2023 Futures
For each vintage and each appellation, there are always wines that distinguished themselves by being cheaper than others with the same quality level, or by being far better than others in the same range of prices.
These “best values for money” of the current vintage are highlighted in this category.
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This 45-hectare estate (in a single block to the south of Saint-Estèphe), famous for its Tuscan yellow façade and label, was acquired by Mr Lorenzetti in 2021. Knowing the investments made and the care given to the other crus in his stable of grands crus (Lilian-Ladouys, Pédesclaux and d'Issan), there is no doubt that Lafon-Rochet will shine with new lustre from the 2022 vintage, while remaining very affordable among its peers.
Since 2022 and the arrival of new cellar master M. Congé (ex-Lafite-Rothschild), Lafon-Rochet has shown more depth of flesh than in the past, while retaining the unctuousness and fruity brightness that are its signature features, thanks to its high Merlot content (40%).
Revue du Vin de France : 92-94/100 « Pour ce deuxième millésime, [...] le cru affine son style, avec une recherche de densité supplémentaire, tout en respectant l’équilibre et l’éclat de son fruit. Un vin aux contours nets et à la bouche droite. »
Bettane & Desseauve : 90-91/100 « Bon corps, dense et sérieux, fruité noir mûr très typé saint-estèphe, reste encore un peu de rigueur dans le tannin qui l’élevage se chargera d’affiner. »
Le Point : 17/20 « Mûre, baies noires. Bouche juteuse, souple. Bon milieu de bouche, épicé, tendu. Gain de finesse. »
Quarin : 93/100 « Couleur sombre et intense. Nez très aromatique, au fruité mûr et profond. Touche toastée. Minutieux à l'attaque, suave en milieu de bouche, très bien construit, le vin se développe aromatique vers une longue finale accompagnée d'un brin de fermeté, rappelant Saint-Estèphe. »
Galloni : 93-95/100 « The 2023 Lafon-Rochet is a promising wine. [...] Dark blue-toned fruit, lavender, licorice and dried herbs show tons of character. There's plenty of Lafon-Rochet finesse, but with an added kick of textural richness not found in the wines made during the Tesseron era. This comes together beautifully with a bit of time in the glass. »
Martin : 91-93/100 « The 2023 Lafon-Rochet has quite an intense bouquet with mainly black fruit, hints of graphite and chimney soot, nicely focused though it needs time to absorb the wood. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins that frame the layered blackberry and raspberry fruit laced with white pepper and pencil shavings. [...] Displaying moderate length, this is a fine but grippy, denser Lafon-Rochet that should give 20 years or more of drinking pleasure. »More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2026
- Potential alcohol:
- 13.35%
- Blend:
- 64% Cabernet sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 4% Petit verdot, 3% Cabernet franc
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The very high quality of Cos d'Estournel's recent vintages is impressive, placing it undoubtedly among the first great classified growths of the Médoc. A single qualifier comes to mind when we think of Cos d'Estournel: monumental, for its wines as well as for its cellar.
Revue du Vin de France : 95-97/100 « Le cru est engagé – avec succès – depuis quelques millésimes vers une recherche de finesse et de fraîcheur. 2023 en est une nouvelle illustration, le vin brille par son éclat et son énergie. L’ensemble s’harmonise parfaitement, le fruit et les tanins se fondent et la finale s’étire admirablement. »
Bettane & Desseauve : 97-98/100 ♥ Coup de cœur « Corps absolument remarquable, fraîcheur et finesse rivalisant, comme souvent, avec les premiers crus classés : c’est un Cos d’Estournel idéal et promis sans doute à une longue garde. »
Le Point : 18.5/20 « Baies noires, violette, touche cerise, bouche onctueuse, douce, enveloppante, de l'éclat, long. »
Quarin : 97/100 « Ample à l'attaque, juteux en milieu de bouche, avec une importante sensation de volume et beaucoup de goût, ce vin riche fond au palais. Il évolue vers une finale plus aérienne que parfois. Déroulé haletant. C'est superbe. »
Galloni : 96-98/100 « The 2023 Cos d'Estournel is fabulous. Dark, resonant and inviting, the 2023 has so much to offer. All the elements are beautifully woven together. [...] Readers will find a Cos endowed with tremendous substance and intensity. I can't remember a young Cos with this much fruit concentration, yet there is nothing overdone here. I loved it. »
Martin : 94-96/100 « The aromatics deliver nearly immediate gratification: black cherries, wild strawberries, crushed violet petals and vanilla pod. It's all quite sumptuous but very well focused. [...] It's beautifully balanced with a very pure and seductive finish. This is a notably composed and assured Cos d'Estournel, almost a lesson in how less can be more. »More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2026
- Potential alcohol:
- 12.91
- Blend:
- 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot
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One of the appellation's ripest and most hedonistic crus until 2000, Clinet has since gained in distinction and refinement through successive touches (15% Cabernet in the vines, state-of-the-art technical equipment...). All this without losing the aromatic intensity and depth of flesh that are its hallmarks. Today, Clinet is unquestionably one of Pomerol's finest wines.
