PRE-ORDER Winemaker Notes The 2018 Domaine Hudelot-Baillet Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Cras is an expressive and mineral-driven wine that showcases the concentration of the vintage alongside the domaine's hallmark "racy" style. Produced by winemaker Dominique Leguen from a 0.37-hectare parcel of 25-year-old vines, the 2018 is aged in a combination of 50% new and 50% one-year-old oak barrels.  About Winery Founded in 1981 in Chambolle-Musigny by Joël Hudelot and Chantal Baillet, this Burgundy estate holds a,, ~10-hectare portfolio featuring a prized parcel of Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru. Under Dominique Le Guen (joined 1998, took over 2004), the domaine has gained recognition for producing elegant, non-interventionist, and high-quality Pinot Noir. 

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Winemaker Notes The 2018 Joseph Drouhin Beaune 1er Cru "Grèves" Rouge is a beautifully expressive, pure, and texturally complete Pinot Noir that highlights the concentration of a warm, solar vintage while maintaining classic Burgundy elegance. In the glass, it displays an intense, brilliant purplish-cherry red color. The bouquet is strikingly open and aromatic, weaving together ripe aromas of black raspberry, dark cherry, and wild currant with delicate floral notes of violets, all framed by hints of sweet oak spice, autumn leaf, and a faint touch of smoky tobacco. On the palate, the wine delivers a full-bodied, generous mouthfeel characterized by an incredibly smooth, caressing, and velvety texture packed with dense, juicy red and black fruits. While the vintage brings a natural richness and a supple roundness to the mid-palate, it is kept impeccably balanced by a surprising vein of fresh acidity and structured around fine, youthfully taut tannins that prevent any sense of heaviness. The finish is remarkably persistent and classy, leaving a lingering impression of crème de cassis, exotic five-spice, and a fine dust of earthy minerals, making this a highly rewarding Beaune Premier Cru that is deliciously approachable now but possesses the structure to evolve gracefully in the cellar for the next decade. About Winery Maison Joseph Drouhin was founded in 1880 in Beaune, Burgundy, by Joseph Drouhin, and has since grown into one of the region’s most respected wine producers. Over the generations, the family expanded its holdings to include vineyards across Burgundy—such as Chablis, Côte de Nuits, Côte de Beaune, and Côte Chalonnaise—and later established Domaine Drouhin Oregon in the Willamette Valley. Today, the estate remains family-run by Joseph’s great-grandchildren, who continue the tradition of producing elegant wines with a focus on terroir and sustainable practices, including organic certification for their Burgundy vineyards since 2009

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PRE-ORDER Winemaker Notes The 2018 Joseph Drouhin Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru pours a vibrant, deep ruby hue and opens with an expressive, generous nose of ripe wild raspberries, black cherries, and cassis, layered alongside nuances of dark chocolate, exotic spice, incense, and subtle earthy undergrowth. Benefiting from the sun-drenched richness of the 2018 vintage, the palate is full-bodied, broad, and enveloping, balancing its concentrated core of succulent red and dark fruit with fine, velvety tannins and fresh acidity. Refined yet impressively structured, it carries the house’s trademark elegance into an expansive, long-lasting finish marked by lingering floral and spice notes that promise exceptional longevity in the cellar.   About Winery Maison Joseph Drouhin was founded in 1880 in Beaune, Burgundy, by Joseph Drouhin, and has since grown into one of the region’s most respected wine producers. Over the generations, the family expanded its holdings to include vineyards across Burgundy—such as Chablis, Côte de Nuits, Côte de Beaune, and Côte Chalonnaise—and later established Domaine Drouhin Oregon in the Willamette Valley. Today, the estate remains family-run by Joseph’s great-grandchildren, who continue the tradition of producing elegant wines with a focus on terroir and sustainable practices, including organic certification for their Burgundy vineyards since 2009

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Winemaker Notes A brilliant pale yellow color. The attractive aromas of white and yellow fruits mix with light woody notes. On the palate, this wine meets up to the expectations of its aromas: it has a round and full attack before the vanillary and toasty tastes reveal themselves. Good long-lasting aromas. The finish is slightly acidic. About Winery Domaine Faiveley is one of the largest and most illustrious domaines in Burgundy, and has made its name with red wines made from the Pinot Noir grape. It was founded in 1825 in the village of Nuits-Saint-Georges under Joseph Faiveley, a wine merchant who had a desire for travel. In the beginning of the 19th Century, trade had begun between Burgundy and northern Europe, predominantly along the rivers and canals connecting the regions. Merchants from Burgundy would travel along these paths to exchange their wines for textiles. Joseph Faiveley was one of these merchants, introducing his Burgundian wine to the wider world. Today, the house is run by seventh-generation Eve and Erwan Faiveley (wine-searcher.com interviewed Eve Faiveley in 2021), and the company has expanded its footprint in the Côte de Beaune, and has vineyards throughout the Côte de Nuits, as well as in the Côte Chalonnaise (Domaine de la Framboisière) and Chablis. Domaine Faiveley is best known for its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines, but small amounts of Aligoté are also planted in the Côte Chalonnaise. Currently, Faiveley has 10 hectares (25 acres) of grand cru vineyards out of a total of 115 hectares (285 acres).

