French Wine

Winemaker Description

Champagne Palmer & Co concentrates its vineyard holdings in the Montagne de Reims: in the grand cru villages of Mailly and Verzenay and the premier cru villages of Trépail and Villers-Marmery. While they also have holdings in the Marne Valley, the Côte de Sézanne and the Côte des Bar, their prestige cuvée Grands Terroirs, channels those north- and north-east-facing slopes with power and precision.

The 2015 vintage is blended from 50% Pinot Noir, 38% Chardonnay and 12% Pinot Meunier, sourced from Mailly and Verzenay as well as Trépail, Villers-Marmery, Ludes, Chigny-les-Roses and Rilly-la-Montagne. Palmer & Co refers to the vintage as “exceptional” because it combined high temperatures and little rainfall – spelling little disease pressure and even ripening. Sunny days and cool nights in August, they say, allowed for “perfect” ripening.

The nose, subtle and charming, opens with notes of orange blossom and acacia, mixed with notes of yellow fruits, then it evolves towards lovely and delicately spiced aromas of fried pineapple and tonka bean. The palate is characterized by freshness, with citrus fruits sublimating the notes of brioche and dried fruits. Its creamy texture stretches deliciously into a persistent finish. 

Expert Reviews

92 Points Wine & Spirits | Markedly youthful in its smoky reduction, this wine sees its sulfur blow off quickly, leaving a flinty scent and an impression of clarity. It’s bright with pretty scents of black tea and herbs, firmed up by strong acidity.

92 Points James Suckling | A chalky and mineral Champagne with aromas of blanched almonds, chalk, seashells, biscuits, lemon pith and dried apples. Creamy mousse. Dry and bright, with a rounded finish. Drink now or hold.

Pierre Moncuit Delos Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru is a refined, mineral-driven Grower Champagne produced entirely from 100% Chardonnay grown in the Grand Cru village of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, one of the most celebrated Chardonnay terroirs in Champagne's Côte des Blancs.

Delos is one of the signature cuvées of the family-run Pierre Moncuit estate and offers a classic expression of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger: elegant, precise and beautifully structured, with the chalky mineral character for which this Grand Cru village is renowned.

Although labeled non-vintage, this release is based on the 2021 harvest. Pierre Moncuit favors vinification and aging in stainless steel, allowing the purity of the Chardonnay and its terroir to remain at the forefront. The Brut Delos is finished with a dosage of 7 grams per liter, giving the wine a slightly rounder and more generous profile than the estate's Extra Brut version while retaining freshness and tension.

The Base 2021 release offers an inviting combination of white flowers, orchard fruit, pastry, spice and mint. The palate balances bright acidity with a softer, more generous texture, leading to an elegant, persistent finish. A beautifully versatile Champagne for both aperitif drinking and the dinner table.

Pair with oysters, shellfish, sushi, grilled fish, lobster, roast chicken, creamy cheeses — or simply enjoy on its own as an elegant aperitif.

Wine Details

• Producer: Pierre Moncuit
• Cuvée: Delos
• Style: Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru
• Base Vintage: 2021
• Country: France
• Region: Champagne
• Subregion: Côte des Blancs
• Village: Le Mesnil-sur-Oger Grand Cru
• Grape: 100% Chardonnay
• Vinification: Stainless steel
• Dosage: 7 g/L
• Disgorgement: May 2025; multiple disgorgements throughout the year
• Drinking Window: 2025–2031

About Pierre Moncuit

Based in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Champagne Pierre Moncuit is a historic family estate particularly renowned for its Chardonnay-based Champagnes. The name Delos comes from the maiden name of Nicole and Yves Moncuit's mother. The cuvée is produced in both Brut and Extra Brut versions and stands as one of the domaine's principal Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs expressions.

Press Notes

91 pts — Vinous Media: "The NV (2021) Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Delos Grand Cru is attractive, although a touch svelte in this release. Brisk acids cut through a core of citrus fruit, while floral and chalky notes lift the mid-palate and finish." Dosage: 3 g/L. Disgorged: February 2025.

Why We Like It

Delos is an excellent introduction to the distinctive Chardonnay of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. The Brut bottling combines the village's naturally racy, mineral personality with just enough dosage to give the wine additional texture and accessibility — refined enough for a special occasion, versatile enough for the whole meal.

Egly-Ouriet | Les Vignes de Bisseuil | Premier Cru Extra Brut | Bisseuil, Montagne de Reims, Champagne | Biodynamic

Egly-Ouriet is one of Champagne's most revered grower-producers, based in the Grand Cru village of Ambonnay on the Montagne de Reims. The domaine farms its parcels with meticulous care — practicing organic and biodynamic viticulture, harvesting by hand, and working exclusively with indigenous yeasts — producing Champagnes of uncommon depth, vinous texture, and site-driven precision.

Les Vignes de Bisseuil is the estate's Chardonnay-led expression, drawn from a 1.5-hectare parcel in the Premier Cru village of Bisseuil, situated directly beside the Grand Cru of Aÿ. South-facing, chalk-rich slopes and vines over 40 years old deliver fruit of concentration, freshness, and crystalline mineral definition — a brighter, more finesse-driven counterpoint to the domaine's powerful Pinot Noir-dominant cuvées.

The current release blends 70% Chardonnay, 15% Pinot Noir, and 15% Pinot Meunier, fermented and matured in French oak barrels with approximately 10% new oak. Malolactic fermentation is blocked to preserve natural acidity and tension. The wine spends approximately 48 months aging on its lees before disgorgement, and is finished with a dosage of approximately 1 gram per liter — bottled unfined and unfiltered.

