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Expert Review - Vintage 2021

Allen Meadows of Burghound writes 91 Points | There is a touch of post-bottling reduction, but the underlying fruit seems to be ripe. On the palate there is excellent freshness and verve to the utterly delicious medium-bodied flavors that also exude a more prominent minerality on the beautifully textured, long and well-balanced finish that is shaped by notably fine-grained tannins. This is also lovely and a wine that should be approachable in its youth yet repay up to a decade of keeping, perhaps even slightly more.

Produced from 100% Chardonnay, this refined white Burgundy comes from Les Champs Gains, a highly regarded Premier Cru vineyard situated high on the slope above Les Folatières in Puligny-Montrachet. The vineyard’s name translates to “fields reclaimed from the forest,” reflecting land that was historically cleared for cultivation.

The elevated, cool site lies approximately 340 to 360 meters above sea level. Its stony clay-limestone soils contain abundant pebbles and relatively little clay, contributing freshness, vibrant acidity and a distinctly mineral character. The domaine’s mature vines bring added concentration, depth and complexity to the wine.

The 2023 vintage opens with fresh, bright aromas of orchard fruit, citrus and delicate white flowers. The palate is fine-boned, precise and tightly woven, offering lively citrus fruit, refreshing acidity and an elegant mineral core. Subtle toasted notes from restrained oak aging add complexity without obscuring the wine’s purity. The finish is long, balanced and beautifully focused, suggesting excellent potential for further development in the bottle.

Following whole-cluster pressing and a period of settling, fermentation takes place with natural yeasts. The wine is matured for approximately eleven months in barrel, including 25–30% new oak, followed by an additional period in stainless-steel tanks. Bâtonnage is avoided, helping preserve the wine’s freshness, clarity and individual expression of terroir.

The Chavy family has cultivated vineyards in Puligny-Montrachet for more than two centuries. Today, Jean-Louis Chavy and his son Paul continue the family’s six-generation tradition, producing Chardonnay recognized for its elegance, precision, balance and clear expression of Puligny-Montrachet’s limestone-rich soils.

• Grape: 100% Chardonnay
• Country: France
• Region: Burgundy
• Subregion: Côte de Beaune
• Appellation: Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru
• Vineyard: Les Champs Gains
• Classification: Premier Cru
• Vine Age: Mature vines, approximately 40 to 50 years old
• Altitude: Approximately 340–360 meters
• Soil: Stony clay-limestone with abundant pebbles
• Vinification: Whole-cluster pressed and fermented with natural yeasts
• Aging: Approximately 11 months in barrel, including 25–30% new oak, followed by stainless-steel maturation
• Alcohol: Approximately 13%
• Style: Dry, floral, precise and mineral-driven white Burgundy
• Cellaring: Enjoyable young, with approximately 7–8 years of aging potential
• Serving Temperature: Approximately 50–55°F

Food Pairings: An elegant companion to oysters, scallops, lobster, grilled or roasted fish, roast chicken, veal, creamy mushroom dishes, Comté and other mild Alpine cheeses.

Domaine J-L & F Chavy Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru Les Champs Gains 2023

Chateau Ste. Michelle Cabernet Sauvignon — Columbia Valley 2022

Chateau Ste. Michelle is Washington State’s founding winery — and the 2022 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a masterclass in what makes this high-desert wine region so compelling. Sourced from vineyards east of the Cascades, where extreme diurnal temperature swings and volcanic soils concentrate flavor while preserving freshness, the wine is crafted to highlight Washington’s signature dark fruit in an accessible, food-friendly style. Wine Enthusiast awarded it 91 points. At under $15, it is one of the most exciting values in all of American wine.

The nose is inviting and layered: a salty ocean breeze, driftwood, blackberries, olive oil, and a trace of bacon fat. On the palate, it is smooth and viscous, with dark plum and bittersweet chocolate-covered cherries coating the palate, framed by silky tannins and a long, fruit-forward finish. It delivers the kind of concentrated, structured pleasure that only great Columbia Valley Cabernet can — and it drinks beautifully right now.

