Les coups de cœur 2025

When a great winemaker, a long-time advocate of biodynamics and a perfectionist, reveals his different vineyard sites, the result is the

Piedmont is home to many hidden gems and local specialties. One such gem is Erbaluce, a white grape variety from Upper Piedmont whose name derives from “alba-luce,” meaning “light of dawn.” A poetic name for a wine that is just as poetic! In the expert hands of the Ferrando family, winemakers for five generations, a wine imbued with delicacy and finesse is born. Intriguing from the nose, which offers aromas of mountain herbs and white tea, the palate is juicy and slender, supported by a beautiful acidity that meets a slightly tannic structure. A real favorite because it surprises, takes you on a journey, and evolves in the glass... It offers wonderful value for money!

If we were to learn and understand complantation, Marcel Deiss' wines would be the perfect symbol. What is complantation? It is the art of planting several grape varieties together on the same plot, so that the wine is not the expression of a single grape variety, but of a place. It's a counter-current vision that puts terroir back at the center and gives rise to wines of great consistency, depth, vibrancy, and never caricatured. And the Ribeauvillé 2022 is a superb example of this. A dry, dense, and taut white wine, born from complex soils mixing Muschelkalk limestone, clay, and Quaternary gravel. On the palate, it is straightforward, structured, mouth-watering, with a full texture and an almost tactile minerality that grabs you without ever tiring you. A wine of the landscape, which depicts Alsace in its purest and most graphic form. Drink now or leave it to evolve quietly over ten wonderful years. And to top it all off, the price remains reasonable.

This is my definition of wine that I like to share: a young winemaker who takes over a biodynamic estate and intervenes only minimally in the vineyard in order to let it express itself faithfully to its terroir. The estate offers several white wines, but the Savennières is spectacular despite its youth. It is already a complex wine, but with great freshness, lovely roundness, and perfectly integrated aging. It will pair beautifully with an asparagus and mushroom risotto or lake fish with beurre blanc. Its aging potential will allow you to enjoy it for about ten years. A great Chenin, just the way we like it!

Much like the lace of Montmirail, this Gigondas, born at its feet, possesses the same beauty, seriousness, and finesse! A blend of Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah, and Cinsault that one could dream of forever, with floral aromas (peony and violet), spicy notes (cocoa, incense, garrigue herbs), and a mineral touch that elegantly and distinctly crosses the palate. A great wine now, a great wine in 10 years and undoubtedly also in 20 years! Fantastic with eggplant parmigiana with thyme flowers.

There are the star winemakers, the ones everyone knows, whose bottles sell for a fortune. And then there are the more discreet ones, who are not always recognized for their true worth. Jérémie Huchet is undoubtedly one of them. Where the Loire begins to feel the first spray of the Atlantic, Jérémie, like a tightrope walker, skillfully explores the multiple terroirs he has at his disposal to give Muscadet a rarely achieved dimension. The cuvée that strikes me as the most memorable, and undoubtedly the spearhead of a remarkably consistent body of work, comes from his Clos les Montys plot, where some of the vines date back to the early 20th century. Born from a terroir of green rocks and aged for three years, this wine first strikes you with its discretion, then seduces you with its finesse—both on the nose and on the palate. Let's be honest: this is a wine that needs time. It deserves to be decanted for at least an hour. But when it finally opens up, you realize that you are dealing with a great wine. A wine that impresses with its aromatic elegance, of course, but above all with the infinite complexity of its texture. That lemony tension, those bitter notes on the finish that linger endlessly in the mouth... It is tense, but full-bodied; fresh, but with a subtle richness. A wine of paradoxes, perfectly mastered. And to think that this experience can be prolonged over time—for less than $20.

One of the latest additions to our beloved portfolio, this unusual grape variety, Grüner Veltiner, has completely won me over. This exceptional cuvée from winemaker Herbert Zillinger, planted in the coolest plots of the estate, without filtration or added sulfites, is simply bewildering. On the palate, it is light, salty, and long-lasting. When I finished this bottle, I paired it with a citrus tuna tartare. A little decanting will bring out the best in this wine!

This wine immediately appealed to me. With its precision, depth, and straightforward expression of terroir. Old vines planted in 1960, cultivated with care and patience, vinification without artifice: here, everything is designed to let the wine speak for itself. I love the combination of the density of Pinot Noir, the suppleness of Meunier, the freshness of Chardonnay, and the subtle relief of Pinot Blanc, which adds a touch of spice and a noble bitterness. On the palate, it offers raw butter, delicate hazelnut, a hint of fresh vanilla, and that golden biscuit note that signals perfectly controlled maturity. All held together by a mineral structure of great precision. A lively, precise, sincere champagne—and a luminous expression that I always take great pleasure in tasting.

For 40 years now, Olivier Jullien has devoted himself body and soul to producing great Languedoc wines. Forty years of dedication, hard work, and unconditional love for his vines. An unparalleled experience that we are fortunate to find in each of the wines he crafts. Around Jonquières is a synthesis: the meticulous composition of his original plots and a balanced, harmonious blend of grape varieties. Each year is different, here a large proportion of Mourvèdre and Carignan are complemented by a touch of Syrah. This 2022 vintage already offers seductive notes of black berries, thyme, black olives, and garrigue. On the palate, it is rich, fleshy and deep, while displaying the finesse and elegance characteristic of these limestone scree vineyards. The whole is admirable in its precision and balance. Once again, a great wine... Leave to breathe for 2-3 hours in a decanter to enjoy now, or leave in the cellar for at least 5 years.

