France

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

94-96 Points! The 2024 Montrose has a little more Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend due to the yields in various parcels. It was picked between September 23 to October 7 and matured in 60% new oak. The well-defined and very able nose demonstrates classicism, fine delineation and a little more florality than the Terrasse III. The palate is medium-bodied with very finely chiselled tannins and a keen line of acidity. This symmetrical Saint-Estephe is blessed with an elegant, sapid and reassuringly precise finish that the estates seems to have honed in the last few years. It does not have the unbridled amibition of, say, the 2020 Montrose, but it is exceptionally well crafted and will become a fine Saint-Estephe. - Neal Martin, Vinous Media

93-95 Points! A blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc, the 2024 Montrose is a serious, muscular effort that numbers among the wines of the vintage. Unwinding in the glass with notes of cassis, burning embers, cigar wrapper and iris, it's medium to full-bodied, dense and layered, with a lively spine of acidity, rich structuring tannins and a long, penetrating finish. With both the highest proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon recorded at Montrose and a rather low pH of 3.55, it will surely number among the longest lived 2024 Bordeaux. - William Kelley, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

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

92-94 Points! The 2024 Smith Haut Lafitte was picked from September 18 to October 9 and matured in 60% new oak. It has an understated bouquet that I appreciate, with scents of blackberry, raspberry, light rose petal and India ink that gradually unfurl in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, extremely well balanced and very refined, with a linear and correct finish. This is a classy Smith Haut Lafitte that will provide up to 20 years of drinking pleasure. - Neal Martin, Vinous Media

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

93-95 Points! The 2024 Lynch-Bages is packed. Cedar, scorched earth, licorice, incense and pipe tobacco weave through a core of dark, sepia-toned fruit. I especially admire the long, polished finish and overall balance here. The 2024 is a virile Lynch Bages with a bright future. Tasted two times. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

95 Points! Such an exciting and radical gewurz with intense pink grapefruit character, but after a little aeration the rosewater and exotic fruit character of the grape comes through delicately on the nose. Powerful, yet so cool, dry and restrained. Then comes the extraordinary finish that has a freshness which almost knocks you off your chair. The final impression is of wet stone and very dry. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink or hold. - JamesSuckling.com

93 Points! The king of the cellar chez Cornin is the 2021 Pouilly-Fuissé 1er Cru Les Chevrières, a lovely wine redolent of stone fruits, orange zest, pear, musky spices, flowers and honey, followed by a medium to full-bodied, deep and satiny palate that's lively, seamless and complete. Spared by both frost and hail, it's a great success. - William Kelley, robertparker.com

92 Points! Stacks of toasted nut, candied citrus and pineapple aromas on the nose, plus a touch of melted butter. Quite full-bodied thanks also to the mutually reinforcing ripeness and fine tannins. Nice stony minerality and some saltiness at the long finish. Drink or hold. - JamesSuckling.com

The vines are about 30 years old and are in a plot that is at the top of the hillside and is a direct extension of the Premier Cru Les Bréchons and the climat of Mourottes en Grand. Aging was done in 350L barrels, 1/3 new, 1/3 one-year-old and 1/3 two-year-old. 11 months in barrels then two months in stainless steel vats.

91-93 Points! The 2021 Irancy Veaupessiot is another beautifully perfumed, melting wine from Richoux in this vintage. Wafting from the glass with notes of rose petals, warm spices, sweet soil tones and plums, it's medium-bodied, succulent and charming.

As I've written before, Thierry Richoux—and now his sons Félix and Gabin—prove that Irancy’s wines can be a revelation. Pioneers of organic farming (and now certified as such), they realize the appellation's potential, limiting their yields, harvesting by hand and maturing their wines for two years—the first year in foudre and tank, the second in smaller oak barrels...Supple, melting and vibrant, with exquisitely floral aromatics, readers who privilege sensuality and perfume over weight and power will want to secure some of the 2021s when they are ultimately released. - William Kelley, robertparker.com

91-93 Points! The 2021 Irancy Les Cailles is a beautiful wine, busting with fragrant aromas of rose petals, peonies, warm spices and forest floor, followed by a medium to full-bodied, ample and perfumed palate framed by supple, melting tannins and mouthwatering acids. Spared by the frost, this site can suffer in very hot vintages but clearly thrived in the cooler 2021 vintage.

