South of Fronsac and east of St Emilion, Castillon is a value-hunters paradise, a slice of Bordeaux where prices still lag quality nicely. Like here is a Cabernet Sauvignon-heavy (35%) Right Bank blend from 40 year-old vines and... Read More
The second wine of Margaux’s Chateau Boyd-Cantenac. The history of this estate dates back to 1754 when nobleman Jacques Boyd bought a property which included some vineyards in the commune of Cantenac (hence the name). Chateau... Read More
A lovely Left Bank, Cabernet-based, red with the polish and freshness of this great vintage. As Wine Spectator says in the 96 point rave, The core of this red is loaded with pure plum, blueberry and black currant fruit flavors.... Read More
Once again a blend of Merlot and Cabernet, all aged in oak, from the tiny Saint Emilion “satellite” Saint-Georges. Separated from it’s more famous neighbor but just a small stream, Saint-Georges Saint-Emilion... Read More
It's hard to believe at this price point, but this wine was a Wine Enthusiast Editor's Choice last vintage and Wine & Spirits Best Buy before that. The 2019 is better still. Vines were already planted here in 1466 when... Read More
There’s a good argument to be made that the best place in the world to make dry Chenin Blanc is Savennieres, on the north side of the Loire river across from Coteaux du Layon (where sweet wines reign). This is a benchmark... Read More
From Thomas Jefferson's time forward, one of the world's greatest wines. A bit more Sauvignon than usual in 2013 gives a touch of citrus to the broad, layered, flavors. As Wine Spectator says in the 98 point praise, Lightly... Read More
Saint-Chinian is a fascinating slice of the Languedoc, perched at the southern end of the Massif Central overlooking the plains sloping down to the sea. The loose limestone/schist soils tend to give a mineral spine to the sun-splashed... Read More
An utterly lovely white Burgundy reaching far beyond what you’d expect from Mercurey Chardonnay. It comes from a “monopole” vineyard of the Chateau and vines planted between 1961 and 1997. Wine Enthusiast describes... Read More
Yes, in their 94 point raves, the critics say you should wait until next year to drink this. But if you like your Bordeaux rich, deep, full of fruit and spice and ready to delight both Old World and Napa fans, it’s pretty... Read More
Topline: This is crazy delicious Pinot Noir and very fine red Burgundy that's seriously under-priced. Grab it before the market catches on. Caroline Fyot and Alexia Russo created this small estate in Mercurey in 2018 and make... Read More
When you hear Chateauneuf is 100% Grenache from 100+ year-old vines in a warm vintage, you can be pretty sure the wine is “big.” But here it’s also a “chiseled, intensely perfumed Châteauneuf-du-Pape... Read More
Organic/Bio
A deliciously direct blend of equal parts Grenache, Syrah, Mouvedre and Carignan grown from Lirac down south into Provence. The organic grapes are hand harvested, fermented and aged 12 months in concrete tanks and... Read More
White Lirac must be, by law, a blend so the label says there’s 1% Grenache Blanc. But it’s really 100% Clairette from vines that survived the phylloxera epidemic of the 1860s and ‘70s here in the southern Rhone... Read More
Organic/Bio A big wine at a very big (or small depending on how you look at it) savings price! Like the Montfaucon winery, these vines grow just across the Rhone River from Chateauneuf du Pape. The surface of the vineyards look... Read More
A stunning wine aged in cask for 60+ years before bottling more recently. Widly complex aromas and flavors of candied nuts, brine, candied lemon peels, and a squirt of blood orange with rich sweetness and a brisk, mouthwatering,... Read More
Believe it or not, this now 60 year-old wine is even better once it’s aired out a bit and delivers delight for 12+ weeks after opening if kept a little cool (the “+” is because we’ve never had a bottle... Read More
Lower ABV A classic Cotes du Rhone Rosé from equal parts Grenache and Syrah that’s plenty fresh but also has a touch more weight that something from Provence – making it a terrific cooler weather choice! Ripe... Read More
The second wine of one of a very top Pessac estate, this delivers extra richness from 39% Merlot with plenty of Cabernet Sauvignon structure and grip, all polished by 30 months in 75% new oak. As Vinous says in the 91-93 point... Read More
A delicious Right Bank Bordeaux that’s had enough time in bottle to really strut its stuff. Around 72% Merlot for body and volume and 18% Cabernet Sauvignon for blackcurrant fruit and accents of chocolate and wild herb.... Read More
Very nicely mature, this is directly delicious and while definitely sweet, avoids feeling heavy or cloying. As Wine Advocate says in the 92 point review, Tasted at the château, the 2004 Château Doisy-Védrines... Read More
Just outside Saint Emilion, this blend of Merlot plus a splash of Cabernet delivers a classic Right Bank drinking experience plus the benefit of bottle age. Lovely redcurrant, cherry and fresh blackberry fruit is wrapped in savory... Read More
Organic/Bio This is probably the single best Bordeaux value in the shop right now, mainly because the vintage is brilliant and the estate sells all they make without participating in the Bordeaux critics’ circus. From a... Read More
Organic/Bio In a few weeks from this writing, I’ll have dinner with winemaker Lou Rochet and get her to explain the details here. For now we know that this is about equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot with a dollop of... Read More
One of the top wines of St Julien shines very brightly in the 2016 vintage and is delicious now with 20+ years of cellar growth ahead of it. As Vinous wrote after a 93 point 2024 tasting, The 2016 Gruaud Larose has a beautiful... Read More
