Tasting Notes
Chablis 1er Cru Beauregard from Domaine Pattes Loup is a standout biodynamic Burgundy white, combining fresh citrus and floral aromatics with sharp minerality and saline complexity, earning strong ratings from both critics and consumers.
About Winery
The winery itself is a modern, organic pioneer in Chablis, led by Thomas Pico, whose meticulous vineyard work and long élevage have elevated the domaine into one of the region’s most respected names.
Tasting Notes
This wine is powerful yet refined, offering classic Pommard grip balanced by Fourrier’s hallmark elegance. It is already impressive but will truly shine after a few years of aging, making it a strong candidate for collectors seeking a Premier Cru Burgundy with both structure and finesse.
About Winery
Domaine Fourrier, based in Gevrey-Chambertin, traces its roots back to the 1930s when Fernand Pernot established the estate, later passing it to his nephew Jean-Claude Fourrier. In 1994, Jean-Marie Fourrier took over at just 23 years old after training with Henri Jayer and Domaine Drouhin in Oregon, bringing a philosophy of minimal intervention, native yeast fermentations, and restrained oak use. With many old-vine parcels planted between the 1930s and 1950s, the domaine quickly rose to prominence for producing transparent, terroir-driven wines. Today, Jean-Marie runs the estate alongside his family, maintaining its reputation as one of Burgundy’s most respected producers.
Tasting Notes
This Bourgogne Rouge is far above average for the appellation, offering elegance, complexity, and balance that reflect Fourrier’s meticulous, low-intervention winemaking. It’s a superb entry point into his style, delivering purity and finesse without the price tag of his village or premier cru bottlings.
About Winery
Domaine Fourrier, based in Gevrey-Chambertin, traces its roots back to the 1930s when Fernand Pernot established the estate, later passing it to his nephew Jean-Claude Fourrier. In 1994, Jean-Marie Fourrier took over at just 23 years old after training with Henri Jayer and Domaine Drouhin in Oregon, bringing a philosophy of minimal intervention, native yeast fermentations, and restrained oak use. With many old-vine parcels planted between the 1930s and 1950s, the domaine quickly rose to prominence for producing transparent, terroir-driven wines. Today, Jean-Marie runs the estate alongside his family, maintaining its reputation as one of Burgundy’s most respected producers.
Tasting Notes
A lovely deep saturated ruby color, this Cabernet opens with a vibrant nose of black raspberry, blackcurrant and blackberry preserves alongside delicate hints of violet. On the palate, ripe dark plum, black cherry, classic redcurrant and hibiscus flower support savory Chaparral sagebrush notes of lavender and Bay Laurel, while the fruit remains bright and boisterous, enveloping the mouth with a medium to full body and lip-smacking appeal. The texture is soft and silky with velvety-rich tannins that provide a nice grip and firmness with good depth and balance. Concluding with a refined and polished character, the finish is long and sumptuous with an enchanting seductive character.
About Winery
Domaine Fourrier, based in Gevrey-Chambertin, traces its roots back to the 1930s when Fernand Pernot established the estate, later passing it to his nephew Jean-Claude Fourrier. In 1994, Jean-Marie Fourrier took over at just 23 years old after training with Henri Jayer and Domaine Drouhin in Oregon, bringing a philosophy of minimal intervention, native yeast fermentations, and restrained oak use. With many old-vine parcels planted between the 1930s and 1950s, the domaine quickly rose to prominence for producing transparent, terroir-driven wines. Today, Jean-Marie runs the estate alongside his family, maintaining its reputation as one of Burgundy’s most respected producers.
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About Winery
Located on a beautiful 300 hectare estate, the 83 hectare Giscours vineyard is located in the famous Margaux appellation. Though the estate was first mentioned in a document dating back to 1330, it was not until 1847 that Count de Pescatore laid the cornerstone of the remarkable chateau that now overlooks the vines. Giscours' quality was confirmed by its inclusion as a Third Growth in the 1855 classification.