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PRE-ORDER Winemaker Notes The wine opens with a complex bouquet of red and black fruits, spices, and a distinctive note of cocoa underscored by a hint of smoke. On the palate, it is described as dense and rich, featuring supple, well-rounded tannins and phenomenal fruit flavors that lead to an exquisitely long, aromatic finish. About Winery Founded in 1831 by Bernard Bichot in Monthélie, France, Maison Albert Bichot began as a Burgundy wine trading house before establishing its Beaune headquarters in 1912. The family, present in Burgundy since 1350, transitioned to domaine ownership, and today, under 6th-generation leader Albéric Bichot (since 1996), it manages 100+ hectares of organic-certified vineyards. 

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Winemaker Notes The 2018 Maison M. Chapoutier Ermitage “Le Pavillon” Rouge Bio is a monumental Syrah from the pure granite soils of the Les Bessards lieu-dit on Hermitage Hill. Deep purple in color, it opens with a complex bouquet of blackberries, blueberries, crushed rock, violets, olives, acacia flowers, and gamey, smoky notes. On the palate, it is full-bodied, rich, and concentrated, yet refined, with a tight, backward structure that will require significant aging to fully reveal its depth. The mid-palate shows plush fruit and earthy nuances, almost creamy in texture, finishing with waves of velvety tannins and remarkable persistence. Critics awarded it 96–98 points (Robert Parker) and 96 points (Wine Spectator), praising its balance of fruit, savory complexity, and extraordinary aging potential—capable of evolving gracefully for decades. About Winery  Maison M. Chapoutier is one of the most historic and influential wineries in France’s Rhône Valley, based in Tain-l’Hermitage. The family’s roots in the region trace back to 1808, when the company was first established under the name Calvet et Compagnie. In 1879, Polydor Chapoutier purchased vineyards in Hermitage, marking the true beginning of the Chapoutier wine legacy. By the late 19th century, Marius Chapoutier expanded the business, and in the 20th century, leadership passed through successive generations, including Max Chapoutier. The most transformative era began in the 1990s under Michel Chapoutier, who introduced biodynamic viticulture, a philosophy emphasizing harmony between soil, plants, and environment. Michel also made Chapoutier’s wines globally recognizable by adding Braille labels in 1996, honoring inclusivity. Today, Chapoutier is celebrated for producing some of the Rhône’s most iconic wines, particularly from Hermitage, Côte-Rôtie, and Châteauneuf-du-Pape, while remaining a pioneer in biodynamic winemaking.

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Winemaker Notes The 2018 Maison M. Chapoutier Ermitage “De L’Orée” Blanc Bio is a powerful and age-worthy Marsanne from the Les Murets parcel in Hermitage, Northern Rhône. It displays an intense golden hue and opens with expressive aromas of orange blossom, citrus, acacia, hawthorn, and mineral notes. On the palate, it is full-bodied and concentrated, with layers of ripe fruit, lemon curd, honey, and spice, balanced by freshness and a distinctive flinty minerality. The finish is long, complex, and elegant, showcasing both opulence and precision. Highly acclaimed by critics (96–98 points from Robert Parker), this wine is renowned for its extraordinary longevity, capable of evolving gracefully for decades. About Winery  Maison M. Chapoutier is one of the most historic and influential wineries in France’s Rhône Valley, based in Tain-l’Hermitage. The family’s roots in the region trace back to 1808, when the company was first established under the name Calvet et Compagnie. In 1879, Polydor Chapoutier purchased vineyards in Hermitage, marking the true beginning of the Chapoutier wine legacy. By the late 19th century, Marius Chapoutier expanded the business, and in the 20th century, leadership passed through successive generations, including Max Chapoutier. The most transformative era began in the 1990s under Michel Chapoutier, who introduced biodynamic viticulture, a philosophy emphasizing harmony between soil, plants, and environment. Michel also made Chapoutier’s wines globally recognizable by adding Braille labels in 1996, honoring inclusivity. Today, Chapoutier is celebrated for producing some of the Rhône’s most iconic wines, particularly from Hermitage, Côte-Rôtie, and Châteauneuf-du-Pape, while remaining a pioneer in biodynamic winemaking.

