2010 - Present Wine

A distinguished single-vineyard Brunello Riserva combining concentrated dark fruit, vibrant freshness and finely structured Tuscan elegance.

Wine Description

Frescobaldi CastelGiocondo Ripe al Convento Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2020 is a limited-production expression of Sangiovese from one of the estate’s most treasured vineyard sites. The wine takes its name from a historic vineyard situated beside an ancient monastery on the CastelGiocondo estate in southwestern Montalcino.

Located in the highest part of the estate at approximately 450 meters above sea level, the Ripe al Convento vineyard benefits from excellent sun exposure, cooling Mediterranean winds and mineral-rich marly soils. The vineyard extends across two sides of a ridge: its southern exposure contributes richness and power, while the southeast-facing vines bring freshness, tension and aromatic precision.

The 2020 Riserva presents a deep and layered bouquet of blackberry, blackcurrant, blueberry and Morello cherry, accompanied by rose, violet and subtle balsamic notes. With time in the glass, aromas of autumn spice, cocoa, tobacco, dried herbs and earth begin to emerge.

Generous and velvety on the palate, the wine balances concentrated dark fruit with lively acidity and an appealing crunchy-cherry character. Fine-grained yet confident tannins provide structure and definition, carrying the wine toward a long, savory and beautifully composed finish.

Winemaking and Aging

The Sangiovese grapes are carefully selected from the single Ripe al Convento vineyard and undergo an additional selection upon arrival at the winery. Fermentation takes place under controlled temperatures to preserve the character and aromatic detail of the fruit.

The wine is matured for 36 months in oak casks before further refinement in bottle. This extended aging gives the Riserva greater structure, complexity and longevity while allowing the fruit, tannins and savory elements to develop exceptional harmony.

Only approximately 18,000 bottles of the 2020 vintage were produced.

About Ripe al Convento

Ripe al Convento represents one of the most structured and age-worthy expressions produced at Tenuta CastelGiocondo. Its name refers both to the exceptional ripeness achieved by the Sangiovese grapes and to the vineyard’s location beside the estate’s historic monastery.

The combination of high elevation, favorable exposures and distinctive soils produces a Brunello Riserva of depth and power, balanced by the freshness, elegance and mineral character that distinguish the finest wines of Montalcino.

Expert Ratings

95  Wine Spectator: There’s plenty of black cherry and blackberry fruit in this red, along with mineral and black pepper notes, plus a touch of forest floor. Dense and even muscular for the vintage, with a vibrant feel and well-endowed, dusty tannins. Needs time to harmonize. Best from 2029 through 2045.

94 Decanter: The Ripe al Convento vineyard expands over two sides of a single ridge. Vines with a southern exposure give muscle to the blend while those facing southeast lend tension. The 2020 bottling demonstrates both facets within the gracious context of the vintage. Still restrained in aromas, it hints at smoke, thyme, mint and cocoa. Generous in girth, this oozes blackberry and blue plum with a velvety mouthfeel and carob accents. Confident tannins sport a fine grain and supply a satisfying bite. Lively acidity accentuates the salty tang. By no means austere but will be more expressive after another year in bottle.

94 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: In the bottle with the dark blue label, the Frescobaldi 2020 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva CastelGiocondo Ripe al Convento shows dark fruit and blackberry at its core, followed by balanced freshness and an attractive crunchy cherry fruit character. This vintage is marked by lively fruit and slightly greater accessibility in terms of tannic impact. The wine can be enjoyed happily in the near or medium term. With 36 months of aging in oak casks, this is a release of 18,000 bottles. Ripe al Convento is sourced from a single vineyard adjacent to the historic monastery on the estate, and the Riserva bottling reflects both extended aging and a more structured interpretation of the vintage.

Food Pairing

An excellent partner for braised beef, roasted lamb, venison, wild boar, osso buco and bistecca alla Fiorentina. Its earthy, savory character also complements porcini mushrooms, truffle dishes, aged Pecorino Toscano and Parmigiano-Reggiano.

Serving Suggestions

Serve at approximately 60–65°F in a large red-wine glass. Decanting for one to two hours is recommended when enjoying the wine in its youth. Although already approachable, its concentration, acidity and structured tannins will allow it to develop additional complexity with further bottle aging.

Wine Details

Frescobaldi CastelGiocondo Ripe al Convento Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2020

Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG, Tuscany, Italy | 750ml

A Grand Cru-caliber Spätburgunder of extraordinary depth and finesse—wild red fruit, limestone minerality and Burgundian elegance from Ingelheim’s historic Pares vineyard.

Expert Rating

97 Points James Suckling: “Breathtaking nose of ripe wild berries and herbs, savory and a touch of sous bois. Great concentration and amazingly mouth-filling for just 12.5%, this is a German pinot noir masterpiece and one of the wines of the vintage! Staggering length, the finish still tightly wound. You need some patience to get the best this has to offer. From biodynamically grown grapes. 100% whole cluster, wild-fermented, then 18 months in small oak. Unfiltered and unfined. Drinkable now, but best from 2025.”  STUART PIGOTT — JAMES SUCKLING

The AdamsWein Pares Spätburgunder 2023 is one of Simone Adams’ most ambitious and profound Pinot Noirs, produced from the historic Pares vineyard in Ingelheim, Rheinhessen. Pares is recognized as a VDP.GROSSE LAGE, Germany’s equivalent of a Grand Cru vineyard, and is widely regarded as one of Ingelheim’s most important sites for Spätburgunder. AdamsWein itself is not a VDP member, however, so the estate cannot officially place “GG” on its label.

Situated at approximately 250 meters elevation on the western slope of the Mainzer Berg, Pares combines loess and sandy loam over a limestone base. The limestone gives the wine its unmistakable tension, mineral drive and finely structured finish, while the site’s elevation and exposure help preserve freshness and aromatic clarity.

Simone Adams’ parcel has an unusual history. The land had been abandoned for roughly three decades before Adams reclaimed and replanted it, using her own selections derived from traditional German Pinot material rather than relying on Burgundian clones. The result is a Spätburgunder with an identity distinctly its own—powerful and complex, yet unmistakably tied to Ingelheim.

The 2023 Pares sits at the pinnacle of the AdamsWein Pinot Noir range. It shows remarkable depth and intensity, with raspberry and ripe cherry at its core, surrounded by darker berry fruit, floral notes, savory spice and an earthy, limestone-derived mineral character. Gerstl describes an exceptionally noble aromatic expression, with Burgundian raspberry and cherry notes rising from considerable depth, and awarded the wine a perfect 20/20. Robert Parker awarded the 2023 Pares 95 points.

On the palate, the wine is layered and concentrated without becoming heavy. There is a compelling wildness to the fruit, but also tremendous clarity, freshness and precision. Fine tannins give the wine structure while vibrant acidity and chalky minerality keep everything focused through the long, persistent finish. A recent tasting at the estate singled out the 2023 Pares as the most complete of the single-vineyard wines, emphasizing its combination of depth, layered fruit and freshness.

Winemaking

The 2023 single-vineyard Spätburgunders at AdamsWein were made with 100% whole clusters and matured for approximately 18 months in barrel. Treating the vineyard wines similarly in the cellar allows the differences among Ingelheim’s individual sites to remain particularly transparent.

Adams favors spontaneous fermentation, restrained intervention and minimal sulfur. The estate does not filter or fine its wines, emphasizing purity of fruit and vineyard expression.

Organic & Biodynamic Farming

The 2023 Pares is certified organic, with German retailer Weinfurore specifically identifying the wine as coming from controlled organic cultivation and displaying certification DE-ÖKO-022.

AdamsWein began ecological soil cultivation in 2017 and converted the estate completely to biodynamic farming in 2020. U.S. importer Bowler Wine likewise categorizes AdamsWein’s Pares as biodynamically farmed.

About AdamsWein

Based in Ingelheim am Rhein, AdamsWein is run by Simone Adams, who took over her family estate in 2010. Her work focuses particularly on Burgundy varieties—Spätburgunder and Chardonnay—grown on Ingelheim’s limestone-rich soils. Production is small, yields are restrained and the wines are made with an emphasis on site transparency rather than extraction or overt winemaking.

Grape: 100% Spätburgunder / Pinot Noir
Vintage: 2023
Region: Rheinhessen, Germany
Village: Ingelheim am Rhein
Vineyard: Pares
Site Classification: VDP.GROSSE LAGE / Grand Cru vineyard
Style: Dry Red Wine
Alcohol: 12.5%
Farming: Certified Organic; Biodynamic
Vinification: 100% whole cluster
Élevage: Approximately 18 months in barrel
Robert Parker: 95 Points
Gerstl: 20/20

Character: Raspberry · Cherry · Wild Berries · Flowers · Spice · Limestone · Mineral

Food Pairing

A serious Pinot Noir suited to equally refined dishes: roast duck, venison, lamb, veal, beef tenderloin, roast chicken, wild mushrooms and truffle dishes. Its acidity and mineral structure also make it particularly compelling with richer poultry and game preparations.

Serving & Cellaring

Serve slightly cool at approximately 55–60°F (13–16°C). In its youth, this is a wine worth giving one to two hours in a decanter. Its structure and concentration point toward exceptional longevity; Gerstl gives a suggested drinking window of 2032–2060, although the wine is already impressive today. 

