3107 products
Larmandier-Bernier Terre de Vertus Bl. de Blancs Non Dosé 1er Cru 2017 750ml (Introductory Pricing)
Terre de Vertus is one of Larmandier-Bernier's most celebrated single-terroir Champagnes — a vintage Blanc de Blancs drawn entirely from Chardonnay grown in the Premier Cru village of Vertus. The fruit comes from two plots within the Les Barillers lieu-dit, situated mid-slope with a southeast exposure, a site the estate has vinified separately since 1995. Farmed biodynamically and fermented spontaneously with indigenous yeasts in old oak casks and large wooden foudres, the wine rests on its lees through winter before undergoing secondary fermentation in bottle and more than five years of additional lees aging. The 2017 was disgorged in May 2023 with zero dosage — no sugar added — preserving the vineyard's exceptionally pure, dry and mineral expression.
Expert Reviews - Vintage 2017
93 Wine Advocate: "The 2017 Brut Nature Blanc de Blancs Terre de Vertus imparts a very mineral, almost crystalline character. A vineyard that rarely produces powerful wines, even in the context of 2017, it has retained its personality, though it's a little more generous and slightly less focused than the 2016 rendition. Unfurling from the glass with aromas of lemon peel, honeysuckle and oyster shell, it is medium-bodied, racy and saline-tinged."
93 Vinous: "Creamy, open-knit and quite seductive. Readers will find a generous, sensual Champagne with plenty of early appeal. Dried pear, crushed flowers, mint and chamomile build beautifully over time. This is a fine effort in a very challenging year."
Tasting Notes
Precise, expressive and intensely mineral. The nose opens with lemon peel, dried pear and delicate floral notes, followed by honeysuckle, mint, chamomile and a distinctive oyster-shell salinity. The palate is creamy and generous yet beautifully energized — fine acidity and a taut mineral backbone carry through to a finish that is dry, racy, saline and exceptionally pure. Oak fermentation lends supple texture; zero dosage ensures nothing stands between you and the terroir of Vertus.
Food Pairing
An exceptional partner for oysters and shellfish, sashimi, sushi, scallops, grilled or roasted white fish, lobster, roast poultry and aged cheeses. Its saline character and zero dosage make it especially compelling alongside seafood and dishes built around fresh herbs or citrus.
Specifications
Grape Variety: Chardonnay (100%)
Country: France
Region: Champagne
Sub-Region: Côte des Blancs
Village: Vertus
Classification: Premier Cru
Style: Blanc de Blancs / Brut Nature / Non Dosé
Dosage: 0 g/L — Zero Dosage
Vintage: 2017
Vineyard: Les Barillers lieu-dit
Farming: Biodynamic
Fermentation: Indigenous yeasts in old oak casks and large wooden foudres
Aging: 5+ years on the lees in bottle
Disgorgement: May 2023
ABV: 12%
Bottle Size: 750ml
Producer: Larmandier-Bernier
Larmandier-Bernier Latitude Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut (Base 2022) 750ml (Introductory Pricing)
Latitude is Larmandier-Bernier's generous, beautifully textured expression of Chardonnay from the southern reaches of Vertus in the Côte des Blancs. Where the estate's Longitude is linear and chalk-driven, Latitude comes from richer soils with deeper topsoil, yielding a broader, rounder and more immediately seductive Champagne — while retaining the purity and mineral energy for which Larmandier-Bernier is celebrated. The name refers to the vineyards, all situated along roughly the same latitude south of Vertus, with predominantly east- and southeast-facing exposures.
The 2022-based release incorporates 60% base wine from the 2022 harvest and 40% reserve wines drawn from the estate's perpetual reserve, established in 2004. Grapes are gently pressed and lightly clarified before going directly into wood, where alcoholic and malolactic fermentations begin spontaneously with indigenous yeasts in Stockinger casks and vats. The wine rests on its lees during the first year without fining or filtration, then spends more than two additional years aging in bottle before disgorgement in September 2024 with a dosage of just 2 g/L — firmly Extra Brut.
Expert Reviews - Base 2022
94 Vinous: "Bright, punchy and full of mineral-driven intensity. Crushed flowers, lemon peel, sage, mint and crushed rocks build as this potent, intensely saline Champagne opens in the glass. This is impressive. The Latitude is a Champagne built on textural breadth and volume, typical of wines from the southern sector of Vertus."
92 Jeb Dunnuck: "Opening to pure notes of quince and light tropical notes, with a hint of white flowers, lychee, and shortbread, it's medium-bodied on the palate, fruity, elegant, and powdery, yet it retains its ripeness and a meringue-like quality, with a fluffy and refined mousse."
91 Wine Advocate: "Blossoming in the glass with aromas of pear, peach, lemon confit and freshly baked bread. It reveals a medium- to full-bodied, fleshy yet racy palate that is rich and giving, underpinned by ripe yet vibrant acidity and concluding with a long, resonant finish."
Tasting Notes
Broad, expressive and beautifully concentrated, the 2022-based Latitude opens with ripe pear, peach and lemon confit alongside fresh bread, tangerine peel and subtle marzipan. As it develops, hints of mint, flowers and chalk add lift and complexity. The palate is rich and ample yet remains energetic — ripe acidity balances the wine's generous fruit and creamy texture, while a persistent mineral freshness carries through the long, resonant finish. Delicious now, with enough structure and depth to reward additional bottle age.
Food Pairing
Excellent as an aperitif or alongside oysters, scallops, lobster, sushi, roast chicken, creamy seafood dishes, soft cheeses and richer fish preparations.
Specifications
Grape Variety: Chardonnay (100%)
Country: France
Region: Champagne
Sub-Region: Côte des Blancs
Village: Vertus
Classification: Premier Cru
Style: Blanc de Blancs / Extra Brut
Dosage: 2 g/L — Extra Brut
Base Vintage: 2022
Blend: 60% 2022 base wine, 40% perpetual reserve (est. 2004)
Soils: Deep chalk with richer topsoil
Exposure: Predominantly east and southeast-facing
Farming: Organic / biodynamic
Fermentation: Indigenous yeasts; spontaneous alcoholic and malolactic fermentation
Disgorgement: September 2024
ABV: 12%
Bottle Size: 750ml
Producer: Larmandier-Bernier
Larmandier-Bernier Longitude Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut 1er Cru (Base 2021) 750ml (Introductory Price)
Longitude is Larmandier-Bernier's chalk-driven, Premier Cru Blanc de Blancs — a wine of remarkable precision and mineral energy that captures the essence of the Côte des Blancs. Made entirely from Chardonnay grown along the celebrated north-to-south line of villages near the 4th meridian — Vertus, Oger, Avize, Cramant and Chouilly — the wine takes its name from this near-straight longitudinal axis of vineyards. Where the estate's Latitude is broad and generous, Longitude is linear, taut and intensely mineral.
The 2021-based release is composed of approximately 60% wine from the cool, energetic 2021 vintage together with 40% from the estate's perpetual reserve, established in 2004. Grapes are gently pressed before undergoing spontaneous alcoholic and malolactic fermentation with indigenous yeasts, then fermented and matured in wood on their natural lees without fining or filtration. After blending and tirage, the Champagne undergoes extended bottle maturation before disgorgement in April 2024 with a dosage of just 2 g/L — firmly Extra Brut.
Expert Reviews
93 Decanter: "There's an extra dash of mineral energy and zesty length in this cuvée. Subtly creamy and peppery, yet fulsome in white peach, pear and lemon oil, it gains a savoury, umami depth from 40% addition of perpetual reserve. Always a model non-vintage blanc de blancs."
92 Jeb Dunnuck: "More focus and a compact, linear drive from more chalky soils, with notes of lemon candy, Anjou pear, and a very pretty floral perfume. Medium-bodied, it has a refreshing and fine mousse, with pleasing lift and a clean finish."
92 Wine Advocate: "A considerable increase in intensity and tension compared to Latitude. Medium-bodied, taut and incisive in personality. Offers aromas of white flowers, citrus fruit and oyster shell. Tangy acidity, informed by the long and cool growing season, with mineral-laden undertones, leads to a chalky, long-lasting finish."
92 Wine Spectator: "Hints of lime blossom and pink grapefruit sorbet are a citrusy thread through this sleek, finely knit Champagne. It's racy and lightly spiced, with flavors of yellow plum and chalky mineral set on the delicate mousse."
Tasting Notes
Bright, focused and intensely mineral, the 2021-based Longitude opens with white flowers, fresh citrus, green apple and subtle oyster-shell notes. The palate is taut and energetic — tangy acidity framed by chalk, crushed stone, citrus peel and a delicate saline character. Elegant rather than broad, it finishes long, dry and exceptionally precise. This is classic Côte des Blancs Chardonnay: pure, linear and refreshing, with enough depth from the perpetual reserve to add complexity without sacrificing the wine's crystalline personality.
Food Pairing
An outstanding aperitif and a natural partner for oysters, shellfish, sashimi, sushi, grilled white fish, scallops, fresh goat cheese and delicate poultry dishes.
Specifications
Grape Variety: Chardonnay (100%)
Country: France
Region: Champagne
Sub-Region: Côte des Blancs
Villages: Vertus, Oger, Avize, Cramant, Chouilly
Classification: Premier Cru
Style: Blanc de Blancs / Extra Brut
Dosage: 2 g/L — Extra Brut
Base Vintage: 2021
Blend: ~60% 2021 base wine, 40% perpetual reserve (est. 2004)
Farming: Biodynamic / organic
Fermentation: Indigenous yeasts; spontaneous alcoholic and malolactic fermentation; aged in wood on lees
Disgorgement: April 2024
ABV: 12%
Bottle Size: 750ml
Producer: Larmandier-Bernier
Larmandier-Bernier Vieille Vigne du Levant Extra Brut GC 2014 750ml (Introductory Price)
Vieille Vigne du Levant is one of Larmandier-Bernier's most profound and sought-after Champagnes — a single-vineyard Blanc de Blancs produced entirely from old-vine Chardonnay in the Grand Cru village of Cramant. The parcel, known as Bourron du Levant, faces east toward the rising sun, producing grapes of remarkable concentration, ripeness and mineral intensity. The vines are approximately 60 to more than 85 years old, with deep root systems that penetrate the chalk-rich soils of the Côte des Blancs, giving the wine exceptional depth and complexity while retaining the precision and energy that define Larmandier-Bernier.
Farmed biodynamically, the grapes are gently pressed before undergoing spontaneous alcoholic and malolactic fermentation with indigenous yeasts in Stockinger casks and vats. The wine is matured on its lees during its first year without fining or filtration, followed by extended bottle aging in the estate's cool cellars. As a true vintage, single-parcel Champagne, there is no blending with other years or vineyard sites. The 2014 was disgorged in March and September 2023 with a dosage of just 2 g/L, allowing the character of Cramant and the old vines to remain entirely at the forefront.
Expert Reviews
95 Wine Advocate: "The 2014 Blanc de Blancs Vieille Vigne du Levant rises from the glass with aromas of citrus oil, peach and pear, mingled with notes of freshly baked bread. On the palate, it is medium- to full-bodied, concentrated and incisive, with a deep core of fruit, considerable tension, racy acidity and a precise, saline finish. Expect a slightly more powerful and more giving rendition than the 2013 and simultaneously a touch more tensile."
94 Vinous: "A gorgeous, vinous Champagne. It emerges from 60-to-80-year-old vines on Cramant's east-facing slope. Tangerine peel, hazelnut, spice, menthol and dried flowers are all signs of a Champagne that has arrived at its peak of maturity. Even so, the balance here is exquisite. Readers seeking Champagne with a bit of bottle-age complexity will adore this."
Tasting Notes
Deep, vinous and beautifully concentrated, the 2014 opens with citrus oil, ripe pear and peach alongside freshly baked bread. With air, more mature nuances emerge — tangerine peel, hazelnut, dried flowers, spice and subtle menthol. The palate is medium- to full-bodied, combining remarkable richness with racy acidity and striking tension. A pronounced chalky, saline mineral character carries through the exceptionally long, precise finish. This is a Champagne of both power and refinement, showing the complexity of mature old-vine Chardonnay without sacrificing freshness. Delicious now, it also has the structure and concentration for continued aging.
Food Pairing
Superb on its own as a contemplative aperitif, Vieille Vigne du Levant is equally impressive at the table. Pair with roast poultry, chicken with morels, lobster, scallops, turbot and creamy seafood dishes or preparations with rich cream-based sauces.
Specifications
Grape Variety: Chardonnay (100%)
Country: France
Region: Champagne
Sub-Region: Côte des Blancs
Village: Cramant
Classification: Grand Cru
Style: Blanc de Blancs / Extra Brut
Dosage: 2 g/L — Extra Brut
Vintage: 2014
Vineyard: Bourron du Levant
Vine Age: ~60 to 85+ years
Farming: Biodynamic
Fermentation: Indigenous yeasts in Stockinger casks and vats; aged on lees without fining or filtration
Disgorgement: March / September 2023
ABV: 12%
Bottle Size: 750ml
Producer: Larmandier-Bernier
Chateau Haut Grignon Medoc Cru Bourgeois 2019 750ml
Château Haut Grignon is a small, family-owned estate in the Médoc, belonging to Bruno Segond, who also owns the neighboring Château Lousteauneuf — a well-regarded Cru Bourgeois distributed across Europe, Japan, and Canada. With just four hectares of vines, Haut Grignon is a boutique property that practices sustainable agriculture and focuses on producing wines that reflect the classic character of the Médoc appellation with precision and authenticity.
The estate's vineyards are planted on clay and gravel soils typical of the Médoc, with vines averaging 25 years of age and planted at a density of 5,000 vine stocks per hectare. Yields are kept deliberately low at approximately 45 hectoliters per hectare, concentrating flavor and ensuring quality. The blend is led by Cabernet Sauvignon (67%), complemented by Merlot (31%) and a touch of Petit Verdot (2%).
Vinification takes place in stainless steel vats to preserve freshness and fruit expression. The wine is then aged in a combination of 60% vats and 40% French oak barrels, building structure and complexity while maintaining the lively, fruit-forward character that defines the estate's style. Total production is limited to approximately 30,000 bottles per vintage.
The 2019 opens with a bouquet of black fruit, cassis, and cedar, with a touch of warm spice. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied with firm, well-integrated tannins, bright black-currant acidity, and a clean, spiced finish. Densely structured yet fresh and approachable, with the depth to reward further cellaring. 2019 is an outstanding vintage in Bordeaux, and this Cru Bourgeois delivers exceptional value for the appellation.
"Under the same ownership as neighboring Château Lousteauneuf, this property offers a densely structured wine that is also fresh from black-currant acidity. The current dryness will soften to give a rich, always textured wine. Drink from 2023."
— Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon 67%, Merlot 31%, Petit Verdot 2%
Region: Bordeaux, France
Appellation: Médoc, Cru Bourgeois
Vintage: 2019
Vine Age: ~25 years
Élevage: 60% vats, 40% French oak barrels
Bottle Size: 750ml
Pairing: Roast beef, lamb, duck confit, game, aged hard cheeses, and classic Bordelaise preparations.
Alpine Rift Sauvignon Blanc 2025 750ml
Alpine Rift Sauvignon Blanc 2025
Nestled between New Zealand's Southern Alps and the Pacific Ocean lies a major geological fault line — a landscape shaped over millions of years. Ancient glacial soils, cool sunny days, and shelter from wild westerly winds create the perfect conditions for Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. Alpine Rift takes this classic style further: low-yielding fruit from exceptional sites, with a portion of wild fermentation in old French oak, delivering a new level of richness and complexity.
Tasting Notes
Enticing aromas of white nectarine, cassis leaf, passionfruit, and a hint of jalapeño. On the palate, mineral and flinty yet ripe and richly textured, with taut tropical fruit and crisp citrus acidity on the finish.
Winemaking
Fruit sourced from select sites across Marlborough's Southern Valleys, Central Wairau Plains, and Awatere Valley. Harvested by machine before sunrise, gently pressed and cold settled for three days. Fermented in a combination of stainless steel tanks and old French oak puncheons using both cultured and indigenous wild yeasts.
Critical Acclaim - Vintage 2025
- 94 pts — Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "Screams Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, and does so with some class."
- 91 pts — James Suckling: "Elegant, juicy and flavorful — limes, gooseberries, fresh grass. Fresh finish."
