French Wine

Château d'Esclans | Whispering Angel Rosé | Côtes de Provence 2025

There is a reason Whispering Angel became the world's most recognized Provence rosé: it is simply, consistently, beautifully made. Sacha Lichine and his team at Château d'Esclans set the benchmark for pale Provençal rosé, and the 2025 continues that tradition with the effortless elegance the wine is known for.

Pale salmon in the glass, it opens with fresh peach, strawberry, and delicate red berry fruit, with a floral lift that is quintessentially Provence. The palate is full and lush yet bone dry — pink grapefruit and hints of peach, lively acidity, and a smooth, round finish with real concentration. Grenache provides the body, Cinsault the freshness, and Rolle (Vermentino) the aromatic lift that ties it all together.

Drink it from mid-day to midnight. It goes with everything and offends no one.

James Suckling 91 Points | An elegant and scented nose of pink cherry pits, peach skin and cherry blossoms. Medium-bodied with fresh, round acidity and a textured finish. Elegant and pure finish. (Vintage 2025). 

Pair with: Grilled seafood · Summer salads · Charcuterie · Light pasta · Goat cheese

• Appellation: Côtes de Provence AOP
• Grapes: Grenache, Cinsault, Rolle (Vermentino)
• Vintage: 2025
• Style: Dry Rosé
• Size: 750ml

Winemaker Description

Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label is the signature champagne of the House. Dominated by Pinot Noir, it offers the perfect balance of structure and finesse. Golden-yellow in color, with a foaming necklace of tiny bubbles. It is pleasing to the nose; initially reminiscent of yellow and white fruits, then of vanilla and later brioche. Note the fine balance between the fruity aromas coming from the grape varieties and the toasty notes, the result of the three years of bottle aging. The first sip delivers all the freshness and strength so typical of Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label with a symphony of fruit following (pear, lemon). It is a true member of the Brut family, well-structured, admirably vinous.

Expert Reviews

James Suckling 91 | This has aromas of grapefruit, pomegranates, and biscuits. It's honeyed and sleek with a medium body and supple bubbles. Soft and creamy finish. Majority Pinot Noir, with Chardonnay and Meunier. Around 40% reserve wines.

Decanter 91 | The nose offers yeasty bready aromas topped with fresh citrus, hints of stone fruit and strawberry tart. A palate of fresh croissants, red berries, green apple and lively lemon citrus, with lovely creaminess to the bright finish. A blend of 50% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Meunier. Up to 45% reserve wines. Drinking 2024 to 2030.

Wine Spectator 90 | This harmonious Champagne boasts a bright streak of tangerine peel–infused acidity, with flavors of ripe green apple, pastry cream and biscuit, plus accents of crystallized honey and candied ginger, all set on the lacy mousse. Drink now.

Jeb Dunnuck 89 | A golden straw hue, ripe with aromas of yeasty bread dough, peaches, and fresh flowers. Medium-bodied on the palate, ripe and juicy with rounded red berried fruit, a supple texture, a pillowy mousse, and a warming finish. Fresh and inviting. Drinking 2023 to 2026.

Product Details

Bottle Size: 750ml
Vintage: NV (Non-Vintage)
Region: Champagne, France
Appellation: Champagne AOC
Grape Varieties: Pinot Noir (50%), Chardonnay (30%), Pinot Meunier (20%)
Style: Brut Champagne
Aging: 3 years on the lees

E. Guigal · Côtes du Rhône Rouge · Southern Rhône · France · 2022 · 750ml

E. Guigal is the most celebrated name in the Rhône Valley — a family estate founded in Ampuis in 1946 by Etienne Guigal and now run by his son Marcel, whose obsessive commitment to quality has made Guigal synonymous with the finest expressions of Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvèdre from Hermitage to Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The Côtes du Rhône Rouge is Guigal’s benchmark entry-level wine: a blend of 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache, and 10% Mourvèdre, partially aged in large oak foudres, and crafted to deliver genuine Rhône character at an honest price. The 2022 vintage was the hottest and driest growing season since 1950 — intense heatwaves followed by mid-August rainfall that promoted ripening and yielded concentrated, full-bodied wines of exceptional richness and depth. Jeb Dunnuck called it “smoking good.” At $18.99, this is one of the most compelling values in French red wine.

Deep ruby in the glass with an intensely aromatic nose of blackberry, black plum, pepper, garrigue, and a whisper of cocoa — generous, expressive, and unmistakably southern Rhône. On the palate: full-bodied and round, with lush dark fruit, velvety tannins, and a long, elegant finish that shows real finesse beyond the abundance of fruit. Three critics, three 90+ scores: Jeb Dunnuck 91, Wine Enthusiast 91, Wine Advocate 90. Drink now through 2028. Pair with charcuterie, braised lamb, beef stew, roast chicken, or a simple cheese board.

• Producer: E. Guigal (est. 1946, Ampuis)
• Wine: Côtes du Rhône Rouge AOC
• Vintage: 2022
• Origin: Southern Rhône Valley, France
• Blend: 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre
• Aging: Partially aged in large oak foudres
• Style: Full-bodied, generous southern Rhône red
• Scores: Jeb Dunnuck 91 · Wine Enthusiast 91 · Wine Advocate 90
• Drinking Window: Now–2028
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Blackberry, black plum, pepper, garrigue, cocoa, velvety tannins, long elegant finish
• Pair With: Charcuterie · Braised lamb · Beef stew · Roast chicken · Cheese board

The Rhône’s most celebrated name, three 90+ scores — southern France’s most reliable everyday red.

Expert Reviews

Jeb Dunnuck — 91 Points
“Smoking good — blackberries, pepper, and garrigue in a round, supple, medium to full-bodied style. Remarkable quality for the appellation.”

Wine Enthusiast — 91 Points
“Black plum and cocoa-dusted aromas bump against raspberry and black tea. Fulsome in body, with red fruit riding all the way to the finish, made more complex by velvety tannins.”

Wine Advocate — 90 Points
“Juicy, round and elegant — remarkably dense for the vintage and represents excellent value.”

Louis Jadot Mâcon-Villages — Mâconnais, Burgundy 2025

Louis Jadot is one of Burgundy’s most celebrated négociants — a house with over 160 years of history and an unrivalled reputation for honest, terroir-driven wines at every price point. The Mâcon-Villages is their benchmark expression of unoaked Burgundy Chardonnay: sourced from chalk and limestone soils across the Mâconnais, fermented in stainless steel with no oak contact, and crafted to deliver the pure, bright, food-friendly character that has made this appellation a perennial favorite.

Floral and inviting on the nose: apple blossom, citrus zest, and white peach. On the palate, it is crisp and refreshing — bright green apple and lemon, underpinned by a nuanced mineral thread from the limestone soils, with a clean, lively finish and excellent balance. The quintessential unoaked Burgundy Chardonnay — effortlessly drinkable and endlessly food-friendly.

• Producer: Louis Jadot, Beaune, Burgundy, France
• Vintage: 2025
• Appellation: Mâcon-Villages AOC
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Soils: Chalk and limestone, Mâconnais
• Vinification: Stainless steel fermentation, no oak
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Apple blossom, citrus zest, white peach, green apple, lemon, limestone minerality
• Best Paired With: Oysters, grilled fish, roast chicken, light pasta, goat cheese, summer salads

A 160-year Burgundy house at its most approachable — Louis Jadot Mâcon-Villages is the benchmark for what unoaked Chardonnay can be.

Winemaker Description

Bright powder-pink with silver highlights. The nose offers a delicate bouquet of roses and red fruit, evolving toward tangy notes. On the palate, beautiful balance of freshness, liveliness, and deliciousness — strawberry and peach with tension and a long, saline, mineral finish. A blend of Cinsault, Grenache, and Syrah, harvested early morning to preserve fruit freshness and fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks.

