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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

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.

The story of Domaine de la Janasse began in 1967. That year, Aimé Sabon returned from his military service. He took over the vineyards of his father, who supplied grapes to a cooperative cellar, and his father-in-law, who sold wine to négociants. By 1973, Aimé had built his own cellar. This is how Domaine de la Janasse was born, named after the family farm located in Courthézon, at a place called “La Janasse.” Aimé was ambitious. Knowing he possessed a fabulous terroir, he continuously expanded the estate by acquiring new parcels. From 15 hectares back then, La Janasse now spans over 90 hectares.

Winemaker Description

The 2024 Côtes-du-Rhône Réserve is a more serious effort than the estate’s regular Côtes-du-Rhône bottling, showcasing Janasse’s ability to marry richness with finesse. Moderately tannic and endowed with a beautiful structure, it develops generous notes of fresh fruit — crushed strawberry and blackberry — on a crunchy, vibrant core, supported by a hint of licorice on the finish.

Pairing Suggestions

• Meat: Roasted lamb with herbes de Provence, grilled duck breast, or beef daube.
• Classic French: Cassoulet, tapenade crostini, or a charcuterie board.
• Cheese: Aged Comté, Manchego, or a firm sheep’s milk cheese.

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.

Call or text us for current bottle photographs 212-724-6767.

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

Domaine de la Solitude Pessac-Leognan Rouge 2022 · Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France

History

The Wine Estate “Domaine de la Solitude” in the 17th century, Hélène Barberini, a descendant of the illustrious Tuscan family of the same name, married Claude Martin, owner of a vineyard in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Their grandson would give a huge boost to “La Solitude” by creating the first label for the Appellation. Thus, “le Vin de la Solitude” became a symbol of quality and began to be exported, allowing a great terroir to come into its own.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

James Suckling, 93 Points — Very perfumed, bright and crunchy. Rose petals, lemons and other citrus fruits. Medium body with citrus and raspberry flavors. Linear and long with lovely energy and vivacity. Drinkable now, but better in a couple of years.

Decanter, 93 Points — Deep and highly aromatic on the nose - freshly picked red berries with dried herbs and a touch of liquorice. Supple and forward, this has nice energy and bounce. Creamy, super juicy and with a cooling mineral bite that comes across as slightly spiced with graphite and pencil lead accents and a slight chalky powderiness on the tongue. Really lovely frame and focus. Great to drink now, has plenty of punch but with lovely finesse too. Easy to enjoy this.

Vinous Media, 92 Points — The 2022 Domaine de la Solitude is soft, open-knit and very appealing. Crushed flowers, bright red-toned fruit, orange peel and cinnamon build effortlessly in the glass.

Memo Summary Notes

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot

Pair with

Meats: Grilled lamb chops with rosemary, roasted duck, or a classic beef tenderloin.

Savory: Mushroom-heavy dishes or a rich truffle risotto (which echoes the wine's earthy notes).

Cheese: Mature hard cheeses like Mimolette or Manchego.

Details

• Bottle Size: 750ml
• Region: Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
• Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot
• Type: Red

When the domaine acquired this 1.02-hectare parcel in 2004, it was planted with Pinot Noir and produced wines under the Corton Pougets appellation.

Recognizing that its yellow marl, light brown clay, and fine, thick pebbles were better suited to the production of great white Burgundy, the estate made the decision in 2005 to overgraft the upper portion of its 35-year-old vines with Chardonnay.

The result is a distinguished expression of Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru, combining power, mineral complexity, and remarkable longevity.

2009 Vintage

93 Points | Vinous

The 2009 Corton-Charlemagne is a rich, large-scaled white. It shows considerable depth and richness, with layers of fruit that builds effortlessly towards the explosive finish. This is a dramatic wine loaded with personality and sheer character.

94 Points | Burghound

A quite densely fruited nose delivers real complexity as well as elegance with mostly floral notes to the otherwise ripe green apple and stone aromas. There is excellent richness to the full-bodied, serious and textured broad-shouldered flavors that possess an abundance of palate staining extract that culminate in a focused, powerful and explosive finish. Don't Miss!