Bright and expressive on the nose: lemon zest, crisp pear, Mirabelle plum, and white flowers, with notes of fresh bread, toasted nuts, white pepper, and subtle spice. The palate is concentrated yet energetic — refined mousse, vibrant citrus acidity, and a pronounced chalky minerality, with ripe orchard fruit and a gently creamy texture leading to a long, precise, and saline finish.

Exceptional as an aperitif; equally at home alongside oysters, shellfish, smoked salmon, grilled fish, sushi, roast chicken, charcuterie, creamy cheeses, and lightly aged Comté.

• Producer: Egly-Ouriet
• Cuvée: Les Vignes de Bisseuil
• Classification: Premier Cru Extra Brut
• Appellation: Bisseuil, Montagne de Reims, Champagne, France
• Grape Varieties: 70% Chardonnay, 15% Pinot Noir, 15% Pinot Meunier
• Vine Age: 40+ years
• Farming: Practicing organic / biodynamic
• Soils: Chalk-rich
• Fermentation: Indigenous yeasts; French oak barrels (~10% new)
• Malolactic Fermentation: Blocked
• Lees Aging: ~48 months
• Dosage: ~1 g/L
• Bottling: Unfined and unfiltered
• Bottle Size: 750ml

Critical Acclaim

• James Suckling — 94 pts: Bright and precise, with lemon zest, pear, and white flowers on the nose. Concentrated yet energetic on the palate — chalky minerality, vibrant acidity, and a long saline finish. A benchmark grower Champagne from Bisseuil.
• Decanter — 93 pts: Refined and mineral-driven, with crisp orchard fruit, toasted nuts, and a creamy mousse. Exceptional freshness and length.
• Wine Advocate — 93 pts: Elegant and focused, with a pronounced chalky character and impressive depth. Unfined and unfiltered — a pure expression of Bisseuil terroir.

Blend proportions, base vintages, lees-aging period, dosage, and disgorgement date may vary by release.

J. Vignier Ora Alba Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut — Côte des Blancs 2013 Base

Ora Alba — "the first light of day" — is J. Vignier's interpretation of northern Côte des Blancs Chardonnay at its most luminous and precise. Produced entirely from Grand Cru fruit sourced from three prestigious villages — Cramant, Chouilly, and Oiry — the cuvée draws on deep Cretaceous chalk complemented by marl and clay, a geology that yields Champagne of both mineral tension and generous texture. Cramant contributes structure and pronounced chalky minerality, Chouilly adds elegance and ripe fruit, and Oiry brings freshness and linear precision. Vinified and aged in stainless steel with full malolactic fermentation, then aged on the lees for an extended period before disgorgement, the 2013 base gives the wine exceptional depth and a decade-plus of development. Certified sustainable by Socofret.

Fresh and refined on the nose: lemon zest, white peach, green apple, and delicate white flowers, with subtle brioche and toasted almond emerging with air. The palate is precise and energetic — layers of citrus, orchard fruit, and chalky minerality carried by fine bubbles and a softly creamy texture. The finish is long, dry, and elegant, with a persistent mineral drive that speaks clearly of its Grand Cru origins.

"Ora Alba is the Vignier family's vision of northern Côte des Blancs Chardonnay — bright, luminous, and deeply mineral."

• Producer: J. Vignier, Côte des Blancs, Champagne, France
• Base Vintage: 2013
• Appellation: Champagne Grand Cru
• Villages: Cramant, Chouilly & Oiry
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Style: Blanc de Blancs Brut
• Soil: Cretaceous chalk, marl and clay
• Farming: Certified Sustainable by Socofret
• Vinification: Stainless steel; full malolactic fermentation
• Lees Aging: Extended aging before disgorgement
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Lemon zest, white peach, green apple, white flowers, brioche, toasted almond, chalky minerality, long dry finish
• Best Paired With: Oysters, caviar, lobster, scallops, sushi, roasted white fish, creamy poultry, mushroom risotto, aged cheeses

A 2013 base. Three Grand Cru villages. Extended lees aging. J. Vignier's Ora Alba is northern Côte des Blancs Blanc de Blancs at its most precise and compelling.

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

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

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

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

Domaine de Villargeau Coteaux du Giennois Sauvignon Blanc 2023

Veuve Clicquot · Yellow Label Brut · Limited Edition - ICE JACKET · Champagne, France · NV · 750ml

Veuve Clicquot is one of the great houses of Champagne — founded in Reims in 1772 and forever transformed by the Widow Clicquot herself, who invented the riddling rack and created the first vintage Champagne. The Yellow Label Brut is the house’s signature expression: a Pinot Noir-dominant blend of 50% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay, and 20% Pinot Meunier, with up to 45% reserve wines ensuring the consistency and house style that has made it one of the world’s most recognized Champagnes. The ICE JACKET edition wraps the bottle in a redesigned, eco-engineered insulating sleeve — crafted from 100% recycled plastic fibres using 3D knitting technology that reduces production waste by 30% — keeping the bottle perfectly chilled for up to 60 minutes. Lighter, reusable, and customizable. 

Brilliant pale gold in the glass with fine, persistent bubbles and an expressive nose of baked apple, quince, salted almond, white blossom, and a thread of fresh citrus and pastry. On the palate: firm and beautifully structured, with a fleshy mouthfeel balanced by crisp acidity — sliced apple, green pear, red berry, lemon parfait, and oyster shell minerality carrying through a long, vibrant, mineral-driven finish. Four critics, four 90+ scores: Tasting Panel 93, James Suckling 92, Decanter 91, Wine Spectator 91. Drink now. Pair with oysters, lobster, sushi, fried chicken, aged Comté, or simply on its own to start any celebration.