About La Vieille Ferme

Produced by the Perrin family — the same family behind Château de Beaucastel — La Vieille Ferme Rosé is affectionately known as the "Chicken Wine" for its colorful label and has become a social media favorite for its lightness, character, and exceptional value. Sourced from the Ventoux appellation in the southern Rhône Valley, this rosé delivers Provençal charm at an unbeatable price.

Food Pairings

Serve at 10–12°C. Ideal with hors d'oeuvres, cold buffets, tomato salads, grilled meats, and summer-style dishes. Perfect chilled on its own as a porch or patio sipper.

Product Details

• Producer: La Vieille Ferme (Perrin Family)
• Appellation: Ventoux, Rhône Valley, France
• Grapes: Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah
• Closure: Screwcap
• Vintage: 2025
• Style: Dry, light-bodied, fruit-forward Provençal rosé
• Format: 750ml

Château Hyot Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux 2020 · Bordeaux, France

Château Hyot is situated on the slopes just west of Castillon, in the Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux appellation on Bordeaux's Right Bank, a neighboring region to Saint-Émilion known for Merlot-dominant wines of genuine character at value prices. The estate's sandy-gravelly soils act as a natural flavor enhancer, contributing a distinctive minerality and freshness to the wine.

Tasting Notes

Intense color with ruby reflections and a shine. The nose offers black fruit, blackberry, blackcurrant and blueberry with toasted notes. The authenticity of the terroir comes through in the tannic structure and fruitiness of the wine.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2020

Wine Enthusiast (Roger Voss), 91 Points— A well-balanced wine with acidity and black currant fruits, this is structured and juicy. It is set to age well, freshness keeping the fruit vivid. Drink from 2025.

Prior Vintage Review - Vintage 2019

James Suckling, 90 Points — Mulberries, dark plums, dried herbs, burdock and cigar box on the nose. Medium body with powdery tannins. Fruity, with fresh acidity and a flavorful, earthy finish.

Details

• Producer: Château Hyot
• Appellation: Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux AOC, Right Bank, France
• Varietal: Merlot with some Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon
• Vintage: 2020
• Size: 750ml
• Terroir: Sandy-gravelly slopes west of Castillon
• Pairings: Roast lamb, grilled beef, duck, mushroom dishes, aged cheeses

La Vieille Ferme Rouge — Southern Rhône, France 2024 750ml

La Vieille Ferme is produced by the legendary Perrin family — the same family behind the iconic Château de Beaucastel in Châteauneuf-du-Pape — and stands as a global benchmark for everyday Rhône-style wine. Sourced from the Luberon in the Southern Rhône, La Vieille Ferme consistently delivers fruit-forward character, honest terroir expression, and remarkable value in every vintage. The 2024 Southern Rhône growing season yielded wines of aromatic richness and vibrant tension, and this Rouge is no exception — a medium-bodied, easy-drinking red that punches well above its price.

Limpid purple with violet undertones, the 2024 Rouge opens with a seductive bouquet of blackcurrants, blueberries, leather, and violet. On the palate, vibrant freshness and balance with very ripe fruit, pepper, and elderberries — soft tannins give this wine exceptional drinkability and versatility at the table.

“A global benchmark for everyday Rhône-style wine — fruit-forward, honest, and remarkable value from the family behind Château de Beaucastel.”

• Producer: La Vieille Ferme (Perrin Family, Château de Beaucastel)
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Luberon / Southern Rhône, France
• Blend: Grenache, Syrah, Carignan, Cinsault
• Style: Medium-bodied, fruit-forward, easy-drinking red
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Blackcurrant, blueberry, leather, violet, ripe fruit, pepper, elderberry, soft tannins
• Serve: Slightly cool at 60–65°F
• Best Paired With: Roasted chicken, grilled lamb chops, hearty pasta with tomato-based sauces, charcuterie, aged cheeses

The Perrin family’s gift to everyday wine lovers — La Vieille Ferme Rouge 2024 is Southern Rhône character and craftsmanship at an unbeatable price.

Château Miraval Côtes de Provence Rosé — Provence 2025

Château Miraval is the benchmark of Provence rosé — a 1,200-acre estate near the village of Correns, just north of Brignoles, in the heart of the appellation. The vineyards sit on clay and limestone soils, partially terraced at an average elevation of 350 meters, with significant day-to-night temperature swings that preserve the natural acidity and aromatic precision that define the Miraval style. Farmed organically, the estate blends Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, and Rolle into a rosé of exceptional refinement and consistency. The 2025 vintage was shaped by intense summer heat and early maturity — smaller-than-average berries with concentrated, expressive aromatics and the characteristic freshness of Provence. The result is one of the finest Miraval rosés in recent memory.

The color is an elegant, bright pale pink with silvery undertones. The nose is refined and captivating: a superb aromatic bouquet of white flowers, grapefruit, and white peach, with saline and lemony hints that signal the minerality to come. On the palate, it is ample, fresh, and luscious — vibrant white-fleshed fruit punctuated by saline and citrus notes that underscore its freshness and impart a beautiful, stony minerality. The finish is clean, long, and irresistibly Provençal. Serve well-chilled at 44–48°F.

“Beautiful aromatic power combined with the freshness characteristic of Provence wines.” — Château Miraval, 2025 Vintage Notes

• Producer: Château Miraval, Correns, Côtes de Provence, France
• Vintage: 2025
• Appellation: Côtes de Provence AOC
• Blend: Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, Rolle
• Farming: Organically Farmed
• Terroir: Clay and limestone, terraced vineyards at 350m elevation
• Style: Elegant, mineral-driven, pale Provence rosé
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: White flowers, grapefruit, white peach, saline minerality, citrus, long fresh finish
• Serve: Well-chilled at 44–48°F
• Best Paired With: Aperitif, salads, grilled fish, Mediterranean cuisine, sushi, soft cheeses

The icon of Provence rosé — Miraval 2025 is elegance, minerality, and the south of France in every glass.

Famille Perrin Côtes du Rhône Réserve Blanc — Southern Rhône 2025

Famille Perrin’s Côtes du Rhône Réserve Blanc is the calling card of one of the Southern Rhône’s most prestigious winemaking dynasties — the same family behind the legendary Château de Beaucastel. Blending Viognier, Marsanne, Grenache Blanc, and Roussanne from carefully selected vineyards across the appellation, this wine delivers a Châteauneuf-du-Pape-style experience at an everyday price. At under $15, it is one of the most compelling values in all of Southern France.

The color is a luminous pale gold with delicate green reflections. The nose is expressive and aromatic: ripe pear, nectarine, honey, and a lift of lilac and fresh herbs. On the palate, it is full-bodied and generous, with a lively, saline finish that brings freshness and beautiful length. The sweetness of stone fruit blends harmoniously with subtle floral notes, giving the wine a complexity that evolves beautifully in the glass.

• Producer: Famille Perrin (Château de Beaucastel), Southern Rhône, France
• Vintage: 2025
• Appellation: Côtes du Rhône AOC
• Blend: Viognier, Marsanne, Grenache Blanc, Roussanne
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Ripe pear, nectarine, honey, lilac, fresh herbs, saline finish
• Best Paired With: Grilled trout, bouillabaisse, shrimp with garlic butter, mild curry, saffron rice, goat cheese, charcuterie

A Beaucastel-pedigree white at an honest price — Famille Perrin’s Réserve Blanc is the benchmark for what everyday Côtes du Rhône can be.

Domaine Delaye | Les Pierres Grises | Saint-Véran AOC | Mâconnais, Burgundy | 2024

Les Pierres Grises — "the grey stones" — takes its name from the limestone outcroppings that define the terrain of Saint-Véran, the southernmost appellation of Burgundy's Mâconnais. Produced by Domaine Delaye, a family estate rooted in these grey limestone soils for generations, this is 100% Chardonnay vinified to let the vineyard speak: unoaked, precise and mineral-driven, with the kind of clarity and freshness that makes Saint-Véran one of the great values in white Burgundy.

