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Vinous 93 Points | The 2023 Morey-Saint-Denis Les Ruchots 1er Cry offers the most transparency on the nose among Arlaud's Morey Premier Crus, with intense, well-defined blackberry and raspberry fruit and fine mineralite. The medium-bodied palate features pliant tannins and commendable depth, though it may not reach the complexity of the Aux Chesaux or Blanchards on the finish. Give this two or three years in the bottle.

"A fine even purple. The bouquet is beautifully, florally, perfumed. This seems to be one of the riper wines but still has the quintessential cool balance of an Arlaud wine. Heady roses, with a ripe raspberry underlay. The acidity is sufficiently present and the tannins refined A long, supple finish. Drink from 2031-2038. Tasted Dec 2024."

Jasper Morris 92-95 Points

Expert Reviews

Wine Advocate 93 Points | Notes of red berries and plums mingle with hints of rose petals, peonies, grilled meats and forest floor in an inviting bouquet, introducing Rousseau's 2019 Ruchottes-Chambertin Grand Cru Clos des Ruchottes, a medium to full-bodied, bright and lively wine that's ethereal and perfumed, with a pretty core of fruit and a long, saline finish. Barrel Sample: 93-95

Burghound 95 Points | An elegant combination is comprised by notes of various red berries, especially essence of cherry, along with anise, the sauvage and a pretty dollop of spice elements, all of which is trimmed in enough wood to notice. The energetic and beautifully well-detailed and tautly muscular yet elegant flavors brim with an abundance of dry extract and minerality while concluding in a decidedly sleek and stunningly long finish that evidences a hint of youthful austerity. This markedly firm effort is gorgeous and possesses the wherewithal to age and improve for two to three decades.

Vinous 96 Points | The 2019 Ruchottes-Chambertin Clos des Ruchottes Grand Cru has a thrilling bouquet struck through with mineral-rich red berry fruit that teasingly takes time to unfurl in the glass; you can sense the limestone, and hints of graphite emerge later. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins, quite piquant in style, leading to an edgy, slightly chalky finish that bristles with energy. This has great potential as a poised Ruchottes. Barrel Sample: 96-98 

Critic Notes

Charles Curtis MW writes:  hint of exotic Asian spice. The palate has a deft balance between density, moderately firm tannins, and a lively freshness that leads to a pleasantly lingering finish—lovely wine. The grapes come from the domaine holding of just under a half-hectare located under Clos de la Roche; they are partially destemmed and carefully fermented before ageing in mainly used casks. Age five years before opening.  Drinking 2028 to 2055.  - Decanter 95

Neal Martin writes:  The 2022 Morey-Saint-Denis Les Millandes 1er Cru has one-third whole bunches. Brambly red fruit, sous-bois and light chalky scents on the nose that feels quite strict at the moment. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins. There’s mainly black fruit here, plus cedar and graphite, rather "serious" towards the finish. Fine, but it will require bottle age.  Drinking 2026 to 2042.  - Vinous 90-92

Allen Meadows writes:  A discreet application of wood sets off the softly spicy and earthy aromas of violet, lavender plum and red currant. The powerful and markedly more concentrated broad-shouldered flavors exude a subtle minerality on the succulent yet very firmly structured finale that exhibits excellent length. Patience will be necessary but it should be well-rewarded in time as this is packed with development potential.  Drink 2024+  - Burghound 93

Winemaker Description

The red wine "Trio" by Berthet-Bondet consists of the three common red grapes of the Jura, Trousseau, Poulsard and Pinot Noir. This elegant red wine smells of spices and pepper, a slight wild animal note, typical of the poulsard, can also be perceived. 

A completely independent wine, somewhat comparable in structure and fullness to neighboring Burgundy, but not aromatic. A characterful red for friends of the unusual.

