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Domaine Christian Moreau · Chablis · 2025 · Chardonnay

Domaine Christian Moreau Chablis 2025 is a bright, crisp village Chardonnay from Burgundy, with the taut structure and refreshing minerality that define traditional Chablis. Organically farmed vineyards and hand-picked grapes reflect the family's commitment to expressing its terroir.

The Estate & Terroir

The Moreau family carries on six generations of winemaking tradition. Domaine Christian Moreau Père et Fils was established in 2001, with its first bottled vintage in 2002. Its approximately 12 hectares span Petit Chablis, Chablis, Premier Cru Vaillon and the Grands Crus Les Clos, Valmur, Vaudésir and Blanchot, including the family's exclusive Clos des Hospices parcel. The winery sits at the foot of the Grands Crus vineyards in the heart of Chablis.

The estate emphasizes careful soil and vine management, controlled yields and winemaking that honors the quality of each harvest. All grapes are hand-picked, from Petit Chablis to Grand Cru. The vineyards were officially certified organic by Ecocert with the 2013 vintage.

From the Moreau Family

Christian Moreau

“ The Domaine Christian Moreau Père et Fils was born in 2001 and first vintage to be bottled was 2002. I gave my son Fabien the keys of the Domaine in 2001 when he came back from New Zelande, asking him to make the wines that he loves in the respect of our terroir of Chablis. After a few years, Fabien decided to turn the vineyard into Organic Agriculture. All our 11,8 ha were officially converted by Ecocert with the 2013 vintage, which was a real challenge for Fabien of course but also for our team working in the vineyard who had to change a 20-year-old (or more) practice. I am very proud of all he achieved so far and I am now very happy to spend my time (I am officially retired!) representing Fabien and his wines all over the world, and taking care of our customers who visit us in Chablis!”

Fabien Moreau

“Being the 6th generation of the family producing wines, was and still is a challenge for me, trying to avoid the pressure you could have with this “wine heritage”. But with the quality of the vineyard that my family passed on, the basis of the expression of our wines is here, and our work is to honor our terroirs. Looking back on what we did since the first vintage 2002 with my father and all our team, I am very proud of all the work we did together, to increase step by step, the quality and the typicity of our wines. With the respect of the persons, of the nature and with humility, we will continue this way and face all the new challenges in front of us. As my father says, “Chablis is unique”, and our goal is to show it!”

Producer Description

The versatile, affordable, village Chablis from Domaine Christian Moreau Père et Fils is bright and crisp, with the classic, taut structure and refreshing minerality that define traditional Chablis. This is a Moreau classic!

Expert Review · Prior Vintage

James Suckling, 91 Points · : A bright white with piercing acidity. Aromas of limes and white fruit. Nicely saline, dry and slightly peachy, with a crisp. pithy finish. Not a complex wine but gastronomic in style, with fresh acidity as its backbone.

Pairing & Serving

For the table, try serving chilled with oysters, grilled fish or a simple roast chicken.

Details

• Producer: Domaine Christian Moreau Père et Fils
• Vintage: 2025
• Bottle size: 750ml
• Country: France
• Region: Burgundy
• Appellation: Chablis
• Grape: Chardonnay
• Type: White wine
• Farming: Certified organic by Ecocert
• Harvest: Hand-picked

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

The Wine Enthusiast by Elaine Chukan Brown writes 92 Points | Generous and energetic, this Cabernet Sauvignon joins flavors of baked cherries and cranberries with a sprinkle of spice, vanilla and mocha cream, and almost-tobacco spices. Fine, persistent tannins carry through a long finish. 

Winemaker Description 

The 2022 growing season began with a mild spring that warmed into a temperate summer. The certified-organic grapes for this 2022 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon matured smoothly and steadily, with a heat spike in early September that helped ripen the fruit to an ideal brix.

95 Points, Double Gold Medal
San Francisco Int'l Wine Competition, 2025
94 Points, Platinum Medal
Monterey Wine Competition, 2025
Gold Medal Pacific Rim Int'l Wine Competition, 2025

Following ZD’s signature style of producing big, ripe, fruit-forward wines, we sourced the grapes from small, organically certified vineyards, each with its own unique “terroir.” Each vineyard lot was fermented separately in small open-top fermenters and punched down three times a day, ensuring a gentle but effective extraction of color and tannins.