- Grape: Sauvignon Blanc
- Region: Marlborough, New Zealand
- Vintage: 2025
- Size: 750ml
Argiano Non Confunditur NF 2024 750ml
Argiano is one of Montalcino's most storied estates, with a history stretching back to the 16th century. Situated on the southwestern slopes of Montalcino, the estate is renowned above all for its Brunello, but its Non Confunditur — Latin for “shall not be confounded” — has become one of Tuscany's most beloved Super Tuscan blends: a wine of generous character, immediate appeal, and unmistakable personality. Farmed organically using spurred cordon training, the estate's vineyards sit at 280–310 meters above sea level on alluvial soils with traces of calcareous marl, producing fruit of natural freshness and expressive depth.
The Non Confunditur is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Sangiovese, sourced from estate vineyards ranging from 9 to 21 years of age. The 2024 vintage presented a complex growing season: a mild, well-watered winter gave way to a warm spring, a rainy June, and intense summer heat waves in July. Careful agronomic intervention — soil tillage, shading systems, and biostimulants — allowed the vines to maintain a regular cycle. A cooler September slowed maturation slightly, and harvest concluded on 16 October with excellent grape quality and naturally moderate alcohol.
Merlot was harvested first, followed by Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese. Vinification begins with a two-day pre-fermentation cold maceration, followed by fermentation and skin maceration for approximately two weeks in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. Malolactic fermentation is also completed in tank. The varieties are then blended and refined with a few months in third- and fourth-passage French barriques and tonneaux — imparting subtle structure without masking the wine's fresh, fruit-forward character.
The 2024 Non Confunditur is dark and saturated, with an inviting bouquet of black cherry, blackberry, and vanilla. On the palate, the wine is lush and generous, with a light grain to its texture, good concentration, and a clean, persistent finish. Fresh, versatile, and unmistakably expressive — a Super Tuscan built for pleasure now and through 2032.
"Dark and saturated with black cherry, blackberry and vanilla flavors. Lush, with a light grain to its texture and good length… Drink now through 2032."
— Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator, 89 Points. (Vintage 2024).
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese
Region: Tuscany, Italy
Appellation: Toscana IGT
Vintage: 2024
Farming: Organic
Altitude: 280–310 meters
Élevage: Temperature-controlled steel tanks; a few months in 3rd & 4th passage French barriques and tonneaux
Bottle Size: 750ml
Pairing: Grilled meats, pasta with rich meat sauces, aged Pecorino, pizza, and casual Tuscan fare. Drink now through 2032.
Chateau Bel Orme Tronquoy de Lalande Haut-Medoc 2020 750ml
Château Bel Orme Tronquoy-de-Lalande is one of the Haut-Médoc's most storied family estates, with origins dating to the late 18th century. The property was designed in 1750 by Victor Louis — the celebrated architect of the Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux — and acquired its full name when the Tronquoy-de-Lalande family elevated the vineyard to prominence in the 19th century. In 1936, Lucienne Quié famously chose this charming manor overlooking the Gironde estuary over Château Pichon Baron, and the estate has remained in the Quié family ever since. Today, the third generation — Anne-Françoise, Jean-Philippe, and Paul-Henri — stewards the property with the same passion and commitment to quality, and since 2012 the estate has been united in destiny with Château Rauzan-Gassies. The Château holds the prestigious Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant label, awarded in spring 2024 in recognition of its commitment to ecologically sound agriculture.
The estate's 30-hectare vineyard sits on the finest hillsides of the village of Saint-Seurin-de-Cadourne, within a Natura 2000 biodiversity site on the banks of the Gironde. The vineyard is planted with 65% Merlot and 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, farmed according to virtuous, sustainable agriculture with parcel-specific soil management. Clay soils lend the Merlot roundness and vivid, savoury fruit, while drier, draining soils allow the Cabernet Sauvignon to reach optimal maturity with ripe, velvety tannins — the authentic signature of Haut-Médoc.
Each parcel is vinified individually with meticulous attention to terroir expression. The wine is crafted to reflect the natural character of the vintage and the estate's distinctive clay-gravel soils, with careful extraction to build structure without sacrificing freshness or elegance.
The 2020 opens with aromas of blackberries, graphite, and black currant, precise and focused. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied with compressed, chewy tannins that are fine and structured, showing excellent concentration and length. A serious, cellar-worthy Haut-Médoc from an outstanding vintage that rewards patience.
"A chewy and tight wine with blackberries, graphite and currant aromas and flavors. Medium body. Compressed and solid with chewy tannins that are focused and fine. Give it two or three years to open. Drink after 2025."
— James Suckling, 92 Points. (Vintage 2020).
Grape: Merlot 65%, Cabernet Sauvignon 35%
Region: Bordeaux, France
Appellation: Haut-Médoc
Vintage: 2020
Vineyard: Saint-Seurin-de-Cadourne, 30 hectares
Bottle Size: 750ml
Pairing: Roast lamb, duck confit, braised short ribs, game, aged hard cheeses, and classic Bordelaise preparations.
Chateau D'Arvigny Haut-Medoc 2022 750ml
Château d'Arvigny is a well-regarded estate in the Haut-Médoc appellation, situated on the left bank of the Gironde between the prestigious communes of Margaux and Saint-Julien. The estate benefits from the deep gravel soils that define the finest terroirs of the Haut-Médoc — soils that drain freely, warm quickly, and encourage the deep root systems that produce wines of natural finesse and character. The property is committed to responsible viticulture, following integrated farming practices that prioritize quality and environmental respect.
The blend is led by Cabernet Sauvignon (60%), complemented by Merlot (30%) and Cabernet Franc (10%) — a classic Bordeaux assemblage that delivers the structure and aromatic complexity the Haut-Médoc is known for. Each variety is vinified separately before blending, allowing the winemaking team to select the best lots for the final wine.
The 2022 vintage is one of the finest in recent Bordeaux memory — a warm, dry growing season that produced grapes of exceptional ripeness, concentration, and natural balance. The wines of 2022 are characterized by ripe, generous fruit, supple tannins, and excellent structure, making them approachable young while retaining the depth to evolve with time.
The 2022 d'Arvigny is soft, supple, and fruit-forward, with inviting aromas and flavors of red berries, plum, and gentle spice. On the palate, the wine is smooth and elegant with soft tannins and well-balanced acidity — a polished, approachable Haut-Médoc that delivers genuine Bordeaux character at an accessible price.
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon 60%, Merlot 30%, Cabernet Franc 10%
Region: Bordeaux, France
Appellation: Haut-Médoc
Vintage: 2022
Bottle Size: 750ml
Pairing: Roast lamb, grilled beef, duck, mushroom dishes, and aged hard cheeses. Drink now or cellar through 2030.
Maynard’s Vintage Port 2000 750ml (Pre-Sale Price - ETA October 2026)
A beautifully mature Vintage Port from the historic 2000 harvest, Maynard’s Vintage Port 2000 combines full-bodied richness, fine aromatic character and the complexity developed through more than two decades of bottle evolution. Produced from traditional Douro grape varieties and crafted by winemaker Álvaro van Zeller, this is a compelling expression of classic Portuguese Vintage Port.
Vintage Port represents one of the Douro Valley’s most age-worthy wine styles. Produced from the fruit of a single harvest, it spends only a relatively short period in wood before bottling, with its long-term development taking place gradually in the bottle.
Region & Style
Country: Portugal
Region: Douro Valley
Appellation: Porto
Wine Type: Fortified Red Wine
Style: Vintage Port
Vintage: 2000
Bottle Size: 750ml
Alcohol: 20% ABV
Winemaker: Álvaro van Zeller
Grape Varieties
Maynard’s Vintage Port 2000 is produced from a traditional blend of classic Douro red varieties:
- Touriga Nacional
- Touriga Franca
- Tinta Roriz
- Tinta Barroca
- Tinto Cão
These indigenous grapes are among the varieties historically associated with the production of fine Vintage Port, contributing concentration, structure, aromatic intensity and long-term aging potential.
Winemaking & Aging
The grapes are harvested from the steep vineyard terraces of Portugal’s Douro region at full ripeness. During Port production, fermentation is interrupted by the addition of grape spirit, preserving natural grape sweetness while creating the richness and structure characteristic of the style.
Vintage Port is intended to complete most of its maturation in bottle. With time, its youthful power gradually softens, the deep color begins to evolve and its components become increasingly integrated and complex.
The 2000 Maynard’s has now benefited from substantial bottle age, offering the opportunity to experience a Vintage Port with mature development while retaining the depth and structure for which the style is known.
Tasting Notes
Maynard’s describes the 2000 Vintage Port as having superb color, a full body and a particularly fine aroma and flavor. A distinctive mint character adds freshness and aromatic lift.
With bottle age, the wine gradually softens and develops greater structural and aromatic complexity. The result is a mature, harmonious Port combining richness with elegance and a long, lingering finish.
Serving & Decanting
Serve at approximately 16°C / 61°F.
Mature Vintage Port naturally forms sediment, or “crust,” during bottle aging. Stand the bottle upright for approximately 24 hours before opening so the sediment can settle, then decant carefully before serving.
A generous Port or red-wine glass is recommended to allow the wine’s mature aromas to open and develop.
Food Pairing
Vintage Port is traditionally enjoyed after dinner and is an outstanding partner for Stilton, Gorgonzola and other blue cheeses.
It can also accompany dark chocolate, walnuts, dried fruit and rich desserts. For a savory pairing, Vintage Port can be served alongside richly flavored dishes such as steak au poivre.
Cellaring
Store the bottle horizontally in a cool, dark location with a stable temperature and minimal vibration. Because Vintage Port develops sediment naturally during aging, careful handling and decanting are recommended when the bottle is eventually opened.
About Maynard’s
Maynard’s is the flagship Port brand associated with Fernando and Álvaro van Zeller, continuing the van Zeller family’s centuries-long connection with the Portuguese wine trade.
The Maynard’s name pays tribute to Walter Maynard, an early English Port merchant and ancestor of the van Zeller family. Today, the house produces a range of traditional Ports, including Vintage Ports, aged Tawnies and rare single-harvest Colheitas.
A mature Vintage Port from the turn of the millennium, Maynard’s 2000 offers history, complexity and classic Douro character in a bottle made for memorable occasions and thoughtful gifting.
Maynard’s Vintage Port 2000 750ml
Maynard’s Vintage Port 2011 750ml (Pre-Sale Price - ETA October 2026)
A powerful and beautifully structured Vintage Port from one of the most celebrated Douro vintages of the modern era, Maynard’s Vintage Port 2011 combines concentrated dark fruit, firm tannins and impressive depth. Produced from traditional Douro grape varieties and crafted by winemaker Álvaro van Zeller, this cellar-worthy Port offers richness and intensity along with the structure for continued development in bottle.
The 2011 vintage produced remarkably concentrated and age-worthy Ports throughout the Douro. Maynard’s expression captures the character of the year with generous fruit, substantial body and a firm tannic backbone balanced by freshness.
Region & Style
Country: Portugal
Region: Douro Valley
Appellation: Porto
Wine Type: Fortified Red Wine
Style: Vintage Port
Vintage: 2011
Bottle Size: 750ml
Alcohol: 20% ABV
Winemaker: Álvaro van Zeller
Grape Varieties
Maynard’s Vintage Port 2011 is produced from traditional indigenous Douro varieties, including:
- Touriga Nacional
- Touriga Franca
- Tinto Cão
- Old-vine Douro varieties
These grapes provide the intense fruit concentration, color, tannic structure and aromatic complexity essential to a fine, long-lived Vintage Port.
Winemaking & Aging
The grapes are harvested by hand at full ripeness and partially destemmed before crushing. Extended skin contact and maceration help extract the deep color, concentrated flavor and tannic structure characteristic of the wine.
During fermentation, grape spirit is added at the appropriate moment to stop fermentation and preserve the wine’s natural sweetness, aromatic intensity and structure.
The Vintage Port is then matured in oak vats in the Douro under controlled temperature and humidity conditions before bottling. The wine is not stabilized before bottling, allowing it to continue its slow evolution and development in bottle. As a result, natural sediment may form with age.
Tasting Notes
Deep and nearly opaque in color, Maynard’s Vintage Port 2011 displays impressive structure, concentration and body. Aromas of ripe red and dark fruits lead into a rich palate dominated by blackberry, blackcurrant and concentrated berry fruit.
The texture is notably creamy and generous, yet the wine possesses a substantial framework of firm tannins that provides definition and excellent aging potential.
Rich fruit continues through the palate into a persistent, concentrated and beautifully structured finish.
94 Points — Wine Enthusiast
Wine Enthusiast awarded Maynard’s Vintage Port 2011 an outstanding 94 Points.
Reviewer Roger Voss noted the wine’s rich opening, firm tannins and substantial weight, emphasizing the solid structure surrounding its generous blackberry fruit. The combination of abundant fruit and powerful tannins points to excellent long-term development.
The Exceptional 2011 Vintage
2011 is regarded as an outstanding year for Vintage Port, producing wines of remarkable fruit concentration, tannic structure and freshness throughout the Douro Valley.
The finest wines from the vintage were built for extended aging, and Maynard’s 2011 shows exactly those qualities: concentrated fruit, substantial structure and the balance necessary for graceful development over many years.
Serving & Decanting
Vintage Port naturally develops sediment as it matures in bottle. Stand the bottle upright for approximately 24 hours before opening, allowing the sediment to settle, and then decant carefully before serving.
Serve at approximately 16–18°C / 61–64°F in a generous Port or red-wine glass to allow the aromas and flavors to fully develop.
Food Pairing
Maynard’s Vintage Port 2011 is an outstanding after-dinner wine and pairs beautifully with Stilton, aged sheep’s milk cheese, blue cheese and other intensely flavored cheeses.
It is equally compelling alongside dark chocolate, chocolate truffles, walnuts, dried fruits and rich chocolate desserts, or simply enjoyed by itself as a contemplative finish to a meal.
Cellaring
This is a serious Vintage Port with the concentration and tannic structure for extended bottle aging. Store horizontally in a cool, dark location with a stable temperature, ideally around 12°C / 54°F.
Although already developing additional complexity with bottle age, the 2011 has the structure to continue evolving beautifully for many years.
About Maynard’s
Maynard’s is the flagship Port brand associated with Fernando and Álvaro van Zeller, continuing the van Zeller family’s centuries-old connection to the Portuguese wine trade.
The Maynard’s name honors Walter Maynard, born in 1652, an ancestor of the van Zeller family and one of the early merchants associated with exporting Port wine from Portugal to England. Today, Maynard’s produces a distinctive collection of Vintage Ports, aged Tawnies and rare single-harvest Colheitas.
A superb 94-point Vintage Port from an exceptional year, Maynard’s 2011 combines concentrated blackberry fruit, formidable structure and impressive aging potential—a compelling bottle for the cellar, gifting or a special vintage-year celebration.
Maynard’s Vintage Port 2011 750ml
Maynard’s Port Colheita White Port 1940 750ml (Pre-Sale Price - ETA October 2026)
One of the great rarities of the Port world, Maynard’s 1940 White Colheita is an extraordinary single-harvest White Port from Portugal’s historic Douro Valley. Produced from grapes harvested in 1940 and matured in seasoned oak casks, this exceptionally old Colheita offers the remarkable concentration, complexity and elegance that can develop only through prolonged maturation in wood.
Maynard’s is closely associated with the historic van Zeller family, one of the great names of the Portuguese wine trade. The brand honors Walter Maynard, an ancestor of the family and one of the early merchants involved in shipping Port wine from Portugal to England. Today, the Maynard’s range continues that tradition through a collection of classic and exceptionally rare Ports.
Region & Style
Country: Portugal
Region: Douro Valley
Appellation: Porto / Port
Wine Type: Fortified White Wine
Style: White Colheita Port / Single Harvest Port
Vintage: 1940
Bottle Size: 750ml
Alcohol: 20% ABV
Winemaker: Álvaro van Zeller
Grape Varieties
A traditional Douro white blend composed of:
- Códega do Larinho
- Rabigato
- Malvasia Fina
- Arinto
Winemaking & Aging
Unlike a conventional Vintage Port, a Colheita is produced entirely from a single harvest and develops its character through extended maturation in wood. The 1940 Maynard’s White Colheita was carefully selected and matured in seasoned oak casks, where slow oxidative aging transformed the wine and created the extraordinary richness, mellowness and complexity associated with very old Colheita Ports.
Over time, the fresh fruit character of the original white grapes evolves into layers of dried and preserved fruit, nuts, caramelized flavors and spice while maintaining the natural acidity that gives fine old White Port its remarkable freshness and balance.
