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Domaine de Beaurenard Côtes du Rhône — Southern Rhône, France 2024

Domaine de Beaurenard is one of the Southern Rhône’s most respected family estates — a Chateauneuf-du-Pape producer of genuine pedigree that has farmed organically and biodynamically for decades, long before it was fashionable. Their Côtes du Rhône is the estate’s most approachable expression: a Grenache and Syrah blend that delivers the freshness, juicy red fruit, and delicate floral character of the Southern Rhône at its most joyful. Certified organic and biodynamic, it is a wine made with real conviction — and it shows in every glass. Wine Enthusiast awarded the 2024 vintage 90 points, calling it “sure to impress friends.” 

The nose is high-toned and stylish: just-ripe dark cherry, licorice, and soft garrigue — precise, inviting, and unmistakably Southern Rhône. On the palate, refreshing acidity keeps everything lively and delicious, enhancing a salty minerality that adds juiciness to the lavish black fruit. Medium-bodied, smooth, and immediately pleasurable — with enough structure to work beautifully at the table.

Wine Enthusiast 90 — "Very high-toned and stylish. Refreshing acidity keeps the palate lively and delicious. This wine is sure to impress friends — be sure to grab an extra bottle."

Expert Review — Vintage 2024

Wine Enthusiast — 90 Points
Very high-toned and stylish aromas of just-ripe dark cherry, licorice, and soft garrigue create a precise and inviting nose. Refreshing acidity keeps the palate lively and delicious, enhancing the salty minerality that adds juiciness to the lavish black fruit. This wine is sure to impress friends — be sure to grab an extra bottle.

67Wine Buyer’s Note

We first discovered this Côtes du Rhône at one of our favorite local restaurants, Manny’s Bistro — where the Magret de Canard and the moules Provençal are both essential. This medium-bodied Rhône is fruit-forward without being overwhelmed by fruit, and its balanced acidity makes it equally at home with duck and mussels. It is simply quaffable — the kind of bottle you finish before you realize it.

• Producer: Domaine de Beaurenard, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhône, France
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Côtes du Rhône AOC
• Blend: Grenache, Syrah
• Farming: Certified Organic & Biodynamic
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Dark cherry, licorice, garrigue, salty minerality, juicy black fruit, refreshing acidity
• Best Paired With: Duck breast, mussels, grilled lamb, roast chicken, charcuterie, soft cheeses

Biodynamic conviction, Southern Rhône soul, and 90 points from Wine Enthusiast — Beaurenard’s Côtes du Rhône is the benchmark for what organic Rhône can deliver at this price.

Domaine de Beaurenard · Rasteau · Grenache, Syrah & Mourvèdre · Rhône Valley · 2022

For eight generations, the Coulon family has farmed the southern Rhône with a reverence for the land that few estates can match. Domaine de Beaurenard has been certified organic and biodynamic since 2011 — across more than 80 acres in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, 60 acres in Rasteau, and 25 acres in Côtes du Rhône. Their Rasteau is a benchmark expression of this rising appellation: 100% estate-grown Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre, co-harvested and co-fermented from south-facing slopes and terraces of stony limestone-clay soils, yielding just 25–38 hl/ha. 2022 was a warm, dry year with late-season rains that restored balance — the result is a wine of beautiful fruity, bright character with real depth and persistence. JS:92 · JD:91 · WS:90. At $37.99, this is biodynamic Rhône at a price that makes it one of the cellar’s great values.

The 2022 opens with intense aromas of black fruit, blueberries, red berries, dried herbs, rosemary, and grilled meat. On the palate: full-bodied and generous, with a beautiful center-palate of ripe berries, chalky mineral, iron, and cooling river stone. Fine, firm tannins and a lively, persistent finish with herbs, peppercorns, and a smoky incense note. Drink now through 2034.

“Juicy, well-shaped and vivid… full-bodied with fine, firm tannins. In control, with a delicious center-palate of generous berries and a lively finish with herbs and peppercorns.” — James Suckling, 92 Points. (Vintage 2022).

“Beautifully polished, fine tannins and great balance. Drink over the next 10–12 years.” — Jeb Dunnuck, 91 Points. (Vintage 2022). 

“Both firm and vibrant… chalky mineral, iron and cooling river stone notes adding contrast.” — Wine Spectator, 90 Points. (Vintage 2022). 

• Producer: Domaine de Beaurenard (Coulon family, 8 generations)
• Vintage: 2022
• Appellation: Rasteau AOC, Rhône Valley, France
• Blend: Grenache, Syrah & Mourvèdre (co-harvested & co-fermented)
• Soils: Stony limestone-clay · South-facing slopes & terraces · 25–38 hl/ha
• Vinification: Hand-picked & sorted · 18–26 day vatting · 12 months in vats & oak foudres
• Certifications: Certified Organic · Certified Biodynamic (since 2011)
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Black fruit, blueberry, red berry, dried herbs, rosemary, chalky mineral, iron, river stone, peppercorn, smoky finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now through 2034
• Food Pairings: Lamb, beef stew, duck, wild boar, aged hard cheeses

JS:92 · JD:91 · WS:90 — eight generations of biodynamic farming, Rasteau at its most compelling.

Producer Notes

Domaine de Chevalier is one of Pessac-Léognan’s most celebrated Grand Cru Classé estates, renowned for producing wines of extraordinary precision, freshness, and longevity. The 2020 is widely regarded as one of the legendary wines from this address — a wine that effortlessly triumphs over the heat and drought of the vintage to produce something nuanced, pure, and deeply classical. The blend is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, and 3% Cabernet Franc. Pure cassis, graphite, lead pencil, and scorched earth on the nose. Full-bodied with ultra-fine tannins, no hard edges, and a finish of extraordinary length. Best from 2027, with the potential to evolve for 50+ years.

