French Wine

Fermented whole bunch and aged in neutral oak, this is a grippy, powerfully-structured wine that nonetheless displays wonderful purity of fruit and terroir: blackberries, dark cherries, wildflowers, black pepper, brine, and smoked... Read More

A creamy-textured grower Champagne that shows tons of energy and finesse with layers of ripe apricot, flowers, smoke and minerals. The aromatics emerge with time, rounding out this compelling effort from one of our favorite small... Read More

A gorgeous, complex example of good Meursault—round, rich, and luxurious, with round flavors of orchard fruit (think green apple, pear), pleasant acidity, and texture from time in oak. Showing well now, it also has great... Read More

Winemaker Fabrice Glass—formerly of Bollinger—brings his considerable experience to organic grower-producer Filaine! Lovely aromas and flavors of apple, pear, brioche, chalky minerality, orange zest, acacia blossom... Read More

This is a well-priced and crowd-pleasing Pinot Noir from 40-year-old vines in Alsace—notes of bright, juicy cherry and red berries lead to subtle hints of black pepper, all lifted by vibrant acidity. Restrained in style,... Read More

From an estate dating back to 1816, this Riesling from the ‘Praelatenberg’ vineyard represents exceptional value for wine from a Grand Cru site cultivated since the 9th century! Fermented with native years and aged... Read More

After learning winemaking from Georges Descombes, Anthony Thévenet became Jean Foillard’s right hand man in the cellar before eventually starting his own domaine. His Chénas is fresh, & lifted, with lovely... Read More

Farmed biodynamically and vinified with minimal intervention, this is a fresh, lively example of northern Rhône Syrah in a restrained, drink-now style. Juicy and dark-fruited, with hints of pepper and savory undertones,... Read More

This delicious Provençal white blend offers round, juicy white fruit flavors lifted by fresh, citrusy acidity and a cool, mineral-driven finish redolent of the Mediterranean ocean breeze. An excellent alternative to favorite... Read More

Emile Balland crafts this juicy, fresh blend of Pinot Noir and Gamay from 50-to-60-year-old vines planed in clay-limestone soils. A delicate maceration and spontaneous yeast fermentation result in a bright, light red that drinks... Read More

With only 10 hectares planted to vines, Château Bardins is miniscule compared to the Left Bank’s best-known estates—and the rustic, traditional wines are quite a find! Dark-fruited and earthy, with hints of graphite... Read More

Founded in the 1920s after marriage between the Barthod and Noellat families, Domaine Ghislaine Barthod is most famous for superb reds, but also produces tiny quantities of this classic white. Textured & complex, with notes of... Read More

Grown and vinified following natural principles, this white blend is aged on fine lees in mostly concrete—aromas of honeysuckle and pear, with pleasant acidity and ripe, round stone fruit on the palate. Delicious!... Read More

A classic example of superbly-crafted, lower-intervention Cabernet Franc from the variety’s spiritual home in Chinon. The palate is bright & red-fruited, with hints of the variety’s characteristic greenness, wet stone,... Read More

Certified-biodynamic Châteauneuf du Pape from a 7th generation winemaker? Yes, please! Complex & elegant, with aromas and flavors of dark cherry, blackberry, rosemary, cedar, and smooth tannins.

From an organically-farmed, polycultural estate (certain portions are planted to cherry & apricot trees, rather than vines), this wine represents excellent value for classically-styled Saint-Joseph. Dark-fruited, peppery, savory,... Read More