24 products

- White Wine
- Chardonnay
- Sustainable
- Dry
- Medium Bodied
- 750ml
- 12.5% alc./vol
About the Winery
Groupe Bellene

Led by Nicolas Potel in Beaune, Groupe Bellene is composed of the négociant arm Maison Roche de Bellene, the winery arm Domaine de Bellene, and a special back-vintage series under the Collection Bellenum label.
- Maison Roche de Bellene offers a complete range of wines, with an emphasis on individual terroirs from old vines of more than 40 years. All of the growers that Nicolas works with are either organic certified or sustainably farmed.
- Domaine de Bellene represents the wines that are produced and bottled from Nicolas Potel's private vineyard holdings.
- Collection Bellenum is a back vintage series that Nicolas Potel sourced from his friends in the region, offering a magnificent selection of bottled history. The wines have moved only twice in their lives, from the original cellar to Potel's and now to yours!
Nicolas Potel grew up at Volnay's Domaine Pousse d'Or, where his father worked. He trained abroad and returned home in 1996 to build a négociant business and started Maison Nicolas Potel, where he sourced grapes from good parcels, often working with the growers to improve the quality. By 2002, he was making 120 wines from 50 different appellations, and the rest is history!
- White Wine
- Listán Blanco
- Sustainable, Vegan-Friendly, Volcanic
- Dry
- Medium Bodied
- 750ml
- 13% alc./vol
About the Winery
Viñátigo

Juan Jesús is a proud native of Tenerife and the fourth generation of growers. During the thirty years that he's overseen Bodegas Viñátigo, he has considerably increased its holdings, planting varieties that he and his team recuperated from near extinction.
Driven by passion and love for his homeland, Juan decided to revive and work to save the native grape varieties that were brought to the Canary Islands by the conquers back in the 15th century and that had survived on the islands for centuries. He is a hero of contemporary Canarian viticulture. The wealth of knowledge that his work has created has helped underpin the significant expansion of wine styles that are now available throughout the archipelago, and his wines have achieved a calibre of class that many doubted the Canaries would ever produce again. (The Epic Wines of the Canary Islands, written by Santo Bains).
Press Reviews
Robert Parker
92 points
The 2022 Camino de La Peña is one of the new single-vineyard certified wines from the DOP Islas Canarias, Tenerife appellation. It was produced with Listán Blanco grapes from a plot of vines in Altos de Icod in the Icod Valley in the northeast of Tenerife and pruned in the traditional parral, or pergola, way on terraces on young volcanic (basalt) soils with sand and minerals. The juice from the pressing with part of the stems was let to settle and fermented with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel, where the wine matured with static lees (not stirred) for nine months. Despite the moderate 12.7% alcohol, this has a riper nose than the other whites, with notes of yellow fruit, plums and peach, and a gentle and polished palate with soft acidity and a bitter twist in the finish. 2,835 bottles were filled in August 2023.
Viñátigo, the project from Juan Jesús Méndez, was one of the pioneers of the local varieties in the Canary Islands, where he's been recovering forgotten varieties since 1990. He's now joined by his son Jorge, who is giving a more modern profile to the wines. In 2017, there was a new range of single-vineyard and lieu-dit wines that go one step beyond in 2022, with three new whites from the north of Tenerife. They are all produced with Listán Blanco from different zones and altitudes, climates and soils. They have 12 hectares of vines in the north and northeast of Tenerife, and their production averages 150,000 bottles per year.
Published: Nov 30, 2023
- White Wine
- Viura
- Sustainable
- Dry
- Residual Sugar: 1.7 g/l
- 750ml
- 13.5% alc./vol
About the Winery
Bideona

