France

With its twenty hectares in one single plot in Fronsac, Château La Vieille Cure is one of the benchmark producers in the right bank of Bordeaux. The soil found in this site is heavy on limestone, lending a remarkably fresh quality on the palate.

Composed of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc coming mainly from clay soils on the plateau and aged for one year in oak, 65% new, the 2015 Clos du Clocher springs forth with profound notes of crushed blackberries, black cherries and blueberry compote plus touches of iron ore, bouquet garni, beef drippings and black soil.

Colour is deep Garnet with a high density and purple briliant rim. Palate is aromatic with fresh plump hint, balance between tannins and fruit is good, nice fresh fruity finish. This wine is excellent with poultry, meat and Cheeses.

From the commune of Savigny-en-Véron, the 2020 Chinon Les Barnabés is sourced from the alluvial soils of the Loire and the gravels from the Vienne. The wine opens pure, clear and fresh, but it's also deep and concentrated, with spicy notes of ripe cherries, black berries, raspberries and violets.

L'Ancien comes from Jean Paul's oldest vines--hence the name of the wine--in his home village of Charnay in the southern Beaujolais. They range in age from 40 to 60 years old and are planted on slopes sporting the area's signature sandy clay-limestone soils, featuring the particular local "dorée" or "golden" limestone that is laden with iron.

The wine offers a garnet-red color, with fuschia reflects. the bouquet is powerful, fruity with blackcurrant aromas and crystallized cherries. Supple and ample, the mouth reveals notes of blueberry jam. to be served with grilled meats, fine cheeses and chocolate desserts.

From his vines planted in limestone (Boland and Heimbourg crus of Turckheim), Boxler’s Réserve bottling always has great acidity and an ethereal quality that makes it one of the most noble bottlings of this grape in the world.

One of the oldest domaines in Marsannay, dating back to the 17th century. 30-40 year old vines from three vineyards, all organic. Flowers on the nose lead to brooding dark cherry and raspberry on the palate, joined by compost, dried herbs and crisp minerality. Round body, ripe tannins. Soft and approachable.

René Rostaing has been producing high-quality Syrah and Viognier in the Northern Rhone for over 25 years. The property is comprised of 14 lieux-dits, scattered over 20+ hectares, with vines ranging in age from 60-100 years.

Tasted at the château, the 2005 Chateau d’Yquem delivers a similar performance as last year. Lucid in colour, the bouquet is detailed with very pure honey, vanilla and almond scents, still a little new oak to be fully assimilated but demonstrating superb focus.

The 2018 Vouvray Le Mont Moelleux is clear, deep, pure and flinty on the intense but fine and coolish-mineral nose.

Great concentration and a previously unseen quantity of tannins characterized the wines, which possessed extraordinary aromatic intensity, freshness and precision.

The 2009 Haut-Brion is deep garnet colored and slightly closed and shy to begin, slowly unfurling to reveal sensuous notions of warm blackberries, plum preserves, mulberries and blackcurrant cordial with touches of star anise, mocha and damp soil.

One of the region's most charming yet least understood villages, Chénas in the hands of Dutraive comes off as a Morgon-Fleurie hybrid, with ample structure and gravitas supporting its inherently elegant fruit and tannin profile.

Domaine Follin-Arbelet represents the type of small, family-run operation that continues to make wine comme autrefois—the way it used to be done.