Biodynamic
Champagne Vilmart et Cie “Grand Cellier D’Or” 2014
"The 2014 Brut Grand Cellier d'Or is one of the best vintages of this wine I can remember tasting. Bright, explosive and full of energy, the 2014 captures a striking balance of depth and vibrancy. All the elements meld together in a beautifully sculpted Champagne loaded with character. The 2014 is even more impressive today than it was when I tasted it earlier in the year" - Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com
Domaine du Pélican Savagnin Ouillé 2017
"The pure, elegant and clean 2017 Arbois Savagnin Ouillé is a more powerful vintage with concentration through low yields, but it still a straight and vertical white, with an unusual combination of power and elegance. There is a pleasant bitterness on the finish that somewhat offsets the ripeness of the year and makes the wine come through as nicely balanced. I tasted a 2015 for comparison, and that wine felt fresher than this, and the nose had more complexity and nuance." - Luis Gutiérrez, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Domaine du Pélican Trois Cepages 2017
"A few years ago Guillaume d’Angerville began expanding from Volnay with the acquisition of vineyards in Jura. Since then, he has added to his holdings. The 2017 Arbois Trois Cépages is a pretty blend of Pinot Noir, Trousseau and Poulsard. Bright floral notes and red berry fruit are nicely lifted in an attractive, gracious light-bodied wine that is easy to drink now. I suppose a juicier red like a Dolcetto, Barbera, Aglianico or even Chianti Classico would have technically been a better match for this food, but the wine was delicious just the same." - Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com
Domaine Lafarge-Vial Chiroubles 2017
"A pepper-inflected nose is composed by mostly earthy dark berry fruit aromas. There is both good energy and intensity to the delicious flavors that possess reasonably good depth though the finish is pretty grippy and it would be fair to observe that the balance was affected by the hail." - Allen Meadows, Burghound
Domaine Lafarge-Vial Chiroubles 2018
Offering up inviting aromas of blackberries, cassis and cherries mingled with hints of licorice and grilled meats, the 2018 Chiroubles is medium to full-bodied, fleshy and charming, with a generous core of lively fruit, tangy acids and fine, powdery tannin. This characterful, classically proportioned Chiroubles is a great success.
Domaine Lafarge-Vial Côte de Brouilly 2016
"Attractively fresh aromas of cherry, violet, iron-inflected earth and a hint of pepper give way to relatively full-bodied and discreetly stony flavors that are at once succulent but muscular. This broad-shouldered effort delivers fine length on the youthfully austere finale that, not surprisingly, is the most structured among these and as such, at least moderate patience suggested." - Allen Meadows, Burghound
Domaine Lafarge-Vial Côte de Brouilly 2017
"The 2017 Côte de Brouilly has a sensual, refined, pure bouquet with macerated red cherries, kirsch and orange blossom, almost Pinot Noir-like in style. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy tannin, more black fruit than red. Dense on the finish. This would be my pick from Lafarge-Vial's Beaujolais this vintage." - Neal Martin
Domaine Lafarge-Vial Côte de Brouilly 2018
Aromas of cherries, raspberries, burning embers and raw cocoa introduce the 2018 Côte de Brouilly, a medium to full-bodied, fleshy but precise wine, with lovely depth at the core, refined tannins and a long, mineral finish. This is a serious, age-worthy cru Beaujolais, even if it's sufficiently charming to be approached young.
Domaine Lafarge-Vial Côte de Brouilly 2018 Magnum
Aromas of cherries, raspberries, burning embers and raw cocoa introduce the 2018 Côte de Brouilly, a medium to full-bodied, fleshy but precise wine, with lovely depth at the core, refined tannins and a long, mineral finish. This is a serious, age-worthy cru Beaujolais, even if it's sufficiently charming to be approached young.
Domaine Lafarge-Vial Fleurie “Clos Vernay” 2016
"The 2016 Fleurie Clos Vernay wafts from the glass with a nuanced bouquet of raspberries, wild plums, dark chocolate and loamy soil. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, tangy and quite concentrated, framed by elegantly fine-grained tannins that nevertheless suggest this is a wine that will go the distance, much like the family's Volnays." - William Kelley, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Domaine Lafarge-Vial Fleurie “Clos Vernay” 2018
Aromas of cherries, raspberries and plums mingle with hints of burning embers and potpourri in a deep and complex bouquet that introduces the 2018 Fleurie Clos Vernay. Medium to full-bodied, deep and multidimensional, it's layered and succulent, with an ample core of fruit, lively acids and powdery structuring tannins. The inherent charm and suppleness of the vintage lends this considerable appeal out of the gate, but like all the Lafarge-Vial wines, it's really built for a bit of bottle age.