Silky, floral and intensely mineral Pinot Noir from Ingelheim—German Spätburgunder with remarkable Burgundy-like finesse.

Expert Rating

Vinous 94 Points: "The 2023 Spätburgunder Ingelheimer Auf dem Haun is from a west-facing, ventilated site on limestone with a high day-night amplitude. This was made with 100% whole bunches and spent 18 months in 20% new oak. Superb aroma on the nose sends out red flower petal notes, perhaps of peony, eglantine and a beautiful smattering of white pepper. It is exquisitely aromatic, wonderfully lifted, so floral and tender, yet profound and fresh, with a lovely depth. This is all tone, finesse, scent and poise. Its nature is totally disarming and the vivid scent is a killer. The 2023 is wonderful, enduring, bright, fine and silky. (Bone-dry)” — Anne Krebiehl MW, Vinous, July 2025

The AdamsWein Spätburgunder “Auf Dem Haun” 2023 is a superb single-vineyard Pinot Noir from Ingelheim in Rheinhessen, made by Simone Adams, one of Germany’s most compelling producers of Burgundian varieties. From limestone-rich soils at higher elevation, Auf dem Haun produces a particularly refined style of Spätburgunder—fragrant, mineral and beautifully poised rather than heavy or extracted.

The 2023 is immediately striking for its perfume. Delicate aromas of red cherry, wild strawberry and red berriesmingle with peony, rose petals and white pepper, followed by subtle earthy and savory notes. Vinous emphasizes the wine’s remarkable floral lift, freshness and depth, describing a Pinot built around tone, finesse, scent and poise.

On the palate, the wine is silky, precise and wonderfully energetic. Pure red fruit is framed by fine savory tannins and a distinctly saline mineral character. There is impressive concentration here, but everything remains graceful and transparent, with freshness carrying the wine through a long, mouthwatering finish. Wine Advocate likewise highlights its purity, red-cherry and strawberry character, fine tannins and persistent saline finish.

This is the kind of German Pinot Noir that makes the comparison with Burgundy especially compelling. It has the aromatic delicacy and textural refinement associated with fine Côte d’Or Pinot, yet retains the freshness and limestone-driven character of its Rheinhessen origins. The 2023 is already beautifully expressive, but its balance and structure suggest considerable potential for further development in bottle.

About the Vineyard

Auf dem Haun is one of Simone Adams’ prized Ingelheim parcels. The site sits relatively high on the slope and is distinguished by limestone-rich soils, which help produce wines with tension, freshness and pronounced mineral definition. Adams has increasingly focused her range around individual vineyard expressions, allowing differences in soil and exposition to become more transparent in the finished wines.

About AdamsWein

Based in Ingelheim am Rhein, AdamsWein is led by Simone Adams, whose Pinot Noir and Chardonnay have become particularly admired for their precision, moderate alcohol and distinctly Burgundian sensibility. The estate works organically and favors spontaneous fermentation and restrained cellar intervention, with the goal of allowing vineyard character to remain at the center of each wine.

Grape: 100% Spätburgunder / Pinot Noir
Vintage: 2023
Region: Rheinhessen, Germany
Village: Ingelheim am Rhein
Vineyard: Auf dem Haun
Style: Dry Red Wine
Alcohol: 12.5%
Farming: Organic

Character: Red Cherry · Wild Strawberry · Peony · White Pepper · Limestone · Saline · Silky

Food Pairing

An excellent partner for roast duck, chicken, pork tenderloin, veal, grilled salmon, mushroom dishes and earthy risottos. Its bright acidity and fine tannins also make it especially versatile with charcuterie and moderately rich cheeses.

Serving & Cellaring

Serve slightly cool at approximately 55–60°F (13–16°C). A young bottle will benefit from 30–60 minutes of air. While already wonderfully fragrant and silky, its balance, concentration and mineral structure should reward additional bottle age.

95 Points Vinous: “The 2025 Riesling Niersteiner Pettenthal Grosses Gewächs opens with flintiness and smoke. Underneath that lies a tender touch of ripe, yellow, red-cheeked peach that beckons with juiciness. Rounded, ripe generosity just flows on the palate, energised by a salty, zesty undertow that seems to reach deep into the red rock. This is wonderfully aromatic, beautifully long and lasting, absolutely pure. The more air this gets, the more peach appears. (Bone-dry)” — Anne Krebiehl MW, Vinous

The Gunderloch Pettenthal Riesling GG 2025 is a profound, beautifully sculpted dry Riesling from one of the most celebrated vineyards of Germany’s Rheinhessen. Pettenthal is classified as a VDP.GROSSE LAGE®, Germany’s equivalent of a grand cru vineyard, and lies on the dramatically steep Roter Hang (Red Slope) above the Rhine at Nierstein. Its distinctive red, iron-rich slate and clay soils give the wines remarkable mineral intensity, spice and longevity.

The 2025 vintage combines impressive concentration with an unusually elegant, cool-toned personality. The bouquet unfolds gradually with citrus zest, lemon balm and crystalline orchard fruit, followed by savory nuances of green olive, rosemary, wet stone and delicate herbal spice. Rather than relying on overt fruitiness, this is a Riesling defined by precision, tension and a compelling stony character.

On the palate, the wine is bone-dry, focused and beautifully structured, with vibrant acidity carrying layers of citrus and mineral flavor through a long, persistent finish. There is considerable depth beneath its restrained exterior, suggesting a wine that will become increasingly complex with bottle age. Gunderloch gently presses the grapes, transfers the juice without pre-clarification into traditional large wooden casks and allows spontaneous fermentation to complete fully dry—a style designed to emphasize vineyard character rather than winemaking intervention.

The 2025 growing season proved particularly favorable on the Roter Hang, avoiding both frost and hail while receiving sufficient summer rainfall to prevent excessive drought stress. The resulting Pettenthal shows the generosity of the vintage without sacrificing freshness or precision.

About Gunderloch
Founded in 1890, Gunderloch is one of Rheinhessen’s historic benchmark estates and remains closely associated with the great Riesling vineyards of the Roter Hang. Today the estate is led by Johannes Hasselbach, with Riesling accounting for approximately 85% of its production. Pettenthal, Rothenberg, Hipping and Ölberg are among its prestigious VDP.GROSSE LAGE sites.

Grape: 100% Riesling
Region: Rheinhessen, Germany
Vineyard: Niersteiner Pettenthal
Classification: VDP.GROSSE LAGE® / Grosses Gewächs (GG)
Style: Dry White Wine
Character: Citrus · Herbs · Red Slate · Mineral · Precise · Long

Food Pairing: Excellent with oysters and shellfish, grilled or roasted fish, lobster, sushi and sashimi, roast chicken, pork, veal and sophisticated vegetable dishes. Its mineral intensity and acidity also make it particularly compelling with richer seafood preparations.

Serving: Serve at approximately 48–52°F (9–11°C). A young bottle will benefit from some air before serving, while its structure makes it an excellent candidate for extended cellaring.

Domaine Antoine Jobard · Saint-Aubin 1er Cru Sur le Sentier du Clou 2024 · 750ml

This Chardonnay from Saint-Aubin in Burgundy brings the Jobard domaine’s patient approach to a premier cru white wine. The supplied Jasper Morris barrel-sample review describes ripe apple, a little lime, attractive oak perfume, and persistent length, with a score range of 90–92.

Character & Style

Fresh pale-lemon color and lightly oak-perfumed aromas introduce ripe apple and lime on the palate, according to the supplied review. Morris recommends drinking from 2028–2031. His assessment is a barrel sample, not a confirmed final bottled score.

Expert Review

Jasper Morris · 90–92 Points · Barrel Sample
Fresh pale lemon in colour. Slightly but attractively perfumed by the oak, with a delicious ripe apple flavour on the palate along with a little lime. Persists well, a St-Aubin of good character and length. Drink from 2028-2031.
Barrel Sample: 90-92

Domaine Background

The following supplied background describes the domaine and its wider range, rather than technical specifications exclusive to this 2024 Saint-Aubin.

François Jobard was one of the first vignerons Kermit imported when he began prospecting for wines in France in the 1970s. The relationship has endured into the next generation, and François’ son Antoine now runs the domaine. This is as classy and as consistent a property as you’ll find in Burgundy, and theirs are generally counted among the best Meursaults. Other respected vignerons like Coche and Raveneau hold these wines in the highest esteem and are generous with their praise when Jobard comes up in conversation.

Among the highlights from the domaine is Jobard’s stunning Bourgogne Blanc, which is routinely one of the best to carry that appellation. Their Meursault En la Barre is an outstanding value from an assiduously tended vineyard plot located just behind their home, and their enviable line-up of premier cru white Burgundies includes Meursault Poruzots, Blagny, Genevrières, and Charmes, each with its inimitable charms. Recently, they added Tillets to their list, the excellent vineyard that Roulot fans know and love – a high-elevation, very stony lieu-dit. Finally, their Puligny-Montrachet Le Trézin comes from another steep hillside parcel above the Hameau de Blagny and is always textbook Puligny, chiseled and fine-grained.