The estate was purchased by Nicolas Tari after World War II. He made major investments in modernizing Giscours. In 1995, Eric Albada Jelgersma acquired the right to grow vines and make wine on the estate. He continues to lavish the care and attention that are necessary to maintain Giscours' standing as a world-famous great growth.
2022 | VIVINO 4.1
The 2022 Château Fombrauge Saint-Émilion Grand Cru is a deep ruby-purple Bordeaux blend dominated by Merlot with Cabernet Franc, showing expressive aromas of blackberry, plum, and blackcurrant layered with earthy graphite and herbal nuances; on the palate it delivers ripe red and black fruits, hints of strawberry and spice, balanced by firm tannins and medium acidity, resulting in a structured yet elegant wine that combines richness with freshness, making it suitable for both near-term enjoyment and cellaring, and pairing beautifully with grilled lamb, beef, mushroom risotto, or aged cheeses.
About Winery
Bernard Magrez - Creator of Luxury Wine Experience. Owner of 42 vineyards around the world and a famous producer of great Bordeaux wines. Some see it as the career of a man driven by a quest for perfection, others see the passion of a determined entrepreneur. Bernard Magrez’s journey is that of passion, a constant desire for improvement, know-how and exceptional success which has its roots first in Bordeaux, in the Grands Crus Classws, then in other prestigious terroirs in France and around the world. Bernard Magrez owns many of Bordeaux's most iconic estates including Chateau Pape Clement an exceptional Grand Cru Classe in Graves from Pessac-Lwognan. Celebrated for his attention to detail in the vineyard and constant achievement of excellence in the winery which translates into award-winning wines for every occasion.
2022 | VIVINO 4.1
The 2022 Château des Muraires L'Excellence des Muraires is a dry, pale pink Côtes de Provence rosé produced by Bernard Magrez. A blend of Grenache and Cinsault, it features aromatic notes of red berries, citrus, and flowers with a lively, mineral-driven palate. It is a fresh, well-balanced wine designed for immediate, youthful consumption.
About Winery
Born in Bordeaux in 1936, Bernard Magrez is a self-taught wine magnate who built an empire, becoming the only owner of four Classified Grands Crus in Bordeaux. Starting in spirits in 1961, he shifted focus in the 1980s to high-end wine, acquiring prestigious estates like Château Pape Clément, Fombrauge, and La Tour Carnet. His portfolio now includes over 40 estates globally, known for combining traditional terroir with modern, technological innovation.
2008 | JS 100
Complex, with notes of candied citrus, white peach, toasted hazelnuts, and hints of white chocolate.
2012 | WA 97
Rich, concentrated, and vinous, with notable powdery chalkiness and a long, firm finish.
2013 | WA 98
The 2013 is characterized by "chalky freshness" and "racy" acidity. It is described as incredibly precise, often compared to a laser, with a long, saline finish.
2014 | WS 98
Rich, balanced, and precise with flavors of candied citrus, stone fruit, and toast, finishing with a sharp, linear acidity.
2015 | WS 96
The 2015 Louis Roederer Cristal Brut is a highly energetic and complex Champagne blending 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay. It bursts with ripe yellow fruits, candied citrus, and roasted hazelnuts, supported by a distinct, dusty chalky minerality. The finish is long, silky, and balanced.
2016 | JD 100
The 2016 Louis Roederer Cristal Brut is a highly acclaimed, chiseled, and racy Champagne. Composed of 58% Pinot Noir and 42% Chardonnay, it features a youthful, complex profile of citrus oil, white peach, white flowers, and chalky minerality. It is celebrated for its perfect balance, seamless texture, and intensely saline, vibrant finish.
About Winery
Louis Roederer is a prestigious French champagne house with a history spanning over two centuries, known for its independent, family-owned structure and commitment to quality. Founded in 1776 as Dubois Père & Fils and later renamed in 1833 by Louis Roederer, the house has been passed down through generations of the Roederer family (and now the Rouzaud family). A key aspect of the Roederer story is its dedication to estate vineyards, a practice that contrasts with some other Champagne houses who primarily source grapes from various plots. This dedication to quality and tradition has earned Louis Roederer a global reputation for its elegant and complex champagnes.