Revue du Vin de France : 95-96/100 « Il convient particulièrement bien à Clinet, car il s’appuie sur la qualité de son parcellaire tout en gardant la richesse et l’onctuosité propre au château. Mais il faut souligner la plus haute proportion de cabernet-sauvignon (25 %) qui étire la matière riche et dense, entremêlant une fraîcheur vive et salivante. [...] Voilà un joli Clinet dans l’air du temps. »
Bettane & Desseauve : 92-93/100 « Nez riche de mûre avec des accents épicés, la bouche est onctueuse avec un fruit intense. »
Quarin : 94/100 « Nez très aromatique, fruité mûr et légèrement truffé. Délicat en entrée de bouche, suave au milieu, le vin évolue avec du goût et un corps fondant, vers une finale ascendante, à la fois savoureuse, charnue et délicate. »
Galloni : 94-96/100 « The 2023 Clinet is powerful and racy right out of the gate. Crushed flowers, spice, mocha and a kiss of French oak meld into a core of dark red- and black-toned fruit. This modern, stylish Pomerol is so expressive. Hints of graphite, lavender, crushed rocks and pencil shavings linger on the substantial finish. »
Martin : 93-95/100 « The 2023 Clinet has a very appealing bouquet, quite pure with vivacious red cherries, crushed strawberry and violet scents. The oak is neatly integrated. This is almost Saint-Émilion in style. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins and a fine bead of acidity, lightly spiced with a crisp and linear finish. This is a delightful, composed Clinet that should drink well after four to five years. »More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2026
- Potential alcohol:
- 14%
- Blend:
- 75% Merlot, 25% Cabernet sauvignon
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A small vineyard of 8 ha of old vines (70% Merlot), owned by Clos Fourtet. Superb wine, balanced and fruity and tasty, for a very modest price, which rightly became a grand cru classé in 2012. Totally agree with La Revue du Vin de France "The best quality/price ratio in Saint-Émilion".
Revue du Vin de France : 90-92/100 « Archétype du saint-émilion bien établi, entre une chair séductrice, une douceur dans les arômes et le boisé modéré de l’élevage. De belles épaules, des notes de fruits noirs, une finale savoureuse. »
Bettane & Desseauve : 90/100 « 90 % de merlot et 10 % de cabernet franc permettent à ce vin d’être au rendez-vous du millésime. Belle réussite. »
Quarin : 88/100 « Nez un peu discret et fruité. Bouche au corps moyen, évoluant caressant et savoureux, relevé par l'arôme en finale. Un peu discret. »
Galloni : 90-92/100 « The 2023 Côte de Baleau is a pretty rich wine this year, a Saint-Émilion that reflects the intensity of the vintage and the personality of clay-rich souls that confer textural breadth. Dark-toned fruit, mocha, incense, leather and pencil shavings are all amplified. Time in the glass brings out pretty floral top notes that add brightness. »
Martin : 90-92/100 « It is very perfumed on the nose that oddly brings me toward a warm vintage Burgundy! Very pure and floral, it gains composure as it opens in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins. Fresh and vibrant, this feels nicely focused with a citrus-fresh, graphite-tinged finish. Promising. »More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2026
- Potential alcohol:
- 14%
- Blend:
- 95% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc
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Fombrauge, the largest vineyard in Saint-Émilion with 57 hectares, has been offering since its purchase by Mr. Magrez (1997) structured wines that do not deny their terroir, full, gourmet and devilishly seductive thanks to a luxurious maturing process.
Galloni : 92-94/100 « The 2023 Fombrauge is terrific. Rich, deep and explosive, the 2023 packs a serious punch. There's plenty of the textural richness Bernard Magrez loves, but it's just a bit tempered compared to previous years. Succulent red cherry, plum, rose petal, spice, menthol, licorice and mocha infuse the 2023 with notable depth. Bright acids refresh the palate nicely. »
Martin : 91-93/100 « The palate is medium-bodied with slightly granular tannins and sharp blackberry and raspberry fruit laced with black pepper. It demonstrates fine cohesion on the silky smooth finish. This should give 10 to 12 years of drinking pleasure. I would aver that this is a much more elegant Fombrauge than you would have found 10 years ago. »More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2026
- Blend:
- 90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet franc
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The terraces of Moulin Saint-Georges (7 ha) face those of Ausone (same owner). Thanks to the quality of its terroir and the refined style of its wines, Moulin Saint-Georges is a sure bet in the appellation. As the Revue du Vin de France's 2024 guide points out, "quality has been impressively consistent for over two decades, and prices remain reasonable. The only regret is the quantities available...".