The 2024 opens with bright aromas of lemon, green apple and white peach, accented by a distinctive chalky, stony minerality that is the hallmark of the appellation's limestone terroir. The palate is clean and focused, with crisp citrus and orchard fruit flavors, lively acidity and a precise, mineral-tinged finish. Unoaked and unencumbered — this is Chardonnay in its most honest, food-friendly form.

Serve well chilled at 48–52°F. Pairs beautifully with oysters, grilled white fish, shrimp, shellfish, roast chicken, turkey, goat cheese, Brie, light pasta with lemon-butter sauce and spring vegetable dishes.

• Producer: Domaine Delaye
• Cuvée: Les Pierres Grises
• Appellation: Saint-Véran AOC
• Region: Mâconnais, Burgundy, France
• Grape Variety: Chardonnay (100%)
• Vintage: 2024
• Vinification: Unoaked, stainless steel
• Style: Dry white wine, mineral and fresh
• Bottle Size: 750ml

Our Professional Review

Rand Sieger, 67 Wine Buyer: Always one of the first rosés to hit the market, this traditional Southern Rhône blend comes from 25–50 year old vines grown along the Gassac River. It boasts a pleasant, intense nose with hints of strawberries — full and round on the palate with bright red fruit flavors.

Few winemakers have come to define their region like Mas de Daumas Gassac has with the Languedoc. Aimé and Véronique Guibert purchased the land in the early 1970s, guided by a Bordeaux-based soil scientist who recognized the limestone-rich terroir's great grape-growing potential — as densely mineral-laden as Burgundy's Côte d'Or.

What sets Mas de Daumas Gassac apart is their unflinching commitment to pushing boundaries — of the appellation's rules, of conventional farming techniques, and of "expected" grape varieties. Having traveled the world as part of a family leather business, the Guiberts planted an eclectic assortment of international grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Petite Arvine, Tempranillo, Nebbiolo, and more.

Tasting Notes

The 2025 Moulin de Gassac Guilhem Rosé is one of the most anticipated value rosés of the year — effortlessly chic and tasting far more expensive than its price tag suggests.

Pairings: Tabbouleh, grilled chicken, niçoise salad, or spicy appetizers like shrimp ceviche.

Product Details

• Vintage: 2025
• Varietal: Syrah (primary)
• Appellation: Vin de Pays de l'Hérault
• Region: Languedoc, France
• Bottle Size: 750ml
• Closure: Screw Cap
• Producer: Mas de Daumas Gassac / Moulin de Gassac

Château Greysac Cru Bourgeois Supérieur — Médoc, Bordeaux 2019

Château Greysac has a remarkable story. Built in the 1700s in the Médoc hamlet of Begadan, north of St. Estèphe, the estate was purchased in 2012 by Jean Guyon — a tastemaker, designer, and visionary who moved in the circles of fine art and couture fashion. Guyon arrived with a clear objective: to craft wines with the same care and attention to detail as a Cru Classé, but at far more approachable prices. He modernized the winery, overhauled vineyard practices with sustainability in mind, and by 2018 the estate was classified as Cru Bourgeois Supérieur. As the largest landowner in the Médoc, Guyon controls quality and consistency that few Bordelaise châteaux can claim — which is why, since 2015, Greysac has been the persistent #1 Médoc over $20 in the United States.

The 2019 — widely regarded as one of Bordeaux's finest vintages of the last decade — is a seamless, beautifully structured expression of the estate. The nose is plush and enticing: blackcurrant, blackberry, dark cherry, cedar, graphite, and a hint of spice. On the palate, it's medium-to-full-bodied with sappy black fruit, fine depth, smooth structured tannins, and a pure, caressing finish that belies its backbone. Aged 12 months in 50% one-year-old French oak and 50% tank, with malolactic fermentation in oak and three months of lees stirring.

"Seamless nose with plush black fruits and a hint of spice. Fabulous fruit on the palate with great balancing acidity and fine-grained tannins. Persistent finish." — Decanter, 96 Points

• Producer: Château Greysac, Begadan, Médoc, Bordeaux, France
• Classification: Cru Bourgeois Supérieur
• Vintage: 2019
• Appellation: Médoc AOC
• Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot
• Vineyard: 68 ha on clay-gravel hilltop; avg. 35-year-old vines; sustainably farmed
• Aging: 12 months, 50% one-year-old French oak / 50% tank; MLF in oak; 3 months lees stirring
• Size: 750ml
• Accolades: Decanter 96 | Vinous 91 | Jeb Dunnuck 90
• Tasting Notes: Blackcurrant, blackberry, dark cherry, cedar, graphite, smooth tannins, persistent finish
• Best Paired With: Roast lamb, grilled ribeye, duck confit, aged hard cheeses, classic Bordelaise cuisine

The #1 Médoc over $20 in the US — Cru Bourgeois Supérieur quality at an approachable price, in one of Bordeaux's greatest recent vintages.

Jean-Louis Chave Selection · Côtes du Rhône · 2024

Mon Coeur brings the Chave family's Rhône heritage to a Syrah-and-Grenache blend made to showcase the character of its appellation. The family has grown vines on Hermitage hill since 1481, with winemaking responsibilities passing from Gérard Chave to his son Jean-Louis.

Tasting Notes

The listing's tasting note describes a lively red with red and black berry fruit, spring flowers and peppery herbs. It is an inviting combination for the dinner table, pairing fruit with floral and savory accents.

Winemaker Description

The Chave family is based in a small village on the northern right bank of the Rhone. There have been Chaves growing vines on the famous Hermitage hill since 1481. Gerard Chave took over from his father in 1970 and rapidly achieved megastar status due to the extraordinary quality of his wines and has since passed on the winemaking responsibilities to his son Jean-Louis.

Their unmatched meticulousness continues through five centuries to render venerable expressions of the purest of Rhône terroir.

Jean-Louis makes these wines to showcase the potential of the appellations he works with. The Cotes du Rhone Mon Coeur is a blend of four distinct terroirs located in and around Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Though the blend varies year to year, it is roughly 50% Syrah and 50% Grenache. Vine age is between 20-60 years.

The blend proportions and vine ages above are the general producer description supplied in this listing, not a confirmed technical breakdown for the 2024 vintage.

Pairing Suggestions

Try with grilled lamb, roast chicken with herbs, mushroom dishes or a rustic beef stew.

Wine Details

• Producer: Jean-Louis Chave Selection
• Wine: Mon Coeur
• Appellation: Côtes du Rhône
• Region: Rhône, France
• Vintage: 2024
• Grapes: Syrah and Grenache
• Type: Red wine
• Size: 750ml

Isle Saint Pierre IGP Méditerranée Rosé — Southern France 2025

Isle Saint-Pierre takes its name from a small island at the mouth of the Rhône river, where 200 hectares of vines grow on sandy, silty, alluvial soils that lend the wine a subtle iodized salinity and a distinctly Mediterranean character. The blend is a generous one — Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Syrah, Malbec, Nielluccio, Vermentino, and Colombard — farmed sustainably and vinified with cold maceration and 100% free-run juice to preserve maximum freshness and aromatic lift. The result is a bistro-style rosé that over-delivers at every turn.

The 2025 pours a pale, luminous pink. The nose is lively and inviting — ripe strawberry, fresh red fruit, and a hint of dried fig with a whisper of floral lift. On the palate, it's vibrant and easy-drinking with an elegant texture and a lingering fresh finish that keeps you coming back. Serve well-chilled at 8–10°C and open it without ceremony — this is a wine built for the moment.