65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc

Expert Reviews — Vintage 2020

• Jeb Dunnuck 98+ pts | Pure cassis, graphite, lead pencil, and scorched earth. Full-bodied richness, ultra-fine tannins, no hard edges, and a great finish. Pure, classic, regal Pessac-Léognan. Drink 2027–2077.
• James Suckling 97–99 pts | Purity of fruit is really something — blackcurrants, blackberries, orange, stone, and granite. Full-bodied with very fine, polished tannins. Great length. One for the cellar. Drink after 2030.
• Vinous 96 pts | Bright, poised, and wonderfully pure. Red cherry, blood orange, mint, star anise, and cinnamon. Built on aromatic presence and persistence. What a wine! Drink 2030–2060. — Antonio Galloni
• Decanter 96 pts | Blueberry and blackcurrant with liquorice, tobacco, and bitter chocolate spices. Precision and clarity. Rich, heady, and super promising. Drink 2028–2055. — Georgina Hindle
• Wine Spectator 95 pts | Cassis, plum, blackberry, warm loam, smoldering tobacco, and singed alder. Long and deep through the fine-grained finish. Best from 2028–2038. — James Molesworth
• Jane Anson 95 pts | Cinnamon, turmeric, black pepper, creamy cassis, blackberry, bilberry, cigar box, and smoked earth. A brilliant Chevalier. Drink 2027–2048.
• WK 95+ pts | Minty blackberries and cassis with burning embers, spices, rose petals, and orange rind. Fleshy and concentrated with powdery tannins and a long, saline finish. Drink 2028–2060. — William Kelley
• Jancis Robinson 18/20 | Effortlessly triumphs over the heat and drought of 2020. Nuanced, promising, with trademark freshness. Bravissimo! Drink 2030–2050.

Food Pairings

• Prime dry-aged ribeye or rack of lamb
• Roasted duck or slow-braised short ribs
• Aged Comté or Époisses
• Truffle dishes or wild mushroom risotto

Domaine de Durban | Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise AOC | Rhône Valley, France | 2021 | 375ml

Domaine de Durban is widely regarded as the benchmark estate for Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise, perched on the dramatic foothills of Mont Ventoux in the southern Rhône Valley. The Leydier family has farmed these sun-drenched hillside vineyards for generations, and they are among the last producers to craft this celebrated vin doux naturel in the traditional style — keeping added spirits as low as possible to preserve the extraordinary freshness and delicacy of the Muscat grape.

Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise is made from Muscat à Petits Grains, one of the oldest and most aromatic grape varieties in the world. Fermentation is arrested by the addition of neutral grape spirit, preserving natural sugars and locking in the grape's vivid aromatic character. The result is a wine of remarkable purity — more refined and elegant than most Muscats from southern France.

The 2021 is luminous gold in the glass. The nose is a pure delight — orange blossom, jasmine, ripe apricot, peach, tropical fruit, and honey, with a delicate mineral thread running through. On the palate, lusciously sweet yet beautifully balanced, with bright natural acidity keeping everything fresh and lifted. The finish is long, fragrant, and utterly captivating.

The perfect dessert wine, and equally magnificent with foie gras, fresh melon, Roquefort and blue cheeses, fruit tarts, and crème brûlée. Serve well chilled at 46–50°F.

• Producer: Domaine de Durban
• Appellation: Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise AOC
• Region: Rhône Valley, France
• Grape: Muscat à Petits Grains
• Style: Vin Doux Naturel (naturally sweet, fortified)
• Vintage: 2021
• Serve: 46–50°F
• Bottle Size: 375ml

Warehouse stored item - please allow two to five business days to fulfill.

A very brilliant ruby red with beautiful purple nuances. Immediate and generous, the nose opens with notes of fresh red and black fruits such as cherry and blueberry, then it is enriched with cocoa powder and a delicate hint of licorice. Round and concentrated from the start, this wine develops a balanced structure on the palate. Present but delicate tannins and a tasty acidity highlight the fruit so well that it lingers on for a long time.

Domaine de L’Arlot is one of the seminal properties in Nuits St. Georges.  The domaine was co-owned by Jean-Pierre de Smet, who spent eight years alongside Jacques Seysses of Domaine Dujac before taking over L’Arlot in 1986.  Today, the domaine consists of 14 hectares planted to mostly Pinot Noir. In 2015 the very talented Geraldine Godot took over the domaine. While retaining the core values of l’Arlot, including biodynamic farming, Geraldine has brought her own style to this historic estate, with extraction kept to a minimum, and the wines seeing less new oak than in the past. All of this is done to preserve the gorgeous fruit from their cherished vineyards. With Geraldine’s inspired leadership, Domaine de l’Arlot is committed to maintaining their classic, elegant style of terroir driven wines in hopes of providing the sort of divine pleasure only classic Burgundy delivers.

The 2023 Hautes Cotes de Nuits Le Mont has a fresh, juicy nose of raspberry and cherry that explodes on opening. The latest vintage of this wine is lively yet delicate on the palate, with silky, enveloping tannins. Its fleshy fruit flavors and rich structure make it an ideal accompaniment to dishes, such as beef fondue, country salad, chicken skewers with herbs or even aperitifs served with mushroom terrine canapes.

• Winemaker Description

  Mont des Oiseaux is a cuvée produced in small quantities from Clos de l'Arlot's youngest vines, an estate Monopoly. This wine reveals the elegance of a great terroir and emphasizes the delicacy of red fruit. Fresh and tangy, with good cellaring potential, this wine can also be enjoyed in the bloom of youth.

• The Terroir

  This Nuits Saint Georges 1er Cru is located inside the Clos de l'Arlot. It comes from the upper part of the Clos with a white limestone soil, and from a plot of young vines located at the bottom of the Clos on marl soil.