In 1985, Chantal and Jean Berthet-Bondet took over a domaine that had not been producing wine for 50 years, and brought it back to life. In 2017, their daughter Hélène succeeded them, helped by her husband and two children. The vineyards spread on 15 hectares, 4.5ha of Savagnin in Château-Chalon and 10.5ha of Chardonnay, Savagnin, Trousseau, Poulsard and Pinot Noir in Côtes-du-Jura appellation. A new plot of Chardonnay was planted in 2022, using for the first time massal selection and young plants from the Bérillon nurseries. The vineyard is off to a magnificient start. Château-Chalon possesses the noblest terroir in the Jura region. A composition of limestone and red and gray marl confers both power and great finesse to these wines. Winemaker Description. 

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

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

Burghound Allen Meadows writes 89-92 Points | A cool, pure and airy nose features aromas of Granny Smith apple, citrus rind and an appealing floral top note. There is both good volume and a lovely texture to the generously proportioned and stony middleweight flavors that exude a refreshing salinity on the balanced, long and complex finale. This is an excellent Puligny villages, indeed Jobard rarely misses with it.

Yann Alexandre Brut Noir — Champagne 2020 Base

Yann and Séverine Alexandre farm their vineyards in the Petite Montagne de Reims with a single goal: to produce Champagne as naturally as possible from healthy, fully mature grapes. Certified sustainable by OCACIA, their parcels grow on calcareous-clay soils with stones, flint, and sand — a varied geology that contributes freshness, mineral tension, and complexity. The Brut Noir is the estate's signature cuvée: a blend of Pinot Meunier for generous fruit and suppleness, Pinot Noir for structure and depth, and Chardonnay for brightness and energy. Each variety is vinified separately in temperature-controlled stainless steel with full malolactic fermentation, then assembled and aged approximately five years on the lees in the Alexandre family's cool cellar before hand riddling and disgorgement. Awarded 92 Points by Decanter and a Silver Award in 2025.

The nose is inviting and layered: subtle brioche and toast, fresh citrus, white peach, and a delicate chalky undercurrent. On the palate, the wine is rich yet precise — generous fruit and creamy texture from the Meunier, lifted by Chardonnay's brightness and framed by Pinot Noir's quiet structure. The mousse is fine and persistent, and the finish is long, chalky, and satisfying. An excellent aperitif and a natural companion at the table.

Decanter 92 • Silver Award 2025 — "Pairs beautifully with grilled chicken, curries, egg dishes, mushroom preparations, charcuterie, and creamy cheeses."

• Producer: Yann & Séverine Alexandre, Petite Montagne de Reims, Champagne, France
• Base Vintage: 2020 (with reserve wines)
• Appellation: Champagne
• Blend: Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
• Soil: Calcareous-clay with stones, flint, and sand
• Farming: Certified Sustainable by OCACIA
• Vinification: Temperature-controlled stainless steel; full malolactic fermentation
• Lees Aging: ~5 years; hand riddled & disgorged
• Alcohol: 12%
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Brioche, toast, citrus, white peach, chalky minerality, creamy texture, long finish
• Best Paired With: Grilled chicken, curries, egg dishes, mushroom preparations, charcuterie, creamy cheeses

92 points from Decanter. Five years on the lees. Hand riddled and disgorged. Yann Alexandre's Brut Noir is grower Champagne from the Petite Montagne de Reims at its most honest and expressive.

R. Pouillon & Fils | Soléra | Extra-Brut | Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, Vallée de la Marne, Champagne | 1997–2018 Base | Biodynamic

R. Pouillon & Fils is one of Champagne's most exciting and principled grower-producers, based in the Premier Cru village of Mareuil-sur-Aÿ in the Vallée de la Marne. Fabrice Pouillon farms his vineyards according to organic and biodynamic principles, with a deep commitment to expressing the individual character of each parcel and the terroir of Mareuil-sur-Aÿ.

Soléra Extra-Brut is one of Fabrice Pouillon's most distinctive and intellectually compelling Champagnes — a multi-vintage cuvée created from a perpetual reserve established in 1997, designed to diminish the influence of any single harvest and place the character of Mareuil-sur-Aÿ firmly at the center of the wine. Each year, approximately 30% of the soléra is drawn off for secondary fermentation and replaced with 30% wine from the new harvest. This continuous process allows numerous vintages to become seamlessly integrated, adding layers of maturity and complexity while preserving the freshness and vitality of the most recent wine.