The individual lots were then aged in small American Oak cooperage for a year until final blending. The wine was returned to barrel and aged for an additional year before bottling.

This wine has a beautiful, deep ruby color with nuanced aromas blending cassis, anise, cola, black cherry pie, and subtle hints of baking spices complemented with cedar and vanilla. On the palate, red and dark fruits are forward and bright with fine, well-integrated tannins that gives it an unctuous mouthfeel. Lingering hints of blackberry, cocoa and toasty vanilla round out the long, lush finish. The balance of this wine leads to it drinking wonderfully now and it will continue to develop more complexity with age.

Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon — California 2024

Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi is California's most trusted everyday wine brand, and this Cabernet Sauvignon is the clearest expression of why. Sourced from vineyards across California and crafted in the approachable, fruit-forward tradition that Robert Mondavi championed, it delivers genuine Cabernet character at under $9 — a benchmark for what everyday California red can be. Medium-bodied, smooth, and built for the table, it is the kind of wine that earns a permanent spot in the rack.

The nose opens with inviting aromas of ripe cherries, mixed berries, cedar, brown sugar, and toast. On the palate, flavors of blackberries, dark cherry, spice, toasted marshmallow, graham cracker, and chocolate unfold with pleasing complexity. A smooth, toasty caramel finish lingers cleanly. Fermented and aged to highlight the ripe, approachable fruit character that defines this style.

"Opens with aromas of cherries, berries, cedar, brown sugar, and toast. Flavors of berries, toasted marshmallow, chocolate, and graham cracker follow with a toasty caramel finish. Medium-bodied and approachable." — Winemaker Note

Producer: Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi, California

• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: California
• Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
• Style: Medium-bodied, fruit-forward California Cabernet
• Vinification: Fermented and aged in oak to enhance fruit complexity and smooth tannins
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Cherries, blackberries, cedar, dark chocolate, toasted marshmallow, caramel finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now
• Best Paired With: Grilled meats, burgers, BBQ, tomato-based pasta, chili, aged cheddar

An everyday California Cabernet that punches well above its price — Woodbridge is the reliable, crowd-pleasing red that belongs on every table.

Louis Latour Grand Ardèche Chardonnay — Coteaux de l’Ardèche, France 2023

Louis Latour is one of Burgundy’s most storied and respected négociant-éleveurs, with roots going back to 1797 in Aloxe-Corton. Their Grand Ardèche is a landmark wine in its category — a Chardonnay from the wild, granite-soiled hills of the Ardèche in southern France, first released in 1979 as one of the original “Vin de Pays” experiments and still one of the best examples of what Chardonnay can achieve outside of Burgundy. Crafted with the same attention and philosophy that Louis Latour applies to their Burgundy whites, Grand Ardèche consistently over-delivers for its price, earning it a loyal following among sommeliers and Burgundy lovers alike.

The color is pale gold with green highlights, clean and inviting. The nose is rich and aromatic: honey, acacia blossom, and roasted almond, with the restrained, elegant character that is Latour’s hallmark. On the palate, the wine is textured and well-rounded, with fine integrated acidity and a distinctive saline, mineral finish that lingers and keeps the glass coming back. It is the rare Chardonnay that is both immediately pleasurable and genuinely thought-provoking.

“A pale yellow colour with pale green hues. Its rich nose reveals aromas of honey, acacia and almond. Backed by fine acidity, this wine leaves a slightly saline finish that will leave your taste buds salivating.” — Louis Latour

• Producer: Louis Latour, Aloxe-Corton, Burgundy (est. 1797)
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Coteaux de l’Ardèche — Vin de Pays, France
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Honey, acacia, roasted almond, fine acidity, saline mineral finish
• Best Paired With: Aperitif, oysters, shellfish, grilled fish, charcuterie, soft goat cheese, roast chicken

Burgundy’s most respected house applies its craft to southern France — Louis Latour Grand Ardèche is the insider’s Chardonnay: Burgundian elegance, Ardèche character, and remarkable value at $24.