Bideona owns or manages over 300 parcels of extraordinary vines in villages throughout the Rioja Alavesa, the coolest, smallest and most Atlantic sub-zone of Spain’s most famous wine region.
The vineyards of the Rioja Alavesa are defined by parcels of old bush vines planted on terraces or hillside slopes with a high percentage of limestone. Located in the foothills of the Sierra Cantabria, Bideona’s vines have an average age of 50 years and many were planted in the 1920s, 30s and 40s, before high-yielding clones became available.
Bideona puts the focus firmly on terroir by making each wine in its Vino de Pueblo range as a field blend of Tempranillo and other native varieties from plots in an individual village. Each is named with an acronym – L3Z4 for Leza, L4GD4 for Laguardia, S4MG0 for Samaniego and V1BN4 for Villabuena – owing to DOCa Rioja regulations that only allow village names to be marked if both the winery and the vineyard are in the same location.
“Bideona’s reason for existence is to make wines that show the personality of the Rioja Alavesa and its historic wine villages” states company co-founder and director, Andreas Kubach MW. “We have access to a wealth of diverse plant material in our parcels of old vines, which we believe contributes to the complexity of the wines as well as the differences between villages.”
Press Reviews
Wine Align
93 points - David Lawrason
This is a high altitude, old vine viura from the foothills of the Cantambrian mountains in Rioja Alavesa. It has pure crystalline nose of lemon, pear, subtle chive and wet stone. It is crisp, taut and very well balanced with only 12.5% alcohol providing the sense of restraint. Really nicely done. The length is excellent. This should age very well, as the best white Riojas usually do, Might even expand its flavour profile. Tasted December 2024
92 points - Michael Godel
Quite the concentrated though also sharp and pointed white Rioja from Bideona called Las Parcelas which refers to the blocks chosen for this unique cuvée. Not just sharp but high acid to elevate the boldness of the build in a medium-bodied while also amply ripe viura that lowers significantly from 2020 to finish here at 12.6 percent alcohol. Comparatively speaking this is tighter and of a greater intensity without compromise, though fruit (other than citrus) does not dominate the poignancy of this truly salty vintage. Drink 2024-2027. Tasted December 2024.
91 points - Sara d'Amato
A relative newcomer to Rioja, Bodega Bideona was founded in 2018 and is a joint venture between Basque entrepreneur and txakoli producer, Gorka Izagirre and Península Viticulores, which is run by two Masters of Wine Andreas Kubach and Sam Harrop. The estate manages 100 hectares of vineyards in 300 plots across the foothills of the Sierra de Catabria that include a site planted in 1920. The "Las Parcelas" Blanco is made from 100% viura from various sites and features almond, yellow apple, pear, and just-ripe white peach. This juicy, lightly oily find is high in acid and salty, chalky mineral. Offers an appealing texture, little to no oak, a very good concentration of flavours and notable structure. Features a firm finish of memorable length. Tasted December 2024.
91 points - John Szabo, MS
A 'regional' wine in the Bideona internal classification, produced from multiple parcels throughout the Rioja Alavesa, absent oak influence, this is yet another impeccably-made, balanced wine from this highly reliable estate. I love the sapid acids, drawing saliva, the slight tug of tannins framing the autumnal fruit, the lingering finish. Succulent and saline, delicious and fairly priced. Drink or hold 3-4 years for maximum benefits. Tasted December 2024.
- White Wine
- Assyrtiko, Malagousia, Vidiano
- Sustainable
- Dry
- 750ml
- Red Wine
- Tempranillo
- Dry
- Residual Sugar: 1.2 g/l
- 750ml
- 14% alc./vol
About the Winery
Bideona

Bideona owns or manages over 300 parcels of extraordinary vines in villages throughout the Rioja Alavesa, the coolest, smallest and most Atlantic sub-zone of Spain’s most famous wine region.
The vineyards of the Rioja Alavesa are defined by parcels of old bush vines planted on terraces or hillside slopes with a high percentage of limestone. Located in the foothills of the Sierra Cantabria, Bideona’s vines have an average age of 50 years and many were planted in the 1920s, 30s and 40s, before high-yielding clones became available.
Bideona puts the focus firmly on terroir by making each wine in its Vino de Pueblo range as a field blend of Tempranillo and other native varieties from plots in an individual village. Each is named with an acronym – L3Z4 for Leza, L4GD4 for Laguardia, S4MG0 for Samaniego and V1BN4 for Villabuena – owing to DOCa Rioja regulations that only allow village names to be marked if both the winery and the vineyard are in the same location.
“Bideona’s reason for existence is to make wines that show the personality of the Rioja Alavesa and its historic wine villages” states company co-founder and director, Andreas Kubach MW. “We have access to a wealth of diverse plant material in our parcels of old vines, which we believe contributes to the complexity of the wines as well as the differences between villages.”
Press Reviews
Wine Align
92 points - Michael Godel
Nine months has done nothing to diminish the energy and swagger of Las Parcelas which brings together fruit from Bideona’s four distinct terroirs each labeled under a viñedos singulares distinction. Sure this may lack the depth of those unique expressions but it does gather them as one layered tempranillo and best of all the 2021 vintage is presented in high esteem. Much anticipation for what else is still to come. Last tasted December 2024. Las Parcelas takes winemaker Tao Platon’s Rioja work to another level because fruit remains at the core in the most pure and clear way. There is little to no distraction by wood or other winemaking work and terroir speaks about as prominently as it can in a wine at this price level. Perfumed, silken, moderate of style, easy to drink and finely tannic without austerity or unnecessary grip. Fine in so many ways. Drink 2025-2030. Tasted March 2024.
92 points - John Szabo, MS
Bideona draws from over 300, mostly tiny parcels in Rioja Alavesa, the highest sub- region in the denomination, aiming to capture the perfume and freshness of high-elevation tempranillo and other locals. Las Parcelas, is a blend of parcels, considered a 'regional' wine in the portfolio's hierarchy, below single vineyard and single village wines, but's it's a beauty on every level, especially having moved past the reductive stage noted in my previous review. I love the delicate fragrance offered straight off the top, replete with fresh red fruit and an herbal-floral twist, almost peppery, while the palate delivers crunchy limestone acids and silky-firm tannins lending a sandy texture. I enjoy the freshness of fruit now, though I suspect tannins will soften nicely over the next year or two if you're seeking more silk. Tasted December 2024. Previous: Bideona's Las Parcelas Rioja hails from the foothills of the Sierra Cantabria in the Rioja Alavesa, the highest elevation vineyards in the denomination. There's a slightly reductive edge to this young, predominantly tempranillo- based red, with a mix of both fresh red and also black fruit, with notable floral components and a notable lack of obvious wood influence, you could say a more contemporary style. The palate is plush and nicely concentrated without excess, deeply fruit with lasting flavours. It makes a great counterpart to Bideona's more traditional Artelan Reserva bottling at a similar price, two styles, two very good wines. Drink this one from about 2026-2032. Tasted March 2024.
- White Wine
- Listán Blanco
- Sustainable, Vegan-Friendly, Volcanic
- Dry
- Medium Bodied
- 750ml
- 13% alc./vol
About the Winery
Viñátigo