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Winemaker Notes The 2018 Maison M. Chapoutier Ermitage “L’Ermite” Blanc Bio is considered one of the most exceptional Marsanne-based wines from the Northern Rhône. Coming from old vines at the very top of Hermitage Hill, it delivers a magical bouquet of quince, poached pear, orange blossom, honeysuckle, and a distinctive mineral “liqueur of rock” character. On the palate, it is powerful, super-rich, and full-bodied, yet balanced with remarkable precision and depth. Aged in demi-muids (20–25% new), the wine shows both opulence and finesse, with a long, resonant finish. Critics awarded it near-perfect scores (100 points Jeb Dunnuck, 98–100 Robert Parker), praising its purity and longevity; while approachable with extended aeration, it is expected to reach peak maturity in 7–8 years and age gracefully for decades. About Winery  Maison M. Chapoutier is one of the most historic and influential wineries in France’s Rhône Valley, based in Tain-l’Hermitage. The family’s roots in the region trace back to 1808, when the company was first established under the name Calvet et Compagnie. In 1879, Polydor Chapoutier purchased vineyards in Hermitage, marking the true beginning of the Chapoutier wine legacy. By the late 19th century, Marius Chapoutier expanded the business, and in the 20th century, leadership passed through successive generations, including Max Chapoutier. The most transformative era began in the 1990s under Michel Chapoutier, who introduced biodynamic viticulture, a philosophy emphasizing harmony between soil, plants, and environment. Michel also made Chapoutier’s wines globally recognizable by adding Braille labels in 1996, honoring inclusivity. Today, Chapoutier is celebrated for producing some of the Rhône’s most iconic wines, particularly from Hermitage, Côte-Rôtie, and Châteauneuf-du-Pape, while remaining a pioneer in biodynamic winemaking.

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Winemaker Notes The 2018 Maison M. Chapoutier Ermitage “L’Ermite” Rouge Bio is a profound expression of Syrah from the granite soils at the very top of Hermitage Hill. It shows a very deep garnet, almost black color, with an aromatic profile of crème de cassis, black fruits, violets, acacia flowers, ink, crushed stone, charcoal, and peppered game. On the palate, it is full-bodied, tight, and concentrated, combining immense power with velvety tannins and a mineral backbone that reflects its terroir. Smoky and peppery notes highlight the Syrah’s character, while the finish is long and resonant. Critics awarded it near-perfect scores (98–100 points from Wine Advocate and Jeb Dunnuck), praising its purity, depth, and extraordinary aging potential—capable of evolving gracefully for 30 to 60 years, and in exceptional vintages, even longer. About Winery  Maison M. Chapoutier is one of the most historic and influential wineries in France’s Rhône Valley, based in Tain-l’Hermitage. The family’s roots in the region trace back to 1808, when the company was first established under the name Calvet et Compagnie. In 1879, Polydor Chapoutier purchased vineyards in Hermitage, marking the true beginning of the Chapoutier wine legacy. By the late 19th century, Marius Chapoutier expanded the business, and in the 20th century, leadership passed through successive generations, including Max Chapoutier. The most transformative era began in the 1990s under Michel Chapoutier, who introduced biodynamic viticulture, a philosophy emphasizing harmony between soil, plants, and environment. Michel also made Chapoutier’s wines globally recognizable by adding Braille labels in 1996, honoring inclusivity. Today, Chapoutier is celebrated for producing some of the Rhône’s most iconic wines, particularly from Hermitage, Côte-Rôtie, and Châteauneuf-du-Pape, while remaining a pioneer in biodynamic winemaking.

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PRE-ORDER Winemaker Notes The 2018 Domaine Michel Gros Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Clos des Réas (Monopole) is an opulent and "supremely elegant" Pinot Noir from the family's historic 2.12-hectare triangular walled vineyard. In this warm and concentrated vintage, the wine offers a complex bouquet of black cherry, blueberry, and cassis, intertwined with floral notes of lavender and rose petals, and subtle hints of cinnamon, clove, and smoky toast. About Winery Domaine Michel Gros's Clos de Vougeot "Le Grand Maupertuis" is a, prestigious 0.2-hectare Grand Cru parcel located in the top section of the Clos near Grands Échezeaux. Acquired by Jean Gros in 1967 for his son Michel, the vines were replanted in 1987 after a severe frost. It is known for producing elegant, silky, and deeply structured Pinot Noir, with Pierre Gros taking over in 2019. 

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