 on two hectares of family land, Domaine Isabelle & Denis Pommier has grown into one of Chablis’ most respected family estates. Their path from sustainable farming to fully certified organic viticulture is embodied in the red ladybug on their bright yellow labels — a symbol of genuine respect for the land. The 2023 is a textbook expression of what Kimmeridgian limestone and cool-climate Chardonnay can achieve together: round, fleshy, and mineral-precise.

Vineyard & Viticulture

• Location: Slopes in the villages of Chablis and Ligny-le-Châtel, Northernmost sub-region of Burgundy
• Soil: Kimmeridgian limestone in Chablis; Portlandian in Ligny-le-Châtel
• Farming: AgriBio certified organic since 2010; soils worked manually, no synthetic inputs

Vinification & Aging

• Alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in stainless steel tank
• Aged on the lees in tank for 6 months
• Drink now through 2029

Tasting Notes

Crisp green apple, lemon zest, and white flowers on the nose. Flinty oyster-shell minerality from Kimmeridgian limestone. Round and fleshy on the palate with bright acidity and a clean, precise finish. Serve well-chilled alongside oysters, clams, grilled fish, sushi, seafood risotto, or aged chèvre.

Piper-Heidsieck Cuvée Brut — Champagne NV

Piper-Heidsieck is one of Champagne’s most iconic and storied houses, founded in 1785 and long favored by royalty and Hollywood alike. The Cuvée Brut is the house’s flagship non-vintage expression — a Pinot-dominant blend of 50% Pinot Noir, 30% Pinot Meunier, and 20% Chardonnay that delivers the house’s signature vivacity, richness, and precision. Consistently earning scores of 90–92 points across the world’s most respected publications, this is a Champagne of genuine pedigree at an exceptional price.

The nose is complex and inviting: black cherry, white peach purée, croissant, sourdough, dried lemon, apricot, and salted almond, with bright florals and a racy finesse. On the palate, it is creamy and mouthwatering — soft Brut character balanced by a crisp bite of acidity, a finely detailed mousse, and a spiced, rounded finish of honey, red fruit, and toasted brioche.

Wine Spectator 92 — “A vivacious Champagne. Flavors of black cherry, toast point, white peach purée and salted almond on a finely detailed mousse. Creamy and mouthwatering on the spiced finish.”
Decanter 92 — “Racy nose of real finesse. A well-hewn palate with bright florals, red fruit and delicate flavours of honey.”
Wine Enthusiast 90 • Wine & Spirits 90 • James Suckling 90

• Producer: Piper-Heidsieck, Reims, Champagne, France
• Founded: 1785
• Vintage: Non-Vintage
• Appellation: Champagne AOC
• Blend: 50% Pinot Noir, 30% Pinot Meunier, 20% Chardonnay
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Black cherry, white peach, croissant, sourdough, dried lemon, apricot, salted almond, honey, red fruit, creamy mousse
• Best Paired With: Oysters, sole, lobster, smoked salmon, soft cheeses, charcuterie

Founded in 1785, favored by royalty, and scoring 92 points — Piper-Heidsieck’s Cuvée Brut is Champagne history you can drink tonight.

Expert Review - Vintage 2024

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

Winemaker Description 

Whispering Angel is a blend of Grenache, Rolle, Cinsault, Syrah, and Mourvedre grapes. Strikingly pale pink in color, the aromas are fresh and fruity. On the palate, it is bone dry through the finish. The name really suits the delicate nature of this wine.

André Montessuy — Bourgogne Rouge 2023

André Montessuy is a négociant-éleveur based in Burgundy, producing approachable, terroir-honest wines from across the region. The Bourgogne Rouge is their entry-level Pinot Noir — sourced from limestone soils mixed with clay and marl, the classic subsoil of the Côte d’Or — and vinified with care: sorted by hand, cold pre-fermentation maceration for three days, then 12 days of alcoholic fermentation with twice-daily pump-overs and punch-downs to extract color and structure without aggression. Aged 10 to 12 months before bottling.

