Wines

Past vintages have been featured in The New York Times. Eric Asimov once wrote:

"Domaine du Bel Air, run by a father-and-son team, makes fine, age-worthy wines from organic cabernet franc. Jour de Soif is their entry-level bottle, made from younger vines, which are nonetheless still 20 years old. Yet this is no mere vin de soif. You can sense the structure of the other cuvées in the fine tannins that give shape to this otherwise fresh and juicy wine. Not shy at 14.3 percent alcohol, it, too, would be great for grilled meats."

The 2023 Bourgueil Jour de Soif reveals a fruity, delicate bouquet of spices, dark wild berries, green bell pepper and pepper. Medium-bodied, gourmand and juicy, it has a delicate, tannic frame with powdery tannins and a long, mouthwatering finish. It is produced from vines that are planted in gravelly soils (60%) and in clay soils (40%). - Wine Advocate

Organic

"A soft, pale, brilliant pink with bluish tints developing over time towards more orangey nuances. The bouquet releases aromas of summer fruits, cassis and redcurrant. Floral notes of rose along with hints of grapefruit complete the picture. The finish is fresh, offering notes of candy. On the palate the impression is fresh and full, with great aromatic persistence and balance." - Gerard Bertrand

Organic / Biodynamic

A racy medium-bodied expression of Aligote. From 6.3 hectares of vines on high, cool slopes located in the lieux dits of Croix Rougeot, Belle Croix, Cote de Coutance, Cornevin, Cote de la Canne and Vignes de Forterre. Vines age between 10 and 30+ years old. The vines are farmed biodynamically and grapes are harvested by hand. The wine is fermented at cold temperatures in stainless steel vats using native yeasts. The wine is aged on its fine lees in stainless steel.

More savory than fruit-driven, this deeply mineral expression opens up to reveal peach and white grapefruit flavors coated in crushed flint and fleur de sel. Dried green herbs line the toast-kissed finish, which shows racy energy.

100% Jacquère. The Abymes appellation sits lower and the slope than the Apremont and is on generally flatter land. Stainless steel fermentation and aging. A bright, fresh white, with a lively core of kiwifruit, lime zest, quinine and honeysuckle notes that work in unison from start to brisk-edged finish.

92 points James Suckling
A solid red, juicy, textured and dense, with aromas of mixed berries, thyme and baking spices. Medium-bodied with fine tannins. Velvety with crunchy berry character at the center. Vivid and spicy with a flavorful finish. 50% grenache, 20% syrah, 15% carignan and 15% mourvedre. Drink or hold.

At the tasting, the Little Red Moon offers a shimmering and deep ruby color. The nose is intense red and black fruits well walls. It is a fresh and fine wine. We find spicy notes finely peppery and flowery. The violet is present and is reminiscent of Merlot. Then the attack is round, silky, fleshy, very fruity and sweet! The tannins are fine, structuring and persistent in the finish. The Little Red Moon is balanced, fruity, rich, elegant.

The new gem of Olivier Bernard and Stéphane Derenoncourt. Bordeaux is world famous for its Grands Crus. It is on these beautiful terroirs, which are probably a little less known in Bordeaux, that Olivier Bernard asked Stéphane Derenoncourt, the Domaine de Chevalier’s consultant, to vinify for himself some pretty prizes selected from viticulturists passionate about their craft. The goal is clear: to make the Little Moon a beautiful wine, charming but elegant, which reflects the values of Olivier Bernard.

80% MERLOT - 10% CABERNET SAUVIGNON -10% CABERNET FRANC

Winemaker Notes:
"This crisp, fruit-forward and juicy wine has expressive aromas and flavors of ripe red berries, with nice heft in the mouth, and mineral and spice notes. Most red meats and grilled or roasted white meats, especially those prepared with savory herbs or spices."

100% Pinot Noir; 100% "methode traditionelle", and 100% delicious. This bright, strawberry and cherry tinged sparkler from Alsace is the perfect way to start, or finish, and evening. Loads of fruit on the front, but not cloying or sweet. This would be amazing with some fresh fruit or just on its own while waiting for friends to show up to the dinner party. - PJ

Organic

93 points Wine Advocate
Green asparagus and earthy notes intermixed with dark berry aromas open the 2018 Saumur Puy Notre Dame Tête de Lard, which benefits from aeration. Black-red in color, the unfiltered wine aged in old barrels for 12 months and was bottled in April last year. It is a concentrated, enormously juicy and fruity-intense red wine with a velvety texture and fruit aromas of blue berries, blackcurrants, elderberries and cowberries. The soft tannins are completely interwoven with the viscous texture of this very particular red that is so soft, sweet and fruity, as if it were still fermenting. I'd cellar it for several years and assume that at 10+ years old could be the right moment to enjoy this biodynamic wine, although I also recommend tasting a bottle every second year or so to see how this natural product develops. Tasted in June 2021.

Peasant and responsible agriculture is a way of life and of thinking. when producing my grapes, i aspire to act sensibly for the people and the planet . this state of mind develops naturally from a respectful relationship with nature. since 1998, the vineyard has been cultivated and
certified by ecocert in organic farming and since 2010 in biodynamic farming by biodyvin. knowing how to adapt to a changing environment requires constant questioning. the planting of forgotten grape varieties such as pineau d’aunis, the incorporation of trees into the cultivation of
the vine (agroforestry) or the gradual abandonment of all modern oenology are avenues that i have followed for more than 20 years. other projects will emerge in the coming years. revitalizing authenticity, durability and liveliness is an integral part of the culture of my estate. the
entire manoir de la tête rouge team and i are passionate about this peasant and caring approach.

100% CABERNET FRANC FROM 20-25 YEARS OLD VINES.
12 MONTHS IN OLD OAK BARRELS + 4 MONTHS IN CONCRETE TANK.
FILTERED. UNFINED.

Crisp blackberry and plum flavors are edged by earthen nuances of bramble and forest floor in this full-bodied blend of 75% Grenache and 25% Syrah. It’s juicy but briskly concentrated, framed by ripe, integrated tannins. Enjoy this mouthfilling but easy-quaffing red while it’s young.