The blend is an equal partnership of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from Mareuil-sur-Aÿ — Pinot Noir contributing structure, depth, and vinous power; Chardonnay bringing freshness, lift, and finely defined acidity. From the creation of the soléra through the addition of the 2010 vintage, the reserve was aged entirely in stainless steel. It is now maintained in upright oak vessels with full malolactic fermentation — an evolution in élevage that contributes additional texture and dimension without obscuring the purity of the fruit or the mineral character of the terroir.

Electric and terroir-driven, with high-toned aromatics, fresh acidity, and exceptional length. The bouquet opens with orange zest, ripe pear, apple blossom, fennel seed, and warm brioche, with notes of steeped raspberry, whole-grain toast, honeycomb, spice, and a subtle hint of Timut pepper. On the palate, medium- to full-bodied, bright, and seamless — generous fruit and layered texture balanced by tangy acidity and ample chalky extract. A fine, persistent mousse carries the flavors across the palate, while the Extra-Brut dosage keeps the finish dry, precise, and energetic. Light on its feet yet possessing remarkable depth and intensity, continuing to unfold with each sip.

Pair with oysters, lobster, roasted poultry, mushroom dishes, smoked fish, aged Comté, and other firm or nutty cheeses.

• Producer: R. Pouillon & Fils
• Cuvée: Soléra Extra-Brut
• Style: Multi-vintage Extra-Brut
• Appellation: Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, Vallée de la Marne, Champagne, France
• Blend: 50% Chardonnay, 50% Pinot Noir
• Soléra Established: 1997; most recent addition 2018
• Method: ~30% drawn off and replaced annually with new harvest wine
• Farming: Organic & biodynamic principles
• Élevage: Initially stainless steel (through 2010); now upright oak vessels; full malolactic fermentation
• Dosage: Extra-Brut
• Bottle Size: 750ml

Critical Acclaim

• Wine Advocate — 94 pts: Orange zest, pear, fennel seeds, warm brioche, and a hint of Timut pepper. Medium- to full-bodied, bright, and seamless with striking complexity. Ample chalky extract and tangy acidity define its structure, with a persistent mousse through the long finish.
• Wine Spectator — 92 pts: Rapier-like acidity with expressive flavors of steeped raspberry, whole-grain toast, apple blossom, and a touch of honeycomb.

Expert Reviews - 2022

James Sucklling 92 Points | Absurdly concentrated for an entry-level wine. Deep blueberry and black-cherry fruit fills out the compact and structured medium-bodied palate. Generous fine tannins and notes of licorice and baking-spice aromas. Long, powdery and fresh finish. This is a unique solera-type blend of several vintages from 2022 to 2012. Blaufrankisch plus pinot noir, merlot and zweigelt. Drink or hold. - JamesSuckling.com

Winemaker Description

The house brand red is a blend of Blaufränkisch, Zweigelt and Pinot Noir, which is matured in large used wooden barrels. The Zweigelt brings fruit and charm, the Pinot Noir juiciness and the Blaufränkisch character and structure.

The Blaufränkisch also dominates the nose with dark aromas, ripe black cherries and plums, some eucalyptus and a slight smokiness of bacon. On the palate it starts fresh and animating, a fine and mellow tannin spreads directly on the tongue, again cherry and fine tannins.

The house brand stands for fresh drinking fun and goes well with stews and autumnal cuisine, for example with pumpkin.

Bérêche et Fils’ Ambonnay Grand Cru is one of the most coveted single-village expressions in their portfolio — and among the most compelling Blanc de Noirs in all of Champagne. Sourced from a single lieu-dit, “Les Tourets,” in the western part of Ambonnay village, this is Pinot Noir of extraordinary purity and presence. Ambonnay’s signature cashmere-like texture is immediately apparent: open, enveloping, and generous, with a volume and power that never tips into heaviness. Brioche and honey on the attack give way to floral lift and a finish that is invigorating, slightly iodized, and saline — the unmistakable signature of chalk and grand cru terroir. A wine of genuine rarity, with just 2,325 bottles produced.

