2019 Futures
Under the name « gems », we refer to unsung producers who make admirable wines due to their excellent vineyards and their own talent.
These wines are always produced in very small amounts, in vineyards maintained as gardens by gifted and meticulous wine-growers. Even if they do not make the headlines of magazines, they highly deserve to be discovered and tasted for their exemplary quality.
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The great white wine of Ch. Valandraud, with a sparkling sap and balance. With only 4000 bottles produced, it is a nugget that will do wonders on the table in 5 years (to take advantage of its youthful brilliance) or in 15 years.
Bettane & Desseauve : 95/100
Revue du Vin de France :
Dupont (Le Point) :
Quarin : 94/100 « Ma meilleure note donnée à ce cru en Primeur. [...] Délicat dès l’entrée en bouche et immédiatement fondant, avec un très beau toucher et du corps , le vin s’étire épicé, avant de rebondir en finale, très savoureux, beau et incrachable. Bravo ! »
Galloni (Vinous) : 91-93/100 « The 2019 Valandraud Blanc is a bright, crisp and finely cut wine of energy and tension. Time in the glass brings out the wine's textural depth and creaminess. Green apple, mint, white flowers and sage add freshness and brilliance. »
Martin (Vinous) : 92-94/100 « The palate is fresh on the entry with a fine bead of acidity. This is where there is a major, tangible difference with the Virginie as there is more depth and complexity here, offering a lovely, caressing, creamy finish with a hint of ginger on the aftertaste. Excellent. »More- To keep or to drink:
- Available February 2022
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The dry white wine of Mouton-Rothschild, very confidential (1000 cases produced per year).
Bettane & Desseauve : 93/100
Revue du Vin de France :
Dupont (Le Point) :
Quarin : 94/100 « Caressant en entrée de bouche, gras au milieu, particulièrement fruité et savoureux, le vin conserve ce toucher raffiné jusqu'en finale où il se double de saveurs complexes. C'est vraiment très bon. »
Galloni (Vinous) : 91-93/100 « The 2019 Aile d'Argent, Mouton Rothschild's white is laced with hints of pineapple, mint, white flowers, apple and lemon confit. In 2019, Aile d'Argent is distinguished by its energy, even with a touch of malolactic fermentation, and a bit more restraint than in the past, all huge positives. »
Martin (Vinous) : 90-92/100 « The palate is well balanced with a brisk, sharp opening, moderate weight, good tension with a touch of bitter lemon neatly counterbalancing the richness, whilst a potent spicy stem ginger note rounds things off nicely. »More- To keep or to drink:
- Available February 2022
- Potential alcohol:
- 13.5%
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Property of 6 ha in Côtes de Castillon acquired in 2011 by M. Thienpont (Puyguéraud, Pavie-Macquin, Larcis-Ducasse, etc.). After 5 years of restructuring, Mr. Thienpont is finally proud of his wine and offers it for the first time in 2016. Even if Merlot is dominant (92%), Alcée stands out from its neighbours by its emphasis on finesse, minerality and distinction. A wine in length and not in width!
Bettane & Desseauve : 92-93/100
Revue du Vin de France :
Dupont (Le Point) :
Quarin : 87/100 « Nez aromatique, au fruité crémeux. Jolie bouche moelleuse, savoureuse et particulièrement parfumée. Longueur normale, sans tannin marqué. »
Galloni (Vinous) : 90-92/100 « The 2019 Alcée is effusive and charming, especially in its aromatics, which are quite expressive. Rose petal, raspberry jam, spice and mint are all laced together in this silky, mid-weight Côtes de Castillon. Gracious and refined, Alcée is shaping up quite nicely. »More- To keep or to drink:
- Available February 2022
- Potential alcohol:
- 14.5%
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Mr. Durantou (owner of Église-Clinet who died in 2020) produced only 1500 cases per year of his remarkable Lalande de Pomerol Les Cruzelles. This was far superior to the neighbouring Pomerol of the same price.