As I've written before, Thierry Richoux—and now his sons Félix and Gabin—prove that Irancy’s wines can be a revelation. Pioneers of organic farming (and now certified as such), they realize the appellation's potential, limiting their yields, harvesting by hand and maturing their wines for two years—the first year in foudre and tank, the second in smaller oak barrels...Supple, melting and vibrant, with exquisitely floral aromatics, readers who privilege sensuality and perfume over weight and power will want to secure some of the 2021s when they are ultimately released. - William Kelley, robertparker.com

Giraudière’s Saumur Blanc “L'Ardillon de Brézé” is Chenin Blanc from vines planted in Brézé in 1985, 2003, and 2009, at 75 meters of altitude on a gentle slope facing north-south and east-west, depending on the parcel. The topsoil is deep clay with limestone and flint rock on limestone bedrock. Saumur Blanc “L'Ardillon de Brézé” is fermented in barrels at a maximum of 17°C and aged for 12 months before bottling.

From the importer:

The Beaujolais-Leynes is named after their hometown. It’s a Beaujolais-Village appellation wine sourced from vineyards at the previously mentioned geological convergence between Beaujolais and Mâconnais. It’s made entirely with carbonic fermentation with 100% whole clusters in concrete and stainless steel with almost no intervention over its two-week fermentation. For organically certified Beaujolais from a small domaine, it simply does not get better than this!

Also known as Domaine des Aubuisieres, this wine is one of our great 'house' Vouvrays, a lovely expresison that is tendre in style, riding that perfect line between sec and demi-sec. A delight!

Gorgeous Cornas! Sloping vineyard of 60+ year-old vines facing south, south east at 250 meters above sea level. Aging in oak barrels. Traditional vinification in concrete tank. Cuvaison 28 to 32 days with pigeage, pressurage with a low pressure vertical press. Aging 24 months including 12 months of old barrels then 12 months of concrete ovoids.

Blue marl soils, vines planted about 80 years ago, in the area of the Appellation Château-Chalon.

Natural fermentation (native yeasts) at low temperature. Ageing in oak barrels for more than 12 months.

93 Points! Crafted from the 2022 vintage and disgorged in August 2024 without dosage, Sergent’s NV Blanc de Blancs Prés de Dieu originates from two northeast-facing parcels: Les Prés in Vrigny and Les Vignes Dieu in Coulommes-la-Montagne, both defined by sandy soils. Vinified in 400- and 500-liter barrels, it wafts from the glass with a bouquet of grapefruit zest, white flowers and crisp green apple. On the palate, it is medium-bodied, tensile and luminous, with a piercing spine of acidity, a youthful and chiseled core and a long, saline finish. It is the tautest, most linear expression in Sergent’s range—a study in purity. - Kristaps Karklins, robertparker.com

93 Points! A stunning example of Chenin’s range and appeal. Green fig and crunchy melon are open and inviting, layered with a savory jolt of salty mineral, chive and sage notes. Cool minerality keeps pace with the fruit through the firm finish, supported by fine, piercing acidity. Silky, long and pure. Drink now through 2033. - Wine Spectator

From the importer:

Produced from 35+ year old vines, this wine is normally vinified dry.

From a single vineyard parcel on one of the highest points in the appellation. The soils here are comprised of silex (flint) and a small amount of clay over limestone bedrock. Always vinified dry, this is one of the purest expressions of Montlouis that one can find. Plenty of minerals, pear and some quince in the nose, the acidity is crisp and intense giving way to a full wine that opens up over the palate leaving more quince and river rock sensations.

94 Points! A blockbuster in a showy, rich style, with bolts of iron grounding a lush stream of chocolate, cherry and blackberry. Mesquite and sandalwood smoke notes linger through the smooth finish, which is flecked with spices, herbs and salt. A long bolt of graphite adds to the well-built feel. Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. - Wine Spectator

93+ Points! Aged in demi-muids, the 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Etienne Gonnet is drawn exclusively from la Crau, a blend of 70% Grenache and 15% each Mourvèdre and Syrah. The nose is toasty and cedary but balanced by scents of red raspberries and strawberries, while the mouth is full-bodied and supple, finishing smooth, sexy and long. It's already approachable, but the wood should integrate nicely over the next several years. - Joe Czerwinski, robertparker.com