Juan Jesús is a proud native of Tenerife and the fourth generation of growers. During the thirty years that he's overseen Bodegas Viñátigo, he has considerably increased its holdings, planting varieties that he and his team recuperated from near extinction.
Driven by passion and love for his homeland, Juan decided to revive and work to save the native grape varieties that were brought to the Canary Islands by the conquers back in the 15th century and that had survived on the islands for centuries. He is a hero of contemporary Canarian viticulture. The wealth of knowledge that his work has created has helped underpin the significant expansion of wine styles that are now available throughout the archipelago, and his wines have achieved a calibre of class that many doubted the Canaries would ever produce again. (The Epic Wines of the Canary Islands, written by Santo Bains).
Press Reviews
Robert Parker
93 points
The 2022 Lomo de la Era, another of the new single-vineyard certified wines from the DOP Islas Canarias, Tenerife appellation, was produced with Listán Blanco grapes, in this case from a cordón trenzado plot of vines in the western part of the Orotava Valley on sandy, silty and basalt soils. The juice from the pressing with part of the stems was let to settle and fermented with indigenous yeasts in concrete, where the wine matured with static lees (not stirred) for nine months. It has moderate ripeness and alcohol (12%) with a mixture of floral, fruit and soil notes and an austere palate with dusty minerality, vibrant and pungent flavors and a clean finish. 2,320 bottles were filled in July 2023.
Viñátigo, the project from Juan Jesús Méndez, was one of the pioneers of the local varieties in the Canary Islands, where he's been recovering forgotten varieties since 1990. He's now joined by his son Jorge, who is giving a more modern profile to the wines. In 2017, there was a new range of single-vineyard and lieu-dit wines that go one step beyond in 2022, with three new whites from the north of Tenerife. They are all produced with Listán Blanco from different zones and altitudes, climates and soils. They have 12 hectares of vines in the north and northeast of Tenerife, and their production averages 150,000 bottles per year.
Published: Nov 30, 2023
- White Wine
- Vidiano
- Sustainable
- Dry
- 750ml
- Red Wine
- Sustainable
- Dry
- 750ml
- Red Wine
- Frappato
- Natural, Sustainable
- Medium Bodied
- 750ml
- 12.5% alc./vol
About the Winery
Cantine Barbera

Cantina Barbera is located in the Menfi Coast, on the west coast of Sicily. The vineyards are about one mile from the Mediterranean Sea: an uncontaminated deep blue sea, facing South, where low cliffs and sandy dunes create a beautiful environment protected by the Belice River Natural Reservation Fund.
A third generation farmer, Marilena Barbera farms the Inzolia that her grandfather planted in the 20's, just as she attends to the native varietals that are the new frontier of her own generation: Perricone, Nerello, Alicante, Nero d'Avola and Grillo. Marilena makes her wines praticticing organic farming and natural winemaking, while paying utmost respect to Menfi's terroir.
"At the winery, I chose to work only with spontaneous fermentations and to adopt non invasive winemaking practices, in order to respect the unique personality of Sicilian native grape varieties and the beautiful land to which they belong."
- Sparkling Wine
- Sémillon
- Biodynamic, Natural, Organic, Vegan-Friendly
- Dry
- Light Bodied
- 750ml
- 9% alc./vol
About the Winery
Château Barouillet

Chateau Barouillet has been a family business going back at least 8 generations. Vincent Alexis works alongside his father and grandfather to cultivate the land and has moved the winery into organic viticulture, starting to convert the soil in 2010 and fully converting all the vineyards by 2014. In 2020, the obtained their biodynamic certification.
The domaine controls 45 hectares of vines throughout Monbazzillac, Bergerac Pécharmant, and Cotes de Bergerac. Vincent continues to push the biological approach further by working according to the lunar calendar in the vineyards and in the cellar.
- Red Wine
- Tempranillo
- Sustainable
- Dry
- Residual Sugar: 1.1 g/l
- 750ml
- 14.3% alc./vol
About the Winery
Bideona