• Discover more

  - Ageing in barrels, with 30% of new barrels. Bottling takes place after 15-18 months of ageing.

Winemaker Description

Garnet color. It offers a beautiful aromatic complexity, dominated by blackcurrant and blackberry jam, supported by hints of pepper and cocoa. On the palate aromas of apricot jam, black cherries, plums in the finish, all supported by a tannic texture that tempers the sweetness. Excellent with Fourme d'Ambert cheese.

Domaine de la Chaise Touraine Sauvignon Blanc — Loire Valley 2024

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

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

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

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

Domaine de la Commanderie | Quincy AOC | Sauvignon Blanc | Loire Valley, France | 2025

Quincy is one of the Loire Valley's most distinctive and underappreciated appellations — a small, ancient wine zone situated west of Bourges on the banks of the Cher River, producing 100% Sauvignon Blanc from limestone-rich soils that impart a signature mineral precision and depth. Quincy shares the same grape variety and similar terroir as its more famous neighbor Sancerre, but at a fraction of the price — making it one of the Loire's great value secrets for lovers of mineral-driven French Sauvignon Blanc.

Domaine de la Commanderie is a committed estate producer in Quincy, farming with sustainable and organic principles and crafting wines that express the appellation's distinctive limestone terroir with clarity and elegance.

The 2025 is pale yellow with green reflections. The nose is vibrant and inviting — citrus zest, green apple, and subtle floral hints with herbal complexity. On the palate, crisp and fresh with bright acidity, rich minerality, and a harmonious balance of fruit and stone that carries through to a refreshing, lingering finish.

"Citrus and green apples fill the glass with herbal complexity and detailed minerality. A great alternative to pricier Sancerre and perfect with all types of seafood." — Bart Hopkins, 67Wine

Pair with oysters, grilled fish, shellfish, sushi, light pasta, goat cheese, and fresh salads.

• Producer: Domaine de la Commanderie
• Appellation: Quincy AOC, Loire Valley, France
• Grape: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
• Vintage: 2025
• Soils: Limestone-rich
• Farming: Sustainable / Organic principles
• Bottle Size: 750ml

Memo Summary Notes

The 2024 Domaine de la Grand’Cour (Jean-Louis Dutraive) Brouilly "Vieilles Vignes" is a highly sought-after, low-intervention Cru Beaujolais. While the 2024 vintage is just beginning to reach the market (following the 2023 release), it continues the Dutraive family tradition of producing wines that are "natural" in spirit but precise and elegant in profile.

This specific cuvée is an outlier for Jean-Louis Dutraive, whose estate is primarily based in Fleurie. The fruit comes from a 1.6-hectare parcel of vines (some over 100 years old) in Charentay. Unlike the granite-heavy soils of Fleurie, this Brouilly site features limestone and clay, which lends the wine a more muscular, savory, and mineral-driven character.

Importer Notes

On more than one occasion, Jean-Louis Dutraive has been fondly referred by his peers as "the heart of Beaujolais". The Dutraive family home and the Domaine de la Grand'Cour are one in the same, and there is a constant flow of visiting vignerons from every generation for lunches, dinners, casse-croûte ("breaking of bread"), walks in the vines, and tastings in the cellar. Jean-Louis' door is always open, as are his bottles. He makes himself regularly available to young people in the region who are interested in farming naturally, and he is among the first to lend a hand, a tractor, or words of advice to colleagues. Of course, his influence is most felt by his three children with whom he collaborates on the Famille Dutraive label. Daughter Ophélie assumed the helm of Domaine de la Grand'Cour in recent years. While Jean-Louis's presence is always felt, even when he is away enjoying his retirement home in the Jura, Ophélie has a deep connection to her vines and a deft hand in the cellar.

Domaine de la Grand Cour dates back to 1969 when it was purchased by Jean Dutraive, making it one of the oldest in the village of Fleurie. Jean Dutraive was joined by his son and fifth generation vigneron Jean-Louis in 1977. By 1989, the reins were fully in Jean-Louis’s capable hands. The foundation of the property are the lieux-dits of Clos de la Grand Cour, Chapelle des Bois and Champagne which make up a total of 9 hectares of vines in Fleurie, surrounding the house and cellars. Additionally, the family has 1.6 hectares in the cru of Brouilly where the Dutraive family originates. The average age of the vines are around 40-50 years, with a good chunk over 70 years of age.

The family are regarded as trailblazers in natural viticulture, and they continue to serve as a shining example of farmers who work in tandem with nature. Harvest is done by hand and grapes are immediately placed in tank at low temperatures to begin carbonic maceration (without sulfur). The wines ferment naturally with indigenous yeast and are macerated on the skins for anywhere from 15-30 days depending on the vintage and the particular wine. The wines are then gravity fed to the cellar for a period of ageing of 6-15 months, depending on the cuvée. Elevage occurs mostly in used burgundy barrels, though the Fleurie Grand'Cour, Fleurie Chapelle des Bois and Brouilly are sometimes aged at least partially in old foudres or cement tanks depending on the vintage. S02 is rarely added during the élévage, only when necessary, though a small amount is added when the wines are racked and assembled for bottling. And in general, no fining and filtration is used unless absolutely required. In the words of Jean-Louis, he practices "low intervention, high surveillance" winemaking. 

The Dutraive lineup includes some of the most aromatically and texturally unique wines in all of Beaujolais. One whiff and the wines give an almost exotic floral and spicy aroma, followed by lush minerally Gamay fruit, sort of like a top Morey St. Denis 1er or Grand Cru nose combined with earthy, Volnay-like fruit. There is also a textural lushness and exuberance backed up by ample structure and acid. These are substantial Beaujolais, and ones that could certainly stand up to food. They also have the requisite material to develop and evolve over the medium term, i.e. 10-12 years of aging - easily! Jean-Louis and his Domaine de la Grand'Cour wines have more than earned their place in the top ranks of today's Beaujolais domaines. 

