93/100 Wine Enthusiast
"Sealed with string, the traditional 18th-century technique of closing Champagne corks, this rich wine is from three Grand Cru villages in the Côte des Blancs. Richness is offset by intense mineral freshness that lies in the background. This well-balanced wine is ready to drink. Roger Voss"

This has a many-hued color with strong pink tinges and fine bubbles. The nose is fresh and direct, with aromas reminiscent of cherries, blackberries, pomegranates and red currants. On the palate, the wine shows a deliciously full body that follows on perfectly from the nose. Its flavors remind one of fresh strawberries and raspberries. The finish has a pleasantly acidulous character that adds to the impression of finesse given by this romantic and well-balanced wine.

Exporting its wines in over 70 countries, this estate located south of Champagne has been flying on its own since the early 1980s. A blend of four to five harvest years including 20% réserve, the Brut Sélection enjoys a minimal aging period of 20 months. Floral and saline notes, almond, chalk and yeast make up the lively and forthright mouth

A family business created in 1979, Champagne Gremillet is today managed by the founder's children, Anna and Jean-Christophe Gremillet. Around 50 embassies and consulates around the world choose Gremillet for their receptions. The house produces nearly 500,000 bottles of Champagne each year and is increasing in demand. This Champagne is made from 85% pinot noir and 15% chardonnay, coming from several terroirs and four to five different vintages, and 20% ​​Reserva wine. Now, completely organic, it is fruity, fresh and balanced; ideal for all occasions.

Champagne Jacquesson Cuvée 743 is a prestigious, Extra Brut blend built around the ripe 2015 vintage, featuring Pinot Noir (60%) from the Marne Valley and Chardonnay (40%) from the Côte des Blancs, aged extensively on lees (89 months) for complexity, offering rich notes of ripe fruit, pastry, citrus, and minerality, with a precise, balanced palate and a saline finish, available in both standard and late-disgorged (DT) versions.

Champagne Jacquesson Cuvée N°748 is a precise, terroir-driven Extra Brut from the 2020 vintage, showcasing elegance with chalky minerality, citrus, brioche, and white fruit notes, fine bubbles, and a saline finish, blending Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with reserve wines for complexity, vinified traditionally in large casks without filtration for authenticity, and recognized for its freshness, structure, and food-pairing versatility.

Champagne Jacquesson Dizy Corne Bautray is a prestigious, single-vineyard Blanc de Blancs (100% Chardonnay) from a specific parcel in Dizy, known for its intense minerality, power, and complexity, featuring notes of ripe citrus, brioche, toasted nuts, and chalk, with a vibrant, saline finish, reflecting its unique terroir on clay over pure chalk and often aged in oak for depth. It's celebrated for its depth, balance of richness and energy, and long, saline finish, making it a standout expression of Chardonnay from Champagne.

Champagne Jacquesson Dizy Terres Rouges is a prestigious, vintage Blanc de Noirs (100% Pinot Noir) from a specific plot in Dizy, known for its powerful red fruit, spice, and minerality, often exhibiting notes of wild strawberry, brioche, and citrus, with a long, elegant finish and vibrant acidity, making it a complex, gastronomic Champagne. It comes from unique red limestone soils (terres rouges) and offers a terroir-driven expression of Pinot Noir, often with minimal dosage (Extra Brut) to highlight purity.

Lombard Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Brut Nature is a sparkling wine from the Champagne region in France. Made exclusively from Chardonnay grapes grown in the renowned Cote des Blancs subregion, this wine is a pure expression of the terroir. The nose offers delicate floral and citrus notes, while the palate is lively with a fresh minerality and hints of brioche. The finish is crisp and refreshing, making it an ideal pairing for seafood or as an aperitif. As a Brut Nature, this wine is bone dry with no added dosage, allowing the natural flavors of the grapes to shine through.

This Champagne Lombard Premier Cru Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut is made from 100% Pinot Noir grapes, sourced from top vineyards in Champagne. It offers a pale yellow color with delicate bubbles and a complex aroma of ripe fruit, toasted bread, and nuts. On the palate, it is dry, crisp, and refreshing, with flavors of citrus, red berries, and brioche. The wine has a long and elegant finish, with a subtle minerality and a creamy texture. It is a perfect aperitif wine, but also pairs well with seafood, sushi, and light dishes.

