From the domaine...

Color white
Grape variety chardonnay
Surface area 1.50 ha
Production 6 330
Share of new barrels 15%
Alcohol 12,5%

The appellation 

Our Puligny-Montrachet mostly comes from a 1.1 ha plot located in the AOC Puligny 1er cru “Les Chalumeaux” which was downgraded to village when it was replanted in 1975 by the INAO because the former owner had brought around 20cm of exogenous soil, which is prescribed by the AOC specifications. It is the only village vine located in the middle of the hillside, in the middle of the 1er Crus. Over the years, both erosion and our organic practices resulted in the roots plunging deeper towards the original terroir. This explains how come our Puligny-Montrachet shows unusual density and complexity for a village wine. The other two plots
are “Les Levrons” and “Boudrières – Nosroyes” for 0.38 ha. 

The wine and the style
After a light settling, the musts are put into 228 and 600-literbarrels to complete the alcoholic and malolactic fermentations. We work with 5 to 20% new barrels with wood coming mostly from Allier, light toasting. The wines are racked about a year
later before being transfered to stainless steel vats for the second phase of their aging in order to retain freshness and minerality.

Vine growing
Organic since 1995 and biodynamic since 2005. All our wines
are certified by Ecocert.

Grape: Chardonnay 

Soil: Steep slopes composed of a sandy marl and limestone.

Age of the vines: 31 years old

Maceration Process: Whole bunch pressed, lightly crushed. Alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in barrels, "sur lies" without "batonnage".

Pressing: Pneumatic press

Total elevage: 14 months 

Oak used: 25% New french oak  from Tronçais and Allier forests. Light and long soft toast.

Operations performed during ageing: One racking before bottling

 Filtration:  ining followed by light filtration

Guilhem Durand, together with his consultant Claude Gros (who looks after some of the best Domaines in the Languedoc) have really refined Chateau la Bastide into delicious wines of great value.


The 70-hectare vineyard is southeast facing on chalky clay soil with alluvial gravel covering much of the topsoil and large round stones covering the best vineyard area. 80% Syrah, Grenache and Carignan Vieilles Vignes (some up to 120 years old) at 38 hl/ha in the hands of Guilhem Durand make Chateau la Bastide a wonderful mouthful of extraordinary good value. All the wines are made and matured in a mixture of cement and stainless steel tanks.

A fruit forward wine with just the right amount of tannic structure, backed up with spice and some firm toasty wood flavours in the background.

Grape 50% Merlot, 50% Cabernet Sauvignon

Food match pepper steak, duck salad, game dishes"

14% ABV

Wine growers in the northern Rhone since 1481, the Chave family represents 16 generations of unbroken lineage committed to the production of some of the finest Syrah, Marsanne, and Roussanne on the planet. Jean Louis joined his father in 1992 after completing undergraduate studies at University of Connecticut and a degree in oenology at Davis. It was at that time that he completely replanted vineyards on the family’s original estate in Saint-Joseph, which had been abandoned in the early 1900’s when phylloxera hit the region.

Jean-Louis Chave Selections, his negociant line which sources grapes from various areas in the northern Rhone, represents a more accessible way for the consumer to experience the wines of the Chave family.

This Vacqueyras from the Southern Rhone is composed of 55% Grenache 35% Syrah 10% Mourvèdre. It is aged in Foudre with a final blend in demi muid & concrete (15/20%). 

Lovely dark purple, pure. Sweet black fruits, dark cherry, raspberry, dark fruit pastille, big flavours, with aniseed and mineral tone, sweet and juicy, vibrant and juicy, the tannin is well supported by the acidity, very long, blueberry and soft plum, touch of soy.

This is the top wine of this old estate in Chateauneuf du Pape, produced from a single block of their oldest vines, many of which being over 100 years old.  Very concentrated and hedonistic wine.  100% Grenache,  undergrowth, truffle, toast, light notes of vanilla; red fruit: redcurrants, raspberries, sour cherries, maintaining a fresh acidity and endless length. The complexity of a fine Pinot Noir but the power of a mighty Rhone wine.

Chateauneuf du Pape is definitely the most famous and arguably the most prestigious of the Southern Rhone 'Cru' wine appellations, covering 3,200 hectares of vines across 5 communes (about three times the size of Martinborough).

Wine was made here from Roman times, but became famous with the Papacy in town and beyond to royal courts. The best vineyards are on gentle hill slopes, with deep clay & limestone soils with large rounded river stones 'galets' on top. By rules inacted in the 1920s, no vineyards were to be planted on land that was not arid enough to support plantings of both lavender and vines.

Domaine Juliette Avril is a family winery of four generations in the heart of Chateauneuf town - growing for centuries in the region and helped to create the rules of the appellation in 1928.  The vineyards are the classic mix of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, and small amounts of the other 10 grape varieties permitted. An impressive half of the vines are over 50 years old.

Winemaking

Temperature controlled ferment in steel, aged in high quality demi-muid (600L) barrels for 12 months, with a light filtration.  The top wine of the estate - from a single estate of old vines.

Organic wine, a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre. An intense nose of spiced berry pie, pastry, and sweet cloves. Light initially in the mouth, filling out through a generous drying mid palate featuring roasted game, anise, fennel, and olive. An increasing spiciness and garrigue to a long full finish with chewy fine tannins. A bold 15% alcohol. Our own import, making it superb value.

Chateauneuf du Pape is definitely the most famous and arguably the most prestigious of the Southern Rhone 'Cru' wine appellations, covering 3,200 hectares of vines across 5 communes (about three times the size of Martinborough).