2012 | D 98
What a magnificent bouquet for this Dom Pérignon 2012! Pastry, a hint of smoke and autolytic notes provide a compelling counterpart to eager yet elegant aromas of citrus (lime, tangerine and kumquat) joined by those of fresh fruit, herbs, liquorice, and menthol. There is even a refreshing note of ivy. The palate is tense, vibrant, and very fresh despite its impressive density, which meets its match with an unending finish.
2015 | JS 97
A super-complex Champagne with chewy tension. Aromas of coffee beans, lemon peel, burnt sugar, chalky minerality, barley candy and tarte tatin. Fine pinprick bubbles with flavors of lemon leaves, aspirin and Mirabelle plums, plus a touch of grapefruit bitterness keeping the tension. Zesty yet integrated chewy acidity and a medium body with a toasted finish.
About Winery
Dom Pierre Pérignon, a French Benedictine monk, set out his vision to "create the best wine in the world" when he became Cellar Master at the sacred Abbey of Hautvillers in 1668. Dom Pérignon dedicated over 40 years to this mission, employing a visionary spirit and daring approach to the wine making process. Over that time, he became known as the "father of champagne" for laying down the fundamental rules for the traditional Champagne production method (La Methode Champenoise or Traditionelle). A favored wine of the Sun King Louis XIV, Dom Pérignon himself compared his wine to "drinking stars".
Dom Pérignon: an absolute commitment to VintageDom Pérignon's commitment to vintage is absolute. Each Dom Pérignon is a true act of creation, made from only the best grapes. The champagne's intensity is based in precision, so inviting, so mysterious. Each Vintage has three Plénitudes, and embodies the total faith in the creation that is constantly renewed by Chef de Cave Vincent Chaperon. Coupled with a bold sense of playfulness, Dom Pérignon inspires the greatest creators in the world.Made only from the best grapes grown in one single year, each Dom Perignon's Vintage represents a harmonic balance between the nature of the year and the signature of Dom Pérignon. After no fewer than 8 years of elaboration, each vintage emerges complete, seamless and tactile. Dom Pérignon Champagne is made through an assemblage of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, created by using only the best grapes harvested from the 17 Grands Crus in Champagne and the Premier Cru of Hautvillers.
2006 | RP 96
Solid but less celebrated vintage; powerful, structured, slightly less balanced
2015 | JD 100
Universally acclaimed; considered one of Haut-Brion’s greatest modern vintages
2018 | JD 98
Deep, complex, full-bodied; praised for balance and longevity
2019 | JS 100
Another exceptional year; rich, structured, with perfect score from JS
About Winery
Château Haut-Brion's history spans five centuries, starting with Jean de Pontac's acquisition of the domain in 1521. He defined the estate's vineyards and built the château in 1549. The property was further developed by his descendants, and its wines gained renown among British aristocrats and authors, including Samuel Pepys, who wrote about them in 1663. Thomas Jefferson also visited and praised the estate's wines. In the 1930s, the property was acquired by the Dillon family, and is still managed by the Dillon family today.
Winemaker Notes
Aromas of mulberries, dried herbs, smoke, tapenade, cloves, chocolate, bark; full-bodied, chewy tannins, plush dark fruit, olive character, compact finish.
About Winery
Bernard Magrez - Creator of Luxury Wine Experience. Owner of 42 vineyards around the world and a famous producer of great Bordeaux wines. Some see it as the career of a man driven by a quest for perfection, others see the passion of a determined entrepreneur. Bernard Magrez’s journey is that of passion, a constant desire for improvement, know-how and exceptional success which has its roots first in Bordeaux, in the Grands Crus Classws, then in other prestigious terroirs in France and around the world. Bernard Magrez owns many of Bordeaux's most iconic estates including Chateau Pape Clement an exceptional Grand Cru Classe in Graves from Pessac-Lwognan. Celebrated for his attention to detail in the vineyard and constant achievement of excellence in the winery which translates into award-winning wines for every occasion.