Like all Vauthier vineyards (Ausone, La Clotte, Haut-Simard...), Moulin Saint-Georges began its conversion to organic farming in 2020.Bettane & Desseauve : 91/100 « Belle générosité dans le tannin avec un fruit pur déjà épanoui, c’est un vin qui plaira à l’amateur. »
Le Point : 16.5/20 « Nez boisé agréable, bouche ample, savoureuse, longue, droite, classe, juteux. »
Quarin : 92/100 « Nez intense, tout à la fois fin et puissant. Fruité bien mûr. Délicat en entrée de bouche, savoureux au milieu, avec un gras fin qui parcourt le palais et de la minutie dans la réalisation, le vin marque des points en finale, un brin plus puissant. Très belle longueur savoureuse. Beaucoup d'énergie. »
Galloni : 90-93/100 « The 2023 Moulin Saint-Georges emerges from a small, 7-hectare property in front of Ausone. The richer side of the year comes through in the wine's dark blue/purplish fruit profile, lavender, licorice and spice notes. There's a bit of tannin here, but élevage should help this come together. »
Martin : 90-92/100 « The élevage shapes this Saint-Émilion nicely. It's a little woody at first, but that dissipates nicely with a few swirls of the glass, revealing a refreshing, marine-influenced bouquet. The palate is medium-bodied with a smooth entry, quite a sensual and fleshy Moulin Saint-Georges, though the new oak is quite vocal and dominates the finish. »More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2026
- Blend:
- 85% Merlot, 15% Cabernet franc
- Organic certification:
- 2023
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Small vineyard of 8.8 ha north-east of Saint-Émilion, property Garcin (Clos l'Église, Barde-Haut) since 2013. Their aim is not to produce yet another "competition animal" but a generously fruity, delicious, creamy, easily and quickly accessible Saint-Émilion.
Bettane & Desseauve : 92/100 « Milieu de bouche bien centré mettant en perspective un toucher tannique pulpeux, la suite offre une jolie matière avec de la profondeur et du style. Tout se joue sur la finale. »
Quarin : 94/100 « Gageons que sa personnalité à part se révèlera encore plus fortement dans la prochaine décennie. Très coloré, le vin offre un nez intense, subtil, fin, tout à la fois très mûr et frais. Bouche tout en caresse, qui masque au départ la puissance, puis le vin prend du goût et évolue vers une finale qui s'élève sans perdre de gras, tout en gardant des tannins très enveloppés et fin. Grande longueur. Beaucoup de personnalité. »
Galloni : 93-95/100 « The 2023 Poesia is gorgeous. Bright acids and vibrant saline notes immediately confer energy. Crushed rocks, rose petal, mint, blood orange and pomegranate all run through this focused Saint-Émilion. This is a classic wine from the Saint-Étienne-de-Lisse sector, where acids remain very brisk. I admire the sculpted, nuanced style. »
Martin : 92-94/100 « It has a plush bouquet with macerated black cherries, cassis and a touch of spice, becoming more floral with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with firm backbone. It's grippy in the mouth, with good density and countervailing acidity, leading to a sinewy finish that will require three or four years to soften. This constitutes an assertive Poesia; there's a bit of horsepower here, and barrel-maturation should just tame the tannins. »More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2026
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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 : 90-91/100 « Nez poivré et floral marqué par ses cabernets francs. On retrouve cette aromatique dans une bouche énergique bien tramée. Grande réussite. »
Quarin : 88/100 « Nez très aromatique, fin, fruité, sentant bon la mûre. Délicat en entrée de bouche et de suite élancé, le vin caresse le palais. Il évolue longiforme et séveux, avec un brin d'austérité en finale. Longueur normale. »
Galloni : 94-96/100 « The 2023 Petit Gravet Aîné is a stunner. Inky, silky and exceptionally polished, the 2023 dazzles from start to finish. Raspberry jam, blood orange, spice, mint and violet caress the palate. More than anything else, I am so impressed with the wine's soft texture and refined personality. »More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2026
- Organic certification:
- 2011
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From 2005, La Dominique, prestigious terroir adjacent to Cheval Blanc, L'Évangile and La Conseillante, returns in great shape. His velvety and sensual style places him halfway between Saint-Émilion and Pomerol : “the tannin texture is very Pomerol-like, then the silky, floral, firm follow-through continues with the class of the great Saint-Emilions” (Bettane & Desseauve).
