An attractive, dense red with a garnet tint. The nose opens on fragrant, juicy, fresh fruit notes. With airing, subtle spice and chocolate aromas bring a certain succulence. After a fresh and well-structured attack, refined, silky tannins emerge on the full and dense mid-palate, while crushed blackcurrant, cocoa and liquorice flavours give the wine excellent aromatic length. The flavours linger on the remarkably long, harmonious and balanced finish.

Sweet, blackcurrants and cream sort of nose – really quite harmonious. Fresh too. Nicely judged and very smooth, even if not for the very long term. Score: 16.5/20 Jancis Robinson

Nestled between La Marcette and Champ-Berrand, Les Charots in one of Pupillin’s smaller lieu-dits. It sits on a very steep slope under La Marcette on orange-tinted soils rich in iron. There’s a lot of yellow Bajocian limestone, too, which Benjamin finds gives this wine a more chiselled personality and citrusy, mineral edge. From 30-year-old vines, this was first made in 2021. To emphasise the different terroirs of each parcel, the winemaking for all the Chardonnays remains very similar. All the grapes are pressed as whole bunches into used 600-litre barrels for fermentation and 12 months of lees-aging. Benjamin then decants off the gross lees, and the wine rests on clean lees in stainless steel for a further six months, allowing him to bottle the wines without filtration. It’s a stunning wine, well summed up by the note below.

The Cellier Saint Benoit Arbois Pupillin Courbes Raies Chardonnay 2022 is a stunning example of the Jura region's mastery of cool-climate Chardonnay. Aromas of crisp green apple and ripe pear are complemented by delicate notes of toasted almond and a touch of honey. On the palate, the wine is vibrant and refreshing, with a bright acidity that balances out the creamy texture. The limestone soils of Pupillin lend a mineral complexity to the wine, adding layers of flint and wet stone to the already complex flavour profile. The 2022 vintage is a standout, with a beautiful pale gold colour and a long, lingering finish. This is a wine that will continue to evolve and develop over the next few years, making it a great addition to any cellar. A true gem from Cellier Saint Benoit that showcases the best of Jura's Chardonnay.

The 2020 Beauregard (BIO ORGANIC) from Pomerol, Bordeaux, France is a true representation of the terroir and the dedication of Chateau Beauregard to organic practices. On the nose, this wine exudes aromas of ripe blackberries, cherries, and plums, with subtle hints of earth and cedar. The deep ruby color is a testament to the quality of the grapes, which were handpicked and carefully selected. On the palate, the wine is well-balanced with a velvety texture and silky tannins. Flavors of dark fruits and spices linger, making each sip a delight. This vintage showcases the best of Pomerol, with its rich and complex profile. Enjoy now or cellar for a few years to fully appreciate the potential of this wine. Cheers to a truly exceptional organic wine from Chateau Beauregard.

Wedged between the lieux-dits of La Rouge and Les Charots on red marl soils, Les Chambines is one of three different Savagnins farmed by the domaine. The steep slope, planted in the mid-1980s, reaches 40 degrees in some places, meaning this vineyard must be ploughed by horse (there is also a fault bisecting the vineyard, which the small Caterpillar cannot cross). The Savagnin of Les Chambines is usually selected for the Vin Jaune, but in 2022, Benjamin was so happy with the fruit that he selected two barrels to age in the ouillé (topped-up) style. Benjamin presses his Savagnin long and slow directly into his oldest barrels, where the wine ferments without any additions until the malolactic fermentation has finished. He loves the style of his 2022 Savagnin wines, which he notes have beautiful aromas of confit citrus and mouthwatering ripe acidity. Of the two wines we have shipped, Les Chambines is the fruiter version, with fleshy Anjou pear fruit offset by green herbs and peppery spice.

The Ferraton Ermitage Les Dionnieres Syrah 2019 is a bold and complex wine from the renowned Rhône Valley in France. The deep ruby color hints at the intensity of this vintage, while the aromas of dark berries, black pepper, and a touch of earthy herbs tantalize the senses. On the palate, this Syrah is full-bodied and rich, with layers of juicy blackberry, plum, and hints of smoky oak. Firm tannins and a long, lingering finish make this wine a true standout. The 2019 vintage from Ferraton Pere et Fils showcases their expertise in crafting exceptional wines from this region. This Ermitage Les Dionnieres Syrah is a must-try for any lover of Rhône Valley wines. Enjoy it now or cellar it for even greater complexity in the years to come.

The soils of the Craggy Range sites that supply fruit for this blend are scarily Pomerol-like. This is a wine of finesse and restraint, showing complexity and depth that we have come to expect from this producer, but is still surprising the uninitiated. 65% Merlot, 25% Cabernet, 7% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot.

Château Lascombes was a small property by Bordeaux standards up until 1951, which then grew to beyond its means until the most recent ownership change which has seen better fruit selection and a creation of a second label to produce an estate wine of purity and concentrated flavours. Using the talents of Dr Alain Reynaud and Michel Rolland the wines continue to impress in recent years, namely this spectacular 2009 vintage which is proving to be one of the greatest vintages in the past 100. Even at this early stage the Lascombes looks superb with balance between power and opulence treading a near perfect line.