At the end of the 18th century, the Archbishop of Bordeaux was dispossessed of his property. The papal vineyard became part of the public domain.
8 June 1937 was a dark day in the vineyard's history, when a violent hailstorm destroyed virtually the entirety of the estate. Two years later, Paul Montagne bought it and gradually brought it back to life. Thanks to his efforts, the vineyard returned to its former rank and stood up to the surge in urbanization. His descendents, Léo Montagne and Bernard Magrez, perpetuate this secular tradition so that Chateau Pape Clément wines continue to delight the wine-lovers of today and tomorrow.
2012 | JS 92
Pure and precise aromas of dark fruits and currants with hints of stones follow through to a full body, fine tannins and a fresh finish. Harmonious and very elegant.
2018 | JS 94
Purity of blueberry, blackcurrant and chocolate character here. Shell and iodine. It’s full-bodied, chewy and structured with lots of cool tannins that lead long through the center of the wine. Second wine of La Mission.
About Winery
Produced in small quantities, this second wine is a gateway to the world of Château La Mission Haut-Brion. Its name is a nod to the chapel of La Mission Haut-Brion, built by Lazarist priests in 1698.
2010 | JD 100
Deep cassis, tobacco, graphite, and leather; combines opulence with elegance. A wine for decades of aging
2012 | JS 92
More restrained, with currant fruit, cedar, and earthy tones. Fine tannins but less concentration. Best for near-term drinking, already approachable.
2014 | WE 93
Elegant, fresh acidity, cassis, blueberries, and tobacco leaf. Leaner style but balanced and long. A very good mid-term vintage.
2015 | WE 96
Rich, concentrated, with crème de cassis, lush fruit, and toasted notes. Powerful yet fresh, with Wine Enthusiast awarding 96 points. Excellent aging potential.
About Winery
With origins dating back to 1638, Léoville was the largest vineyard in the Médoc region at the time of the French Revolution. Léoville Poyferré springs from various divisions and successions in 1840. Its outstanding quality wines gained early recognition when it was ranked 2nd Growth in the 1855 classification. Château Léoville Poyferré was acquired in 1920 by the Cuvelier family. Château Léoville Poyferré was the Léoville that got left in the starting blocks in terms of reputation and in the quality of its wines. Léoville Poyferré has been owned by the Cuvelier family (who also own Château Le Crock) since 1921, yet it was not until the 1970s, when Didier Cuvelier took control at the château, that quality began to improve. In the last 20 years, Didier, with the assistance of Michel Rolland since 1995, has turned Léoville-Poyferré into one of StJulien's finest estates. Now up with the best of the St-Juliens but still selling at nonscary prices. Léoville Poyferré is classified as a 2ème Cru Classé
2005 | WE 93 | Preorder
"Deep crimson, Cabernet-driven (2/3 of blend), aromas of peony, graphite, infused fruit. Blackcurrant fruit, vibrant acidity, long mineral finish. Now fully mature, elegant, and"
2021 | D 97
"Blend: 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Cabernet Franc, 29% Merlot. Deep, precise, complex. Notes of cassis, graphite, floral tones. Structured yet polished, with long-term aging potential."
About Winery
Figeac is a very ancient property. In the 2nd century, the Figeacus family gave its name to the estate. Traces of this Gallo-Roman villa still exist today. In the 15th century, FIGEAC was one of five noble houses in Saint-Emilion and passed from the Lescours family, who at that time also owned Ausone, into the hands of the Cazes family, who transmitted it through marriage to the Carles in the 17th century. After the Manoncourt family acquired the property in 1892, FIGEAC was mainly managed by agricultural engineers.
However, in 1943, the year in which Thierry Manoncourt made his first vintage, a period of resurgencebegan for Figeac. Thierry Manoncourt realised in that year the huge potential of FIGEAC’s terroir and urged his mother, a Parisian, to hold on to the estate. In 1955 CHATEAU-FIGEAC became a First Great Classified Growth.