Bettane & Desseauve :
Revue du Vin de France :
Dupont (Le Point) :
Quarin : 91/100 « Délicat à l’attaque, suave en milieu de bouche, avec un corps longiforme, le vin offre des sensations ascendantes en finale. Il s’achève savoureux, très long, avec beaucoup de goût et des tannins fins. »
Galloni (Vinous) : 92-94/100 « The 2019 Les Cruzelles is a big wine. Black cherry, gravel, smoke, licorice and new leather blast out of the glass. Dizzyingly intense and deep, with equally potent tannins, Les Cruzelles is fabulous in 2019. »
Martin (Vinous) : 91-93/100 « The palate is medium-bodied with dark berry fruit mixed with dried orange peel and a pinch of sea salt. This has so much character and personality, the salinity on the finish lingers wonderfully. »More- To keep or to drink:
- Available February 2022
- Potential alcohol:
- 14.5%
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Belle-Vue (Haut-Médoc) has been making an original cuvée since 2016, 100% Petit Verdot, with its oldest vines (77 years old and over) of this wonderful fruity and late grape variety (hence its name), adapted to global warming.
Watch the presentation film (30''') of Petit-Verdot By BELLE-VUE
Bettane & Desseauve :
Revue du Vin de France :
Dupont (Le Point) :
Quarin : 88/100 « Superbe nez intense, au fruité mûr, frais et épicé. Moelleux en départ de bouche, très fruité au milieu quoique tannique, le vin évolue juteux, avec un profil légèrement austère dans la persistance. Ensemble très attachant pour ceux qui aiment le petit verdot. »
Galloni (Vinous) : 90-92/100 « The 2019 Le Petit Verdot by Belle-Vue is once again one of the sleepers of the vintage. Rich in both fruit and tannin, the Petit Verdot is a wine for readers who enjoy bold, structured reds. Sweet tobacco, iron, dried flowers, red cherry preserves and scorched earth add lovely touches of savoriness. »
Martin (Vinous) : 86-88/100 « The palate is medium-bodied with slightly coarse tannins on the entry, nice 'n saline towards the finish with just the right amount of piquancy. Finishes better than it begins. »More- To keep or to drink:
- Available February 2022
- Potential alcohol:
- 14.50%
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The incessant work of Mr. and Mrs. Dief since 2000 is bearing fruit today: in a tense and distinguished style, Clos Manou shines with a vibrant, deep energy, with pure and radiant fruit, combining length and density. Undoubtedly the most beautiful revelation of the northern Médoc in recent vintages.
Bettane & Desseauve :
Revue du Vin de France :
Dupont (Le Point) :
Quarin : 91/100 « Moelleux à l’attaque, caressant au développement, particulièrement fruité au milieu, bien construit et savoureux, le vin s’étire en finale sur une bonne longueur sans angle. Un bel Outsider. »
Martin (Vinous) : 90-92/100 « There is something just a little Oriental about the aromatics. The palate is well balanced with saturated tannin. The acidity is certainly well judged and there is real body and depth towards the fresh and quite persistent finish. Excellent. »More- To keep or to drink:
- Available February 2022
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A small estate (12 ha), carefully tended and vinified with constant regularity, Deyrem Valentin is one of the most typical Margaux crus. Distinguished by the Revue du Vin de France among the hidden nuggets of the Médoc, "its Margaux wines draw a delicious balance".
Promoted to "Cru Bourgeois Supérieur" in 2020.
Dupont (Le Point) : 14/20 « Bouche un peu boudeuse à ce stade mais un vrai potentiel. »
Quarin : 90/100 « Moelleux à l’attaque, puis rond et suave en milieu de bouche, avec une belle tenue, le vin s’étire savoureux, sur une longue finale, sans tannin marqué. C’est une grande réussite de la propriété et un nouvel Outsider à Margaux. »More- To keep or to drink:
- Available February 2022
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Historical bourgeois cru of Saint-Estephe since in the same family since 1678! With a grape variety dominated by Merlot (60%) and the arrival of Hubert de Boüard (Angelus) as a consultant from 2016, Tour des Termes has a velvety and supple texture that gives it its charm.
Dupont (Le Point) : 16/20 « Boisé discret, réglisse, bouche onctueuse en attaque, bien fruitée, long, fin, relevé en finale.»