Pascal Doquet | Mont Aimé — Cœur de Terroir | Premier Cru Blanc de Blancs | Côte des Blancs, Champagne | 2007 | Organic | No Added Sulfites

Pascal Doquet is one of the Côte des Blancs' most respected grower-producers, farming just under nine hectares of certified organic vineyards across several important Champagne villages. Widely recognized for mineral-driven wines made with a strong commitment to vineyard health and organic agriculture, Doquet has been certified organic by Ecocert since 2010. His Cœur de Terroir — "heart of the terroir" — collection identifies his most site-specific and limited-production wines: single-village, single-vintage bottlings intended to capture the identity of an individual place with exceptional clarity, rather than blending fruit from several villages.

Mont Aimé is a historic chalk outcrop situated east of Vertus in the southern Côte des Blancs — a less familiar but genuinely distinctive corner of Champagne. Although the vineyards face south, the site has a noticeably cooler microclimate than Doquet's parcels in Vertus and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. The Chardonnay here ripens approximately one week later, extending the growing season and helping the fruit retain exceptional freshness, acidity, and aromatic precision. The site's chalky soils contribute the firm mineral structure and persistent saline character that distinguish this Champagne.

The 2007 Mont Aimé is therefore both a mature vintage Champagne and a focused expression of this cooler terroir. Made without added sulfites. Extended bottle aging has given this Champagne considerable depth and tertiary complexity while preserving the energy and mineral definition associated with Pascal Doquet's wines.

Creamy, finely textured, and beautifully balanced. The nose opens with ripe apple, spiced pear, and exotic spices, evolving into layers of cinnamon, subtle chocolate, toasted pastry, and chalky minerality. On the palate, medium-bodied with fine bubbles, fresh acidity, and a precise, flavorful, and persistent finish. Ready to enjoy now, with continued evolution under proper cellar conditions.

Serve slightly warmer than a young non-vintage Champagne to allow its mature aromas to fully emerge. Pair with seared scallops, lobster, roasted turbot, grilled seafood, mushroom dishes, poultry in cream sauce, aged Comté, creamy washed-rind cheeses, and aged French goat cheese.

• Producer: Pascal Doquet
• Cuvée: Mont Aimé — Cœur de Terroir
• Classification: Premier Cru Blanc de Blancs
• Appellation: Mont Aimé, Côte des Blancs, Champagne, France
• Grape: Chardonnay (100%)
• Vintage: 2007
• Farming: Certified Organic (Ecocert since 2010)
• Sulfites: No sulfites added
• Alcohol: ~12.5% ABV
• Bottle Size: 750ml

Critical Acclaim — Vintage 2007

• James Suckling — 93 pts: Beautifully mature and terroir-focused — creamy texture, refined bubbles, exotic spice, and the distinctive chalky freshness of Mont Aimé. Balance, comforting texture, and spicy complexity.

Pascal Doquet Champs Libres Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut — Côte des Blancs 2018 Base

Pascal Doquet is one of the leading certified organic growers of the Côte des Blancs, and Champs Libres — "Free Fields" — is his most wide-ranging Blanc de Blancs, drawing 100% Chardonnay from six distinct vineyard sources: Vertus, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Villeneuve, Mont Aimé, Bassuet, and Bassu. Where his Arpège focuses on Premier Cru terroir, Champs Libres casts a broader net, assembling a cuvée of genuine complexity and breadth. The 2018 base was fermented in tank with full malolactic fermentation to soften the vintage's naturally high acidity while preserving freshness and mineral definition. Finished at approximately 2–3 g/L dosage, the Extra Brut style keeps the wine focused, dry, and expressive. Rated 92 points by James Suckling and 90 by The Wine Advocate.

The nose is vivid and refined: warm apple, baked pear, and citrus open to white flowers, orange peel, pastry spice, and a subtle touch of nougat. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied and finely textured — delicate bubbles, lively acidity, and a distinctly chalky, saline mineral character. Fresh green apple, citrus, and lightly savory pastry lead into a clean, energetic, and persistent finish. James Suckling calls it "laser-focused… with lively energy and a delicious finish."