Today, Madame Manoncourt and her daughters are ably supported by highly skilled wine-growing teams and are as eager as ever to guarantee the long-term continuity of FIGEAC.
2019 | JS 92 PRE-ORDER
A fine, firm red with berries, currants and light chocolate. Hints of walnuts and hazelnuts. It’s medium-bodied with juicy fruit. Lightly austere, but in a nice way.
2021 | WE 93
There is a high percentage of Merlot in this blend, giving softness with ripe blackberry fruits and a succulent character. The wine is pure black fruits and fresh acidity.
About Winery
Chateau Ducru Beaucaillou is named after the beautiful, large stones found in its unique wine-growing terroir. This exceptional ecosystem produces fine, elegant, tasty wines with a long finish - in short, archetypical Saint-Julien wines.
Perched on an exceptional site with incomparable views over the Gironde estuary, in the center of a hundred-year-old park, Ducru-Beaucaillou is a majestic, Victorian-style castle, which has, over time, become one of the great symbols of the Médoc. Unusual for Bordeaux, it is built directly above the barrel cellars, enveloping its owners, who have lived here for over sixty years.
Today, the estate is managed by the company Jean Eugène Borie SA, which is owned by Mrs Borie, her daughter Sabine Coiffe and her son Bruno-Eugène, CEO since 2003, the third generation of the Borie family to head the estate. There are very close links between this estate and the five families who have been its successive owners.
2008 | JD 95
The 2008 Le Gay is a beauty. Still lively colored, with a complex bouquet of blackcurrants, savory cherries, earth, and dried herbs, this beauty hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, fine, elegant tannin, and a silky, layered, seamless texture. It has a beautiful finish and is an incredibly classy, elegant wine.
2017 | JD 94 PRE ORDER
Showing beautifully in my tastings, the 2017 Chateau Le Gay makes the most of this solid vintage. Almost all Merlot from a great terroir on the plateau of Pomerol, it reveals a purple/ruby hue as well as medium to full-bodied notes of black cherry and cassis fruits, toasted spice, spring flowers, and damp earth. Shining more for its complexity and elegance than sheer power, it nevertheless has wonderful fruit, plenty of tannins, and a great finish.
About Winery
Originally called Domaine du Gay, Château Le Gay takes its name from the lieu-dit Le Gay, part of which was sold to the Greloud family that eventually became Château Lafleur. Coincidentally, Château Le Gay was inherited by the Robin sisters in 1946, who also happened to own Château Lafleur.
Over the next few decades, under the ownership of the Robin sisters, Château Le Gay was managed by Jean-Pierre Moueix, who also purchased portions of the vineyard to add to the acreage of Château La Fleur-Pétrus. After the passing of the Robin sisters, Château Le Gay was acquired by Catherine Péré Vergé in 2002, who quickly increased the acreage and brought Michel Rolland on board as a consultant.
2017 | Vivino 4.0 | Preorder
"Deep royal color, medium body, kirsch and spice notes, lighter tannins."
2018 | Vivino 4.0 | Preorder
"70% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon. Sweet, ripe red fruits, cocoa, polished texture, round and juicy."
2019 | WE 90
"Firm, black wine with rich fruits, solid tannins, freshness, and full-bodied character."
About Winery
Bernard Magrez - Creator of Luxury Wine Experience. Owner of 42 vineyards around the world and a famous producer of great Bordeaux wines. Some see it as the career of a man driven by a quest for perfection, others see the passion of a determined entrepreneur. Bernard Magrez’s journey is that of passion, a constant desire for improvement, know-how and exceptional success which has its roots first in Bordeaux, in the Grands Crus Classws, then in other prestigious terroirs in France and around the world. Bernard Magrez owns many of Bordeaux's most iconic estates including Chateau Pape Clement an exceptional Grand Cru Classe in Graves from Pessac-Lwognan. Celebrated for his attention to detail in the vineyard and constant achievement of excellence in the winery which translates into award-winning wines for every occasion.
2011 | WE 90
"More restrained, with redcurrant, plum, cocoa, and cedar. Critics generally rated it around 89–90 points, making it a lighter, earlier-drinking vintage."