Critical Review
“A beautiful, enveloping wine; brioche-like on the attack, floral, with notes of honey and ripeness. The finish is invigorating, slightly iodized, and saline.” — Le Rouge et le Blanc

Varietal: Pinot Noir (Blanc de Noirs)
Vintage: 2020
Appellation: Ambonnay Grand Cru, Champagne, France
Lieu-dit: Les Tourets
Style: Extra Brut
Farming: Biodynamic
Production: 2,325 bottles
Bottle Size: 750ml

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2019

The Wine Advocate 95 Points | The San Felice 2019 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Il Grigio (made with 80% Sangiovese and 20% complementary indigenous grapes) stands out due to its velvety richness and expressive flavor profile. The wine delivers measured intensity with bright purple and black fruits, a good sense of energy and drive, and some lingering spiciness on the close. It is rich but not heavy.

James Suckling 93 Points | This is spiced and racy with dark cherries, currants, savory herbs, walnuts and sandalwood. Medium- to full-bodied with ripe, powdery tannins, juicy acidity and a mineral backbone on the palate. Bright and fruit-forward in the finish. Drink or hold.

Expert Review — Vintage 2023

92 pts — James Suckling: “Ripe yet restrained, this sits on the edge of reduction, showing aromas of yellow apples, grilled peaches, lemon curd and a touch of struck flint. The palate reflects the cool vintage with bright acidity and a layered feel, delivering baked citrus, toasted almonds and subtle spices. Rounded and fresh with a savory, lingering finish. Drink or hold.”

Winemaker Notes

Grgich Hills’ estate-grown Chardonnay is a singular expression of Napa Valley — biodynamically farmed, and uniquely crafted without malolactic fermentation to preserve its natural, vibrant acidity. The 2023 vintage opens with aromas of sweet lime, fresh lemon, green mango, and white peach, leading to a palate of fresh citrus, star fruit, mango, and a hint of vanilla, all supported by juicy acidity and abundant minerality. The finish is long, layered, and deeply satisfying.

Founded by the legendary Mike Grgich — the winemaker behind the celebrated 1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay that triumphed at the 1976 Judgment of Paris — Grgich Hills has been a benchmark for Napa Chardonnay for nearly five decades.

• Appellation: Napa Valley
• Grape: Chardonnay
• Vintage: 2023
• Farming: Certified biodynamic & organic, estate-grown
• Style: No malolactic fermentation — bright, fresh acidity
• Pairings: Lobster, halibut, roasted chicken, soft cheeses
• 750ml | Serve at 50–54°F | Drink or hold

A Limited Single-Vineyard Pinot Noir from Arroyo Seco, Monterey County

“Balade” is French for wandering — a fitting name for Belle Glos’s annual exploration of the most compelling single-vineyard Pinot Noir blocks on the West Coast. Each vintage, only the most nuanced and expressive block is selected for this limited bottling. The 2022 comes from the Arroyo Seco appellation in Monterey County, delivering dark purple-violet tones, enticing blackberry and boysenberry aromas, and a palate of black cherry, wild blackberry, and jammy plum with beautiful acidity and a long, mouthwatering finish.

Expert Reviews

• Wine Enthusiast (Matt Kettmann) — 92 pts: Dried cherry, baked plum and a full spice rack of aromas on the nose. Tense, slightly sappy tannins frame the sip, where black plum, stewed cherry and bay leaf flavors lead into a wood smoke-kissed finish. (Vintage 2022). 

Winemaker Notes

Belle Glos Pinot Noir BALADE Single Survey Arroyo Seco Monterey County 2022 750ml

Dark purple-violet in color with enticing aromas of blackberry and boysenberry. Sophisticated on the palate with flavors of black cherry, wild blackberry, and jammy plum. Balanced and structured with beautiful acidity that lingers through to a long, mouthwatering finish.