Carte Blanche reflects the traditional style of the fine wines from Champagne of the 19th century. It is a soft and creamy Champagne, releasing a pure fruit that gives it a lovely vibrant character. After a few years ageing in the cellar, it has reached perfect maturity and, thanks to the Louis Roederer art of blending, shows astonishing freshness and subtlety. Aged between 3 and 4 years in their cellars, Carte Blanche expresses itself with a rich, creamy texture that contrasts with its freshness. It unleashes a succession of delectable notes of cooked fruit, baked apple, white flowers, almond and frangipane. This lovely, well-balanced epicurean champagne is an instant hit.

Critic tasting note: "Medium yellow-green, silver reflections; delicate, persistent mousse. Fine white nougat touch, a little yellow tropical fruit, a hint of brioche, discreet orange zest. Juicy, elegant, integrated acidity, apple touch, delicately nutty finish, long lasting; versatile." - 94/100, Falstaff

This family estate was established during the 19th century and today more than half of the vineyard is more than 40 years old. Piollot Champagnes carries on old Champagne traditions, now bringing in organic and biodynamic viticulture to amplify the authenticity of their Champagnes. One doesn't see Champagne made from 100% Pinot Blanc, but that is what makes this Champagne completely unique. This Champagne has zero dosage and 5 years on the lees. On the nose, gourmet aromas of mirabelle plum, mint, guava and lily flowers, all enveloped in musky flavours with a palate that is lively and powerful yet with a fine and pleasant bubble.

Roland Piollot and Dominique Moreau are Champagne Piollot, a family Estate in the Aube dating to the late 19th Century. The couple are also responsible for the Champagnes of Marie Courtin. Dominique’s family vineyards make Marie Courtin, Roland’s family vineyards make Champagne Piollot. Roland, fifth generation grower, was joined by his daughter Jeanne in 2018.
Although Pinot Meunier is widely planted in the Marne Valley, it is relatively rare in the Aube. Only a mere 6% of the Piollot family vineyards are planted to Pinot Meunier, but they decided to highlight this grape with the Mepetit vineyard in Polisot starting in 2015. Aging in oak barrels gives this wine a uniquely complex texture and profile that is not to be missed. The wine is aged on the lees for four years before release, and like all of the Champagnes from Piollot, it’s disgorged non-dosé.

Catherine and Didier Champalou share a common background, both hailing from vigneron families. However, their shared spirit of independence led them to embark on their winemaking journey alone. In 1983, they founded their Domaine, and since then, their label has earned widespread acclaim in the appellation. Vouvray, the region they call home, is renowned for the noble Chenin Blanc grape, also known as Pineau de la Loire. The Champalou family tends to 21 hectares of vineyards, committed to sustainable farming practices and even incorporating the lunar calendar into their work. Their vineyards boast rich, deep soils, well-aerated due to regular plowing. Embodying the Champalou house style, their wines exude elegance and tenderness, characterized by intense aromas and impeccable balance. Their unique style sets them apart, and no one else comes close to replicating their distinct and exceptional wines.

Very pale salmon colour. Fully ripe grapes. Very vinous nose. Masses of fruit and only the merest hint of fermentation aromas. Apparently 1.7 g/l residual sugar but it tastes more. High extract because berries are very small. Real mouthful of charming fruit. Very commercial I would have thought. Designed for the on trade. Mouthful of venosity. Well done!

In the glass, the Cabernet Sauvignon Blanc de Noir presents itself in a very pale salmon color. The aromas of gooseberries and exotic fruits are therefore intense and unusual. Juicy, elegant and absolutely innovative! A wonderful Blanc de Noir from the Middle Kingdom.

“Showing the character of the best Cabernet Sauvignon berries I have ever worked with”, says Lenz. Spice of China, concentrated fruit aromas and flavours you would never expect from such a young Cabernet. The small berries occur in this desert climate to protect themselves from evaporating the water – hence a fantastic skin to juice ratio.

Chateau Changyu Moser XV Helan Mountain Blanc de Noir White Cabernet Sauvignon Ningxia - The colour of this Cabernet comes with a hue of rose, just a touch to indicate its provenance. Surprisingly peachy on the nose with a cornucopia of floral aromas - it certainly enlarges the spectrum of fragrance in wine. On the palate it offers a stunning lusciousness of peach and exotic fruits with a hint of violet. The vibrancy comes from its perfectly embedded acidity.