Domaine de la Grosse Pierre — Chiroubles, Beaujolais 2024

Pauline Passot’s story is one of the most compelling in Beaujolais. A trained sommelier who worked at the Michelin-starred Pierre Orsi in Lyon, she returned to her family’s roots in Chiroubles in 2016 with a clear mission: to show the world what this underrated Cru could do. Her principal holding is the La Grosse Pierre parcel — classic rose granite soils, 45-year-old vines — vinified whole-cluster in open carbonic maceration, aged in concrete, unfiltered, with little or no sulfites. This is Beaujolais made with the seriousness of a grand cru and the soul of a grower who believes in her terroir.

The nose is vibrant and expressive: red and black cherries, delicate floral notes, and a hint of vine smoke. On the palate, it is light to medium-bodied with silky texture, lively energy, and juicy fruit carried by fine tannins. The finish is clean, elegant, and unmistakably Chiroubles — the most perfumed and ethereal of all the Beaujolais Crus.

• Producer: Domaine de la Grosse Pierre (Pauline Passot), Chiroubles, Beaujolais, France
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Chiroubles AOC, Beaujolais
• Grape: Gamay
• Soils: Rose granite
• Vines: Average 45 years
• Vinification: Whole-cluster carbonic maceration, aged in concrete, unfiltered, minimal sulfites
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Red cherry, black cherry, floral lift, vine smoke, silky texture, juicy finish
• Best Paired With: Roast chicken, charcuterie, grilled salmon, mushroom dishes, soft cheeses

Chiroubles at its most soulful — Pauline Passot’s La Grosse Pierre is the Cru Beaujolais that rewards those paying attention.

Expert Review - Vintage 2020 

Allen Meadows of Burghound | There is enough wood to merit mentioning but not so much as to overshadow the vaguely exotic and ripe aromas of white peach, apple compote, various citrus elements and a whiff of acacia blossom. The wood is also reflected by the big-bodied, powerful and overtly muscular flavors that possess outstanding richness that is buffered by both a firm minerality as well as bright acidity on the strikingly persistent, balanced and robust finale. This is not a CC of refinement but it is indisputably impressive in its fashion and a wine that should age and improve gracefully over the next 12 to 15 years and last thereafter for a similar period. In a word, superb.

Winemaker Description

Considered the pinnacle of Burgundy, Domaine de la Romanee-Conti produces some of the world’s most revered wines from its tiny vineyards in Vosne-Romanee. Grands-Echezeaux, is a Grand Cru vineyard yielding sublime wines that are among the most highly-sought, seductive and rarest in the world.

The 2020 Grands Échézeaux is full-bodied, ample and fleshy with an abundance of powdery tannins and succulent acids. The luscious palate presents strawberry, cherry, leather, earth, mushroom, mint, a touch of spice, oak, and refreshing minerality.

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

Antonio Galloni of Vinous writes 95 Points | The 2022 Echezeaux Grand Cru is absolutely exquisite, not to mention a significant step up in the range. Impossibly silky tannins and deep, penetrating aromatics give the Echezeaux its seductive personality. Medium in body and polished, with phenomenal balance, the Echezeaux shows how compelling the vintage is. There is no heaviness at all, nor any sign of a growing season marked by severe heat and drought.

Winemaker Description 

With a more textured and intense character than Échezeaux, Grands-Échezeaux presents a rich, almost rustic profile. The wine offers a concentrated palate of dark fruits, with gamey nuances and bramble hints, wrapped in a structured yet velvety texture. It's a wine of depth and character, often described as having a "monastic" quality. It is “Grands” before being Échézeaux. It is a country gentleman, aristocrat and dreamer. 

Expert Review

Burghound  | The dark color a bit now with a ruby ​​heart. A nose of caramel and smoke that has a slightly weird lactic aroma that has never led to completely dispel the rich, but good, very mature flavors and a little round, supple, very detailed finish. There is a certain rusticity in the finish. Still, I loved it but it is more for those who appreciate very mature Burgundy.

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Winemaker Description

The 2017 La Tâche Grand Cru soars from the glass with a captivating and beautifully integrated bouquet of exotic spices, rose petals, raspberries, cherries and blood orange mingled with notions of cinnamon and coniferous forest floor. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, deep and multidimensional, with a deep and tightly coiled core that marks it out as the most muscular wine in the cellar, displaying considerable concentration and largely concealed structure. While this is a dramatic young La Tâche, there's evidently plenty held in reserve, too, and it simply has appreciably more presence than any of the other wines that preceded it in this tasting. Winemaker Description.

There are no superlatives sufficient for the Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Romanée-Conti Grand Cru Monopole 2015. The sole property of the DRC estate, the Romanée-Conti vineyard — a mere 1.8 hectares in the heart of Vosne-Romanée, Côte de Nuits — produces what many consider the greatest wine on earth. The 2015 vintage, harvested from vines averaging 56 years of age, has earned perfect 100-point scores from both Decanter and Wine Advocate, cementing its place among the most extraordinary bottles ever produced. Only 403 cases were made.

Domaine de la Romanée-Conti

Founded in the 18th century and owned jointly by the Leroy and de Villaine families, Domaine de la Romanée-Conti is the most celebrated wine estate in the world. Farming entirely by biodynamic principles, with yields among the lowest in Burgundy, DRC produces wines of transcendent complexity from the greatest Grand Cru vineyards of the Côte de Nuits — Romanée-Conti, La Tâche, Richebourg, Romanée-Saint-Vivant, Grands-Échézeaux, and Échézeaux. The Romanée-Conti vineyard itself is a monopole — owned exclusively by DRC — and its wine is produced in quantities so small that it remains one of the most sought-after and collected bottles in existence.