2014 | JD 92
"Balanced and elegant, with black fruit and silky tannins. Scores around 91 points reflect solid quality but not a blockbuster."
2015 | JS 97
"A standout modern vintage, with 97 points from James Suckling and 95 from Jeb Dunnuck. Rich, concentrated, with cassis, graphite, and forest floor notes. Excellent aging potential."
About Winery
The Chateau Gazin vineyards cover 64.2 acres in a single lot, with 56.8 acres under vines, located on the renowned clay-gravel plateau of Pomerol. The estate can produce up to 100,000 bottles a year. A second AOC Pomerol wine "l’Hospitalet de Gazin", was created in 1986 in order to reserve the best of the harvest for Chateau Gazin.
The grapes are fermented in small cement vats. The wine is aged for 18 months in oak barrels (50% new) according to the Bordeaux tradition: malolactic fermentation in casks, rackings to separate the fine wine from the lees, fining with egg whites and, if necessary, light filtration.
Winemaker Notes
The wine has a deep, glittering hue and a complex nose on which black fruit aromas mingle with graphite and spice notes. The structure on the palate is particularly dense and long, with chiselled tannins of incredible precision. A 2012 of remarkable purity and energy, with fantastic fruit and radiance that take it to the peak. For the first time, Pontet-Canet matured nearly a third of the vintage in concrete amphoras.
About Winery
Château Haut-Batailley, Fifth Grand Cru Classé in the 1855 Official Classification, is a benchmark in the Pauillac appellation. Its name is derived from the word "bataille" (battle), in memory of the fighting that is said to have taken place on the estate at the end of the Hundred Years' War in the 15th century.
Since 2017, Château Haut-Batailley has been run by the Cazes family, who are continuing the work begun by the Borie family in 1930 while carrying forward the style and quality of this key Médoc cru on the Left Bank of the Bordeaux region.
Winemaker Notes
A light golden colour and fine, vivacious bubbles, holding a promise of pleasure. Aromas of flowers in bloom, ripe, dried and citrus fruits, as well as marzipan and gingerbread. Flavours of hazelnut, nougat, barley sugar, jellied and citrus fruits, almonds, brioche and honey.
About Winery
Krug Champagne is one of the most prestigious Champagne houses in the world, known for its commitment to quality and tradition. Krug was founded in 1843 by Joseph Krug, a visionary who believed in creating the best Champagne every year, regardless of climate variations. He established the house in Reims, the heart of the Champagne region. Joseph Krug’s philosophy was to focus on the individuality of each plot and its wine, creating a library of reserve wines from different years to ensure consistency and excellence. Krug is credited with pioneering the concept of non-vintage Champagne, blending wines from multiple years to achieve a consistent and complex flavor profile.
Tasting notes
This Chateau Gazin 2015 is a powerful, long and balanced wine. The nose has aromas of black fruit followed by tannins still present that will melt in the coming months.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 94-96
The 2015 Gazin has a perfumed bouquet with layers of black cherry, raspberry coulis and truffle scents, more welcoming and sensual than the wines a decade ago from barrel when they intermittently felt under-ripe. There is none of that here for sure. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit on the entry. There is excellent structure here, a masculine Gazin with plenty of grip, counterbalanced by abundant tertiary, tobacco-tinged black fruit. There is real salinity towards the finish, completing a superb wine by Nicolas de Bailliencourt and his team. Do not overlook this Pomerol. It is one of the subtler expressions of the 2015 vintage and one that I am sure will develop beautifully in cask.
Neal Martin - RP, #224, April 2016
About Winery
The Chateau Gazin vineyards cover 64.2 acres in a single lot, with 56.8 acres under vines, located on the renowned clay-gravel plateau of Pomerol. The estate can produce up to 100,000 bottles a year. A second AOC Pomerol wine "l’Hospitalet de Gazin", was created in 1986 in order to reserve the best of the harvest for Chateau Gazin.