James Suckling 92 • Wine Advocate 90 — "A vivid, crisp and laser-focused Blanc de Blancs with aromas of warm apples, baked pears and pastry spices… lively energy and a delicious finish." — James Suckling

• Producer: Pascal Doquet, Côte des Blancs, Champagne, France
• Base Vintage: 2018
• Appellation: Champagne
• Vineyard Sources: Vertus, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Villeneuve, Mont Aimé, Bassuet & Bassu
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Style: Blanc de Blancs, Extra Brut
• Dosage: ~2–3 g/L
• Fermentation: Tank; full malolactic fermentation
• Farming: Certified Organic
• Alcohol: 12.5%
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Warm apple, baked pear, citrus, white flowers, orange peel, pastry spice, nougat, chalky minerality, saline finish
• Best Paired With: Oysters, shellfish, sushi, grilled fish, roast chicken, soft-ripened cheeses, aged goat cheese

92 points from James Suckling. Six vineyard sources. Certified organic. Pascal Doquet's Champs Libres is Côte des Blancs Blanc de Blancs at its most expressive and accessible.

Tasting Notes

Yarden Cabernet Sauvignon is a full-bodied, aromatic red that opens with ripe red and black fruit — think dark cherry, blackcurrant, and plum — layered with hints of earth, warm spices, and well-integrated French oak. Complex yet elegant, it delivers a structured palate with refined tannins and a long, satisfying finish.

About the Wine

Produced by Golan Heights Winery, one of Israel's most celebrated estates, Yarden Cabernet Sauvignon is grown at high-altitude vineyards on the volcanic basalt soils of the Golan Heights. The unique terroir and cool mountain climate yield a Cabernet of exceptional depth and finesse — a flagship expression of Israeli fine wine.

Product Details

• Appellation: Golan Heights, Israel
• Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
• Vintage: 2022
• Format: 750ml
• Certification: Kosher, Kosher for Passover
• Producer: Golan Heights Winery

Guy Charlemagne Champagne Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs B.C. Origine Les Chétillons — Le Mesnil-sur-Oger 2012

Guy Charlemagne is one of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger’s most revered grower-producers, farming a precious parcel within Les Chétillons — one of the most celebrated single-vineyard Chardonnay sites in all of Champagne. The Charlemagne family tends nearly one hectare across four parcels in Les Chétillons and Les Chétillons de Haut, planted between 1970 and 1991 using massal selections on south- and east-facing slopes. The vines’ roots penetrate deep into exposed chalk, giving the wine its defining combination of concentration, salinity, and mineral precision. B.C. Origine is the estate’s most uncompromising expression: fermented in seasoned oak barrels, with malolactic fermentation completely blocked to preserve acidity and tension, and aged under natural cork — a labor-intensive technique known as tiré bouché liège practiced here since the 1988 vintage. The 2012 spent approximately 12 years on its lees before being disgorged by hand in May 2025. Production was limited to roughly 2,000 bottles — the first time this vintage was offered in a standard 750ml format.

In the glass: lemon oil, crisp orchard fruit, dried citrus, green apple, and white flowers layered with biscuit, almond, toasted bread, green tea, smoke, and subtle reductive notes. The palate is concentrated and sharply defined — fine mousse, vibrant acidity, a powerful chalk-driven backbone — leading into a remarkably long, saline finish of flint, mouthwatering bitterness, and persistent mineral tension. Best served in a white-wine or Burgundy-style glass, not a flute.

Vinous 92 — “The 2012 Blanc de Blancs Les Chétillons is creamy, open-knit and very easy to like. Lemon confit, marzipan, spice and floral overtones capture all the exuberance and radiance of the year.”

• Producer: Guy Charlemagne, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Champagne, France
• Vintage: 2012
• Appellation: Champagne Grand Cru
• Vineyard: Les Chétillons, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Style: Vintage Blanc de Blancs, Extra Brut
• Fermentation: Seasoned oak barrels; malolactic fermentation blocked
• Aging: ~12 years on lees under natural cork (tiré bouché liège)
• Bottled: February 2013 | Disgorged: May 2025
• Production: ~2,000 bottles
• Alcohol: 12.5% | Size: 750ml
• Serve: 48–54°F in a white-wine or Burgundy-style glass
• Best Paired With: Caviar, oysters, lobster, seared scallops, turbot, Dover sole, roasted poultry, aged Comté

A once-in-a-decade release from one of Le Mesnil’s most important growers — 12 years on the lees, ~2,000 bottles, and a chalk-driven precision that only Les Chétillons can deliver.