2014 Vintage

94 Points | Vinous

Bright yellow. Very ripe aromas of lemon oil, grilled nuts, toasted bread and brown spices. Fat, rich and very ripe, with mineral and spice flavors accented by lemon zest, lime and lavender. This initially struck me as weightier and less classic than the 2015, but the wine's strong spine of stony acidity gives it terrific penetration and really frames and extends the fruit on the long finish. Still, this big, smooth wine is showing beautifully today. Winemaker Sieve notes that the south/southeast exposition of the vines gives this wine a crunchy fruit character along with considerable weight.

A rare two-vintage Grand Cru offering, beautifully presented in a complimentary wooden wine box.

Complimentary Gift Wrapping Included

Among the Meursault Premiers Crus, some stand above the pack: Les Charmes, Les Genevrières, and, of course, Les Perrières.

Widely regarded as Meursault's most sought-after climat, Les Perrières is regularly considered a natural candidate for possible promotion to Grand Cru status.

The name Perrière refers to stone quarries, an appropriate reflection of the vineyard's distinctive mineral character.

Its remarkable minerality sets it apart from other Meursault Premier Crus, bringing it stylistically closer to the great white wines of Puligny-Montrachet.

2012 Vintage, 93 Points | Jancis Robinson: Tasted blind at the Burgundy 2012 tasting in Beaune. The 2012 Meursault 1er Cru les Perrières from Domaine du Montille has a quintessential Perrières nose: cold wet stone, more tertiary than its peers, touches of walnut and smoke coming through with aeration. The palate is fresh and vibrant, citrus peel and orange rind on the entry, very good depth and gently fanning out towards the long finish. This is primal, backward and broody but I can envisage this ageing with real style and verve.

2022 Vintage, 92–94 Points | Vinous Media: The 2022 Meursault Les Perrières 1er Cru retains mineralité and tension on the nose with a very slight reduction. The palate is well-balanced with a crisp line of acidity and more mineralité compared to other Perrières I have tasted. Elegant and quite persistent on the finish. Excellent.

91–93 Points | Burghound: Pungent aromas of leesy reduction and wood render the nose tough to evaluate. By contrast, there is both excellent density and intensity to the well-detailed middleweight flavors that exude a prominent stoniness on the youthfully austere and more tightly wound finale. This is awkward but it seems promising nonetheless and my projected range offers the benefit of the doubt.

An exceptional three-vintage exploration of one of Meursault's most distinguished vineyards.

Ideally situated mid-slope, Le Cailleret occupies an extraordinary position in Puligny-Montrachet, directly below the prestigious Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru and above Premier Cru Les Pucelles.

Its proximity to Montrachet and the exceptional quality of its wines have earned Le Cailleret a reputation as one of Burgundy's truly great Premier Cru vineyards.

The name Le Cailleret refers to the stony nature of its soils.

In 1993, Domaine de Montille acquired a 0.85-hectare parcel in the southernmost section of the vineyard, neighboring Le Montrachet.

The domaine has practiced organic viticulture since 1995 and biodynamic farming since 2005. Its wines are Ecocert certified.

2007 Vintage, 94 Points | Wine Advocate: The de Montille 2007 Puligny-Montrachet Caillerets delivers a haunting nose of white peach, fresh lemon, honeysuckle, and narcissus. Alive with energy and citric brightness yet also subtly creamy in texture and saturating the palate with liquid flowers and almond paste, it finishes with cut, clarity, refreshment, vibratory intensity, and a wealth of ineffable mineral nuances. This is both ultra-Caillerets and ultra-2007, and that is an impressive combination likely to resonate even a decade from now. Reviewed December 2009

2022 Vintage, 93–95 Points | Vinous: The 2022 Puligny-Montrachet Les Caillerets 1er Cru has a slightly more appley, linear and stonier bouquet than the more comely Folatières. You could argue the aromatics deliver more typicité. The palate is well-balanced, crisp and taut, with plenty of crushed stone character and more complexity towards the finish. This Puligny carries intellectual weight and should age well in bottle. Reviewed January 2024

2023 Vintage, 90–93 Points | Burghound — Allen Meadows: Here too firm reduction and a trace of wood are all that can be discerned. Once again the mouthfeel of the medium-bodied flavors is rich to the point of opulence with reasonably good vibrancy that carries over to the refreshingly dry and, like the Folatières, subtly mineral-inflected finish. This too could use more depth so again, at least some patience should prove to be beneficial.

