Wines

Winemaker Notes:
"An intense nose, dominated by red fruit, with spices and some oak notes; a round and supple wine with well knit tannins on the palate."

90 points Vinous
The 2023 Rose Sabine is ripe, vibrant and structured. Spiced red fruit and almonds rush across the palate, supported by energetic acidity and a bit of grip that pleasantly tugs at the cheeks. This is a fine example of classically styled Provenal Rose.

100% Merlot aged one year in a combination of neutral oak and steel tank. Medium-bodied, easy drinking Bordeaux with mild tannins. The brambly fruit has a radiance that makes it a pleasure to drink. Truly amazing value and a pleasure to drink, with lovely supple fruit and fine gravelly notes to complete the profile. A baby Graves to drink every night!

Château Cantelaudette is part of the Bordeaux holdings of the Chatelier family, which also owns Château Chatelier (formerly known as Château Fantin). The estate, located in the appellation of Graves de Vayres, was established by the family in 1870. At the time, as was the custom, they planted a variety of crops including grapes.

Château Cantelaudette is set between the cities of Bordeaux and Libourne in the northern part of the Entre-Deux-Mers region on a plateau overlooking the Dordogne River. The proximity to both the river and the ocean brings a warming influence that helps to fully ripen the grapes.

Jean-Michel is committed to improving the impact of farming on the environment and has obtained the demanding Haute Valeur Environnementale certification, which reflects excellence in the areas of biodiversity, plant protection, management of fertilizer use and management of water.

90 points Wine Enthusiast
This rich, juicy wine full of black fruits and ripe tannins is set for long-term aging. The wine's density and acidity enhance its potential. Drink from 2025

Château de la Chaize is one of the oldest, most historic estates in Burgundy's Beaujolais region. Boasting over 250 acres of land, it is also one of the largest. This stunning property – designated an Historic Monument in 1972 – was designed by Mansard, with gardens by Lenotre, designers of the Palace of Versailles, just outside of Paris.

In 2015, chateau owner Bertrand Gourdou was searching through an old desk when he came across a label that his grandfather had made in the early 1970’s; that wine was called “Le pot-de-vin” which, in French, translates to “the bribe”, which for that era was an audacious play on words for a wine label! This label inspired Bertrand to make a simple, natural wine: biodynamically grown fruit, fermented with native yeast and with a negligible dose of SO2, made in concrete tanks built by his grandfather. The word "pot" also references the old-style bottle shape.

The rouge is 100% Merlot from the IGP Pays d’Oc, made with no oak in a light-to-medium-bodied style with gloriously fruit, freshness and length. It is, simply put, the quintessential French bistro red.

The wines are very fruity, round and balanced. Delicious on poultry and white meats. This former property of the Countesses of Rochefort covers an area of 10 hectares. The vines are on average around thirty years old. The soil is sandy-gravelly and the nearby Dordogne provides thermal regulation that is particularly conducive to the ripening of the grapes. 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc aged in oak for 3 months

The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannin and unashamedly classic in style. The classy, tobacco-tinged finish feels long and satisfying. Excellent value.

40% Sauvignon Blanc, 40% Semillon and 20% Muscadelle

The wine is aged on the lees for about 3 weeks, which accounts for its round, smooth, and remarkably fruity flavor.
Food Pairing: It is ideal as an aperitif, or with fish, seafood (a must with oysters), and cheese.
Aging Potential: Best enjoyed young (2 years).

Located southwest of Bordeaux in the commune of Haux, Château Lamothe has crafted estate-bottled wine since the 16th century. For four generations succession was passed down on the mother’s side and since 1956 the estate has been run by the Néel-Chombart family. Over the past 60 years the family has amassed prime vineyard land which now spans 80 hectares of clay and limestone slopes on the Right Bank. Additionally, they restored the distinctive façade of the historic chateau (now pictured on all Lamothe labels) and renovated the 17th century limestone quarries into underground cellars ideal for aging.

Vigneron Damien Chombart believes that sustainable farming is not only stewardship of the land, but also as a way to enhance the life of farmers, communities and society. It is a holistic challenge the connects economic success in agriculture with environmental and social responsibilities for all involved.

Orange Wine

Made from 100% Semillon harvested from 25-year-old vines, and allowed four weeks of skin contact.

Organic / Biodynamic

90 points Jeb Dunnuck
Based on 70% Syrah and 30% Grenache, the 2020 Syrah La Touge has a pretty, juicy, up-front, and medium-bodied style as well as classic Minervois elegance. With complex notes of mulberries, new leather, peppery garrigue, and dried flowers, it's drinking nicely today yet should easily evolve for 4-6 years. It's a hidden little gem of a Syrah from the Languedoc

90-92 points Jeb Dunnuck
Always terrific, the 2023 Château Marjosse Blanc is no exception and has vibrant crushed citrus, lemon zest, and minty herb notes in its medium-bodied, bright, racy, mineral-driven profile. It's a beautiful white well worth seeking out.

90-92 points The Wine Independent
The 2023 Marjosse Blanc sings of freshly squeezed lemons, lime blossom, and juicy pears plus hints of elderflower and dill seed. The medium-bodied palate delivers impressive intensity, with a silky texture and great tension, finishing with a spicy lift. Nice! (LPB)

90 points Vinous
The 2023 Marjosse Blanc is delicious. Crisp and inviting, the 2023 will make a delightful apéritif-style white over the next few years. Crushed rocks, mint, white pepper and lime lend lovely nuance throughout. Floral top notes and tropical overtones really explode on the finish. Tasted two times. (AG)

94 points Wine Independent
Medium garnet-purple in color, the 2020 Marjosse Rouge needs a little coaxing to reveal notes of cast-iron pan, crushed rocks, and dusty soil over a core of red plums, blackberry preserves, and mulberries, plus a hint of bay leaves. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is tightly knit with fine-grained tannins and bold freshness supporting the nuanced black and red fruits, finishing long and minerally. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown

The Wine Independent Top 50 QPR Wines of 2023

The final list of this year's top QPR wines was eye-opening even for me. Bordeaux is the unqualified winner at the Under $25 end. In fact, the best value for quality wine across all price categories is available at an average global cost of $14 on Wine-Searcher. It’s the 2020 Chateau Marjosse Rouge. I was blown away by the quality of Marjosse when tasting the 2020s earlier this year, and even more so when I saw the price.

91 points Decanter
A touch of reduction on the nose which clears as it relaxes in the glass. This is well put together, has definition and finesse, and is punching above its weight in the appellation. Ambitious, well managed tannins and juicy red fruits; 2% Malbec completes the plantings. I don't have the 2020 blend.

90 points James Suckling
This shows notes of ripe berries, vanilla, licorice, crushed walnut and cocoa. Medium-bodied with ripe, supple tannins and a creamy texture. Fruit-forward and flavorful.