Alsace, Rhône & Rest of France

37% Macabeu, 34% Vermentino, 21% Sauvignon Blanc, 6% Grenache Blanc, 2% Marsanne-Roussanne. This wine is a unique blend of different vintages : 2017 (90%) 2016 (8%) 2014 (2%). At once fresh and greedy, it expresses beautiful aromatic nuances on the nose and an invigorating touch on the mouth.

{***}{region} Roussillon {region}
{color} White {color}                                                               {maturity}drink-now{maturity} {maturity-text}Drink now{maturity-text}
{vintage}NV{vintage}{***}

A delightful and expressive non-vintage blend of Syrah (55% from 25 year-old vines), Carignan (40% from 75 year-old vines) and Grenache noir (5% from 70 year-old vines) from 2015 (10%) 2014 (55%) 2013 (20%) 2012 (10%) 2011 (5%). The mix is a vibrant, Rhone-inspired joy to drink, a serious wine, seriously constructed, but which doesn't take itself too seriously. Aromatic and perfumed, it has complex black and blueberry fruits, scrub brush/wood-like, resinous herbs, exotic pepper and assorted floral notes, and this beauty hits the palate with a supple, medium-bodied profile that carries sweet yet tangy fruit, light tannin and an excellent finish. It’s a delicious and character-filled and so easy to drink! Drink now-2020.

{***}{region} Roussillon {region}
{color} Red {color}                                                               {maturity}drink-now{maturity} {maturity-text}Drink now{maturity-text}
{vintage}NV{vintage}
{ratings}
[] Jancis Robinson:: 17/20{ratings}{***}

Le Soula produces wines of remarkable quality in the Fenouilledes region of the Roussillon, in the foothills of the Pyrenees above the Agly valley. Their wines combine freshness and vitality, characteristics that stem from the soil and climate.This orange wine consist a blend of different vintages : 2017 (16%), 2016 (30%), 2015 (16%), 2014 (22 %), 2013 (7%) and 2009 (9 %) .

{***}{region}Roussillon{region}
{color}White{color}                                                                                                {maturity}drink-now{maturity} {maturity-text}Drink now{maturity-text}
{vintage}2016{vintage}{***}

32% Vermentino, 30% Sauvignon, 20% Macabeu, 14% Grenache Blanc, 3% Marsanne & Roussanne and 1% Grenache Gris. The nose a fascinating nut-inflected mix of orchard and citrus fruit, with hints of the pine forest. On the palate it is nutty, earthy with refined fruit and prominent minerality.

{***}{region} Roussillon {region}
{color} White {color}                                                               {maturity}ready-keep{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2013{vintage}{***}

This cuvée is made from Carignan, Syrah and Grenache fruit from old vines which are farmed biodynamically and planted high in the foothills of the Pyrenees. The high altitude allows the fruit to retain a lovely freshness which gives this wine finesse and elegance. Made using minimum amounts of sulphur, this red has plenty of ripe blackcurrant and red berry fruit which sit alongside leather, thyme and a subtle “animal note”, which is present enough to give complexity without overwhelming the palate as some natural wines can do. Aged at the domaine, this is ready for drinking, although it will mature very gracefully should one wish to keep it for a while.

{***}{region} Roussillon {region}
{color} Red {color}                                                               {maturity}ready-keep{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2013{vintage}{***}

Picked from Francois Cotat's youngest vines, from 5 years upwards, still within the confines of the village of Chavignol if on slightly flatter ground. The net result is a Francois Cotat wine that can be lapped up if its youth. As you would expect, the wine shows impeccable manners, along with a crystalline purity, freshness and scintillating detail. Perfect as an aperitif or with starters.

