star rating: Five Stars (92-100)

Cave de Saint-Roch-les-Vignes Rosé Blend 2020

92
Cave de Saint-Roch-les-Vignes
Fanciful Name: Rosé
Varietal: Rosé Blend
Vintage: 2020
Country of Origin: France
Appellation: Côtes de Provence
Retail Price: $18.00

Tasting Notes: 50/50 Cinsault and Grenache. Smooth as silk, an elegant rosé made by a cooperative near Toulon. Laden with strawberry and almond, along with a bit of floral and thyme, this wine is 100% Provencal. Serve it on a spring day with warm brie.
Cave de Saint-Roch-les-Vignes Rosé Blend 2020

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Château Rauzan Despagne Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend 2022

92
Château Rauzan Despagne
Fanciful Name: Blanc
Varietal: Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend
Vintage: 2022
Country of Origin: France
Appellation: Bordeaux Supérieur
Retail Price: $16.99

Tasting Notes: This elegant sauvignon blanc/sémillon blend is lightweight and crisp. Floral fruits like passionfruit and apricot on the nose with notes of crips pears and lemon-lime zest on the palate. This would be easily paired with any chicken or fish dish, but is also a great glass of wine on its own.
Château Rauzan Despagne Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend 2022

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Tardieu-Laurent Red Rhone Blend Les Becs Fins 2020

92
Tardieu-Laurent
Fanciful Name: Les Becs Fins
Varietal: Red Rhone Blend
Vintage: 2020
Country of Origin: France
Appellation: Côtes du Rhône
Retail Price: $20.00

Tasting Notes: An absolutely gorgeous wine. Ripe blackberry, dark cherry notes and a subtle woodiness give this wine depth and complexity. Sets the bar high for Cotes du Rhone.
Tardieu-Laurent Red Rhone Blend Les Becs Fins 2020

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Domaine Des Causses Syrah Reserve 2019

93
Domaine Des Causses
Fanciful Name: Reserve
Varietal: Syrah
Vintage: 2019
Country of Origin: France
Appellation: Lirac
Retail Price: $13.00

Tasting Notes: Fresh blueberry and graphite on the nose. Medium-bodied wine that shows notes of stewed stone fruits and pencil shavings on the palate. Slight bit of chewy tannins, yet balanced and full of structure that one might not expect at this price point.
Domaine Des Causses Syrah Reserve 2019

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Joseph Le Roi Chardonnay 2017

94
Joseph Le Roi
Varietal: Chardonnay
Vintage: 2017
Country of Origin: France
Appellation: Chablis 1er Cru
Retail Price: $45.00

Tasting Notes: 2017 was a tough year in Chablis. But the grapes that survived the frost produced excellent wines. A taste of mineral, green apple, kiwi leads to a long, persistent finish. If you can spare it, splash a bit on your seared buttered scallops.
Joseph Le Roi Chardonnay 2017

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Domaine Marguerite Carillon Pinot Noir 2020

96
Domaine Marguerite Carillon
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Vintage: 2020
Country of Origin: France
Appellation: Volnay 1er Cru
Retail Price: $84.99

Tasting Notes: Flavors of black cherry and pomegranate flow through the velvet palate with notes of violets and wildflowers. The mid-palate offers notes of forest floor, fresh meadow flowers and just a whiff of anise that flows into a finish of wild berries, sandalwood and fresh herbs.
Domaine Marguerite Carillon Pinot Noir 2020

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Les Fillottes Red Bordeaux Blend 2016

97
Les Fillottes
Varietal: Red Bordeaux Blend
Vintage: 2016
Country of Origin: France
Appellation: Pomerol
Retail Price: $88.79

Tasting Notes: The wine shows bright, juicy red cherries and raspberries that sink into a beautifully plush palate. The midpalate becomes gorgeously creamy while continuing to show red fruit, while also adding notes of violets and rose petals with hints of mocha. The finish is long and tantalizing with whiffs of white herbs, sage and a dusty minerality.
Les Fillottes Red Bordeaux Blend 2016

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Château Smith Haut Lafitte Red Bordeaux Blend La Réserve de Pessac-Léognan 2017

98
Château Smith Haut Lafitte
Fanciful Name: La Réserve de Pessac-Léognan
Varietal: Red Bordeaux Blend
Vintage: 2017
Country of Origin: France
Appellation: Pessac-Léognan
Retail Price: $121.99

Tasting Notes: Dynamic flavors of black cherry, pomegranate and wild berries burst into a medley of rose petals and juicy dark fruits with freshly picked herbs wafting through the core. The finish shows notes of tea leaf, sandalwood and vanilla bean.
Château Smith Haut Lafitte Red Bordeaux Blend La Réserve de Pessac-Léognan 2017

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Nicolas Joly Chenin Blanc Les Vieux Clos 2019

97
Nicolas Joly
Fanciful Name: Les Vieux Clos
Varietal: Chenin Blanc
Vintage: 2019
Country of Origin: France
Appellation: Savennières
Retail Price: $75.00

Tasting Notes: This is not your everyday sipper. Organic and made from select ancient vines. Complex, with honeyed stone fruits laden with zesty citrus and light spice. Fresh almond and flint with a creamy texture and long lush finish. It should age well for at least 10 years. Enjoy with seared curried scallops.
Nicolas Joly Chenin Blanc Les Vieux Clos 2019

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Jean-Michel Guillon Pinot Noir 2018

97
Jean-Michel Guillon
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Vintage: 2018
Country of Origin: France
Appellation: Gevrey-Chambertin
Retail Price: $69.99

Tasting Notes: A seductive wine that opens with aromas of wildflowers and red fruits. The palate is overwhelmed with gorgeous flavors of sage dusted raspberry, ripe plum and the gentlest caress of dark chocolate. A hint of earthiness on the generous finish completes the mission.
Jean-Michel Guillon Pinot Noir 2018

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Caterwaul Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

96
Caterwaul
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Vintage: 2020
Country of Origin: United States
Appellation: Napa Valley
Retail Price: $59.99

Tasting Notes: Bursting with notes of ripe black cherry, dark chocolate and crushed blackberries, laying down a silky mouthfeel before surrendering to a finish kissed with hints of cocoa powder and toasted oak. Made by deliciously talented Thomas Rivers Brown, this wine is a winner from a challenging vintage.
Caterwaul Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

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Rex Hill Pinot Noir 2017

95
Rex Hill
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Vintage: 2017
Country of Origin: United States
Appellation: Willamette Valley
Retail Price: $85.00

Tasting Notes: Silky blue and black fruit, baking spices, mushroom and cedar lead to dusty tannins and a long luxurious finish. Sip it with grilled salmon.
Rex Hill Pinot Noir 2017

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