The 2023 is a textbook village-level Burgundy at a regional price. Dominant fruitiness on the nose — blackcurrant, cherry, blackberry — with a small spicy note. The palate is supple and round, with melted tannins, good length, and a lot of finesse. This is the bottle you reach for when you want honest Pinot Noir without the Burgundy premium.

• Producer: André Montessuy, Burgundy, France
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Bourgogne Rouge AOC
• Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir
• Terroir: Limestone, clay, and marl soils
• Vinification: Hand-sorted, 3-day cold maceration, 12-day fermentation, pump-overs & punch-downs
• Aging: 10–12 months
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Blackcurrant, cherry, blackberry, spice, supple tannins, long finish
• Best Paired With: Grilled or roasted red meats, cold cuts, pot-au-feu, veal, poultry tarts, Gouda

Honest Burgundy at $24 — André Montessuy's Bourgogne Rouge is the everyday Pinot Noir that punches well above its appellation.

Domaine Christophe Mittnacht Pinot Blanc — Alsace, France 2024

Domaine Mittnacht is one of Alsace's most respected and pioneering family estates — founded in 1958 and today led by Christophe and Yuka Mittnacht from their base in Hunawihr, a village at the heart of the Alsace wine route surrounded by some of the region's finest vineyard sites. Christophe was an early pioneer of the biodynamic movement in Alsace, believing that biologically complex, complete soils are essential for producing elegant, terroir-driven wines. The domaine was officially certified biodynamic in 1999 — one of the very first in all of Alsace — and continues to farm with minimal intervention, using neutral wood and tank to let the soil sing. Their old vine holdings include the Grand Cru Rosacker (where the fabled Clos-St.-Hune is located), as well as excellent sites between Ribeauvillé and Riquewihr. Christophe harvests balanced fruit and deliberately avoids the excesses of alcohol and residual sugar that can mask the freshness and florality that make Alsace so special.

The Pinot Blanc is a richer style, yet still fresh and elegant — a hallmark of Mittnacht's biodynamic approach. Mouthwatering acidity enlivens flavors of citrus, apricot, and lemon zest, leading to a stony and floral finish that is unmistakably Alsatian. Precise, expressive, and beautifully delicate.

"A richer style of Pinot Blanc, yet still fresh and elegant. Mouthwatering acidity enlivens flavors of citrus, apricot and lemon zest, leading to a stony and floral finish." — Domaine Mittnacht, Winemaker

• Producer: Domaine Christophe Mittnacht, Hunawihr, Alsace, France (est. 1958)
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Alsace AOC
• Varietal: Pinot Blanc
• Farming: Certified Biodynamic (since 1999)
• Winemaking: Minimal intervention, neutral wood and tank
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Citrus, apricot, lemon zest, mouthwatering acidity, stony and floral finish
• Style: Medium-bodied, fresh, elegant, dry
• Drink: Now through 2028
• Best Paired With: Grilled fish, oysters, choucroute garnie, roast chicken, soft cheeses, asparagus, light pasta

Biodynamic Alsace Pinot Blanc from one of the region's pioneering estates — Mittnacht 2024 is fresh, floral, and a benchmark of what organic farming can achieve in Alsace.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2024

Jane Anson (Inside Bordeaux) 91 Points | Crisp citrus, white pear, a ton of peach juice, slate, cloves, this is unfussy, easy drinking, and great value. Pierre Lurton home estate.

James Suckling 91 Points | Light, crispy stone fruit with gooseberries and guava. Dry, this has light to medium body and good acidity. Medium finish.

Vinous (Antonio Galloni/Neal Martin) 90 Points | Just bottled, the 2024 Marjosse is pretty hard to beat for its quality and price. Brisk, dry and inviting... White flowers, citrus peel, mint and almond linger."