On the nose, vanilla and a burst of sweet ripe cassis. This is Changyu's proposition of a big wine from the Helan Mountain region of Ningxia. Opulent, luscious and of enormous character and body – this wine lifts you with its power. It conjures up a myriad of food pairing ideas, from a juicy steak, confit of duck or a rich ripe cheese. The wine is a statement for the region with its beauty, power of fruit, tannins, taste, style and a long finish. Yet, it also encompasses elements of elegance and finesse.

After being aired, this wine offers a perfect balance between mineral freshness and very ripe fruit. The palate is warm, mouthwatering and saline, with a spicy cinnamon finish.

The 1er Cru vineyard "Montmains" is one of the very best 1er Crus in the Chablis . The Chablis Montmains of Chanson Père et Fils has a bright golden yellow color. From the storage in oak barrels it has a tender vanilla smell, plus white fruits and lemon zest. Firm on the palate, but also with juicy fruit. Invigorating vitality in the long finale.

After a classic winter, spring settled down with warm températures, but fabulous weather in April slowed down the vines’ evolution. May was rainy and was followed by a warm summer with heat waves. However, a few thunderstorm épisodes brought enough rain to allow the maturation of the grapes to continue. The harvest started in early September with an excellent sanitary level of the grapes. Vinification: whole bunch fermentation for approximately two weeks; the wines are then aged in our XVth century cellar for a period between 14 and 18 months—moderate use of new oak.

Tasting: Dark ruby colour. Delicate floral fragrances (violet) mixed with red berries and plum aromas with a hint of vanilla. Well-balanced and complex. Dense and velvety texture. Well-integrated tannins. Long aftertaste. GUIDE BETTANE & DESSEAUVE 2020 : Score 16/20 - JANCIS ROBINSON : 16/20 - BURGHOUND : Score 88-91/100

Food pairing: Game (pheasant), poultry and all the classic cheeses (Epoisses, Langres).

In the words of the winemaker - "Burgundy combines the ideal conditions for cultivation of pinot noir. In Burgundy, this grape reflects the tiniest variations of terroir on which it is planted, and thus expresses itself as nowhere else. On the nose in its first years, this pinot noir offers a diversity of aromas with a range of fresh red fruits such as blackcurrant or cherry. On the palate, it is rather round, with assertive but delicate tannins."

This is really excellent with creamy tannins and a lovely berry, currant and blueberry character. Full and luscious for the vintage. Superb. Second wine of Ausone.

Such pure and beautiful aromas of blackberries and black cherries with violets and red roses. So aromatic and enticing. Full-bodied with extremely integrated tannins that are velvety and curated. Fresh and sweet fruit at the end with an orange-peel undertone. Crushed stone and sandalwood, too. This is a very beautiful second wine of Ausone. 60% cabernet franc and 40% merlot. Drink after 2025.

Flowers, leafy herbs, mint, espresso, cherries, plums and a hint of blueberries come alive in the aromatic profile. But the best is yet to come with its array of minerals, rocks, stones and salt-tinted red and black fruits that cross your palate with length, lift, precision, purity and soft, smooth textures. It is difficult to believe that this is their second wine.

From the Domaine of Clarence Dillon, this is the second label for the Chateau La Mission Haut Brion. (Not to be confused with Chateau Haut-Brion). Dillon purchased this famous vineyard in 1983 and has brought it to the fame it has today, situated next to its famous neighbour notwithstanding. The terroir is similar and the 26.6ha of vines features about half/half Cabernet Sauvigon/Merlot with a small amount of Petit Verdot. In 2007 a new cellar, bottling centre and tasting room were built, combining modern technology with tradition. The wine itself for this vintage is 54% merlot, 45% cabernet sauvignon and 1% cabernet franc. Great structure with fine-grained tannins that provides the backbone to flavours of blackberry, raspberry, vanilla and spice. It's almost ready to go - try in 2026 or hold for another 5-10 years.

Michel Chapoutier is known for crafting terroir-driven fine wines that deliver astonishing value at all price points. His entry-level offerings, such as this vibrant, racy blend of Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris and Macabeu, offer some of the greatest values you can find anywhere, and their quality is never in doubt. This example shows ripe orange citrus, peach, mineral, spice, and a gorgeous texture. Perfect for seafood.

From the legendary Michel Chapoutier, this is a consistently highly-rated wine that reliably delivers big flavour in an intense yet elegant package. Look for bold red and dark fruit with earth and spice notes. Great for burgers, ribs, or lamb.

M. Chapoutier Chante-Alouette is a biodynamic, organic white wine from France's Hermitage appellation, made from 100% Marsanne grapes. It is known for its brilliant green-gold color and complex aromas of quince, walnut, honey, ginger, and acacia. The palate features a smooth, elegant attack and a long, persistent finish with almond notes, making it a versatile food pairing wine.

