Wines

93 Points! This is very flinty, with white pepper and cantaloup and other melon aromas and flavors. Full-bodied and steely at the same time. It’s very flavorful and focused at the finish. Drink now. - JamesSuckling.com

From 25-50 year-old vines. Fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel barrels preceded by a one-day skin maceration; local yeasts; natural static decantation. Aging on lees for at least three months with frequent batonnage.

90 Points, Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines 2023! This light-on-its-feet white is dry, tangy and orangey, with blood orange granita, orange blossoms and juicy tangerine acidity accented by hints of fresh tarragon and salty mineral. Drink now. - Wine Spectator

91 Points! Fresh lemons, green apples, white grapefruit and lime blossom on the nose. Hints of herbs. So fresh, with a medium body, bright acidity and super clean, crisp finish. Drink now. - JamesSuckling.com

94 Points! Deep gold hue with a light copper edge. Attractive aromatics of loquat and apricots, with some stones and saffron as well. Very full-bodied and textured on the palate with a bone-dry and nicely tannic center palate that gives this plenty of structure. Firm, dry and appetizing. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold. - JamesSuckling.com

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.

94 Points! Extremely perfumed with violet and blueberry aromas that follow through to a full body with creamy, refined tannins. Wonderful depth, due to the compact fruit and vertical line of tannins. Black pepper to the dark fruit. Better in two or three years. Try after 2022. - JamesSuckling.com

91 Points! A full-bodied red with aromas of black cherries, blackcurrants, violets and black licorice. Tannic and chewy with a firm core of dark fruit. Try from 2023. - JamesSuckling.com

From the importer: Karneid, the vineyard site, is a high-altitude plot on the other side of the valley from the winery. Very aromatic, a distinctive pear-drop nose, with flower notes reminiscent of Riesling (Kerner is a cross between Riesling and Schiava). Very fresh acidity, bone dry, I would drink this as a dry aperitif or with all sorts of appetizers.

96 Points! Gorgeous aromas of persimmons and spices as nutmeg, cinnamon, orange peel, and hints of caramel. Honey and apricot. Full-bodied, dry and layered with dried fruits such as apricots and pears. Botrytis spice. Fine silky phenolic texture and a flavorful finish. Layered and fascinating. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees centigrade. Drink or hold.- JamesSuckling.com

100% Brachetto made in a fruitier Moscato d'Asti style, grapes are harvested the first week of September. Once in the winery, grapes are destemmed, crushed and chilled, then macerated for 12-18 days. The must is then separated from the skins and filtered. The must is then put into sealed tanks and inoculated with yeast for the secondary fermentation.