• Producer: Veuve Clicquot (est. 1772, Reims)
• Wine: Yellow Label Brut · ICE JACKET Edition
• Style: NV Brut Champagne
• Origin: Champagne, France
• Blend: 50% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Meunier
• Reserve wines: Up to 45% in the blend
• ICE JACKET: Recycled plastic fibres · 3D knit · Keeps chilled 60 min · Reusable
• Scores: Tasting Panel 93 · James Suckling 92 · Decanter 91 · Wine Spectator 91
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Baked apple, quince, salted almond, white blossom, citrus, red berry, oyster shell, long mineral finish
• Pair With: Oysters · Lobster · Sushi · Fried chicken · Aged Comté · Aperitif

The Widow’s legacy, wrapped in innovation — Yellow Label Brut in the ICE JACKET that keeps the party going.

Expert Reviews

Tasting Panel — 93 Points
Aromas of baked apple and quince are energetically dappled with salted almond and white blossom, while the fleshy mouthfeel intersects neatly with firm acidity amid intimations of red berry and pastry.

James Suckling — 92 Points
Firm and delicious, showing sliced apples and green pears with some flint and bread dough. Medium-bodied with fine bubbles and a crisp, delicious finish.

Decanter — 91 Points
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.

Wine Spectator — 91 Points
Appealing for its refreshing, aperitif style, with notes of patisserie apple and pear, lemon parfait, chopped almond and oyster shell. Vibrant acidity and lacy texture carry the profile on the mineral-driven finish.

Défaix Frères is a respected family domaine based in Milly, one of the most prized villages in the Chablis appellation. The Défaix family has been farming the chalky Kimmeridgian soils of Chablis for generations, producing wines of classic mineral precision and the austere, saline character that defines great Chablis at its finest. Their approach is rooted in respect for the terroir — minimal intervention in the cellar, allowing the unique geology of the appellation to speak clearly in every bottle.

The Chablis Village is sourced from estate vineyards planted on the appellation's signature Kimmeridgian limestone and clay soils — ancient marine sediments rich in fossilized oyster shells that impart the distinctive flinty minerality and saline tension that set Chablis apart from all other Chardonnay in the world. The cool continental climate of the Yonne valley, with its harsh winters and short, intense growing season, produces Chardonnay of natural freshness, high acidity, and restrained, precise fruit.

Vinification is carried out entirely in stainless steel, with the wine spending 10 months on the fine lees to develop texture and complexity while preserving the purity and tension that are the hallmarks of the style. No oak — just pure, unadulterated Chablis.

The 2023 opens with a restrained, elegant nose of white orchard fruit, citrus, green apple, and subtle floral notes, with a characteristic flinty, mineral undercurrent. On the palate, the wine is fresh and lively, with bright acidity, pronounced minerality, and a clean, saline finish. Pure, flinty, and edgy — classic Village-level Chablis at its most compelling.

Grape: Chardonnay
Region: Chablis, Burgundy, France
Appellation: Chablis AOC
Vintage: 2023
Élevage: Stainless steel; 10 months on fine lees
Bottle Size: 750ml

Pairing: Oysters, shellfish, grilled fish, sushi, light poultry, salads, and fresh or soft cheeses. Serve well chilled.

Winemaker Description 

The Bordeaux Blanc from Antonins is a surprisingly crisp and zesty white wine. Reds often garner all of the attention in Bordeaux, but this is a "year-round" white that is great to have on hand to enjoy anytime.

Memo Summary Notes 

Varietals - 80% Sauvignon Blanc, 20% Semillon

The Château des Antonins Bordeaux Blanc 2023 is a standout example of a modern, accessible Bordeaux white. Produced at an estate with roots dating back to a 13th-century monastery, this vintage strikes a beautiful balance between historic terroir and vibrant, "New World" aromatic intensity.

The estate was originally an abbey for the Monks of Saint Anthony.

Winemaker Antoine de Roquefeuil spent time honing his craft in New Zealand. You can taste that influence here; it has the "zing" and tropical edge of a Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc but retains the stony, structured backbone that only Bordeaux soil provides.

Winemaker Description

In the eastern reaches of Sancerre lies a distinctive terroir defined by silex — the French term for flint — a dense, siliceous soil that gives this wine its singular mineral character. Light yellow with a golden core, the nose reveals fine, elegant flint-smoke notes that immediately announce the wine’s origins. Beneath the minerality, a layer of yellow fruit and delicate florals adds complexity and density.

On the palate, the flint-smoke character continues, framed by a full, juicy mouthfeel that remains precise and elegant. Powerful acidity drives the long, tense finish. This is Sauvignon Blanc at its most mineral and structured — the clay-siliceous soils, rich in siliceous conglomerates, providing exceptional finesse and a marked aromatic intensity that sets the Silex cuvée apart from classic Sancerre.

About J de Villebois

J de Villebois is a leading producer of Kosher Loire Valley wines, crafting appellation-driven Sauvignon Blancs from Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé, and Touraine under strict kosher supervision. The Silex cuvée represents the estate’s prestige expression — sourced exclusively from flint-rich parcels in the eastern sector of Sancerre, where the terroir imparts a smoky, mineral complexity rarely found at any price point.

Kosher Certification

Fully Kosher certified and suitable for Passover. An exceptional choice for Shabbat, Passover Seder, and any occasion requiring Kosher wine without compromise on quality.

Food Pairings

Oysters, grilled sole, sea bass, sushi, goat cheese, asparagus, and herb-roasted chicken. A natural partner for Passover Seder fish courses and light spring dishes.