Veuve Clicquot Rosé Non-Vintage Brut | Champagne, France | 750ml | 12% ABV

The Rosé Non-Vintage is Veuve Clicquot's answer to a perennial question: how do you make a Champagne that is both immediately pleasurable and unmistakably serious? The answer lies in the house's signature approach — a blend anchored by Pinot Noir, enriched with still red wine for color and depth, and built on the same structural backbone that defines the Yellow Label.

The result is a Champagne of luminous pale salmon, generous on the nose with fresh red fruit — raspberry, wild strawberry, cherry — giving way to biscuity notes of dried fruit and Viennese pastry.

On the palate, the attack is fresh and focused, the texture silky, the finish long and harmonious. It is, in the best sense, a Champagne that earns its elegance.

Crafted from 50 to 60 different crus, the blend runs 50–55% Pinot Noir, 15–20% Pinot Meunier, and 28–33% Chardonnay, with approximately 12% still red wine integrated for structure and hue.

92 Points — Decanter  |  91 Points — Wine Spectator  |  91 Points — James Suckling  |  90 Points — Wine Enthusiast

• Appellation: Champagne AOC
• Blend: Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay + ~12% still red wine
• Style: Non-vintage Rosé Brut
• Dosage: 10 g/L
• Format: 750ml
• Best for: Aperitif, celebrations, light starters, strawberries and cream

Château Lilian Ladouys — Saint-Estèphe Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel 2020

Château Lilian Ladouys is one of Saint-Estèphe’s most exciting estates — and the 2020 vintage may be its finest hour. Owned by the Lorenzetti family and now classified as Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel (the top tier of the new classification), Lilian Ladouys consistently punches well above its weight, delivering Classified Growth quality at a fraction of the price. The 2020 vintage — one of Bordeaux’s greatest in a generation — is big, bold, and built for the long haul.

Dark fruits, damp earth, truffle, cassis, licorice, and a deft touch of creamy oak define the nose. On the palate, powerful yet polished tannins frame a concentrated, medium-to-full-bodied wine with exceptional length and a racy, structured finish. Already showing complexity, it will evolve gracefully for 10–15 years and beyond.

Wine Enthusiast 93–95 • Decanter 93 • Jeb Dunnuck 92 • James Suckling 92 • Robert Parker 91+

• Producer: Château Lilian Ladouys, Saint-Estèphe, Bordeaux
• Vintage: 2020
• Classification: Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel
• Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Cassis, dark fruit, truffle, damp earth, licorice, creamy oak, powdery tannins
• Cellar Potential: Best after 2025–2027; will evolve through 2035+
• Best Paired With: Roast lamb, beef tenderloin, duck confit, truffle dishes, aged hard cheeses

One of the clear leaders of the Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel category — Lilian Ladouys 2020 is a Saint-Estèphe benchmark at a remarkable price.

Expert Reviews — Vintage 2023

Jeb Dunnuck 92 Points: Classic granite notes of cassis and darker cherries, graphite, crushed stone, pepper, and violets all emerge from the 2023 Saint Joseph Offerus. Medium-bodied, focused, and beautifully balanced on the palate, with textbook Saint Joseph tannins, nicely integrated acidity, and a crisp, mineral-laced finish. Will evolve nicely over the coming 8–10 years.

Winemaker Description

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Saint Joseph OFFERUS 2023 750ml

The Offerus is produced by Chave Sélection, the négociant arm of the legendary Chave family — one of the Northern Rhône’s most revered dynasties. While the Domaine’s own Saint-Joseph commands upwards of $130, the Offerus delivers a similar pedigree and granite-driven terroir character at a fraction of the price. Pure Syrah sourced from the granitic hillsides of Saint-Joseph, it is a benchmark insider value in the appellation and a testament to the Chave family’s uncompromising standards across every tier of their portfolio.