Bideona owns or manages over 300 parcels of extraordinary vines in villages throughout the Rioja Alavesa, the coolest, smallest and most Atlantic sub-zone of Spain’s most famous wine region.
The vineyards of the Rioja Alavesa are defined by parcels of old bush vines planted on terraces or hillside slopes with a high percentage of limestone. Located in the foothills of the Sierra Cantabria, Bideona’s vines have an average age of 50 years and many were planted in the 1920s, 30s and 40s, before high-yielding clones became available.
Bideona puts the focus firmly on terroir by making each wine in its Vino de Pueblo range as a field blend of Tempranillo and other native varieties from plots in an individual village. Each is named with an acronym – L3Z4 for Leza, L4GD4 for Laguardia, S4MG0 for Samaniego and V1BN4 for Villabuena – owing to DOCa Rioja regulations that only allow village names to be marked if both the winery and the vineyard are in the same location.
“Bideona’s reason for existence is to make wines that show the personality of the Rioja Alavesa and its historic wine villages” states company co-founder and director, Andreas Kubach MW. “We have access to a wealth of diverse plant material in our parcels of old vines, which we believe contributes to the complexity of the wines as well as the differences between villages.”
Press Reviews
Wine Align
95 points - John Szabo, MS
From several high elevation parcels in the village of Samaniego, the youngest of which was 50 years in 2020, and the oldest 90 years, this is stunningly perfumed and elegant Rioja. Aromas and flavours feature sour cherry and wild resinous herbs, fresh rose petal, red currant and orange peel, while the palate is taut and tight, resting on riveting acids and fine but still grainy tannins. It seems to be moving slowly and needs another 2-3 years minimum I'd say to enter a primary drinking window. It will be an absolute beauty. Tasted December 2024.
92 points - Michael Godel
More crunch and savour than both the L4GD4 and V1BN4 and while not possessive of the same level of profound quality as both those wines this does deliver fineness in its own right. A reminder how this and its siblings are neither of Reserva or Gran Reserva distinctions but instead a look at viñedos singulares, newest of the Rioja categories. S4MG0 (Samaniego) hails from the higher slopes of a paraje (spot) at Samaniego and the herbal, think minty cool exhale from the tempranillo is so different than what comes out of the other Viños de Pueblo wines. Nearly evergreen as the finish and a delight with good weight, all parts coming together at the finish. Drink 2024-2028. Tasted December 2024.
93 points - David Lawrason
Bideona was formed in 2018, selecting from over 300 small, old vine parcels in Rioja Alavesa. This is from old vines at the highest altitude near the village of Samaniego. Despite the colour depth and 14.5% alcohol there is a lightness of being here as a result. The nose shows blackberry, subtle minty herbs and spice. It is medium weight, fairly supple and warming. Quite dusty tannins here. The length is excellent. My favourite of four bottlings tasted side by side in December 2024
- Red Wine
- Grenache
- Natural, Sustainable, Vegan-Friendly
- Dry
- Full Bodied
- 750ml
- 13.8% alc./vol
About the Winery
Bodegas Puiggròs

Since 1843, the Puiggros family has been producing wines from their own vines in the Odena region of Catalunya for the family and close friends. Over generations they had come to realize that their vineyards and techniques were something worth sharing with the world. A sincere dedication to the terroir in their zone and the indigenous varieties that grow there, allows them to constantly discover ways to unlock all of the magic that lies within their land.
Starting with conscious and clean farming in the vineyard, they hand-harvest only the best fruit for their production, and ferment each vineyard separately in varying vessels to accentuate what the vines have to show; some in stainless steel, and many in clay amphora of differing sizes. All the while seeing very little sulfur use (if any) until bottling. Puiggros is pushing the quality of northeastern Spain's wines forward, and doing so in a clean and unique way.
Press Reviews
WineAlign
92 points - Michael Godel
A specialist in clay-pot aged garnatxa and this bottling being a red that is only partially aged in amphora. Same limestone and clay soil grown garnatxa at 500m with a view to the mountains of Montserrat, in the outskirts of the village of Odena. As with all these wines there is a clarity and freshness to bely the methodology while here the florally-charged aromas are nothing if not beautiful. Like candied perfume, sweetly scented, inviting and gregarious. Generous too, openly so but also a thing of being so obviously natural. Hard to decide between the full on amphora white or this partially aged red. Both, is the answer. Drink 2023-2027.
Tasted February 2023 - 2020 vintage
90 points - Megha Jandhyala
There is a guileless charm to this fresh and fruity grenache. It was made with fruit sourced from vines planted at 500 meters above sea level in the outskirts of Odena in Catalunya and fermented in either clay amphorae or large concrete tanks. I like the cheerful flavours of juicy red fruit, accompanied by subtle notes of earth and resinous herbs, and pretty aromas of violets. The palate is medium-bodied, warm, and comforting, with fine tannins and juicy, fresh acids. The finish is long and fruity.
Tasted February 2023 - 2020 vintage
90 points - John Szabo, MS
A clay amphora-aged garnacha from Catalunya, high ripeness is evidenced by the sweet, red currant and cherry jam flavours alongside 14.5% alcohol declared. Yet the palate remains firm and fresh, juicy even, thanks to the zesty acids. Tannins are light and fine, and length and depth are good. I'd let this settle for another year or two to further the quest for complexity.
Tasted January 2024 - 2021 vintage
- Sparkling Wine
- Lambrusco di Sorbara, Pinot Nero
- Natural, Sustainable
- Light Bodied
- 750ml
- 11% alc./vol
- Red Wine
- Tempranillo
- Sustainable
- Dry
- Residual Sugar: 1.1 g/l
- 750ml
- 14.3% alc./vol
About the Winery
Bideona