Vineyard & Provenance

• Grape: Pinot Noir
• Appellation: Arroyo Seco, Monterey County, California
• Producer: Belle Glos
• Vintage: 2022
• Bottling: Limited Single-Vineyard Release
• Size: 750ml

Food Pairings

A versatile partner at the table — exceptional with roasted duck, grilled salmon, lamb chops, mushroom risotto, pork tenderloin, and aged cheeses.

The Prisoner Pinot Noir | Sonoma Coast | 2022 | 750ml | California, USA

Redefining taste once again, this Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir is a masterful blend from two of California's most celebrated AVAs — Russian River Valley and Petaluma Gap. Russian River's diverse terroir contributes a wide range of styles, while the cool, foggy climate of the Petaluma Gap lends a distinctive coastal minerality.

• Winery: The Prisoner Wine Company
• Origin: Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California, USA
• Bottle Size: 750ml
• Varietal: Pinot Noir
• Vintage: 2022
• AVAs: Russian River Valley & Petaluma Gap

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Ripe cranberry and dried black cherry with early floral notes and hints of mocha, chai, and leather
• Palate: Luxurious mouthfeel with juicy black cherry and spice at midpalate
• Finish: Lengthy and complex with notes of cardamom and clove

Pierre Paillard Les Parcelles Extra Brut Grand Cru — Bouzy NV

Pierre Paillard’s Les Parcelles is the definitive expression of Bouzy Grand Cru — a mosaic cuvée assembled from approximately 25 distinct parcels across the village’s sun-drenched, south-facing slopes. The blend is 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay, based on the 2020 harvest with 20% reserve wines, and it captures everything that makes Bouzy one of Champagne’s most celebrated Grand Cru villages: power, structure, and a chalky subsoil that keeps the wine focused and precise. Fermented in 350-liter oak barrels and cellared three years on the lees before disgorgement, the wine is dosed at just 2 g/L — Extra Brut in spirit and in fact. Rated 92 points by The Wine Advocate.

The bouquet is expressive and layered: pear, ripe citrus, and warm spices mingle with toasted bread, orange zest, and a whisper of brioche. On the palate, the wine is medium- to full-bodied with a lively, luminous fruit profile driven by racy acidity. The Pinot Noir from Bouzy’s south-facing slopes delivers depth and structure, while the Chardonnay adds finesse and brightness. The finish is long and pronounced, with a saline, chalky mineral drive that is the hallmark of great Bouzy terroir.

Wine Advocate 92 — “Livelier, more luminous fruit… racy acidity and a pronounced saline finish. A precise expression of Bouzy terroir.”

• Producer: Pierre Paillard, Bouzy, Montagne de Reims, Champagne, France
• Appellation: Champagne Grand Cru
• Village: Bouzy (south-facing slopes)
• Blend: 80% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay
• Base Vintage: 2020 (with 20% reserve wines)
• Parcels: ~25 distinct parcels across Bouzy
• Style: Extra Brut
• Vinification: 350-liter oak barrels
• Lees Aging: 3 years before disgorgement
• Dosage: 2 g/L
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Pear, ripe citrus, warm spices, toasted bread, orange zest, brioche, racy acidity, saline chalky finish
• Best Paired With: Oysters, grilled fish, roast chicken, duck, charcuterie, aged cheeses, mushroom dishes

92 points from The Wine Advocate. 25 parcels. 3 years on the lees. 2 g/L dosage. Pierre Paillard’s Les Parcelles is Bouzy Grand Cru Champagne at its most precise and compelling.

Expert Reviews

~ Rosé made using the saignée method
~ Zero dosage
~ Natural
~ Very low sulphur content
~ Aromas of red fruits, mandarin orange and white pepper
~ Pinot Noir

Vinification of the Brut Nature Rosé cuvée

~ Rosé made using the saignée method with maceration in vats lasting 3 days
~ Only the juices from first pressing are used
~ Minimal use of sulphur
~ No filtering
~ Use of gravity to avoid oxidation
~ Then total and natural malolactic fermentation
~ Zero dosage
~ 100% of the wines are made in vats to preserve freshness
~ After bottling the cuvée is aged for 2 to 3 years sur lattes (on laths)

GRAPE VARIETY: 100% Pinot Noir

FOOD PAIRINGS: Ideal as an aperitif. Goes perfectly with salmon carpaccio or scallops, sushi, grilled meats. Serve at: 45°F.