All the Jobard wines are aged in barrel and spend a lengthy period of time sur lie in their cellars in Meursault. They are the last of our white Burgundies to come to the market every year due to their unhurried approach to vinification and typically slow malolactic fermentations. In their youth, these wines are often tightly wound with an intense mineral structure that only begins to soften with extended bottle aging. Though François and Antoine work side by side, Antoine has brought his own signature to the domaine: a more sensuous approachability to the wines, all delicious and ready to drink immediately. That said, the Jobard legacy lives on, and the wines will still explode with intense aromas of honeycomb and stone later in life. If you just can’t wait, there’s no reason not to uncork.

Serving & Pairing Suggestions

Serve cool rather than ice-cold and allow time in the glass. Consider pairing with roast chicken, butter-poached fish, or mushroom dishes. For cellaring, the supplied barrel-sample review suggests 2028–2031.

Wine Details

• Producer: Domaine Antoine Jobard
• Wine: Sur le Sentier du Clou
• Vintage: 2024
• Grape: Chardonnay
• Appellation: Saint-Aubin Premier Cru
• Region: Burgundy, France
• Bottle size: 750ml
• Supplied assessment: Jasper Morris, 90–92 points, barrel sample

Pure, mineral and beautifully precise Premier Cru Chardonnay from Puligny-Montrachet.

Lucien Le Moine's 2023 Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru La Garenne is a refined and highly expressive white Burgundy, combining the crystalline minerality and tension associated with Puligny-Montrachet with the house's signature depth and texture.

La Garenne is one of Puligny-Montrachet's classified Premier Cru climats in the Côte de Beaune. The vineyard produces Chardonnay of notable freshness, precision and mineral definition, making it an especially compelling site for lovers of structured, age-worthy white Burgundy.

The 2023 vintage opens with cool, lifted aromas of Granny Smith apple, lemon rind, crushed fennel and delicate floral notes. The palate is rich and caressing without losing focus, showing generous Chardonnay fruit framed by vivid acidity and pronounced minerality. Citrus notes become increasingly prominent toward the finish, which is bone-dry, firm, beautifully balanced and impressively persistent.

This combination of richness and tension is particularly characteristic of fine Puligny-Montrachet: the wine has enough breadth and texture to feel luxurious, yet its mineral backbone keeps the palate focused, energetic and precise. The 2023 La Garenne is already compelling, but its structure suggests excellent potential for further development in bottle.

Lucien Le Moine is the tiny Beaune-based micro-négociant founded by Mounir Saouma and Rotem Brakin in 1999. The house specializes in Premier and Grand Cru Burgundy, generally producing only one to three barrels of each individual Cru.

The wines are selected very early, immediately after pressing, and raised entirely by Lucien Le Moine through bottling. Both whites and reds are aged on 100% of their lees, with gentle bâtonnage when appropriate and no racking during élevage. The wines are bottled by gravity and are neither fined nor filtered, preserving their texture, complexity and individual vineyard character.

In La Garenne, this long lees aging adds richness and depth while allowing the vineyard's naturally mineral, citrus-driven personality to remain clearly defined. The result is an elegant, concentrated and beautifully balanced Premier Cru white Burgundy.

Professional Review

BURGHOUND 93 POINTS :  Cool, airy and pure aromas include those of Granny Smith apple, lemon rind, crushed fennel and a floral top note. The rich, generously proportioned and caressing medium weight flavors also exude evident minerality on the overtly citrusy bone-dry finish that exhibits impressive persistence on the well-balanced and firm finale. Fine quality here and worth checking out. 91-93

Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
Region: Burgundy, France
Subregion: Côte de Beaune
Appellation: Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru
Vineyard: La Garenne
Vintage: 2023
Size: 750ml

Food Pairing: Excellent with lobster, scallops, oysters, roasted or grilled fish, poultry in a light cream sauce, veal, mushroom dishes and risotto. It also pairs beautifully with Comté, Gruyère and other firm, nutty cheeses.

Serving: Serve lightly chilled rather than ice cold to allow the wine's aromatics, texture and minerality to emerge. Lucien Le Moine recommends decanting its wines, including the whites, so that naturally retained CO2 from the long élevage can dissipate and the wine can fully open.

Taut, mineral and beautifully layered Premier Cru Chardonnay from one of Meursault's most distinctive high-slope sites.

Lucien Le Moine's 2023 Meursault Premier Cru Blagny Blanc is a refined expression of Chardonnay from the elevated vineyards of Blagny, situated above the classic Meursault slopes near the border with Puligny-Montrachet. White wines from this sector are entitled to the Meursault appellation, and the site's higher elevation and limestone-rich soils are known for giving the wines a particularly fresh, structured and mineral character.

The 2023 opens with aromas of ripe pear, white peach and citrus blossom, joined by notes of hazelnut, brioche and subtle flint. The palate is generous yet focused, balancing Meursault's characteristic richness with bright acidity and a firm mineral core. Orchard fruit and citrus unfold across a creamy, finely textured palate, while saline and chalky notes bring precision and lift to the long, persistent finish.

Blagny offers a compelling contrast within Meursault. Its elevated position lends the wine additional freshness and tension, resulting in a style that combines the breadth and texture associated with Meursault with a more linear, mineral-driven personality reminiscent of neighboring Puligny-Montrachet.

Lucien Le Moine is the tiny Beaune-based micro-négociant founded by Mounir Saouma and Rotem Brakin in 1999. The house works exclusively with selected Premier and Grand Cru wines from the Côte d'Or, typically producing only one to three barrels of each individual Cru.

The wines are selected very early and raised entirely by Lucien Le Moine from the beginning of their élevage. Both whites and reds are aged on 100% of their lees, with no racking during maturation. The wines are bottled by gravity and are neither fined nor filtered, an unusually patient approach designed to preserve texture, complexity and the individual character of each vineyard.

In the 2023 Meursault Premier Cru Blagny, this extended lees aging brings depth and supple texture without obscuring the site's naturally cool, stony personality. The result is a distinctive white Burgundy with concentration, freshness and excellent potential for further development in bottle.

Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
Region: Burgundy, France
Subregion: Côte de Beaune
Appellation: Meursault Premier Cru
Vineyard: Blagny
Vintage: 2023
Size: 750ml

Food Pairing: Excellent with lobster, scallops, roasted fish, poultry in cream sauce, veal, mushroom dishes and risotto. Its combination of richness and mineral freshness also pairs beautifully with Comté, Gruyère and other firm, nutty cheeses.

Serving: Serve lightly chilled rather than very cold to allow the wine's texture and aromatics to fully emerge. Lucien Le Moine recommends decanting its wines, including the whites, allowing naturally retained CO2 from the long élevage to dissipate and the wine to open fully.

Rich, mineral and beautifully refined Premier Cru Chardonnay from Chassagne-Montrachet.

Lucien Le Moine's 2023 Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru La Grande Montagne is an expressive white Burgundy combining the depth and texture for which Chassagne is celebrated with freshness, precision and a persistent mineral character.

La Grande Montagne is a Premier Cru climat of Chassagne-Montrachet in Burgundy's Côte de Beaune. The vineyards of Chassagne sit on predominantly clay-limestone soils, providing Chardonnay with an exceptional balance of richness, structure and mineral tension.

The 2023 offers an inviting aromatic profile of ripe pear, citrus, yellow apple and white flowers, complemented by subtle notes of toasted almond, stone and gentle spice. On the palate, the wine is generous and layered, with beautifully textured Chardonnay fruit balanced by bright acidity and an underlying mineral backbone. The finish is long, focused and elegant, with lingering citrus, saline and lightly nutty nuances.

Lucien Le Moine is the tiny Beaune-based micro-négociant founded by Mounir Saouma and Rotem Brakin in 1999. Production is exceptionally limited, often amounting to only one to three barrels of an individual Cru. The wines are selected shortly after pressing and then raised entirely by Lucien Le Moine from the beginning of their élevage through bottling.

A defining element of the house style is extended aging on 100% of the lees. The wines remain on their lees throughout élevage without racking, allowing them to develop remarkable texture, complexity and depth. Bottling is performed by gravity, and the wines are neither fined nor filtered.

In La Grande Montagne, this distinctive approach brings an additional dimension of richness and breadth to the naturally mineral character of Chassagne-Montrachet. The result is a compelling Premier Cru with impressive presence today and the structure to develop beautifully with bottle age.

Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
Region: Burgundy, France
Subregion: Côte de Beaune
Appellation: Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru
Vineyard: La Grande Montagne
Vintage: 2023
Size: 750ml

Food Pairing: Beautiful with lobster, scallops, roasted or grilled fish, poultry, veal, creamy mushroom dishes and rich seafood preparations. It is also an excellent match for aged Comté, Gruyère and other firm, nutty cheeses.

Serving: Serve lightly chilled rather than ice cold to allow the wine's texture and aromatics to emerge. Lucien Le Moine recommends decanting its wines, including the whites, so that naturally retained CO2 from the long élevage can dissipate and the wine can fully open.

Premier Cru Chablis with remarkable depth, energy and mineral precision.

Lucien Le Moine Chablis 1er Cru Mont de Milieu 2023 is a distinctive expression of Chardonnay from one of Chablis' most highly regarded Premier Cru vineyards. Situated southeast of the Grand Cru hill, Mont de Milieu enjoys excellent exposure and generous sunshine, producing wines that combine the unmistakable mineral character of Chablis with impressive richness and power.