Bideona owns or manages over 300 parcels of extraordinary vines in villages throughout the Rioja Alavesa, the coolest, smallest and most Atlantic sub-zone of Spain’s most famous wine region.
The vineyards of the Rioja Alavesa are defined by parcels of old bush vines planted on terraces or hillside slopes with a high percentage of limestone. Located in the foothills of the Sierra Cantabria, Bideona’s vines have an average age of 50 years and many were planted in the 1920s, 30s and 40s, before high-yielding clones became available.
Bideona puts the focus firmly on terroir by making each wine in its Vino de Pueblo range as a field blend of Tempranillo and other native varieties from plots in an individual village. Each is named with an acronym – L3Z4 for Leza, L4GD4 for Laguardia, S4MG0 for Samaniego and V1BN4 for Villabuena – owing to DOCa Rioja regulations that only allow village names to be marked if both the winery and the vineyard are in the same location.
“Bideona’s reason for existence is to make wines that show the personality of the Rioja Alavesa and its historic wine villages” states company co-founder and director, Andreas Kubach MW. “We have access to a wealth of diverse plant material in our parcels of old vines, which we believe contributes to the complexity of the wines as well as the differences between villages.”
Press Reviews
Wine Align
94 points - John Szabo, MS
One of Bideona's 'single village' wines, in this case Villabuena, this is gorgeous wine, full stop. Hillside vineyards sit around 500 m above sea level, and ripening is later than in Laguardia but earlier than in Leza, a sort of Goldilocks zone for balance, concentration and freshness. Just less than half of the 2020 was aged in 300l barrels (one- quarter new) with the rest in tank, adding to the freshness and preserving the floral nature of 'mountain' tempranillo. I love the silky precision on the palate and the streak of savoury herbs that run through from start to long finish. Acids are perfectly ripe and crunchy, and the perfume lingers on and on. Delicious now, but no rush - hold easily into the '30s. Tasted December 2024.
92 points - Michael Godel
One of of Bodega Bideona's four Vinos de Pueblo (village- designated) series of wines, each with their own acronym. In this case VIBN4 to represent Villabeuna at an elevation in and around 500m. Considered a field blend but with mostly tempranillo and a 50-50 aging style, barrels and tanks for that integrated layering of micro-ox and equalling freshness. A village wine of sleek fruit and authentic flaws, meaning the human eye sorts the grapes, not a machine and character inevitably ensues. Luxe and ripe with a whisper of Villabeuna swarthiness though frescura outworks obscura for a dangerously clean and easy red to knock back. There is some grip, punch and circumstance, so be aware of the sober power of this wine. Will age gracefully for three-plus years. Drink 2024- 2027. Tasted June 2024.
- Vermouth Wine
- Carignan, Grenache
- Natural, Organic, Vegan-Friendly
- Dry
- Full Bodied
- 750ml
- 17% alc./vol
About the Winery
Domaine Frédéric Brouca

Frédéric grew up in Normandy and met his Canadian wife Elaine at university in Lille, Northern France. They live a nomadic lifestyle (Canada, India, Singapore and USA) though Frédéric spends about half of his time in Faugères. Since early age, Frédéric had a calling for farming and the fierce desire to become a winegrower. After completing a Masters Degree in Finance in 2001, Frédéric went back to college for a Sommelier diploma and started his career as a Burgundy wine broker.
In late 2012, Frédéric and Elaine were fortunate to take over 25 acres of old vines in Faugères, organically farmed for twenty years and deeply rooted in schist soils.
2013 was the inaugural vintage for Domaine Frédéric Brouca. In his modest winery in the village of Laurens, Frédéric is creating a new vision for Faugères wines; fresh, vibrant and made without artifice. Nothing revolutionary, simply returning to our grandparent's ideology of farming and winemaking to craft 'Vins Vivants'. The Faugères Appellation is in the heart of Languedoc in the Hérault department. Here, winemaking dates back to the Greek times and was developed during the Roman Era. It wasn't until the early 1900's, however, that the wines became more widely known for its unique schist soils and moderate Mediterranean climate. These villages are heavily reliant on wine as an important part of their culture and economy.
The area is stunning with mountain views and close proximity to the Mediterranean Sea (20 miles / 30 kms). Faugères has a long history of responsible farming. It boasts the highest percentage of organic vineyards for any AOC in all of France with almost 50% of farmers making the choice.
- White Wine
- Grechetto
- Organic
- Dry
- 750ml
- White Wine
- Chenin Blanc
- Organic, Vegan-Friendly
- Dry
- Full Bodied
- 750ml
- 13.50% alc./vol
About the Winery
Château de Parnay