A remarkable collection spanning three vintages from one of Puligny-Montrachet's most prestigious Premier Cru vineyards.

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.

From one of Burgundy's most respected estates, Domaine de Montille Monthélie Rouge Vin Nature 2023 offers a beautifully expressive interpretation of Pinot Noir, combining the elegance of the Côte de Beaune with a natural, minimally interventionist approach to winemaking.

Under the direction of Étienne de Montille, the historic domaine has earned international recognition for its commitment to terroir-driven wines, organic and biodynamic viticulture, and meticulous vineyard management.

Produced from biodynamically farmed vineyards in Monthélie, this distinctive Vin Nature cuvée emphasizes purity of fruit and aromatic freshness. Vinified with minimal sulfur intervention, the wine captures the lively character of Pinot Noir, allowing its natural perfume, delicate structure, and vibrant acidity to shine.

The nose reveals inviting aromas of fresh raspberries, red cherries, wild strawberries, and delicate floral notes, complemented by subtle hints of white pepper and earthy minerality. On the palate, the wine is fresh, supple, and beautifully textured, offering juicy red berry flavors, gentle tannins, and an energetic finish.

A particularly approachable expression of Burgundy, the 2023 Monthélie Vin Nature balances immediate drinking pleasure with the refinement and authenticity that define Domaine de Montille.

Food Pairing: Excellent with roast chicken, grilled poultry, mushroom risotto, charcuterie, roasted vegetables, and soft cheeses.

Wine Details

• Producer: Domaine de Montille

• Wine: Monthélie Rouge Vin Nature

• Vintage: 2023

• Country: France

• Region: Burgundy

• Subregion: Côte de Beaune

• Appellation: Monthélie AOC

• Grape Variety: 100% Pinot Noir

• Wine Type: Red Wine

• Style: Dry, light-to-medium-bodied, fresh and elegant

• Farming: Biodynamic

• Winemaking: Minimal sulfur intervention

• Alcohol: 13% ABV

• Bottle Size: 750ml

• Serving Temperature: 55–60°F (13–16°C)

Domaine de Montille Pommard Premier Cru Les Pézerolles 2022 is an exceptional expression of Pinot Noir from one of Burgundy's most respected estates. Combining the characteristic depth and structure of Pommard with remarkable finesse, this Premier Cru showcases the elegance, aromatic complexity, and mineral precision of the celebrated Les Pézerolles vineyard.

Located in the northern section of Pommard, near the border with Beaune, Les Pézerolles is known for producing wines of refinement and delicacy, often displaying a more graceful personality than the traditionally powerful style associated with Pommard. Its limestone-rich soils contribute freshness, fine tannins, and a distinctive mineral character.

Under the direction of Étienne de Montille, Domaine de Montille continues its long-standing commitment to organic and biodynamic viticulture, thoughtful winemaking, and the authentic expression of Burgundy's individual terroirs.

The outstanding 2022 vintage brings beautiful ripeness and concentration while preserving freshness and balance. Aromas of red cherries, ripe raspberries, wild strawberries, and violets unfold alongside delicate notes of sweet spice, forest floor, and crushed stone.

On the palate, the wine is beautifully composed, with concentrated red berry fruit, finely textured tannins, and lively acidity. Subtle earthy and savory nuances add complexity, while its elegant structure carries through to a long, persistent, mineral-driven finish.

An exquisite Premier Cru Burgundy, the 2022 Les Pézerolles offers both immediate appeal and impressive cellaring potential. Its combination of power, purity, and sophistication makes it an excellent addition to any serious Burgundy collection.