TASTING NOTES: On the nose, very evocative of strawberry and raspberry with a floral note of rose petals. The palate recalls red fruits and is augmented by hints of citrus fruit, mandarin orange and a small, very refined touch of white pepper.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022 

Jeb Dunnuck 96 Points | The 2022 Pinot Noir Les Dijonnais comes from the oldest vines on the property, planted in 1995 with all Dijon clones. Bottled in late January of this year, the wine sports a vibrant ruby hue and shows off notes of wild raspberries, mixed berries, a hint of fresh violets, clove spice, forest herbs, and brambly earth. It’s chiseled in its structure, with coiled tannins and a good deal of youthful tension, and also offers mineral persistence, with wonderful salinity and dark undertones of earth. It demands another few years in cool cellars to soften and expand as it evolves and will drink well over the long haul. Drink 2026-2040. 590 cases were produced.

Winemaker Description 

Planted in 1995, the Dijon block is now in its prime, delivering the complexity and elegance one expects from carefully tended twenty-six-year-old vines. The 2021 “DJ,” as it is known in-house, shows characteristic black raspberry and rose hip notes. Consistent with previous vintages, it displays Asian five spice, briar and even hints of blood orange coupled with a refreshing acidity and persistent finish. It is a superior vintage, one of the best of the decade. While the 2021 Les Dijonnais Pinot Noir is delicious right now, it will reward patience after a few years in a cool cellar.  Winemaker Description.

Expert Reviews — Vintage 2022

Wine Spectator 92 Points: Juicy and inviting, with tasty raspberry and mulberry notes infused with pine forest, red tea and wet earth accents. Keeps the fleshy, juicy feel through the lightly toasted finish. Drink now through 2028.

Winemaker Description

Lush, layered and complex, this enticing Pinot Noir draws you in with aromas of ripe raspberry and black cherry, alongside notions of pennyroyal, clove and sweet baking spices. On the palate, supple tannins and elegantly balanced acidity frame juicy flavors of blackberry and Bing cherry, with savory hints of nutmeg, leather and breakfast tea emerging on the long, robust finish.

Pairing Suggestions

• Poultry: Roasted duck with cherry reduction or herb-crusted chicken thighs.
• Meat: Lamb chops with rosemary or pork tenderloin with mushroom sauce.
• Cheese: Aged Gruyère, Brie, or a mild washed-rind cheese.

Egly-Ouriet | VP (Vieillissement Prolongé) | Grand Cru Extra Brut | Ambonnay, Montagne de Reims, Champagne | Practicing Organic

Egly-Ouriet is one of Champagne's most revered grower-producers, based in the Grand Cru village of Ambonnay on the Montagne de Reims. Francis Egly farms his parcels with meticulous care — practicing organic viticulture, harvesting by hand, and working exclusively with indigenous yeasts — producing Champagnes of uncommon depth, vinous texture, and site-driven precision that have earned the domaine a cult following among collectors and sommeliers worldwide.

One of the most distinguished cuvées in the Egly-Ouriet portfolio, VP stands for Vieillissement Prolongé — extended aging. This exceptional Champagne spends more than seven years resting on its fine lees before disgorgement, considerably longer than most non-vintage Champagnes and even many vintage bottlings. The extended maturation creates remarkable depth, complexity, and a beautifully integrated texture that sets VP apart as one of the great prestige cuvées of the grower Champagne world.

The blend is approximately 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay, drawn from Grand Cru vineyards in Ambonnay, Bouzy, and Verzenay. Harvested by hand and fermented with indigenous yeasts in French oak barrels, with malolactic fermentation blocked to preserve natural acidity and tension. A very low dosage preserves the wine's energy, precision, and distinctly chalky character — bottled unfined and unfiltered.

