North of Chaintré in Viré-Clessé, the vines are 65+ years of age. The wine is medium bodied with a distinct Valette-like density of fruit. While this wine is a little... read more →
This is the late Jean-Charles Maire’s daughter, Emilie Gerard’s first effort. And while I have nothing to compare it to, I can feel the farmer in the wine, gentle, not... read more →
In the great grape hunt of 2016, Alice and Olivier found some from not too far away from home, in Auxerre. But the majority of fruit came from an organic... read more →
I have a soft spot for this Champagne because back in summer 2003 when I visited with Pascal Leclerc, he had me saber my first champagne. When he passed away... read more →
Aci is based in eastern Slovenia, near Croatia, about a half hour northwest of the drab city of Zagreb. Farming here is spiritual, philosophical, the land is a cell phone-free... read more →
Benôit Marguet’s champagnes are fantastic and this one did not fail to charm. It was, and is, champagne. 67% Chardonnay and 33% Pinot Noir from the villages of Ambonnay and... read more →
This is actually 2015 carbonic gamay (from the Beaujolais) with some of the 2016 direct-press chardonnay (from the Savoie) which results in something poulsard-like in style and flavors. Citrusy, gentle... read more →
Based on the 2015 vintage, the grapes for this come from the west-facing Biaunes. Planted in 2000, the cuttings came from Bertrand’s mentor Anselme Selosse and Vincent Dauvissat. Fermentation of... read more →
Not all champagnes get to be both fascinating and delicious. But this one from 6 parcels of land with an average vine age of 40 years, soils of chalk, limestone... read more →
On the Tarlant property six Georgian qvevri are planted outside and another three from Spain are inside. They are used to make a tiny series of wines under the Argilité... read more →