Expert Ratings

94 Points | Decanter: Pézerolles is up-slope from Petits Epenots. The topsoil here is relatively deep and somewhat sandy, but a firm limestone underpins the terroir. The combination gives a texture that is velvety and supple. The bright plum and blackberry aromas with a hint of tea, bergamot, and spice are lovely, and the finish is balanced and elegant. The grapes are from two parcels that total 0.89 hectares; half were fermented as whole clusters, and the wine is ageing now in cask (30% new). It will be ready to drink before the Rugiens-Bas, but this, too, will last.

90–92 Points | Jasper Morris — Barrel Sample: One third whole cluster. Dense purple, with quite a sturdy nose. Continues on the palate, this is a bit rigid, the tannins are firm but not rustic, and the fruit comes up to the wall of the structure. Drink from 2030-2036.

90–92 Points | Vinous — Barrel Sample: The 2022 Pommard Les Pezerolles 1er Cru, with one-third whole clusters, doesn't quite deliver the finesse of the Les Cras. The nose has touches of cracked black pepper and allspice, more tertiary in style. The palate is well-balanced with good depth and more black fruit, slightly granular in texture but missing the complexity of the preceding Les Cras.

Food Pairing: Perfect with roasted duck, herb-crusted lamb, beef tenderloin, veal, wild mushroom dishes, roast chicken, and aged cheeses.

Wine Details

• Producer: Domaine de Montille

• Wine: Pommard Premier Cru Les Pézerolles

• Vintage: 2022

• Country: France

• Region: Burgundy

• Subregion: Côte de Beaune

• Appellation: Pommard Premier Cru AOC

• Vineyard: Les Pézerolles (Premier Cru)

• Grape Variety: 100% Pinot Noir

• Wine Type: Red Wine

• Style: Dry, medium-bodied, elegant and structured

• Farming: Organic and biodynamic

• Soil: Limestone-rich clay soils

• Bottle Size: 750ml

• Serving Temperature: 55–60°F (13–16°C)

• Cellaring Potential: Approximately 10–20 years under proper storage conditions

Domaine de Montille Pommard Premier Cru Les Rugiens-Bas 2022 is a magnificent expression of Pinot Noir from one of the most prestigious Premier Cru vineyards in Burgundy's Côte de Beaune. Combining remarkable concentration, muscular structure, and exceptional finesse, this distinguished wine captures the power and complexity that have made Les Rugiens one of Pommard's most celebrated terroirs.

Situated on the southern slopes of Pommard, Les Rugiens-Bas is particularly prized for its iron-rich, reddish clay and limestone soils, which contribute to the vineyard's distinctive mineral character, depth, and impressive aging potential. Often considered among the finest Premier Cru sites in Pommard, Les Rugiens-Bas produces wines of extraordinary intensity and sophistication, frequently compared in stature to Grand Cru Burgundy.

Under the direction of Étienne de Montille, Domaine de Montille has earned international acclaim for its precise, terroir-driven winemaking and dedication to organic and biodynamic viticulture. The estate's interpretation of Les Rugiens-Bas emphasizes purity, structure, and elegance, allowing the exceptional vineyard character to take center stage.

The outstanding 2022 vintage brings generous fruit concentration balanced by freshness and precision. The aromatic profile reveals layers of black cherries, ripe raspberries, dark plums, and wild berries, complemented by notes of violets, exotic spices, forest floor, and subtle earthy minerality.

On the palate, the wine is concentrated and beautifully structured, offering rich dark berry flavors, firm yet refined tannins, and vibrant acidity. Hints of licorice, savory spice, and crushed stone add complexity, while its powerful mineral backbone carries through to a long, persistent, and elegantly balanced finish.

A truly exceptional Premier Cru Burgundy, the 2022 Les Rugiens-Bas combines the intensity and authority of classic Pommard with the precision and refinement that define Domaine de Montille. Built for extended cellaring, this remarkable wine promises to develop extraordinary complexity and elegance over the coming decades.

Expert Rating

94–96 Points Jasper Morris — Barrel Sample: 100% whole bunch vinification. Heady dense purple, with a significant intensity of fruit. This should be quite special from the first sniff. This is really intense, with a backbone that lends a crispness to the finish. Brian was keen not to overdo the 2022s and they will continue to gain weight from here. I think this will prove to be a great Pommard Rugiens. Drink from 2032.