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

Yellow Tail | Cabernet Sauvignon | South Eastern Australia | NV

Yellow Tail is one of Australia's most recognized and beloved wine brands, produced by the Casella family in Yenda, New South Wales. Since its launch in 2001, [yellow tail] has become a global phenomenon — a wine that introduced millions of drinkers to the approachable, fruit-forward style of Australian Cabernet Sauvignon. Sourced from vineyards across South Eastern Australia, it is crafted to be consistent, reliable, and endlessly enjoyable at an unbeatable everyday price.

Fragrant and rich, with a classic and velvety character. The nose opens with red fruits, blackcurrants, blackberries, and sweet mocha. On the palate, juicy blackcurrant, sweet mocha, and spice with a smooth, approachable finish. Everything you want in an everyday Cabernet — fruit-forward, soft, and satisfying.

Pair with a Sunday roast, burgers, grilled meats, pasta with tomato sauce, and mild cheddar. A crowd-pleasing red for casual entertaining and weeknight dinners.

• Producer: Casella Family Brands
• Appellation: South Eastern Australia
• Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
• Style: Medium-bodied, fruit-forward Australian Cabernet
• Bottle Size: 750ml

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

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Constantly developing the elegance the of their selections, the 2023 Cabernet is a rockstar with an expression of elegance and finesse that tops everything that came before it. Slightly lower alcohol with less density and extraction, the 2023 shows us Cabernet can have wings and fly. 

Producer Description 

Vermouth from Casa Mariol who bring over a century Terra Alta wine production expertise to the table. Also, the bottle looks completely awesome. Made of white wine coming from young vineyards and macerated with aromatic plants.

Aromas of cirtus, vanilla, and aromatic herbs followed on the palate as refreshing, intense, and long-lasting.

Appearance - Lemon-yellow colour. Aroma - Aromas of rosemary and thyme, citrus notes and touches of vanilla. Taste - Sweet and pleasant entry, intense, refreshing and prolonged.

Gato Negro — “Black Cat” — is one of Chile’s most beloved everyday wines, and this Cabernet Sauvignon from the Valle Central delivers exactly what you want at the price: ripe, generous, and effortlessly drinkable. Medium-bodied with inviting aromas of blackberry jam, a hint of mint, and a touch of spice, the palate is smooth and fruit-forward with soft, sweet tannins and concentrated red fruit flavors that linger pleasantly on the finish. A crowd-pleasing bottle that works equally well on a weeknight table or at a casual gathering.

Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Vintage: NV
Region: Valle Central, Chile
Style: Medium-bodied Red
Bottle Size: 750ml

Stone Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon — 1.5L Magnum

Stone Cellars is a reliable, no-fuss California Cabernet Sauvignon built for everyday enjoyment — approachable, smooth, and consistently crowd-pleasing. The 1.5L magnum format, equivalent to two standard bottles, makes it an ideal choice for dinner parties, casual gatherings, or any occasion where a generous pour is in order. Screw cap for easy opening anytime.

Aromas of cocoa and vanilla lead the way, followed by rich flavors of currant, dark ripe fruit, cassis, and cola, with warm notes of cinnamon and nutmeg. Smooth and medium-bodied, with a soft finish that makes it easy to enjoy on its own or with food.

Food Pairings

• Grilled burgers and steaks
• BBQ ribs and roasted meats
• Pizza and pasta with red sauce
• Aged cheddar and hard cheeses

Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation: California
Format: 1.5L Magnum (= 2 standard bottles) | Screw cap

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

Aromas of blueberries and blackberries and highlights of mocha and smoky oak mingle with rich flavors of plum and cassis touched with a hint of savory herbs.

Approachable tannins and a round, full body give this wine a well-structured and lingering finish.

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

The Wine Enthusiast 96 Points | A fabulous vintage of Filius, and a total bargain for this level of quality. Layered aromas appear from first sniff: plump currants and plums, dark chocolate, savory herbs and florals, graphite and a mineral, iodine-like nuance. In the mouth, there's bright fruit and silky texture, with savory, fine tannins and a long, elegant finish. Made to drink now or to age for several more years. A wonderful intro to this distinctive Aussie style.