Product Details

• Producer: J de Villebois
• Region: Sancerre AOC, Loire Valley, France
• Grape: Sauvignon Blanc
• Terroir: Silex (flint) soils
• Certification: Kosher, Kosher for Passover
• Vintage: 2024
• Style: Mineral, flint-driven, high-acid Loire white
• Format: 750ml

Château d’Esclans · Les Clans · Côtes de Provence · France · 2024 · 750ml

Château d’Esclans is the estate that changed the world’s perception of Provençal rosé. Founded by Sacha Lichine in 2006 in the hills above Saint-Tropez, it is the home of Whispering Angel — the wine that made pale Provence rosé a global phenomenon. Les Clans is the estate’s prestige expression: a step above Whispering Angel in every dimension, sourced from old-vine Grenache and Rolle grown in the heart of the Côtes de Provence and partially fermented in large oak barrels to develop the kind of richness, texture, and complexity rarely seen in rosé. This is a wine that drinks more like a fine white Burgundy than a summer patio pour — structured, mineral, and built to age. At $64.99, Les Clans is the rosé for serious wine lovers who want more than pretty pink.

Luminous pale salmon in the glass with an elegant, layered nose of ripe red berries, white peach, citrus blossom, and subtle vanilla and spice from the gentle oak aging. On the palate: dry, creamy, and beautifully structured, with vibrant acidity, refined minerality, and a long, sophisticated finish that lingers well after the glass is empty. Drink now through 2027, or cellar for a year or two to let the oak integrate fully. Pair with grilled lobster, seared scallops, sea bass, roasted chicken with herbes de Provence, duck confit, or aged cheeses.

• Producer: Château d’Esclans · Sacha Lichine
• Wine: Les Clans · Côtes de Provence AOC
• Vintage: 2024
• Origin: Côtes de Provence, France
• Blend: Old-vine Grenache & Rolle
• Winemaking: Partial barrel fermentation · Large oak barrels
• Style: Rich, structured, complex prestige Provençal rosé
• Drinking Window: Now–2027
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Red berries, white peach, citrus blossom, vanilla, spice, creamy texture, vibrant acidity, long mineral finish
• Pair With: Grilled lobster · Seared scallops · Sea bass · Roast chicken · Duck confit · Aged cheeses

The estate that made Provence rosé famous — Les Clans is what happens when you take it seriously.

Expert Reviews

Decanter Magazine by Simon Field MW writes 93 Points |  Made up, half and half, of base wine from the sunny 2018 harvest, and reserve wine from Rodolphe’s Perpetual Reserve which goes back to 1988, this is one of the most consistently excellent NV wines on the market. Its current iteration is especially impressive, floral, chalky, upstanding, and very complex; the palate sharing notes of dried apricot, plum and lemon pith with more developed intimations of sour honey and patisserie. An exemplary wine with real purity and precision on the finish. 

The Wine Spectator by Alison Napjus writes 91 Points | Sleek and mouthwatering, with a fine, satiny mousse and a fresh panoply of crunchy pear, grapefruit sorbet, pickled ginger and spring blossom notes. Bright and finely knit, with rich hints of toast and mineral echoing on the finish. Disgorged November 2019. Drink now through 2025.

Winemaker Descriptions

Discover the elegance and purity of Pierre Peters Cuvée de Réserve Blanc de Blancs, a non-vintage Champagne crafted exclusively from Chardonnay grapes. This refined Champagne offers delicate aromas of citrus, white flowers, and brioche, with a crisp acidity and a long, elegant finish.

Memo Summary Notes

Produced by Rodolphe Péters, this wine is celebrated for its precision, chalky minerality, and the unique use of a "perpetual reserve" system that dates back to 1988.

Its high acidity and saline finish make it a perfect match for raw oysters, sushi, or creamy risotto.

Winemaker Description 

Beautiful ruby red color with an intense nose of fresh grapes and subtle black fruits aromas.

This is a complex wine that offers firm tannins and rich fruit. It has weight, density and a strong sense of ripeness. With balance and depth, it’s a wine with good aging potential.
Will pair nicely with all kind of meats (pork shank, roasted poultry), and perfumed cheeses (like crottins de Chavignolor other goat cheeses).

On the palate, the wine reveals a good structure and the evolution expresses some freshness that gives to the wine a very dynamic character and a contemporary style. Great with grilled meats and hard cheeses! 

Oyster King · Melon de Bourgogne · Grand Vin de Loire · France · 2024

The name says it all. Oyster King is built for the table — specifically, for a cold platter of briny bivalves and a glass of something lean, mineral, and refreshing. Made from Melon de Bourgogne, the grape of Muscadet, this Loire Valley white is the archetype of the oyster wine: soft, light, and driven by a saline minerality that makes it one of the most food-friendly whites at any price point. The 2024 vintage delivers exactly what the grape promises — no more, no less — with the kind of honest, unpretentious character that keeps you reaching for the bottle.

This exceptional wine, crafted by renowned winemaker Jean Luc Olivier, is grown and produced in the Loire Valley’s estuary, where the majestic river descends from the mountains and meets the Atlantic Ocean.

This traditional grape is grown on Kimmeridgian soil, a limestone-based loam; its clay is calcareous, and its limestone has developed from the accumulation of both oyster and sea shells over millions of years. This magic terroir gives the wines their vibrancy and minerality.

Pale straw in the glass with a clean, inviting nose of green pear, lemon zest, and honeydew melon. On the palate, lean bright acidity and a subtle mineral thread carry through to a clean, refreshing finish. Light-bodied and precise, it is the kind of wine that disappears effortlessly alongside seafood, shellfish, or a simple summer meal.