{***}
{region}Loire{region}
{color}White{color}
{maturity}ready-keep{maturity}
{maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2010{vintage}
{ratings}                                                                                                                                 [] Robert Parker:: 90/100                                                                          [] Jancis Robinson:: 17/20
{ratings} 
{***}

This is an exemplary Sancerre, raised in a combination of stainless steel and large oak foudres, which add breadth to the palate but no discernible oaky aromas – indeed, the nose is a paean to Sauvignon Blanc, with aromas including grass, gooseberry and passionfruit. There’s a slight smoky character to the long, fresh finish. A memorable match for warm goats’ cheese.

{***}{region} Sancerre{region}
{color} White{color}                                                               {maturity}drink-now{maturity} {maturity-text}Drink now{maturity-text}
{vintage}2017{vintage}{***}

This is an exemplary Sancerre, raised in a combination of stainless steel and large oak foudres, which add breadth to the palate but no discernible oaky aromas – indeed, the nose is a paean to Sauvignon Blanc, with aromas including grass, gooseberry and passionfruit. There’s a slight smoky character to the long, fresh finish. A memorable match for warm goats’ cheese.

{***}{region} Sancerre{region}
{color} White {color}                                                               {maturity}drink-now{maturity} {maturity-text}Drink now{maturity-text}
{vintage}2017{vintage}{***}

This classic Provence rosé is delicious. Wild strawberry, pink grapefruit, redcurrant and verbena notes are balanced by refreshing acidity and subtle floral and herbal aromas. Ready to drink now.

{***}{region} Côtes de Provence{region}
{color} Rose {color}                                                               {maturity}drink-now{maturity} {maturity-text}Drink now{maturity-text}
{vintage}2018{vintage}{***}

Only a few hundred cases are made of this extraordinary Rosé wine, that shares the same pedigree as Francois Cotat's extraordinary range of wines. Crucially it is vinified using his old Gamay vines, a small percentage of which was planted in 1943! This, together with the excellent 2010 vintage, treats us to a wine that's beautifully pale in colour, yet so fresh and zippy to smell, with incredible 'fraises du bois' fruit on the svelte palate. A gorgeous wine with which to celebrate spring! Drinking now but will keep.

{***}
{region}Loire{region}
{color}Rose{color}
{maturity}ready-improve{maturity}
{maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2010{vintage}
{ratings}                                                                                                                                 [] Robert Parker:: 88/100                                                                          [] Jancis Robinson::16.5++/20
{ratings}  
{***}

Rolly Gassmann is widely regarded as residing in the top echelon of Alsatian producers and the proof is certainly in the pudding here. The nose has lovely notes of acacia, lime and honey, while the palate is ripe and full, but retains pep, freshness and an attractive streak of minerality.

{***}
{region}Alsace{region}
{color}White{color}                                                               {maturity}drink-now{maturity} {maturity-text}Drink now{maturity-text}
{vintage}2016{vintage}{***}

André Ostertag is one of Alsace’s most pioneering winemakers, renowned for defying tradition and experimenting in both the vineyard and winery. He is passionate about biodynamics and expressing the region’s complex terroir. André likens his work to that of a gardener, with each vineyard a portion of his garden. The wine is defined by a dry, salty backdrop that André searches for, as evidence of deep-rooted minerality.

{***}{region}Alsace{region}
{color}White{color}                                                               {maturity}ready-keep{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2017{vintage}{***}

Domaine Ostertag’s mastery of the Sylvaner grape is no more evident than in the Les Vielles Vignes de Sylvaner. The first to be brought forth from the cellars each year, this complex dry white has notes of lime zest and fern, with an expressive palate of white pepper and citric freshness and a characteristic textural finish.

{***}{region}Alsace{region}
{color}White{color}                                                               {maturity}ready-keep{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2017{vintage}
{***}

André Ostertag is one of the region’s most important representatives of biodynamic viticulture. Here, his Pinot Blanc reaches the perfect ripeness, revealing a refined, fresh and elegant profile. There are hints of white flowers, white fruits, citrus fruits, hazelnut and bergamot. On the palate, there is good tension, a saline finish and nice aromatic length. Enjoy this wine by itself or with aperitif.