The Prisoner Chardonnay is a rich, full-bodied Chardonnay known for its bold character and layered complexity. It typically features aromas of vanilla, baked apple, and pineapple, with flavors of baked apple, crème brûlée, and toasted oak on the palate. The wine is often described as having a bright acidity that balances the richness, creating a smooth and elegant finish. It's a modern Chardonnay that aims to redefine taste and offer a unique experience.

"A custom Cuvee created by importer Eric Solomon, the IGP Cotes Catalanes Novellum is a smokin’ value that’s made from 100% Chardonnay that spent three months in a tank (on Viognier lees) followed by three months in barrel. Tasting like it cost three times the price, it offers lots of orchard fruits, white peach, honeysuckle and a hint of vanilla to go with a medium to full-bodied, crisp, yet still textured and mouth-filling style on the palate. You can’t go wrong at the price and this is a terrific wine to enjoy over the coming year or two." Wine Advocate

Champagne Blanc de Blancs is the all new cuvée from Maison Charles Heidsieck : a tenseness and mineral cuvée.
This champagne is generous and fleshy both, and composed of 80% of the year's wine and 20% of 5 years reserved wine.Following 4 years of raising on lees, this 100% chardonnay offers peach and citrus aromas to the nose. On the palate, freshness and tenseness are combined in a typical Charles Heidsieck's style.
The attack is frank, without agressivity, with an almost atypical suavity for a Blanc de Blancs, which is often described as being more angular than creamy. The balanced finish surprises with its minerality and salty character.This champagne offers an aromatic complexity for which Charles Heidsieck is famous. It can be enjoyed within 7 years.

The Charles Heidsieck Brut 2012 is a vintage champagne made by one of the oldest and most prestigious houses in Champagne. Made from a blend of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay grapes sourced from some of the best vineyards in the region, the wine is aged for over 8 years in the cellars of Charles Heidsieck to develop complexity and richness.

On the nose, it has notes of toasted brioche, ripe apple, pear, and white flowers. On the palate, it is a full-bodied wine with a creamy texture and flavors of citrus, baked apple, and a touch of honey, along with a subtle hint of mineral. The wine has a long and elegant finish that leaves a pleasant aftertaste.

A sophisticated powdery pink robe with luminous glints of wild rose. Delicate, vivacious bubbles are the result of an ageing period of 36 months. A base of 20% of reserve wines, white and red, gives this rose blend a subtle, yet complex nose. The initial fragrances from the 5-6% of elegant red wines are redolent of homemade strawberry jam mixed with the fruitiness of blood peach. A meticulous selection of crus gives the Charles Heidsieck Rose Reserve the rich warm notes of gingerbread and cinnamon. The deep powerful mouthfeel, the result of ageing in thousand-year-old cellars offers a burst of strawberry, raspberry and blackberry nestled in velvety whipped cream.

Dry, with less than 2g/l of residual sugar, this Riesling from Washington State spends some time on the lees in older oak barrels just to add a little texture, and that works: it is brimming with bright citrus and rosy apple, a little floral aroma, a tang of lemon sherbet and lots of zest. The palate has that bit of weight and texture, but those sweeping acids fire through the peachier, slightly more tropical tones, but shimmering and long and delightfully zippy and fresh.

Liqueur created by the best craftsmen of France “Sommeliers”. This special Chartreuse Jaune cuvée was first created in 2008 by the Chartreux Fathers in close collaboration with the Meilleur Ouvriers de France Sommeliers (M.O.F). Ideally as a digestif, to be served chilled between 12 and 13 ° to discover all the flavor and aromatic complexity. Can also be enjoyed on ice.

This lime-green, anise-scented liqueur is sweet at first sip, then herbaceous in the middle, showing fennel, pine, tarragon and mild floral notes. The finish is spicy and warming, with anise, white pepper and ginger heat. It's a bit too viscous and fiery for straight-up sipping, but it's beautifully complex and a key ingredient for the classic Last Word and other cocktails.

Chartron et Trébuchet Crémant de Bourgogne Brut is a refined, traditional-method French sparkling wine from Burgundy, primarily featuring Chardonnay. It offers a pale straw color with fine, persistent bubbles and notes of green apple, citrus, pear, and brioche. It is known for its creamy, crisp, and well-balanced palate with a dry finish.