• Producer: Oyster King
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Grand Vin de Loire, France
• Varietal: 100% Melon de Bourgogne
• Style: Dry white — light, mineral, crisp
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Green pear, lemon zest, honeydew melon, saline minerality, clean finish
• Pairings: Oysters, clams, mussels, grilled fish, seafood platters, light salads

Grand Vin de Loire — the quintessential oyster wine. Lean, mineral, and made for the table.

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

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

Warehouse stored item - please allow one to three business days to fulfill.

The colour is a beautiful pale gold with green highlights. The nose is floral and elegant, with hints of ibiscus and pleasant apricot. The palate is rich and smooth, with aromas of creamy caramel and a magnificent mineral and saline finish.

Warehouse stored item - please allow one to three business days to fulfill.

A lovely golden colour. Intense aromas of lychee, blackcurrant and exotic fruit. Luscious and tangy on the palate, with aromas of yellow-fleshed fruit such as pineapple and a refreshing touch of minerality.

Warehouse stored item - please allow one to three business days to fulfill.

This wine shows deep in color, with ruby tints. It has scents of red and black berries mixed with floral notes, together with hints of delicate spices and vanilla. On the palate, it displays aromas of crushed black fruits such as raspberries, blackcurrants, cherries and black-cherry jam. This wine is complex, rich and long with well integrated 

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

The wine is dry, round and supple, with a beautiful refreshing acidity. It gives off notes of ripe fruits, peaches and pink grapefruit… On the palate, it gives immediate pleasure and has lovely weight.
 

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

Grown on clay and gravelly soil, this 100% Cabernet Franc from Chinon, is fruitywith soft tannins and exults aromas of red berries.

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

Brilliant color, intense, lovely red fruits, silky and rich attack. Deeply coloured with purple reflection. Fruity on the nose, dominated by morello cherry and almond paste. Medium-bodied on the palate, priority is given to the fruit. Turning more intense on the finish with good tannins.

Winemaker Description 

This cuvée is the classic white wine of Montbourgeau. It is usually bottled after 24 to 30 months of élevage in barrel. 

The very special nature of the appellation of L’Etoile produces white wines of exceptional finesse and complexity.

The fermentation occurs in stainless steel but, after malolactic, the wine is racked into small barrel and demi-muids for two years. At that point, the entire production is assembled and left for several months in cuve before being bottled. 

Expert Review - Vintage 2016

Decanter — 90 Points | Plum, lilac and vanilla, with a touch of toasted cinnamon alongside the bright red fruits. Powerful, even masculine, with chewy but refined tannins and plenty of life ahead.

Tasting Notes

The 2016 Château Castéra is currently at a beautiful stage, showing a compelling blend of ripe fruit and secondary, aged characteristics.

• Aromas: A complex bouquet of ripe blackberries, plums, blackcurrant, and violets, evolving into notes of cedar, tobacco, leather, and baking spices (vanilla, cinnamon).
• Palate: Medium to full-bodied with a structure supported by fine, polished yet present tannins. The fruit is dense and savory, balanced by good acidity and a touch of earthiness typical of Bordeaux.

Pairings: Roast lamb, duck confit, aged cheeses, or a classic Bordelaise steak.

Product Details

• Vintage: 2016
• Blend: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot
• Appellation: Médoc, Bordeaux
• Classification: Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel
• Region: Bordeaux, France
• Bottle Size: 750ml
• Producer: Château Castéra

Moët & Chandon Impérial Brut NV — Half Bottle (375ml)

Moët & Chandon is the world’s most celebrated Champagne house, founded in 1743 and today the benchmark by which all non-vintage Brut Champagne is measured. Impérial is the house’s signature expression — a wine of extraordinary consistency and elegance, crafted from a blend of roughly equal parts Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier with a slightly smaller proportion of Chardonnay, aged a minimum of 24 months on the lees. It is the Champagne of celebrations, of milestones, of moments that deserve to be marked with something exceptional. Now available in a 375ml half-bottle — perfect for a solo celebration, a romantic dinner, or a beautifully considered gift.

Elegant golden straw yellow with amber highlights. The nose is radiant and complex — bright yellow-fleshed fruits (apple, pear, yellow peach), honey, lime blossom, brioche, and fresh nuts. The palate is seductive and richly flavored, combining generosity and subtlety, fullness and vigor, with a delicately fresh crispiness and the magical balance that defines great Champagne.

The Somm Journal — 93 points

“When it comes to finesse, this classic doesn’t miss. Biscuit and almond aromas, ripe golden apple on the nose turns to green on the palate, where citrus cycles through high-flying acidity even as luscious pear adds weight and chalk conveys elegance through the finish.”

Wine Spectator — 92 points

“An elegant version, fine and creamy in texture and backed by lively, orange peel acidity. A streak of smoke-tinged minerality underscores flavors of almond madeleine, poached pear, anise and preserved lemon.”

James Suckling — 91 points

“Aromas of apricots, grapefruit, pears and short crust. Medium-bodied, with soft bubbles and tasty nut and pie crust notes at the end. 24 months on the lees.”

Food Pairings

Oysters, smoked salmon, sushi, soft cheeses, light appetizers, and fried chicken. Perfect as an aperitif or to mark any occasion worth celebrating.

Blend: Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay
Appellation: Champagne AOC, France
Style: Brut NV, aged 24+ months on lees
Format: 375ml (Half Bottle)
Scores: 93 pts The Somm Journal | 92 pts Wine Spectator | 91 pts James Suckling

Winemaker Description 

100% Jacquère. The Abymes appellation sits lower and the slope than the Apremont and is on generally flatter land. Stainless steel fermentation and aging.