Wine Enthusiast 91 — “This superb value strikes first with a marine-themed nose of a salty ocean breeze, a driftwood beach fire, blackberries, olive oil, and a trace of bacon fat. Smooth and viscous, with dark plum and bittersweet chocolate-covered cherries coating the palate.” (Vintage 2022).

• Producer: Chateau Ste. Michelle, Washington State, USA
• Vintage: 2022
• Appellation: Columbia Valley AVA
• Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Blackberry, dark plum, bittersweet chocolate, olive, bacon, ocean breeze
• Best Paired With: Beef tenderloin, grilled ribeye, lamb chops, pasta with meat sauce, aged cheddar, BBQ

A 91-point Washington Cabernet at an honest price — Chateau Ste. Michelle is the benchmark for what Columbia Valley Cab can be.

Expert Review - Vintage 2021 

Burghound | A much more floral-inflected nose freely offers up its aromas of cool and ripe pear, apple and zest. There is good richness if not quite the same density to the more finely textured middleweight flavors that conclude in a crunchy bitter lemon-tinged finale. Lovely and understated.

Hugel Gentil — Alsace, France 2024

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

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

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

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

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

Joseph Faiveley Bourgogne Blanc — Burgundy 2024

Faiveley's Bourgogne Blanc is the entry point into one of Burgundy's most storied estates — and it punches well above its appellation. Founded in 1825 and based in Nuits-Saint-Georges, Faiveley is among the largest vineyard owners in the Côte d'Or, with holdings spanning the Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune. That estate access is the secret: fruit from their own vineyards is blended with carefully selected grapes from trusted growers, producing a wine of genuine village-level character at an appellation price. The 2024 vintage delivers everything you want from a Burgundian Chardonnay — freshness, generosity, and a length that defies its price.

The color is a brilliant pale greenish-yellow. The nose is expressive and charming: white flowers, ripe pear, lemon zest, and a whisper of minerality. On the palate, the attack is bold and generous — round and full-bodied with a creamy mid-palate, subtle oak integration, and a finish of exceptional length and persistence for a Bourgogne Blanc. This is the benchmark for what entry-level white Burgundy can be.

"A genuine value wine — exceptional length and persistence for a Bourgogne Blanc." — Joseph Faiveley

• Producer: Joseph Faiveley, Nuits-Saint-Georges, Burgundy, France
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Bourgogne Blanc AOC
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Style: Crisp, generous, expressive entry-level white Burgundy
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: White flowers, pear, lemon zest, minerality, creamy mid-palate, long finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now or cellar 3–5 years
• Best Paired With: Grilled fish, roasted chicken, veal, soft cheeses, mushroom dishes, light pasta with cream sauce

A genuine value from one of Burgundy's great historic maisons — Faiveley's Bourgogne Blanc is the everyday Chardonnay with real Burgundian soul.

Expert Review - Vintage 2020

93 Points Wine Spectator: "This packs in some serious plum compote and cassis flavors, liberally wrapped in dark licorice and finishing with a swath of sweet toast and tobacco on the broad finish. Nice mineral underpinning keeps it honest. Fairly accessible despite its heft."

Winemaker Description

The Cabernet opens with fresh fruit, aromas of black currant, ripe raspberry, wild sage, graphite, crushed rose petals, and fennel seed. The palate is elegant, complex, rich, and refreshing with a long finish that is supported by supple tannin and beautifully integrated French Oak.

Blend: 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot

About the Producer

Since first working in her family's Mendocino vineyards, Kathryn Hall dreamed of a place to showcase fine wines alongside expressive art and masterful architecture. Now, Kathryn and Craig Hall have created an unrivalled destination in the Napa Valley — where more than 30 years of winemaking excellence and innovation meets contemporary design to celebrate life and inspire the senses.

The Halls acquired the historic St. Helena Bergfeld Winery in 2003 and re-opened as HALL St. Helena in July of that year. With a rich history spanning 150 years, HALL St. Helena was once the home of the Napa Valley Co-Op, producing 40% of Napa Valley's wines. In 2013, the Hall family completed the restoration of the 1885 Bergfeld Winery — California's first LEED® Gold Certified winery — alongside a stunning Visitor Center and state-of-the-art gravity flow winemaking facility.

