Our Portfolio - France

Press Reviews

Wine Align

90 points (2020) - David Lawrason

This is a delicious, fairly juicy and charming young gamay. There is a hint of meatiness on the nose but all kinds of candied strawberry/cherry as well, and violet-like florals. It is light to medium bodied, open knit, slightly sour-edged with very generous fruit on the palate. The tannins are notably mild, the alcohol provides some power and the length is very good to excellent. Tasted June 2022

Press Reviews

Wine Align

90 points (2016) - David Lawrason

The 2016 vintage has put some punch into this inexpensive merlot-based Bordeaux. There is a sense of volume and energy. The nose is quite lifted with blackberry/raspberry fruit, notable herbal presence, some meatiness and spice. It is medium-full bodied, with warm alcohol, juicy acidity and some slightly green tannin. The length is excellent. Best 2025 to 2030

89 points (2016) - Michael Godel

Blends merlot, cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc for a Right bank bruiser, especially at the cost. The wood is still very much in charge and if the 2014 showing at this stage is any indication then 2016 will need even more time to unwind. In this stage the merlot is in full command, verdant, savoury, herbal and with toasty oak flavours yet settled. Wait on this one. Drink 2022-2026. Tasted November 2021.

Press Reviews

WineAlign

96 points - David Lawrason

This has a very intriguing, generous nose of macaroon (coconut), straw, dried apple, toast and almond/hazelnut. Also a lovely sense of sweet nut fudge. It is medium bodied with fulsome flavour, riveting acidity and all kinds of Champagne minerality. Great focus and length here. Wow! Tasted October 2020

93 points - John Szabo

Fresne Ducret's latest release of this premier cru "Chemin du Chemin champagne is a characteristically smoky and savoury, toasty and biscuity, mature champagne in the English style, balanced and savoury. I really like the developed, mature profile here, the great length. This is very good champagne ready to go. Tasted October 2020.

93 points - Michael Godel

When richness, yeasty and warm toasted brioche get together in Champagne the effect is comforting and potentially hypnotizing. From the Premier Cru village of Villedommange dating back to the mid 1800s, the pedigree is noted and the 48 months of lees aging a coup for creating both a creamy and a revitalizing Champagne. There is an oxidative aspect here and it's effectualness is one that imagines exotic spice cupboards, masala mixes and gingery tisanes. Quite the exotic bubble, lightly frothy, elegantly styled, complex and fine. Drink 2020-2026. Tasted October 2020.

Wine Enthusiast

94 points

This Champagne shows some fine maturity. A blend based on the 2014 vintage, it now has toastiness while keeping intense freshness. Acidity and touches of minerality come through the spiciness. Drink now.

Press Reviews

Wine Align

92 points - David Lawrason

Huge value in a very stylish, pure and correct southern Rhone blend from a region in the north of the region. This shows a lovely, generous sweet strawberry/cherry nose with vanillin/nougat, red rose fine tobacco/dried herbs. It is medium weight, open knit, smooth and almost a touch sweet with very fine chalky tannin. Great fruit presence and warmth make this so appealing. And the length is excellent. Tasted May 2026.

90 points - Sara d'Amato

The Auberts farm 280 hectares throughout the southern Rhône, this northerly appellation of Grignan-les-Adémar is the family's home base and they are considered pioneers in the region. The 2022 Le Devoy is a blend of grenache (40%), syrah (40%) and carignan (20%) whose vines average 40-years of age on galets roulés, is matured in cement vats. Its oak-free flavour profile highlights youthful fruit, pepper, and garrigue from this windswept appellation. Concentration is notable and the tannins are firm and linear. Excellent length. Best 2026-2029. Tasted April 2026.

Press Reviews

WineAlign

92 points - David Lawrason

This sports a very pretty, lifted nose plum, cranberry and blackberry, with lifted lilac florals and a subtext of pepper. It is quite lively, refined and energized for the genre from the south of France, perhaps due to the schist and limestone soils in Maury (which is more famous for its sweet vins doux natural. This is almost silky texture with 14.5% abv heat and fine, drying tannin and minerality on the finish. The length is excellent. Drinks now. Tasted Feb 2026

92 points - Megha Jandhyala S.J.D., DipWSET

A classic red from Maury, an appellation in Rousillon, this is a blend of grenache, samsó (a.k.a carignan), and syrah. I find its flavour profile enchanting - it is vibrant and vivid, showcasing both generosity and poise. Resinous herbs, some fresh, some gently roasted, and wild flowers are juxtaposed with ripe fruit flavours, including plums and blueberries. The palate is voluptuous, warm, and dense, supported by firm acidity and fine-grained tannins. The long, flavourful finish features a botanical bitterness, while warmth diffuses over the palate. Tasted February 2026.

91 points - Michael Godel

The black schist at 200m of elevation looking up at Maury with soils edging and abutting a line of limestone work to build character and Roussillon expression for grenache noir, carignan and syrah. A well developed style with chewy fruit maturity in a vintage more black olive Mediterranean than some others. Amaro herbal, always liquorice, saline and schisty-fine. Drink 2026-2029. Tasted February 2026.

Press Reviews

Wine Align

92 points - David Lawrason

This is a very tasty, rich, golden hued, well aged chardonnay-based sparkler with an involved nose of cashew, baked apple, nougat and honey. It is almost creamy in texture with fine mousse and very good acidity providing counterpoint. There is pleasant nutty bitterness on the finish; length is excellent.