Critical Acclaim — 2015 Vintage

100 Points — Decanter: "Aromatic fireworks of ripe red and black fruits, toast, spice and a note of decadent perfume lead into a complex palate showing pristine flavours of ripe raspberry, dark cherry, spice, cream and minerals. Lavishly upholstered by sweet, dense filigree tannins and buoyed by fine acidity — the opulent texture and presence of this wine is beyond remarkable. Arguably the ultimate terroir wine, this 2015 is also the epitome of truly great Pinot Noir. Drinking Window 2025–2060."

100 Points — Wine Advocate: "Opening to reveal a bouquet of kaleidoscopic complexity, notes of raspberry and red plum mingling with rose petal, peony, blood orange and spice. Silky, medium to full-bodied and stunningly complete, its supremely elegant tannins entirely cloaked in pristinely delicate red fruit. Despite its incredible concentration and persistence, this Romanée-Conti is utterly weightless, and its effortless harmony and unremitting finish preclude any argument about its benchmark quality."

99 Points — Burghound (Allen Meadows): "Sometimes, try as I might, words fail to communicate adequately those few transcendent experiences where a wine is just so amazing that it's impossible to capture it. The breathtakingly beautiful nose reveals an exotically broad range of highly perfumed floral, spice, tea and incense-like nuances. The opulently textured, concentrated and equally mineral-driven flavors accentuate the perfumed character of the nose — the finish lasted for seemingly several days."

98 Points — Vinous: "Enters the mouth like liquid velvet, expanding to show an incredible 3-D texture and great depth to its soil-inflected flavors of flowers, spices, mocha, underbrush and savory minerality. This utterly seamless, spherical wine saturates the entire palate like a thunderstorm breaking out across a wide front. Should easily evolve positively for three decades or more."

Tasting Profile

Profound and ethereal. The nose is a kaleidoscope of ripe raspberry, dark cherry, rose petal, peony, blood orange, spice, toast, and incense. On the palate it is simultaneously opulent and weightless — liquid velvet with a 3-D texture, pristine red fruit, savory minerality, and filigree tannins of extraordinary finesse. The finish is seemingly endless. A wine that defies description.

Details

2015 | Pinot Noir | Romanée-Conti Grand Cru Monopole, Vosne-Romanée, Côte de Nuits, Burgundy, France | AOC Romanée-Conti | 750ml | 403 cases produced

Provenance & Cellaring

Harvested 10 September 2015. Bottled 22 March 2017. Drinking window 2025–2060. Store at 55°F in a dark, vibration-free environment. Decant 2–3 hours minimum if opening now. A wine for the ages — patience will be extraordinarily rewarded.

Expert Review 

Vinous 99 Points | The 2020 Romanée-Conti Grand Cru was picked on 26 and 28 August at 28.7hL/ha. As usual, I leave it for 5-10 minutes to open in the glass, predisposed not to show everything upon first pour. It reveals lovely dark berry fruit, sous-bois, clove and haunting sea spray notes (picture yourself walking along the pebble beach at Whistable and the tang of shucked oyster shell in the salty air). The palate is medium-bodied with very fine and pliant tannins. Harmonious to a tee with a perfect silver bead of acidity, long and languorous, this fans out with ineffable ease on the finish. Stunning. 500 cases produced. Tasted at Corney & Barrow’s annual in bottle tasting in London.

This wine is a testament to elegance and complexity, with an intense bouquet of violets and spices, leading to a palate of profound silkiness. It exhibits an ethereal balance of fruit, earth, and minerality, where each sip reveals layers of flavor from dark cherries to subtle truffles. The finesse and depth of this wine make it a benchmark for Pinot Noir, showcasing the ultimate expression of its terroir. "As if, in this square of earth, the gods had bequeathed us a memory of the fascinating vestige of a timeless perfection.” — Richard Olney. Surface area: 1.81 hectares.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

Vinous 100 Points | The 2022 Romanée St. Vivant Grand Cru is a real head-turner. What a wine! As is so often the case, Romanée St. Vivant is not an obvious wine, rather it is a Burgundy of detail, of understatement, of total class. The aromatics alone are mesmerizing. Silky tannins wrap around a core of red-toned fruit, mint, white pepper, blood orange and exotic spice.

Decanter 97 Points | The Romanée-St-Vivant has developed more complexity since bottling, with a savoury, almost gamey edge to the lush berry fruit aromas and a hint of spice. The grip and freshness of the wine are impressive and seem to carry this wine to a new level of intensity. Although this wine had originally seemed ethereal and silky, the substantial nature of the structure is now evident, aided perhaps by the stricter selection. Bertrand de Villaine confirms that two parcels in this vineyard were pulled up due to issues with the rootstock, leaving them 23,699 bottles in 2022.

The Wine Spectator 97 Points | Shy, suggesting cherry, strawberry and spice flavors. Nonetheless, there is plenty of structure and length.

Discover Domaine de La Solitude Pessac-Léognan Blanc 2023, an exceptional white Bordeaux that showcases the finest expression of the Pessac-Léognan appellation. This wine has garnered outstanding critical acclaim, with multiple scores in the 90+ range from the world's most respected wine critics. Crafted from grapes grown on gravel soils with cooler clays, this estate wine represents the perfect balance of fruit, freshness, and elegance that defines great white Bordeaux.

Exceptional Critical Acclaim - 2023 Vintage

James Suckling - 94 Points
"More savory and creamy than fruity, showing gooseberries, guavas and sliced apples. Fresh and round with medium body and a textured, long finish. Good energy, with a saline twist at the end. Nice phenolics and density at the end. Drink now or hold."