The grapes are fermented in small cement vats. The wine is aged for 18 months in oak barrels (50% new) according to the Bordeaux tradition: malolactic fermentation in casks, rackings to separate the fine wine from the lees, fining with egg whites and, if necessary, light filtration.
James Suckling 96 Points
Swathed in spicy and toasty oak aromas, this has a wealth of superbly expressed red and dark berries, flowers and mint. The palate delivers a very assertive and energetic array of dark berries and spiced plums with a fresh, focused, vibrant finish. Superb wine. Try from 2023.
About Winery5th classified growth in 1855. The name of Grand-Puy comes from the old expression "puy" which means "hill, little hill", and this land is mentioned in documents dating from the Middle Ages. Indeed, the vineyard extends on one of the ridges of land which were made the first wines of the Medoc. Since the sixteenth century, the thought has passed from generation to generation and, by way of alliances between families, he stayed within the same descent until 1920, before resuming a destiny with Borie family in 1978. Under the leadership of François-Xavier Borie (Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou), GP Lacoste is the perfect example of a classic Pauillac, tannic and full bodied. A wine for keeping, which makes part of the top of the Medoc wines.
The 2012 Château Cheval Blanc is a beautifully balanced wine with a deep red-purple color. It features aromas of red and blackberries, floral notes, and a touch of mint and graphite. On the palate, it offers a smooth attack, fine tannins, and incredible length. A blend of 53% Merlot and 47% Cabernet Franc, this elegant wine is already complex and will continue to evolve gracefully over the next 20 years.
Decanter | D 96
A beautifully balanced claret with a fragrant silky texture, fine backbone and length on the palate, promising a long life. Not a ‘big’ wine but a delicious one with class. Made in the spanking new cellar (inaugurated June 2011).
The Wine Advocate | RP 95
Medium to deep garnet colored, the 2012 Cheval Blanc reveals lovely cassis, warm black cherries and redcurrant jelly notions with underlying hints of cedar chest, garrigue, Indian spices and damp soil. Medium to full-bodied, it possesses wonderful energy and freshness on the palate with a beautifully poised ethereal nature and long mineral-tinged finish. This elegantly crafted beauty should enter its drinking window in a couple of years and cellar gracefully for another 20 years.
About Winery
The present-day Cheval Blanc vineyards had vines at least as far back as the 18th century, as shown by Belleyme's map of the region dated 1764. Nearly a century later, the estate was acquired by the Fourcaud-Laussac family who owned it until 1998, when it was sold to Mr Bernard Arnault and Baron Albert Frère.
The vineyard is in a single block, and borders on the Pomerol appellation. An outstanding terror and unusual proportions of Cabernet Franc and Merlot give this great wine an absolutely unique flavor. Chateau Cheval Blanc has had a greater number of outstanding vintages than any other classified great growth over the past century.
Another unusual characteristic of Cheval Blanc is that once it reaches its peak, it maintains it for a very long time. This admirable wine is powerful, soft, rich, round and silky. It has tremendous fruit and elegance as well as exceptional quality from year to year.
Winemaker Notes
Armand de Brignac Demi Sec is a luxurious Champagne crafted from Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier, aged nearly six years in chalk cellars. It delivers an opulent palate of candied fruits, caramel, quince, brioche, crystallized citrus, honey, and subtle blackberry, supported by fine bubbles and a dosage of 33 g/L. This sweeter style pairs elegantly with foie gras, cheeses, and lightly spiced cuisine
About Winery
Armand de Brignac, also known as “Ace of Spades,” is a French luxury champagne brand originally registered by Champagne Cattier in the 1950s, but it remained obscure until its relaunch in 2006 as a prestige cuvée. Produced in Chigny-les-Roses by the Cattier family, who have cultivated vineyards since 1763, the brand gained global fame when rapper Jay-Z embraced it following a dispute with Cristal Champagne and later acquired it outright in 2014. In 2021, Jay-Z sold a 50% stake to LVMH, cementing Armand de Brignac’s position as a symbol of exclusivity and modern luxury, with its iconic metallic bottles and multi-vintage blends.