Pairing Suggestions

• Meat: Grilled lamb chops with herbes de Provence, roasted duck breast, or beef daube.
• Classic French: Hearty cassoulet, charcuterie board, or braised short ribs with olives.
• Cheese: Aged Comté, Saint-Nectaire, or a firm washed-rind cheese.

Elegant, generous, and unmistakably Right Bank, the Chateau Chatain Lalande-de-Pomerol 2020 is a beautifully crafted Merlot-dominant Bordeaux from one of the appellation's most consistent estates. Rich with ripe black fruit, cocoa, and classic earthy character, this is a wine that delivers genuine Pomerol-adjacent pleasure at a remarkable price point.

Chateau Chatain & Lalande-de-Pomerol

Lalande-de-Pomerol sits just north of the celebrated Pomerol appellation on Bordeaux's Right Bank, sharing the same clay-rich soils and Merlot-dominant tradition that defines the region's most sought-after wines. Chateau Chatain is a well-regarded estate within the appellation, producing wines of genuine elegance and depth that consistently overperform at their price. The 2020 vintage — one of Bordeaux's finest in recent memory — brings exceptional ripeness and concentration to this already expressive terroir.

Expert Review

92 Points — Wine Enthusiast (Roger Voss): "This smoky, ripe wine is full of black tannins and has a complex structure that balances black fruits and solid tannins. Drink this Merlot-dominant wine from 2022."

Tasting Profile

Brilliant ruby with deep garnet hues. The nose is expressive and inviting — ripe black cherry, plum, and blackberry layered with cocoa powder, cedar, and subtle baking spice. Hints of earth and graphite add classic Right Bank character. On the palate it's fresh, elegant, and full-bodied with a round, velvety texture, well-integrated tannins, and a long, fruit-forward finish.

Details

2020 | Merlot-dominant blend | Lalande-de-Pomerol, Bordeaux, France | AOC Lalande-de-Pomerol | 750ml

Cellaring & Pairings

Drinking beautifully now and through 2030. Serve at 61–64°F with roast lamb, duck confit, beef bourguignon, mushroom risotto, or aged hard cheeses. Decant 30–45 minutes for best expression.

Albert Mann Gewurztraminer Biodynamic — Alsace 2022

Domaine Albert Mann is heralded the world over as one of Alsace's top-tier producers. Guided by certified organic and biodynamic farming, the Domaine cultivates precisely controlled yields from estate fruit averaging 35 years old, coaxing grapes of elevated maturity and complexity from Alsace's storied soils. Never heavy, clumsy, or out of balance, each carefully crafted vintage presents a beautiful delineation of flavors and precise textures that are unmistakably Albert Mann.

The 2022 Gewurztraminer opens with rich aromas of yellow rose, lychee, and exotic spice, followed by a palate of remarkable elegance — a delicate creaminess, beautifully integrated touch of sweetness, and a freshness rarely seen in this grape variety. The finish is long, aromatic, and poised. From biodynamically grown grapes.

James Suckling 93 — “Rich and very elegant, with a lovely interplay of yellow rose aromas, delicate creaminess and remarkably elegant acidity. Drink or hold.”

• Producer: Domaine Albert Mann, Alsace, France
• Vintage: 2022
• Appellation: Alsace AOC
• Varietal: 100% Gewurztraminer
• Farming: Certified Organic & Biodynamic
• Vine Age: Averaging 35 years
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Yellow rose, lychee, exotic spice, cream, integrated sweetness, elegant acidity
• Best Paired With: Spiced Asian cuisine, foie gras, Munster cheese, roasted pork with fruit, Thai curry

A benchmark Alsace Gewurztraminer from one of the region’s most committed biodynamic estates — expressive, elegant, and built to impress.

Producer Description 

Purchased by the Comte Lafond, an ancestor of the current owner, Baron Patrick de Ladoucette, Château du Nozet and its surrounding vineyards have a reputation for producing the finest Pouilly-Fumé.

