Wines

From the importer: The domaine’s top red wine is the cuvée Charles de Batz, which was the original name of d'Artignan. The wine is composed of 90% Tannat with 10% Cabernet Sauvignon from vines that are between 50 and 100 years old. After being completely destemmed, the Cabernet and Tannat are fermented separately in cement tanks. During this time, a bit of micro-oxygenation or microboullage takes place. The wine then goes into oak (50% new) in an underground cellar where it also undergoes malolactic fermentation. After 12 months in wood, it is blended and bottled after a very light filtration.

Very ripe, rich Madiran that takes no prisoners. This wine succeeds in obtaining more fruit than tannin! The color is nearly opaque—wine doesn't get much darker than this. It displays notes of black fruit (blackcurrant and blackberry) along with just a hint of red fruit. There is a cedar-like creaminess to the oak which is extremely well-integrated. Tannins pick up on the finish but, let's face it, this is Madiran and that is to be expected. These tannins seem to dissolve when the wine is matched with richly flavored meats like leg of lamb, duck, goose or game.

Only produced in certain vintages, Derame’s Muscadet Sevre et Maine Vieilles Vignes ‘Les Roches Gaudinieres’ is our latest find in that Muscadet-that-wants-to-be-white-Burgundy category.  As we say, “You can take the Melon out of Burgundy (where this grape originally came from), but in some cases you still find a lot of Burgundy in the Melon.” This striking white comes from Melon de Bourgogne vines planted in gabbro soils (igneous rock with a high calcium content) in 1940.  A little over a decade ago, Morandiere proprietor Alexandre Déramé had the opportunity to purchase this prized 7+ acre parcel from an older grower that was retiring. The rest, as they say, is history. 

100 Points! The 1986 Mouton-Rothschild is a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot that was picked from 2 October until 16 October. Winemaker Philippe Dhalluin, who was not working at the property back then, told me that the pH was fairly low at 3.54 when it is usually around 3.75, due to the natural tartaric acid in the vines. It has a powerful and intense bouquet as always: exemplary graphite and cedar scents, a touch of black pepper and incense. It seems to unfurl in the glass, like a motor revving its engine. The palate is beautifully balanced with its trademark firm tannic structure, a Mouton-Rothschild with backbone and masculinity. Layers of black fruit intermingling with mint and graphite, a hint of licorice emanating from the Merlot, gently fanning out and my God, it is incredibly long. It is not like the 1985 Mouton-Rothschild that is so fleshy and generous. This is serious, aristocratic Mouton, a true vin de garde and yes, I do think drinkers will have to wait until it reaches its true peak. Sometimes that's just the way it is. Tasted September 2016. - Neal Martin, robertparker.com, 2016

100 Points! The late Michel Delon always thought that this was the greatest vintage he had produced. We often tasted it side by side with the 1982, because I always preferred the latter vintage. Of course, the two vintages are quite different in style, with the 1986 a monument to classicism, with great tannin, extraordinary delineation, and a huge, full-bodied nose of sweet, ripe cassis fruit intermixed with vanilla, melon, fruitcake, and a multitude of spices. The wine has always been phenomenally concentrated, yet wonderfully fresh and vigorous. The wine still seems young, yet it is hard to believe it is not close to full maturity. It is a great example of Leoville Las Cases, and another compelling reason to take a serious look at the top Cabernet Sauvignon-based Medocs of 1986. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2035. Last tasted, 9/02. - Robert Parker, robertparker.com

95+ Points! The 1986 Lafite Rothschild unfurls in the decanter and glass with aromas of earthy blackcurrant fruit mingled with notions of cigar box and red berries. Richer and darker in profile than the 1975 drunk alongside, it's medium to full-bodied, ample and concentrated, displaying a velvety attack and a lively core of fruit, with just a touch of the tannic asperity that often defines this vintage in the Médoc making itself felt on the finish. As it approaches its 40th birthday, the 1986 Lafite still needs several hours' decant to show its best. - William Kelley, robertparker.com, 2022

93 Points! Just what you expect from top-class Pomerol. Complex fruit, mint and leather aromas are followed by rich, smooth, almost chocolaty flavors and soft tannins. Chewy and long-lasting on the finish. - Wine Spectator, 1989

