France
Les Troix Croix 2019 Fronsac
Sunsoaked blackberry with subtle hints of cocoa and vanilla swirl like the softest whispers of a cozy bonfire on the nose. There's a charming minerality here too, like a sprinkle of earthy magic, reminding you that this wine hails from the Fronsac. The tannins; smooth operators, gliding effortlessly into a finish that really lingers. A perfect companion for a rich dinner or an evening of storytelling with friends!
Clos Marsalette 2019 Pessac-Leognan
Pauillac 2019 Pichon Tour Pibran
Château Pibran (often just “Pibran”) offers a generous, Merlot-rich take on Pauillac. Uniquely for Pauillac, nearly half the blend is Merlot, which yields a juicy, supple texture alongside the Cabernet structure. Aromatically, Pibran shows ripe cassis and blackcurrant layered with hints of ripe red fruits (plum, cherry) and subtle savory touches of tobacco and pencil shavings.
On the palate it is both juicy and structured – succulent black fruits flood the attack, supported by rich tannins that give classic Pauillac firmness. Notes of smoky cedar, graphite, and a touch of leather often emerge as it breathes. Despite its solid backbone, the high Merlot content makes the wine approachable and rounded in mouthfeel, especially in warmer vintages. The finish is long and generous with dark fruit, showing Pauillac’s depth with an extra plushness.
Overall, Château Pibran marries Pauillac’s cassis/tobacco character with an inviting, juicy warmth, making it both charming and age-worthy.
La Commanderie 2019 Saint Emilion
Château La Commanderie produces a supple, polished St-Émilion that is pleasurable even when young. The wine often opens with aromas of ripe black cherry and red currant along with pretty floral tones (rose petal) and a touch of savory herb, tobacco, and earth.
On the palate it is medium-bodied, fresh, and silky. The Merlot-rich fruit profile is sweet and creamy in texture – you’ll taste lush red cherries and plums that are impressively pure and vibrant. Tannins are very soft and polished, giving a velvety mouthfeel with no hard edges. Hints of cocoa and espresso emerge towards the finish, adding a gentle savory accent to the sweet fruit. Despite the easy-drinking nature, the wine isn’t simple; there is brightness and a bit of length, with the finish showing lingering black cherry, a dash of cocoa, and a savory, minty touch. In warmer years it can approach a “creamy, supple” richness, while maintaining lift.
Overall, La Commanderie is soft, refined, and fruit-forward, offering sweet, ripe berries on a polished frame. It can be enjoyed on release for its silky, vibrant charm, yet a few years of cellaring can further integrate its flavors and add even more smoothness to the already suave finish.
Billaud-Simon 2020/21 Tete D’Or
A refined, deeply expressive Chablis cuvée showing layered aromas of lemon oil, ripe green apple, and white peach interwoven with crushed oyster shell, flint, and subtle floral lift. The palate is concentrated yet precise, with driving acidity and a creamy, chalk-etched texture that balances its richer core of citrus and orchard fruit. Long and linear on the finish, delivering persistent saline minerality and smoky stone depth that reflect both the intensity and finesse of top-tier Billaud-Simon fruit selection.