The delicate and complex olfactory expression opens on aromas which remind of white flower, exotic fruits. There is a very beautiful complexity for a vintage where the end-of-season’s sun brought a lot to the aromas. Excellent complexity that translates into great and elegant richness. Nice attack, straight and bright, it takes place with elegance on fruity notes associated with a dense structure and a beautiful acidity which brings a great length in the end of the mouth. There are aromas of exotic fruits (litchi, mango).

Expert Review - Vintage 2023

The Wine Spectator by Kristen Bieler writes 89 Points | Apple, pear and citrus cream are backed by a laser beam of acidity and crushed flint. Warm hay and heather notes add dimension, while the finish is crackling and linear. Drink now through 2026. 2,500 cases imported.

Memo Notes Summary 

De Ladoucette is unique in that it utilizes no oak in its vinification, aging the wine on its fine lees in glass-tiled tanks. This process maximizes the fresh, terroir-driven characteristics of the Sauvignon Blanc grape.

Color: Pale golden-green, bright and limpid.

The nose is delicate yet complex, exhibiting a beautiful array of white flowers (lilac, white blossoms), citrus fruits (grapefruit, lemon peel), and exotic fruit (lychee, mango). The quintessential flinty/mineral aroma, known as fumé (smoke), is usually present, especially as the wine opens.

The classic, mineral-driven profile of Pouilly-Fumé makes it one of the most versatile white wines for dining:

• Seafood: A perfect match for all shellfish, including oysters, scallops, and shrimp, as well as grilled white fish (sea bass, turbot).

  Cheese: The traditional pairing is goat cheese, especially Crottin de Chavignol or fresh Chèvre. Its acidity cuts through the cheese's creaminess beautifully.

  
  

  Poultry & Other: Light white meats, salads, and vegetable dishes like asparagus risotto or chicken with a cream/lemon sauce.

Expert Reviews — Vintage 2020

James Suckling 95 Points: Lead pencil and blackcurrant aromas are very impressive. Full-bodied and tannic, but very velvety with fine texture. Lots of pretty fruit. Typical for the appellation. Second wine of Domaine de Chevalier. Try after 2028.

Jeb Dunnuck 91 Points: More restrained aromatically, yet has outstanding purity in its red and black fruits as well as notes of dried herbs, tobacco, chocolate, and damp earth. Medium-bodied, elegant, balanced, and certainly delicious — a second wine that will benefit from just a year or two of bottle age and shine for a decade.

Vinous 91 Points: Very perfumed, floral bouquet with pressed iris and peony infusing the blackberry and blueberry fruit. Controlled and classic in style. Medium-bodied with concentrated black fruit laced with white pepper and Provençal herbs. Powerful with a generous finish — a superb Deuxième Vin that should give 12–15 years of drinking pleasure.

Wine Advocate 90 Points: Fleshy and demonstrative, bursting with aromas of sweet berries, plums and petals. Medium to full-bodied, rich and layered, with polished tannins and an expansive finish. Will drink well young.

Winemaker Description

Domaine de Chevalier is renowned for its ability to produce great wines even in unfashionable vintages, thanks to its unique Pessac-Léognan terroir and a draconian selection process in both vineyard and cellar — at times requiring five successive passes through the vines to pick only the ripest possible grapes. L’Esprit de Chevalier, created in 1986 from young vines and vats not destined for the grand vin, is a charming second wine that shares many of the same qualities as Domaine de Chevalier’s flagship — complex, well-balanced, and elegant — with the added advantage of being approachable earlier.

Pairing Suggestions

• Meat: Roasted lamb rack with herbs, beef tenderloin, or duck confit.
• Classic Bordeaux: Lamb chops with truffle jus, venison, or a classic French cassoulet.
• Cheese: Aged Comté, Ossau-Iraty, or a firm sheep’s milk cheese.