"An exceptional value in Southern French rosé — lively, vibrant, and delicious at every turn." — 67Wine Staff

• Producer: Isle Saint-Pierre, IGP Méditerranée, Southern France
• Vintage: 2025
• Appellation: IGP Méditerranée
• Blend: Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Syrah, Malbec, Nielluccio, Vermentino, Colombard
• Terroir: Sandy, silty, alluvial soils — island at the mouth of the Rhône
• Vinification: Cold maceration, 100% free-run juice, aged in tank
• Farming: Sustainable
• Closure: Screwcap
• Size: 750ml
• Serve: 8–10°C
• Tasting Notes: Ripe strawberry, fresh red fruit, dried fig, elegant texture, fresh finish
• Best Paired With: Aperitifs, light salads, grilled fish, Mediterranean seafood, charcuterie

Southern French rosé at its most honest and enjoyable — sustainably farmed, screwcap sealed, and priced for every day of the summer.

La Petite Lune Rouge — Graves, Bordeaux 2022

La Petite Lune is the entry-level expression from Clos des Lunes — a project founded by the owners of Domaine de Chevalier, one of Pessac-Léognan's most celebrated Grand Cru Classé estates, in collaboration with Stéphane Dérenoncourt, widely regarded as one of the top winemakers in France. The vineyards sit a stone's throw from Chevalier's famed plots in Graves, and the wine is built on a special selection of vineyard lots handpicked by Dérenoncourt and vinified by Bernard's team at Domaine de Chevalier. The aim: a wine that is slightly more modern in styling than a classic Bordeaux, with an excellent quality-to-price ratio — and at under $20, it delivers exactly that.

The 2022 is a blend of 50% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Cabernet Franc. The nose is pretty and inviting — blackberry, dried tobacco, and herbal notes with a classic Graves character. On the palate, it's medium-bodied and mouth-filling with generous fruit, supple tannins, and a delicious, clean fruit finish. Approachable now and built for easy enjoyment.

"Founded by the owners of Domaine de Chevalier and Stéphane Dérenoncourt, one of the top winemakers in France — a Bordeaux of excellent quality-price ratio." — Clos des Lunes

• Producer: Clos des Lunes (Domaine de Chevalier & Stéphane Dérenoncourt), Graves, Bordeaux, France
• Vintage: 2022
• Appellation: Bordeaux AOC
• Blend: 50% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Blackberry, dried tobacco, herbal notes, medium-bodied, supple tannins, clean fruit finish
• Best Paired With: Grilled lamb, roast chicken, duck, mushroom dishes, aged cheeses

Grand Cru Classé pedigree and Dérenoncourt's touch at an everyday Bordeaux price — the smartest under-$20 red in the shop.

Château La Vaisinerie — Puisseguin Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux 2019

Puisseguin Saint-Émilion is one of Bordeaux's four Saint-Émilion satellites — appellations that share the Saint-Émilion name and its clay-limestone terroir, but offer wines of genuine character at a fraction of the price of their more famous neighbor. Château La Vaisinerie is a standout estate in the appellation, producing a Merlot-dominant blend (90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc) that earned four separate critic endorsements in the 2019 vintage — one of Bordeaux's finest of the last decade. The result is a wine of real refinement and balance that consistently punches above its price point.

The 2019 pours a deep ruby. The nose is expressive and layered — blue fruits, blackberry, black cherry, candied violets, sweet tobacco, crushed stones, and floral notes with a mineral undertow. On the palate, it's medium-bodied, pure, and impeccably balanced: supple tannins, fine acidity, a pretty core of fruit, and a sensual, velvety-smooth finish. Already drinking beautifully with a carafe; will continue to develop through 2029.

"Blue fruits and cola cubes on the nose. Linear and direct, powerful but restrained, with a core of dark, juicy fruits and a mineral undertow giving freshness and a velvety-smooth texture to the tannins. One I want another glass of." — Georgina Hindle, Decanter, 90 Points

• Producer: Château La Vaisinerie, Puisseguin Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux, France
• Vintage: 2019
• Appellation: Puisseguin Saint-Émilion AOC
• Blend: 90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc
• Size: 750ml
• Accolades: Decanter 90 | James Suckling 90 | Jeb Dunnuck | Vinous (Neal Martin)
• Drink: Now–2029 (decant if opening today)
• Tasting Notes: Blue fruits, blackberry, black cherry, candied violets, sweet tobacco, crushed stone, supple tannins, sensual finish
• Best Paired With: Roast lamb, duck confit, grilled ribeye, mushroom dishes, aged cheeses

Four-critic Right Bank Bordeaux at a satellite appellation price — Saint-Émilion terroir, 2019 vintage, and Merlot-driven elegance in every glass.

Clos des Lunes Lune d’Argent — Bordeaux Blanc 2023

Clos des Lunes is one of Bordeaux’s most compelling white wine stories — an estate in the heart of the Sauternes appellation that has dedicated itself entirely to producing world-class dry white wine from legendary sweet wine terroir. Lune d’Argent (“Silver Moon”) is the estate’s flagship cuvée, blending the density and richness of Sémillon with the refinement and precision of Sauvignon Blanc, aged with a touch of French oak to add complexity without obscuring the magic of the terroir.

The 2023 vintage was harvested in multiple passes from August 28 through September 21, allowing optimal ripeness across the blend. The result is a vibrant, medium-bodied white with vivid acidity, a chalky mineral finish, and outstanding depth — floral, orchard fruit, honeyed grapefruit, golden apple, and a lovely umami complexity from the Sémillon. Four critics, four outstanding scores.

James Suckling 93 • Vinous 92 • Jeb Dunnuck 92 • Decanter 91 — “A top value pick!”

• Producer: Clos des Lunes, Sauternes, Bordeaux, France
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Bordeaux Blanc
• Blend: 70% Sémillon, 30% Sauvignon Blanc
• Aging: Touch of French oak
• Harvest: Multiple passes, Aug 28 – Sep 21
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Orchard fruit, honeyed grapefruit, golden apple, citrus, chalky minerality, umami complexity
• Best Paired With: Grilled lobster, pan-seared scallops, roast chicken, soft-ripened cheeses, foie gras

Sauternes terroir, dry white ambition, four 91+ scores — Lune d’Argent is one of the great white wine values in Bordeaux.

La Vieille Ferme · Luberon · 2025

La Vieille Ferme Blanc 2025 is a fresh, aromatic white from the Perrin family, offered here in a 750ml bottle. Dry and food-friendly, it is an easy choice for an aperitif, a relaxed lunch or a simple supper.

The Perrin family is also behind Château de Beaucastel in the Southern Rhône. Affectionately known as the “Chicken Wine” for its colorful label, La Vieille Ferme Blanc brings together Bourboulenc, Grenache Blanc, Ugni Blanc and Vermentino from the Luberon in an approachable white Rhône blend.

Style

A dry white with a fresh, aromatic character, designed to complement food rather than overwhelm it.

Food Pairing Suggestions

Pair with roast chicken with lemon and thyme, grilled sea bass, mussels in white wine, shrimp cocktail, goat cheese salads or charcuterie.

Details

• Producer: Perrin Family
• Wine: La Vieille Ferme Blanc
• Vintage: 2025
• Bottle Size: 750ml
• Country: France
• Region: Rhône Valley
• Appellation: Luberon
• Grapes: Bourboulenc, Grenache Blanc, Ugni Blanc and Vermentino
• Type: White wine
• Style: Dry, fresh and aromatic
• Closure: Screw top

Château de Ribebon Bordeaux Supérieur — Bordeaux, France 2020

Château de Ribebon has one of the more remarkable backstories in Bordeaux — the estate was formerly a hunting lodge for King Louis XVI, and today it is part of the distinguished Aubert family portfolio, one of the most respected names in the region. Farmed from 40-year-old vines and crafted in the classic Petit Château tradition, Ribebon represents exactly what Bordeaux Supérieur does best: honest, terroir-driven wine at an accessible price, made with the same care and philosophy as estates that cost far more. The 2020 vintage is widely regarded as one of Bordeaux's finest of the last decade.