A firm, mineral spine and racy acidity support this wines core of lemon, verbena, peach and pear notes. This is the perfect match for fondue, raclette or a good old fashioned charcuterie plate.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2019

96 Points James Suckling: A very balanced, refined Duhart with ever so fine tannins and currant, tobacco and cedar aromas and flavors. Medium to fine tannins. It’s extremely long and polished. Direct. You already want to drink this.
Barrel Sample:95-96

94 Points  Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: The 2019 Duhart-Milon is showing beautifully, mingling aromas of cassis and wild berries with notions of violets, cedar wood, orange rind, licorice and spice box in a perfumed bouquet. Medium to full-bodied, supple and seamless, it's charming and refined, with a deep core of fruit, powdery tannins and succulent acids. This château is going from strength to strength. Best after 2025.

94 Points Decanter: This one might sneak up on you, confirming the rise of this wine in recent years. Clear depth of fruit, and above all clear Pauillac character. This feels strict and confident, with beautiful balance and restraint. Duhart is one of the later-ripening and cooler Pauillac terroirs which is why in the past it could be overly austere when young, but it is benefitting from recent hot summers in terms of its fruit ripeness. Pencil lead is prominent here, along with cassis and bilberry. Very precise, very elegant, with a creaminess to the fruit through the mid palate, and overall this is an excellent Duhart.
Barrel Sample:94

94 Wine Spectator: Racy and mineral-driven, with a chalky thread that runs from start to finish, adding a perfumed elegance to a core of steeped black currant and blackberry fruit flavors. This has a lushness to the fruit, with dark tobacco, steeped black tea and singed alder notes, but there's plenty of range, detail and textural nuance as well. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Best from 2024

Blend: 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot

Expert Reviews 

Alison Napjus of the Wine Spectator writes 92 Points | The fine and creamy bead of this elegant rosé carries an attractive mix of white cherry, peach, blood orange granita and biscuit flavors, enlivened by a firm frame of mouthwatering acidity.

Audrey Frick of Jeb Dunnuck writes 90 Points | The NV Champagne Grand Brut Rosé pours a medium salmon hue and is equal parts Chardonnay and Pinot Noir (8% of which is red wine). It is juicy with ripe raspberry, crushed flowers, and sweet citrus. The palate is ripe with apricot, sweet tangerine, and a soft texture. It is ready to drink now or over the next 6-8 years.

Winemaker Description 

This Grand Rosé has a high percentage of Chardonnay, which creates freshness and precision, complemented by Pinot Noir with delivers very fine and crunchy fruit. With 4 years minimum ageing in the cellars, this Rosé balances between freshness and fruit without masking the wine’s character and purity. The nose reveals aromas of citrus and strawberries with subtle notes of red berries and spice. The palate is well-built with a constant balance between the tension of the acidity and the smoothness of the fruit, while the finish shows a nice roundness and lovely minerality.

Producer Description 

The wine is a crimson-hued garnet red. Elegant and refined, the nose exudes floral aromas, going on with airing to develop notes of blackcurrant and licorice root. The full and smooth attack reveals an alluring and complex array of flavors in which ripe fruit is magnificently set off by notes of toasted cereals and violet. The mid-palate is underpinned by high-quality close-knit and creamy tannins, leading into a saline and slightly minty finish which lingers on hints of chocolates.

Expert Reviews

James Suckling 96 Points | Aromas of crushed stone, blackcurrants and blackberries. Full-bodied with extremely well-crafted tannins that are chewy and layered, yet polished and fantastic. Love the finish. 72% cabernet sauvignon, 25% petit verdot, 22% merlot and 4% cabernet franc. (v.2019).

Wine Enthusiast 94-96 Points | Dense and rich, with a high proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon, this is another great vintage from the estate. Its black fruits ooze concentration alongside firm tannins that promise a potential for long aging. The aftertaste has opulent black currant richness. (v.2019). 

The Wine Advocate 95 Points | The 2019 Clerc Milon is a real success. At more than 70%, this blend contains one of the highest proportions of Cabernet Sauvignon in the property's recent history, and the result is a wine of real nobility. Offering up aromas of violets, wild berries, licorice, loamy soil and cigar wrapper, it's full-bodied, layered and multidimensional, with notable depth at the core, lively acids and ripe, powdery tannins that assert themselves on the finish. From clay-limestone soils rather than the sandy gravels that characterize d'Armailhac, this is by some margin the more structured and serious of Mouton-Rothschild's two Pauillac stablemates.(v.2019).

Decanter 95 Points | The wine has the highest levels of Cabernet Sauvignon since the 1980s, and even on the nose you can feel its impact in terms of the depth of tight black fruit. Extremely good quality with fine tannins that build, build, build over the palate, and grip on, forcing you to slow down and pay attention. Beautiful spice with menthol, slate, pencil lead, blackberry and blackcurrant. An exciting wine with real energy and forward motion, helped to withstand the summer heat by its position by the river, and the fact that the average age of the vines at Clerc Milon is almost 50 years. 2% Petit Verdot completes the blend. Jean Emmanuel Danjoy's last outing doing the full vintage at Clerc Milon before he heads over to Mouton as technical director. (v.2019).

Wine Spectator 93 Points | Presents a very fresh core of cassis, red cherry and damson plum fruit flavors that meld nicely with a racy iron streak, while light savory and floral details run along the edges. A very pure and bright version that should age well. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Carmenère. (v.2019).