Revue du Vin de France : 90-92/100 « Une prise de bois un peu forte à ce stade. La bouche se montre plus en forme. Une matière enveloppée par une agréable suavité, une structure tannique douce donnant du liant à cette finale dotée d’une belle acidité. Un vin bien façonné pour séduire le plus grand nombre. C’est une qualité! »
Bettane & Desseauve : 94/100 ♥ Coup de cœur « Nez salivant, dans son registre frais et intense. Tannin enrobé, bouche équilibrée, mettant bien en perspective la belle maturité du fruit. Un millésime mûr et frais, avec beaucoup de personnalité. »
Le Point : 17/20 « Fruits noirs, épices, poivre, bouche élégante, fraîche, tendue, droite, tanins toniques. Long et fin. »
Quarin : 91/100 « Jolie entrée en bouche minutieuse, se développant savoureuse au milieu, avec un toucher fin. Le vin glisse, caresse et s'achève sur une longueur normale, sans marquer le tannin. »
Galloni : 92-94/100 « The 2023 La Dominique is powerful, rich and deep, but without sacrificing aromatic presence. Hints of black cherry, spice, new leather and licorice unfurl in the glass, lending plenty of striking, even exotic, beauty. A successful vintage for this venerable Saint-Émilion. »
Martin : 92-94/100 « The 2023 La Dominique has a well-defined bouquet: a mixture of red and black fruit, undergrowth and wilted rose petals. This is a much more refined example from the estate. The palate is medium-bodied with mocha-tinged fruit and moderate depth, quite old school in style with a touch of leather on the finish. It's fine, but I would like just a tad more vivacity by the time of bottling. A second bottle toward the end of my tastings showed better than the first. »More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2026
- Potential alcohol:
- 15%
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Mrs Papon-Nouvel's other grand cru (with Petit Gravet Aîné). Same organic culture, same sensitivity, same style, with extra flesh and depth. Great wine! Great wine, logically promoted to grand cru classé in 2022.
Bettane & Desseauve : 91-92/100 « Tannin élégant, soyeux et dynamique. Dans ce millésime, c’est une belle réussite pour la propriété. »
Le Point : 15.5/20 « Baies sauvages, feuillage, fruits noirs, gelée de mûre, bouche fraîche, tanins denses, bien en place, finale épicée. »
Quarin : 92/100 « Nez très aromatique, fin, pur, fruité et subtil. Nuances truffées. Délicat en entrée de bouche, savoureux au milieu, raffiné au toucher, le vin caresse le palais avant de gagner de la saveur entre le milieu et la finale. Longueur normale. »
Galloni : 95-97/100 « The 2023 Clos Saint-Julien is an exciting, visceral Saint-Émilion. Deep, plush and beautifully layered, the 2023 saturates the palate with inky dark fruit. Hints of lavender, mocha, licorice and spice develop with some air, adding layers of dimension. What a beautifully complete and riveting wine this is. »More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2026
- Organic certification:
- 2011
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Dazzling success since 2015 of this great terroir just below Ausone: aromatic precision, superlative but harmonious depth, a big congratulations to Mr. Mallet (owner) and Mr. Derenoncourt (consultant). Since 2010, La Gaffelière is undoubtedly flying from success to success!