Domaine Lafarge-Vial Fleurie “Clos Vernay” 2018 Magnum
Aromas of cherries, raspberries and plums mingle with hints of burning embers and potpourri in a deep and complex bouquet that introduces the 2018 Fleurie Clos Vernay. Medium to full-bodied, deep and multidimensional, it's layered and succulent, with an ample core of fruit, lively acids and powdery structuring tannins. The inherent charm and suppleness of the vintage lends this considerable appeal out of the gate, but like all the Lafarge-Vial wines, it's really built for a bit of bottle age.
Domaine Lafarge-Vial Fleurie “Joie de Palais” 2016
"A more elegant and appealingly fresh nose is almost pinot-like and could easily be mistaken for same. There is good underlying tension to the vibrant, detailed and utterly delicious flavors that are bit more refined, all wrapped in a focused if youthfully austere finale. This should also be accessible young but reward mid-term cellaring." - Allen Meadows, Burghound
Domaine Lafarge-Vial Fleurie “Joie du Palais” 2018
Beautifully vibrant and precise, the 2018 Fleurie Joie de Palais wafts from the glass with a pretty bouquet of raspberries, red plums, peonies and sweet soil tones. Medium to full-bodied, lively and elegant, it's built around fine, powdery tannins and a tangy spine of acidity. Built for the cellar, this will show beautifully after four or five years of bottle aging, and it will continue to improve for a decade or more.
Domaine Lafarge-Vial Fleurie “Joy of the Palace” 2018 Magnum
Beautifully vibrant and precise, the 2018 Fleurie Joie de Palais wafts from the glass with a pretty bouquet of raspberries, red plums, peonies and sweet soil tones. Medium to full-bodied, lively and elegant, it's built around fine, powdery tannins and a tangy spine of acidity. Built for the cellar, this will show beautifully after four or five years of bottle aging, and it will continue to improve for a decade or more.
Domaine Lafarge-Vial Fleurie 2018
Generous and gourmand, the 2018 Fleurie bursts from the glass with aromas of ripe cherries, blackberries, rose petals and warm spices. Medium to full-bodied, it's fleshy and enveloping but—like all the domaine's wines—remains bright and precise despite its dark fruit tones and broad shoulders. Powdery tannins assert themselves gently on the finish.
Domaine Leflaive Meursault 1er Cru Sous Le Dos D’âne 2018
"Mingling aromas of orange oil and Anjou pear with hints of white flowers, buttery pastry and toasted nuts, the 2018 Meursault 1er Cru Sous le Dos d'Ane is medium to full-bodied, chalky and incisive, with a bright spine of acidity and a mineral finish. This has turned out nicely and should reward a bit of bottle age."- William Kelley, Wine Advocate
Domaine Leflaive Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Clavoillon 2018
"A fine effort, the 2018 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Clavoillon wafts from the glass with notes of white flowers, crisp yellow orchard fruit, fresh pastry and blanched almonds. Medium to full-bodied, bright and precise, it's elegant and fine-boned, with—as I observed last year—none of the blockiness of yesteryear's Clavoillon." - William Kelley, Wine Advocate
Domaine Marquis d’Angerville Bourgogne Aligoté 2018
"Our Bourgogne Aligoté is typical of the appellation. Aligoté is a typically Burgundian grape variety, relatively rare now, but which is in the original Kir recipe, developed by the canon of the same name: one third of crème de cassis and two thirds of Aligoté. It is a wine tense by its acidity which gives it its spine, and beautiful aromas that awaken our taste buds." - Winemaker's notes
Domaine Marquis d’Angerville Bourgogne Passetoutgrains 2018
"Passetoutgrain is, as its name suggests, a blend of two grape varieties: Gamay and Pinot Noir, which generally represent around a third of the total. The composition of our Bourgogne Passetoutgrain is rather evenly distributed between the two grape varieties. It is a “simple” wine, unpretentious, but elaborated with care, and which is always easily approachable. It is a typically Burgundian appellation that we are keen to promote." Winemaker's notes
Lafarge-Vial Fleurie “Joie du Palais” 2016 Magnum
"The 2016 Fleurie Joie de Palais was lucky to escape the hail that stopped 50 meters from Lafarge’s parcel. It has a more earthy, stony bouquet with fine tension, the palate quite saline in the mouth and maybe not quite as detailed on the finish as the Chiroubles. It is an enjoyable Fleurie, although I discerned much more complexity within their Clos Vernay this year." - Neal Martin, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
