France

Located in the heart of the Côte Chalonnaise, Domaine Jacqueson’s 18 hectares of vines are spread across some of the region’s best growing sites, including Mercurey, Rully, and Bouzeron. The estate farms their vineyards without herbicides and highlights the importance of keeping yields low. This varietal Chardonnay is more floral and less opulent than most Côte de Beaune bottlings, marked by flavors of mandarin, lemon skin, crushed rocks, and white blossom. Great quality to price ratio!

A minute 0.48-hectare parcel from vines with an average age of 30-years-old. The vineyard is situated to the north of the appellation and is without doubt one of the best parcels in Beaune, little surprise it was revered by the by the dukes of Burgundy and is where the parcel takes its name. Dark and concentrated aromas of black and bramble fruits with added toasted oak spice. Powerful and intense, yet retains excellent vibrancy from the silky, soft tannins and forward, ripe fruit that combine to keep everything in check. Further dark black fruits fuse with toasted cedar and black pepper spice.

Gentle, yet sophisticated, with highly complex red cherry, spice and freshly ground pepper flavours.

Pale gold in the glass with a bright, slightly green tinged rim. On the nose it offers crisp orchard fruit; green apple, white peach with lemon zest and a whisper of stone fruit. There’s a mineral undercurrent, crushed limestone, faint flint and a subtle floral lift (something like acacia or white blossom) plus a soft background of toasted oak or warm vanilla. The palate is medium to full with vibrant acidity that brings freshness. Fruit is clean and pure: citrus and peach maybe a touch of apricot. The oak is present but well integrated adding creaminess without overwhelming the fruit. The minerality cuts through, giving a chalky texture, and the finish is long, elegant with saline tension and lingering citrus and stone notes. This is a wine with both immediacy and capacity to evolve over a few years.

Garnet red in colour. The nose is extremely refined with good vivacity, opening with smoky notes evolving to black fruit, gingerbread and humus that weave together in an intricate complexity. Immense verticality and integrity in the mouth, with the same black fruit aromas evocative of blackcurrant and blackberry, followed by expressive notes of garrigue, cinnamon and pepper, all underpinned by an incredible freshness that is characteristic of the Domaine’s terroirs. The tannins are exceptionally fine-grained, but their presence and their persistence are astounding. A superbly balanced wine that promises remarkable ageing potential. Drink in 5 years time!

This is 1er Cru quality, unsurprising since it comes from three plots of 70 year old vines just below premier cru Les Saint Georges. Dense and backward but with a core of intense, concentrated fruit, this requires patience but will age magnificently.

Strawberry fruit balanced with silky tannins, perfectly weighted and structured. A great example of Pinot Noir at its most appealing.

From the named vineyard of “La Justice” in Gevrey-Chambertin, Domaine René Bouvier has 3 plots with a total of 2 ha of 50-year-old vines on stony clay soils. This is an exceptional wine from Rene Bouvier - with an aromatic and tannic intensity specific to the appellation, the grapes acquire aromas of heated rock, pepper, red capsicum and ripe black fruits. It is concentrated but fine with enveloping tannins in the mouth. A note of fresh herbs is revealed in a lingering saline finish that completes this elegant side of the town's wines

The nose has wonderful grapefruit zest bitterness, with some gentle floral influenced honey. The palate in bright and clean acidity, and a voluptuous depth of stone fruit on the mid-palate. with subtle smokiness. It is a highly complex village wine that should evolve well for many years.

Domaine Felettig began in 1965 when Henri Felettig’s parents gave him 2 hectares of vines and 1 hectare of cassis (currants). In 1992 Henri and his wife Reine purchased additional vineyards bringing the total of their land to 9.72 hectares. More vineyards were purchased in 1995 including Vosne-Romanée Village, a Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru, and a Gevrey-Chambertin “La Justice”. The year 2001 saw the addition of a vineyard in Nuits St. Georges which meant their vineyards now spread from Gevrey-Chambertin to Vosne-Romanée, plus Hautes Côtes des Nuits and Beaune; a total of 10 hectares in the most prestigious appellations. This is certainly a domaine on the rise! Today the domaine is run by Henri’s son and daughter, Gilbert and Christine.

Bright garnet in the glass with hints of crimson, the nose opens with a blend of dark red cherry, plum and luxurious brambly fruit layered with forest floor, subtle leather and spiced oak. On the palate, it shows medium to full body, fresh acidity and a fine structural core: ripe fruit is cushioned by smooth, polished tannins. Notes of clove, underbrush and a touch of earth give it depth. The finish is persistent and elegant with the fruit lingering alongside a whisper of spice and minerality. A wine that is approachable now but also has the bones to reward several years of ageing.

It has been 15 years since Vincent Boyer took the reins from his father and put his stamp on Domaine Yves Boyer-Martenot. His tenacity in the vineyards and dedication to balance and freshness has led to wines of increased terroir clarity and chiseled Meursault typicity

A very approachable wine from the Pomerol region, medium bodied with gentle acidity. Ready for drinking now. Silky merlot indeed.

Classic, weighty Claret from St Estephe.

This superb 5th Growth Pauillac is owned by the Rothschild family, now for the third generation. With vineyards perfectly positioned next to First Growths Lafite and Mouton, the only surprise is its classification isn't higher. A 95-pt masterpiece.

With its thread of fine long lasting bubbles, this lively wine has a fruity nose and grilled almond aromas. Lightly sparkling and elegant on the palate. Made in the traditional champagne method this is a great alternative to Prosecco.

The fruity nose of bright red apple and notes of lime is dominating, along with notes of white flower, honeysuckle and acacia flower aromas. On the palate, the bubbles are delicate, and a welcome green spine of celery and lime cordial rein in those rich flavours and textures, making for a complex fizz with a ripe strawberry finish.

It seems crazy that grand Cru fizz can be obtained so cheaply. Superb.

Wonderful addition to the Cazals range of top class champagne. Creamy strawberry mousse underscored with luscious shortbread biscuit flavours with a crisp baked apple finish.

A drier style of champagne - zesty, racy and crisp.

This is a crisp, fruity Brut Champagne with honey, pastry and wonderful balance.