Jeb Dunnuck 93 Points | Another beautiful effort from this team, the 2019 Château Clerc Milon is 72% Cabernet Sauvignon and the balance Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot, from vines just across the street from Château Lafite Rothschild and Château Mouton Rothschild. Brought up in a mix of new and used barrels, it has a healthy ruby/plum color to go with a great nose of ripe red and black fruits supported by some classic Pauillac lead pencil, tobacco, and spice box notes. I love its overall balance, it's medium-bodied, has silky tannins, and the fresher, elegant style of the vintage. I wouldn't call it mid-weight, but I compared this to the 2014 on release, and I still think that comparison holds, although there's a touch more length and intensity in the 2019. This will drink well today with a decant (I followed this bottle for two days) and will shine for a good two decades.(v.2019).

Expert Review - Vintage 2022 

Charles Curtis, MW of Decanter 94 Points | This village-level wine is a reliable benchmark for the commune. It reflects the sunny character of the vintage with its ripe stone fruit and citrus notes, yet offers depth and complexity as well, with saline hints, flint and fresh white flowers. The texture is silky and approachable. It’s drinking now, but with enough substance to hold for five to 10 years.

Vinous 92 Points | The 2022 Puligny-Montrachet Village has a nicely detailed bouquet of green apples. It's a touch spicier than the Bourgogne Blanc with a trace of walnut coming through with aeration. The palate is nicely balanced with a keen line of acidity sour lemon hints and again that spice that lingers on the aftertaste.

Allen Meadows of Burghound 90-92 Points | A markedly more floral-suffused nose features notes of cool Granny Smith apple citrus and a touch of mineral reduction. The caressing delicious and plump but agreeably energetic medium-bodied flavors possess solid depth and persistence on the balanced firm and highly refreshing finale. This is also excellent for its level and a wine that should drink well after only 3 to 4 years of keeping but age gracefully for a decade. Recommended.

Winemaker Description 

The Bourgogne Blanc from Domaine Leflaive has the particularity to only come from vineyards located in the town of Puligny, making it easily one of the best Bourgogne Blanc you could get your hands on. This is the perfect first step into the Domaine Leflaive’s unique offerings. All vineyards are farmed biodynamically. 

Expert Review - Vintage 2022 

Allen Meadows of Burhound | A very pretty nose freely reveals its aromas of apple, pear and lemon rind. The succulent, delicious and appealingly vibrant middleweight flavors possess a relatively refined texture while displaying fine depth and length for a wine of this level. The 20% addition of young vines from upper-level vineyards clearly helps and overall, this is excellent.

Château Les Riganes | White Bordeaux | Bordeaux AOC | 2024 | Kosher | Kosher for Passover

Château Les Riganes is a reliable and well-regarded kosher producer from Bordeaux, crafting approachable, terroir-driven whites that deliver genuine regional character at an accessible price. The White Bordeaux is made primarily from Sauvignon Blanc, the dominant white variety of the appellation, vinified to emphasize freshness, aromatic precision and the mineral, citrus-driven character that defines the best dry whites of the region. Kosher and Kosher for Passover, it is an excellent choice for Shabbat, holiday tables and year-round entertaining.

Light gold in color with green reflections, the 2024 opens with bursting aromas of yellow grapefruit, lemon peel, freshly cut grass, white spring flowers and earthy minerals. The palate is light to medium-bodied and immediately lively — a bright first attack of citrus fruit gives way to hints of slate, zesty lemon, herbal notes, basil and tart green pear. Medium-plus acidity keeps the wine fresh and focused, while saline and orange blossom notes linger on a remarkably long and mouthwatering finish.

Serve well chilled at 46–50°F. Pairs beautifully with oysters, grilled fish, shellfish, sushi, goat cheese, light salads, roasted vegetables, chicken and the classic dishes of the Shabbat and Passover table.

• Producer: Château Les Riganes
• Appellation: Bordeaux AOC, France
• Grape Varieties: Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon
• Vintage: 2024
• Kosher Certification: Kosher; Kosher for Passover
• Style: Dry white wine
• Bottle Size: 750ml

Expert Review - Vintage 2023 

A dense glowing purple. Considerable energy to the nose in a dark-fruited raspberry style. Started here for part of the Chorey vineyards. Has considerable muscle for this appellation, will be its usual super satisfying self. Enough acidity, tannins folded in, just a wealth of deep red fruit. Sunny but managed. Jasper Morris - Barrel Sample: 87-90

Memo Summary Notes

The Tollot family represents a long lineage of winegrowers dating back to the late 1880s when François Tollot began planting vineyards in Chorey-lès-Beaune. Today, cousins Nathalie, Jean-Paul, and Olivier Tollot are in charge. The wines of Tollot-Beaut are well-known for their serious but pleasing style across a range of appellations from Bourgogne to Grand Cru.

Chorey-lès-Beaune lies on the plains below the Cote d'Or escarpment with 336 acres almost exclusively planted with Pinot Noir. Initially, the Tollot family owned vines only in Chorey, but successive generations made small acquisitions in Savigny-lès-Beaune, Aloxe-Corton, and Beaune for a current total of 60 acres.

Most of the wine grown in Chorey-lès-Beaune is bottled as Côte de Beaune-Villages, a catchall appellation that allows several villages to blend their red wines. Tollot-Beaut is proud of their village and produces this classic example from vines planted between 1992 and 1998. The wine spent 18 months in 25% new Burgundian pièce.

Memo Summary Notes 

The Domaine Leflaive Mâcon-Verzé "Les Chênes" 2023 is a prestigious biodynamic white Burgundy that serves as an entry point into the world of the most famous Chardonnay producer on earth. While Leflaive’s Grand Crus from Puligny-Montrachet fetch thousands, their Mâcon-Verzé wines are crafted with the same biodynamic rigor and technical precision by the same winemaking team.