Tasting Notes
A beautiful golden-amber color immediately reveals the wine’s extraordinary maturity. The bouquet is rich and expressive, showing concentrated aromas of peach preserves and jam, dried fruit, toasted nuts, caramel and warm spice.
On the palate, it is wonderfully complex and harmonious, combining mature sweetness with balancing freshness. Rich fruit and nutty flavors unfold slowly across the palate, followed by subtle oxidative and oak-aged nuances. The texture is silky and luxurious, leading to a long, elegant and persistent finish.
Serving Suggestions
Serve slightly chilled at approximately 12–13°C / 54–55°F. Because of its extraordinary age and complexity, this Port is particularly rewarding when served on its own in a proper Port or white-wine glass, allowing the wine to open gradually in the glass.
Food Pairing
An exceptional partner for desserts featuring almonds, hazelnuts and walnuts, as well as crème brûlée, custard-based desserts, dried-fruit cakes and other egg-based pastries. It can also be enjoyed with mature or blue cheeses, including Roquefort, or simply served by itself as a contemplative after-dinner wine.
About Maynard’s
Maynard’s is the flagship Port brand associated with Fernando and Álvaro van Zeller. The name pays tribute to Walter Maynard, born in 1652, an ancestor of the van Zeller family and one of the early merchants connected with the export of Port wine from Portugal to England. The Maynard’s collection celebrates this centuries-old Port tradition, with particular emphasis on aged Tawnies, Colheitas, Vintage Ports and other rare releases.
A remarkable survivor from the 1940 harvest, this extraordinarily mature White Colheita offers both a piece of Port history and a rare opportunity to experience the remarkable longevity of the Douro’s traditional white varieties.
Maynard’s Port Colheita White Port 1940 750ml
Maynard’s Port Colheita White Port 1962 750ml (Pre-Sale Price - ETA October 2026)
An extraordinary single-harvest White Port from 1962, offering more than six decades of history in every glass. Maynard’s White Colheita Port 1962 is a rare expression of the Douro Valley, combining remarkable maturity with elegance, freshness and beautifully developed complexity.
Produced from traditional white grape varieties of Portugal’s Douro Valley, this historic Colheita has developed a magnificent golden-amber color and an intricate aromatic profile shaped by extended maturation in wood.
Region & Style
Country: Portugal
Region: Douro Valley
Appellation: Porto / Port
Wine Type: Fortified White Wine
Style: White Colheita Port / Single Harvest Port
Vintage: 1962
Bottle Size: 750ml
Alcohol: 20% ABV
Winemaker: Álvaro van Zeller
Grape Varieties
A traditional Douro white blend composed of:
- Códega do Larinho
- Rabigato
- Malvasia Fina
- Arinto
What Is White Colheita Port?
Colheita Port is produced from grapes harvested in a single year and matured for an extended period in wooden casks before bottling. Unlike Vintage Port, which develops primarily in bottle, Colheita evolves through long oxidative maturation in wood.
For White Colheita, this gradual aging transforms the youthful citrus and orchard-fruit character of the white grapes into a far more complex spectrum of dried fruit, nuts, caramelized flavors and warm spice while retaining the acidity necessary to keep the wine balanced and fresh.
Tasting Notes
The Maynard’s 1962 White Colheita displays a beautiful golden-amber color and an expressive, mature bouquet. Aromas of peach preserves and ripe stone fruit lead into layers of dried fruit, toasted nuts and subtle oxidative complexity.
On the palate, the wine is rich and beautifully composed, with concentrated fruit balanced by freshness and elegance. Its remarkable age has created a seamless texture and impressive aromatic depth, finishing long, complex and refined.
19 Points — Vinho Grandes Escolhas
Vinho Grandes Escolhas awarded the Maynard’s White Colheita Port 1962 an impressive 19 Points.
The wine is noted for its golden-amber color, superb character, concentrated peach-fruit aromas and particularly complex, elegant finish.
Serving Suggestions
Serve slightly chilled at approximately 12–13°C / 54–55°F. A proper Port or white-wine glass allows the wine’s extraordinary aromatic complexity to fully unfold.
Because this is such a mature and complex wine, it is especially rewarding when enjoyed slowly on its own after dinner.
Food Pairing
Pair with desserts featuring almonds, hazelnuts or walnuts, as well as crème brûlée, custards, egg-based pastries and dried-fruit desserts.
Its combination of richness and mature complexity also makes it an excellent match for aged cheeses, including hard cheeses and blue cheese, or simply enjoy it by itself as a contemplative after-dinner Port.
About Maynard’s
Maynard’s is the flagship Port brand associated with Fernando and Álvaro van Zeller. The name pays tribute to Walter Maynard, a historic English wine merchant associated with some of the earliest shipments of Port wine from Portugal to England during the 17th century.
Today, Maynard’s continues this centuries-old Port tradition with a collection that includes Vintage Ports, aged Tawnies and exceptionally rare single-harvest Colheitas.
A remarkable piece of Douro history, the 1962 White Colheita is a rare opportunity to experience the extraordinary longevity and complexity of traditionally aged White Port.
Maynard’s White Colheita Port 1962 750ml
Maynard’s Port Colheita White Port 2011 750ml (Pre-Sale Price - ETA October 2026)
An elegant single-harvest White Port from Portugal’s historic Douro Valley, Maynard’s White Colheita Port 2011 combines ripe fruit, freshness and the distinctive complexity created through extended maturation in wood. Produced entirely from the 2011 harvest, this distinctive Port offers a beautiful expression of traditional Douro white grape varieties and the classic Maynard’s style.
White Colheita is one of the more unusual and fascinating categories of Port. Unlike a blended aged White Port, a Colheita comes entirely from one harvest, with the vintage prominently displayed on the bottle. Time in wooden casks gradually develops greater richness, softness and aromatic complexity while preserving the acidity that keeps the wine lively and balanced.
Region & Style
Country: Portugal
Region: Douro Valley
Appellation: Porto
Wine Type: Fortified White Wine
Style: White Colheita Port / Single Harvest Port
Vintage: 2011
Bottle Size: 750ml
Alcohol: 20% ABV
Grape Varieties
Maynard’s White Colheita is produced from a traditional blend of indigenous Douro white varieties:
- Códega do Larinho
- Rabigato
- Malvasia Fina
- Arinto
These varieties contribute aromatic character, ripe fruit and, importantly, the natural acidity necessary to balance the sweetness and richness of an aged White Port.
Winemaking & Aging
Produced from grapes harvested in a single year, the 2011 White Colheita follows the traditional method of Port production. Fermentation is stopped through the addition of grape spirit, preserving a portion of the grapes’ natural sweetness.
The wine then develops in wooden casks before bottling. This slow oxidative maturation is fundamental to the Colheita style, gradually transforming youthful fruit into more layered flavors of preserved fruit, nuts, caramel and spice while creating a smooth, harmonious texture.
Tasting Notes
Maynard’s White Colheita displays a beautiful golden-amber color and an inviting aromatic profile centered on ripe peach and peach preserves, complemented by dried fruit, citrus peel and subtle floral notes.
With time in wood, additional nuances of toasted nuts, caramel, honey and gentle spice emerge. The palate is rich yet fresh, with sweetness balanced by bright acidity and a smooth, elegant texture.
The finish is complex, refined and persistent, combining mature fruit character with the freshness that makes aged White Colheita Port particularly distinctive.
Serving Suggestions
Serve slightly chilled at approximately 12–13°C / 54–55°F in a Port or white-wine glass. A slight chill emphasizes the wine’s freshness while allowing its mature aromas and complexity to develop fully in the glass.
White Colheita can be enjoyed as an aperitif, with dessert or simply on its own as a contemplative after-dinner wine.
Food Pairing
An excellent match for desserts featuring almonds, hazelnuts and walnuts, as well as crème brûlée, custards, fruit tarts and other egg-based pastries.
It is also delicious with dried fruit, caramelized desserts and a selection of mature cheeses. The wine’s balancing acidity prevents richer pairings from becoming overly sweet.
About Maynard’s
Maynard’s represents the centuries-old Port tradition of the van Zeller family, one of the historic names of the Portuguese wine trade. The Maynard’s collection specializes in traditional Port styles, including Vintage Ports, aged Tawnies and rare single-harvest Colheitas.
The house is particularly known for preserving older and unusual expressions of Port, giving wine lovers the opportunity to experience the remarkable evolution that takes place during prolonged maturation in wood.
Elegant, golden and wonderfully complex, Maynard’s White Colheita Port 2011 is a distinctive single-vintage Port offering richness, freshness and the unmistakable character of traditional wood-aged White Port.
Maynard’s White Colheita Port 2011 750ml
Howard Park Margaret River Miamup Chardonnay 2024 750ml
Howard Park is a pioneering family-owned winery with over 35 years of history crafting wines from two of Western Australia's premier regions: Margaret River and the Great Southern. Founded by John Wade, who recognized the enormous potential of these emerging wine regions, Howard Park has always aspired to produce wines of generational cellaring potential and uncompromising terroir expression. Today, the winery remains family-owned and continues to set the benchmark for Western Australian fine wine.
The Miamup Chardonnay is sourced from Margaret River — Australia's most celebrated region for Chardonnay, where the maritime climate, ancient gravelly loam soils, and long, temperate growing season produce white wines of exceptional freshness, precision, and natural balance. The Miamup label represents Howard Park's approachable, fruit-forward tier: wines crafted with freshness and drinkability at their core, without sacrificing the quality and terroir integrity the estate is known for.
Vinification is focused on preserving the natural vibrancy and citrus-driven character of the Margaret River Chardonnay. Careful temperature-controlled fermentation, lees contact for texture, and minimal intervention allow the fruit and the region to speak clearly in the glass.
The 2024 Miamup Chardonnay opens with fresh, citrus-driven aromas of lemon peel, grapefruit, and orange blossom, with a touch of flint and reductive complexity. On the palate, the wine is midweight with lively acidity, generous texture, and notes of white stone fruit, ginger cream, and nutty lees. Bright and linear, with a clean, refreshing finish lifted by crisp acidity.
"Fresh, citrus-driven aromas of lemon peel, grapefruit, orange blossoms and flint. The midweight palate has lively acidity and a generous texture. Bright and linear with a nice reductive touch in the finish."
— Wine Spectator, 91 Points. (Vintage 2024).
"A no-nonsense drink, as in it's made with freshness and drinkability in mind. It meets the brief well. Some citrus and white stone fruit, ginger cream, and nutty lees add texture, with acidity lifting the finish and keeping the palate fresh."
— Australian Wine Companion, 90 Points. (Vintage 2024).
Grape: Chardonnay
Region: Margaret River, Western Australia
Vintage: 2024
Bottle Size: 750ml
Pairing: Grilled fish, roast chicken, scallops, creamy pasta, soft cheeses, and light seafood dishes.
Marques de Vitoria RIoja Reserva 2018 750ml
Marqués de Vitoria is a distinguished Rioja producer with a long tradition of crafting wines that express the classic character of the D.O.Ca. Rioja appellation. The estate is committed to producing wines of elegance, balance, and longevity, drawing on the region's exceptional terroir and time-honored winemaking techniques to create Tempranillo-based wines of real depth and refinement.
The Rioja Reserva is sourced from select vineyards within the D.O.Ca. Rioja, where Tempranillo thrives in the region's continental climate — warm summers, cold winters, and the moderating influence of the Cantabrian Mountains and the Ebro River. The combination of clay-limestone soils and carefully managed yields produces grapes of concentration and aromatic complexity.
Following harvest, the wine is aged for a minimum of 24 months in a combination of French and American oak barrels, developing the spice, vanilla, and toasted notes that are hallmarks of classic Rioja Reserva. The wine then continues to evolve in bottle before release, ensuring harmony and integration at the time of purchase.
The 2018 Reserva shows a clean, bright cherry-red color developing to maroon. On the nose, complex and intense aromas of ripe plums, cherries, creamy vanilla, and hazelnut are interwoven with spice and well-integrated barrel notes. The palate is medium-bodied, round, and fluid — with dusty, refined tannins, bright acidity, and a long, elegant finish of sweet vanilla spice, succulent plums, and red berries. A beautifully balanced and approachable Reserva.
"A juicy Rioja showing some creamy vanilla and hazelnut characters to the savory plums and cherries. Medium body with round, dusty tannins and a long, bright finish showing plenty of sweet vanilla spices, succulent plums and red berries at the end. Fluid and elegant."
— Zekun Shuai, James Suckling, 92 Points. (Vintage 2018).
Grape: Tempranillo
Region: Rioja, Spain
Appellation: D.O.Ca. Rioja Reserva
Vintage: 2018
Élevage: Minimum 24 months in French and American oak barrels
Bottle Size: 750ml
Pairing: Roast and grilled meats, lamb, mushroom rice, tuna, cod, and medium-aged cheeses such as Emmental or Gruyère.
Ridge Zinfandel 3-Bottle Bundle | 90+ Scored Stunners - 20% Off
What's in the Bundle
Three of Ridge Vineyards' most celebrated Zinfandel expressions — all scoring 90+ points — curated into one exceptional California red bundle at 20% off individual bottle prices.
- Ridge Three Valleys Sonoma County Zinfandel Red Blend 2023 — The entry point into Ridge's Zinfandel lineup, and what an entry it is. Bright, juicy, and food-friendly with red berry fruit, spice, and that signature Ridge balance.
- Ridge Lytton Springs Zinfandel Red Blend 2023 — One of California's most iconic Zinfandel vineyards. Rich and complex with dark fruit, earth, and a long, structured finish. A benchmark bottle.
- Ridge Pagani Ranch Zinfandel Blend 2021 — From one of Sonoma Valley's oldest Zinfandel vineyards, planted in the 1880s. Deep, layered, and soulful — a true collector's Zinfandel.
Bundle Value
- Individual retail value: $145.43
- Bundle price: $116.34 (save $29.09 — 20% off)
- All bottles: 750ml | California, USA
Domaine Graeme & Julie Bott Cote-Rotie 2020 750ml (Special Offer Price)
Domaine Graeme & Julie Bott Côte-Rôtie 2020 is a beautifully expressive Northern Rhône Syrah that combines the power and savory complexity of Côte-Rôtie with the domaine's signature elegance and finesse. Produced in extremely limited quantities, this is a refined, age-worthy wine with dark fruit, floral perfume, spice and beautifully polished tannins.
The fruit comes from approximately 40-year-old Syrah vines planted on the schist soils of the Côte Brune in Ampuis. These steep, rocky vineyards are at the heart of Côte-Rôtie and give the wine remarkable intensity, structure and mineral character.
Expert Ratings
94 Points — Vinous
Glistening ruby. Spice- and mineral-accented cherry and black raspberry scents are complemented by suggestions of pipe tobacco, violet, smoky bacon and exotic spices. Densely packed and subtly chewy in texture, offering appealingly sweet, spice-tinged red and dark berry and floral pastille flavors that are supported by an undercurrent of juicy acidity. The mineral note returns on a very long, penetrating finish that features polished tannins and resonating florality.
93 Points — Wine Spectator
Shows seductive violet, crushed plum and spice notes that mingle on the palate, grounded by balsamic and olive tapenade. The dry finish, with power that builds, is marked with a dusting of white pepper. Drink now through 2030.
93 Points — James Suckling
Dark cherries, plums, black olives, grilled meat, earth and cloves on the nose. Medium to full body with fine tannins. Serious and well-balanced with a restrained power and a lively finish with excellent length.
92 Points — Jeb Dunnuck
I loved the 2020 Côte Rôtie, another terrific effort here. Giving up lots of ripe black and blue fruits as well as spring flowers and bouquet garni-like notes, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, has ripe, sweet tannins, and a great finish.
Winemaking
The grapes are harvested by hand and carefully sorted both in the vineyard and again upon arrival at the winery. Approximately 80% of the fruit is destemmed before a cold maceration in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks. Fermentation begins naturally with indigenous yeasts, followed by 18 months of aging in French oak barrels.
Production is exceptionally small, at approximately 1,200 bottles, making this a particularly limited expression of Côte-Rôtie.
Tasting Notes
Deep ruby with violet reflections, the 2020 Côte-Rôtie offers an expressive aromatic profile of ripe blackberry, dark cherry and plum layered with violet, cracked pepper and savory spice. Subtle notes of olive, smoked meat and earthy minerality add classic Northern Rhône complexity.
The palate is full and concentrated yet remarkably supple, with ripe dark fruit framed by firm, silky tannins and fresh acidity. Peppery spice and mineral notes carry through the long, elegant finish, giving the wine both immediate appeal and excellent potential for further development in the cellar.