"We are here at the heart of what is most sensual and singular in Saint-Emilion", according to the Revue du Vin de France.Revue du Vin de France : 95-97/100 « Ce millésime épouse le style élégant, sans extravagance de La Gaffelière. Une grande nuance aromatique s’exprime. La chair fruitée se livre doucement, avec beaucoup de sensualité et un toucher tannique satiné. Très gracieux et raffiné, le vin ne manque toutefois pas de volupté. »
Bettane & Desseauve : 96/100 ♥ Coup de cœur « Raffiné et équilibré, précis dans sa définition aromatique, avec de délicieuses notes fraîches et une belle assise tannique qui gagnera en subtilité. »
Le Point : 18/20 « Nez racé, élégant, floral, pivoine, baies sauvages, beaucoup de fraîcheur, bouche ample, tanins fins, raffinés, finale vive, crayeuse. »
Quarin : 96/100 « Toute la magie du toucher de ce cru est là. Le vin se développe minutieux, délicatement charnu et très savoureux. Il avance fondant, juteux, subtil et noble vers une finale profonde et incrachable dominée par la saveur du fruit noir et des tannins minutieux et fins. Un grand succès. »
Galloni : 93-96/100 « The 2023 La Gaffelière is a dense, powerful wine. [...] Usually, the aromatics are quite lifted, but this wine is rather dense. Nothing in particular stands out, as all the elements are impeccably balanced. This will need time to be at its best, but it shows promise. »
Martin : 94-96/100 « The 2023 La Gaffelière is very pure and floral on the nose, with black cherries intermingling with violet and iris flower scents. [...] The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins and layers of lightly spiced black fruit. Cedar and graphite furnish the poised but persistent finish. This is another in a succession of impressive wines from this estate that just oozes sensuality. Superb. »More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2026
- Potential alcohol:
- 14.4%
- Blend:
- 58% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Franc
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Rocheyron is the result of a friendly and professional partnership between Sylvio Denz (Faugères and Lafaurie-Peyraguey) and Peter Sisseck (Pingus). Since 2010, they have been investing in this small 8-hectare vineyard, located entirely on the asteriated limestone plateau characteristic of Saint-Émilion: tilling the soil, conversion to organic farming (certified in 2020), gentle vinification at low temperatures... Rocheyron is constantly progressing, and each year offers wines with an unequalled tannic softness.
Bettane & Desseauve : 92/100 « Belle expression du terroir calcaire de Saint-Christophe-des-Bardes avec un grain crayeux qui étire une texture veloutée et bien corsetée. »
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2026
- Blend:
- 75% Merlot, 25% Cabernet franc
- Organic certification:
- 2020
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As a major player in the Marsannay appellation, Domaine Fournier gives wine lovers the rare opportunity to acquire great Pinots from the northern part of the Côte de Nuits at a reasonable price. With 21 hectares, 17 of which are in Marsannay, this estate produces enthusiastic, deep-coloured, fleshy and intense wines, always on the edge between richness and freshness, delicacy and finesse.
Rated one star in the Revue du Vin de France guide, and one of the properties to watch in the Bettane & Desseauve guide: “Laurent Fournier, with his humor, intelligence and delicacy, is one of the most brilliant talents of the new Burgundy generation”.Vinous (N. Martin - October 2024): 85/100 "The 2023 Bourgogne Côte d'Or comes from Marsannay plus one plot in Savigny-les-Beaune. It has a lightly peppery nose that's a little disjointed at first but eventually coheres in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, tapering off light-bodied with a simple blackcurrant and bilberry finish. "
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2026
- Blend:
- 100% Pinot Noir
- Organic certification:
- 2008
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Vinous (N. Martin - October 2024): 88-90/100 "This has a well-defined nose with mineral-tinged red berry fruit, hints of bay leaf and white pepper. The palate is medium-bodied with a nice crunchy mouthfeel and fresh, slightly brittle tannins. "
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2026
- Blend:
- 100% Pinot Noir
- Organic certification:
- 2008
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As a major player in the Marsannay appellation, Domaine Fournier gives wine lovers the rare opportunity to acquire great Pinots from the northern part of the Côte de Nuits at a reasonable price. With 21 hectares, 17 of which are in Marsannay, this estate produces enthusiastic, deep-coloured, fleshy and intense wines, always on the edge between richness and freshness, delicacy and finesse.
Rated one star in the Revue du Vin de France guide, and one of the properties to watch in the Bettane & Desseauve guide: “Laurent Fournier, with his humor, intelligence and delicacy, is one of the most brilliant talents of the new Burgundy generation”.Bourgogne Aujourd'hui (May 2025): 94/100 “The estate cultivates vines in several sectors (upper, lower...) of Les Longeroies, all of which are blended in this superb cuvée. Deep garnet-red colour. Sweet aromas of peonies, violets, cherry pie... The wine is full-bodied, silky, coated, delicious, long and elegant.”
Vinous (N. Martin - October 2024): 91-93/100 "The 2023 Marsannay Les Longeroies has a sensual bouquet with vivid red berry fruit, raspberry and wild strawberry, wilted rose petal and crushed stone emerging with time. It has exquisite delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant , fine-boned tannins. This has more complexity than the Clos du Roy, fanning out wonderfully on the finish. Expect this to land at the top of my banded score. It is superb."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2026
- Blend:
- 100% Pinot Noir
- Organic certification:
- 2008
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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 of La Revue du Vin de France.
La Revue du Vin de France (March 2025): 93/100 “Frankness of flavor, slightly stewed red fruit notes and a slightly warm finish."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2026
- Organic certification:
- 2010
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