2023 French Red Wine

France Côtes Catalanes in Rousillon has a lot in common with Spain. Including the grape the Spanish call Cariñena and the French Carignan. This is full of rich, dark, blueberry/blackberry cobbler fruit with a nice... Read More

From the south of France, this is easy-drinking Pinot Noir that will satisfy at table as well as just sipping with a crowd. Dark black and Bing cherry fruit show on the nose and palate with a fine juiciness that lifts the flavor... Read More

Lower ABV Ch Marie du Fou wines showcase the traditions of the Mourat family and the tiny region of Fiefs Vendeens at the end of the Loire River as it flows into the Atlantic Ocean. A blend of Pinot Noir, Cabernets Franc and Sauvignon... Read More

Organic/Bio Only 1er Cru for white since 2001, Sous Fretille is on the limestone rich and south-facing lower slopes of a hill next to Corton. Made all in barrel (25% new), it’s a lovely, almost delicate, expression of white... Read More

Organic/Bio The kind of wine we often call “cheerful.” There’s plenty of substance to the ripe red cherry and redcurrant fruit and a whiff of the wild herb and black olive notes the French call “garigue.”... Read More

In the deep south of Languedoc, growers discovered that flooding their vineyards for 40 days in spring could kill the phylloxera louse, and that's how Ferrandiere still farms it's own-rooted vines just 12 miles from Carcassonne.... Read More

From vines north of Sancerre, this is mostly Pinot Noir with a splash of Gamay and while calling it a charming Bistro Pinot is accurate, it undersells the quality here by a fair bit. The cherry and mulberry fruit flavors are dark... Read More

Frank Faugier is a little charismatic, definitely funny, and not terribly serious about anything other than making truly terrific Syrah in Crozes-Hermitage. He worked for Mars in Lyon for a while before coming back to his family's... Read More

Organic/Bio From one of the first estates in Burgundy to go organic (the founders were ecology professors at the Sorbonne), this is lovely Bourgogne Pinot. The 16.5/20 review of the 2022 edition in JancisRobinson.com tells you... Read More

Lower ABV Grolleau Noir is one of the Loire Valley's most widely planted grapes, but it mostly ends up in pink wine, especially Rosé d'Anjou. Here an excellent Saumur producer turns Grolleau into an utterly delicious,... Read More

Organic/Bio Lower ABV Burgundy's Marquis d'Angerville crafts this delicious Jura red from Pinot Noir (60%), Trousseau (35%) and Poulsard (5%) - Trois Cepages. All destemmed and aged in Burgundy barrels and foudre, it's... Read More

Fleurie is Beaujolais more elegant, perfumed, Cru and this single vineyard example lives up to the reputation. Sappy in feel with floral aromatics and ripe red fruit all kept fresh by fine tannin and a dash of granite minerality.... Read More

Morgon gives cru Beaujolais concentration with an almost velvety mouth feel. As Wine Enthuisast says in the 92 point review, Deep purple in color, this wine has an aromatic nose of blackberry, blueberry and hints of hibiscus.... Read More

Organic/Bio The south-facing Mont George hill was always considered the best in Saint Porcain but was abandoned in the 1950s as the old vines failed and sales were too low to justify replanting. In 2020 a trio of the finest growers... Read More

Organic/Bio Eric Bonnet took over his family estate in 1999, so he has 25 years of organic farming and careful winemaking experience behind him now. Which his how he’s able to coax so much flavor and intensity out of his... Read More

Organic/Bio Lower ABV The Last Breath comes from vines adjacent to the Moulin-a-Vent cemetary, but there's nothing decaying here! We share the enthusiasm of the 93 point Vinous write-up: it has redcurrant and cranberry aromas... Read More

Organic/Bio Lower ABV A lot going on here as 80 year-old vines give concentration and a site on the border of Fleurie's Clos de la Roilette adds purity and finesse. Vinous describes it well: offers Morello cherry, rose petal... Read More

Organic/Bio Lower ABV Decant this or, better still, wait a couple of years. As the 93 point Vinous review suggests, it has so much to offer! The 2023 Moulin-à-Vent Les Thorins comes from granite soils and tends to be more... Read More

Lower ABV A classic Loire Valley Cabernet Franc done all in steel to capture the crunchy fruit and wild herb aromas. Wine Advocate says, The 2023 Trézeillières exhales a fruity, gourmand bouquet of cassis, raspberries,... Read More

Organic/Bio If you were a master of Loire Chenin Blanc, maker of wines often allocated, always highly praised, what would you make for a red? Francois Chidaine opted to go the other direction entirely, creating this country red... Read More

Lower ABV From a small plot of vines just outside Cote Rotie, this is 100% Syrah that has the savory richness to pair with roasted, grilled and smoked foods and the bold fruit to delight during solo sipping, too. It’s big... Read More

Lower ABV A group of young Loire Valley winemakers created Les Athlètes du Vin to showcase the wines they make from their own and neighbors' grapes in a friendly, natural, style. Which seems to suit Pineau d'Aunis... Read More

Organic/Bio Like most Mary Taylor wines, there’s a great story here of an under-appreciated growing region and a crazy dedicated organic farmer/winemaker. Google it – it’s great! Or just pour a big glass of this... Read More

Organic/Bio Lower ABV What happens when you grow the Gamay of Beaujolais, the Pinot Noir of Burgundy and the Malbec of Cahors on the flint and silex soils of Valencay in France's western Loire Valley? Well, if the grower/winemaker... Read More

Organic/Bio Something to be said about concrete vats adding volume but maintaining freshness with this wine. A blend of Grenache, Carignan, and Syrah, this wine was aged in concrete and shows poise, freshness, without sacrificing... Read More