Château de Parnay is the flagship of the AOC Saumur Champigny. The property is located along the Loire river, classified as UNESCO World Heritage, on the most reputable clay and limestone terroirs of the appellation. The historic property was taken over by Mathias Levron & Régis Vincenot in 2006 with the aim of restoring the nobility of this special place.
Drawing their strength from the authenticity of their values, they now cultivate 50 hectares of vines with the aim of producing exceptional wines in a way that respects the environment. They have been certified organic since 2013 and are about to be certified biodynamic too.
The Clos of Chemin des Murs is the jewel of the property! Coming from the imagination of it's orginal owner, Antoine Cristal, this Clos was built, planted and cultivated according to an unprecedented technique. On this half hectare of Chenin Blanc, each vine was planted on the north face of a stone wall. Through a hole in the stone the vine crosses through the wall and allowing the grapes to grow facing the southern sunshine. The vine is said to have its 'foot in the cool and belly in the sun'.
Press Reviews
Wine Align
92 points - David Lawrason
This is from a leading Saumur producer of Loire chenin blanc with vines planted in calcerous clay soils near the Loire River outside of classical town. It is both rich and delicate, a juxtaposition I find in some of the world's best whites. It is not however an intense, flashy, acid and mineral driven chenin. Fermentation in neutral barrels has created a pale gold hue and softened the nose to gentle honeyed, spicy state along with ripe pear/apricot jam fruit. It is medium-full bodied, smooth and dry, almost creamy, with the grape's acidity and minerality arriving more on the finish. The complexity and length are excellent, with a touch of wood spice and bitterness as well. Tasted August 2022
94 points - John Szabo
2019: This leads with a terrific nose very much in the varietal/regional idiom, honeyed, floral, apple and lemon zest-scented, complex and exotic, not to mention stony. The palate displays a similar level of poise and composure, cool, transparent yet with a heavy freight of flavour , and terrific length. This is really quite extraordinary wine, delicious now, but surely capable of a decade or so in the cellar. Top notch. Tasted March 2019.
93 points - Michael Godel
2019: The rare and elusive 100 per cent chenin blanc from Samur makes full use of clay-calcaire-tuffeau soils for this dry and piqued white wine. So crunchy and expressive with an expansive character that fills the mouth by making contact withy every nerve and pour. Benchmark and controlled explosive example, rare or otherwise. Drink 2020-2025. Tasted March 2020.
91 points - David Lawrason
2019: It is rare to come across fine Saumur chenin, a central Loire Valley appellation overshadowed by Vouvray. This is mid-weight, dry and quite firm classic with a fairly generous nose of pear, spice, vague fresh herbs and wet stone. It becomes quite dry and somewhat grapefruity bitter on the finish, trailing solid minerality as well. Very good to excellent length. Tasted March 2020.
- Red Wine
- Nebbiolo
- Organic, Vegan-Friendly
- Dry
- Medium Bodied
- 750ml
- 14.5% alc./vol
About the Winery
Réva

Réva is a winery based in Monforte D’Alba, within the Langhe area, in Piedmont, west northern Italy. Its aim is to bring the most brilliant young people of the area together, entrusting them with the task of expressing themselves in the most creative and professional way possible. This is Réva’s Wave, a dynamic team that represents the new Langhe generation, in constant communication with tradition, without the fear of reinterpreting it.
Today the vineyard sites which spread over 4 villages, Monforte D’Alba, Serralunga D’Alba, Novello and Barolo are all managed directly with the entire agronomic work done manually. Strong sustainable vineyards conduction, certified organic, they believe that their biggest challenge is not inventing anything but just define and express the beauty of the land where they live.
Behind every glass of wine there is an expression, expression of terroir, varietal, the varietal is for them everything, indigenous, they speak of the land and, last but not least, passion for what they do. Simply as that.
Press Reviews
Wine Align
93 points - Michael Godel
This to me is a classic Barolo vintage captured with utmost care and respect by Réva. The 2018 Baroli are not likely going to amalgamate as the most obviously decadent or structured nebbioli but they can be timely reflections into the appellation. This is what the team at Réva has looked at, considered and coaxed from a wine that represents and by that I mean stands as a cross-sectional cuvée for their important set of vineyards. The 2016 Barolo is a great wine though its austerity means it’s still not functionally available and will serve a select few when it gets to the intended destination. In 2018 nebbiolo stands out bright, aromatic and clear, seasoned by wood, earth and herbs, linear, direct and transparent. The purity and functionality serve the people and does so with heart open wide, worn on a gifted, but never gilded sleeve. This is not a precious wine but do embrace the gift. Drink 2023-2031. Tasted May 2022.
- Red Wine
- Tempranillo
- Sustainable
- Residual Sugar: 1.1 g/l
- 750ml
- 14.3% alc./vol
About the Winery
Bideona