The 2023 opens with an expressive and slightly exotic aromatic profile of white peach, citrus peel, jasmine tea and delicate floral notes. The palate is concentrated and beautifully textured, with excellent mid-palate density, vibrant freshness and a pronounced mineral backbone. Despite its richness, the wine remains precise and focused, leading into a long, balanced and distinctly bone-dry finish.

Powerful · Mineral · White Peach · Citrus · Floral · Bone-Dry

Lucien Le Moine is the small, highly regarded Burgundy house founded by Mounir and Rotem Saouma in Beaune. Working with carefully selected wines from exceptional vineyards throughout Burgundy, the domaine is known for long élevage, minimal intervention and an uncompromising approach designed to allow each vineyard and vintage to reveal its individual character.

Mont de Milieu's combination of warmth, limestone-rich Chablis terroir and Premier Cru pedigree gives this wine both immediate aromatic appeal and the structure to develop beautifully with time. An impressive Chablis for drinking alongside seafood, oysters, lobster, scallops, grilled fish, roast poultry and creamy cheeses.

Expert Rating

BURGHOUND 93 POINTS:  There is a cool exoticism to the nose of jasmine tea, orange peel, white peach and just enough Chablis character to be persuasive. There is excellent volume and mid-palate density to the solidly powerful and sappy medium-bodied flavors that conclude in a bone-dry, long and balanced finale. This also needs to develop better depth but given the potential aging curve, that should not be an issue. 91-93

Varietal: Chardonnay
Region: Burgundy, France
Appellation: Chablis Premier Cru
Vineyard: Mont de Milieu
Vintage: 2023
Bottle Size: 750ml

Another classic expression from Bodegas Alejandro Fernández, Condado de Haza delivers richness and structure while maintaining freshness. Aromas of ripe blackberries and plums are layered with notes of tobacco, vanilla, cedar, and spice. The palate is full-bodied and generous, with firm tannins and a long, savory finish. A natural pairing for roasted lamb, braised beef, grilled sausages, or Manchego cheese. - Oscar Garcia Moncada, 67 Wine Buyer

Rich, polished and classically Ribera del Duero. Condado de Haza Crianza 2022 is made from 100% Tempranillo and offers a beautifully balanced combination of ripe dark fruit, savory spice, gentle tannins and well-integrated American oak.

The wine opens with aromas of ripe blackberry, plum and red berry fruit layered with notes of licorice, black pepper, vanilla, toast and subtle roasted coffee. On the palate, it is fleshy and silky, with fresh acidity, smooth tannins and a generous core of dark fruit leading into a long, elegant finish.

The 2022 vintage was aged for 14 months in American oak barrels, followed by additional bottle aging before release. The oak brings warmth, spice and complexity while preserving the freshness and fruit-driven character of the Tempranillo.

About Condado de Haza

Condado de Haza is part of Familia Fernández Rivera, the renowned winemaking family behind Tinto Pesquera. The estate is located along the banks of the Duero River and works with its own Tempranillo vineyards in the heart of Ribera del Duero.

The vineyards sit at approximately 800 meters in elevation, where the region's dramatic day-to-night temperature shifts help preserve freshness while encouraging full phenolic ripeness. The result is a classic Ribera style combining concentration, structure and elegance.

Tasting Notes

• Grape: 100% Tempranillo
• Region: Ribera del Duero, Spain
• Aging: 14 months in American oak, followed by bottle aging
• Alcohol: 14.5%
• Style: Full-bodied, silky, structured and balanced
• Flavors: Blackberry, plum, red berries, licorice, black pepper, vanilla, toast and coffee

Food Pairing

A natural partner for roasted lamb, braised beef, grilled steak, roast pork and hearty rice dishes. It also pairs beautifully with grilled sausages, Manchego and other aged Spanish cheeses.

A Sonoma Chardonnay of quiet authority. Myrna opens with bright notes of white peach, toasted hazelnut, and Meyer lemon zest, before settling into a creamy mid-palate threaded with vanilla and fresh oak. The finish is focused and clean — a wine that earns its scores without announcing them.

Blend: 100% Chardonnay
Appellation: Sonoma County, California, USA
Vintage: 2019
Format: 750ml

Far Mountain Winery is a small-production estate tucked into the hills of the Santa Cruz Mountains, with fruit sourced from select Sonoma vineyards. Winemaker Tom Rice brings a minimalist touch to every bottle — native yeast fermentation, careful barrel selection, and a commitment to letting the vineyard speak for itself. Myrna is their flagship Chardonnay, named in tribute to a beloved mentor, and it shows the kind of personal investment that only small, passionate producers can deliver.

Unoaked and unapologetic, Steel Chardonnay is Louis Jadot's love letter to the pure, mineral soul of Burgundy. Citrus, mandarin orange, white flower, pear, and crisp apple lead on the nose, while the palate delivers a surprisingly concentrated balance — delicate yet rich, with flinty chalk-and-limestone minerality running clean through the finish.

Blend: 100% Chardonnay
Appellation: Burgundy, France
Vintage: 2024
Format: 750ml

For nearly 200 years, Maison Louis Jadot has championed Burgundy's viticultural heritage across hundreds of carefully tended parcels. Steel Chardonnay is vinified entirely in stainless steel — no oak, no malolactic fermentation — to let the minerality of Mâconnais chalk and limestone soils speak without interruption. The result is a wine that is fresh, food-friendly, and effortlessly elegant.

For those looking to experience the Vincent Paris style at a lower price point, Granit 30 is another exceptional find.

Named for the approximately 30-degree slopes on which its Syrah grows, Granit 30 offers a beautifully expressive introduction to Paris' Cornas: dark fruit, pepper, mineral character and the unmistakable granitic personality of the appellation.

It delivers the combination that makes Vincent Paris so compelling — Cornas intensity without heaviness, plenty of Northern Rhône character, and remarkable freshness and precision.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2024

96 Points James Suckling: A profound nose of cherries, crushed raspberries, roasted meat, cigar box, black pepper, warm spices and some bark and leather. Medium- to full-bodied with fine tannins. Expansive and spherical. Ample but refined in texture, with perfectly integrated structure at the edges and a vibrant, focused midpalate showing a bright, stony and peppery dimension. Quite spectacular for the vintage, with a very long, flinty finish. Drink or hold.

96 Points Jeb Dunnuck: Brilliant aromatics of blue fruits, fig, blood orange, pepper, and violet notes emerge from the medium-bodied 2024 Cornas La Geynale, which has a concentrated mouthfeel, building, ripe tannins, and a gorgeous finish. This reminds me of a great vintage of Clape Cornas! It sees a lot more stems and comes from the oldest vines of the estate, and it's going to need 4-5 years of bottle age. It's up there with the crème de la crème of the vintage. Barrel Sample: 94-96

95 Points Vinous:  The 2024 Cornas La Geynale hails from the glass with intense peppercorn, crushed rocks, fleshy tones and precisely ripe blackberry. Dried violets and earthy tones add more aromatic layers. Built like a skyscraper, the 2024 is a serious La Geynale in the making, lifting the finish with stupendous vitality. I can't wait to taste it once it's bottled. Barrel Sample: 93-95

Granit 30 is Vincent Paris’ vibrant, approachable expression of Cornas, produced from relatively young Syrah vines planted at both the lower and upper reaches of the appellation, from approximately 100 to 400 meters in elevation. The fruit comes in part from the Patou sector, where vines grow in decomposed granite soils at the base of the hillside, giving the wine freshness, finesse and an unmistakable mineral character.

Because the vines are younger than those used for Paris’ more powerful Cornas bottlings, the grapes are fully destemmed before fermentation. The wine undergoes approximately three weeks of maceration with gentle extraction, followed by 12 months of aging in used barrels. This restrained approach keeps the emphasis on pure Syrah fruit, spice and the granitic personality of Cornas rather than oak.

The 2024 Granit 30 shows a deep red color with aromas of blackberry and other dark fruits layered with black pepper, savory spice and subtle earthy notes. The palate is juicy and energetic, with ripe fruit, peppery complexity and supple, well-coated tannins.

Compared with Vincent Paris’ more structured Granit 60 and La Geynale bottlings, Granit 30 is especially inviting in its youth. It offers plenty of classic Cornas character—dark Syrah fruit, spice, freshness and mineral drive—while remaining polished, balanced and remarkably easy to enjoy.

The finish is long and savory, with lingering pepper, dark fruit and granite-derived freshness. It can be enjoyed relatively young for its exuberant fruit and supple texture, yet it has enough structure and balance to develop beautifully for more than a decade.

An excellent introduction to both Vincent Paris and the Cornas appellation, Granit 30 delivers genuine Northern Rhône character with impressive purity, freshness and value.

