France

94 Points! Shows a lightly firm plum skin edge, with a briary feel to the pomegranate, black cherry pepper and tobacco notes. A tangy iron edge peeks through on the finish, with the briar note hanging on as well. Nice stuffing for the vintage, though this relies more on acidity than tannins in the end. -- Non-blind Chave vertical (June 2012). - Wine Spectator

From the importer: Defaix’s “Côte de Lechet” is a master class in mineral precision. This remarkably steep site (a 45% gradient) with very poor soil produces a wine that Danny describes as embodying “the real, true mineral expression of Chablis.” Freshly blasted chalk dominates the nose, with notes of lemon, honey, and fresh herbs lurking underneath; still, this is a wine of minerality first and foremost. The family owns a 3.5-hectare parcel of 45-year-old vines in this distinctive cru, most of which are planted within a parcel known as the Clos des Moines.

92 Points! The NV Brut Réserve is the foundational wine at Bérêche, and the latest release is based on the 2022 vintage, incorporating a 40% perpetual reserve component, uniting the freshness of the northern slopes and the maturity of the hot, dry vintage. Fruit for this wine comes from vineyard sites across the Montagne de Reims and the Vallée de Marne, and the Champagne was disgorged in October 2024 with six grams per liter dosage. Bursting from the glass with aromas of nectarine, orange zest and brioche, it's medium- to full-bodied and ample, with considerable density, underpinned by racy acidity and concluding with a chalky finish. The Brut Réserve has seen the most refinements in recent years as it no longer incorporates tailles and now features Chardonnay from Trépail; technically, this means that the pH is lower and the acidity is higher. It’s one of the most reliable entry-level NV bottlings on the market. - Kristaps Karklins, robertparker.com

92 Points! The enticing aromas of orange blossoms, chamomile and toasted baguette pull you into this very attractive and juicy sparkling wine with a discreet mousse on the medium-bodied palate. Moderate acidity for this appellation with a touch of salty minerality. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink now. - JamesSuckling.com

From the importer: With its three hectares of 85-year-old Chardonnay, the Clos des Rocs produces a Pouilly-Loché like no other. Its due-easterly exposition allows for optimal ripeness, and its iron-streaked calcareous topsoil extends a mere 30 centimeters before reaching limestone mother-rock. Aged 13 months in used barrels, this wine—in true grand-cru-like fashion—synthesizes the positive attributes of all its cellarmates: gleaming acidity, fine but tunneling minerality, and stunning concentration. With their low levels of sulfur and their open-knit generosity, Olivier’s wines are never forbidding in their youth, but this deserves some time in bottle to properly unfurl its multilayered complexity.

From the importer: “Cuvée P’tit Co” comes from a 45-year-old parcel of Gamay situated at 265 meters altitude in soils of pebbly quartz. With its cool northeasterly exposition and lighter soils, this vineyard produces a charming, pretty wine of delicately articulated spice and gentle tannins. Anita employs whole-cluster semi-carbonic fermentation in cement for this cuvée, followed by six months of elevage, also in cement vats.

A must-have for all you footballers!

92 Points! Fresh croissants, green apples, grapefruit and light walnuts on the nose of this crisp, balanced Champagne. Medium-bodied, seamless and sleek. 40% chardonnay, 35% pinot noir and 25% pinot meunier. - JamesSuckling.com

The aging of Brut Reserve on the lees for almost 4 years more than doubles the legal minimum of 15 months. This extra time in the cellars allows the wine to reach the peak of aromatic maturity, and the result is a delicately balanced Champagne, known for its consistently excellent quality.

Great value here. This wine comes from family estate and partners of malet Roquefort on the Right Bank. Vinification in stainless-steel temperature-controlled vats, clean, easy gorgeous!

93 Points! Pure, focused, and elegant, the 2023 Châteauneuf Du Pape Bel Ami offers an attractive floral perfume of light red fruits, rose petals, spice, and crushed stone-like minerality. Based on 70% Grenache with 10% each Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Cinsault and aged 18 months in 50% foudre and 50% stainless steel, it's medium-bodied, with a pure, layered, graceful mouthfeel, integrated tannins and acidity, and outstanding length. With roughly 833 cases produced, it's delicious already, yet it should have 10-15 years of overall longevity.  - Jeb Dunnuck

94 Points! A driven, balanced , flavorful, textural and lively Crozes-Hermitage, showing aromas of dark cherries, spiced plums, wild herbs and warm spices. It's medium-bodied with fine tannins. Superb texture and balance here with a long, succulent and vivid finish. Drink or hold. - JamesSuckling.com

93 Points! A new cellar at Annabelle Corbin's estate for the 2016 vintage allowed for greater precision in the delivery. There's a clear roundness to the cherry, loganberry and juicy cassis fruits here. The 50% new oak is present, offering charred and tarred flavours that aren't subtle but full of life. It's well constructed, supporting the fruit through the palate. A great life ahead. - Decanter Magazine

