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

One of the finest values in the shop, this is “the black wine” of Cahors at its most friendly and fun-loving. Around 85% Malbec and 15% Merlot given 18 months in concrete, it’s loaded with juicy black cherry,... Read More

Organic/Bio Lower ABV Cabernet Franc has been grown and bottled here since 1813 in a cooler slice of Anjou. The cooler soils and intensive biodynamic farming give consistent freshness even in the face of climate change warmth.... 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

Very limited from one of Burgundy's masters. In the 90-92 point review, Wine Advocate says this is beautifully perfumed, soaring from the glass with scents of orange zest, raspberries and rose petals, followed by a medium... 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

What happens with two Burgundy winegrowers join as a couple to create a new estate in the Languedoc’s sunny Minervois region? This: a darkly fruited, gutsy, wine with remarkably sleek and pure texture. A wine that’s... 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 One of Burgundy's greats achieves remarkable success even with his village wines. As the Suckling 94 point review says, Perfumed and floral with delicate notes of cherries, dried strawberries, flowers and earth.... Read More

Organic/Bio Sancerre was red wine country until the mid-20th century, and within Sancerre, Francois Crochet's Pinot Noirs are highly revered. He doesn't make this wine every year, but when the season gives him ripeness... Read More

Lower ABV Jean-Pierre Large's day job is winemaker at Domaine Cheysson Chiroubles; this is what he does with old vines inherited from his grandfather in Morgon. Classic Morgon aromas and flavors of blackberry, black cherry... Read More

Organic/Bio Cabrerisse is in the northern part of Languedoc on the south-facing slopes of the Montagne Noire hills. Meaning the middle of nowhere (we had to look it up, too). Anne Sarda works her vines of up to 60 years old organically... Read More