Producer: Domaine Vincent Paris
Vintage: 2024
Region: Northern Rhône, France
Appellation: Cornas AOC
Grape: 100% Syrah
Vineyards: Parcels at the lower and upper slopes of Cornas
Elevation: Approximately 100–400 meters
Soil: Granite and decomposed granite
Vinification: 100% destemmed; approximately three-week maceration with gentle extraction
Aging: 12 months in used oak barrels
Style: Dark-fruited, peppery, fresh and supple
Cellaring: Delicious young; capable of aging for 10+ years

Latour Vincent Meursault "Clos des Magny" 2024 is an elegant and beautifully focused white Burgundy from Domaine Vincent Latour, the historic Meursault estate now run by Vincent Latour and his wife, Cécile. Formerly known as Domaine Latour-Labille, the domaine traces its history back to 1792 and has become known for Chardonnay that balances generous texture with freshness, tension and precision.

Clos des Magny comes from a 0.93-hectare parcel planted between 1979 and 1983, situated just below the village of Meursault. These mature vines provide naturally concentrated fruit while retaining the freshness and mineral character that define classic Meursault.

The wine is fermented and aged in demi-muids on the lees for approximately 12 months, without lees stirring. Vincent Latour favors this restrained approach to élevage, allowing the wine to gain depth and texture from its time on the lees while preserving clarity, energy and a strong sense of terroir.

The 2024 Clos des Magny offers the richness expected from Meursault while remaining beautifully poised. Aromas of ripe pear, yellow apple, citrus and white flowers are joined by subtle mineral and gently savory notes. The palate is supple and layered, with a creamy texture balanced by bright acidity and a fine mineral backbone.

As the wine opens, additional notes of orchard fruit, lemon zest, hazelnut and delicate spice may emerge, leading into a long, refined finish. The absence of lees stirring helps maintain freshness and definition, giving the wine an appealing combination of Meursault richness and precise, energetic structure.

Clos des Magny is an excellent example of Vincent Latour's style: expressive and textural without becoming heavy, with the fruit, élevage and mineral character working seamlessly together. It is delicious now with a little air, yet has the concentration and balance to develop additional complexity with bottle age.

Producer: Domaine Vincent Latour
Grape: Chardonnay
Region: Côte de Beaune, Burgundy, France
Appellation: Meursault
Vineyard: Clos des Magny
Vintage: 2024
Parcel Size: Approximately 0.93 hectare
Vine Age: Planted between 1979 and 1983
Élevage: Fermented and aged in demi-muids on the lees for 12 months; no lees stirring
Bottle Size: 750ml

Pairing: Beautiful with scallops, lobster, grilled or roasted fish, roast chicken, creamy poultry dishes, mushroom risotto, veal, soft-ripened cheeses and aged Comté.

Latour Vincent Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Morgeot 2024 is a serious, beautifully structured white Burgundy from Domaine Vincent Latour, the historic Meursault estate run by Vincent Latour and his wife, Cécile. The domaine traces its origins to 1792 and is known for producing Chardonnay with richness and texture while preserving freshness, tension and precision.

This wine comes from a small 0.25-hectare parcel in Morgeot Premier Cru, one of the most important and historically recognized Premier Cru sectors of Chassagne-Montrachet. The vines were planted in 1956 and 1994, bringing together the concentration and complexity of mature vines with the energy and balance characteristic of this celebrated Côte de Beaune terroir.

The wine is fermented and aged in demi-muids on the lees for approximately 12 months, without lees stirring. Vincent Latour's restrained approach to élevage allows the natural power of Morgeot to develop while maintaining clarity, freshness and definition rather than emphasizing oak or excessive richness.

The 2024 shows the broad, generous personality associated with Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru, with layers of ripe orchard fruit, citrus, subtle white flowers and mineral notes. The palate is concentrated and textured, yet balanced by lively acidity and a firm mineral backbone. Delicate savory and lightly toasted nuances add complexity, leading into a long, polished and persistent finish.

Morgeot is particularly known for producing white wines with depth, breadth and impressive aging potential. Latour's old-vine parcel and careful vinification give this bottling both immediate appeal and the structure to develop additional complexity with time in the cellar.

A compelling Premier Cru for collectors and Burgundy enthusiasts, this is an excellent example of Chassagne-Montrachet's combination of power, elegance and mineral precision.

Producer: Domaine Vincent Latour
Grape: Chardonnay
Region: Côte de Beaune, Burgundy, France
Appellation: Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru
Vineyard: Morgeot 1er Cru
Vintage: 2024
Parcel Size: Approximately 0.25 hectare
Vine Age: Plantings from 1956 and 1994
Élevage: Fermented and aged in demi-muids on the lees for 12 months; no lees stirring
Bottle Size: 750ml

Pairing: Excellent with lobster, scallops, roasted or grilled fish, halibut, turbot, roast chicken, veal in cream sauce, mushroom dishes, risotto, aged Comté and other rich, savory cheeses.

93 Points James Suckling: Limes, pears, white flowers and wet stones on the nose. Open and balanced, with good acidity and a chalky texture. Approachable now, but better in 2028.

Old-Vine Chablis with Depth, Ripe Fruit and Chalky Minerality
Patrick Piuze's 2025 Chablis "Terroir de Courgis" is a distinctive village-level Chablis from a single vineyard on the Left Bank of the Serein. Planted in 1937, the old Chardonnay vines grow in clay-rich topsoil over classic Kimmeridgian limestone bedrock, producing one of the richest and most generously textured wines in Piuze's Terroir series.

The greater proportion of clay found on the Left Bank contributes weight, texture and ripe fruit, while the underlying limestone provides the freshness, chalky structure and mineral character that define classic Chablis. Piuze vinifies the Terroir wines in tank rather than barrel, keeping the focus firmly on fruit, freshness and vineyard expression.

Tasting Notes
Expressive and beautifully balanced, the 2025 Terroir de Courgis offers aromas of fresh lime, ripe pear and white flowers layered with wet stone and mineral notes. The palate is open and generous, showing juicy orchard and stone fruit balanced by lively acidity and a distinctly chalky texture. Fuller and rounder than many of Piuze's other village Chablis bottlings, it nevertheless retains excellent freshness and a clean, mineral-driven finish.

Grape: 100% Chardonnay
Country: France
Region: Burgundy
Subregion: Chablis
Appellation: Chablis
Village/Terroir: Courgis
Vintage: 2025
Producer: Patrick Piuze
Vineyard: Single vineyard
Vine Age: Planted in 1937
Soil: Clay topsoil over Kimmeridgian limestone bedrock
Farming: Sustainable
Fermentation: Spontaneous fermentation
Vinification & Aging: Fermented and aged in tank
Bottle Size: 750ml

About Terroir de Courgis
Courgis lies on the Left Bank of the Serein, an area of Chablis where the soils generally contain more clay than those of the Right Bank. This additional clay tends to produce wines with greater breadth, richness and ripe fruit while preserving the underlying limestone-driven freshness and minerality of Chablis.

Patrick Piuze's Terroir de Courgis comes from a single vineyard planted in 1937. Among his village-level Terroir bottlings, Courgis is typically the most substantial and weighty, characterized by ripe, juicy fruit and a generous texture balanced by classic Chablis acidity and minerality.

About Patrick Piuze
Canadian-born Patrick Piuze has become one of the most distinctive winemakers in Chablis, building his reputation through a remarkable collection of vineyard-specific wines. Rather than blending away the differences between sites, Piuze emphasizes individual terroirs, allowing each village and vineyard to express its own personality.

His cellar approach is deliberately low intervention. Fermentations occur spontaneously, and the village-level Terroir wines are fermented and aged primarily in older stainless-steel tanks. Malolactic fermentation occurs naturally, and the wines receive only gentle filtration before bottling. The result is a transparent style of Chablis focused on freshness, texture, minerality and sense of place.

Food Pairing
Excellent with oysters, clams, crab, scallops, shrimp, sushi and sashimi, grilled or roasted white fish, roast chicken and creamy seafood dishes. The additional richness of Courgis also makes it an excellent match for richer shellfish preparations, poultry and soft cheeses.

Cellaring
Already approachable for its generous fruit and open texture, but its acidity and mineral structure should allow it to develop additional complexity with bottle age. James Suckling suggests it will be even better beginning in 2028. ```

Terre de Vertus is one of Larmandier-Bernier's most celebrated single-terroir Champagnes — a vintage Blanc de Blancs drawn entirely from Chardonnay grown in the Premier Cru village of Vertus. The fruit comes from two plots within the Les Barillers lieu-dit, situated mid-slope with a southeast exposure, a site the estate has vinified separately since 1995. Farmed biodynamically and fermented spontaneously with indigenous yeasts in old oak casks and large wooden foudres, the wine rests on its lees through winter before undergoing secondary fermentation in bottle and more than five years of additional lees aging. The 2017 was disgorged in May 2023 with zero dosage — no sugar added — preserving the vineyard's exceptionally pure, dry and mineral expression.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2017

93 Wine Advocate: "The 2017 Brut Nature Blanc de Blancs Terre de Vertus imparts a very mineral, almost crystalline character. A vineyard that rarely produces powerful wines, even in the context of 2017, it has retained its personality, though it's a little more generous and slightly less focused than the 2016 rendition. Unfurling from the glass with aromas of lemon peel, honeysuckle and oyster shell, it is medium-bodied, racy and saline-tinged."

93 Vinous: "Creamy, open-knit and quite seductive. Readers will find a generous, sensual Champagne with plenty of early appeal. Dried pear, crushed flowers, mint and chamomile build beautifully over time. This is a fine effort in a very challenging year."