Charles Le Bel Champagne “Inspiration 1818” Brut — Champagne NV

Founded in 1818, Champagne Charles Le Bel is one of the region’s most storied négociant houses, crafting wines that balance classical elegance with exceptional value. The “Inspiration 1818” Brut is the house’s flagship non-vintage blend — a harmonious assemblage of 37% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Meunier, and 33% Pinot Noir, with a remarkable 70% reserve wines contributing depth, complexity, and consistency across every release. Finished at 9g/L dosage, this is a Champagne of genuine quality and outstanding price-to-pleasure ratio.

The nose is blooming and inviting: butter, white-flesh fruits, Mirabelle plum, brioche, and dried fruits. On the palate, it is well-balanced and structured — the Pinot Noirs lend body and richness, while the Chardonnay delivers a refreshing finish of citrus and white pepper. Fine, plentiful bubbles rise in a sparkling, crystalline wine that is equally at home as an apéritif or at the table.

67 Wine — “A delicious, classic Champagne with aromas of brioche, almonds, and pears. An exceptional quality-to-price ratio — perfect for parties and grand evenings alike.”

• Producer: Charles Le Bel, Champagne, France
• Founded: 1818
• Vintage: Non-Vintage
• Appellation: Champagne AOC
• Blend: 37% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Meunier, 33% Pinot Noir
• Reserve Wines: 70%
• Dosage: 9 g/L (Brut)
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Butter, Mirabelle plum, white peach, brioche, dried fruits, citrus, white pepper, fine persistent bubbles
• Best Paired With: Oysters, smoked salmon, soft cheeses, charcuterie, light appetizers, fruit tarts

Two centuries of Champagne craftsmanship at an honest price — Charles Le Bel’s 1818 Brut is the house that history built.

Expert Reviews — Vintage 2019

Vinous (Neal Martin) 97 Points: Beguiling bouquet with red berry fruit, truffle and light Provençal herb scents, beautifully defined. Medium-bodied with pliant tannins — exquisite in terms of balance, silky smooth, building gradually with a harmonious and quite effortless finish. Divine. A stellar showing.

Decanter (Georgina Hindle) 97 Points: Rich, full and heady nose. Ripe blackcurrant, red cherries, raspberries and strawberries with mint, black pepper and truffle. Excellent precision and density with a seductive dark chocolate edge. Powerful, muscular and confident, yet with suppleness — density and grace with a cooling finish of liquorice, mint and soft salinity. A great wine.

James Suckling 95 Points: Perfumed nose of mulberries, plums, chocolate orange and cloves. Medium-to-full bodied with firm, ripe tannins. Caressing, velvety and rich core of dark fruit. So supple and polished. 88.5% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4.5% Cabernet Franc. Drink after 2024.

Wine Advocate (William Kelley) 94 Points: Fleshy and dramatic, wafting from the glass with aromas of ripe berry fruit mingled with subtle hints of truffle and violets, new oak already entirely integrated. Medium to full-bodied, velvety and seamless, broad and textural with lively acids, powdery tannins and fine length on the finish.

Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points: Elegant, solid Pomerol delivering spicy red and black cherry fruits, notes of cedary herbs and flowers, medium-bodied richness, silky yet building tannins, and a great finish. Will benefit from 3–5 years of bottle age and keep for 15–20 years.

Winemaker Description

Château Gazin is one of Pomerol’s most storied estates, neighboring the legendary Pétrus on the plateau’s finest clay soils. The 2019 is a benchmark expression — a blend of 88.5% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 4.5% Cabernet Franc — that showcases the appellation’s signature combination of opulence and precision. Silky, seamless, and built for the long haul, it is a wine of remarkable harmony and effortless grace.

Pairing Suggestions

• Meat: Roasted lamb rack with truffle jus, beef tenderloin, or duck confit with cherry reduction.
• Classic Bordeaux: Venison with wild mushrooms, braised short ribs, or a classic French cassoulet.
• Cheese: Aged Comté, Ossau-Iraty, or a rich washed-rind cheese.