Bideona owns or manages over 300 parcels of extraordinary vines in villages throughout the Rioja Alavesa, the coolest, smallest and most Atlantic sub-zone of Spain’s most famous wine region.
The vineyards of the Rioja Alavesa are defined by parcels of old bush vines planted on terraces or hillside slopes with a high percentage of limestone. Located in the foothills of the Sierra Cantabria, Bideona’s vines have an average age of 50 years and many were planted in the 1920s, 30s and 40s, before high-yielding clones became available.
Bideona puts the focus firmly on terroir by making each wine in its Vino de Pueblo range as a field blend of Tempranillo and other native varieties from plots in an individual village. Each is named with an acronym – L3Z4 for Leza, L4GD4 for Laguardia, S4MG0 for Samaniego and V1BN4 for Villabuena – owing to DOCa Rioja regulations that only allow village names to be marked if both the winery and the vineyard are in the same location.
“Bideona’s reason for existence is to make wines that show the personality of the Rioja Alavesa and its historic wine villages” states company co-founder and director, Andreas Kubach MW. “We have access to a wealth of diverse plant material in our parcels of old vines, which we believe contributes to the complexity of the wines as well as the differences between villages.”
Press Reviews
Wine Align
93 points - Michael Godel
L4GD4, one of four viñedos singulares or singular landscape explorations from Bideona from a range of tempranillo also known as Viños de Pueblo. This old vines example is Laguardia, literally “the guard” because of its defence position for what is a most endearing village. Ripens early, followed by that of the others in the line - Samaniego, Villabuena and Leza. The 2020 feels like a wine of more substance and depth than that of 2019 though without the same level of intensity. That said there is a seriousness, at times a brooding character and in the end a profundity that must be recognized. Has already done some travelling and maturing but there should be no reason to think it won’t drink well for another six or seven years. Drink 2024-2029. Tasted December 2024.
- Red Wine
- Gamay
- Biodynamic, Sustainable, Vegan-Friendly, Volcanic
- Dry
- Medium Bodied
- 750ml
- 13% alc./vol
About the Winery
Stéphane Aviron

Stéphane Aviron can be considered a pioneer in his approach to winemaking in Beaujolais, however he would just tell you that he’s simply returning to the traditional practices that have always made fantastic Gamay wines. Sustainable viticulture, extremely old vines and classic Burgundian techniques. He focuses on the Beaujolais village crus, all but forgotten gems of vineyards when the nouveau craze took over, which are the best sites for unique, expressive and terroir driven wines. All of the fruit is sourced from old vines (40+ years), so seeing Vieilles Vignes on the label is a rite of passage, not a privilege. Authenticity and a distinctly Beaujolais style of winemaking is what sets Stéphane apart from the rest.
Press Reviews
Wine Align
93 points - David Lawrason
Chenas is one of the smallest appellations of Beaujolais, situated astride more famous Fleurie. Both villages tend to make gamays with both richness and elegance. This sports a ripe nose of cherry/strawberry jam, peony and subtle pepper. It is medium bodied, smooth, firm and refined with gentle tannin. And the length is excellent. Very easy to enjoy now and should hold through 2028. Tasted June 2022
92 points - Megha Jandhyala
This is a fetching gamay with buoyant fruit notes of cherries and raspberries accompanied by aromas of candied violets, rosemary, and snapped twigs. The palate echoes these flavours with subtle notes of cured meat joining the chorus. Tannins are satin smooth and acids are tart. Length is excellent with a delightful fruity finale. Best 2022-2027. Tasted June 2022 by Critic Understudy Megha Jandhyala.
91 points - John Szabo, MS
This is a pleasantly twiggy-herbal-stemmy expression of Chenas with plenty of joyful fruit underpinning the ensemble. I like the fleshy dark cherry fruit on the palate, the silky-firm tannins, and the excellent length in the category. A superior cru; drink or hold late into the decade. Tasted June 2022.
91 points - Michael Godel
Chénas by Aviron is the cru that takes what the Villages offers and simply gives more. By home and vineyard the extrapolation and extension is natural, seamless and duly noted, from dancing fruit, happy palate and now, something viably more. Salumi and wet stone, a modicum of structure, violets in perfume and furthered texture. A positive thickening that stays with the palate, lingers and gracefully moves on. This is gamay to pour for people ready to get it and get at it. Drink 2022-2026. Tasted June 2022.
90 points - Sara d'Amato
An intriguing mix of ripe and jammy along with stemmy and herbal from the warm 2020 vintage. Juicy on the palate with flavours of cherry, bramble, wet leaf and a hint of carbonic. Mouthfilling and fleshy overall with plush red fruit on the finish of very good length. Tasted June 2022.
- Red Wine
- Sangiovese, Trebbiano
- Biodynamic, Natural, Organic, Vegan-Friendly
- Dry
- Light Bodied
- 750ml
- 13% alc./vol
About the Winery
Fattoria di Sammontana

The vineyards of Fattoria di Sammontana are located along the hills that border the Arno River, 20km to the south west of Florence. Today, the family - now in its fourth generation - runs the farm according to organic and biodynamic practices, with the intent to fully preserve and sustain the traditions and winemaking history of the land. The property and its 12th century Romanesque church, were once the property of the Medici family.
- Sweet Wine
- Gros Manseng, Petit Manseng
- Natural, Organic, Vegan-Friendly
- Medium Bodied
- 750ml
- 12.00% alc./vol
About the Winery
Clos Lapeyre

This family farm was traditionally dedicated to mixed farming with livestock, small fruits and grapes which were taken to the local cooperative. From 1985 onwards, the estate was turned over exclusively to viticulture when Jean-Bernard Larrieu gave birth to Clos Lapeyre.
Clos Lapeyre is a 12 ha domain owned by the Larrieu family, in Jurançon, Southwest France. It is situated south of Pau, nestling on steep slopes facing the Pyrenees. The vineyards are planted on terraces at an altitude of 250 m. Jean-Bernard Larrieu makes the wines, and his aim is produce wines that express the specificity of the grape varieties and the soils (pebbly clay/limestone and silex). The wines are certified Organic.
- Vermouth Wine
- Carignan, Grenache
- Natural, Organic, Vegan-Friendly
- Dry
- Full Bodied
- 750ml
- 17% alc./vol
About the Winery
Domaine Frédéric Brouca

