France
Perron 2020 Lalande-De-Pomerol
Château Perron offers a generous taste of the Right Bank at a gentle price, coming from the Lalande-de-Pomerol appellation just north of Pomerol. The style is rich and approachable. On the nose it shows a “many-layered” compote of black and red fruits – think lush red plum, black cherry, and mulberry – accented by notes of dark baking spice, fresh oak, and a bit of cocoa. There is often a subtle earthy tone, like loamy soil or pencil shavings, in the background.
The palate is medium-plus in body with a smooth, rounded texture. Ripe Merlot-driven flavors of plum jam and juicy blackberry dominate, bolstered by hints of vanilla, cinnamon, and mocha from barrel aging. Tannins are soft and fine-grained, giving a velvety mouthfeel that makes the wine quite easy to drink even when young. Despite its plushness, Perron retains enough structure and acidity to remain balanced – a mild toast and earthy undertone add complexity to the sweet fruit core. The finish is fruit-filled and moderately long, leaving impressions of spiced berries and a touch of espresso bean.
Overall, Château Perron is rich, fragrant, and crowd-pleasing: a wine with plenty of ripe fruit, a gentle spicy oak framework, and an inviting, smooth profile that captures the essence of a mini-Pomerol experience.
Bunan 2018 Mas De La Rouviere Bandol
Deep and structured, with dark blackberry, plum, and hedgerow fruit layered over garrigue, spice, and a touch of game. Built on predominantly Mourvèdre with Grenache, Cinsault, and Syrah, it shows firm tannins and savory complexity. Powerful and age-worthy, it opens beautifully with decanting and shines alongside lamb, roast meats, or earthy dishes.
Treat yourself to one of France's hidden gems.
Grosbois Gabare 2020 Chinon
Succulent and ripe, offering sweet strawberry and raspberry fruit. The tannins are delectable, coating the palate with a light texture of cocoa powder. It's a harmonious, textural style that's easy to like thanks to its friendly personality. Can be enjoyed now with charcuterie and benefits from a light chill.
Clos De La Roilette 2023 Fleurie Tardive
"Coudert's brilliant 2018 Fleurie Cuvée Tardive offers up a deep and incipiently complex bouquet featuring raspberries, mulberries, rose petals, violets and cracked black pepper. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, deep and layered, with an abundance of rich and powdery structuring tannins, ripe but lively acids and a long, lingering finish. While this is built for the long haul—its name alluding to the aging potential of this old-vine cuvée, not to a later harvest—its enveloping profile and perfectly mature phenolics will make it unusually approachable in its youth." - 95 Points Wine Advocate (2018 Vintage), August 2019
Tinel-Blondelet 2023 Sancerre
Aydie Chateau 2017 Madiran
Deep, intense ruby red. Fine, elegant and complex on the nose, with a blend of black fruit and coffee aromas. It starts off rich and follows through with a mature consistency and silky tannins. Fine, precise woody mouth aromas. An exceptional Madiran, powerful and complex, with unusual potential. This wine can very easily be kept for 7 to 10 years.