About Domaine Graeme & Julie Bott
Graeme and Julie Bott met while working at the renowned Northern Rhône estate of Stéphane Ogier before establishing their own domaine. Beginning with a small cellar in their garage, they gradually planted vineyards in Côte-Rôtie, Condrieu, Saint-Joseph and Seyssuel.
Today, working from their cellar in Ampuis, their philosophy centers on allowing the Northern Rhône's schist and granite terroirs to speak clearly through the wines. Production remains deliberately small, with an emphasis on balance, purity and finesse.
Food Pairing
An excellent partner for grilled or roasted beef, ribeye steak, rack of lamb, braised lamb, duck and slow-cooked game. Its savory, peppery character also pairs beautifully with mushrooms, lentils, roasted root vegetables and dishes featuring rosemary, thyme or black pepper.
Wine Details
- Producer: Domaine Graeme & Julie Bott
- Vintage: 2020
- Country: France
- Region: Northern Rhône
- Appellation: Côte-Rôtie AOC
- Vineyard Location: Ampuis, Côte Brune
- Grape: Syrah
- Vine Age: Approximately 40 years
- Soil: Schist
- Harvest: Hand harvested
- Vinification: Approximately 80% destemmed; indigenous yeast fermentation
- Aging: 18 months in French oak barrels
- Alcohol: 13%
- Production: Approximately 1,200 bottles
- Bottle Size: 750ml
Benoit Dehu Champagne La Rue des Noyers Brut Nature 2020 750ml
La Rue des Noyers Brut Nature 2020 is Benoît Déhu’s flagship single-vineyard Champagne, produced from 100% Meunier grown in the village of Fossoy on the western edge of the Vallée de la Marne, Champagne, France.
Benoît Déhu is an eighth-generation vigneron whose family estate dates to 1787. After spending several formative years at Champagne Bollinger, Déhu returned to his family domaine and began developing his own highly personal range of naturally farmed, terroir-driven Champagnes.
At the heart of his project is La Rue des Noyers, a 1.7-hectare parcel that Benoît began farming independently in 2011. The vineyard is farmed biodynamically, with approximately 0.40 hectares traditionally worked by horse. The name La Rue des Noyers refers to the trees that once bordered the parcel.
This is an unusually focused Champagne: one vineyard, one grape variety and one vintage. Made entirely from Meunier, La Rue des Noyers is designed to explore the character and potential of a grape that historically played a supporting role in Champagne blends but can produce wines of remarkable depth, energy and complexity when treated as a serious single-vineyard variety.
The wine is fermented and aged in oak barrels, many of which are made from trees harvested in the nearby forest of Fossoy. The wine spends approximately 11 months on its lees in barrel before bottling. It is made with minimal intervention, bottled unfined and unfiltered, and finished as a Brut Nature with no dosage.
The 2020 is a dry, vinous and mineral-driven expression of Meunier, combining ripe orchard fruit and citrus with savory notes, subtle spice, toasted nuances and a pronounced saline character. The oak adds texture and complexity without obscuring the wine’s energetic structure and distinctive sense of place.
La Rue des Noyers captures the signature Déhu style: intense, vibrant and energetic, with beautiful tension and fine minerality. It is a distinctive grower Champagne for those interested in single-parcel wines and the increasingly important role of Meunier among Champagne’s most progressive producers.
Vinous rates the 2020 La Rue des Noyers Brut Nature 89 Points, noting this single-vineyard Champagne within Benoît Déhu’s distinctive range of biodynamically farmed, minimalist wines from the Vallée de la Marne.
Wine Details
Producer: Benoît Déhu
Wine: La Rue des Noyers Brut Nature
Vintage: 2020
Region: Champagne, France
Area: Vallée de la Marne
Village: Fossoy
Vineyard: La Rue des Noyers
Vineyard Size: 1.7 hectares
Grape: 100% Meunier
Farming: Biodynamic; a portion of the vineyard is worked by horse
Vinification: Fermented and aged in oak barrels
Élevage: Approximately 11 months on the lees in barrel
Fining / Filtration: Unfined and unfiltered
Dosage: No dosage / Brut Nature
Rating: Vinous 89 Points
Bottle Size: 750ml
Benoît Déhu Champagne La Rue des Noyers Brut Nature 2020 750ml
Benoit Dehu Champagne Cuvee Initiation Rose Extra Brut (Base 2022) 750ml (Introductory Price)
Benoît Déhu’s Cuvée Initiation Rosé Extra Brut is an expressive grower Champagne from Fossoy, on the western edge of the Vallée de la Marne in Champagne, France. Déhu is an eighth-generation vigneron whose family estate dates to 1787. After working at Champagne Bollinger, Benoît returned to his family domaine and developed his own highly personal range of naturally farmed, terroir-driven Champagnes.
The 2022 Initiation Rosé is composed of 78% Meunier and 22% Pinot Noir, with 7% still red wine blended into the cuvée to create its delicate rosé character. Meunier plays a central role in Déhu’s work, particularly from his celebrated La Rue des Noyers vineyard, while Pinot Noir brings additional structure, depth and red-fruit character.
Déhu farms with a strong commitment to biodynamic and natural viticulture, including work according to the lunar calendar and the use of traditional vineyard practices. His wines are known for their careful oak vinification and élevage, with many barrels made from trees sourced in the nearby forest of Fossoy.
The 2022 Initiation Rosé is elegant, vibrant and savory, with notes of cranberry, dried flowers, ginger and cinnamon. Bright acidity and fine minerality give the wine energy and precision, while the red wine component lends subtle texture and depth. Despite its delicacy, the wine has impressive persistence and complexity.
Vinous notes that this release was bottled with no dosage, emphasizing its dry, energetic and terroir-driven style. It was disgorged beginning in April 2025, with multiple disgorgements taking place throughout the year.
94 Points — Vinous
“The NV (2022) Extra Brut Rosé Initiation is laced with cranberry, ginger, dried flowers and cinnamon. Elegant and light on its feet, the 2022 is a total delight. This deceptively understated Rosé is gorgeous. Readers should expect a decidedly savory style. The Initiation is 78% Meunier and 22% Pinot Noir, with 7% still red wine blended in. Bottled with no dosage. Disgorged: April 2025; multiple disgorgements throughout the year.”
— Antonio Galloni, Vinous, 94 Points
Wine Details
Producer: Benoît Déhu
Wine: Cuvée Initiation Rosé Extra Brut
Base Vintage: 2022
Region: Champagne, France
Area: Vallée de la Marne
Village: Fossoy
Grapes: 78% Meunier, 22% Pinot Noir
Rosé Method: Blend with 7% still red wine
Farming: Biodynamic and natural viticulture
Vinification: Oak vinification and élevage
Dosage: No dosage for this release
Disgorgement: Beginning April 2025; multiple disgorgements
Rating: Vinous 94 Points
Bottle Size: 750ml
Benoît Déhu Champagne Cuvée Initiation Rosé Extra Brut (Base 2022) 750ml
Benoit Dehu Champagne Cuvee Initiation Brut Nature (Base 2021) 750ml (Introductory Price)
Benoît Déhu’s Cuvée Initiation Brut Nature is a distinctive grower Champagne from Fossoy, on the western edge of the Vallée de la Marne in Champagne, France. Déhu is an eighth-generation vigneron whose family Champagne house dates to 1787. After working at Champagne Bollinger, he returned to the family estate and began pursuing a highly personal approach centered on biodynamic farming, parcel expression, low-intervention winemaking and the potential of Meunier.
Initiation is a blend of Meunier and Pinot Noir. The Meunier comes from Déhu’s celebrated La Rue des Noyers parcel, while the Pinot Noir is sourced from a small parcel lower on the hillside with predominantly clay and sand soils. Déhu planted the Pinot Noir using massale selections derived from a Pommard clone from Burgundy, bringing an intriguing Burgundian influence to this deeply Champenois wine.
La Rue des Noyers forms the heart of Déhu’s independent project: a 1.7-hectare parcel farmed biodynamically, with a portion traditionally worked by horse. Déhu is particularly known for fermenting and aging his wines in oak, including barrels made from trees harvested in the nearby forest of Fossoy. His Champagnes favor tension, energy and minerality rather than overt richness.
For the 2021 base, malolactic fermentation was blocked and the wine was bottled with no dosage, giving the Champagne its taut, dry and mineral-driven personality. The finished wine combines crushed-stone minerality with floral, herbal and red-fruited nuances, showing impressive energy and precision. The wine was disgorged on April 26, 2024.
90 Points — Vinous
“The NV (2021) Initiation is an attractive wine, perhaps a bit lithe in this release, but still very pretty. Crushed rocks, flowers, mint, dried herbs and red-toned fruit all grace the palate. Blocked malolactic fermentation and no dosage further amplify the wine's decidedly taut leanings. All things considered, this is a gorgeous 2021. Disgorged: April 26, 2024.”
— Antonio Galloni, Vinous, 90 Points
Wine Details
Producer: Benoît Déhu
Wine: Cuvée Initiation Brut Nature
Base Vintage: 2021
Region: Champagne, France
Area: Western Vallée de la Marne
Village: Fossoy
Grapes: Meunier and Pinot Noir
Meunier Source: La Rue des Noyers
Pinot Noir: Massale selection from Pommard clone; clay and sand soils
Farming: Biodynamic practices at La Rue des Noyers
Vinification: Oak fermentation and élevage; malolactic fermentation blocked
Dosage: No dosage / Brut Nature
Disgorgement: April 26, 2024
Rating: Vinous 90 Points
Bottle Size: 750ml
Benoît Déhu Champagne Cuvée Initiation Brut Nature (Base 2021) 750ml
Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc Bundle for - Two Bottles - for $20.00!
Villa Maria · Marlborough · New Zealand · Two-Bottle Bundle
Villa Maria is one of New Zealand’s most celebrated wine estates — a multiple award-winner and a benchmark producer of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. Bright, aromatic, and unmistakably Kiwi, their Sauvignon Blanc is the kind of wine that disappears fast. Which is exactly why two bottles make more sense than one.
Expect the classic Marlborough profile: zesty citrus, passionfruit, and fresh-cut grass on the nose, with vibrant acidity, a crisp palate, and a clean, refreshing finish. Versatile, food-friendly, and endlessly drinkable.
- Producer: Villa Maria
- Appellation: Marlborough, New Zealand
- Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
- Bundle: 2 × 750ml bottles
- Bundle Price: $20.00
- Pairings: Oysters, grilled fish, goat cheese, Thai cuisine, light salads, aperitif
Two bottles of award-winning New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc for $20 — the easiest decision you’ll make today.
Paul Bara Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut "L’Audacieuse" Grand Cru 2016 750ml (Introductory Pricing)
Paul Bara Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut “L’Audacieuse” Grand Cru 2016 is a rare and daring Grower Champagne produced from 100% Chardonnay grown in the Grand Cru village of Bouzy in Champagne’s Montagne de Reims. Bouzy is celebrated primarily for its powerful Pinot Noir — making this pure Chardonnay cuvée an especially unusual and audacious expression of the village’s terroir.
The Chardonnay comes from the Mont des Tours vineyard, where Bouzy’s predominantly chalky soils provide excellent drainage and contribute freshness, precision and a pronounced mineral character. The name L’Audacieuse — “the audacious one” — reflects the house’s bold decision to produce a Blanc de Blancs from a terroir traditionally associated with Pinot Noir.
The 2016 vintage displays a luminous pale-gold color and a fine, persistent mousse. The expressive bouquet offers aromas of green apple, pear, white peach and fresh citrus, joined by delicate white flowers and chalky minerality. With air, more complex notes of fresh almond, brioche, dried herbs and subtle honey begin to emerge.
On the palate, L’Audacieuse is lively and precise, combining vibrant acidity with an elegant, gently creamy texture. Ripe orchard fruit and citrus are balanced by chalky tension and delicate autolytic complexity. The finish is long, clean and refined, with lingering saline and mineral notes that emphasize the purity of the Chardonnay.
The wine spent approximately eight years aging in bottle before release, allowing its freshness and fruit to develop greater depth, texture and complexity. Finished as an Extra Brut with a very low dosage of ~3 g/L, it remains dry, focused and beautifully expressive of its Grand Cru origins. Production of the 2016 vintage was extremely limited — only 3,935 numbered bottles produced.
Wine Details
- Producer: Paul Bara
- Cuvée: L’Audacieuse
- Style: Vintage Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut
- Vintage: 2016
- Country: France
- Region: Champagne
- Subregion: Montagne de Reims
- Village: Bouzy Grand Cru
- Vineyard: Mont des Tours
- Grape: 100% Chardonnay
- Dosage: Extra Brut, ~3 g/L
- Aging: ~8 years in bottle before release
- Alcohol: 12.5%
- Production: 3,935 numbered bottles
- Serving Temperature: 48–52°F
About Paul Bara
The Bara family has cultivated vines in Bouzy since the nineteenth century. Today, Champagne Paul Bara farms approximately 11 hectares divided among 33 parcels, all located within the Grand Cru village. The estate combines traditional craftsmanship with sustainable vineyard practices, producing Champagnes known for their structure, elegance and clear expression of Bouzy’s chalk-rich soils.
Why We Like It
L’Audacieuse is a genuinely rare bottle — a Blanc de Blancs from Bouzy, a village that almost never produces one. Eight years on the lees, a single vineyard source, and fewer than 4,000 bottles worldwide make this one of the most compelling and collectible Grower Champagnes we carry. For the serious Champagne lover, it is simply unmissable.
Food Pairings: Oysters, caviar, sashimi, scallops, lobster, grilled prawns, roasted sea bass, citrus-accented poultry, creamy risotto and aged goat cheese.
Paul Bara Brut Réserve Grand Cru NV (Kermit Lynch) 750ml (Introductory Pricing)
Paul Bara Brut Réserve Grand Cru NV is the signature cuvée of Champagne Paul Bara and a classic expression of Bouzy, one of the most celebrated villages in Champagne’s Montagne de Reims. Produced entirely from estate-grown Grand Cru fruit, this non-vintage Champagne combines the generosity and structure of Bouzy Pinot Noir with the freshness and finesse of Chardonnay.
The blend is composed of 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay from vines averaging approximately 35 years of age. Bouzy’s south-facing vineyards and deep clay-limestone soils encourage excellent ripeness while preserving the freshness, mineral definition and balance essential to fine Champagne. Only the first pressing of the grapes is used, and malolactic fermentation is avoided to retain natural acidity and vibrancy.
Light yellow-gold in color with fine, abundant bubbles and a persistent mousse. The bouquet opens with ripe orchard and stone fruits — Mirabelle plum, yellow peach and quince — followed by sweet spice, honey, candied citrus, bergamot and orange peel. On the palate, the Brut Réserve is rich, fresh and beautifully focused, with lively acidity, a fine mineral backbone and the subtle peppery character associated with Pinot Noir from Bouzy. The texture is generous and mouth-filling, yet the finish remains dry, precise and refreshing.
Press Notes
91 pts — James Suckling: "Attractive aromas of pears and sliced apples with hints of yeast follow through to a medium body with bright acidity and a delicate bread-dough finish. A blend of 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay."
91 pts — Wine Spectator: "A creamy Champagne, offering concentrated flavors of mandarin orange preserves, dried white cherry and grated ginger, underscored by a streak of salty mineral. Well-balanced, with a lip-smacking finish."
Wine Details
- Producer: Paul Bara
- Cuvée: Brut Réserve
- Style: Non-Vintage Brut Grand Cru
- Country: France
- Region: Champagne
- Subregion: Montagne de Reims
- Village: Bouzy Grand Cru
- Grapes: 80% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay
- Vine Age: ~35 years on average
- Soil: Clay and limestone over deep chalk
- Vinification: First pressing only; stainless steel; no malolactic fermentation
- Dosage: ~7 g/L (may vary by disgorgement)
- Alcohol: ~12.5%
- Serving Temperature: 46–50°F
About Paul Bara
The Bara family has been rooted in Bouzy since 1833. Today, the historic grower estate farms approximately 11 hectares of Grand Cru vineyards, producing Champagnes admired for their ripe fruit, vinous depth, freshness and distinctive expression of Bouzy’s chalk-rich terroir.
Why We Like It
The Brut Réserve is a benchmark Grower Champagne — Pinot Noir-driven, terroir-expressive and consistently excellent. At this price point, it offers a compelling window into what Grand Cru Bouzy Champagne can be: structured, generous and unmistakably characterful.
Food Pairings: Oysters, shrimp, scallops, smoked salmon, roast chicken, pork tenderloin, creamy mushroom dishes, aged Comté or savory pastries.
