Château de la Coste Margaux 2013
A poised and polished blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc, Château de la Coste is the second wine of Château Paveil de Luze—here the Merlot shines through with abundant aromas of black cherries, plums, red currants, sweet tobacco, and dried herbs followed by classic Margaux florality—dried violets, a crowning top note. 2013 was a wet topsy-turvey vintage, […]
Boutinot Les Six Côtes du Rhône Villages Cairanne 2014
The Cairanne AOC is the Southern Rhône’s newest Cru, and the 2014 Les Six a blend of 50% Grenache, 10% Mouvèdre, 10% Syrah, 10% Carignan,10% Counoise, 10% Cinsault grown in the AOC’s classic hillside terroir of chalk and red clay. It’s a softly textured wine, on the nose and palate, with blackberries, plums, and brambly […]
Champ Divin Chardonnay Côtes du Jura 2013
Wild-yeast fermented and made from biodynamically grown fruit, the 2013 Champ Divin Chardonnay runs a pleasant gambit through aromas of Asian pear, yellow peach, banana cream pie, dried mint, and orange blossom. Slight oxidation on the palate, it’s medium-bodied but lithe at the same time with surging acidity that leads into an expressive, mineral-driven finish. […]
Georges Laval Cumières Brut Nature Champagne Premier Cru 2008
The color of onion skin, the 2008 Georges Laval Cumières Brut Nature Champagne Premier Cru is earthy, smoky, and sensuous with swirling chalkboard dust giving way to preserved lemon and dried orange peel, granulated honey, whipped butter, and fresh croissant. The mousse is especially fine, and accented by a driving finish that peels back layers […]
André Jacquart Blanc de Blancs Brut Experience Champagne Premier Cru NV
A multifaceted sparkler, and frankly a stunning value, André Jacquart’s Blanc de Blancs Brut Experience Champagne Premier Cru is aged five years sur pointe and composed of 60% Chardonnay from Vertus vinified in stainless steel, and 40% Grand Cru Le Mesnil-sur-Oger Chardonnay vinified in neutral Burgundy oak barrels. Comice pear, apple, and persimmon lie beneath […]
Château de Cosse (Château Rieussec) Sauternes 2015
The color of dried goldenrod, Château du Cosse is a blend of 91% Sémillon, 5% Sauvignon, and 4% Muscadelle. This superb second label of Château Rieussec offers up sumptuously honeyed aromatics followed by apricot, yellow peach, well-ripened mango, and a pinch of nutmeg. Full-bodied and nicely balanced, in the mouth fleshy fruit and densely-packed flavors […]
Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) Champagne Blanc de Blancs NV
An elegant Blanc de Blancs from Champagne Barons de Rothschild, this non-vintage Brut is a blend of 40% reserve wine and chardonnay harvested from the Avize, Cramant, Menil-Sur-Oger, Oger, and Vertus Crus. Aromas of baked apple, biscuit, blanched almond, and powdered ginger are held aloft on a fine mousse. On the palate, it’s crisp and […]
Domaine des Gaudets Côte du Py Morgon 2015
From 65-year-old vines grown in schist, the 2015 Domaine de Gaudets Côte du Py Moron is richly brocaded in blackberries, plums, earth, iron ore, cigar box, red licorice, and violets. In the mouth, firm tannins at the fore-to-mid palate lend structure to a dark mineral core. High acidity amplifies this wine’s attractive juiciness—crushed stones and […]
Jean-Luc Colombo Côtes du Rhône Les Abeilles de Colombo Rouge 2016
A juicy blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah, and 10% Mouvèdre, Jean-Luc Colombo’s 2016 Rouge “Les Abeilles” is laden in red fruit—a bushel basket of black cherries, macerated strawberries, and rhubarb are followed by lighter notes of underbrush, vanilla, dusty earth, and anise. On the palate, nimble acidity lends brightness and freshness to this softly […]
Côté Mas St. Hilaire Crémant de Limoux Brut NV
Aged sur point for twelve months, the Côté Mas Brut St. Hilaire is a blend of 60% Chardonnay, 20% Chenin Blanc, 10% Pinot Noir, and 10% Mauzac crafted from vines planted in clay and limestone soils at elevations between 820 and 920 feet. In the glass, it’s the color of onion skin and is generously […]