Jeb Dunnuck - 93 Points (91-93)
"The 2023 Domaine De La Solitude (Pessac-Léognan) Blanc will certainly be outstanding. Based on 65% Sauvignon Blanc and 35% Semillon, it has bright, minty herbs, citrus, and honeyed pineapple-like aromas and flavors as well as a medium-bodied, round, plush, beautifully textured style on the palate."

The Wine Independent - 92 Points (90-92)
"The 2023 Domaine de la Solitude Blanc races out of the glass with expressive scents of fresh grapefruit, crunchy peaches, and Bosc pears leading to hints of beeswax and sea spray. The medium-bodied palate is silky, with great intensity of orchard fruit flavors and a racy backbone, finishing with great length."

Decanter - 91 Points
"Earlier harvest to preserve acidity from this estate with gravel soils but thankfully cooler clays as well, resulting in an easy-going wine not without some warmth, but marked by ripe pear, peach, orange zest and lemon, more fruit forward than complex – and a pleasure to drink."

Wine Advocate - 90 Points (88-90)
"The Domaine de la Solitude 2023 Blanc exudes aromas of confit citron, lemon, verbena and white fruits. Medium-bodied, supple and juicy, it's perfectly balanced with a long, delicate and perfumed finish."

Vinous Media - 90 Points
"The 2023 Domaine de la Solitude Blanc has a cohesive and focused bouquet with green apple, kiwi fruit and light, pithy pear aromas that are neatly knitted together by the oak. The palate is a more textural white with a keen line of acidity, vibrant and fresh with a dab of ginger toward the finish."

Grape Blend

Composition: 65% Sauvignon Blanc, 35% Sémillon
This classic Pessac-Léognan white blend combines Sauvignon Blanc's vibrant aromatics and acidity with Sémillon's richness and texture.

Tasting Profile

Aroma: Expressive scents of fresh grapefruit, crunchy peaches, Bosc pears, gooseberries, guavas, sliced apples, bright minty herbs, citrus, honeyed pineapple, confit citron, lemon, verbena, white fruits, green apple, kiwi fruit, pithy pear, ripe pear, peach, orange zest, hints of beeswax and sea spray
Palate: Medium-bodied, fresh and round. Savory and creamy. Silky with great intensity of orchard fruit flavors. Round, plush, beautifully textured style. Supple and juicy, perfectly balanced. More textural white with keen line of acidity, vibrant and fresh. Good energy with nice phenolics and density
Finish: Textured, long finish with a saline twist at the end. Great length. Long, delicate and perfumed finish. Dab of ginger toward the finish

Pessac-Léognan Terroir

From an estate with gravel soils and cooler clays, this wine benefits from the unique terroir of Pessac-Léognan. Earlier harvest preserves acidity, resulting in an easy-going wine marked by freshness and balance. The combination of gravel and clay soils provides both drainage and moisture retention, creating ideal conditions for producing exceptional white Bordeaux.

Winemaking Excellence

The grapes are carefully selected and the wine is neatly knitted together by oak aging, which adds texture and complexity without overwhelming the fruit. The winemaking approach preserves the natural acidity and vibrant character of the grapes while developing the wine's textural qualities and depth.

Aging Potential

Drink Window: Drink now or hold
This wine offers both immediate pleasure and aging potential. It's a pleasure to drink now with its fruit-forward character, yet has the structure and balance to develop further complexity with cellaring.

Food Pairing Suggestions

This versatile white Bordeaux pairs beautifully with:

• Seafood and shellfish
• Grilled fish
• Poultry and white meats
• Creamy cheeses
• Salads with citrus vinaigrette
• Asian cuisine
• Light pasta dishes
• Oysters and raw bar

Outstanding White Bordeaux

The 2023 Domaine de La Solitude Blanc will certainly be outstanding, representing exceptional value in white Pessac-Léognan. With its cohesive and focused bouquet, racy backbone, and perfectly balanced palate, this wine showcases why Pessac-Léognan is one of Bordeaux's premier appellations for white wine. The combination of critical acclaim, classic blend, and distinctive terroir makes this a must-have for white Bordeaux enthusiasts and collectors alike.

Domaine de La Solitude Pessac-Leognan Blanc 2023 750ml

Winemaker Description 

A good balance of fresh but softly perfumed ripe red currant and strawberry fruits with a touch of rosewater and anise. The nose leads to well-rounded but lively crunchy red fruits on the palate with spice and chalk notes on the elegantly tailored finish.

After being founded in the 1750s, in the mid-18th century, the Domaine de Montille century extended over 12 hectares. The family's financial problems meant that Etienne de Montille, the manager at that time, had to abandon certain parcels of land and focus on 3 hectares, mainly in Volnay. With the arrival of Hubert de Montille, Etienne's grandson, the domaine took off in another direction. Like his father, Hubert was a lawyer, however he would go on to lead a double life as a wine grower and a lawyer. He decided to produce his own wines from A to Z. Within a few decades, he would become one of the finest examples in the region, perfectly expressing the terroir of each climat with pure and elegant wines.

Today, the domaine is managed by Etienne and Alix de Montille, Hubert's children who also were originally steered towards a legal career. The domaine now has 20 hectares of vines, including 15 of grand and premier crus, on the best climats of Burgundy, in white and red! Domaine de Montille now produces its wines using biodynamic methodology, perpetuating the tradition of innovation and excellence introduced by Hubert de Montille. Etienne and Alix also created a mini trading structure, Maison Deux Montille Soeur Frère.

Winemaker Description 

Made from 100% Macabeu, this rare dessert wine spent 21 years in barrel before being bottled. The slow oxidation in barrel gives this wine its characteristic amber color, as well as complex notes of fig, date, toasted hazelnut, and caramel. Best served at room temperature, try this on its own after dinner, or alongside cheese, pastry, or chocolate cake. Once opened, the wine can be enjoyed for several months. 