Paul Bara Rosé Brut Grand Cru NV (Kermit Lynch) 750ml (Introductory Pricing)
About Champagne Paul Bara
Paul Bara Rosé Brut Grand Cru NV is a vibrant, expressive Rosé Champagne from one of Bouzy’s most storied grower estates — a family that has farmed this celebrated Grand Cru village since 1833. The estate tends approximately 11 hectares of clay-limestone and chalk-rich vineyards planted primarily to Pinot Noir, and its Champagnes are renowned for their combination of ripe fruit, fine structure, and a distinctive sense of place. Composed of 80% Pinot Noir (including 12% estate-produced Bouzy Rouge) and 20% Chardonnay, this Rosé is a benchmark expression of Bouzy’s vinous depth and red-fruit generosity.
Tasting Notes
Luminous salmon-pink in the glass with a fine, persistent mousse. The bouquet is expressive and inviting: raspberry, wild strawberry, and red cherry lead, accompanied by dried apricot, citrus peel, and delicate flowers, with subtle accents of almond, biscuit, and gentle spice emerging with air. On the palate, the wine is lively, generous, and beautifully balanced — juicy red fruit supported by refreshing acidity and a fine mineral backbone, with a smooth, creamy texture from approximately four years of lees aging. The finish is dry, focused, and persistent, with lingering red-fruit, citrus, and savory mineral notes.
Critical Acclaim
Decanter — 96 Points: “Enticing creamy raspberry and ground almond notes which propel over the pink grapefruit acidity and gorgeous glowing, silky mousse. Delicate with a crushed red fruit ending.”
James Suckling — 93 Points: “Attractive fruit with sliced-strawberry and apple aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied with fresh apples and citrus as well as touches of heather and bread dough. Tangy at the end.”
Winemaking
Only the first pressing of the grapes is used. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks; malolactic fermentation is avoided to preserve freshness and natural acidity. The estate-produced Bouzy Rouge contributes the Rosé’s attractive color, richness, and red-fruit complexity. Aged approximately four years on lees before release — well beyond the NV minimum — developing greater texture and depth while retaining vibrant fruit. Sustainable farming, lutte raisonnée. Average vine age: approximately 35 years.
Food Pairings
Exceptional as an aperitif. Pairs beautifully with smoked salmon, tuna tartare, sushi, grilled shrimp, lobster, duck breast, roast poultry, pork tenderloin, charcuterie, creamy cheeses, and red-berry desserts. Versatile enough to accompany an entire meal.
Domaine J-L & F Chavy Puligny-Montrachet Les Charmes 2023 750ml (Offer)
This refined white Burgundy is produced from 100% Chardonnay grown in Les Charmes, a village-level lieu-dit in Puligny-Montrachet situated near Meursault’s celebrated Premier Cru Les Charmes vineyard. The southeast-facing site lies at approximately 240 meters in elevation, with mature vines planted in the region’s characteristic clay and limestone soils.
The 2023 vintage offers a luminous white-gold color and an expressive bouquet of fresh lime, grapefruit, crisp orchard fruit and subtle oak. Broad and finely textured on the palate, it combines ripe white-fruit richness with flinty minerality, refreshing citrus acidity and the poised structure characteristic of Puligny-Montrachet. A delicate hint of vanilla adds complexity without overwhelming the wine’s purity and freshness.
The grapes are harvested by hand, gently pressed and allowed to settle before fermentation in French oak barrels, approximately 20% of which are new. Malolactic fermentation and maturation also take place in barrel, producing a beautifully balanced wine with excellent definition, elegance and length.
The Chavy family has cultivated vineyards in Puligny-Montrachet for more than two centuries. Jean-Louis Chavy continues a six-generation family tradition of producing Chardonnay distinguished by precision, finesse, freshness and mineral expression. His son Paul joined the domaine in 2020, helping guide the historic estate into its next generation.
- Grape: 100% Chardonnay
- Country: France
- Region: Burgundy
- Subregion: Côte de Beaune
- Appellation: Puligny-Montrachet
- Vineyard: Les Charmes
- Classification: Village-level lieu-dit
- Soil: Clay and limestone
- Exposure: Southeast
- Vinification: Fermented and aged in French oak, approximately 20% new
- Style: Dry, elegant and mineral-driven white Burgundy
- Serving Temperature: Approximately 50–55°F
Food Pairings: An excellent companion to oysters, shellfish, grilled fish, scallops, lobster, roast chicken, creamy poultry dishes and mild Alpine cheeses.
Domaine J-L & F Chavy Puligny-Montrachet Les Charmes 2023
R.H. Coutier Extra Brut Rose (Base 2022) 750ml (Introductory Pricing)
R.H. Coutier Extra Brut Rosé (Base 2022) is an elegant, Chardonnay-led Rosé Champagne from one of Ambonnay's most respected grower-producers — a family estate with deep roots in this celebrated Grand Cru village of the Montagne de Reims. Composed of 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir, sourced entirely from organically farmed estate fruit in Ambonnay, this is a Rosé of genuine finesse: pale, precise, and beautifully balanced, with the mineral energy of Grand Cru Chardonnay at its core.
The 2022 base brings generous structure and ripeness — approximately 77% of the blend from the harvest, complemented by reserve wines that add complexity and continuity. Pale and refined in the glass, the Champagne opens with notes of cranberry, wild red berries, dried flowers, and a delicate hint of mint. Subtle earthy and savory nuances emerge with air, adding depth and intrigue. On the palate, the wine is graceful and energetic, with fine, persistent bubbles, fresh acidity, and a clean Extra Brut finish of impressive length and clarity. Light, ethereal, and impeccably balanced.
Awarded 90 Points by Vinous: “A very pretty, nuanced Champagne. Cranberry, dried flowers, mint and crushed autumn leaves all grace this racy, pale-colored Rosé. It’s a touch light and ethereal, with all the elements very nicely balanced.” Organically farmed, grower-produced, and site-specific — a Rosé Champagne of genuine character at an introductory price.
Serve at 46–50°F. Exceptional as an aperitif and a refined partner for smoked salmon, tuna tartare, charcuterie, roast duck, mushroom dishes, soft cheeses, and berry-accented savory preparations.
R.H. Coutier Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs (Base 2022) 750ml (Introductory Pricing)
R.H. Coutier Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs (Base 2022) is a rare and compelling Champagne from one of Ambonnay's most respected grower-producers — a family that has cultivated vines in this celebrated Grand Cru village for generations. What makes this cuvée so distinctive is its origin: Ambonnay is revered above all for Pinot Noir, yet R.H. Coutier was among the village's earliest champions of Chardonnay, and this Blanc de Blancs stands as a testament to that vision — combining the generous structure and clay-chalk depth of Ambonnay with the precision, citrus energy, and mineral elegance of 100% Grand Cru Chardonnay.
The bouquet is refined and expressive: lemon peel, crisp orchard fruit, white stone fruit, and delicate floral notes, underpinned by a chalky, fresh-pastry quality that speaks directly to the terroir. On the palate, the wine is bright and finely textured, with ripe stony fruit, lively acidity, and fine, persistent bubbles that carry the flavors with effortless grace. The Extra Brut dosage keeps the wine focused and refreshingly dry, leading to a long, mineral-driven finish of impressive length and clarity.
A grower Champagne of genuine character — site-specific, hand-crafted, and deeply expressive of its Grand Cru origins. The 2022 base brings generous structure and ripeness, balanced by the natural freshness of high-altitude Champagne viticulture.
Serve at 46–50°F. An exceptional aperitif and a natural partner for oysters, shellfish, sushi, smoked salmon, delicate white fish, soft cheeses, and lightly fried seafood.
Geoffroy Champagne 'Volupte Millesime' Blanc de Blancs 1er Cru Extra Brut 2017 750ml (Introductory Pricing)
93+ Points — Jeb Dunnuck
92 Points — James Suckling
Pure Chardonnay. Ninety months on the lees. Two grams of dosage. Champagne Geoffroy's 2017 Volupté Millésime is a refined and deeply expressive Blanc de Blancs from two chalk-rich lieux-dits in Cumières Premier Cru — Tourne Midi and Les Chênes — parcels prized for the mineral precision and white-fruit character they bring to Chardonnay. Fermented in equal parts oak and enamel-lined steel, aged without malolactic fermentation and disgorged in November 2024, it is a silky, chiseled Champagne with a long, chalky and beautifully defined finish.
The Place
Cumières is a historic Premier Cru village in Champagne's Vallée de la Marne, situated west of Hautvillers and overlooking the Marne River. Although the village is more commonly associated with Pinot Noir and Meunier, its chalk-rich lieux-dits of Tourne Midi and Les Chênes are especially well suited to Chardonnay, producing wines with mineral precision, white-fruit clarity and the freshness to support extended lees aging.
The Grape: 100% Chardonnay
Chardonnay is Champagne's most mineral-expressive variety and the sole grape in Volupté. In the chalk-influenced soils of Tourne Midi and Les Chênes, it develops white peach, ripe lemon and green apple character alongside a pronounced chalky minerality and the hazelnut complexity that emerges with extended lees contact.
Winemaking
The grapes are harvested by hand at optimum ripeness and carefully sorted. Vinification is conducted in an equal combination of oak barrels and enamel-lined stainless-steel tanks — oak contributing texture and breadth, steel preserving freshness and aromatic precision. Malolactic fermentation is avoided, retaining the vintage's natural acidity and mineral tension.
After assemblage, the wine undergoes secondary fermentation in bottle and spends approximately 90 months aging on its lees — gaining exceptional texture, aromatic complexity and finely integrated bubbles. It is disgorged in November 2024 with a dosage of just 2 g/L, keeping the finish dry, focused and distinctly mineral.
Tasting Notes
The 2017 Volupté displays a bright straw-gold color with an elegant, persistent stream of fine bubbles. The bouquet opens with white peach, ripe lemon, green apple and smoky wet stone, joined by raw hazelnut, subtle mocha and a delicate reductive tension that lifts and focuses the nose.
The palate is medium-bodied and silky, with a creamy mousse, polished texture and bright, persistent acidity. Candied citrus, white fruit and toasted nuts lead into a long, chalky and beautifully defined finish. Spicy and overt, with lanolin and exquisite green apple and lemon interplay, the wine shows chewy acidity and polished phenolics that give it both energy and elegance.
Professional Ratings
93+ Points — Jeb Dunnuck: Bright straw/yellow color with notes of mocha, ripe lemon balm, smoky wet stones, white peach and raw hazelnut. A slight reduction, but not pronounced. Medium-bodied with a silky texture and clean, bright acidity. Disgorged November 2024 with 2 g/L dosage. Drink 2025–2040.
92 Points — James Suckling: An overt and spicy wine full of toasty aromas with an exquisite mix of green apples and lemons. A bit of lanolin. Medium-sized bubbles with long chewy acidity and polished phenolics. Drink now.
The Producer
The Geoffroy family has cultivated vineyards in Cumières since the 17th century. Today, Jean-Baptiste Geoffroy produces distinctive grower Champagnes emphasizing individual vineyard expression, ripe fruit, indigenous-yeast fermentation, long maturation and restrained dosage. The estate farms approximately 14 hectares, with most vineyards in Cumières and additional parcels in neighboring Vallée de la Marne villages.
Food Pairing
An excellent match for roasted or grilled white fish, langoustines, lobster, scallops, goat cheese, aged Parmesan and seared foie gras. Equally compelling as a sophisticated aperitif.
Serving and Cellaring
Serve at approximately 48–52°F in a white-wine or tulip-shaped Champagne glass. Delicious now for its freshness and complexity, but structured to develop further through approximately 2040.
Producer: Champagne Geoffroy
Cuvée: Volupté Millésime
Vintage: 2017
Country: France
Region: Champagne
Subregion: Vallée de la Marne
Village: Cumières Premier Cru
Classification: Premier Cru
Style: Vintage Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut
Grape: 100% Chardonnay
Vineyards: Tourne Midi and Les Chênes
Farming: Practicing organic and sustainable
Harvest: Hand harvested and sorted
Vinification: 50% oak barrels, 50% enamel-lined stainless steel
Malolactic Fermentation: None
Lees Aging: Approximately 90 months
Disgorgement: November 2024
Dosage: 2 g/L (Extra Brut)
Wine Type: Dry sparkling wine
Bottle Size: 750ml
Geoffroy Champagne Rose de Saignee 1er Cru Brut (Base 2019) 750ml
Geoffroy Rosé de Saignée Premier Cru Brut is a deeply colored, intensely vinous rosé Champagne produced entirely from Pinot Noir grown in the Premier Cru village of Cumières. Based exclusively on the ripe 2019 harvest, this is not a delicate pink Champagne created by blending red and white wines. Instead, it is made by the traditional saignée method, in which Pinot Noir grapes remain in contact with their skins until the juice develops its vivid color, concentrated red-fruit character and distinctive structure.
The result is a powerful yet beautifully balanced rosé Champagne, filled with wild strawberry, raspberry, blackberry, pomegranate and blood-orange flavors. Its generous fruit is supported by ripe acidity, a finely textured mousse and the firm mineral structure of Cumières’ clay-limestone soils.
The Place
The grapes come entirely from Cumières, a Premier Cru village in Champagne’s Vallée de la Marne. Cumières is situated between the Marne River and steep, favorably exposed slopes immediately west of Hautvillers.
The village’s vineyards generally face south and southeast, receiving abundant sunlight and allowing Pinot Noir to reach excellent ripeness. This warmer exposure contributes to the broad texture, ripe fruit and distinctly vinous character traditionally associated with Cumières Champagne.
Geoffroy’s source vineyards are planted on clay, sandstone and limestone soils over deep chalk. Clay contributes body, richness and red-fruit concentration, while limestone and chalk bring freshness, mineral tension and structure.
The 2019 Base Vintage
This release is produced entirely from the 2019 harvest rather than being blended with reserve wines from several vintages. Although legally labeled non-vintage Champagne, it is effectively a single-vintage expression of Cumières Pinot Noir.
The 2019 growing season was marked by periods of frost, intense summer heat and drought, followed by favorable conditions approaching harvest. Pinot Noir from well-positioned sites achieved considerable ripeness and concentration while retaining the acidity necessary for balance.
In Geoffroy’s Rosé de Saignée, the vintage produced a Champagne with rich red-fruit intensity, full body and a generous texture, balanced by vibrant acidity and a long, mineral-driven finish.
The Grape: 100% Pinot Noir.
Pinot Noir gives this Champagne its color, structure and vinous depth. The variety contributes flavors of wild strawberry, raspberry, cherry, blackberry and pomegranate, together with the body required to accompany substantial dishes.
Unlike many rosé Champagnes, no still red wine is added to create the color. The natural ruby and copper tones come entirely from contact between the clear Pinot Noir juice and the dark grape skins.
The Saignée Method
“Saignée” translates literally as “bleeding.” In this method, ripe red grapes are placed into a vat and allowed to macerate with their skins. Once the desired color, aroma and structure have been extracted, the free-run juice is drawn away—or “bled”—from the vat.
Geoffroy favors gentle infusion rather than aggressive extraction. The whole berries undergo approximately 70 to 80 hours of cold maceration in open, tapered oak vats. Careful temperature control and fully ripe fruit allow color and flavor to develop gradually without producing excessive bitterness or harsh tannins.
This technique creates a rosé Champagne with considerably more body, fruit concentration and gastronomic versatility than a conventional blended rosé.
Viticulture
The Pinot Noir vines are approximately 30 to 40 years old and are cultivated in selected parcels on the Cumières hillsides. Yields are deliberately limited to increase concentration and preserve the individual expression of the village.
Champagne Geoffroy follows a practicing-organic, sustainability-focused approach. The estate avoids chemical weedkillers, encourages biodiversity and works to preserve healthy vineyard soils.
The grapes are harvested by hand at full ripeness and carefully sorted before entering the vat. Achieving optimal ripeness is essential for this cuvée because the skins remain in contact with the juice for several days.
Vinification and Aging
After approximately three to four days of maceration in open oak vats, the free-run juice is drawn off and allowed to begin fermentation spontaneously.
Following the maceration stage, fermentation and maturation take place in temperature-controlled enameled vats. Oak is therefore used principally during skin contact rather than as a source of barrel flavor during the wine’s maturation.
Malolactic fermentation is blocked to preserve the natural freshness and acidity of the ripe Pinot Noir fruit. This gives the finished Champagne enough energy and tension to balance its considerable body and concentration.