A true gem of Savoie, the Silice Rouge from Domaine des Ardoisières embodies the elegance and precision of a great mountain wine. Produced from vines grown on steep terraces on schist soils, this wine brilliantly expresses the uniqueness of its alpine terroir. To the eye, a brilliant ruby color hints at the finesse of this cuvée. The nose is captivating: crisp red fruits, floral notes, a touch of minerality... it's an invitation to taste. On the palate, the magic happens: a silky texture, vibrant freshness, delicate tannins, and a long, salty, energetic finish reminiscent of great high-altitude reds. This is a delicious wine, juicy, precise and deeply charming. And to top it all off, it offers superb value for money, which is rare for a wine of such finesse and from such a demanding terroir. Carefully aged by Brice Omont, it reflects meticulous work and a passion for haute couture viticulture. Silice Rouge is much more than a wine: it is pure emotion, a sure favorite for lovers of racy, lively wines that are deeply rooted in their terroir. Discover it now, at a great price!

Under the soft light of Geneva, the Altesse 2023 des Parcelles lives up to its name! On the nose, citrus and acacia blossom notes bloom in harmony, while a touch of minerality completes the bouquet. On the palate, the attack is round and warm, followed by a lively tension that balances the sweetness. The finish is long and mouthwatering. This wine, like a well-kept secret, pairs well with refined dishes such as shrimp ravioli with lemongrass broth or a pâté en croûte with veal sweetbreads and morel mushrooms. Altesse 2023 is an invitation to delicacy, a caress for the senses, a liquid poem by Laurent Villard.

Lodali's Dolcetto d'Alba is an invitation to indulge! This Piedmontese wine is renowned for its colorful and fruity reds. It pairs well with antipasti, pasta, and risotto. It is characterized by a certain freshness, with aromas of red fruits and a subtle hint of bitter almond. On the palate, this wine stands out for its low acidity and supple tannins, offering a harmonious and welcoming taste. To be shared in good company... Price/pleasure guaranteed!

For me, the Clapas 2022 from Domaine du Pas de l'Escalette is a real favorite. This wine perfectly embodies the unique character of its terroir, with its aromas of ripe black fruits and spices, transporting us directly to the sunny vineyards of Languedoc. When tasting it, I feel the harmony and power of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Carignan, which are typical of the region, with silky tannins and great finesse. The long, persistent finish leaves a memorable impression, making this wine an ideal accompaniment to meat dishes or mature cheese platters. It is therefore with sincerity that I would like to introduce you to this wine, which is, in my opinion, a wonderful discovery! Enjoy!

The Moulin-à-Vent from Château du Moulin-à-Vent is indeed a wonderful wine for exploring Beaujolais. Its terroir, composed of coarse sand, iron oxide, and manganese, contributes to the complexity and elegance of this magnificent wine. A beautiful tannic structure and a hint of salt and pepper bring a lovely finesse. Perfect with grilled meats and charcuterie, this wine pairs well with richly flavored dishes. A rediscovery not to be missed.

Beyond the melodious name of this vintage and its appellation, this wine is an invitation to travel, at a reasonable price. It has a garnet color, notes of ripe red fruit, and a very nice aromatic complexity thanks to its few years of aging. I particularly enjoy this wine with meat and a full-bodied sauce that will complement the intensity of its silky tannins. A wine for sharing, made from three unique grape varieties (Aglianico, Piedirosso, Primitivo). Cheers!

“Il faut rester” (You must stay)... does this name remind you of a wine estate? That's the meaning behind Mas Cal Demoura, an estate in Languedoc, whose name in Occitan embodies a deep attachment to the land. For my first favorite at CAVE, I went for Les Combariolles 2021. It's a wine that I particularly appreciate, thanks to the chance I had to meet Vincent Goumard at CAVE's 40th anniversary and the energy that this wine exudes. This cuvée is made from a selection of plots in the Les Combariolles area, composed of limestone gravel soils. With a fresh, deep and dynamic nose, it has a long, structured palate with black fruit aromas and spicy notes. Made mainly from Syrah and Grenache, it will pair perfectly with filet mignon and pan-fried chanterelle mushrooms, or even a nice veal chop! Don't wait any longer, this cuvée will be perfect for your Sunday lunches with family or friends!

As an American who studied in Burgundy, I rarely find in a Californian wine the finesse of expression of Pinot Noir that is characteristic of the great Burgundy terroirs. However, Father John Winery's Pinot Noir VSOC made a deep impression on me. Nicholas Maloney, the winemaker behind this cuvée, creates a precious link between two wine-growing worlds. The son of winemakers in Sebastopol, in the heart of California's iconic Russian River Valley coastal region, he honed his skills in Burgundy before returning to California. The result is a luminous wine with a precise structure of fresh raspberry, whose balance between tension and roundness impresses with its accuracy. VSOC does not seek to reproduce a style, but to engage in dialogue with the finest expressions of Pinot Noir, with elegance and sincerity.

This beautiful Chardonnay from southern Burgundy immediately seduces with its expressive aromatics. The nose opens intensely with floral notes of acacia, subtly mingled with aromas of honey and citrus, and a delicate touch of sweet almond, in a combination that is both elegant and airy. On the palate, the attack is lively, marked by a refreshing freshness and a fruity density that brings a beautiful richness. A beautiful white wine from Nicolas and Aline Maillet, reminding us how much the Mâconnais, often overshadowed by its prestigious neighbor the Côte de Beaune, can offer wines of great authenticity, expressiveness, and profound seductiveness when tasted.