Frédéric grew up in Normandy and met his Canadian wife Elaine at university in Lille, Northern France. They live a nomadic lifestyle (Canada, India, Singapore and USA) though Frédéric spends about half of his time in Faugères. Since early age, Frédéric had a calling for farming and the fierce desire to become a winegrower. After completing a Masters Degree in Finance in 2001, Frédéric went back to college for a Sommelier diploma and started his career as a Burgundy wine broker.
In late 2012, Frédéric and Elaine were fortunate to take over 25 acres of old vines in Faugères, organically farmed for twenty years and deeply rooted in schist soils.
2013 was the inaugural vintage for Domaine Frédéric Brouca. In his modest winery in the village of Laurens, Frédéric is creating a new vision for Faugères wines; fresh, vibrant and made without artifice. Nothing revolutionary, simply returning to our grandparent's ideology of farming and winemaking to craft 'Vins Vivants'. The Faugères Appellation is in the heart of Languedoc in the Hérault department. Here, winemaking dates back to the Greek times and was developed during the Roman Era. It wasn't until the early 1900's, however, that the wines became more widely known for its unique schist soils and moderate Mediterranean climate. These villages are heavily reliant on wine as an important part of their culture and economy.
The area is stunning with mountain views and close proximity to the Mediterranean Sea (20 miles / 30 kms). Faugères has a long history of responsible farming. It boasts the highest percentage of organic vineyards for any AOC in all of France with almost 50% of farmers making the choice.
- White Wine
- Listán Blanco
- Sustainable, Vegan-Friendly, Volcanic
- Dry
- Medium Bodied
- 750ml
- 13% alc./vol
About the Winery
Viñátigo

Juan Jesús is a proud native of Tenerife and the fourth generation of growers. During the thirty years that he's overseen Bodegas Viñátigo, he has considerably increased its holdings, planting varieties that he and his team recuperated from near extinction.
Driven by passion and love for his homeland, Juan decided to revive and work to save the native grape varieties that were brought to the Canary Islands by the conquers back in the 15th century and that had survived on the islands for centuries. He is a hero of contemporary Canarian viticulture. The wealth of knowledge that his work has created has helped underpin the significant expansion of wine styles that are now available throughout the archipelago, and his wines have achieved a calibre of class that many doubted the Canaries would ever produce again. (The Epic Wines of the Canary Islands, written by Santo Bains).
Press Reviews
Robert Parker
93 points
The 2022 Lomo de la Era, another of the new single-vineyard certified wines from the DOP Islas Canarias, Tenerife appellation, was produced with Listán Blanco grapes, in this case from a cordón trenzado plot of vines in the western part of the Orotava Valley on sandy, silty and basalt soils. The juice from the pressing with part of the stems was let to settle and fermented with indigenous yeasts in concrete, where the wine matured with static lees (not stirred) for nine months. It has moderate ripeness and alcohol (12%) with a mixture of floral, fruit and soil notes and an austere palate with dusty minerality, vibrant and pungent flavors and a clean finish. 2,320 bottles were filled in July 2023.
Viñátigo, the project from Juan Jesús Méndez, was one of the pioneers of the local varieties in the Canary Islands, where he's been recovering forgotten varieties since 1990. He's now joined by his son Jorge, who is giving a more modern profile to the wines. In 2017, there was a new range of single-vineyard and lieu-dit wines that go one step beyond in 2022, with three new whites from the north of Tenerife. They are all produced with Listán Blanco from different zones and altitudes, climates and soils. They have 12 hectares of vines in the north and northeast of Tenerife, and their production averages 150,000 bottles per year.
Published: Nov 30, 2023
92 points
The 2022 Camino de La Peña is one of the new single-vineyard certified wines from the DOP Islas Canarias, Tenerife appellation. It was produced with Listán Blanco grapes from a plot of vines in Altos de Icod in the Icod Valley in the northeast of Tenerife and pruned in the traditional parral, or pergola, way on terraces on young volcanic (basalt) soils with sand and minerals. The juice from the pressing with part of the stems was let to settle and fermented with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel, where the wine matured with static lees (not stirred) for nine months. Despite the moderate 12.7% alcohol, this has a riper nose than the other whites, with notes of yellow fruit, plums and peach, and a gentle and polished palate with soft acidity and a bitter twist in the finish. 2,835 bottles were filled in August 2023.
Viñátigo, the project from Juan Jesús Méndez, was one of the pioneers of the local varieties in the Canary Islands, where he's been recovering forgotten varieties since 1990. He's now joined by his son Jorge, who is giving a more modern profile to the wines. In 2017, there was a new range of single-vineyard and lieu-dit wines that go one step beyond in 2022, with three new whites from the north of Tenerife. They are all produced with Listán Blanco from different zones and altitudes, climates and soils. They have 12 hectares of vines in the north and northeast of Tenerife, and their production averages 150,000 bottles per year.
Published: Nov 30, 2023