Tasting Notes

Precise, expressive and intensely mineral. The nose opens with lemon peel, dried pear and delicate floral notes, followed by honeysuckle, mint, chamomile and a distinctive oyster-shell salinity. The palate is creamy and generous yet beautifully energized — fine acidity and a taut mineral backbone carry through to a finish that is dry, racy, saline and exceptionally pure. Oak fermentation lends supple texture; zero dosage ensures nothing stands between you and the terroir of Vertus.

Food Pairing

An exceptional partner for oysters and shellfish, sashimi, sushi, scallops, grilled or roasted white fish, lobster, roast poultry and aged cheeses. Its saline character and zero dosage make it especially compelling alongside seafood and dishes built around fresh herbs or citrus.

Specifications

Grape Variety: Chardonnay (100%)
Country: France
Region: Champagne
Sub-Region: Côte des Blancs
Village: Vertus
Classification: Premier Cru
Style: Blanc de Blancs / Brut Nature / Non Dosé
Dosage: 0 g/L — Zero Dosage
Vintage: 2017
Vineyard: Les Barillers lieu-dit
Farming: Biodynamic
Fermentation: Indigenous yeasts in old oak casks and large wooden foudres
Aging: 5+ years on the lees in bottle
Disgorgement: May 2023
ABV: 12%
Bottle Size: 750ml
Producer: Larmandier-Bernier

Longitude is Larmandier-Bernier's chalk-driven, Premier Cru Blanc de Blancs — a wine of remarkable precision and mineral energy that captures the essence of the Côte des Blancs. Made entirely from Chardonnay grown along the celebrated north-to-south line of villages near the 4th meridian — Vertus, Oger, Avize, Cramant and Chouilly — the wine takes its name from this near-straight longitudinal axis of vineyards. Where the estate's Latitude is broad and generous, Longitude is linear, taut and intensely mineral.

The 2021-based release is composed of approximately 60% wine from the cool, energetic 2021 vintage together with 40% from the estate's perpetual reserve, established in 2004. Grapes are gently pressed before undergoing spontaneous alcoholic and malolactic fermentation with indigenous yeasts, then fermented and matured in wood on their natural lees without fining or filtration. After blending and tirage, the Champagne undergoes extended bottle maturation before disgorgement in April 2024 with a dosage of just 2 g/L — firmly Extra Brut.

Expert Reviews

93 Decanter: "There's an extra dash of mineral energy and zesty length in this cuvée. Subtly creamy and peppery, yet fulsome in white peach, pear and lemon oil, it gains a savoury, umami depth from 40% addition of perpetual reserve. Always a model non-vintage blanc de blancs."

92 Jeb Dunnuck: "More focus and a compact, linear drive from more chalky soils, with notes of lemon candy, Anjou pear, and a very pretty floral perfume. Medium-bodied, it has a refreshing and fine mousse, with pleasing lift and a clean finish."

92 Wine Advocate: "A considerable increase in intensity and tension compared to Latitude. Medium-bodied, taut and incisive in personality. Offers aromas of white flowers, citrus fruit and oyster shell. Tangy acidity, informed by the long and cool growing season, with mineral-laden undertones, leads to a chalky, long-lasting finish."

92 Wine Spectator: "Hints of lime blossom and pink grapefruit sorbet are a citrusy thread through this sleek, finely knit Champagne. It's racy and lightly spiced, with flavors of yellow plum and chalky mineral set on the delicate mousse."

Tasting Notes

Bright, focused and intensely mineral, the 2021-based Longitude opens with white flowers, fresh citrus, green apple and subtle oyster-shell notes. The palate is taut and energetic — tangy acidity framed by chalk, crushed stone, citrus peel and a delicate saline character. Elegant rather than broad, it finishes long, dry and exceptionally precise. This is classic Côte des Blancs Chardonnay: pure, linear and refreshing, with enough depth from the perpetual reserve to add complexity without sacrificing the wine's crystalline personality.

Food Pairing

An outstanding aperitif and a natural partner for oysters, shellfish, sashimi, sushi, grilled white fish, scallops, fresh goat cheese and delicate poultry dishes.

Specifications

Grape Variety: Chardonnay (100%)
Country: France
Region: Champagne
Sub-Region: Côte des Blancs
Villages: Vertus, Oger, Avize, Cramant, Chouilly
Classification: Premier Cru
Style: Blanc de Blancs / Extra Brut
Dosage: 2 g/L — Extra Brut
Base Vintage: 2021
Blend: ~60% 2021 base wine, 40% perpetual reserve (est. 2004)
Farming: Biodynamic / organic
Fermentation: Indigenous yeasts; spontaneous alcoholic and malolactic fermentation; aged in wood on lees
Disgorgement: April 2024
ABV: 12%
Bottle Size: 750ml
Producer: Larmandier-Bernier

Deep Down is a boutique Marlborough producer founded by Clive Dougall and Peter Lorimer — two passionate advocates for organic viticulture, honest winemaking, and wines that genuinely reflect their place of origin. Their philosophy is simple and uncompromising: small batch, single vineyard, wild ferment wines crafted with minimal intervention and maximum transparency. Low or no additions, no shortcuts, and a deep respect for the land and the people who farm it. Deep Down is, as they put it, about trusting intuition, calling time, and taking flight.

The Sauvignon Blanc is sourced from a single certified organic vineyard in Marlborough — New Zealand's most celebrated wine region, situated at the northern tip of the South Island. Marlborough's long, sunny days, cool nights, and free-draining stony soils are the ideal conditions for Sauvignon Blanc of exceptional aromatic intensity and natural freshness. Farming organically here is both a commitment and a statement of intent: the vineyard is managed with care and respect, allowing the terroir to express itself without chemical interference.

Vinification follows Deep Down's signature approach: wild fermentation with indigenous yeasts, minimal additions (sulphites, yeast nutrient, clarification enzyme, and bentonite only), and small batch production that allows for close attention at every stage. The result is a Sauvignon Blanc that diverges from the category's typical tropical fruit template — more textured, more complex, and more distinctly its own.

The 2024 opens with an aromatic and distinctive nose of lemon-peel confit, orange blossom, rose petals, and flint, with a wild meadow of herbs and flowers. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied with focused acidity, generous texture, and notes of passionfruit curd, puff pastry, and lavender. A slightly oxidative, yeasty quality adds complexity and depth — this is a Sauvignon Blanc for those who want something more than the obvious.

"Aromas of lemon-peel confit, orange blossoms, rose petals and flint. The medium-bodied palate has focused acidity, generous texture and notes of passion-fruit curd, puff pastry and lavender. Wonderfully constructed with a floral edge. From organically grown grapes."
— James Suckling, 93 Points (Vintage 2024). 

"A distinctive Savvy B from a small batch producer… A slightly oxidative apple cider character mingles with yeasty, nutty, hay-like aromas and a wild meadow of herbs and flowers. The palate is more muted, the focus primarily on the gently slippery texture, the gentle acidity and bruised orchard fruit and floral flavors."
— Wine Enthusiast, 90 Points. (Vintage 2024). 

Grape: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Marlborough, New Zealand
Vintage: 2024
Farming: Certified Organic
Vinification: Wild ferment, single vineyard, small batch
Closure: Screwcap
Bottle Size: 750ml

Pairing: Fresh oysters, grilled fish, goat cheese, herb-forward salads, and light vegetable dishes. Serve well chilled.

From the Troesmes sub-climat of Chablis Premier Cru Beauroy, this organically farmed wine reflects the limestone-rich terroir of one of Burgundy’s celebrated white wine regions. Located northwest of the village of Chablis, within the communes of Poinchy and Beine, Beauroy encompasses three sub-climats: Beauroy, Côte de Savant, and Troesmes.

The gently sloping vineyards face south to southeast, with shallow topsoil over Kimmeridgian limestone and white clay. Isabelle and Denis Pommier farm organically and work the soils manually. Grapes are harvested into small 15-kilogram cases and pressed immediately.

Alcoholic and malolactic fermentation take place equally in tank and neutral oak barrels of varying ages. The wine then spends 18 months on its lees, with two-thirds aged in tank and one-third in oak.

Vineyard & Winemaking

• Appellation: Chablis Premier Cru
• Vineyard: Troesmes, within the Beauroy climat
• Exposure: South to southeast
• Soils: Kimmeridgian limestone and white clay with shallow topsoil
• Viticulture: Organic farming; soils worked manually
• Fermentation: Alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in 50% tank and 50% neutral oak barrels
• Aging: 18 months on the lees in two-thirds tank and one-third oak

Isabelle et Denis Pommier Chablis 1er Cru Troesmes Organic 2023

Château Bel Orme Tronquoy-de-Lalande is one of the Haut-Médoc's most storied family estates, with origins dating to the late 18th century. The property was designed in 1750 by Victor Louis — the celebrated architect of the Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux — and acquired its full name when the Tronquoy-de-Lalande family elevated the vineyard to prominence in the 19th century. In 1936, Lucienne Quié famously chose this charming manor overlooking the Gironde estuary over Château Pichon Baron, and the estate has remained in the Quié family ever since. Today, the third generation — Anne-Françoise, Jean-Philippe, and Paul-Henri — stewards the property with the same passion and commitment to quality, and since 2012 the estate has been united in destiny with Château Rauzan-Gassies. The Château holds the prestigious Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant label, awarded in spring 2024 in recognition of its commitment to ecologically sound agriculture.