95 Points Decanter: The Rugiens-Bas was always a favourite of Hubert de Montille, who crafted the wine in a tannic, concentrated style. Under his son Etienne and technical director Brian Sieve, he delivers a more modern-style, approachable, yet substantial wine. This wine makes a strong impression with its aromas of black plum, mulberry, and hints of smoke and earth. The texture is full-bodied and tannic, but the robust structure is managed well. The grapes from their hectare of vines in the best part of Rugiens-Bas are fermented as whole clusters and aged in cask (40% new).

Food Pairing: Excellent with roasted duck, venison, braised short ribs, beef tenderloin, herb-crusted lamb, wild mushroom dishes, and aged cheeses.

Wine Details

• Producer: Domaine de Montille

• Wine: Pommard Premier Cru Les Rugiens-Bas

• Vintage: 2022

• Country: France

• Region: Burgundy

• Subregion: Côte de Beaune

• Appellation: Pommard Premier Cru AOC

• Vineyard: Les Rugiens-Bas (Premier Cru)

• Grape Variety: 100% Pinot Noir

• Wine Type: Red Wine

• Style: Dry, medium-to-full-bodied, powerful and structured

• Farming: Organic and biodynamic

• Soil: Iron-rich red clay and limestone

• Bottle Size: 750ml

• Serving Temperature: 55–60°F (13–16°C)

• Cellaring Potential: Approximately 15–25+ years under proper storage conditions

From one of Burgundy's most distinguished estates, Domaine de Montille Volnay Premier Cru Les Taillepieds 2023 is a beautifully refined expression of Pinot Noir, combining the floral elegance of Volnay with the structure, precision, and remarkable mineral character of this celebrated Premier Cru vineyard.

Situated on the slopes of the Côte de Beaune, Les Taillepieds takes its name from the sharp limestone fragments that characterize its rocky soils. This exceptional terroir produces wines of distinctive tension, aromatic complexity, and impressive aging potential.

Domaine de Montille, under the direction of Étienne de Montille, is renowned for its dedication to traditional Burgundian winemaking, biodynamic vineyard practices, and an uncompromising commitment to expressing the individuality of each vineyard.

The 2023 vintage offers an enticing aromatic profile of ripe red cherries, wild raspberries, crushed violets, and rose petals, complemented by delicate notes of spice, forest floor, and crushed limestone. On the palate, the wine is elegant yet firmly structured, with beautifully integrated tannins, vibrant acidity, and a refined mineral backbone.

Silky red fruit unfolds across the palate, revealing layers of savory complexity and subtle earthy nuances. The finish is long, precise, and beautifully balanced, suggesting excellent potential for further development in the cellar.

A sophisticated and terroir-driven Premier Cru Burgundy, Les Taillepieds 2023 is an outstanding choice for collectors and enthusiasts seeking the elegance of Volnay with added depth, structure, and longevity.

Expert Ratins

93–95 Points | Jasper Morris — Barrel Sample: 100% whole cluster but shaped very differently. This is a much richer wine and the fruit swamps the stems. Generous cherry and raspberry, effortless balance, a beautiful bottle of Volnay in the making. The flavours come back in waves. Drink from 2030-2038. Tasted Oct 2024.

92–94 Points | Vinous — Barrel Sample: Utilizing 50% whole clusters, the 2023 Volnay Les Taillepieds 1er Cru has a fragrant bouquet with red cherries, strawberry fruit and potpourri, with the stems more assimilated here compared to the Les Mitans. Fresh and saline, the palate is medium-bodied with finely knit tannins and a brittle, chalky-textured finish. Give this at least a couple of years in bottle. This is very promising.

Food Pairing: Ideal with roasted duck breast, herb-crusted lamb, veal, wild mushroom risotto, roast chicken, and aged cheeses.