HALL's estate vineyards encompass more than 500 acres of classic Bordeaux varietals. As winegrowers, the Halls have a strong respect for the environment and a commitment to cutting-edge vineyard technology. Under the artisanship of winemaker Megan Gunderson, HALL Wines continue to set new heights in Napa Valley winemaking.

Bonanza Cabernet Sauvignon Lot 9 — California

Bonanza is the passion project of Chuck Wagner — the legendary winemaker behind Caymus Vineyards, one of Napa Valley’s most iconic estates. The concept is deeply personal: Chuck recalls fondly how his family gathered around the dinner table each night to share his father’s homemade wine, and Bonanza is his answer to that memory. His vision is simple and democratic — delicious Cabernet Sauvignon should be accessible to everyone, not just collectors. Lot 9 is sourced from premium California vineyards across the state, blended with the same meticulous attention to quality that has defined Caymus for decades. This is the bonanza of California — a discovery of land where great Cabernet can be farmed and shared at the everyday table.

The color is a medium ruby-red with depth and clarity. The nose is inviting and expressive: currants, dried roses, ripe blackberry, black currant, grape pomace, and fresh-tilled soil, with hints of vanilla and warm spice. On the palate, it is full-bodied and rich — velvety texture, silky tannins, and an easy, generous drinkability that makes it impossible to put down. This is Chuck Wagner’s gift to the everyday wine drinker: Caymus-level care at a fraction of the price.

“Delicious Cabernet should be accessible to a broad group of people. I want everyone to have the chance to enjoy good wine as a simple pleasure of everyday life.” — Chuck Wagner

• Producer: Bonanza Wine by Chuck Wagner (Caymus Vineyards), California
• Lot: Lot 9
• Appellation: California
• Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
• Style: Full-bodied, velvety, approachable California Cabernet
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Currants, dried roses, blackberry, black currant, vanilla, spice, silky tannins
• Cellar Potential: Drink now or cellar 3–5 years
• Best Paired With: Grilled ribeye, burgers, BBQ ribs, lamb chops, aged cheddar, casual entertaining

Caymus craftsmanship at an everyday price — Bonanza Lot 9 is Chuck Wagner’s most democratic wine, and one of California’s best values.

Expert Reviews

Wine Advocate 92 Points | The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Suscol Springs is blended of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot. Deep garnet-purple in color, exuberant notes of fresh blackberries, boysenberry preserves and blackcurrant pastilles rocket from the glass, followed by hints of sautéed herbs, forest floor and black olives. The medium to full-bodied palate is intense and energetic, featuring finely grained tannins and a refreshing backbone, finishing long and lifted.

James Suckling 93 Points | Ripe blackberries, cassis, chocolate, mocha and sweet spices on the nose with some tobacco leaf. Full-bodied with fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity. Polished and well-balanced. Drink from 2023. 

La Vieille Ferme · Blanc · Luberon · Rhône Valley, France · 2024 · 1.5L Magnum

La Vieille Ferme is produced by the Perrin family — the same family behind Château de Beaucastel, one of the most celebrated estates in all of Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Drawing on generations of expertise in the southern Rhône, the Perrins created La Vieille Ferme as their benchmark everyday wine: a bottle that delivers genuine Rhône character at a price that makes it a weekly staple rather than a special occasion. The Blanc is a blend of Grenache Blanc, Vermentino, Roussanne, and Bourboulenc, sourced from the Luberon appellation and vinified to preserve freshness, aromatics, and the clean mineral character of the region. Now in 1.5L magnum format — double the wine, double the occasion. At $17.99, this is one of the world's great value white wines.

Pale gold in the glass with a bright, inviting hue. The nose opens with citrus blossoms, juicy peach, and ripe pear, with a subtle lift of tropical fruit. On the palate: crisp and refreshing, with flavors of green apple, pear, and zesty lemon carried by lively acidity and a clean, mineral finish. Each variety in the blend plays its role — Grenache Blanc for body, Vermentino for aromatics, Roussanne for texture, Bourboulenc for freshness. Serve well-chilled as a generous aperitif for a crowd, or pair with light seafood, grilled fish, fresh salads, goat cheese, or charcuterie.