The wine pours a deep ruby. The nose is inviting and well-defined — juicy black fruits, blackcurrant, plum, spice, and a touch of toast from careful oak aging. On the palate, it's structured and well-balanced with a savory, slightly earthy character, medium-to-full body, and a smooth mouthfeel. Still young and developing, it rewards patience — best from 2025 onward, but approachable now with decanting.

"A well-balanced wine, structured and still young. Spice and toast as well as juicy black fruits. The wine is on its way, but should not be drunk before 2025." — Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast, 90 Points

• Producer: Château de Ribebon (Aubert Family), Bordeaux, France
• Vintage: 2020
• Appellation: Bordeaux Supérieur AOC
• Varietal: Merlot-dominant blend
• Vine Age: 40 years
• Size: 750ml
• Accolades: Wine Enthusiast 90 (Roger Voss)
• Drink: Best from 2025; decant if opening now
• Tasting Notes: Blackcurrant, plum, spice, toast, earthy, structured tannins
• Best Paired With: Gourmet burgers, lamb chops with rosemary, duck confit, beef stew, mushroom risotto, aged Comté

A 90-point Bordeaux Supérieur from a former royal hunting lodge — Aubert family quality, 40-year-old vines, and one of Bordeaux's finest recent vintages at a Petit Château price.

Henri Bourgeois · Val de Loire · 2025

Henri Bourgeois Pure Sauvignon Blanc 2025 offers an aromatic, refreshing expression of the Loire Valley. Citrus blossom, green apple and gooseberry mingle with a whisper of passion fruit, while bright acidity carries lemon zest and fresh herbs through a clean, lively finish.

Henri Bourgeois has made wine in the Loire Valley for generations, building its reputation on precision, minerality and aromatic lift. Selected Loire vineyards and vinification focused on preserving natural freshness shape this 2025 Sauvignon Blanc, bottled under screwcap.

Expert Review · Vintage 2025

Wine Enthusiast, Reggie Solomon, 90 Points | Aromas of freshly-sliced apple, white nectarine skin and lemon peel open on the nose followed by meadow grass and crushed stone. A veil of green pear and saline raises orchard fruit that is lifted by wet rock and baby's breath on the tart finish.

Prior Vintage Review Excerpts · Petit Bourgeois - Vintage 2024

James Suckling, 91 Points ·  | “Crafty, lively and delicious… fresh acidity. Bright and vivid with a frank finish.”

Wine Enthusiast, 89 Points · | “Fragrant aromas of white peach and pomelo… lime zest and field grass.”

Food Pairings & Serving

Serve at 46–50°F as an aperitif or alongside halibut in lemon butter, grilled white fish, oysters, other seafood, goat cheese or light vegetable dishes.

Details

• Producer: Henri Bourgeois
• Wine: Pure Sauvignon Blanc
• Vintage: 2025
• Bottle Size: 750ml
• Country: France
• Region: Loire Valley
• Appellation: Val de Loire IGP
• Grape: Sauvignon Blanc
• Type: White wine
• Closure: Screwcap
• Serving Temperature: 46–50°F

Hugel Gentil — Alsace, France 2024

Hugel is one of Alsace's most storied and respected family estates, based in Riquewihr and producing wine since 1639 — nearly four centuries of unbroken winemaking in one of France's most distinctive wine regions. Gentil is their signature multi-varietal blend and one of the great value wines of Alsace: a kaleidoscope of grapiness produced exclusively from hand-harvested grapes grown in predominantly clay and limestone vineyards across a dozen of the most favored localities in and around Riquewihr. The 2024 is a blend of 30% Riesling, 20% Gewurztraminer, 15% Pinot Gris, 15% Pinot Blanc, 15% Sylvaner, and 5% Muscat — each variety contributing its own character to the whole.

The 2024 pours a pale, luminous gold. The nose is aromatic and inviting — citrus is the keynote, with a subtle overtone of rose and the gentle grapiness that only Muscat can bring. On the palate, it's slender and almost delicate, with lemon setting the tone and a live-wire acidity that makes it shine. Bone-dry, superbly refreshing, and straight as an arrow — the Riesling's finesse, the Gewurztraminer's spice, the Pinot Gris's body, and the Muscat's aromatic lift all in perfect balance.

"Straight as an arrow, slender, almost delicate, but with a live-wire acidity that makes it shine. Superbly refreshing. Bone-dry." — Vinous, 89 Points

• Producer: Hugel & Fils, Riquewihr, Alsace, France
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Alsace AOC
• Blend: 30% Riesling, 20% Gewurztraminer, 15% Pinot Gris, 15% Pinot Blanc, 15% Sylvaner, 5% Muscat
• Farming: Hand-harvested, clay and limestone vineyards
• Style: Bone-dry, aromatic
• Size: 750ml
• Accolades: Vinous 89
• Tasting Notes: Citrus, rose, lemon, grapiness, live-wire acidity, bone-dry, refreshing finish
• Best Paired With: Alsatian tarte flambée, grilled fish, sushi, Thai cuisine, soft cheeses, charcuterie

Nearly four centuries of Alsatian winemaking in a glass — six varieties, hand-harvested, bone-dry, and one of the great everyday whites of France.

Cave de Lugny Mâcon-Lugny Les Charmes — Mâconnais, Burgundy, France 2024

Cave de Lugny is one of the largest and most respected cooperative cellars in the Mâconnais — the southern reaches of Burgundy where Chardonnay finds its most approachable, food-friendly, and consistently excellent expression. Founded in 1926, the cooperative brings together growers farming the predominantly limestone plateaus around the village of Lugny, a terroir ideally suited to producing unoaked Chardonnay of genuine character and regional typicity. Les Charmes is Cave de Lugny's flagship single-vineyard cuvée — sourced from the limestone plateau of the same name in the heart of Lugny, a step up in concentration and character from their standard bottlings, and a unique expression of this particular plot in the Mâconnais. Unoaked and vinified to preserve the natural freshness and floral aromatics of the limestone terroir, it is Burgundy Chardonnay at its most versatile and food-friendly — and one of the great white wine values under $20.

The nose is floral and inviting: honey, acacia, and citrus with a freshness that speaks to the limestone soils. On the palate, it is ample and velvety with a spicy edge — generous and textured, yet retaining the bright acidity and freshness that make Mâcon-Lugny such a reliable partner at the table. Unoaked, clean, and incredibly versatile.

"Mâcon-Lugny Les Charmes comes from the predominantly limestone plateau of the same name in the town of Lugny. Ample, velvety, and spicy on the palate with floral and fruity aromas of honey, acacia, and citrus — a unique expression of this particular plot in the Mâconnais." — Cave de Lugny, Winemaker

• Producer: Cave de Lugny, Lugny, Mâconnais, Burgundy, France (est. 1926)
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Mâcon-Lugny AOC
• Vineyard: Les Charmes
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Winemaking: Unoaked
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Honey, acacia, citrus, floral, ample and velvety, spicy edge, fresh finish
• Style: Medium-bodied, unoaked, fresh, food-friendly
• Drink: Now through 2027
• Best Paired With: Pan-seared sea bass, garlic shrimp, sushi, roast chicken with lemon and thyme, goat cheese (Chabichou or Selles-sur-Cher), asparagus

Single-vineyard Mâconnais Chardonnay from one of Burgundy's finest cooperatives — Cave de Lugny Les Charmes 2024 s velvety, fresh, and one of the great white wine values under $20.

Winemaker Description — Vintage 2024

One of the great secrets of the Guigal family is their mastery of white Rhône varieties. While only 8% of Rhône wines are white, a full 25% of Guigal’s production is white — making them the single largest producer of white wines in the region. This seamless blend represents unbelievable value.

Led by 60% Viognier — a grape Guigal helped revive — the wine is rich yet fresh, vibrant and food-friendly. An ideal pairing for seafood, poultry, creamy pasta, soft cheeses, and more.

