Maison Trimbach’s Pinot Blanc 2023 is a pure expression of Alsace elegance – crisp, floral, and effortlessly versatile. Whether it’s oysters by the sea, a summer picnic, or a casual aperitif, this is a white wine that adapts to every occasion. Fresh, delicate, and beautifully balanced – a must-have for lovers of refined French whites.

This is a fascinating blend of Pinot Blanc, Pinot Auxerrois, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir vinified as a white wine. Citrussy, complex and rich, this wine offers great value.

The second wine of Domaine de Chevalier, L'Esprit de Chevalier shows complexity, depth and power expected from the deep gravel soils of the Graves. In the vineyard and winery innovation is constant, Olivier Bernard and his team are always pushing to improve the wines while showcasing each vintage as it comes. L'Esprit can be enjoyed now or in the next six years where it will age gracefully in the cellar.

Grapes - Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc

Champagne Irroy was founded in 1820 and has been owned by Champagne Taittinger since 1955.

Aromatic, rich and fruity with a deliciously crisp palate. The Extra Brut NV, is an elegant yet characterful Champagne, with a lightness of touch that makes it a perfect aperitif or party tipple. It is a blend of 30% Chardonnay (finesse and elegance), 50% Pinot Noir and 20% Pinot Meunier (structure, richness, fruitiness and a smooth mouthfeel), and is aged for a minimum of two and a half years before release.

Soil type

Limestone, clay and silt. Sandy gravel.

Grape variety

100 % Syrah.

Average age of vines

35 years.

Winemaking

Alcoholic fermentation in stainless steel vats at high temperatures. 3 weeks maceration in vats.

Ageing

18 months in oak barrels.

Average yield

40 Hl / hectare. The vines are mainly on steep slopes from the villages of Gervans, Mercurol, Larnage et Crozes-Hermitage.

Appearance : Dark and deep colour.

Nose : Red fruits, cherry and strawberry with delicate oak aromas.

Palate : A structured tannic wine. Aromas of blackcurrant buds and vanilla.

Overall : Remarkable freshness with notable and refined tannins to due long oak ageing.

Vouvray is a French wine appellation devoted to the great Chenin Blanc grape, which is expressed vibrantly in this gorgeously fresh and light bodied but intensely flavoursome white wine. Its high acidity and expansive fresh flavours make Chenin Blanc one of the most versatile wines with its bold and bright lemon, honey and floral aromas. High acidity adds length and backbone to the palate of this lovely wine. 

The history, mystery of a long established winery

The Domaine Marc Bredif winery is one of the great names of the Loire. The estate has enjoyed a long and colourful history, having been established in 1893 under the original name of Château les Roches. In 1919, not long after the end of the First World War, Marc Bredif took over from his Uncle and renamed the property to mark the change of ownership. His focus was simple, to forge an unrivalled reputation for excellence amongst the estates of the Loire Valley.
He invested heavily in the estate during the 1930’s, building a tremendous circular storage room in the heart of its cellars, which today houses venerable vintages of sweet Vouvray, some of which date back to the 1900’s. The property managed to survive the Second War World War relatively unharmed and remained under family control until the 1980’s. As is so often the case, family intrigue and financial necessity meant that the Domaine had to be sold, and in 1980 Baron Patrick de Ladoucette acquired the estate. Thankfully, the Baron was every bit the conscientious owner and has given new life to Marc Bredif – investing heavily and expanding their holdings to include some of the most prized Vouvray vineyards – 20 hectares in total. Picking exclusively by hand, the Domaine produces some of the most profound and immortal expressions of Chenin Blanc, in a range of styles to suit all wine lovers.

Wine Spectator 2016 - step ahead of 2015 and different
in style. A severe spring frost cut the crop by as much as
50 percent. May through July was rainy, but then draught
conditions arrived and persisted through the harvest. Luckily
temperatures were not too hot, especially through harvest.
Wines have fresher acidity than 2015. Very solid vintage, with
some exceptional sweet wines.
Vintage 93 pts – Outstanding – Wine Advocate Vintage Chart

Vintage 87 pts – Above Average to Excellent – Wine Advocate
Vintage Chart

If Chenin has fallen off your fine wine drinking radar, try this fabulous French example, made from grapes grown on soils of flint and limestone. Flavours of fresh green apples, honey and citrus all combine in every beautifully balanced sip of this outstanding Loire Valley Chenin Blanc from top producer, Bernard Fouquet. 

Grape varieties: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc

Winemaking: Cabernet and Merlot grapes are vinified and aged separately in French and American oak barrels, before being finished.
Controlled extraction – 3 weeks maceration with daily pumping over

Soil: Combination of clay, limestone and gravels.
Climate: Oceanic and mild climate.
Aging: Aged in oak for 6 months.

Tasting notes: Intense and brilliant red color. Expressive nose of small black fruits (blackberry, blueberry) with delicate roasted notes (cocoa). Fruit driven on the palate, supported by present and well-integrated tannins. A long and spicy aftertaste.

Grape varieties: Merlot, Cabernet Franc

Tasting notes:

Deep red colour with ruby highlights. Expressive nose full of red berry aromas (strawberry, raspberry) as well as cocoa notes when agitated. Harmonious, with ripe fruit flavours (blackberry jam) and rich in soft tannins. Long and smooth finish.

Winemaking: Traditional winemaking methods with a minimum of 6 months of ageing in French and American oak barrels. De-stalked grapes – Alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in vats. Regular rackings (every 3 months) and fining before bottling.

Soil: Limestone covered by clay, sand or gravel.

Climate: Oceanic, mild and humid.

Aging: 6 months of ageing in American oak barrels (of which 50% new)

Food matches: Duck breast “Vigneronne”, medallion of Monkfish in a St Emilion sauce.

Intense purple red color. Intense nose of flowers (violet) and black fruits (black cherry, blackcurrant) combined with peppery hints. Full on the palate with a nice fruity and spicy aftertaste.

55% Grenache, 35% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre grown in the Côtes du Rhône apellation in cobblestone-clay and clay-limestone soils.

Grapes were destemmed with daily racking. Wine aged on fine lees in vats with controlled oxygen levels.

Food Pairing: Spicy food, red meat in sauce, cheese.

"Richly fruited and instantly appealing, the wine shows dark plum, cherry, warm spice and roasted nut aromas, followed by a generously expressed palate that's succulent and silky. It's soothing and comforting with loads of tasty flavours. At its best: now to 2028" Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, Feb 2024