The estate's 30-hectare vineyard sits on the finest hillsides of the village of Saint-Seurin-de-Cadourne, within a Natura 2000 biodiversity site on the banks of the Gironde. The vineyard is planted with 65% Merlot and 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, farmed according to virtuous, sustainable agriculture with parcel-specific soil management. Clay soils lend the Merlot roundness and vivid, savoury fruit, while drier, draining soils allow the Cabernet Sauvignon to reach optimal maturity with ripe, velvety tannins — the authentic signature of Haut-Médoc.

Each parcel is vinified individually with meticulous attention to terroir expression. The wine is crafted to reflect the natural character of the vintage and the estate's distinctive clay-gravel soils, with careful extraction to build structure without sacrificing freshness or elegance.

The 2020 opens with aromas of blackberries, graphite, and black currant, precise and focused. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied with compressed, chewy tannins that are fine and structured, showing excellent concentration and length. A serious, cellar-worthy Haut-Médoc from an outstanding vintage that rewards patience.

"A chewy and tight wine with blackberries, graphite and currant aromas and flavors. Medium body. Compressed and solid with chewy tannins that are focused and fine. Give it two or three years to open. Drink after 2025."
— James Suckling, 92 Points. (Vintage 2020). 

Grape: Merlot 65%, Cabernet Sauvignon 35%
Region: Bordeaux, France
Appellation: Haut-Médoc
Vintage: 2020
Vineyard: Saint-Seurin-de-Cadourne, 30 hectares
Bottle Size: 750ml

Pairing: Roast lamb, duck confit, braised short ribs, game, aged hard cheeses, and classic Bordelaise preparations.

Château d'Arvigny is a well-regarded estate in the Haut-Médoc appellation, situated on the left bank of the Gironde between the prestigious communes of Margaux and Saint-Julien. The estate benefits from the deep gravel soils that define the finest terroirs of the Haut-Médoc — soils that drain freely, warm quickly, and encourage the deep root systems that produce wines of natural finesse and character. The property is committed to responsible viticulture, following integrated farming practices that prioritize quality and environmental respect.

The blend is led by Cabernet Sauvignon (60%), complemented by Merlot (30%) and Cabernet Franc (10%) — a classic Bordeaux assemblage that delivers the structure and aromatic complexity the Haut-Médoc is known for. Each variety is vinified separately before blending, allowing the winemaking team to select the best lots for the final wine.

The 2022 vintage is one of the finest in recent Bordeaux memory — a warm, dry growing season that produced grapes of exceptional ripeness, concentration, and natural balance. The wines of 2022 are characterized by ripe, generous fruit, supple tannins, and excellent structure, making them approachable young while retaining the depth to evolve with time.

The 2022 d'Arvigny is soft, supple, and fruit-forward, with inviting aromas and flavors of red berries, plum, and gentle spice. On the palate, the wine is smooth and elegant with soft tannins and well-balanced acidity — a polished, approachable Haut-Médoc that delivers genuine Bordeaux character at an accessible price.

Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon 60%, Merlot 30%, Cabernet Franc 10%
Region: Bordeaux, France
Appellation: Haut-Médoc
Vintage: 2022
Bottle Size: 750ml

Pairing: Roast lamb, grilled beef, duck, mushroom dishes, and aged hard cheeses. Drink now or cellar through 2030.

Marqués de Vitoria is a distinguished Rioja producer with a long tradition of crafting wines that express the classic character of the D.O.Ca. Rioja appellation. The estate is committed to producing wines of elegance, balance, and longevity, drawing on the region's exceptional terroir and time-honored winemaking techniques to create Tempranillo-based wines of real depth and refinement.

The Rioja Reserva is sourced from select vineyards within the D.O.Ca. Rioja, where Tempranillo thrives in the region's continental climate — warm summers, cold winters, and the moderating influence of the Cantabrian Mountains and the Ebro River. The combination of clay-limestone soils and carefully managed yields produces grapes of concentration and aromatic complexity.

Following harvest, the wine is aged for a minimum of 24 months in a combination of French and American oak barrels, developing the spice, vanilla, and toasted notes that are hallmarks of classic Rioja Reserva. The wine then continues to evolve in bottle before release, ensuring harmony and integration at the time of purchase.

The 2018 Reserva shows a clean, bright cherry-red color developing to maroon. On the nose, complex and intense aromas of ripe plums, cherries, creamy vanilla, and hazelnut are interwoven with spice and well-integrated barrel notes. The palate is medium-bodied, round, and fluid — with dusty, refined tannins, bright acidity, and a long, elegant finish of sweet vanilla spice, succulent plums, and red berries. A beautifully balanced and approachable Reserva.

"A juicy Rioja showing some creamy vanilla and hazelnut characters to the savory plums and cherries. Medium body with round, dusty tannins and a long, bright finish showing plenty of sweet vanilla spices, succulent plums and red berries at the end. Fluid and elegant."
— Zekun Shuai, James Suckling, 92 Points. (Vintage 2018).

Grape: Tempranillo
Region: Rioja, Spain
Appellation: D.O.Ca. Rioja Reserva
Vintage: 2018
Élevage: Minimum 24 months in French and American oak barrels
Bottle Size: 750ml

Pairing: Roast and grilled meats, lamb, mushroom rice, tuna, cod, and medium-aged cheeses such as Emmental or Gruyère.

Domaine Graeme & Julie Bott Côte-Rôtie 2020 is a beautifully expressive Northern Rhône Syrah that combines the power and savory complexity of Côte-Rôtie with the domaine's signature elegance and finesse. Produced in extremely limited quantities, this is a refined, age-worthy wine with dark fruit, floral perfume, spice and beautifully polished tannins.

The fruit comes from approximately 40-year-old Syrah vines planted on the schist soils of the Côte Brune in Ampuis. These steep, rocky vineyards are at the heart of Côte-Rôtie and give the wine remarkable intensity, structure and mineral character.

Expert Ratings

94 Points — Vinous

Glistening ruby. Spice- and mineral-accented cherry and black raspberry scents are complemented by suggestions of pipe tobacco, violet, smoky bacon and exotic spices. Densely packed and subtly chewy in texture, offering appealingly sweet, spice-tinged red and dark berry and floral pastille flavors that are supported by an undercurrent of juicy acidity. The mineral note returns on a very long, penetrating finish that features polished tannins and resonating florality.

93 Points — Wine Spectator

Shows seductive violet, crushed plum and spice notes that mingle on the palate, grounded by balsamic and olive tapenade. The dry finish, with power that builds, is marked with a dusting of white pepper. Drink now through 2030.

93 Points — James Suckling

Dark cherries, plums, black olives, grilled meat, earth and cloves on the nose. Medium to full body with fine tannins. Serious and well-balanced with a restrained power and a lively finish with excellent length.

92 Points — Jeb Dunnuck

I loved the 2020 Côte Rôtie, another terrific effort here. Giving up lots of ripe black and blue fruits as well as spring flowers and bouquet garni-like notes, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, has ripe, sweet tannins, and a great finish.

Winemaking

The grapes are harvested by hand and carefully sorted both in the vineyard and again upon arrival at the winery. Approximately 80% of the fruit is destemmed before a cold maceration in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks. Fermentation begins naturally with indigenous yeasts, followed by 18 months of aging in French oak barrels.

Production is exceptionally small, at approximately 1,200 bottles, making this a particularly limited expression of Côte-Rôtie.

Tasting Notes

Deep ruby with violet reflections, the 2020 Côte-Rôtie offers an expressive aromatic profile of ripe blackberry, dark cherry and plum layered with violet, cracked pepper and savory spice. Subtle notes of olive, smoked meat and earthy minerality add classic Northern Rhône complexity.

The palate is full and concentrated yet remarkably supple, with ripe dark fruit framed by firm, silky tannins and fresh acidity. Peppery spice and mineral notes carry through the long, elegant finish, giving the wine both immediate appeal and excellent potential for further development in the cellar.

About Domaine Graeme & Julie Bott

Graeme and Julie Bott met while working at the renowned Northern Rhône estate of Stéphane Ogier before establishing their own domaine. Beginning with a small cellar in their garage, they gradually planted vineyards in Côte-Rôtie, Condrieu, Saint-Joseph and Seyssuel.

Today, working from their cellar in Ampuis, their philosophy centers on allowing the Northern Rhône's schist and granite terroirs to speak clearly through the wines. Production remains deliberately small, with an emphasis on balance, purity and finesse.

Food Pairing

An excellent partner for grilled or roasted beef, ribeye steak, rack of lamb, braised lamb, duck and slow-cooked game. Its savory, peppery character also pairs beautifully with mushrooms, lentils, roasted root vegetables and dishes featuring rosemary, thyme or black pepper.