The wine remains on its fine lees before bottling and then spends approximately 42 to 48 months aging on the lees in Champagne Geoffroy’s cellars. This extended maturation contributes a creamy mousse and subtle notes of brioche, bread crust and toasted nuts.
The wine is neither fined nor filtered, preserving its texture, aromatic complexity and natural expression.
Dosage
The producer and current importer specifications list a dosage of approximately 6 grams per liter, placing the Champagne within the Extra Brut range despite some commercial listings calling it Brut.
The Wine Advocate review covers a specific base-2019 bottle disgorged in September 2024 with a dosage of 4 grams per liter. Dosage can vary slightly between disgorgement lots, so the exact back-label information should be followed for an individual bottle.
Tasting Notes
The wine displays an intense ruby, copper and deep-rose color with a persistent stream of fine bubbles.
The bouquet is immediately expressive, offering wild strawberry, raspberry, red currant, blackberry and ripe cherry. With air, notes of pomegranate, blood orange, grapefruit zest, watermelon and dried apple emerge alongside rose petals, hibiscus, violets and gentle savory spice.
The palate is medium- to full-bodied, rich and broad-shouldered, with the texture and concentration of a light red Burgundy carried by a lively Champagne mousse. Ripe red and dark fruit are balanced by vibrant acidity, subtle chalk and finely structured phenolics.
Hints of clove, toasted bread, brioche and nuts appear toward the finish. The Champagne remains focused despite its richness, concluding with excellent length, perfumed red fruit and an appetizing touch of bitterness.
This is a distinctive, gastronomic rosé Champagne with far more depth and structure than a conventional aperitif-style rosé.
Professional Ratings
95 Points — James Suckling: "An enticing rosé champagne that™s more like a red with bubbles. Bronze with a red hue. Aromas of watermelon, jasmine and hibiscus. Medium- to full-bodied with a lovely consistency of fruit and a focused, polished palate with dried apples and pomegranate. Cantaloupe and some brioche in the aftertaste. 2019 vintage. Pure pinot noir. Drink now."
94 Point - Vinous: "The NV Brut Rose de Saignée (100% Premier Cru Pinot Noir from the 2018 vintage) is fabulous and a great example of this style. A burst of dark red cherry, lavender, spice, blood orange and pomegranate races across the palate. This release screams with Pinot character, marrying depth with notable finesse along the way. I loved it. Dosage is 4 grams per liter. Disgorged: June, 2023."
92 Points — Wine Advocate: "From the 2019 vintage and disgorged in September 2024 with a dosage of four grams per liter, the latest rendition of Geoffroy™s NV Rose de Saignee Cumieres Premier Cru"as always"derives exclusively from Cumieres. The only stage at which this cuvee encounters oak is during its 70 to 80 hours of maceration in open vats. Thereafter, it matures in enameled vats with very little in the way of solids, and this provides a point of distinction from many other saignee-style roses in Champagne. It leaps from the glass with an expressive bouquet of grapefruit zest, blood orange and redcurrant mingling with nuances of red flowers and clove. On the palate, it is full-bodied, rich and broad-shouldered"intense and textural"with ripe yet vibrant acidity, culminating in a long, perfumed finish, where subtly bitter phenolics assert themselves. This is not a wine suited for casual aperitifs; rather, it is best savored alongside hearty fare such as red meats or tuna tartare, where its depth can be fully appreciated."
The Producer
The Geoffroy family has cultivated vines in Cumières since the 17th century. Estate bottling began during the early 1950s, when Roger and Julienne Geoffroy produced the family’s first Champagne under their own name.
René Geoffroy expanded the family’s vineyard holdings and established its reputation as an independent grower-producer. Jean-Baptiste Geoffroy joined the domaine during the late 1980s and now leads the estate with his wife, Karine.
In 2008, the family transferred its winemaking and commercial operations to a historic property in Aÿ, while retaining its deep vineyard roots in Cumières. The estate now farms approximately 14 hectares in Cumières, Hautvillers, Damery and Fleury-la-Rivière.
The Geoffroy style emphasizes ripe fruit, careful parcel selection, minimal handling and the preservation of natural acidity. Malolactic fermentation is generally avoided, and the Champagnes receive extended cellar aging before release.
Food Pairing
This is an exceptionally food-friendly rosé Champagne. Its body and red-fruit intensity make it an excellent partner for tuna tartare, seared tuna, salmon, lobster, crawfish and pan-seared scallops.
It is equally successful with roast duck breast, duck with cherries or peaches, pork tenderloin, veal, charcuterie and lightly grilled red meats. Its fruit and acidity can also complement dishes incorporating pomegranate, blood orange or red-berry sauces.
For cheese, consider aged Comté, Gruyère, Époisses or other flavorful washed-rind cheeses. The producer also recommends pairing it with a dessert of peach soup and fresh strawberries.
Serving and Cellaring
Serve at approximately 48–52°F in a generous tulip-shaped Champagne glass or white-wine glass. A wider bowl will allow the wine’s Pinot Noir fruit, floral aromas and vinous complexity to develop.
The Champagne is ready to drink now, but its concentration, acidity and extended lees aging should allow it to develop additional savory and brioche complexity over several years.
Producer: Champagne Geoffroy
Cuvée: Rosé de Saignée
Country: France
Region: Champagne
Subregion: Vallée de la Marne
Village: Cumières Premier Cru
Classification: Premier Cru
Style: Rosé de Saignée Champagne
Base Vintage: 2019
Vintage Composition: 100% 2019 harvest
Grape: 100% Pinot Noir
Vine Age: Approximately 30–40 years
Soils: Clay, sandstone and limestone over deep chalk
Farming: Practicing organic and sustainable
Harvest: Hand harvested and sorted
Maceration: Approximately 70–80 hours in open oak vats
Fermentation: Spontaneous fermentation in enameled vats
Malolactic Fermentation: None
Lees Aging: Approximately 42–48 months
Dosage: Approximately 6 g/L; some disgorgement lots may vary
Fining and Filtration: Neither fined nor filtered
Alcohol: Approximately 12–12.5%
Bottle Size: 750ml
Geoffroy Rosé de Saignée Premier Cru Brut Champagne — Base 2019
Geoffroy Champagne 'Lieu Dit Les Tiersaudes' Blanc de Noirs 1er Cru Brut Nature 2019 750ml (Introductory Pricing)
94 Points — James Suckling
93 Points — Wine Spectator
92 Points — Wine Advocate
Geoffroy “Les Tiersaudes” 2019 is an exceptionally limited, single-vineyard Champagne produced entirely from old-vine Meunier grown in Cumières Premier Cru. Fermented and matured in large oak barrels and bottled without dosage, it is a powerful yet precise Blanc de Noirs with concentrated fruit, electric acidity and a distinctly saline mineral finish.
The Vineyard
Les Tiersaudes is a southeast-facing lieu-dit situated on the midslope in the heart of Cumières, in Champagne’s Vallée de la Marne. The parcel lies at approximately 140 meters above sea level on a 15% gradient, with soils composed of fine silt, limestone and flint.
The Meunier vines were planted in 1972 from massale selection. Geoffroy cultivates the parcel biodynamically and has introduced apple, mirabelle, maple, hornbeam and lime trees among the vines to increase biodiversity, encourage soil life and provide natural shade during increasingly warm growing seasons.
The Grape: 100% Meunier.
Although “Blanc de Noirs” is often associated with Pinot Noir, the term refers to any white Champagne made from dark-skinned grapes. Here, Meunier provides ripe fruit, breadth and aromatic complexity while the cool, limestone-influenced soils of Les Tiersaudes preserve freshness and mineral tension.
Winemaking
The grapes are harvested by hand at optimum ripeness and carefully sorted. They are pressed in a traditional Coquard press, with only the finest tête de cuvée juice selected.
Vinification is carried out by gravity with indigenous yeasts. The wine is fermented and matured on its lees in 600-liter oak demi-muids. Malolactic fermentation is avoided, helping retain the wine’s vibrant natural acidity. It is neither fined nor filtered.
No dosage is added following disgorgement, making this a true Brut Nature Champagne with 0 grams per liter of added sugar.
Tasting Notes
The bouquet combines orange marmalade, juicy peach and fresh hazelnut with pear, honeysuckle, grapefruit, dried flowers and gentle spice.
The palate is concentrated and vinous, showing cassis, candied kumquat, ripe citrus and dried fruit. Structured acidity provides a firm backbone, while a plush, finely textured mousse gives the wine breadth and balance.
Notes of toasted bread, crystallized honey, gooseberry and lime emerge with air. A persistent streak of salinity refreshes the long, lemon-tinged finish, leaving the wine rich yet energetic, silky and precise.
Professional Ratings
94 Points — James Suckling: "This bright, dry and lively Champagne shows raspberries, oranges, candied ginger and dried flowers on the nose. Delightfully fruity and spicy, with tension and energy. I like it a lot. Disgorged March 2024. Drink now or hold."
93 Points — Wine Spectator: "A well-built Champagne, with structured acidity providing a firm frame for concentrated flavors of cassis, candied kumquat, toasted raisin bread and crystallized honey. Theres a cottony plushness to the mousse, while a streak of salinity refreshes the racy finish. Disgorged March 2024. 231 cases made, 13 cases imported. - AN"
92 Points — Wine Advocate: "Geoffroy™s 2019 Brut Nature Blanc de Noirs Les Tiersaudes, disgorged without dosage in March 2024, originates from old-vine Pinot Meunier"planted in 1972"on a south-facing mid-slope in the heart of Cumieres. These vines thrive on deeper soils compared to those of Les Collinardins. Aged for one year in oak, mostly demi-muids, this Champagne unveils an aromatic profile of pear, honeysuckle and grapefruit intertwined with notes of gooseberry and lime. On the palate, it is medium- to full-bodied, muscular yet incisive, with a concentrated core of fruit underpinned by electric acidity, concluding with a long, lemon-tinged finish."
The Producer
The Geoffroy family has cultivated vineyards in Cumières since the 17th century. Today, Jean-Baptiste Geoffroy produces distinctive grower Champagnes emphasizing ripe fruit, individual vineyard expression, indigenous-yeast fermentation, restrained dosage and extended cellar aging.
Food Pairing
This structured, gastronomic Champagne pairs beautifully with roast pork, duck, poultry, grilled salmon, seared tuna, scallops, mushroom dishes and aged cheeses such as Comté or Gruyère.
Serving and Cellaring
Serve at approximately 48–52°F in a tulip-shaped Champagne glass or white-wine glass. The 2019 is expressive now but has the concentration and acidity to develop additional toasted-nut, honeyed and savory complexity through 2039.
Producer: Champagne Geoffroy
Cuvée: Lieu-Dit Les Tiersaudes
Vintage: 2019
Country: France
Region: Champagne
Subregion: Vallée de la Marne
Village: Cumières Premier Cru
Classification: Premier Cru
Style: Vintage Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature Champagne
Grape: 100% Meunier
Vineyard: Les Tiersaudes
Vine Age: Planted in 1972
Exposure: Southeast
Altitude: Approximately 140 meters
Soil: Fine silt, limestone and flint
Farming: Practicing biodynamic with agroforestry
Fermentation: Indigenous yeasts in 600-liter oak demi-muids
Malolactic Fermentation: None
Dosage: 0 g/L
Fining and Filtration: Neither fined nor filtered
Disgorgement: March 2024 for the reviewed release
Bottle Size: 750ml
Geoffroy “Lieu-Dit Les Tiersaudes” Blanc de Noirs Premier Cru Brut Nature 2019
Geoffroy Champagne 'Terre Millesime' 1er Cru Extra Brut 2015 750ml (Introductory Pricing)
95 Points — Jeb Dunnuck
93 Points — James Suckling
93 Points — Wine Advocate
Ten years on the lees. One of Champagne's most patient cuvees. Geoffroy's 2015 Terre Millésime is produced only in selected years from the finest barrel and cask selections in Cumières Premier Cru — and held back a full decade before disgorgement. The result is a vintage Champagne of remarkable depth and harmony: ripe stone fruit, dried citrus peel, chalk and iodine, framed by a pillowy mousse and a long, crystalline saline finish. Disgorged July 2024 with zero dosage.
The Place
Cumières is a historic Premier Cru village in Champagne's Vallée de la Marne, situated west of Hautvillers and overlooking the Marne River. Its favorably exposed hillside vineyards are known for producing Champagnes with ripe fruit, vinous texture and expressive personality. Clay and limestone contribute richness and structure; underlying chalk preserves freshness and mineral definition.
The Geoffroy family has cultivated vines here since the 17th century, and Cumières remains the heart of the estate's identity and production.
The Terre Millésime Cuvee
Terre Millésime is Geoffroy's most ambitious and age-worthy cuvee — produced only in exceptional years and never released young. The assemblage is drawn from a selection of barrels and casks chosen through comprehensive tastings, and the composition varies by vintage. In 2015, the blend is 75% Pinot Noir and 25% Chardonnay.
Following secondary fermentation, the wine spends approximately ten years aging sur lattes before disgorgement. This extended lees contact develops a refined, complex mousse and layers of brioche, toasted nut, spice and savory mineral character that could not be achieved through shorter aging.
The wine is disgorged without dosage — 0 g/L — making it a true Brut Nature despite the Extra Brut designation on the label.
The 2015 Vintage
The 2015 growing season in Champagne was warm and generous, producing concentrated, expressive fruit with excellent natural ripeness. For Terre Millésime, the vintage delivered the depth, structure and aging potential required for a decade of lees maturation. The result is a wine with ripe stone fruit, mature citrus and a muscular yet fresh profile that Jeb Dunnuck describes as having "volume without weight."
Winemaking
The grapes are harvested by hand and carefully sorted. Gentle pressing selects only the finest juice. Fermentation and maturation take place in a combination of oak barrels and larger casks, contributing texture, complexity and a subtle oak influence that frames rather than dominates the wine.
After assemblage, the wine undergoes secondary fermentation in bottle and spends approximately ten years aging on its lees before disgorgement in July 2024. It is released without fining, filtration or dosage.
Tasting Notes
The 2015 Terre Millésime opens with an expressive bouquet of dried orange peel, apricot, crisp pear, ripe apple and spice, with a faint hint of sage and iodine. Notes of sea spray, toast and gentle oak emerge with air.
The palate is medium- to full-bodied and pillowy, with a rounded, fleshy mousse that fills the palate and enhances the wine's broader structure. Bright acidity and a taut, chalky core provide focus and tension, while the generous mid-palate delivers stone fruit, lemon and savory complexity. The finish is long, dry and mineral, with persistent crystalline salinity and lingering citrus, toast and chalk.
Professional Ratings
95 Points — Jeb Dunnuck: Ripe notes of apricot, black fruits, savory cologne, iodine, sea spray and toast. Medium to full-bodied with volume without weight and a long palate. A rounded mid-palate with a mousse that fleshes out and fills the palate. A touch more oak influence frames the wine while retaining freshness, with persistent crystalline salinity through the finish. They do not produce this cuvée every year, but when they do, they hold it back ten years before disgorgement. 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay. Disgorged July 2024. Drink 2025–2040.
93 Points — James Suckling: Spicy and expressive, with aromas of grapefruit, cedar, cloves and gingerbread. Firm, dry and vinous, with toasty layers and rounded bubbles. 75% Pinot Noir and 25% Chardonnay. Disgorged July 2024. Zero dosage. Drink now or hold.
93 Points — Wine Advocate: The most harmonious wine in Geoffroy's portfolio this year. As always, the product of barrel and cask selection based on comprehensive tastings, followed by extended maturation sur lattes. The assemblage is never identical year to year. In 2015: 75% Pinot Noir and 25% Chardonnay. Expressive bouquet of dried orange peel, apricot, crisp pear and spice with a faint hint of sage. Medium- to full-bodied and pillowy, with bright acidity and a taut, chalky core leading to a long, saline finish.
The Producer
The Geoffroy family has cultivated vineyards in Cumières since the 17th century. Today, Jean-Baptiste Geoffroy produces distinctive grower Champagnes emphasizing ripe fruit, individual vineyard expression, long cellar aging and restrained dosage. The estate farms approximately 14 hectares, with most vineyards in Cumières and additional parcels in neighboring Vallée de la Marne villages.
Food Pairing
An exceptional gastronomic Champagne for roast chicken, lobster, scallops, mushroom risotto, veal, pork tenderloin, duck and aged cheeses such as Comté, Gruyère or Parmesan. Its depth and saline finish also make it a natural partner for truffles, foie gras and richly sauced poultry dishes.