• Producer: La Vieille Ferme · Perrin Family (Château de Beaucastel)
• Wine: Blanc · Luberon AOC
• Vintage: 2024
• Origin: Luberon, Rhône Valley, France
• Blend: Grenache Blanc, Vermentino, Roussanne, Bourboulenc
• Style: Crisp, aromatic, mineral southern Rhône white
• Closure: Screw Cap
• Format: 1.5L Magnum
• Drinking Window: Now–2026
• Tasting Notes: Citrus blossom, peach, pear, green apple, lemon zest, tropical fruit, mineral finish
• Pair With: Grilled fish · Light seafood · Fresh salads · Goat cheese · Charcuterie · Aperitif

Beaucastel pedigree, Luberon freshness — the white magnum your table deserves.

California Cabernet that punches well above its price — approachable, food-friendly, and built for everyday enjoyment.

Vista Point Vineyards sources fruit from California's sun-drenched growing regions to craft a Cabernet Sauvignon that delivers classic varietal character without the fuss. This is the bottle you reach for on a Tuesday night, the one that holds its own at a backyard barbecue, and the one that disappears fastest at a dinner party.

The wine opens with ripe blackberry, dark cherry, and a hint of cedar. On the palate it's medium-bodied with soft, approachable tannins, a touch of vanilla from oak aging, and a clean, satisfying finish. No sharp edges, no surprises — just honest, well-made California Cab at a price that makes it easy to say yes.

Winery: Vista Point Vineyards | Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon | Region: California, USA | Size: 750ml

• Style: Medium-bodied, fruit-forward, soft tannins
• Flavor Profile: Blackberry, dark cherry, cedar, vanilla
• Pairing: Burgers, grilled steak, pasta with red sauce, aged cheddar
• Serve: 60–65°F | Decant 15 minutes for best results

Expert Review - Vintage 2022 

Luis Gutierez of The Wine Advocate writes 92 Points | The white 2022 Terroir Històric Blanc is the regional wine that blends grapes from nine different villages, 75% Garnacha Blanca and 25% Macabeo from different soils, slate, clay, granite and alluvial. The bunches fermented for three to five days in stainless steel, and the wine matured in stainless steel for six months. It has 13% alcohol and mellow acidity, 4.5 grams. It has a spectacular nose that is very expressive, aromatic, clean and open with pungent notes of pollen and beeswax. It's juicy, round and clean with persistent and pungent flavors, not very high in acidity, eminently Mediterranean. Really impressive.

Pierre Moncuit Coulmet Brut Blanc de Blancs (Base 2020) is a beautifully expressive Grower Champagne made from 100% Chardonnay sourced from the Côte de Sézanne, just south of the famed Côte des Blancs. Produced by the historic family-run house of Pierre Moncuit, this cuvée offers a fresh and approachable introduction to the domaine's elegant, Chardonnay-driven style.

Though labeled non-vintage, this release is based on the 2020 harvest. The wine is vinified in stainless steel and aged on the lees for approximately 24 months before release, giving it lovely texture and finesse while preserving its bright, mineral character.

In the glass, Coulmet opens with inviting aromas of white peach, lemon zest, green apple, fresh flowers and light pastry notes. The palate is crisp and lively, with fine bubbles and flavors of citrus, orchard fruit, chalk and subtle brioche. Clean, balanced and refreshing — an exceptional aperitif and a wonderful match for shellfish, sushi, light seafood dishes and soft cheeses.

A terrific value in Grower Champagne and a perfect bottle for those discovering the purity and charm of Blanc de Blancs.

Press Notes

91 pts — James Suckling: "A fresh blanc de blancs with lemon, apricot and white-flower aromas, as well as some salty biscuit. Fresh, elegant and balanced, with soft bubbles and a fruity, rounded finish."

91 pts — Vinous: "Rich and ample, the 2018 is wonderfully open-knit in this release. White peach, mint, white pepper, crushed rocks, slate and lemon oil are some of the many notes that grace this exquisite, wonderfully expressive Blanc de Blancs."