Rich and vinous yet exceptionally focused: aromas of red apple, spiced pear, yellow peach, and blood orange, followed by toasted brioche, roasted nuts, baking spices, and subtle floral notes. The palate is full and layered — fine, creamy mousse, vibrant citrus acidity, and pronounced mineral tension, with ginger, orchard fruit, toasted bread, and crushed chalk carrying through an exceptionally long, saline finish. Impressive upon release, yet built to develop beautifully with additional bottle age.

Powerful enough to accompany an entire meal — superb with scallops, lobster, crab, roasted poultry, duck, mushroom risotto, aged Comté, and other firm, nutty cheeses.

• Producer: Egly-Ouriet
• Cuvée: VP (Vieillissement Prolongé)
• Classification: Grand Cru Extra Brut
• Appellation: Ambonnay, Montagne de Reims, Champagne, France
• Villages: Ambonnay, Bouzy, Verzenay
• Grape Varieties: ~70% Pinot Noir, ~30% Chardonnay
• Farming: Practicing organic
• Soils: Chalk-rich
• Fermentation: Indigenous yeasts; French oak barrels
• Malolactic Fermentation: Blocked
• Lees Aging: 7+ years
• Dosage: Very low
• Bottling: Unfined and unfiltered
• Bottle Size: 750ml

As this is a non-vintage Champagne, base vintages, reserve-wine proportions, dosage, and disgorgement dates may vary by release.

Winemaker Description 

The Gran Moraine Vineyard is the source for some of Oregon's finest Pinot Noirs, with this being no exception. Tucked into the foothills of the Coastal Range, the vineyard is cooler than most, and delivers Pinots with fresh pure red fruit, fine tannins and chalky acidity. Winemaker Shane Moore ages this Pinot Noir in large, mostly used oak barrels to lend subtle spice without overpowering the delicate fruit.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021 

The Wine Spectator 93 Points | Precise and elegantly generous, this red shows detailed flavors of cherry and raspberry laced with rose petal, black tea and stony mineral notes as it builds richness and tension toward refined tannins.

James Suckling Points | This is a delicious wine with a lot of character. Dark and red fruit with hints of crushed stone and toffee on the nose. Fresh and crisp fruit with a tangy character. Smooth tannins with a crisp finish. Vines are on sandy soils at 400 to 500 feet altitude.

The Wine Advocate 92 Points | The 2021 Pinot Noir Yamhill-Carlton is bursting with pomegranate and cranberry fruit, plus accents of potpourri, licorice and autumn leaves. The medium-bodied palate is silky and bright with concentrated, layered flavors and a long, spicy finish.

Expert Review - Vintage 2016 

The Wine Advocate 95 Points | 2016 was a superb vintage in Rioja, and the 2016 Viña Gravonia Blanco, which has the cellar aroma that all the wines, especially the whites, have, due to the longer time the wines spend in barrel. The white vines in this vineyard are now 92 years old and their juice was fermented in old oak vats with indigenous yeasts. They explained, "We have never used selected yeasts." It was matured in their well-seasoned American oak barrels for four years. It's paler than any of the other whites, and it has a little less pungency, with very good freshness. It's elegant, subtle, clean and ethereal. They had good yields and a good climatic year. 42,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in November 2022. I give these wines a conservative drinking window, but they will probably last much longer. 

Winemaker Description 

A true classic from one of Spain’s most revered traditional wineries, Viña Gravonia Blanco is not your average white wine. Made from 100% Viura and aged for four years in oak and an additional time in bottle before release, the 2016 vintage offers a rare combination of complexity, texture, and age-worthy finesse.

On the nose, it reveals layers of dried stone fruit, chamomile, toasted almonds, and subtle oxidative notes reminiscent of fine sherry. The palate is textured and elegant, with a dry, savory character and remarkable freshness that defies its age.

This is a wine for lovers of history, craftsmanship, and the timeless style that only Lopez de Heredia can deliver.

Think aged white Burgundy meets classic Rioja—delicate, yet full of soul.

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

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

Expert Review - Vintage 2023 

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

Memo Summary Notes

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

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

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