Jean-Hubert Verdaguer and his wife, Brigitte, helm Domaine de Rancy in the Roussillon, one of only a handful of quality wineries still producing exceptional Rivesaltes in the old Ambré style.

This unique type of fortified wine is a Vin Doux Naturel, in which a pure spirit is added during fermentation to stop conversion of sugar into alcohol. These are complex and incredibly versatile dessert wines, typically 16% to 20% alcohol with 85-100 grams of residual sugar, and acidity varying between 6% and 8%.

The grapes – 100% Macabeau – come from organically-farmed vineyards. It is the addition of neutral grape spirits that prevents them from obtaining organic certification on their Vin Doux Naturels.

They are hand-picked late in the season, pressed, fermented, and fortified in tank. Only the best wine is chosen for barrel-aging, and it remains in barrel for up to 60 years. The wines are bottled as needed, unfined and unfiltered, and the wine is best served at room temperature to fully appreciate the intense, complex aromas that develop in the glass.

Winemaker Description

The dry jurançon perfectly represents the style of the estate: precise, pure and grandiose. a straight, tense white wine. the attack is lively, the mid-palate is incredibly intense and the finish never ceases to delight us. the blend of native grape varieties is judiciously developed for a stunning result. its aging potential is certain.

For over thirty-five years, Domaine de Souch has been a pioneer in producing modern-style Jurançon wines. Certified organic and biodynamic since 1994, their south-facing terraced vineyards are nestled on steep slopes with views of the Pyrenees Mountains. 

Memo Summary Notes

The Domaine de Souch "Cuvée Monplaisir" Jurançon Sec 2024 is a standout white wine from one of the most soulful estates in Southwest France. The winery was famously founded by Yvonne Hegoburu, who began her winemaking journey at the age of 60 in honor of her late husband and became a pioneer of biodynamics in the region.

The ultimate partner for shellfish (oysters, crab, lobster). It also cuts beautifully through the richness of sheep’s milk cheeses (like Ossau-Iraty), grilled trout, or summer salads with citrus vinaigrettes.

Winemaker Description

Domaine De Souch. Located at the foot of the Pyrenees, near the Atlantic Ocean, at an altitude of 332 meters above sea level. This is where the pure, crisp wines of Domaine De Souch are produced. Winemaker Yvonne Hegoburu was 60 years old when she decided to start making wine here in 1987. At the time, she was one of the first to work entirely biodynamically in the region. Today, she owns 7 hectares of land; the vineyards face south and are largely planted with Petit Manseng and Gros Manseng.

Yvonne Hegoburu, who passed away in 2023 at the age of 95, was living proof that it is never too late to follow your winemaking dreams. It all started when Yvonne and her husband René purchased 16 hectares of land in the Jurançon region in southwest France. The couple lived together in the small hilltop village of Laroin until 1987, when René unexpectedly passed away. Yvonne recalled how the duo would fervently discuss their winemaking dreams; in her husband’s honor, she decided to pursue viticulture for the first time at the age of 60. Today, Domaine de Souch is comprised of 7 hectares of biodynamically farmed vines, which have been certified since 1994.

Yvonne was taken by biodynamics early on. She believed that farming without herbicides and pesticides is the truest and most honest form of winemaking. The vines are double guyot trained and rooted into flinty clay soils. All fruit is hand-harvested and comes from south-facing vines grown at 1,000+ feet above sea level. The vineyards are mostly dedicated to Petit Manseng and Gros Manseng, two of southwest France’s most well-known varieties.

Yvonne herself said it best in the acclaimed documentary, Mondovino: “I planted vines when my husband died. Ever since then, all this love inside me, I give it to the vines. I talk to them. I have an exchange with them. I ask them to drive their roots deep down into the soil to get the best from the land.” Yvonne worked the vines tirelessly until 2014, when she handed over the operation of the domaine to her son Jean-René, who continues to make wine in the style of his mother to this day. We are inspired by the Hegoburu family’s robust work ethic and passion for honest viticulture as the domaine continues into the next generation.

The vineyards have been fully biodynamically certified since 1994. The yields are low, never more than 30 hl per hectare, and the soil consists of heavy "flinty" clay called poudingues. This combination results in intense wines with high acidity and exceptional minerality.

Critical Acclaim — Vintage 2021

Decanter — 92 Points (Charles Curtis)
"This is a wine of true elegance, with a light ruby hue, bright, perfumed cherry fruit, fresh acidity, and tannins that seem slightly astringent. It is light in weight but very expressive. The wine is produced from a drastic shortening of the range: it blends all the grapes that generally make up four bottlings — La Fortune, La Digoine, Mercurey Les Montots, and Santenay PC Passetemps. Six barrels were produced instead of the customary twenty. Each was vinified separately and blended together, an exercise the director Pierre de Benoist hopes never to repeat. Drinking 2023–2033."

Burghound (Allan Meadows)
"An exuberant nose is very Pinot in character with its pretty red berry fruit, black pepper and violet scents. The delicious and vibrant lighter weight flavors possess an appealing mouthfeel before concluding in a firm, youthfully austere and balanced finale. While it’s an atypical Bourgogne given the unusual combination of appellations, it’s nonetheless excellent."

About This Vintage

The 2021 Domaine de Villaine Bourgogne Rouge is a wine born of extraordinary circumstances. The 2021 growing season in Burgundy was devastated by spring frosts, dramatically reducing yields across the region. At Domaine de Villaine, the decision was made to consolidate: rather than produce four separate single-vineyard bottlings — La Fortune, La Digoine, Mercurey Les Montots, and Santenay Premier Cru Passetemps — all the fruit was blended into a single wine. Six barrels were produced instead of the customary twenty. The result is a Bourgogne Rouge unlike any other: a blend of four appellations and multiple terroirs, vinified separately and assembled with care, carrying the DNA of wines that normally sell for two to three times the price.

