France

Floral & Earthy

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Founded in 2005, Domaine de Bellene focuses on crafting wines from old vines with a commitment to sustainable, organic farming. Winemaker and proprietor Nicolas Potel's approach emphasizes producing wines that authentically reflect their origins and vintages, while preserving the land and culture for future generations. Under his leadership, Domaine de Bellene has earned respect among Burgundy enthusiasts, offering wines from both renowned and lesser-known appellations.

Planted in 1927 near Clos Vougeot and bordering Les Echezeaux, this 31-acre plot thrives on east-southeast facing clay-limestone soil and is currently undergoing conversion to organic farming. Offering rousing aromas of black cherry liqueur, steeped tea and sandalwood on the nose. The wine's sleek tannins and refined acidity add sophistication to the lush fruit flavours, culminating in a serious, chewy finish.

Leathery & Peppery

As at many family domaines with deep roots in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, vigneron Alexandre Favier was by his own account “raised in the vineyards”: Alexandre’s grandfather, Noël Sabon, is from one of the best known winemaking families in the region. Alexandre himself began his viticultural studies in Orange at the age of fifteen and passed the exams four years later in 2001. A year later (at age twenty!) he took over winemaking duties at the domaine when his father experienced health problems. Today, Domaine Chante Cigale is one of the most important family estates of Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

This wine comes from 30-year-old vines grown in clay-limestone soil, composed of 80% Grenache and 20% Carignan. Hand-harvested with careful grape selection, it undergoes a short maceration of about a week and is matured in tanks on fine lees. The result is a brilliant red wine with a fresh nose of red fruits, balanced acidity, and soft tannins.

Best served chilled, it pairs well with grilled meats, cold dishes, cheese, and even chocolate cake. Ideal for enjoying young, it has an aging potential of 2–3 years.

Château Haut Grelot, situated near the Gironde Estuary north of Bordeaux, has been dedicated to vineyard care and winemaking since 1920. 

This classic Bordeaux blend features 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, cultivated in the gravelly, sandy, and silty soils of Côtes de Bordeaux. Exhibiting a deep ruby hue, its bouquet reveals vibrant red berry aromas complemented by vanilla and spice. On the palate, the wine is smooth, fruit-forward, and well-structured, making it an excellent companion to game or red meat dishes.

Rich & Elegant

Located along the edge of the Haut Medoc and at the very beginning of the Margaux appellation, Château Laronde-Desormes shows exceptional character beyond its simple “Bordeaux Supérieur” appellation. Harvested at extremely low yields, the resulting wine is full of finesse and elegance, with well-balanced bright fruit and a long, satisfying finish.  A concentrated blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot, it tastes more like one of its more costly Margaux neighbors than a humble Bordeaux rouge.

The wood-aged wine's fruit is developing along with ripe tannins. It has a touch of spice and black-currant flavors. It is an attractive wine, ready from 2025.
The Laronde Desormes is especially deep in color, hauntingly aromatic, and packed with blackberry and cassis fruit as well as plenty of ample ripe tannins.

Fine red Bordeaux like the Château Laronde Desormes is a versatile wine that pairs beautifully with poultry, red meats, rich sauces, and game—think duck, pheasant, quail—or dishes like Sautéed Veal Medallions, Filet Mignon with shiitake mushrooms, or Chicken Fricassee. It also complements soft cow’s-milk cheeses (Gouda, Morbier, Muenster, Port Salut) and shines when served alongside simple, fresh, high-quality ingredients.

Rich & Mineral

Nicolas Potel is an iconic producer in Burgundy. He grew up in a family dedicated entirely to wine; and after gaining some experience internationally, he started his own project in the late 90's.

Founded in 2009, Maison Roche de Bellene offers a complete range of wines, with an emphasis on individual terroirs from vieilles vignes (old vines - 40 years or older) that are farmed responsibly. All of the growers that Nicolas Potel works with are either organic certified or farming according to the principles of lutte raisonée (“sustainable viticulture”). This enables Potel to consistently produce the expressive, terroir-driven style that is his vision.

The Saint-Véran appellation lies in the south of the Mâconnais region and its soils are full of fossiliferous limestone from the Middle Jurassic. After the grapes are manually harvested they undergo native yeast fermentation in barrel as well as 100% malolactic fermentation. The wine is then aged in French oak casks, of which 10% is new. It sees no bâtonnage and only a light fining and filtration occurs before bottling. 

Aromatically the wine is a touch brighter, with more spring white flowers and salty sea air on the nose. The palate is crisp, with crunchy orchard fruits, mineral driven acidity, and a mid-palate creaminess which balances the flavours out.