Wine Details

• Producer: Domaine de Montille

• Wine: Volnay Premier Cru Les Taillepieds

• Vintage: 2023

• Country: France

• Region: Burgundy

• Subregion: Côte de Beaune

• Appellation: Volnay Premier Cru AOC

• Vineyard: Les Taillepieds (Premier Cru)

• Grape Variety: 100% Pinot Noir

• Wine Type: Red Wine

• Style: Dry, medium-bodied, elegant and structured

• Farming: Organic and biodynamic

• Soil: Limestone-rich, rocky soils

• Bottle Size: 750ml

• Serving Temperature: 55–60°F (13–16°C)

• Cellaring Potential: Approximately 10–20 years under proper storage conditions

Domaine de Montille Vosne-Romanée Premier Cru Aux Malconsorts 2022 is an extraordinary expression of Pinot Noir from one of Burgundy's most prestigious Premier Cru vineyards. Combining remarkable depth, aromatic complexity, and exceptional elegance, this wine captures the sophistication and distinctive terroir of Vosne-Romanée at its finest.

Situated immediately south of the legendary La Tâche Grand Cru vineyard, Aux Malconsorts is widely regarded as one of the finest Premier Cru sites in the Côte de Nuits. Its exceptional location and limestone-rich soils produce wines of remarkable concentration, refined structure, and extraordinary aging potential.

Under the direction of Étienne de Montille, Domaine de Montille has become internationally celebrated for its precise, terroir-driven wines and dedication to organic and biodynamic viticulture. The estate's Aux Malconsorts is particularly prized for its ability to combine the seductive richness of Vosne-Romanée with remarkable freshness and mineral definition.

The outstanding 2022 vintage delivers an alluring bouquet of black cherries, ripe raspberries, wild strawberries, and dark plums, beautifully interwoven with notes of violets, rose petals, exotic spices, and subtle forest floor.

On the palate, the wine is concentrated yet remarkably graceful, revealing layers of succulent dark fruit, fine-grained tannins, and vibrant acidity. Hints of licorice, crushed stone, and delicate savory spice add complexity, while its silky texture and exceptional balance lead to a long, sophisticated finish.

A magnificent expression of one of Burgundy's most celebrated terroirs, the 2022 Aux Malconsorts offers the depth and refinement expected of a truly exceptional Premier Cru. Built for extended cellaring, it promises to develop even greater aromatic complexity and elegance with time.

Expert Rating

96–98 Points | Jasper Morris, Reviewed January 2024

90% whole cluster. A ruby edge to the purple colour. A hauntingly beautiful bouquet, brilliant rose petal notes, the lovely fragrance of Gloire de Dijon springs to mind, with the delicacy of really fine red berry fruits. Incredible intensity in such a refined manner, very beautiful long fresh finish. Excellent. Drink from 2030-2040. Tasted Oct 2023.

Food Pairing: Exceptional with roasted duck breast, venison, herb-crusted lamb, beef tenderloin, truffle risotto, wild mushrooms, and refined game dishes.

Wine Details

• Producer: Domaine de Montille

• Wine: Vosne-Romanée Premier Cru Aux Malconsorts

• Vintage: 2022

• Country: France

• Region: Burgundy

• Subregion: Côte de Nuits

• Appellation: Vosne-Romanée Premier Cru AOC

• Vineyard: Aux Malconsorts (Premier Cru)

• Grape Variety: 100% Pinot Noir

• Wine Type: Red Wine

• Style: Dry, medium-bodied, concentrated, elegant and structured

• Farming: Organic and biodynamic

• Soil: Limestone-rich clay soils

• Bottle Size: 750ml

• Serving Temperature: 55–60°F (13–16°C)

• Cellaring Potential: Approximately 15–25+ years under proper storage conditions

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 

Instead of the typical tropical and grassy notes of Sauvignon Blanc, this wine offers refreshing hints of crushed rock and citrus. This distinct minerality comes from the limestone parcel where it originates, known as "Les Pierres Plates" or "the flat stones," which is filled with fossilized shells from the Kimmeridgian period. This same type of soil is found in Chablis and parts of Champagne, producing bone-dry, flinty, and almost saline wines that are ideal for pairing with shellfish.

