France

Born in 1992 the second wine of Château Valandraud, Virginie de Valandraud is named after Jean-Luc Thunevin and Murielle Andraud ‘s daughter.

From a region known for creating sometimes burly wines, this lower-alcohol, fruit-driven cuvée from declassified Bandol vines is a refreshingly vibrant wine from Provence. Blooming with fresh berry fruits and mild tannin, it’s a beacon of hope that fresh wines are still possible in this increasingly hot region.

Domaine de Cristia Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes 2018 is an exceptional red wine from the renowned Rhône Valley in France. Crafted primarily from Grenache grapes, sourced from old vines, this wine exemplifies the depth and complexity of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation.

Aromas of blackberries, blueberries, wet earth and black tea. Full-bodied, dense and layered with medium, chewy tannins and a flavorful finish. Shows focus and power.

An estate that's been in the hands of the same family for four generations. Winemaker Claire Laval is intent on preserving the terroir of her estate through meticulous care in the vineyard and winery. There's an excellent balance of fruit here, with a touch of woody tannins and a silken finish.

A very fresh and decidedly peppery nose features pretty notes of red berries and an elegant floral nuance. There is fine intensity and volume to the well-detailed middle weight flavors that deliver very good length on the saline-inflected finish. Good stuff that could be enjoyed young or aged for a few years to good effect.

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.

Plummy purple in colour with aromas of ripe red and black fruit on the nose. On the palate it is silky and smooth with a hint of spice from the Cabernet grapes. Supple tannins are also present, but not overpowering.

Ripe black cherries, dried flowers, black olives and cloves on the nose. It is medium-bodied with firm, silky tannins and a juicy, flavorful finish.

Eric Texier single-handedly rescued Brezeme, an obscure sub-region of the Northern Rhone where heritage Syrah is grown. This wine is his staple: 100% Syrah produced from middle-aged, south-facing vines. It's a great introduction to Texier's wines, but also just a great value in Northern Rhone loveliness.

The 19th century château overlooks 36 hectares of vines growing on a soil consisting of clay and limestone rock. This round, fruity wine has been carefully aged to reflect its intrinsic elegance, and is faithful to the heritage of Baron Edmond de Rothschild.

This bright and balanced Chambolle-Musigny from Clerget is loaded with flavors of forest berries, rhubarb, strawberry jam, and mushrooms. Now with eight years of age on it, this wine is really in a good place. Serve chilled and enjoy!

Château de Beaucastel Ch. Hommage À Jacques Perrin 2009 is an exceptional red wine produced in the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation of the Rhône Valley, France. Crafted primarily from Mourvèdre grapes, blended with other traditional varietals, this wine pays homage to Jacques Perrin, a pioneer in the region.

Originating in the Jura region of France, the Grivot family settled in Vosne-Romanée right before the French Revolution. In 1919, Gaston Grivot sold his vines in less prominent areas to be able to buy a large plot in the grand cru Clos de Vougeot. He and his son, Jean, were some of the first students to graduate from Dijon University under the oenology program, and soon after they made their last name famous in the wine world.

The 2016 Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru was reduced by one-third due to the frost, unorthodox in that it affected the higher part of Etienne's vines. It has a slightly more rustic, almost obdurate nose than the previous two vintages, with touches of dried blood and something almost ferrous sutured into the red berry fruit.