Serving and Cellaring
Serve at approximately 50–54°F in a tulip-shaped Champagne glass or generous white-wine glass. The 2015 is drinking beautifully now and should continue developing richer brioche, toasted-nut and savory complexity through 2040.
Producer: Champagne Geoffroy
Cuvée: Terre Millésime
Vintage: 2015
Country: France
Region: Champagne
Subregion: Vallée de la Marne
Village: Cumières Premier Cru
Classification: Premier Cru
Style: Vintage Extra Brut Champagne
Blend: 75% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay
Farming: Practicing organic and sustainability-focused
Harvest: Hand harvested and sorted
Lees Aging: Approximately 10 years
Disgorgement: July 2024
Dosage: 0 g/L (Brut Nature)
Wine Type: Dry sparkling wine
Bottle Size: 750ml
Geoffroy Champagne 'Empreinte Millesime' Blanc de Noirs 1er Cru Extra Brut 2018 750ml (Introductory Pricing)
93 Points — Jeb Dunnuck
92 Points — James Suckling
91 Points — Wine Advocate
Geoffroy “Empreinte Millésime” 2018 is a vintage Blanc de Noirs Champagne produced entirely from Pinot Noir grown in three historic Premier Cru parcels in Cumières. Powerful yet refined, it captures the ripe red-fruit character of this celebrated Vallée de la Marne village while preserving freshness, mineral tension and a finely detailed mousse.
The wine is sourced from mature, south-facing vines planted on the midslope above the Marne River. Fermentation and maturation in large oak vessels build texture and complexity without obscuring the purity of the Pinot Noir. After extended aging on the lees and a very low dosage, the finished Champagne offers ripe orchard fruit, citrus, red berries, fresh bread, toasted nuts and a distinctive saline finish.
The Place
Cumières is a historic Premier Cru village in Champagne’s Vallée de la Marne, located immediately west of Hautvillers and northwest of Épernay. Its vineyards rise steeply from the right bank of the Marne River, benefiting from predominantly south- and southeast-facing exposures.
The village’s warm, sunny slopes allow Pinot Noir to achieve excellent ripeness. Cumières Champagne is consequently known for its expressive fruit, generous texture and distinctly vinous character. The underlying chalk and limestone preserve freshness and mineral tension, preventing the wines from becoming overly broad or heavy.
Although Champagne Geoffroy’s winemaking facilities are now located in Aÿ, the family’s identity remains inseparable from Cumières, where it has cultivated vines since the 17th century.
The Empreinte Vineyards
Empreinte is drawn from three historic Cumières Premier Cru parcels:
Les Chalmonts
Les Barremonts
Les Pêchers
The vineyards lie on the midslope at approximately 160 meters above sea level, with a gradient of around 19%. Their southerly exposure promotes full Pinot Noir ripeness, while the slope provides natural drainage and excellent sunlight throughout the growing season.
The soils are composed principally of clay and limestone with fragments of millstone and flint. Clay contributes body, ripe fruit and textural generosity. Limestone and chalk provide freshness, structure and salinity, while flinty elements can contribute the delicate smoky or reductive mineral character frequently found in the wine.
The source vines average approximately 40 years of age. The parcels are selected annually, harvested together and pressed as a single expression of mature-vine Pinot Noir from Cumières.
The Meaning of Empreinte
“Empreinte” translates as “imprint” or “mark.” The name reflects the domaine’s intention to capture the distinctive imprint of Cumières terroir through Pinot Noir.
The cuvée represents one of the estate’s historic and defining wines. Rather than blending across villages or grape varieties, Jean-Baptiste Geoffroy uses Empreinte to highlight the depth, ripeness and mineral structure Pinot Noir can achieve on the warm slopes of Cumières.
The Grape: 100% Pinot Noir.
Although Pinot Noir is a dark-skinned grape, the juice is naturally clear. Gentle pressing with minimal skin contact produces a white Champagne known as Blanc de Noirs.
Pinot Noir provides Empreinte with structure, body and aging potential, together with characteristic flavors of red apple, cherry, raspberry and subtle red currant. Mature vines and extended lees aging add further layers of citrus, toasted bread, nuts, spice and savory mineral complexity.
The 2018 Vintage
Empreinte 2018 is a true vintage Champagne, produced solely from grapes harvested during the 2018 growing season.
The warm, generous vintage allowed Pinot Noir in favorably exposed Cumières vineyards to achieve excellent maturity. The resulting Champagne possesses ripe fruit and a broad, enveloping texture, but sufficient acidity and mineral structure maintain balance and freshness.
The vintage produced a comparatively approachable expression of Empreinte, combining concentrated Pinot Noir character with a creamy mousse, fresh citrus and a delicate saline edge.
Viticulture
Champagne Geoffroy practices sustainable and increasingly organic viticulture. Chemical weedkillers are avoided, vineyard soils are cultivated and cover crops are encouraged to improve biodiversity and soil health.
The grapes are harvested by hand at optimum maturity and carefully sorted. Achieving full physiological ripeness is central to the Geoffroy style, particularly for a low-dosage wine such as Empreinte, where there is very little added sweetness to soften or disguise the character of the base wine.
Pressing and Vinification
The Pinot Noir is pressed in a traditional Coquard press. Only the finest first-pressing juice, known as the tête de cuvée, is selected.
The individual vineyard parcels are handled by gravity and fermented with indigenous yeasts. The 2018 was vinified principally in large 20-hectoliter Stockinger oak casks, together with other neutral barrels and demi-muids.
Large-format, seasoned oak allows the wine to develop greater breadth, texture and oxygen-derived complexity without contributing excessive new-oak flavor. It also complements the naturally rich and vinous character of mature-vine Cumières Pinot Noir.
The wine is neither heavily fined nor filtered, preserving its natural texture and aromatic complexity.
Lees Aging and Dosage
The importer lists approximately 66 months of aging on the lees. Jeb Dunnuck describes the wine as spending a minimum of five years sur latte before disgorgement.
This extended lees maturation develops the Champagne’s fine mousse and contributes notes of brioche, fresh bread, pastry, almond and toasted nuts.
The bottles reviewed by James Suckling and Wine Advocate were disgorged in December 2024 with a dosage of only 1 gram per liter. This extremely low dosage gives the wine a dry, focused profile and allows its Pinot Noir fruit, chalky minerality and delicate phenolic structure to remain clearly defined.
Skurnik’s broader technical profile lists 3 grams per liter for the cuvée, indicating that dosage may vary between disgorgement lots. Both figures fall within the Extra Brut category.
Tasting Notes
The 2018 Empreinte displays a luminous copper-straw color with a persistent stream of small, finely formed bubbles.
The bouquet opens with sliced apple, pear, white grapefruit and orange zest, followed by raspberry, red currant and other subtle red-fruit notes. With air, aromas of honey, fresh bread, brioche, toasted almond and Madagascar vanilla become more pronounced.
A delicate flinty reduction frames the fruit and contributes additional mineral complexity. The oak is present primarily as texture and gentle toast rather than overt wood flavor.
On the palate, the Champagne is medium- to full-bodied, firm and generous. A creamy mousse surrounds ripe apple, citrus and red-berry flavors, while vibrant acidity maintains energy and definition.
The mid-palate is broad, textural and enveloping, yet the wine remains controlled and precise. Pinot Noir contributes a subtle phenolic grip, leading to a delicately bitter, gastronomic finish marked by grapefruit pith, almond, chalk and salty spice.
This is a substantial but elegant Blanc de Noirs: expressive enough to enjoy now, yet sufficiently structured to develop greater nutty, savory and brioche complexity with additional bottle age.
Professional Ratings
93 Points — Jeb Dunnuck: "The 2018 Champagne Premier Cru Cumières Blanc de Noirs Empreinte Extra Brut is a more elegant and approachable wine in this vintage, pouring a bright copper/straw color and offering notes of fresh almond, fresh bread, white grapefruit, red fruit, and delicate flinty reduction that frames the nose. Made from 100% Pinot Noir from the best plots of Cumières and raised in oak with a minimum five years sur latte, it™s medium-bodied and has a creamy texture and a fine mousse with just a subtle salty spice. It is not the most obvious wine in the tasting, but it will offer a lot of refreshing enjoyment over the next 8-10 years. Drink 2025-2035."
92 Points — James Suckling: "Sliced apples, berries, honey and toasted bread on the nose of this dry, expressive Champagne. Lovely pinot noir character, firm but generous. Tight bubbles. Pinot noir from Cumieres. Disgorged December 2024. 1 g/L dosage. Drink now or hold."
91 Points — Wine Advocate: "Geoffroy™s 2018 Blanc de Noirs Cumieres Empreinte originates from several south-facing parcels in Cumieres, averaging 40 years of age. These parcels are annually selected, harvested and pressed together, then vinified primarily in 20-hectoliter Stockinger casks. Disgorged in December 2024 with a dosage of one gram per liter, the wine bursts from the glass with expressive aromas of pear, orange zest, brioche and Madagascar vanilla. Full-bodied, textural and enveloping on the palate, it displays notable mid-palate sweetness despite its low-dosage style. Ripe yet vibrant acidity complements the wine, while Pinot Noir phenolics assert themselves on the delicately bitter finish. Made with full malolactic fermentation, this cuvee stands apart from the rest of the range, offering a richer, fruit-forward profile that's full of charm."
The Producer
The Geoffroy family has cultivated vineyards in Cumières since the 17th century. Estate bottling began during the 1950s, and René Geoffroy later expanded the domaine and established its reputation as an independent grower-producer.
Today, Jean-Baptiste Geoffroy manages the estate with his wife, Karine. Although the family moved its winemaking operations to a historic property in Aÿ in 2008, most of its vineyards remain in Cumières.
The domaine farms approximately 14 hectares, including roughly 11 hectares in Cumières, with additional parcels in neighboring Vallée de la Marne villages.
The Geoffroy style is built around ripe fruit, individual parcel selection, traditional pressing, oak fermentation and extended cellar aging. The wines combine the generosity of the Vallée de la Marne with energetic acidity, restrained dosage and a distinctive vinous character.
Food Pairing
Empreinte is a gastronomic Champagne particularly well suited to poultry, mushrooms and mature cheeses.
Recommended pairings include Bresse chicken with morels, roast chicken, quail with grapes, duck breast, veal, pork tenderloin and a fricassee of wild mushrooms.
It also pairs beautifully with seared tuna, grilled salmon, lobster, scallops, truffle risotto and savory pastry dishes. Mature Comté, Gruyère, Parmesan and other aged cheeses complement its toasted-almond and brioche character.
Serving and Cellaring
Serve at approximately 50–54°F in a tulip-shaped Champagne glass or a generous white-wine glass. The producer recommends serving Empreinte at approximately 11–12°C.
A wider glass allows its Pinot Noir fruit, oak-derived texture and mature lees aromas to develop more fully than a narrow flute.
The Champagne is ready to drink now but should continue to evolve through approximately 2035. Additional bottle age will encourage more developed notes of toasted nuts, dried fruit, honey, brioche and savory spice.
Producer: Champagne Geoffroy
Cuvée: Empreinte Millésime
Vintage: 2018
Country: France
Region: Champagne
Subregion: Vallée de la Marne
Village: Cumières Premier Cru
Classification: Premier Cru
Style: Vintage Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut Champagne
Grape: 100% Pinot Noir
Vineyard Sources: Les Chalmonts, Les Barremonts and Les Pêchers
Exposure: Predominantly south-facing
Altitude: Approximately 160 meters
Slope: Approximately 19% gradient
Vine Age: Approximately 40 years and older
Soils: Clay-limestone with fragments of millstone and flint
Farming: Sustainable and practicing organic
Harvest: Hand harvested and sorted
Press: Traditional Coquard press; tête de cuvée juice
Fermentation: Indigenous yeasts in large oak casks, barrels and demi-muids
Lees Aging: Approximately 66 months
Disgorgement: December 2024 for the bottles reviewed
Dosage: 1 g/L for the December 2024 reviewed disgorgement; importer profile also lists 3 g/L for the cuvée
Alcohol: 12.5%
Recommended Drinking: 2025–2035
Bottle Size: 750ml
Geoffroy “Empreinte Millésime” Blanc de Noirs Premier Cru Extra Brut 2018
Domaine Clos de la Chapelle Meursault Les Vignes Blanches 2023 750ml (Offer)
93 Points — John Gilman, View From the Cellar
92 Points — Wine Spectator
90–92 Points — Jasper Morris, MW, Inside Burgundy
Domaine Clos de la Chapelle’s 2023 Meursault Les Vignes Blanches is a beautifully concentrated, old-vine Chardonnay from a distinctive village-level climat situated below the celebrated Santenots vineyards. Combining the generous orchard-fruit character traditionally associated with Meursault with vibrant acidity, pale limestone minerality and finely integrated oak, this is a rich yet precise white Burgundy of remarkable depth and persistence.
The wine comes from a tiny 0.41-hectare parcel planted predominantly in 1948. Although Les Vignes Blanches is classified as Meursault Village, its old vines, individual terroir and limited production give it a personality that clearly distinguishes it from a blended village Meursault.
The Place
Meursault lies in the heart of Burgundy’s Côte de Beaune, immediately south of Volnay and north of Puligny-Montrachet. The village is internationally renowned for Chardonnay that combines richness, breadth and silky texture with fresh acidity and a distinctive mineral character.
Meursault has no Grand Cru vineyards, yet its finest Premier Cru and village-level climats produce some of Burgundy’s most complex and age-worthy white wines. The appellation’s varied marl, limestone, gravel and clay soils allow Chardonnay to express a wide range of styles, from supple and nutty to firm, citrus-driven and intensely mineral.
The Les Vignes Blanches Vineyard
Les Vignes Blanches is situated low on the Meursault slope, below Santenots and just south of the Meursault Premier Cru Santenots vineyards. It rests beneath a small rocky rise that contributes natural drainage and an unusually pronounced mineral character for this part of the slope.
The climat takes its name from the pale, gravelly limestone visible throughout the vineyard. Beneath and among this limestone is a meaningful clay component that retains water during warm, dry growing seasons. This combination gives the wine both richness and tension: clay contributes depth, texture and ripe orchard fruit, while the gravelly limestone provides freshness, salinity and mineral definition.
Many growers traditionally blend fruit from Les Vignes Blanches into a broader village-level Meursault. Domaine Clos de la Chapelle instead bottles the parcel separately to preserve its individual character and expression of place.
The Domaine’s Parcel
Domaine Clos de la Chapelle farms approximately 0.41 hectare—just over one acre—of Les Vignes Blanches. Most of the Chardonnay vines were planted in 1948, immediately following the Second World War, making them more than 75 years old at the time of the 2023 harvest.
These deeply rooted old vines naturally produce small quantities of concentrated fruit. Their extensive root systems penetrate multiple soil layers, helping the vines maintain balance during dry conditions and giving the finished wine notable depth, complexity and persistence.
The 2023 growing season demonstrated the value of the site’s water-retentive clay. According to Jasper Morris, the soils held sufficient moisture during the vintage, allowing the grapes to achieve generous ripeness while retaining adequate acidity.
The Grape: 100% Chardonnay.
Chardonnay is Burgundy’s principal white grape and an exceptionally transparent interpreter of terroir. In Les Vignes Blanches, it combines the broad texture and ripe orchard-fruit profile associated with Meursault with citrus freshness, oyster-shell salinity and a finely structured mineral finish.
Viticulture
Domaine Clos de la Chapelle’s vineyards are certified organic and are cultivated according to biodynamic principles. The estate avoids chemical pesticides and fertilizers, regularly ploughs its soils and carefully controls yields to encourage healthy vines and concentrated fruit.
The grapes are harvested by hand and sorted before pressing. The domaine’s objective is to preserve the purity of the fruit while allowing the individual soil, vine age and vintage conditions of each small parcel to remain clearly expressed in the finished wine.
Winemaking and Aging
The Chardonnay is whole-cluster pressed, followed by approximately 24 hours of settling. Fermentation and maturation take place in a combination of French oak barrel sizes, helping the wine develop texture and complexity without allowing the oak to dominate its old-vine fruit or mineral character.
The domaine may use up to 30% new oak for its white wines, with barrels sourced from several respected cooperages. Bâtonnage may be performed once per week for as long as six weeks after fermentation, or until malolactic fermentation begins.
The 2023 Les Vignes Blanches was matured for approximately 14 months in barrel. The use of different barrel sizes helps preserve freshness while contributing restrained notes of vanilla, toast and brioche. The wine is bottled approximately 15 to 18 months after harvest.