The "Les Chênes" (The Oaks) is a specific vineyard within the Mâcon-Verzé appellation known for its older vines (some planted in 1935) and south-facing exposure, which produces a wine with more structure and "toasty" complexity than their standard Mâcon-Verzé.

    •    Food Pairing: Its mineral precision and creamy finish make it perfect for butter-poached lobster, grilled scallops, or a rich vegetable tart.

    •    Cheese: Pairs exceptionally well with Chèvre (goat cheese) or a younger Comté.

Winemaker Description 

Clay-limestone terroir with little depth before reaching the bedrock. Gentle to very steep slopes. Surface area: 3.43 ha located in the heart of the Verzé valley, "Les Chênes" comprises two south-west-facing parcels.

The vines are cultivated biodynamically.

Harvesting is entirely manual, and pressing is carried out in Verzé. After decanting, the musts are transported daily to Puligny- Montrachet for fermentation and ageing, under the watchful eye of Domaine Leflaive's technical team. Vinification takes place in vats, and ageing lasts from 15 to 16 months.
Pressing: Long, gentle pneumatic pressing, 24-hour decanting followed by settling.
Fermentation: 55% in stainless steel tanks, 42% in cement tanks and 3% in new oak barrels.

Ageing: After 10 months' ageing on lees in fermentation containers, the wine is racked into stainless steel tanks and aged on fine lees for 6 months. Winemaker Description. 

Expert Review 

92 Points Burghound | A slightly more deeply pitched nose is comprised by decidedly cool notes of plum, dark currant, forest floor and floral top notes, especially violet. Much like the Lavières, there is a positively gorgeous, even silky, texture to the lighter-bodied flavors thanks to the ultra-fine tannins shaping the overtly stony, dusty and youthfully austere finale. This is textbook Ile de Vergelesses.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

The Wine Enthusiast 97-99 Points | This is already shaping up to being one of the stars of the vintage. With its great fruit, fully enveloped by the structure and tannins, the wine has been set well for the future. The aromatic black fruits are intense and concentrated. — Roger Voss

Decanter 98 Poinhts | Wonderfully aromatic and expressive, with dark fruit, floral scents, chocolate, cinnamon and liquorice. Smooth, svelte, bursting with energy. Juicy strawberries and cherries have crunch from fine tannins and mineral edges. Calm and controlled, yet quietly powerful. Fruit and oak emerge over time, layering chalky, powdery, ripe, spiced and fresh textures. Ends as joyously as it starts, and very moreish.

James Suckling 98 Points | What a nose with complex aromas of blackberries, blackcurrants, graphite and pencil shavings. Full-bodied, this has layers of tannins and intense richness but is framed and held together by the phenolic structure. Vertical and deep, it goes on for minutes on the palate. Great finish. 81% cabernet sauvignon and 19% merlot. Give this five to six years to come together more. Best after 2030 and beyon

Winemaker Description

This has incredible power and drive with blackberry, black olive and graphite. It’s full-bodied, yet dynamic and agile, with so much polished and muscular tannin. Yet, it remains in harmony and balance. So much character. The head of the chateau calls it diabolical beauty. 25% less production than the 2019. 52% cabernet sauvignon, 42% merlot, 3% cabernet franc and 3% petit verdot.

Expert Reviews

James Suckling 99- 100 Points | A blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot, the 2020 Haut-Bailly was harvested from the 9th to 25th of September. It has an alcohol of 14.3%. Deep purple-black in color, it prances out of the glass with naturally beautiful notions of fresh black cherries, violets, mulberries and boysenberries, giving way to hints of redcurrant jelly, star anise, tilled soil and menthol. The medium to full-bodied palate is delicately crafted with velvety/grainy tannins and fantastic freshness framing the perfumed red and black berry layers, finishing on a lingering fragrant-earth note. (2020). 

Robert Parker 96-98 Points | A legendary Haut-Bailly in the making, the 2020 sports a dense purple color to go with powerful notes of blackcurrants, black cherries, scorched earth, and graphite. Reminding me of the 2010, it takes plenty of air to show at its best yet is full-bodied, has a seamless texture, massive of ultra-fine tannins, and a blockbuster of a finish. It’s one of the most structured, powerful Haut-Bailly I’ve ever tasted, yet it still has the classic elegance, nuance, and length of this terrific terroir. It will need 5-7 years (or more) of bottle age but will have 50 years of overall longevity. The 2020 is 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, and 3% each of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. (2020). 

Jeb Dunnuck 96-98 Points | Deep, rich and explosive, the 2020 Haut-Bailly is magnificent from the very first taste. Dark fruit, chocolate, licorice and spice give the 2020 a level of unctuousness that is absolutely thrilling. Readers should be patient, as the 2020 is going to need time to come around. Yields are down 25% from 2019, and that richness comes through loud and clear. (2020). 

Vinous 95-97 Points | (Château Haut-Bailly, Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux, France, Red) Rich in texture and colour, this has clear layers and complexity, a wine that you want to take your time with, slow down and enjoy. One that will take its time to age also. This has a precision and a clarity to the aromatics, and a gentle buzz of minerality that gives a physical reaction in the mouth. Less exuberant than the 2018 or 2019, making this a vintage that suits the style of Haut-Bailly. A slight austerity to the tannins on the finish gives a blueberry redcurrant edge. 3% Petit Verdot completes the blend (now around eight years old), usually co-fermented with the Cabernet Sauvignon (sometimes with Cabernet Franc). IPT similar to 2016, 2010, 2005, but with a softness that comes from extremely ripe tannins. Strong potential for upscoring when it bottle. (Drink between 2030-2050). (2020),