Vanessa

9.2

Cheers to this historic bubbly from Merfy!

Chartogne-Taillet is the only grower-producer located in this tiny village, nestled into the southern slopes of the Massif de Saint-Thierry—the northernmost region of Champagne, & one of its oldest winemaking zones, with roots stretching back to Roman times.

Despite its early popularity, and historical significance, Massif de Saint-Thierry is less widely known today—It’s a hidden gem offering diverse microclimates & subsoils ranging from clay to sand over chalk.

We’re grateful Alexandre Chartogne is giving this region, and Merfy, in particular, a sensory voice, by crafting a range of terroir-driven champagnes that honor centuries of family farming and his formative mentorship working under Anselme Selosse.

Featured here is the “Cuvée Saint Anne”— a broader regional expression which blends vintages, villages, and varieties—60% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir, 5% Meunier—from parcels in both Merfy and the grand cru village of Avize (Côte des Blancs).

In appearance, this wine is radiant gold, revealing the delicate influence of oxygen over a period of aging in neutral oak. It has a fine & persistent perlage.

On the nose are harmonious notes of poached pear, fresh apricot, apple salt water taffy, white blossom, gardenia, crusty croissant, apple crisp, cider, brioche, cinnamon sugar lefse, graham cracker pie crust, wet stones, chalk, & toasted almond.

This wine shows vitality & energy on the palate that is bone dry with lively acidity, a creamy mousse, flavors consistent with the nose, & a lingering finish.

Here’s to Chartogne-Taillet’s elegant & expressive champagnes that are deeply rooted in place. — 8 days ago

with Deked1

Jon Ebsworth

9.0

Cotes de Catalan red with Guinea Fowl at Spring. Excellent fruit, not the graininess I can find in Grenache/Carignan reds at times. — 2 years ago

Nina Fisher

9.5

Valley Project/Kunin take on a Châteauneuf de Pape, which is a Cru (a named terroir, highest rank in the Cotes de Rhône region - AOC, villages AOC, named villages AOC and terroir). North grows more Syrah and south grows more Grenache, Pape is in the south in France. Cites de Rhône region known for GSM blends (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre). Chateanauf de pape also has white blends. — 3 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.4

Champagne De Saint-Gall – Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru / 2017
AOC Champagne – Côte des Blancs, France 🇫🇷

Overview
An exquisite vintage Champagne crafted exclusively from 100% Chardonnay, sourced from the Grand Cru villages of the Côte des Blancs (Avize, Cramant, Oger, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger). A true Blanc de Blancs Millésimé that highlights chalky soils and the finesse of Chardonnay at its purest.

Aromas & Flavors
Elegant and crystalline with notes of lemon curd, white peach, and crisp green apple. Layered hints of toasted brioche, almond cream, and chalk dust reveal the depth of its terroir. Subtle floral touches of acacia and jasmine add refinement.

Mouthfeel
Precise, linear, and mineral-driven. A fine mousse delivers freshness with vibrant acidity, while a creamy mid-palate rounds into a long, saline finish. This is Côte des Blancs chalk elegance in liquid form.

Food Pairings
• Classic: Oysters on the half shell 🦪, caviar, or fresh sashimi.
• Elegant: Sole meunière, scallops with beurre blanc, or a delicate goat cheese.
• Celebratory: Perfect aperitif but also brilliant with lobster or truffle risotto.

Verdict
A benchmark Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs, showcasing finesse, purity, and aging potential. The 2017 vintage may not be the most powerful, but it shines in precision, elegance, and terroir expression, an absolute classic for Chardonnay lovers.

Did You Know?
De Saint-Gall is a growers’ cooperative, representing some of Champagne’s most prestigious Grand Cru vineyards. Their Côte des Blancs Chardonnay supply is so highly regarded that even some of the top Champagne houses buy grapes from them.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight: This wine sings of chalk and citrus purity, if you love laser-focused Champagne, this one is unforgettable. Cheers! — 15 days ago

Roger Ray

9.1

"this wine is known for its exceptional terroir and high wine growing methods. After aging 12 months in Oak barrels, this wine is refined in bottles in our cellars. 40% Syrah, 40% Grenache and 20% Mourvedre grapes reveal intense and complex aromas of spices and mature black fruits. Lively and tasty, this wine is characterized by complexity, delicacy and roundness, ideal with a piece of meat or veal filet." — a year ago

Byron Hewett

9.1

This is the Terroir de Brochon bottling which was done specially for our chapter of the Confrerie des Chevaliers du Tastevin. Gorgeous blue fruited villages wine. A baby, but delicious now. — 3 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Gabriel Meffre ‘Saint Mapalis’ Côtes du Rhône Villages Plan de Dieu 2023
Rhône Valley, France 🇫🇷

Overview
A classic Southern Rhône red blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre (GSM), sourced from the stony, sun-drenched vineyards of the Plan de Dieu appellation within the Côtes du Rhône Villages AOC. This cuvée honors Saint Mapalis, a local figure tied to Rhône’s viticultural heritage.

Aromas & Flavors
Opens with enticing blackberry, plum, and licorice, layered with earthy garrigue and touches of black pepper and spice. A hint of dried herbs and violets rounds out the aromatic profile. On the palate, the wine is juicy and approachable, carrying dark berry fruit through to a smooth finish.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied, soft, and balanced, with silky tannins and a gentle persistence. Shows freshness alongside its ripe fruit core, making it both food-friendly and enjoyable on its own.

Winemaking Notes
Vinified traditionally with careful extraction to highlight fruit and terroir, then aged to round out tannins. Designed for youthful drinking while retaining Rhône typicity.

Food Pairing
Excellent with roast chicken, grilled lamb, charcuterie, and Provençal herb dishes. Its balance of fruit and spice also works well with pizza or casual Mediterranean fare.

Verdict
A lovely value-driven Rhône blend—expressive, soft, and versatile. It feels more expensive than it is and showcases the charm of Plan de Dieu’s terroir. — 4 months ago

John Jaye

9.2

Super drink. Soft tannins, lots of fruit and a great aroma — 8 months ago

Jakub Kalinowski

8.9

Catalan wine tasting #3
Expressive, herby, salty & vegetal. Light apricots in honey, dried herbs & underbrush. A mineral, rocky undertone.
On the palate more breadth than depth, a white-tea tannin profile, fresh acidity. Salty finish. brilliant with food.
Not a crowd pleaser. — 3 years ago

Willie Carter

9.1

The word that comes to mind immediately is purity. One of the most pure, most honest champagnes I’ve tasted. Light yellow gold with effusive perlage. A sultry stream of bubbles and wonderful creaminess. The nose is a bit shy upon opening with a little apple, a little toffee, and a little mint. Soon the wine begins to truly blossom with fresh nectarines and subtle apricot. The brioche aromas are stately and buttered. Exquisite and exciting.

A collaboration between Dremont and Frederic Savart, very limited production with only 2512 bottles. With a dosage of only 2 grams, the acidity is quite high and zippy. Absolutely amazing purity and the terroir is positively shrieking here. A Blanc de Blancs from the Grand Cru villages of Avize and Oger and you can definitely feel that. Medium weight but is rich and feels substantial. This feels a bit like an event. Despite being primarily an entry level or a bit of a step above, this has real weight and substance to it.

The palate showcases whispers of what this could really be down the road. Really nice mouthfeel but a bit volatile at times. Plenty of pretty peaches and salinity. Pure Chardonnay characteristics of chalk and citrus abound here. Medium finish with the faint ghost of spice. This is really enjoyable today but try to hold it for a few years, if you can. — 4 years ago