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

The winemaking philosophy is that great wine begins in the vineyard. The belief is that sustainable vineyard practices will deliver exceptional fruit quality to the winery as well as real environmental benefits. The focus is on careful site selection, vine maturity, and high input viticulture, with a move towards biological farming principles.

J. Vignier Silexus Sezannensis Brut — Côte de Sézanne 2016 Base

The name says it all: Silexus Sezannensis is a Champagne defined entirely by its soil. Drawn from the Chatet parcel near Saudoy in the Côte de Sézanne — where four of the Vignier family’s twelve hectares are planted — this 100% Chardonnay cuvée grows on a complex mixture of silex and sand over deep Cretaceous chalk, with marl, clay, and silica adding further texture and character. The dark flint stones absorb warmth during the day and release it slowly around the vines at night, encouraging even ripening and full Chardonnay maturity. The underlying chalk preserves freshness, acidity, and a pronounced mineral drive. Vinified in stainless steel with full malolactic fermentation and aged a minimum of 84 months en tirage, the 2016 base emerges with depth, integration, and a flinty character that is unmistakably its own. Certified sustainable by Socofret.

Expressive and mineral-driven on the nose: ripe citrus, yellow apple, white peach, and delicate flowers, with subtle brioche, almond, and crushed stone emerging with air. The palate is generous yet focused — fine bubbles, bright acidity, and a distinctive flinty, smoky character that carries through the long, dry finish. The Sézanne terroir gives the wine a broader, more expressive texture than the northern Côte des Blancs, while the silex soils keep it precise, taut, and deeply mineral.

“Silexus Sezannensis is a Champagne of place above all else — silex and chalk in Saudoy, rendered with 84 months of patience and a clarity of terroir that is rare at any price.”

• Producer: J. Vignier, Côte de Sézanne, Champagne, France
• Base Vintage: 2016
• Appellation: Champagne
• Village: Saudoy, Côte de Sézanne
• Vineyard: Chatet (south-facing)
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Style: Blanc de Blancs Brut
• Soil: Silex and sand over Cretaceous chalk, with marl, clay and silica
• Farming: Certified Sustainable by Socofret
• Vinification: Stainless steel; full malolactic fermentation
• Lees Aging: Minimum 84 months en tirage
• Residual Sugar: 5.3 g/L | Acidity: 4.6 g/L | pH: 3.07 | Alcohol: 12.5%
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Citrus, yellow apple, white peach, white flowers, brioche, almond, crushed stone, flinty smokiness, long dry finish
• Best Paired With: Oysters, caviar, scallops, lobster, sushi, roasted white fish, poultry, mushroom dishes, aged cheeses

2016 base. 84 months en tirage. Single parcel in Saudoy. J. Vignier’s Silexus Sezannensis is Côte de Sézanne Blanc de Blancs at its most terroir-driven and compelling.

Apothic · California · 2024

Apothic Red Winemaker’s Blend brings together Zinfandel, Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon in a rich, layered California red. Produced by Apothic Wines in Modesto, its multi-oak aging adds vanilla, mocha and toffee complexity to a full-bodied, approachable style.

Rhubarb, black cherry and dark plum meet mocha, chocolate, brown spice and vanilla. The palate is plush and velvety, with rich dark fruit and a smooth, lingering finish. Try it with BBQ ribs, grilled burgers, pasta bolognese, aged cheddar or dark chocolate.

Winemaker’s Notes

Winemaker’s Notes, Vintage Not Specified: “Apothic Red reveals intense fruit aromas and flavors of rhubarb and black cherry, complemented by hints of mocha, chocolate, brown spice and vanilla. The plush, velvety mouthfeel and smooth finish round out this intriguing, full-bodied red blend.”

A generous California red blend for a weeknight meal or a relaxed dinner with friends.

Details

• Producer: Apothic Wines, Modesto, California
• Vintage: 2024
• Region: California, United States
• Grapes: Red Blend, Zinfandel, Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon
• Type: Red wine
• Aging: Multi-oak aging
• Closure: Screwcap
• Bottle Size: 750ml