• Producer: E. Guigal
• Appellation: Côtes du Rhône AOC, Southern Rhône, France
• Blend: 60% Viognier, Marsanne, Roussanne, Clairette
• Vintage: 2024
• Format: 750ml

Château Les Gravettes — Bordeaux Supérieur 2019

Bordeaux Supérieur is the appellation that over-delivers — and Château Les Gravettes is a textbook example of why. The 2019 vintage, one of Bordeaux’s most celebrated in recent memory, brings explosive intensity and classic structure at a price that makes it an instant cellar staple.

The wine pours a deep, brilliant dark ruby. The nose is complex and inviting — blackberries, blueberries, baking spices, and walnuts. On the palate, it is medium-to-full-bodied with chewy tannins, juicy fruit, and a chalky texture that carries through to a flavorful, aromatic finish. Harmonious and long, with the balance to drink now or hold for several more years.

“Juicy with a chalky texture and a flavorful finish.” — James Suckling, 91 Points

• Producer: Château Les Gravettes, Bordeaux, France
• Vintage: 2019
• Appellation: Bordeaux Supérieur
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Blackberry, blueberry, baking spices, walnuts, chalky texture, aromatic finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now or hold through 2027+
• Best Paired With: Leg of lamb with herbs, game, goat’s cheese, roast duck

A 91-point Bordeaux at a rock-bottom price — Château Les Gravettes is the kind of find that makes wine lovers smile.

Louis Roederer · Collection 246 · Brut NV · Champagne · France

Louis Roederer is among the last great family-owned Champagne houses, and Collection 246 is its non-vintage flagship — a wine of uncommon ambition and transparency. Based on the 2021 base vintage, Chef de Caves Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon made a bold call: bumping Chardonnay to 54% (vs. the typical 44%) to navigate a challenging year, blending in 35% Pinot Noir from the Montagne de Reims and 11% Meunier. The blend draws on 55% base 2021 wines, 30% perpetual reserve stretching back to 2012, and 10% young-vine juice from Cristal plots aged in cask — a Cristal pedigree at a fraction of the price. Triple 93 points from Wine Spectator, Vinous, and James Suckling.

The Collection 246 opens with white cherry, Honeycrisp apple, tangerine peel, and biscuit — precise and inviting. On the palate, brisk saline notes cut through a core of orchard fruit, mint, white pepper, and slate. The mousse is silky and soft, the finish creamy and chalky with delicate spice and floral accents. Harmonious, impeccably balanced, and built to drink beautifully now through 2030.

Expert Reviews

“A harmonious Champagne with impeccable balance, depth and focus. White cherry, Honeycrisp apple, tangerine peel and biscuit, retaining vibrancy and grace. Chalky underpinning on the creamy finish with delicate spice and floral accents. Drink now through 2030.”
— Wine Spectator · 93 Points

“Positively stellar. Brisk saline notes cut through a core of orchard fruit, mint, white pepper and slate. No hard angles or awkward contours — impeccably done and absolutely delicious.”
— Vinous · 93 Points

“Pretty and elegant aromas of pears, apple blossoms, grapefruit and chalk. Silky, fresh and beautifully balanced with very soft bubbles.”
— James Suckling · 93 Points

• Producer: Louis Roederer, Reims, Champagne, France
• Cuvée: Collection 246 (base vintage 2021)
• Blend: 54% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir, 11% Meunier
• Reserve: 30% perpetual reserve (back to 2012) + 10% Cristal-plot cask-aged juice
• Vinification: 24% fermented in oak; ~30% malolactic fermentation
• Dosage: 7 g/L Brut
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: White cherry, Honeycrisp apple, tangerine peel, biscuit, orchard fruit, mint, white pepper, slate, chalky finish
• Pairings: Oysters, sushi, lobster, creamy risotto, Brie, Chaource
• Drink: Now through 2030

WS:93 · V:93 · JS:93 · Champagne — Cristal reserve wines, Chardonnay-forward precision, and triple 93-point acclaim from one of the great family houses.

Olivier Leflaive Les Sétilles — Bourgogne Blanc, Burgundy 2023

Olivier Leflaive is one of Burgundy's most respected négociant-éleveurs, founded in 1984 in Puligny-Montrachet by a member of the legendary Leflaive family — one of the most storied names in white Burgundy. The maison specializes in white wines from the Côte de Beaune and is known for sustainable farming and minimal-intervention winemaking. Les Sétilles — named for the small stones found in the vineyards — is the flagship entry-level wine and one of the most consistently praised value Burgundies on the market. While technically labeled as a Bourgogne Blanc, the fruit is sourced primarily from vineyards in Puligny-Montrachet and Meursault, two of the Côte de Beaune's most celebrated white wine villages. The result is a wine with the DNA of much more expensive village-level Burgundy at a fraction of the price — a genuine insider's choice for those who know.

The nose offers aromas of white flowers, peach, grilled almond, and lemon peel on a mineral-tinged background, with appealing Granny Smith apple and nectarine fruit and a hint of white blossom. The attack is full and warm on the palate, with a surprisingly fresh texture for the vintage — lively acidity driving spicy, bitter citrus through to an elegantly long and lasting finish. Astonishing quality given the volume of production.

Decanter 90 — "Appealing Granny Smith apple and nectarine fruit aroma with a hint of white blossom. Surprisingly fresh texture for the vintage, and an elegantly lovely finish — astonishing quality given the volume of production."

Wine Spectator 90 — "Peach, almond, toasty oak and earth notes highlight this plush white. Backed by lively acidity that drives the spicy, bitter citrus finish. Fine balance and length."

• Producer: Olivier Leflaive, Puligny-Montrachet, Burgundy, France
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Bourgogne Blanc AOC
• Fruit Sources: Puligny-Montrachet & Meursault vineyards
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: White flowers, peach, grilled almond, lemon peel, Granny Smith apple, nectarine, mineral, lively acidity, long finish
• Drink: Now through 2028
• Best Paired With: Lobster with drawn butter, seared scallops, grilled fish, roast chicken with tarragon, veal, Brie, aged Comté, light cream pasta

Puligny-Montrachet and Meursault fruit at a Bourgogne Blanc price — Les Sétilles is Burgundy's best-kept secret and one of the great white wine values under $40.

67Wine Buyer's Note

Bernie & Dorothy, Paulo & Barbara, and Annie — Follow the Drinker® (August 2025)
This is just a terrific wine. We drank it with burgers, roast chicken, and hanger steaks — and it just worked so well. 50% Grenache and 50% Syrah, the wine fills your mouth with black fruit and cherry-like flavors and does it all in a gentle way. Finishes absolutely clean, fresh, and mouthwatering. Everyone enjoyed drinking it.

Winemaker Description

Ruby red, nicely bright. Fresh cherry and blackberry on the nose with notes of cracked pepper. Dark berry and touches of anise on the palate, with sweet cherries and raspberry. The quality of winemaking is evident — a Parisian brasserie favorite.

Product Details

• Producer: Domaine Pélaquié
• Region: Côtes du Rhône AOC, Southern Rhône, France
• Blend: 50% Grenache, 50% Syrah
• Vintage: 2023
• Drinking Window: Now–2030
• Format: 750ml

Billecart-Salmon Brut Réserve — Champagne NV

Billecart-Salmon’s Brut Réserve is one of Champagne’s most enduring benchmarks — a non-vintage blend whose overall composition has remained virtually unchanged for nearly fifty years. Sourced from more than twenty top vineyards across the Marne, the wine blends 40% Pinot Meunier, 30% Pinot Noir, and 30% Chardonnay, with over 50% reserve wines spanning up to 15 vintages. Aged 36 months on the lees and finished with just 3 grams per liter dosage, this is a Champagne of exceptional precision, generosity, and effortless elegance — equally at home as an apéritif or at the dinner table.