Wine Details

• Producer: Pierre Moncuit
• Cuvée: Coulmet
• Style: Brut Blanc de Blancs
• Base Vintage: 2020
• Country: France
• Region: Champagne
• Subregion: Côte de Sézanne
• Grape: 100% Chardonnay
• Vinification: Stainless steel
• Aging: Approx. 24 months sur lie

About Pierre Moncuit

Based in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Champagne Pierre Moncuit is a historic family estate particularly renowned for its Chardonnay-based Champagnes. While the estate's flagship Delos cuvée comes from Grand Cru Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Coulmet draws from the family's holdings in the Côte de Sézanne — a region prized for its rounder, fruit-forward expression of Chardonnay.

Why We Like It

Coulmet delivers the hallmark precision and elegance of Pierre Moncuit at an accessible price point. The Côte de Sézanne fruit adds a generous, approachable character that makes this an ideal everyday Champagne — and a compelling introduction to the world of Grower Champagne.

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

This classic Savennières wine has a complex bouquet of wild flowers, sherry flora and chalk dust and a generous palate of ripe orchard fruit with subtle undertones of honey and minerals prior to a long, dry elegant finish.

Álvaro Palacios | Camins del Priorat | Priorat DOQ | Catalonia, Spain | 2024

Álvaro Palacios is one of Spain's most celebrated winemakers, the visionary who put Priorat on the world map with his legendary L'Ermita and Finca Dofí. Camins del Priorat — "paths of Priorat" — is his entry into the appellation, but make no mistake: this is a serious wine crafted with the same philosophy and terroir access that defines the estate. The 2024 vintage, a cooler year, yielded a particularly elegant and balsamic expression.

The blend leans into Garnacha (40%) and Cariñena (20%), with Syrah (20%), Cabernet Sauvignon (10%), Merlot (5%), and a small addition of white grapes — Garnacha Blanca, Picapoll Blanc, and Pedro Ximénez (5%) — adding aromatic lift. Fermented with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel, oak, and concrete, with 28 days of maceration and four months in barriques and oak vats.

Deep purple in the glass, the nose is balsamic and minty with resin, violets, and dark berry. On the palate, warm mulberry, plum, and lingonberry are framed by cinnamon, dried lavender, sage, and sweet paprika, with graphite and cocoa powder accents. Fine, chalky tannins and bright acidity give it a stylish, palate-cleansing finish with excellent length. Juicy, velvety, and built to drink now through 2036.

• Producer: Álvaro Palacios
• Appellation: Priorat DOQ, Catalonia, Spain
• Blend: 40% Garnacha, 20% Cariñena, 20% Syrah, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 5% white grapes
• Vintage: 2024
• Aging: 4 months in barriques and oak vats
• Drink: Now through 2036
• Production: ~175,000 bottles
• Size: 750ml

Critical Acclaim - Vintage 2024 

• Wine Spectator — 93 pts: Warm mulberry, plum and lingonberry with cinnamon, dried lavender, graphite and cocoa. Fine, chalky tannins and bright acidity. Stylish and appealing with good length. Drink now through 2036.
• Wine Advocate (Luis Gutiérrez) — 92 pts: Juicy and velvety with finesse and drinkability. Very balsamic and minty nose with hints of resin and violets. Textured and fruit-driven.

A distinctive Premier Cru white Burgundy from Domaine Guy Amiot et Fils, this wine is produced from Chardonnay grown in the Beaune Premier Cru vineyard of Champs-Pimont. Introduced by the estate with the 2021 vintage, the cuvée is made from grapes carefully selected during harvest.

The vineyard’s chalky, limestone-rich soil gives the wine its characteristic mineral and saline expression. Its eastern exposure encourages freshness, while its position at mid-slope provides balance, concentration and structure. The vines are approximately 40 years old, contributing additional depth and complexity.

The 2023 vintage offers elegant aromas of lemon-lime, freshly sliced apple and delicate floral notes. The palate is beautifully textured and concentrated, with bright acidity and subtle mineral tension. A bone-dry finish brings together citrus zest, saline freshness and a lightly bitter note that adds definition and length.

Refined and energetic, this is a precise expression of Chardonnay from the Côte de Beaune, combining generous texture with freshness, minerality and excellent aging potential.