Memo Summary Notes

The Domaine de Reuilly "Les Pierres Plates" Sauvignon Blanc 2025 is a striking example of why wine enthusiasts often call Reuilly the "hidden gem" of the Loire Valley. Produced by Denis Jamain, this wine is famous for its "Chablis-like" personality—bone-dry, intensely mineral, and chiseled.

The name translates to "The Flat Stones," referring to the specific vineyard site composed of Kimmeridgian limestone—the same ancient, fossil-rich soil found in Chablis and Sancerre. This provides the wine with its signature high-tension acidity and flinty "wet stone" finish.

This wine’s bracing acidity and saline notes make it a "super-pairing" for seafood and regional French snacks:

• Shellfish: Fresh oysters on the half-shell or chilled shrimp.

• Cheese: Classic Loire pairing with goat cheeses like Crottin de Chavignol or Valençay.

• Light Fare: Spring pea risotto, asparagus salad, or ceviche with plenty of lime juice.

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 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.

Gilles Baumann has been coaxing something genuinely special out of Gascony for decades, and this 100% Gros Manseng is a quiet proof of it. The Réserve Sélection is a step up from the estate's classic blend — a single-varietal bottling that lets Gros Manseng do what it does best: spiced citrus, brioche, a thread of salty minerality, and a finish that's dry yet somehow feels lush. Vines averaging 30 years old, grown on the sun-baked slopes of the Côtes de Gascogne, give the fruit real concentration for the price. Crisp, textured, and versatile at the table — this is the kind of bottle that disappears fast.

• Grape: 100% Gros Manseng
• Region: Côtes de Gascogne, Southwest France
• Vintage: 2025
• Format: 750ml
• Vines: ~30 years average
• Closure: Screw cap

Food Pairing

Seafood, grilled fish, tarts, salty or sweet cakes, and fresh cheeses. Excellent as an aperitif. Serve well chilled.

Expert Review

John Gilman 96 Points | This is my first taste of Domaine des Closiers top bottling, les Trezellières, which is made from a parcel of old vines and given fully two years aging in barrel, with somewhere between ten and twenty percent of the casks new. The 2019 les Trezellières is beautifully deep and refined aromatically, delivering scents of black cherries, cassis, Cuban cigar wrapper, a very complex base of soil, a touch of Cheval Blanc-like menthol, a gentle dollop of tree bark, cedar and a topnote of cigar smoke. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied, elegant and rock solid at the core, with great focus and complex, superb soil undertow, fine-grained tannins and a very long, pure and classy finish.

The small percentage of new oak gives this wine more refinement than the les Coudraies bottling, but because it is no more than twenty percent new oak, the wood influence is far more subtle out of the blocks than in Clos Rougeard’s Le Bourg bottling, which is the closest comparison I can think of for this brilliant young Saumur Champigny. Give this beautiful wine plenty of time in the cellar to properly resolve its tannins and completely blossom! (2019). 

Domaine des Gravennes Côtes du Rhône 2025 · Rhône Valley, France · 750ml

Tasting Notes

The 2025 Domaine des Gravennes Côtes-du-Rhône Rouge is a vibrant and expressive Rhône blend, opening with aromas of ripe blackberry, dark cherry, cracked pepper, and dried herbs, accented by subtle notes of lavender and smoky earth. Medium- to full-bodied with supple tannins and balanced acidity, the palate delivers layers of juicy black fruit, spice, and savory complexity leading to a smooth, lingering finish.

Producer History

The story begins in the heart of the Rhône Valley, in Suze-la-Rousse, at the beginning of the 20th century. As the Belle Époque was in full swing, Alphonse Pradelle planted the first vines on his land. From the 1960s onwards, his son Raphaël and his wife Marie-Louise gave the estate a new impetus. Even then, unknowingly, the estate was cultivating all its vines organically.

In 1996, their daughter Bernadette Bayon de Noyer returned to the estate and created Domaine des Gravennes. Five years later, she was joined by her husband Jean, with whom they replanted vines, invested in equipment, and modernized the winery: Domaine des Gravennes took flight!