The nose offers ripe pear, raspberry, gingerbread, toast, and honey with a touch of cut hay. On the palate, it is medium to full-bodied with soft, creamy bubbles, bright acidity, and a crystalline texture — tense and precise, yet generous and rounded. Spring flowers, brioche, and lime linger on a long, delicate, ethereal finish.

James Suckling 93 — “Lovely aromas of raspberries, gingerbread, toast and honey. Generosity and concentration of flavor, with soft, creamy bubbles. Delicious now.”
Wine Advocate 91 — “Long, delicate and ethereal Champagne.”
Wine Enthusiast 92 — “A classic. Real richness and depth, structured and open with honeyed aromas and ripe, rounded white fruits.”

• Producer: Billecart-Salmon, Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, Champagne, France
• Vintage: Non-Vintage
• Appellation: Champagne AOC
• Blend: 40% Pinot Meunier, 30% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay
• Reserve Wines: 50%+ across up to 15 vintages
• Aging: 36 months on lees; 6 months post-disgorgement
• Dosage: 3 g/L (Extra Brut style)
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Ripe pear, raspberry, gingerbread, brioche, honey, spring flowers, lime, creamy bubbles
• Best Paired With: Oysters, lobster, smoked salmon, soft cheeses, fried chicken, light pasta dishes

Nearly fifty years of consistency, precision, and elegance — Billecart-Salmon’s Brut Réserve is the Champagne house that never needs to shout.

67Wine Buyer's Note

Bart Hopkins, 67Wine
Stephanie Fumoso is the great-granddaughter of Eugène Bonfils, who founded Domaine Gour de Chaulé in 1900. The estate has 10 hectares in the village of Gigondas, planted mainly to Grenache with small percentages of Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Cinsault. The 2022 Cuvée Tradition is a pure expression of this beautiful part of the Southern Rhône — juicy, herb-infused strawberry fruit on the nose accented with crushed pepper and savory spices. Energetic and lively in the mouth, with a gentle grip of tannins and a lick of acidity on the long, elegant finish. Well balanced and perfectly suited to the dinner table — serve with braised meats, roasted vegetables, and hearty Mediterranean dishes.

Expert Reviews — Vintage 2022

James Suckling — 93 Points
"A refined, chiseled and bright red based mostly on Grenache with the addition of Syrah and Mourvèdre. The nose is precise and charming, with notes of wild strawberries, dried flowers, wet stones, and baking spices. Medium-bodied with fine tannins. Fresh and well-balanced. Beautiful volume. Silky texture with a purity of fruit and a harmonious finish. Drink or hold."

Vinous — 93 Points
"The full-bodied 2022 Gigondas Cuvée Tradition 1871 is a total delight. Succulent red fruits mingle with floral tones and a pinch of dried herbs. Smooth tannins and bright acidity neatly structure this silky-textured Gigondas, which culminates with a concentrated, sapid finish. Give it two more years in bottle to develop even more complexity."

About the Vineyard

Several important vineyard sites form this Gigondas, including Gour de Chaulé, Les Blaches, and Les Bousquets. The Grenache vines average well over a half century in age, contributing the concentration and complexity that defines this cuvée.

Product Details

• Producer: Domaine Gour de Chaulé
• Region: Gigondas AOC, Southern Rhône, France
• Blend: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault
• Vine Age: 50+ years
• Vintage: 2022
• Style: Full-bodied, structured Southern Rhône red
• Format: 750ml

Mary Taylor Anjou Blanc — Pascal Biotteau, Loire Valley 2024

If no wine region on earth can rival the stylistic diversity of France's Loire Valley, the appellation of Anjou offers the perfect microcosm of the region as a whole. This gorgeously subtle Chenin Blanc comes from fourth-generation winemaker Pascal Biotteau in the village of Saint-Jean-de-Mauvrets — situated on the old Roman road from Angers to Poitiers, along the border of Anjou's two sub-regions. Imported by Mary Taylor, whose mission is to bring honest, terroir-driven wines from small European producers to American tables at fair prices, this is Loire Chenin Blanc at its most pure and unpretentious.

The nose is bright and inviting: crisp green apple, ripe pear, white peach, and delicate floral notes with hints of honey and citrus zest. On the palate, it is vibrant and well-balanced with refreshing acidity, a clean mineral-driven finish, and the quiet confidence that only old-vine Chenin Blanc from Anjou can deliver. Drink now through 2027.

"The perfect microcosm of the Loire — fresh, mineral, and utterly honest." — Mary Taylor Wines

• Producer: Pascal Biotteau, Saint-Jean-de-Mauvrets, Anjou, Loire Valley, France
• Importer: Mary Taylor Wines
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Anjou Blanc AOC
• Varietal: 100% Chenin Blanc
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Green apple, pear, white peach, honey, citrus zest, mineral finish
• Drink: Now through 2027
• Best Paired With: Grilled white fish, oysters, lobster bisque, soft cheeses, fresh goat cheese, light poultry, spring vegetable risotto

A textbook Anjou Blanc at a price that makes it an everyday essential — this Chenin Blanc is the Loire in a glass.

Château Mont-Redon is one of Châteauneuf-du-Pape’s most storied estates, but their reach extends across the Southern Rhône with a purpose: to make wines that express the region’s best terroirs at every level. The Réserve Côtes du Rhône is sourced from 25 hectares of estate vines planted on stony limestone-clay soils around Orange and Roquemaure, supplemented by fruit from trusted top growers across the appellation — a Réserve in the truest sense, selected for quality above volume.

The 2024 is a blend of 75% Grenache and 25% Syrah, vinified with whole-cluster pressing to preserve freshness and natural aromatics. Grenache brings the warmth, the ripe red fruit, and the silky roundness that defines the Southern Rhône; Syrah sharpens the structure, deepens the color, and adds a peppery lift that carries through the finish. The result is a wine that is both generous and precise — Southern Rhône at its most approachable, without surrendering any of its character.

Deep in color with an expressive, complex nose of ripe cherry, plum, and dark fruit, with a whisper of chocolate and garrigue. The mouth is rich and well-structured, with fine tannins, a lush mid-palate, and a lightly spicy finish. Drink now or over the next 3–5 years.

• Producer: Château Mont-Redon
• Appellation: Côtes du Rhône AOC, Southern Rhône, France
• Blend: 75% Grenache, 25% Syrah
• Vintage: 2024
• Format: 750ml

Food Pairings: Grilled rib steak, lamb chops, game terrine, cured ham, and aged cheeses. A natural at the dinner table.

Bollinger Special Cuvée Brut NV — Aÿ, Champagne, France

Bollinger is one of Champagne's most storied and revered houses — a family-owned Grande Marque founded in 1829 in Aÿ, at the heart of the Pinot Noir-dominant Montagne de Reims. Fiercely independent, resolutely traditional, and uncompromising in quality, Bollinger is the only major Champagne house to still ferment a portion of its reserve wines in magnum and to use a significant proportion of oak-aged reserve wines in its blends. The Special Cuvée is the house's flagship non-vintage Brut — a benchmark of the Bollinger style and one of the most consistently celebrated Champagnes in the world. The current release is based on the 2019 vintage (45%), blended with 55% reserve wines, with 60% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay, and 15% Pinot Meunier — approximately 10% vinified in oak barrel, with around 40% reserve wine kept in magnums.

The color is a rich, youthful golden hue. The nose is classic and complex: golden apricot, hazelnut, wet stone, black cherry, dried apple, marzipan, and toasty sourdough — the unmistakable Bollinger signature of depth, richness, and biscuity autolytic character. On the palate, it is full-bodied yet elegant and light on its feet, with a ripe and luxurious feel, racy acidity, and a pillowy, refined mousse. Savoury, biscuity notes carry through to a long, inviting finish with just a hint of warmth. Exceptional now, with plenty of life ahead.