94 Points! Pale to medium ruby, the 2017 Pinot Noir JINSEI Tobias Glen Vineyard opens slowly to warm black cherries, cranberries, woodsmoke, bergamot, dried flowers and a touch of tobacco and graphite. Medium-bodied, it’s wonderfully concentrated and savory, with meaty touches intertwined with the dark, ripe fruits, juicy, grainy and finishing long with lots of nuance. This has an appealing deeper, darker character than the rest of the lineup...made by consulting winemaker Stéphane Vivier. - Erin Brooks, robertparker.com

PLEASE BE AWARE, THIS IS A PRE-ARRIVAL WINE - YOU WILL NOT BE CHARGED SHIPPING FEES UNTIL THE WINE(S) ARRIVE

1 btl Ch. Les Carmes Haut-Brion 2017 édition 100% Cabernet Franc

1 flacon 30ml. L’Eau des Carmes

This exceptional case tells the story of a century at les Carmes. A unique experience, a DIALOGUE between the WINEGROWERS of Carmes and BARNABÉ FILLION, perfume designer. Olfactory design, wine design, crafts that inspire each other to PAY TRIBUTE TO A CENTURY OF HISTORY. To Bijou, to the freedom of a woman who lived here for a long time, to the daring that expresses itself on a TERROIR. To the Peugue banks, where the WINEGROWERS celebrate nature and culture. To the genius of plants, and to that of CABERNET FRANC in particular, whose oldest plants have been exploring the area for over 90 years. To the next generation, grateful, brave and creative.

96 Points! The 2017 Barbaresco Riserva Montestefano is darkly concentrated and among the richest wines in this series of single-vineyard Riservas. Montestefano is angular, textured and bold with dark fruit aromas, dried blackberry, toasted almond and cured tobacco. With this vintage, you get an age-worthy wine that offers brawn and power for drinking in the medium term, but it will become increasingly silky and slender with time. Dusty tannins and crushed stone appear on the long finish. - Monica Larner, robertparker.com

95 Points! The Produttori del Barbaresco 2017 Barbaresco Riserva Montefico is especially broad and thick in texture. It feels generous to the senses, wrapping thickly over the palate with a pretty mix of firm tannins and soft fruit fiber. These elements help to increase both the volume and the persistence of this classic wine. There is some dryness on the finish (and 15% alcohol), and you also taste crushed mineral and stone.I give this wine an edge in terms of future aging potential. Best After 2025. - Monica Larner, robertparker.com

92 Points! From a single parcel of 65-year-old vines, the 2017 Cairanne Col du Debat features subtle cinnamon and clove notes on the nose. It's full-bodied, rich and velvety, with plenty of raspberry and cherry fruit, plus attractive resiny notes of rosemary and pine on the long finish. - Joe Czerwinski, robertparker.com

94 Points! From Mesnil sur Oger, the 2017 Champagne Côte Grand Cru pours a bright straw hue and is aromatic with notes of yellow apple and chalky stones. The palate is very long, with a silky, chalk texture as well as notes of lemon balm. it goes on for ages on the palate, with a linear drive and a fantastic finish. It’s linear and bright and will benefit from time in the cellar. Drink 2025-2045. 4.5 grams per liter dosage. - Audrey Frick, JebDunnuck.com

Born in Champagne in a grower’s family, Juliette Alips rapidly found her passion. With the mentorship of her close cousins, Raphaël and Vincent Bérêche, she discovered and learned all the ins and outs of producing champagne, from farming to vinification, tasting, and blending.

Graduated from enology school in Beaune in 2020, Juliette already has a few vintages under her belt with acclaimed producers like Louis Latour in Bourgogne, G.D. Vajra in Piedmont, and closer to home, Louis Roederer Champagne where she spent more than a year learning from this iconic Maison.

95 Points! The 2017 Badia a Coltibuono Chianti Classico Riserva has youthful, transparent, much brighter aromas than many earlier vintages with spice, oak, cream and ripe, red-fruits like cherry on the nose. On the palate, there is a much better intensity of sweet red fruits and the tannins are gentle and more refined. The palate feels unforced with a lighter touch overall and a better harmony and balance. There is a very long finish with mouth-watering acidity and fine tannins giving a savory, salty finish. - The Wine Independent