France

Fresh & Floral

Located 50 km east from Saint-Émilion, the Barouillet family has been growing grapes for at least 8 generations in Pécharment, Monbazillac and Bergerac. Vincent Alexis, who joined his father in 2010, converted the vineyards to organic and is about to obtain the biodynamic certification. 

This splashy Pét-Nat is made from 50 year old Sémillon vines grown in clay and limestone soils. It is light in alcohol (only 9%!), fragrant, lively and richly textured on the palate. This bubbly has notes of lemon and lime, fresh apple and a touch of cut grass. Plenty of fizz!

Pop and enjoy!

Unlike many winemakers, Frederic Brouca is largely self-taught and took no formal courses on viticulture or winemaking.  His concept of growing grapes and winemaking focuses on reducing human intervention in the processes, and making it as natural as possible.

Côte de Glou is a blend of Grenache, Syrah & Carignan grown in pure schist soils in the hilly slopes of the Faugères appellation. The forty-year old vines yield a perfectly balanced and powerful wine. With rich dark fruit and a notable structure, this zero sulphur wine spent 2+ years ageing in stainless steel and neutral French oak. The result is a savoury red with a peppery spice note and a long, clean finish. 

Fruity & Bright

Château de La Chaize is among the oldest, most historic estates in Burgundy’s Beaujolais region. Cared for by the same family for nearly three and a half centuries, the estate has been passed on to new owners, the Gruy family, who are equally committed to managing the estate with the utmost care, while implementing an ambitious environmental plan.

Brouilly is the southernmost appellation in Beaujolais. This cru site specifically - but apparent in the entire Beaujolais region – are hills more pronounced than you will find in Burgundy. Some are rolling while some are steeper, and this topography has a direct influence on the way the vine rows are planted, how they are tended (by hand or machine), and how the vines are pruned. Château de La Chaize estate is located on a natural amphitheater with south/southeast exposure, on steep hillsides of sandy pink granite that allow for excellent drainage.

For this wine, fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks using indigenous yeasts with semi-carbonic maceration - 50% Burgundian (destemmed) and 50% whole cluster. Pumping-over is practiced without punching down, to preserve the fruit and freshness of the wine. 70% of the wine is aged in stainless steel, 30% in foudres for 12 months.

Delectable, fruity nose underscored with aromas of red fruits and notes of nutmeg spice. Generous and aromatic on the palate, with supple, mellow tannins. Notes of red fruit and spice offer depth and lively acidity. Expressive, generous and enjoyable right now, this is a perfect wine to enjoy with a slight chill.

Pair with all meats, chicken, wild mushrooms, and strong cheeses.

Floral & Delicate

One of the most coveted, yet accessible natural wines in France. From legendary winemaker Matthieu Barret of Domaine de Coulet in Cornas. The Matthieu Barret labelled wines are from a leased organic and biodynamic vineyard in Visan, about an hour South of the Domaine. 

Black Flag is made from Syrah grown in the terroirs of Ardèche. It is aged for 12 months in concrete eggs and used oak barrels, with a final ageing of a year in concrete tanks. This is a very fresh Syrah with a silky and delicate texture. The nose has notes of liquorice, violet, black olive tapenade, cured meats and pink peppercorn, wrapped around a core of dark fruit.  On the palate is savoury, medium-bodied, and absolutely delicious. A very clean, fresh and lively Northern Rhone.

Rich & Sweet

Jurançon is a very small wine region located in the Pyrenees, famous for its sweet wines made with late harvested grapes. The grapes are hand-harvested later in the season when the sugar levels are really high and the water content is very low. The delicate honey and herb-tinged nose is enticing, with a sweet edge. It has a lovely rich texture with notes of straw and herb on the palate and good balance with a honeyed sweetness.

This is the wine you want to open at the very beginning or at the very end of a dinner. It matches beautifully with all kinds of cheeses, specially goat and blue cheeses; as well as with foie-grass. It is also terrific as a dessert wine.

Full-Bodied & Smooth

Located in the Macau en Medoc region not far from the entry to the Margaux appellation, this chateau dates back to the 18th century and now covers 22.5 hectares. The soils here are classic Garonne gravels with a clay sub-soil which provides a classic mellow character with relatively smooth tannins and an elegant and fine structure. These wines are remarkably consistent and approachable even in their youth.

Next-door neighbor to the Grand Cru Classé, Château Cantemerle, Maucamps is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot. Aromas of humus, dry leaf, and sour cherry reveal the slow passage of time in the cellar and hints of liquorice, cedar and walnuts complete this highly complex profile. The mouth, racy and elegant, offers a lovely persistance.

Pair this wine alongside with grilled flank steak, classic coq au vin, or a hearty beef or vegetable stew.