Tasting Notes
The 2023 displays a full lemon-yellow color and an expressive, layered bouquet of ripe peach, pear, yellow apple and citrus. With air, aromas of citronella, white flowers, toasted brioche, hazelnut and delicate vanilla emerge alongside a subtle reductive, mineral tension.
The palate is supple, concentrated and beautifully layered. Rich orchard fruit and ripe peach are balanced by vibrant acidity and savory notes of oyster shell and pale limestone. The old vines provide impressive mid-palate depth, while the wine’s mineral structure keeps its generous fruit precise and focused.
Notes of vanilla and toasted brioche are finely integrated into the fruit rather than dominant. The wine builds steadily across the palate, concluding with a long, refined and complex finish marked by citrus, orchard fruit, saline minerals and gentle oak spice.
This is a generous yet disciplined expression of Meursault—reminiscent of the traditional, richly textured style of the village, but supported by enough acidity and mineral tension to remain vibrant and age gracefully.
Professional Ratings
93 Points — John Gilman, View From the Cellar | John Gilman awarded the 2023 Meursault Les Vignes Blanches 93 points, recognizing it as one of the leading white wines in Domaine Clos de la Chapelle’s highly regarded 2023 collection.
92 Points — Wine Spectator: Citronella, peach, oyster shell, vanilla and toasted brioche flavors ride the supple texture in this harmonious white. Vibrant and succulent while building to the refined, complex aftertaste. Best from 2027 through 2040.
90–92 Points — Jasper Morris, MW, Inside Burgundy
Barrel Sample: Old vines on clay soil below Santenots. A full lemon yellow, with a little reductive tension on the nose. Made in a mix of wood sizes. Nicely layered flesh and fruit on the palate, quite a rich orchard fruit, but balanced by adequate acidity These soils retained the water sufficiently in 2023. A good long finish, rather lovely and not far from old style Meursault. Barrel Sample: 90-92
The 2023 Vintage
The 2023 vintage produced generous, ripe fruit across the Côte de Beaune, but the finest sites maintained the acidity and mineral structure necessary for balance. At Les Vignes Blanches, the clay component retained valuable moisture during warm and dry periods, helping the old vines ripen steadily without losing freshness.
The result is a wine with generous fruit and textural richness, balanced by adequate acidity, limestone tension and a persistent mineral finish.
The Domaine
Domaine Clos de la Chapelle is a small, historic Burgundy estate based in Bligny-lès-Beaune and closely associated with Volnay. The domaine takes its name from the historic Volnay Premier Cru Clos de la Chapelle monopole, a walled vineyard situated opposite the Gothic chapel of Notre Dame de Pitié.
The property was acquired in 2011 by Mark O’Connell and his Burgundian partners and renamed Domaine Clos de la Chapelle in honor of its flagship vineyard. The estate now owns and farms approximately five hectares divided among 16 individual terroirs in Volnay, Pommard, Beaune, Pernand-Vergelesses, Meursault and Corton.
The vineyards are certified organic and farmed according to biodynamic principles. Grapes are harvested by hand, yields are deliberately restricted and intervention in the cellar is kept to a minimum. Total production across the entire domaine averages only approximately 1,800 cases annually.
Food Pairing
Meursault Les Vignes Blanches is an excellent accompaniment to lobster, scallops, crab, halibut, turbot, sea bass and sole meunière. Its combination of richness and acidity also pairs beautifully with roast chicken, pork tenderloin, veal in cream sauce and poultry with mushrooms.
Additional pairings include lobster ravioli, mushroom risotto, creamy pasta, roasted cauliflower and mature cheeses such as Comté, Gruyère or Délice de Bourgogne.
Serving and Cellaring
The domaine recommends serving the wine at approximately 16°C, or 61°F. It may initially be poured slightly cooler and allowed to warm gradually in the glass, revealing additional orchard fruit, hazelnut, brioche and mineral complexity.
When enjoyed young, opening the bottle approximately 30 minutes before serving will help the wine’s subtle reductive character dissipate. Its old-vine concentration, acidity and mineral structure should support graceful development through 2040.
Producer: Domaine Clos de la Chapelle
Country: France
Region: Burgundy
Subregion: Côte de Beaune
Village: Meursault
Appellation: Meursault AOC
Vineyard: Les Vignes Blanches
Classification: Village
Grape: 100% Chardonnay
Vineyard Holding: Approximately 0.41 hectare
Vine Age: Predominantly planted in 1948
Location: Below Santenots on the lower Meursault slope
Soil: Gravelly pale limestone with water-retentive clay
Farming: Certified organic; biodynamic principles
Harvest: Hand harvested
Pressing: Whole-cluster pressed
Aging: Approximately 14 months in French oak
Alcohol: 13.5%
Wine Type: Dry white wine
Bottle Size: 750ml
Domaine Clos de la Chapelle Meursault Les Vignes Blanches 2023
Domaine Clos de la Chapelle Meursault Cuvée Confluence 2023 750ml (Offer)
92 Points - Wine Spectator
89-91 Points - Jasper Morris MW, Inside Burgundy
Two vineyards. Two soils. One seamless expression of Meursault. Domaine Clos de la Chapelle's 2023 Cuvee Confluence draws from En Marcausse and Les Vignes Blanches, contiguous lieux-dits whose contrasting geology gives this village-level Chardonnay a complexity that rivals many a Premier Cru. Clay-driven richness meets limestone-driven tension, and the result is a white Burgundy of genuine depth, harmony and length.
The Place
Meursault occupies the heart of the Cote de Beaune, flanked by Volnay to the north and Puligny-Montrachet to the south. It is one of Burgundy's most celebrated white-wine villages, internationally recognized for Chardonnay that combines generous orchard fruit, hazelnut complexity and a pronounced limestone-derived mineral character with vibrant, food-friendly acidity.
Although Meursault has no Grand Cru vineyards, its finest Premier Cru and village-level climats produce some of Burgundy's most distinctive and age-worthy whites. The appellation encompasses approximately 382.64 hectares of white-wine production, including 103.79 hectares of Premier Cru, planted predominantly to Chardonnay in a complex mosaic of limestone, marl, clay and gravel.
The Meaning of Cuvee Confluence
The name Confluence speaks to a meeting of opposites: old vines and young, two adjoining vineyards, two distinct but complementary terroirs. Although En Marcausse and Les Vignes Blanches share a boundary, the soil composition shifts noticeably at the point where one vineyard meets the other, and it is precisely this contrast that defines the wine.
The Vineyards
En Marcausse lies immediately below Les Petits Charrons on the Meursault slope. Natural drainage is encouraged by a break in the topography, while the vineyard's higher clay content contributes body, texture and breadth to the finished wine. The domaine farms approximately 0.20 hectare here.
Les Vignes Blanches takes its name from the pale, gravelly limestone that characterizes the site. These chalkier soils deliver greater mineral tension, freshness and precision. The domaine holds approximately 0.41 hectare, farmed from both younger and older vines. For the 2023 vintage, Jasper Morris noted that a section previously planted to Pinot Noir has been top-grafted to Chardonnay, a change that will further strengthen the domaine's white-wine holdings from 2025 onward.
The Grape: 100% Chardonnay
Chardonnay is uniquely sensitive to variations in soil, elevation and exposure. In the limestone and clay soils of Meursault, it produces wines of generous orchard-fruit character, citrus freshness, hazelnut complexity and a distinct mineral or saline undertone. In Cuvee Confluence, it expresses both sides of the blend simultaneously: the rounded texture and ripeness of clay-rich En Marcausse, and the citrus-driven freshness and chalky tension of Les Vignes Blanches.
Viticulture and Winemaking
Domaine Clos de la Chapelle's vineyards are certified organic and cultivated according to biodynamic principles. Soils are worked regularly, chemical pesticides and fertilizers are avoided, and yields are carefully controlled to encourage concentration and a clear expression of each individual site.
Grapes are harvested by hand and carefully sorted. Vinification is conducted with minimal intervention, allowing the contrasting personalities of En Marcausse and Les Vignes Blanches to remain visible in the finished wine. Fermentation and maturation in oak barrels add texture and complexity, with restrained notes of toast, vanilla and spice that integrate into rather than dominate the wine's fruit and mineral core.
Tasting Notes
The 2023 Cuvee Confluence opens with aromas of ripe peach, yellow apple and pear, lifted by citrus peel, white flowers, toasted hazelnut and a delicate oak influence. The palate is supple, juicy and harmonious, with flavors of peach, apple tart and ripe citrus framed by oyster-shell salinity and finely integrated toasted oak. The clay-rich component contributes roundness and depth; the limestone soils bring acidity, mineral tension and focus. Subtle notes of vanilla, butterscotch and hazelnut emerge toward the finish. Despite its generous fruit and texture, the wine remains fresh and balanced, concluding with impressive harmony, mineral persistence and length.
Professional Ratings
92 Points - Wine Spectator: This beautifully integrated white features peach, apple tart and oyster shell flavors framed with toasty oak. Supple and juicy, this ends with echoes of vanilla and butterscotch. Shows excellent harmony and length.
89-91 Points - Jasper Morris MW, Inside Burgundy (Barrel Sample): The Cuvee Confluence comes from the top of Vignes Blanches and Marcausses, where the pinot part has now been top-grafted to chardonnay (which will really deliver from 2025). Mid lemon yellow. A pleasing fruit on the cusp between white and yellow, decent acidity, some length, not quite the flow which gave me such pleasure in the Vignes Blanches.
The Domaine
Domaine Clos de la Chapelle is a small, historic Cote de Beaune estate based in Bligny-les-Beaune, closely associated with the renowned village of Volnay. It takes its name from the Volnay Premier Cru Clos de la Chapelle monopole, a walled vineyard situated opposite the historic chapel of Notre Dame de Pitie, acquired in 2011 and renamed in honor of its flagship terroir.
Today the estate farms approximately five hectares across 16 individual terroirs in Volnay, Pommard, Beaune, Pernand-Vergelesses, Meursault and Corton. All vineyards are certified organic and farmed biodynamically. Grapes are harvested by hand, yields are kept low and cellar intervention is minimized. Total production averages only approximately 1,800 cases annually, making each bottling highly limited.
Food Pairing
Cuvee Confluence is an excellent partner for roast chicken, sole meuniere, halibut with brown butter, sea bass, scallops and lobster ravioli. It also pairs beautifully with creamy mushroom dishes, risotto, pork tenderloin, veal in a light cream sauce and mature cheeses such as Comte or Gruyere.
Serving and Cellaring
Serve at approximately 16 degrees C (61 degrees F). Slightly cooler service will emphasize citrus and mineral character; allowing the wine to warm gradually in the glass will reveal additional texture, hazelnut and oak-spice complexity. The 2023 is expressive enough to enjoy young with a little air, but its acidity and mineral structure should support several years of further development in the cellar.
Producer: Domaine Clos de la Chapelle
Country: France
Region: Burgundy
Subregion: Cote de Beaune
Village: Meursault
Appellation: Meursault AOC
Classification: Village
Cuvee: Cuvee Confluence
Vineyard Sources: En Marcausse and Les Vignes Blanches
Source Parcels: Approximately 0.61 hectare combined
Grape: 100% Chardonnay
Soils: Clay-rich (En Marcausse); pale gravelly limestone (Les Vignes Blanches)
Farming: Certified organic; biodynamic principles
Harvest: Hand harvested
Wine Type: Dry white wine
Bottle Size: 750ml
Domaine Clos De La Chapelle Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru 2023 750ml (Offer)
95 Points — Wine Spectator
94 Points — Jasper Morris, MW, Inside Burgundy
Domaine Clos de la Chapelle’s 2023 Corton-Charlemagne is a profound and exceptionally limited expression of one of Burgundy’s most celebrated white-wine vineyards. Produced entirely from Chardonnay, it combines the natural richness and power of the Corton hill with vibrant acidity, stony minerality and the remarkable precision for which the finest Corton-Charlemagne wines are known.
The Place
Corton-Charlemagne is a Grand Cru appellation situated at the northern end of Burgundy’s Côte de Beaune, where the rounded Hill of Corton rises above the villages of Aloxe-Corton, Pernand-Vergelesses and Ladoix-Serrigny. The appellation occupies the hill’s higher, cooler slopes at approximately 280 to 330 meters above sea level.
These elevated vineyards are planted on steep slopes composed of limestone, marl and thin, stony soils. The combination of altitude, exposure and mineral-rich geology gives Corton-Charlemagne its distinctive balance of concentration, freshness and long-lived structure. Although the appellation covers approximately 60 hectares currently under production, individual domaine holdings are often extremely small.
The Vineyard
Domaine Clos de la Chapelle farms just 0.30 hectare—less than one acre—of Corton-Charlemagne. Its parcel is located on the Pernand-Vergelesses side of the hill, facing west, and is planted with approximately 45-year-old Chardonnay vines. The soils contain a high proportion of limestone and marl, contributing to the wine’s firm mineral backbone, chalky texture and naturally persistent finish.
Production is correspondingly tiny, making this one of the domaine’s rarest and most sought-after bottlings.
The Grape
100% Chardonnay. Corton-Charlemagne is reserved exclusively for white Grand Cru Burgundy produced from Chardonnay. In this remarkable terroir, the grape develops considerable body and concentration while retaining the acidity, mineral tension and definition necessary for extended bottle aging.
Winemaking
Following harvest and sorting, the grapes are whole-cluster pressed. After a short settling of the juice, fermentation takes place in barrel with native yeasts. The wine is then matured in barrel for approximately 12 to 18 months, depending upon the character of the vintage, followed by a light fining before bottling.
Jasper Morris noted that the 2023 was produced from five barrels, with the fruit pressed without prior crushing and one barrel reserved for a longer period of élevage.
Tasting Notes
The 2023 opens with expansive aromas of lemon, ripe apple, fresh citrus, crushed stone and discreetly toasted oak. With air, additional notes of white flowers, orchard fruit and subtle spice begin to emerge.
The palate is broad and expressive yet beautifully controlled, supported by vibrant acidity and a firm, steely mineral backbone. Ripe citrus and apple flavors are layered with chalk, stone and finely integrated oak. There is impressive depth through the middle of the palate, followed by a long, focused and seemingly endless finish marked by freshness, chalky texture and mouthwatering mineral persistence.
This is a powerful yet precise Corton-Charlemagne: already expressive, but structured to reward patient cellaring.
Professional Ratings
95 Points Wine Spectator This white is expansive and expressive, with lemon, apple tart, citronella, stone and toasty oak aromas and flavors. Delineated by vibrant acidity, with well-integrated oak and a chalky feel on the seemingly endless finish.
94 Points — Jasper Morris, MW, Inside Burgundy 5 barrels, without crushing before pressing, one will be kept back for a longer elevage. Quite a deep yellow. The bouquet is very different to Pierre Meurgey’s Corton-Charlemagne (more or less the same fruit but some was crushed), the Clos de la Chapelle version offering more precision but less character. This version has a steely backbone, some ripe citrus, a little flesh, medium tension, apples at the back. Just needs a little more tension for the 4th star. Barrel Sample: 92-94
The Domaine
Domaine Clos de la Chapelle is based in Volnay and takes its name from the historic Volnay Premier Cru Clos de la Chapelle monopole, acquired by Victor Boillot in 1865. After remaining with the Boillot family for nearly 150 years, the estate was acquired in 2010 by Burgundy enthusiast Mark O’Connell and his Burgundian partners.
Today, the domaine cultivates approximately five hectares divided among 16 vineyards, including prized Premier Cru and Grand Cru parcels in Volnay, Pommard, Beaune, Meursault and Corton. Annual production is extremely limited, totaling approximately 2,000 cases across the entire estate.
Food Pairing and Service
Serve at approximately 54–57°F. This structured, mineral-driven white Burgundy is an exceptional partner for lobster, scallops, halibut, sea bass, crab, roast poultry, veal in cream sauce, escargots and richly textured cheeses such as Comté or Délice de Bourgogne.
While the wine may be enjoyed young with decanting, Corton-Charlemagne is renowned for its ability to develop for decades. Additional bottle age will allow its citrus, stone and oak elements to integrate while revealing more complex notes of honey, toasted nuts, truffle and spice.
Region: Burgundy, France
Subregion: Côte de Beaune
Appellation: Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru
Village Area: Pernand-Vergelesses side of the Hill of Corton
Grape: 100% Chardonnay
Vineyard Holding: 0.30 hectare
Vine Age: Approximately 45 years
Soil: Limestone and marl
Wine Type: Dry white wine
Bottle Size: 750ml