93 Points! Brimming with blackberries, supple tannins and lively acidity, this is an immediately attractive St.-Emilion that’s easy to enjoy with food now, but has the structure to age for some years. - JamesSuckling.com

93+ Points! Blended of 89% Merlot and 11% Cabernet Franc aged in 50% new and 33% one-year-old French oak for 18 months, the medium to deep garnet-purple colored 2016 Corbin has quite a meaty nose with smoked meats and beef drippings over a core of black plum preserves with hints of bay leaves and garrigue. The palate is medium to full-bodied, firm and grainy with a great core of muscular fruit and an earthy finish. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, robertparker.com

94–96 Points – Jeb Dunnuck
“A blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc from vines just across from Ausone, the 2025 Château Moulin Saint-Georges is another pure, focused, elegant wine in the Vauthier lineup, offering cassis and black raspberry fruit alongside lots of graphite, crushed stone, and violet-driven nuances with beautifully integrated oak.”

94–95 Points – Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider
“Plums, black cherries, purple flowers, cocoa, and licorice form the fragrant aromatic profile. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied, with lift and energy showing on the sweet, fresh, juicy palate. Bright red berries in the finish come along with accents of citrus, cocoa, and black raspberries, with a touch of salt on the backend.”

94 Points – Georgina Hindle, Decanter
“Really fruit forward on the nose with so much red and blue berry aromas. Supple and succulent, juicy and lively with really fine tannins. Finessed, balanced, and compelling.”

93-95 Points -  Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Palate "Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2025 Moulin Saint-Georges prances out of the glass with gregarious notes of black raspberries and wild blueberries, giving way to hints of anise, garrigue, and dusty soil. The medium-bodied palate is silky, intense, and defined by an exhilaratingly crisp backbone, finishing long and minerally. The blend is 85% Merlot and

96–97 Points – James Suckling
“So much energy in this wine, with freshness, vivid cherry and raspberry character, fine tannins and bright acidity. Medium-bodied. How a 2025 should be.”

95 Points – Georgina Hindle, Decanter
“Ripe black fruit with liquorice, tobacco and cedar aromas. Sleek and polished, this has both brightness and subtle power to it. The tannins are beautifully positioned and integrated. Polished!”

94 Points – Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux
“Estate signature, showing inky depths and character, damson, blueberry, espresso, a good quality wine with character and impact. Real potential over ageing.”

96–97 Points – James Suckling
“So much energy in this wine, with freshness, vivid cherry and raspberry character, fine tannins and bright acidity. Medium-bodied. How a 2025 should be.”

95 Points – Georgina Hindle, Decanter
“Ripe black fruit with liquorice, tobacco and cedar aromas. Sleek and polished, this has both brightness and subtle power to it. The tannins are beautifully positioned and integrated. Polished!”

94 Points – Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux
“Estate signature, showing inky depths and character, damson, blueberry, espresso, a good quality wine with character and impact. Real potential over ageing.”

92–94 Points – Jeb Dunnuck
“Red, blue, and black fruits, graphite, crushed stone, and tons of violet nuances all define the rock-solid 2025 Château Faugères, a beautifully polished, layered Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé.”

96–99 Points – Antonio Galloni, Vinous
“The 2025 Valandraud is breathtaking. Vibrant and explosive in the glass, the 2025 offers an exotic mélange of dark blue/purplish fruit, lavender, spice and mocha. There's gorgeous precision here, much of that coming from more finesse in the tannins. The 2025 is utterly magnificent.”

96–97 Points – James Suckling
“Lots of dark fruit with an edge, supported by chalky tannins. Compact and concentrated, with a fresh medium body. This shows an attractive combination of power, focused tannins, freshness and exuberant fruit.”

95 Points – Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux
“As ever with Valandraud, this has impressive depths and concentration. Inky colour, sea spray aromatics, sandalwood oak, roasted coffee, dark chocolate, powerful iris and violets. This is a great wine and a clear potential upscore in bottle.”

97–99 Points – Jeb Dunnuck
“Based on 84% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc, and 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2025 Château Valandraud has captivating aromatics of juicy red, blue, and black fruits, graphite, spring flowers, and an ultra-classic lead pencil character. Concentrated and full-bodied, with incredible purity and a more restrained, elegant style than previous vintages.”

95 Points – Georgina Hindle, Decanter
“Sultry nose with ripe red fruit and soft jasmine and fragrance – dried flowers, pot pourri. Juicy and filling with a lovely light hand in terms of tannins. Mouthwatering and lifted, nothing feels heavy and you're left with a smile on your face.”

95 Points – Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux
“Closed on the nose, elegant with fine but plentiful tannins that layer up fast in the palate. Violet and peony floral notes, clear savoury edge of blue fruits. This is precise, well structured, with huge potential for ageing but also for pleasure.”

93–95 Points – Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider
“Cigar wrappers, flowers, cedar, mint leaves, currants, blackberries and licorice scents blend together to create the nose. Elegant, soft, and polished, the layers of fruit with their refined character and lift make this a standout wine.”