About Domaine de Villaine

Domaine de Villaine is the personal estate of Aubert de Villaine — the legendary co-director of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, widely regarded as the greatest wine estate in the world. Based in Bouzeron in the Côte Chalonnaise, the domaine was founded by Aubert and his wife Pamela as a separate project from DRC: a place to express the quieter, more rustic character of southern Burgundy with the same philosophical commitment to biodynamic farming and minimal intervention that defines their work at DRC. The domaine is best known for its Bouzeron Aligoté — the benchmark for the appellation — and its village-level Pinot Noirs from La Digoine and La Fortune, which consistently punch far above their appellation status. Today the domaine is directed by Pierre de Benoist, Aubert’s nephew, who continues the family’s commitment to biodynamic viticulture and terroir-driven winemaking.

Food Pairings

Roasted duck, rabbit in mustard sauce, mushroom dishes, charcuterie, aged Epoisses, Comté, and classic Burgundian preparations. A wine of elegance and restraint — drink now through 2033.

Product Details

• Producer: Domaine de Villaine
• Director: Pierre de Benoist
• Appellation: Bourgogne Rouge AOC, Burgundy, France
• Fruit Sources: La Fortune, La Digoine, Mercurey Les Montots, Santenay PC Passetemps
• Grape: Pinot Noir
• Farming: Certified biodynamic
• Production: 6 barrels (exceptional vintage reduction)
• Vintage: 2021
• Drink: Now through 2033
• Style: Elegant, perfumed, terroir-driven Burgundy Pinot Noir
• Format: 750ml

Expert Review

Allan Meadows  of Burghound writes 91 Points | Bright red and dark berry fruit aromas are nuanced by notes of spice, earth and plenty of floral nuances, especially violet. The rich, concentrated and palate coating medium weight flavors possess plenty of sappy dry extract that buffers the firm tannins supporting the elegant yet powerful finish. At least some patience is strongly recommended. I would note that this example showed markedly better than one from last year, in fact so much so that I have no explanation.  

Domaine de Villargeau is a family estate with a story rooted in determination and a deep respect for the land. In 1991, brothers Fernand and Jean-François Thibault cleared hillsides in the Coteaux du Giennois that had lain abandoned since the phylloxera crisis, planting vines on south-southwest-facing slopes that enjoy exceptional sun exposure. The next generation followed: Marc returned to the estate in 2000 armed with formal training in viticulture and oenology, and Yves joined shortly after, bringing with him a strong commitment to environmental stewardship. That commitment culminated in 2019 when the domaine launched its full conversion to organic agriculture — a milestone that reflects the family’s long-term vision for the land.

The Coteaux du Giennois is a small, often overlooked Loire appellation situated just north of Sancerre, sharing the same chalky, flint-rich soils that give the region’s Sauvignon Blancs their signature mineral precision. Villargeau’s south-facing hillside sites amplify that character, producing wines of remarkable freshness, finesse, and aromatic complexity at an exceptional price point.

The 2023 is pale yellow with silvery glints. The nose opens with bright aromas of tangerine, grapefruit, and lemon on a floral background, with subtle notes of lily of the valley and elderberry. With aeration, the wine gains complexity, revealing mineral and spicy nuances alongside lime blossom and bergamot. The palate is fresh and lively from the first sip — consistent with the nose, with the same citrus precision — and finishes on lovely, lingering mineral notes. A wine of finesse, intensity, and outstanding value.

Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Appellation: Coteaux du Giennois AOC, Loire Valley, France
Vintage: 2023
Format: 750ml
Farming: Organic (certified 2019)

Domaine de Villargeau Coteaux du Giennois Sauvignon Blanc 2023

Domaine Delobel Touraine Sauvignon Blanc “Angle Droit” — Loire Valley 2024

Domaine Delobel is one of the Loire Valley’s most exciting organic estates, founded in 2013 by Benjamin Delobel in Ouchamps, on the celebrated Oisly vineyard. Working with 10 hectares of certified-organic Sauvignon Blanc — planted from mass selections to preserve old-vine complexity — Benjamin crafts wines that are, as the name “Angle Droit” (Right Angle) suggests, straight, pure, and technically precise. For fans of Sauvignon Blanc who find New Zealand styles too loud and Sancerre too expensive, this wine hits the perfect middle ground. Manual harvests at dawn, slow pneumatic pressing, stainless steel fermentation, and aging on lees deliver a wine of exceptional freshness and mineral clarity.

The nose is lively and inviting: dried hay, field grass, sliced green apple, and crabapple aromas converge in a satisfying, savory frame. On the palate, the wine washes across wet river stone with tart acidity accented by white blossom — mineral-driven, focused, and refreshingly precise. The finish is clean and lingering.

Wine Enthusiast 90 — Reggie Solomon: “This lively wine refreshes the senses. The mineral-driven palate washes across wet river stone with tart acidity accented by white blossom.”

• Producer: Domaine Delobel, Ouchamps, Touraine, Loire Valley, France
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Touraine AOC
• Varietal: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
• Farming: Certified Organic since 2013
• Vinification: Manual harvest, pneumatic press, stainless steel, aged on lees
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Dried hay, green apple, crabapple, white blossom, wet river stone, mineral finish
• Best Paired With: Goat cheese (Selles-sur-Cher, Crottin de Chavignol), oysters, fish ceviche, grilled sea bass, fresh asparagus

Pure, precise, and organically farmed — Domaine Delobel’s “Angle Droit” is the benchmark for honest, terroir-driven Touraine Sauvignon Blanc.