Quarin : 87/100 « Juteux dès l’entrée en bouche, savoureux au milieu, le vin s’étire en finale, sur des tannins enrobés et plutôt aromatiques. C’est bon. »
Galloni (Vinous) : 91-93/100 « The 2019 Tour de Termes is succulent, racy and so expressive. Blueberry jam, graphite, chocolate, licorice, spice and lavender infuse the 2019 with captivating depth. Tour des Termes shows off the more flamboyant side of Saint-Estèphe to great effect. All the elements are impeccably balanced here. »
Martin (Vinous) : 88-90/100 « The palate is medium-bodied with succulent tannins, fleshy for a Saint-Estèphe but just missing some personality and charm towards its earthy finish. »More- To keep or to drink:
- Available February 2022
- Potential alcohol:
- 14%
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Very rare are the crus of the north of the Médoc to have launched out for the moment in the organic conversion because of a stronger hygrometry than everywhere else in the Gironde. De Côme, a Petit Cru Bourgeois (superior) of 7 ha, has become after 7 years of efforts (and the loss of 2/3 of the 2018 harvest) the first growth of Saint-Estèphe certified organic, in a supple, fine and silky version of the appellation.
Dupont (Le Point) : 15/20 « Nez épicé, poivré, caramel brun, bouche juteuse, serrée, tanins croquants, bonne longueur, pur. »
Quarin : 88/100 « Bouche juteuse et surtout très savoureuse qui fond au palais, gracieuse et très plaisante, sans être très longue. Du plaisir de suite. »
Martin (Vinous) : 86-88/100 « The 2019 de Côme has quite a tight blackberry and soy tinged nose that doesn't quite match my expectations. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, quite saline in the mouth but it needs more depth and complexity on the finish. »More- To keep or to drink:
- Available February 2022
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As its name indicates, Bellegrave is on the crown of alluvial gravel of the Isle. With application, Mr. Bouldy has been offering for 40 years a true artisanal Pomerol, fresh, with velvety, energetic tannins and excellent keeping qualities.
Dupont (Le Point) : 17/20 « Cerise, charnu, juteux, bonne matière, tanins délicats, élevage équilibré. »
Martin (Vinous) : 90-92/100 « The palate is smooth and silky on the entry, the acidity well judged with plush dark cherries and blackcurrant laced with white pepper and 5-spice on the finish. Excellent. »More- To keep or to drink:
- Available February 2022
- Potential alcohol:
- 14.1%
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An oenologist by training, Ms. Papon-Nouvel owns two tiny properties at the bottom of Saint-Émilion near Canon-La Gaffelière: Petit Gravet Aîné (2.4 ha) and Clos Saint-Julien (1.3 ha), where the vines are mainly old cabernets francs. From the vine to the cellar, she manages all the stages in the production of her wines on her own and, whatever the vintage, her talent as an instinctive winemaker gives wines of natural elegance and exemplary sweetness.
Bettane & Desseauve : 94/100
Revue du Vin de France :
Dupont (Le Point) :
Quarin : 90/100 « Sa texture est délicate dès l’entrée en bouche. Le vin se développe minutieux, très savoureux, avec de la présence, avant de s’achever long et parfumé. Beaucoup de cabernet franc infère ce comportement tout en délicatesse. Un superbe Outsider en agriculture biologique ! »
Galloni (Vinous) : 92-94/100 « Even with all of its intensity and pure power, the 2019 retains terrific aromatic brilliance. Then again, that is the magic of Cabernet Franc in this 2.4-hectare vineyard. Petit Gravet Aîné shows the ripeness of the year a bit more than its sibling Clos Saint-Julien, but it has an allure all of its own. »
Martin (Vinous) : 85-87/100 « The palate is medium-bodied with grippy tannins. A bit disjointed compared to its peers with a dry and atypically austere finish that feels green around the edges. Perplexing. »More- To keep or to drink:
- Available February 2022
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Bettane & Desseauve :
Revue du Vin de France :
Dupont (Le Point) :
Galloni (Vinous) : 86-88/100 « The 2019 Rocheyron is a soft, pleasant, easy-going wine. Inky dark cherry, plum, chocolate, licorice and spice all develop with a bit of air. It would be nice to see a bit more mid-palate and overall body. »
Martin (Vinous) : 93-95/100 « The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, a fine bead of acidity, so much freshness and tension bursting towards the finish that you want to immediately return for another sip. The best Rocheyron thus far. »More- To keep or to drink:
- Available February 2022
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In 2004, Jean-Michel Chartron gave a new impetus to the family estate, with the chance to have an extraordinary land heritage (the Clos des Chevaliers is the best part of the Chevalier-Montrachet, itself considered the best grand cru in Puligny after Montrachet). Mineral, nervous, powerful and long, its wines are among the greatest in Puligny. Rated one star in the 2021 Revue du Vin de France guide.