Wine Details

• Producer: Domaine Graeme & Julie Bott
• Vintage: 2020
• Country: France
• Region: Northern Rhône
• Appellation: Côte-Rôtie AOC
• Vineyard Location: Ampuis, Côte Brune
• Grape: Syrah
• Vine Age: Approximately 40 years
• Soil: Schist
• Harvest: Hand harvested
• Vinification: Approximately 80% destemmed; indigenous yeast fermentation
• Aging: 18 months in French oak barrels
• Alcohol: 13%
• Production: Approximately 1,200 bottles
• Bottle Size: 750ml

Paul Bara Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut “L’Audacieuse” Grand Cru 2016 is a rare and daring Grower Champagne produced from 100% Chardonnay grown in the Grand Cru village of Bouzy in Champagne’s Montagne de Reims. Bouzy is celebrated primarily for its powerful Pinot Noir — making this pure Chardonnay cuvée an especially unusual and audacious expression of the village’s terroir.

The Chardonnay comes from the Mont des Tours vineyard, where Bouzy’s predominantly chalky soils provide excellent drainage and contribute freshness, precision and a pronounced mineral character. The name L’Audacieuse — “the audacious one” — reflects the house’s bold decision to produce a Blanc de Blancs from a terroir traditionally associated with Pinot Noir.

The 2016 vintage displays a luminous pale-gold color and a fine, persistent mousse. The expressive bouquet offers aromas of green apple, pear, white peach and fresh citrus, joined by delicate white flowers and chalky minerality. With air, more complex notes of fresh almond, brioche, dried herbs and subtle honey begin to emerge.

On the palate, L’Audacieuse is lively and precise, combining vibrant acidity with an elegant, gently creamy texture. Ripe orchard fruit and citrus are balanced by chalky tension and delicate autolytic complexity. The finish is long, clean and refined, with lingering saline and mineral notes that emphasize the purity of the Chardonnay.

The wine spent approximately eight years aging in bottle before release, allowing its freshness and fruit to develop greater depth, texture and complexity. Finished as an Extra Brut with a very low dosage of ~3 g/L, it remains dry, focused and beautifully expressive of its Grand Cru origins. Production of the 2016 vintage was extremely limited — only 3,935 numbered bottles produced.

Wine Details

• Producer: Paul Bara
• Cuvée: L’Audacieuse
• Style: Vintage Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut
• Vintage: 2016
• Country: France
• Region: Champagne
• Subregion: Montagne de Reims
• Village: Bouzy Grand Cru
• Vineyard: Mont des Tours
• Grape: 100% Chardonnay
• Dosage: Extra Brut, ~3 g/L
• Aging: ~8 years in bottle before release
• Alcohol: 12.5%
• Production: 3,935 numbered bottles
• Serving Temperature: 48–52°F

About Paul Bara

The Bara family has cultivated vines in Bouzy since the nineteenth century. Today, Champagne Paul Bara farms approximately 11 hectares divided among 33 parcels, all located within the Grand Cru village. The estate combines traditional craftsmanship with sustainable vineyard practices, producing Champagnes known for their structure, elegance and clear expression of Bouzy’s chalk-rich soils.

Why We Like It

L’Audacieuse is a genuinely rare bottle — a Blanc de Blancs from Bouzy, a village that almost never produces one. Eight years on the lees, a single vineyard source, and fewer than 4,000 bottles worldwide make this one of the most compelling and collectible Grower Champagnes we carry. For the serious Champagne lover, it is simply unmissable.

Food Pairings: Oysters, caviar, sashimi, scallops, lobster, grilled prawns, roasted sea bass, citrus-accented poultry, creamy risotto and aged goat cheese.

95 Points — Jeb Dunnuck
93 Points — James Suckling
93 Points — Wine Advocate

Ten years on the lees. One of Champagne's most patient cuvees. Geoffroy's 2015 Terre Millésime is produced only in selected years from the finest barrel and cask selections in Cumières Premier Cru — and held back a full decade before disgorgement. The result is a vintage Champagne of remarkable depth and harmony: ripe stone fruit, dried citrus peel, chalk and iodine, framed by a pillowy mousse and a long, crystalline saline finish. Disgorged July 2024 with zero dosage.

The Place

Cumières is a historic Premier Cru village in Champagne's Vallée de la Marne, situated west of Hautvillers and overlooking the Marne River. Its favorably exposed hillside vineyards are known for producing Champagnes with ripe fruit, vinous texture and expressive personality. Clay and limestone contribute richness and structure; underlying chalk preserves freshness and mineral definition.

The Geoffroy family has cultivated vines here since the 17th century, and Cumières remains the heart of the estate's identity and production.

The Terre Millésime Cuvee

Terre Millésime is Geoffroy's most ambitious and age-worthy cuvee — produced only in exceptional years and never released young. The assemblage is drawn from a selection of barrels and casks chosen through comprehensive tastings, and the composition varies by vintage. In 2015, the blend is 75% Pinot Noir and 25% Chardonnay.

Following secondary fermentation, the wine spends approximately ten years aging sur lattes before disgorgement. This extended lees contact develops a refined, complex mousse and layers of brioche, toasted nut, spice and savory mineral character that could not be achieved through shorter aging.

The wine is disgorged without dosage — 0 g/L — making it a true Brut Nature despite the Extra Brut designation on the label.

The 2015 Vintage

The 2015 growing season in Champagne was warm and generous, producing concentrated, expressive fruit with excellent natural ripeness. For Terre Millésime, the vintage delivered the depth, structure and aging potential required for a decade of lees maturation. The result is a wine with ripe stone fruit, mature citrus and a muscular yet fresh profile that Jeb Dunnuck describes as having "volume without weight."

Winemaking

The grapes are harvested by hand and carefully sorted. Gentle pressing selects only the finest juice. Fermentation and maturation take place in a combination of oak barrels and larger casks, contributing texture, complexity and a subtle oak influence that frames rather than dominates the wine.

After assemblage, the wine undergoes secondary fermentation in bottle and spends approximately ten years aging on its lees before disgorgement in July 2024. It is released without fining, filtration or dosage.

Tasting Notes

The 2015 Terre Millésime opens with an expressive bouquet of dried orange peel, apricot, crisp pear, ripe apple and spice, with a faint hint of sage and iodine. Notes of sea spray, toast and gentle oak emerge with air.

The palate is medium- to full-bodied and pillowy, with a rounded, fleshy mousse that fills the palate and enhances the wine's broader structure. Bright acidity and a taut, chalky core provide focus and tension, while the generous mid-palate delivers stone fruit, lemon and savory complexity. The finish is long, dry and mineral, with persistent crystalline salinity and lingering citrus, toast and chalk.

Professional Ratings

95 Points — Jeb Dunnuck: Ripe notes of apricot, black fruits, savory cologne, iodine, sea spray and toast. Medium to full-bodied with volume without weight and a long palate. A rounded mid-palate with a mousse that fleshes out and fills the palate. A touch more oak influence frames the wine while retaining freshness, with persistent crystalline salinity through the finish. They do not produce this cuvée every year, but when they do, they hold it back ten years before disgorgement. 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay. Disgorged July 2024. Drink 2025–2040.

93 Points — James Suckling: Spicy and expressive, with aromas of grapefruit, cedar, cloves and gingerbread. Firm, dry and vinous, with toasty layers and rounded bubbles. 75% Pinot Noir and 25% Chardonnay. Disgorged July 2024. Zero dosage. Drink now or hold.

93 Points — Wine Advocate: The most harmonious wine in Geoffroy's portfolio this year. As always, the product of barrel and cask selection based on comprehensive tastings, followed by extended maturation sur lattes. The assemblage is never identical year to year. In 2015: 75% Pinot Noir and 25% Chardonnay. Expressive bouquet of dried orange peel, apricot, crisp pear and spice with a faint hint of sage. Medium- to full-bodied and pillowy, with bright acidity and a taut, chalky core leading to a long, saline finish.

The Producer

The Geoffroy family has cultivated vineyards in Cumières since the 17th century. Today, Jean-Baptiste Geoffroy produces distinctive grower Champagnes emphasizing ripe fruit, individual vineyard expression, long cellar aging and restrained dosage. The estate farms approximately 14 hectares, with most vineyards in Cumières and additional parcels in neighboring Vallée de la Marne villages.

Food Pairing

An exceptional gastronomic Champagne for roast chicken, lobster, scallops, mushroom risotto, veal, pork tenderloin, duck and aged cheeses such as Comté, Gruyère or Parmesan. Its depth and saline finish also make it a natural partner for truffles, foie gras and richly sauced poultry dishes.

Serving and Cellaring

Serve at approximately 50–54°F in a tulip-shaped Champagne glass or generous white-wine glass. The 2015 is drinking beautifully now and should continue developing richer brioche, toasted-nut and savory complexity through 2040.

Producer: Champagne Geoffroy
Cuvée: Terre Millésime
Vintage: 2015
Country: France
Region: Champagne
Subregion: Vallée de la Marne
Village: Cumières Premier Cru
Classification: Premier Cru
Style: Vintage Extra Brut Champagne
Blend: 75% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay
Farming: Practicing organic and sustainability-focused
Harvest: Hand harvested and sorted
Lees Aging: Approximately 10 years
Disgorgement: July 2024
Dosage: 0 g/L (Brut Nature)
Wine Type: Dry sparkling wine
Bottle Size: 750ml