Now, it's the fourth generation's turn to carry on the tradition. In 2011, Luc was the first to return to the “Maison,” after having accumulated winemaking experience on four continents. Four years later, his older brother, Rémi, was drawn to the vineyards and wine, leading him to leave his engineering career and return to his childhood home in Provence. As independent winemakers, they continue a family tradition together, respecting shared values: protecting the land and its environment, fostering a sense of community, and a constant pursuit of balance and elegance.

Farming and Winemaking

It is the expertise of independent winemakers, passed down through generations, that makes the estate's wines unique. Since 2011, the vineyard has been certified organic. Biodynamic farming is at the heart of the estate's core values.

Maintaining the woods and lavender surrounding the plots reflects the estate's deep commitment to promoting biodiversity and the balance of the Gravennes ecosystem. The microclimate created by this unique environment makes each plot one of a kind.

Highlighting the qualities of the Rhône Valley terroir continues in the cellar through the preferential use of indigenous yeasts and meticulous winemaking. A meticulous sorting of the grapes is carried out to select the finest cuvées for the subsequent blending of the wines.

Producer Description · Lou Pitchoun

It's common knowledge that the youngest child in a family is always the favorite. In Provence, they affectionately call him Lou Pitchoun. By chance or coincidence (objectivity being key!), this cuvée was created upon the arrival of the youngest, Luc, at the estate. A wine in his image: fresh, approachable, and authentic.

Food Pairings

Grilled lamb, roast chicken with herbs, beef stew, duck confit, charcuterie, ratatouille, or mushroom tart.

Details

• Bottle Size: 750ml
• Vintage: 2025
• Region: Rhône Valley, France
• Appellation: Côtes du Rhône
• Grapes: 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre
• Type: Red
• Farming: Estate vineyard certified organic since 2011; biodynamic farming described in the producer copy

Domaine des Pasquiers Côtes du Rhône Villages Plan de Dieu 2023 · Rhône, France · 750ml

Producer Description

Four generations of the Lambert family have worked this estate since 1935. Brothers Jean-Claude and Philippe Lambert took over in 1998 and oriented the domaine toward bottled wines. Today, they work alongside the next generation, Matthieu and Perrine, sharing a commitment to respect for the soil, the vines and the environment.

The 87-hectare estate spans IGP Vaucluse, Côtes du Rhône, Côtes du Rhône Villages Plan de Dieu, Côtes du Rhône Villages Sablet and Gigondas. Their uncompromising work is a constant quest for excellence, with the aim of expressing their terroirs in each glass.

Vineyards and Farming

At the foot of the Dentelles de Montmirail, Plan de Dieu lies on terraces of red clay covered with rolled pebbles. These stones retain the sun’s warmth into the night. The Plan de Dieu vineyard averages 30 years of age and has particularly low yields, producing rich, concentrated fruit.

Elsewhere on the estate, Sablet’s gentle slopes have sandy soils and gravel that bring finesse and mineral qualities, while the varied soils of Gigondas produce structured, complex wines. The Lambert family began gradually converting the estate to organic farming in 2010.

Winemaking

The harvest is entirely destemmed, with short vatting periods to preserve aromatic richness and freshness. Grape varieties are vinified separately before blending. The estate grows Grenache for fruit and mellowness, Syrah for structure and delicacy, and Mourvèdre for depth and concentration.

Tasting Notes

Family-run and deeply rooted in the southern Rhône, the Pasquiers craft wines with generous fruit, warmth and easygoing charm. The 2023 Côtes du Rhône shows ripe red berries, a touch of spice and a classic hint of garrigue.

Over the years, the Pasquiers wines have become some of our most popular and best-selling Rhône bottles: authentic, delicious and consistently among the region’s great values.

Food Pairings

Enjoy with grilled meats, stews or simply with friends.

Details

• Bottle Size: 750ml
• Vintage: 2023
• Region: Rhône, France
• Appellation: Côtes du Rhône Villages Plan de Dieu
• Grape: Grenache
• Type: Red
• Farming Attributes: Organic, Biodynamic