Appointment : Jean-Michel Chartron was doubly elected "Winegrower of the Year": in the magazine "Bourgogne Aujourd'hui" in March 2018 and in the Hachette guide in September 2018.More- To keep or to drink:
- Available February 2022
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Cyprien Arlaud has awakened this beautiful family estate of 15 hectares between Gevrey, Morey and Chambolle. Its wines, biodynamic since 2010, complete and delicious, have a frankness, a voluptuousness of texture and a rare aromatic elegance. The most recent vintages attest to remarkable progress, this domain clearly aims for excellence. Rated two stars in the guide 2021 of La Revue du Vin de France.
Nomination: Cyprien Arlaud was elected "Winemaker of the Year" in the magazine "Bourgogne Aujourd'hui" in March 2017.
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available February 2022
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More- To keep or to drink:
- Available February 2022
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Since 1994, Michel Tardieu has been selecting and growing wines from very old vines and from the best terroirs of each appellation. Associated until 2007 with Dominique Laurent, known for the concentration of his Burgundy wines, Michel Tardieu has, because of the innate richness of the Rhone Valley wines, always sought to favour elegance and aromatic complexity in his selections.
Promoted two stars in the 2021 Revue du Vin de France guide.Saint-Péray Vieilles Vignes: 50% marsanne (with 100 years old vines!) and 50% roussanne. On a background of honeyed and toasted notes, intense aromas of white flowers and quince, the freshness is well present and, in the mouth, the vivacity balances the roundness.
Terroirs : La Côte, La Beylesse
Varieties (age of vines) : 50% marsanne (50 to 100 years), 50% roussanne (more than 40 years)
Alcohol content : 14°
Ageing : 12 months in new and one old barrels
Bottling : no fining and very light filtrationMore- To keep or to drink:
- Available February 2022
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Since 1994, Michel Tardieu has been selecting and growing wines from very old vines and from the best terroirs of each appellation. Associated until 2007 with Dominique Laurent, known for the concentration of his Burgundy wines, Michel Tardieu has, because of the innate richness of the Rhone Valley wines, always sought to favour elegance and aromatic complexity in his selections.
Promoted two stars in the 2021 Revue du Vin de France guide.In addition to his classic Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Michel Tardieu produces an original cuvée, the Cuvée Spéciale, 100% century-old Grenache, which is incredibly rich and voluptuous. A superlative wine aged in barrels in barrels of at least one wine (no new barrels to best express the sweetness of old grenaches).
Terroirs : at the base of La Crau on sandy soils
Varieties (age of vines) : 99% grenache (more than 100 years), 1% others
Alcohol content : 14,5°
Vinification : 100% not destemmed grapes
Ageing : 12 months in two or three old barrels, and 12 months in wooden tank
Bottling : no fining and no filtrationMore- To keep or to drink:
- Available February 2022
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Since 1994, Michel Tardieu has been selecting and growing wines from very old vines and from the best terroirs of each appellation. Associated until 2007 with Dominique Laurent, known for the concentration of his Burgundy wines, Michel Tardieu has, because of the innate richness of the Rhone Valley wines, always sought to favour elegance and aromatic complexity in his selections.
Promoted two stars in the 2021 Revue du Vin de France guide.A true Bandol, almost pure Mourvèdre, taking with ageing accents of Cabernet Sauvignon. Very long ageing potential (20 years or more).
Terroirs : limestone-clay soils on Castellet
Varieties (age of vines) : 95% mourvèdre (more than 50 years), 5% grenache (more than 50 years)
Alcohol content : 14°
Vinification : 100% not destemmed grapes
Ageing : 24 months in one or two old barrels
Bottling : no fining and no filtrationMore- To keep or to drink:
- Available February 2022
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Amazing story as that of Dominio de Pingus. Created in 1995 by Peter Sisseck, a Danish (!), this estate a few kilometres from Vega Sicilia has become a cult in less than 15 years.
Flor de Pingus is the second wine, coming from the Dominio de Pingus and neighbouring parcels acquired by fermage, 100% tempranillo aged 50 years, biodynamic since 2005. 4000 cases produced per year.
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available February 2022
- Potential alcohol:
- 14.5%