92 points - John Szabo, MS

A traditional method, pure chardonnay bubbly from the Jura of considerable maturity and toasty-oxidative character, also notable dosage - the style has changed little since last reviewed almost 8 years ago (though this is a new, non-vintage bottling, of course). It's maple syrup and curry-infused with dried citrus and apples, indeed with quite impressive complexity in a mature style. Length and depth are very good. Quality wine, attractively priced in the category. Tasted January 2026.

91 points - Michael Godel

Increased autolysis and also richness from the present bottle of Baud’s Blanc de Blanc. Some maturity here, an evolution of bread and gingered elements that make the wine feel like it’s reached the peak. Complex and flavourful in any case with creamy textures and mouthfeel in between. Last tasted January 2026.

91 points - Sara d'Amato

From an old estate now in the hands of ninth-generation family upstarts, this traditional-method chardonnay Blanc de Blanc comes from the remote, rocky, high-altitude Jura, wedged between Burgundy and Switzerland. Generous yet clean, it leans pleasantly conventional in the best sense. Autolytic notes mingle with florals, tender fruit, and subtle toasty layers. A measured dosage adds welcome weight to an otherwise light-footed palate. Lemon zest, white grapefruit, and sweet cream lead into a nicely poised finish of memorable length. Tasted January 2026.

91 points - Megha Jandhyala, S.J.D., DipWSET.

This is a winsome chardonnay-based crémant, with a subtly toasty flavour profile, led by flavours of green orchard fruit and juicy citrus fruit. It has begun to evolve, showing signs of maturity in the form of notes of toasted nuts and fruit flavours transitioning towards the dried end of the spectrum. The palate has lively acidity and subtle sweetness, with a finish that is slightly bitter adding to the overall sense of freshness. This balanced and classic sparkling is ready to go. Tasted January 2026.

Treve Ring

91 points

This family estate dates back to 1742, but it wasn't until 1950 when René Baud, 7th generation, rebuilt the vineyards, expanding from 4 hectares into 20 hectares over the years. Today the estate is managed by siblings Clémentine and Bastien, 9th generation. This sustainably farmed chardonnay is rooted in the Jura's marl and limestone soils and was fermented in stainless before a year on lees before disgorgement and release. Green apple, white florals, oyster shells, meadow herbs, meringue run the bright, sleek palate, with a bed of creamy lees. There's a lovely streaming anise note that leads to a lengthy finish. Drinking beautifully now, but will hold over the next couple years easy.

Press Reviews

WineAlign

91 points - David Lawrason

Yet another riper-than-expected Muscadet as warming settles in, but this may also be intentionally later harvested. It pours with deeper more golden than expected colour. The nose is quite reserved but showing ripe peach, leesy pastry (sur lie) notes and subtle citrus marmalade. It is quite rich and soft for muscadet, with almost creamy texture, modest acidity and pleasant bitterness on the finish. Excellent length. Chill fairly well. Tasted May 2026

91 points - Sara d'Amato

A gutsy wine with more oomph than the norm for Muscadet with an almost buttery, leesy richness that doesn't feel overdone from 11 months of sur lie aging. With the stuffing for further development, I like the cut of acidity, the delicate minerality, and density of the palate. Idiosyncratic and engaging, even in its youthful condition. Tasted May 2026.

90 points - John Szabo, MS

Stylishly stony the way we like Muscadet, from 40+ year-old vines on south- and southeast-facing slopes in the Côtes de Grand Lieu sub-zone and aged 11 months on its fine lees, this is also quite dense and richly proportioned at just 12% ABV declared, indicating genuine concentration and richness. The finish also lingers admirably. More than oysters, this is a Loire white for lobster and scallops; even roast chicken wouldn't be out of place. Tasted May 2026.

Press Reviews

Wine Align

91 points (2020) - David Lawrason

This is a quite rich, slightly oxidative style of unoaked chardonnay with pale golden colour and a ripe nose of baked apple. Peach pie, toasty lees and vague nuttiness. It is medium weight, smooth and almost creamy with fine acidity and mineral underpinning. The length is excellent. Tasted June 2022

Press Reviews

WineAlign

92 points (2022) - David Lawrason

This is a lovely, bright and quite fulsome Chablis with lifted aromas of yellow apple/pear, lemon blossom and a subtle lactic parmesan note I often find in Chablis. It is medium weight, fresh yet rounded and warming, with a narrow, drying, mineral finish. The length is excellent. Very reflective. Tasted April 2024

92 points (2022) - John Szabo, MS

Here's a very pretty, floral, white and yellow spring flower-inflected Chablis in the classic idiom, ripe but still cool and northern, with elegance and sophistication on offer. This is textbook, stony and succulent stuff, a feat to achieve in this warm vintage. Length and depth are excellent. A grand success for 2022 I'd say, best now-2028 or so. Tasted April 2024.

91 points (2022) - Michael Godel

Always the Moreau Chablis from the “other side,” of a more luxurious profile while the Chablis without lieu-dit addendum rises with greatest freshness. That one is also crisp with textural glide while Domaine de Biéville is a full mouthful, mature, exotic and teasing late harvest honeyed material. Hard to imagine this could make the other seem austere and sharp by comparison but the ripeness and development in this Biéville is off the charts. Drink now and soon with rich or fatty fish preparations elevated with acidity. You will need the gras and the zest to make it all work. Drink 2024-2026. Tasted April 2024.

90 points (2022) - Sara d'Amato

From Biéville's sunny site, made in a warmer vintage, this ripe and mouth-filling style of Chablis is not exactly classic. Notably concentrated, mineral, and brimming with stonefruit, yellow apple, and a toasted leesy character. Ample and satisfying but I wanted more finesse and complexity for the price. Tasted April 2024.