Critical Acclaim

Allen Meadows, Burghound: 88–91 Points “More elegant and slightly fresher aromas include those of lemon-lime, just sliced apple and a variety of floral wisps. There is again a lovely texture and even better volume to the more concentrated flavors that exude a subtle minerality on the bone-dry finale that also flashes a bitter zest character.”

Serving and Pairing

Serve lightly chilled with scallops, lobster, grilled or roasted fish, poultry in a cream sauce, mushroom risotto, vegetable dishes or soft and semi-firm cheeses. The wine may be enjoyed young for its freshness or carefully cellared to develop greater complexity.

Wine Details

Producer: Domaine Guy Amiot et Fils
Vintage: 2023
Grape: 100% Chardonnay
Country: France
Region: Burgundy, Côte de Beaune
Appellation: Beaune Premier Cru
Vineyard: Champs-Pimont
Vineyard Classification: Premier Cru
Vine Age: Approximately 40 years
Exposure: East
Soil: Limestone, chalk and clay
Wine Type: Dry White Wine
Bottle Size: 750ml
Suggested Drinking Window: 5–8 years
Estimated Aging Potential: Up to 10 years under proper storage conditions

Domaine Guy Amiot et Fils Beaune Blanc Premier Cru Les Champs Pimonts 2023

Winemaker Description

Garnet color. It offers a beautiful aromatic complexity, dominated by blackcurrant and blackberry jam, supported by hints of pepper and cocoa. On the palate aromas of apricot jam, black cherries, plums in the finish, all supported by a tannic texture that tempers the sweetness. Excellent with Fourme d'Ambert cheese.

Château des Jacques Beaujolais Blanc — Clos de Loyse, Burgundy 2024

Château des Jacques is the crown jewel of Louis Jadot’s Beaujolais holdings — and the Clos de Loyse is its most historic parcel: a 22.3-acre walled vineyard attached to a castle of medieval origin, farmed by Carthusian monks from 1643 until the French Revolution. The Chardonnay vines here grow on alluvial soils over granite bedrock, just a few kilometers from Fuissé but on an entirely different terroir — one that gives the wine a fruitier, more energetic character than its Burgundian neighbors. The 2024 vintage was a story of survival and reward: excessive rainfall, vine disease pressure, and a devastating midsummer hailstorm reduced the crop by 50%. The grapes that remained ripened perfectly, yielding a small quantity of genuinely delicious wine. James Suckling awarded it 91 points. At $19.99, it is one of the most exciting values in French white wine.

The nose is round and inviting: spiced apple, dried herbs, citrus blossom, and mild spice. On the palate, it is bright and energetic — lively acidity, sleek texture, and citrus flavors enhanced by subtle earth and saline notes that expand gracefully over a long, elegant finish. Mellow, seductive, and impossible to put down.

James Suckling 91 — "Round, succulent and balanced, with aromas of spiced apples, dried herbs and mild spices. Medium-bodied with fresh acidity. Mellow and seductive. Drink or hold."

• Producer: Château des Jacques (Louis Jadot), Beaujolais, France
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Beaujolais Blanc AOC
• Vineyard: Clos de Loyse — 22.3 acres, medieval walled vineyard, alluvial soils over granite
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Vintage Note: 50% crop reduction from midsummer hailstorm; remaining grapes ripened perfectly
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Spiced apple, dried herbs, citrus, saline minerality, sleek texture, elegant finish
• Best Paired With: Seafood, sushi, oysters, salads, charcuterie, soft cheeses — or simply as an aperitif

A medieval vineyard, a dramatic vintage, and 91 points from James Suckling — Château des Jacques Beaujolais Blanc is the benchmark for what Clos de Loyse Chardonnay can be.

Winemaker Description — Vintage 2024

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

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

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

Winemaker Description

The dry jurançon perfectly represents the style of the estate: precise, pure and grandiose. a straight, tense white wine. the attack is lively, the mid-palate is incredibly intense and the finish never ceases to delight us. the blend of native grape varieties is judiciously developed for a stunning result. its aging potential is certain.