{***}
{region}Alsace{region}
{color}White{color}                                                               {maturity}drink-now{maturity} {maturity-text}Drink now{maturity-text}
{vintage}2017{vintage}{***}

The 2016 Pinot Gris Zellberg is deep and intense but pure and stony on the nose. Rich, smooth and elegant, this is a very intense, perfectly ripe and textured Zellberg with fine but still young and grippy tannins and delicious acidity. Lush, long and fruity but still young. - The Wine Advocate

{***}{region}Alsace{region}
{color} White{color}                                                               {maturity}ready-improve{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2017{vintage}
{ratings}
   [] The Wine Advocate:: 93/100{ratings}        {***}

Barrel-fermented in old oak, this wine is a step away from sweeter Alsatian examples. Orchard and stone-fruit complement notes of almond and ginger on the nose and palate. Textural and long, the finish is defined by fresh acidity and impressive fruit concentration. Drink now to 2023.

{***}
{region}Alsace{region}
{color}White{color}                                                               {maturity}drink-now{maturity} {maturity-text}Drink now{maturity-text}
{vintage}2017{vintage}{***}

From vines ranging from 30 to 75+ years old and planted on red sandstone and volcanic sediments, Ostertag's 2016 Grand Cru Muenchberg Riesling is intense and concentrated on the deep, clear and elegant nose, with perfectly ripe (mirabelle) fruit aromas that are perfectly mixed with the spicy-warm terroir notes. Round, juicy, very compact and tensioned but highly elegant and deep on the palate, the 2016 reveals great density and complexity and indicates lots of mysteries that will be revealed over the years in the bottle or with more aeration. A fascinating Muenchberg, it is intense and dense but highly finessed and with lingering salinity. - The Wine Advocate

{***}{region}Alsace{region}
{color} White{color}                                                               {maturity}ready-improve{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2017{vintage}
{ratings}
   [] The Wine Advocate:: 95/100 {ratings}       {***}

Made from Roussanne, Grenache Blanc, Clairette and Bourboulenc, this wine has a nice limpidity, with a pale yellow colour and slight hints of green. The bouquet is intense, offering scents of white flowers, especially acacia. The palate reveals aromas of peach and pear mixed with exotic fruit notes. There is a soft oakiness, with light spiced notes blending with hints of vanilla. The finish is full, with a lovely mineral quality, promising to age well.

{***}{region}Rhône{region}
{color}White{color}                                                               {maturity}ready-keep{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2017{vintage}{***}

An expansive palette of grape varieties adds to the ensemble of Beaucastel's Châteauneuf-du-Pape in 2007, be it the white pepper from the Counoise, the hedgerow from the Cinsault, the notes of summer pudding from the Syrah or the pure red berry fruit from the Grenache. It is however the power of the dominant Mourvèdre with its notes of charcuterie and bacon rind, which intimates longevity and a satisfying crescendo over the next fifteen years.

{***}
{region}Rhône{region}
{color}Red{color}
{maturity}ready-improve{maturity}
{maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2007{vintage}
{ratings}
[]The Wine Advocate::96/100
[]Jancis Robinson::18/20
{ratings}
{***}

Destemming was virtually absent in 2016, then a long cuvaison, gently executed and with minimal pumping over; all the energy and power from the fruit itself channelling the nutrients and character of the vintage. Elevage was mainly in demi-muid, with very few barriques employed, none of them new; the result has ripe yet restrained fruit, with subtle aromatics of violets and forest floor, and beautifully silky tannins at the back of the mouth. Approachable, yet youthful at the same time; a child for our time. Drink 2020-2024.

{***}{region}Rhône{region}
{color}Red{color}                                                                                           {maturity}laying-down{maturity} {maturity-text}For laying down{maturity-text}
{vintage}2016{vintage}{***}