Decanter 95 — "A classic Champagne done well. Notes of marzipan, toastiness and leesy sourdough. Classic for a reason — would only elevate any table it finds itself on."

Jancis Robinson 17/20 — "A particularly stunning rendition of Bollinger. Very fine texture, remarkably fine mousse. Savoury, biscuity notes. Great length — a lovely example."

Jeb Dunnuck 93 — "Classic and ripe with lush, rounded aromas of golden apricot, hazelnut, wet stone and black cherry. Full-bodied yet elegant. One of the best entry wines to the range from this house — a benchmark wine."

James Suckling 93 — "Lovely density and fine-bubble texture. Dried apple and apricot, spice, zest and ginger. Always really well done."

Robert Parker 92 — "Bursting from the glass with honeyed apples, crisp stone fruit, buttery pastry, ripe lemons and fresh walnuts. Charming, characterful — Special Cuvée is firmly back where it belongs."

• Producer: Bollinger, Aÿ, Champagne, France
• Style: Non-Vintage Brut Champagne
• Blend: 60% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay, 15% Pinot Meunier
• Reserve Wine: 55% (including ~40% aged in magnum)
• Base Vintage: 2019
• Oak: ~10% vinified in barrel
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Golden apricot, hazelnut, wet stone, black cherry, dried apple, marzipan, sourdough, pillowy mousse, long finish
• Drink: Now through 2028
• Best Paired With: Oysters, lobster, grilled fish, roast chicken, aged Comté, charcuterie, aperitivo

James Bond's Champagne of choice — Bollinger Special Cuvée is the benchmark non-vintage Brut, and one of the great Champagnes at any price.

Domaine Schoffit Pinot Blanc Auxerrois Vieilles Vignes Sec — Alsace 2024

Bernard Schoffit is one of Alsace’s most celebrated and quietly brilliant producers — a pioneer in the region’s greatest Grand Cru, Rangen de Thann, where he has reclaimed 6.5 hectares of near-vertical, abandoned slopes through sheer determination and ambition. His gift for winemaking extends well beyond Rangen: from his vineyards near Colmar, he applies the same rigorous approach to yields and viticulture, coaxing extraordinary wines from old vines with intense varietal purity, concentrated fruit, and perfect balancing acidity.

This Pinot Blanc Auxerrois Vieilles Vignes is sourced from steep slopes near Colmar, from vines planted between 60 and 75 years ago. Pure Auxerrois — bone dry, elegant, and unusually smooth. The nose offers delicate yellow plum, white berry fruit, stony minerality, and a subtle hint of spice. On the palate, it flows with poise and grace — bright, fluid, and surprisingly fresh, with a long, concentrated finish that belies its modest price.

“Unusually smooth and fluid, just flowing and bright… exceptionally serene.” — Vinous, 91 Points (2023 prior vintage)

“Elegant, yet complex and rich. Delicate yellow plum and white berry fruit intermingles with stony minerality and a subtle hint of spice.” — Rand Sieger, 67 Wine Buyer

• Producer: Domaine Schoffit, Colmar, Alsace, France
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Alsace AOC
• Varietal: 100% Auxerrois (Pinot Blanc Auxerrois)
• Vine Age: 60–75 years old
• Style: Bone Dry (Sec)
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Yellow plum, white berry, stony minerality, citrus, subtle spice, long finish
• Best Paired With: Alsatian tarte flambée, grilled trout, roast pork, soft-ripened cheeses, charcuterie

Old vines, a legendary producer, and a price that makes it an instant cellar staple — Schoffit Auxerrois is one of Alsace’s great white wine values.

92 Points – View from the Cellar (John Gilman)
"Deep and complex bouquet of gooseberry, lime, a beautiful base of chalky minerality, newly-cut grass, just a whisper of anise and a topnote of citrus blossoms. On the palate the wine is crisp, full-bodied, focused and nicely soil-driven in personality, with a fine core of fruit, a lovely spine of acidity, excellent balance and a long, complex and nicely grassy finish." Drink 2025–2035.

There is a kind of magic that only the caillottes soils of Sancerre can conjure — shallow, stony limestone that forces the vine to dig deep, yielding wines of exceptional aromatic precision and a minerality that seems to hum with the energy of the earth itself. Renaissance Magie des Caillottes is exactly that: a wine born of restraint and conviction, where no synthetic chemicals, no shortcuts, and no compromises stand between the grape and the glass.

A joint venture between the Frères Fleuriet and Stéphane Marchand, Renaissance has become one of Sancerre's most exciting organic and biodynamic estates. Their Magie des Caillottes is a testament to what happens when farming philosophy and terroir align perfectly — floral and fruity on the nose with citrus, gooseberry, and crushed stone, then precise and tensile on the palate, with a long, harmonious finish that lingers with elegance and purpose.

This is a Sancerre that drinks beautifully now yet has the structure to reward patience through 2035.

Tasting Notes
Citrus blossom, gooseberry, lime zest, and crushed chalk on the nose. The palate is crisp and focused — full-bodied yet precise — with a beautiful chalky minerality from the caillottes soils, vibrant acidity, and a long, grassy, harmonious finish.

Food Pairing
A natural match for oysters, grilled fish, shellfish, and fresh goat cheese. Equally stunning as a standalone aperitif.

Product Details

• Appellation: Sancerre, Loire Valley, France
• Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
• Vintage: 2025
• Format: 750ml
• Farming: Organic & Biodynamic
• Drinking Window: 2026–2036
• Producer: Renaissance (Frères Fleuriet & Stéphane Marchand)

Domaine Stéphane Ogier Le Temps Est Venu Côtes du Rhône 2024

From the celebrated Ogier family of Ampuis, Le Temps Est Venu is a polished, expressive Côtes du Rhône with the generous fruit and savory spice that make the southern Rhône so compelling. The nose opens with ripe cherry and warm spice, followed by a medium-bodied palate shaped by lively acidity and silky tannins.

Made from 50% Grenache and 50% Syrah, this is a bright, beautifully balanced red that brings Rhône character to the table without feeling heavy. Enjoy it with roast chicken, grilled lamb, sausages, ratatouille, or a board of aged cheeses.

About Domaine Stéphane Ogier

The Ogier family has been rooted in Ampuis for seven generations. Stéphane joined the family domaine in 1997 after completing his oenological studies in Beaune, carrying forward a deep commitment to the vineyards of the northern Rhône while crafting wines such as Le Temps Est Venu from the wider Côtes du Rhône appellation.

• Varietals: 50% Grenache, 50% Syrah
• Appellation: Côtes-du-Rhône
• Region: Rhône Valley, France
• Vintage: 2024
• Size: 750ml

A silky, spicy Rhône red with ripe cherry fruit, lively freshness, and easy food-pairing appeal.

Maison Barelle · Côtes du Rhône · 2023

Maison Barelle Côtes du Rhône 2023 is a generous, fruit-forward red from France's Rhône Valley. Cherry and raspberry flavors meet a sweet touch of licorice in a medium- to full-bodied, mouth-filling wine with an approachable Rhône character.

With Grenache listed as its primary grape, this is a relaxed choice for the dinner table. Its ripe red fruit and generous palate make it an easy bottle to share over charcuterie, grilled meats or aged cheese.

Winemaker Description

Cherry mixed with raspberries put together in a medium to full-bodied well made Cotes-du-Rhone. A sweet touch of licorice enhance the beautiful palate. A mouth-filling wine in a pure Rhône style.

Pairing & Serving

Pair with charcuterie, grilled meats or aged cheese. Try serving slightly below room temperature to keep the red-fruit flavors fresh.

Details

• Producer: Maison Barelle
• Vintage: 2023
• Bottle size: 750ml
• Country: France
• Region: Rhône Valley
• Appellation: Côtes du Rhône
• Primary grape: Grenache
• Type: Red wine
• Body: Medium to full