For over thirty-five years, Domaine de Souch has been a pioneer in producing modern-style Jurançon wines. Certified organic and biodynamic since 1994, their south-facing terraced vineyards are nestled on steep slopes with views of the Pyrenees Mountains. 

Memo Summary Notes

The Domaine de Souch "Cuvée Monplaisir" Jurançon Sec 2024 is a standout white wine from one of the most soulful estates in Southwest France. The winery was famously founded by Yvonne Hegoburu, who began her winemaking journey at the age of 60 in honor of her late husband and became a pioneer of biodynamics in the region.

The ultimate partner for shellfish (oysters, crab, lobster). It also cuts beautifully through the richness of sheep’s milk cheeses (like Ossau-Iraty), grilled trout, or summer salads with citrus vinaigrettes.

Olivier Leflaive Les Sétilles — Bourgogne Blanc, Burgundy 2023

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

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

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

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

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

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

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023

James Suckling 96 Points | The density and balance are so attractive here, with sliced apples, white pineapple and crushed stones. Hints of dried flowers, too, such as white roses and lilacs, as well as almonds. Medium-bodied with focus and subtle strength. Seemingly endless, with a bitter-lemon edge and nice reduction in the aftertaste of gun metal. Drink and enjoy.

Decanter 94 Points | Drouhin's Clos des Mouches 2023 exemplifies the vintage's potential for delicious whites. The wine has lush, forward aromas of Mirabelle plums and quince with hints of marzipan, butter and a suggestion of stylishly smoky reduction. The texture is supple and dense, but the richness is kept in balance and the extract carries the wine to a lingering finish. Parts of the 7ha vineyard have been replanted; the old vines that produce this bottling have delivered a wine of great character.

The Wine Advocate 93-94 Points | The 2023 Beaune 1er Cru Clos des Mouches Blanc (Domaine) is another strong performance, delivering aromas of sweet pear, peach and mandarin mingled with buttered toast and mint. Full-bodied, rich and ample, it's layered and unctuous, with a seamless, satiny, textural profile and a long, lusty finish.

The Wine Spectator 92 Points | Stylish and graceful, this white evokes lemon, apple, white flower and honey aromas and flavors. Almost seamless in its texture and balance, with finely meshed acidity providing lift and freshness. Excellent length.

Winemaker Notes

An outstanding wine. Pale yellow color. Complex floral nose of white lilac and white rose. Once open, fruity aromas come to the fore, evolving towards grilled hazelnut and almond. When the wine is more mature, the nose is surprisingly strong and fifteen minutes of aeration produce wonderful notes of white truffle, citron (cedrat), honey and nutmeg, elegantly meshed together. Very lively on the palate. Its rich texture is in evidence, but also its structure and minerality. It is round, but never heavy. Harmonious fullness in the aftertaste. This wine allies remarkably the complexity and elegance of a Bâtard-Montrachet with the power of a Corton-Charlemagne.

Winemaker Description

The 2018 Blank has a beautifully layered dark nose of black cherry, aromatic black tea, blackberry bramble, rose oil, black licorice, and violet candies. The silky entry opens to flavors of black fruit, culinary bay, and bakers’ chocolate seamlessly underpinned by velvety tannins and lovely texture through to the finish. This wine will age effortlessly for at least 20+ years. 

Expert Reviews

Jeb Dunnuck 95 points | I was able to taste two wines from Grace Family both made by the incredibly talented Helen Keplinger who has been at this estate since 2014. The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Blank offers a beautifully pure elegant style in its darker currant and blueberry fruits as well as notes of iron minty herbs tobacco and lead pencil. Soft supple medium to full-bodied and as seamless as they come drink this singular beauty any time over the coming 20 years. I love its mid-palate as well as its tannins.

James Suckling 98 points | So much graphite and dark fruit here with some iron and spice. Lead pencil, roses and light mint, too. Full-bodied and wonderfully seamless with dusty tannins and a lightly balsamic finish. Drinkable now, but better after 2025. 

Wine Spectator 93 | A nice burst of mulberry and loganberry fruit leads the way, with licorice, black tea and violet notes playing supporting roles. Sleek and refined through the finish, with sneaky depth. Drink now through 2033