Wine was made here from Roman times, but became famous when the Pope moved to nearby Avignon in the 14th century.  With the Papacy in town and beyond to royal courts the wines have been favourites ever since. The best vineyards are on gentle hill slopes, with deep clay & limestone soils with large rounded river stones 'galets' on top. By rules inacted in the 1920s, no vineyards were to be planted on land that was not arid enough to support plantings of both lavender and vines!

Domaine Juliette Avril is a family winery of four generations in the heart of Chateauneuf - growing for centuries in the region and one of the original families that combined forces to create the rules of the first appellation in 1928.  The vineyards are the classic mix of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, and small amounts of the other 10 grape varieties permitted. An impressive half of the vines are over 50 years old.

Winemaking

Temperature controlled ferment in steel, aged in high quality demi-muid (600L) barrels for 12 months, with a light filtration.

#N/A

The Saumur Champigny Terres Chaudes Rouge is a red wine from the controlled designation of origin of the Loire Valley. It is a blend of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes grown on a clay-limestone soil.

Tasting
The Saumur Champigny Terres Chaudes Rouge has aromas of red fruits and spices, with a hint of licorice. It is structured with ample and fleshy tannins. This wine goes perfectly with red meats, saucy dishes, and aged cheeses.

Terroir and Winemaking
Domaine des Roches Neuves practices organic farming to cultivate its vines, which is beneficial for the environment and biodiversity. The grapes are harvested by hand before being rigorously sorted. The winemaking process takes place traditionally with prolonged maceration and aging in tanks and oak barrels for several months. This method produces a powerful and elegant wine that reflects the richness of its terroir.

Biodynamic. 

100% Cabernet Franc. 

Germain’s calling card is drawn from the domaine’s many parcels in Saumur. These varied sites grow on tuffeau/limestone soils around the communes of Varrains, Chaintres, Dampierre and Saumur. The vines range from 10 to 70 years old (with the average at around 30) and include the domaine’s ‘home’ vineyard, Le Clos, a site ploughed by the family’s Ardennais draft horse. Germain harvests by hand, employs cold soak infusion for some parcels and carries out the wild yeast fermentation and maturation mostly in tank. Aside from a minor 10 ppm SO2 at bottling, the wine sees no additions. Packed with youthful Saumur joie de vivre, this is a pure, elegantly floral red with perfumed dark cherry, anise and graphite notes and a juicy, supple, mouthwatering personality that pairs beautifully with cheese, paté, pork chops and roast chicken. In other words, the perfect bistro wine (that goes with every course)! The colour of the label this year is a kind of bluish slate.

In the vineyard :
Surface: 1,57 Ha

Exposure: Lower slopes/Multiple exposures

Soil Type: Clay/Limestone

Grape variety: Chardonnay

Size Mode: Single Guyot /Poussard

Growing method: FR-BIO-01 organic certified

Soil cultivation: Straddle ploughing

Harvest: Manual

Year of planting: 1960/1976/1982/1986/2012

Grown on 3 hectares facing south, this white Mercurey is a subtle blend of grapes harvested from several parcels thriving on clay-limestone soils, including Les Montots and Bussière. Exceptionally light, supple and fragrant, it offers a less mineral but equally subtle tasting experience than our Clos Rochette.

VINEYARD
Area : 3 ha 03 [7,49 Acres]
Planting years : 1984, 1988, 1991, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022

TASTING
Elegant aromas of fruit and flowers prevail on the nose. It is well balanced and pleasantly fresh on the palate. A pleasant wine best enjoyed chilled as an aperitif or with a meal.

From the winery...

Our father bought this parcel of Ladoix, originally planted with Pinot Noir, in 1995. Grapes ripen slowly on this slightly stony soil of marl and limestone, due to its north-north-east exposure and combe location. This characteristic quickly proved ideal for white wines. After conducting conclusive trials on 0.4 ha in 2007, Erwan decided to replant this plot with Chardonnay vines in 2013. It now stretches over 3 localities, including ‘Les Marnées’ and ‘La Blancharde’. To date, this is the largest planting undertaken on our estate.

OUR VINEYARD
Area : 3 ha 19 a [7,88 Acres]
Planting years : 2007, 2013

TASTING
Fresh, floral aromas emerge on the nose, with a hint of indulgent brioche. Powerful on the palate, the wine reveals toasted bread flavours balanced by a pleasant freshness. Great energy stems from its liveliness and firmness.

Winemaking
Crafted in the heart of the Jura, Domaine Maire’s Grand Minéral Chardonnay is made using fruit from clay and limestone soils that lend natural tension and minerality. The 2021 vintage is vinified without oak, allowing the purity of Chardonnay and Jura’s terroir to take centre stage. Fermented and matured in stainless steel with extended lees contact, the wine combines freshness with a gentle savoury depth.

Bouquet
The nose is clean and expressive, showing green apple, citrus peel and pear alongside subtle notes of almond, white flowers and crushed stone.

Palate
Bright, textural and dry, the palate delivers zesty citrus, crisp orchard fruit and a chalky mineral core. A subtle nuttiness lingers beneath the fresh fruit, balanced by vibrant acidity and a long, saline finish. Elegant and refreshing with a distinct Jura edge.

Food Pairing
Perfect with Comté cheese, roast chicken, or trout almondine. Also pairs beautifully with creamy mushroom dishes, seafood gratin or a vegetable tart.