2022 French Wine

I believe the technical tasting note for this wine, as approved by all the most serious wine writers, is: Hubba Hubba. There’s this thing white Burgundy winemakers do where they let the wine sit in the barrel on what’s... Read More

One of the most wildly delicious and complex not dry wines we know of. You can call it sweet if you like and it will certainly do magic with an apricot upside-down cake. But we'll be drinking our bottles before dinner (or... Read More

A stunning white to enjoy with rich food – cassoulet, wild birds, lobster – or even a fresh chevre. It’s 50% Gros Manseng, 35% Petit Manseng and 15% Petit Courbu fermented in wood, although you’ll only... Read More

Organic/Bio Lower ABV They are one of the leading producers in all of Entre Deux Mers currently, and for good reason. With the idea of sustainability at the forefront, they have cultivated their grapes using conscientious farming... Read More

A really well-made Bordeaux bargain here in the form of a 50/50 Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot blend aged in oak and steel. The aromas show brambly cherry/currant fruit with a touch of smoky oak spice. Classically structured on the... 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

Lower ABV Sometimes a wine built for fun turns into a bit more than that. Nicolas Lassagne created this 50/50 Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon, no-oak, blend to have a fruity, refreshing, option for summer sipping. Sauvignon gives juicy... Read More

A vibrant, juicy, Sauvignon – 70% Sauvignon Blanc and 30% Sauvignon Gris, the reddish-hued mutation of white Sauvignon. Nicely concentrated and ripe, this is all about energy from the bold aromas to driving flavors of lemon... Read More

A gutsy, peppery, Languedoc red that’s great for fireside sipping and matching up with hearty stews and roasts. It’s roughly equal parts Carignan and Syrah plus around 20% Mourvedre and 10% Picpoul Noir, all from vines... 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

An excellent take on old-fashioned Bordeaux, clean and fresh like a modern wine but also stylishly austere and restrained. The 30-50 year old Merlot (80%) and Cabernet Franc (20%) vines are mainly on clay/limestone soils but with... Read More

Organic/Bio Lower ABV Fabrice Closset and Valérie Closset-Gaziaux grew up in households dedicated to organic and biodynamic farming, studied soil science, helped introduce organic farming to communities in Africa, and then... Read More

Always one of our favorite Cru Beaujolais, the 2022 Thivin Cote de Brouilly is a bit richer and fleshiner than in some years, a reflection of the dry, dry, growing season. While this vintage is a tad richer and a bit more supple,... Read More

Lower ABV From a cellar carved out of Vouvray's soft limestone hills, this is Chenin Blanc at its juiciest, freshest, most yummiest, best. Pretty aromas and flavors of tropical fruits, quince, and plum get lifted by a dusting... Read More

Organic/Bio Lower ABV On the “left bank” of Chablis, Cote de Lechet benefits from steep slopes (up to 38%), plenty of Kimmeridgian marl, excellent drainage and ample sunshine. Even in warmer harvests, the poor soils... Read More

Organic/Bio This is sunshine in a bottle and for winemakers in Burgundy, 2022 came as “a year of relief,” or at least according to the Berthelemot family. There is a freshness about this wine that just makes you get... Read More

Organic/Bio Jerome Billard makes Burgundy that he loves to drink – and can drink sooner rather than just later. This is a classic in his style. There’s plenty of Pommard structure here, with vivid acidity and firm,... Read More

Organic/Bio Sisters Caroline and Veronique Maret keep their family Chateauneuf du Pape estate anchored firmly in tradition while bringing the quality of farming and winemaking up the best modern standards. This is stylish, made... Read More

Organic/Bio Lower ABV Jeremie Huchet is making some of the most exciting wines in the western Loire region of Muscadet, including this generous example from vineyards on a hill overlooking the Maine River. It’s from organically... Read More

Lower ABV A classic Macon Chardonnay from Burgundy’s limestone soils and a richer vintage. Fresh aromas and flavors of crisp yellow pear and apple plus a touch of varietal hazelnut have solid density and intensity right... Read More

Chateauneuf du Pape, the greatest red of France’s Southern Rhone Valley, can be a bit TOO “great” – too rich, too alcoholic and too expensive. Not here, where a gutsy 50/50 blend of Grenache and Syrah delivers... Read More

From a tiny, half-acre, plot of Chardonnay in the Beaune 1er Reversees 1er Cru just up the hill to the west of Beaune, this is the only white wine bottled from this mainly red wine vineyard. Farming here is certified organic and... Read More

Organic/Bio Gigondas is always based on Grenache – here around 70% - with that grape’s big fruit and fleshy texture given structure and savory shadings by additions of Syrah (here 20%), Cinsault (here 10%) and other... Read More

Organic/Bio From some of the highest-altitude vines in Beaujolais, on the steep slopes of Le Perreon, and certified organic Gamay vines aged 40-100+ years, this has all the concentration and structure and class of a top Cru Beaujolais.... Read More

Lower ABV Every year, Domaine de la Pepiere Muscadet ‘La Pepie’ Sur Lie is the ultimate dry white wine for seafood feasts, enjoying while sitting in the sun, or serving as the classy start to a party. From grapes grown... Read More