{"title":"French Wine Collector 2026","description":"\u003cp\u003e3 Bottle Box with a Bow. $220.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"dehours-fils-grande-reserve-brut-champagne-france-nv-pinot-meunier","title":"Dehours \u0026 Fils, Grande Réserve, Brut, Champagne, France, NV (Pinot Meunier)*","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cb\u003eMagnum size also available\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOverview of the Wine\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Dehours estate was founded by winemaker Jérôme Dehours' grandfather, Ludovic, in 1930 and was among the first independent growers. Jérôme’s father, Robert, then took over the reins, but unfortunately he passed away when Jérôme was young, and a group of financial partners took control of the business. In 1996, Dehours was able to take the estate back into family hands with a focus on sustainable viticulture and an increasing emphasis on the character of individual terroirs. Today, Jerome uses his excellent wines to demonstrate the outstanding potential of Pinot Meunier, which he holds up as the identity of the Marne Valley and of his estate.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn the words of Peter Liem, “Dehours is increasingly becoming better known among champagne aficionados as a source of mouth-filling, boldly-flavored and terroir-expressive wines.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOrganic and Sustainable.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eGrape \/ Blend\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e70% Meunier, 10% \u003c\/span\u003eChardonnay, 20% Pinot Noir\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOrigin\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eMontagne de Reims, Champagne, France \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eWinemaker's Tasting Notes\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSoft gold in color, the nose is dominated initially by bright citrus notes (orange zest and lemon) and ripe white fruit (pear) and yellow (apricot) and then dissolves into deeper, bottom notes of toasted brioche, apple, pine resin and wax. On the palate, sweet spices of cinnamon, vanilla and white pepper with an intense minerality give the wine an extraordinary brilliance and a taste particularly well suited for aperitifs.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e92 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDisgorged with .5 grams per liter dosage, the NV Brut Grande Réserve is based on the 2016 vintage, complemented by around one-third reserve wines from a solera started in 1998. Much like a somewhat earlier disgorgement of the same tirage that I reviewed last year, it's showing very well, wafting from the glass with notes of pear, mandarin oil, elder flower, smoke and honeycomb. Medium to full-bodied, elegantly fleshy and precise, with a perfumed core of fruit, lively acids and a pearly mousse, it's beautifully seamless and elegant.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e91 Points - Wine Spectator\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA sleek, creamy and well-knit Champagne, with racy acidity enlivening flavors of steeped white cherry and raspberry, tea rose, star anise and smoky mineral. Enjoy this with food—grilled fish, for example.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eProduct size: 750ml\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Winewise","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54070998761777,"sku":null,"price":59.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/products\/Dehours-Grande-Reserve-Brut-Champagne-France-NV.jpg?v=1762527878"},{"product_id":"domaine-laporte-sancerre-cuvee-r-loire-valley-france-2025","title":"Domaine Laporte, Sancerre, Cuvée R, Sancerre, Loire, France, 2025","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview of the Wine\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eDomaine Laporte is the result of a perfect blending of two renowned Sancerre families. Founded in 1850 in the village of Saint-Satur, Domaine Laporte was run for decades in the mid-20th century by René Laporte. A visionary chair of the Sancerre appellation for 20 years, René was a pioneer in producing low-yield, characterful Sancerre during a time when many others in the region were focusing on quantity over quality. Then, in 1986, well-known winegrower from Chavignol Henri Bourgeois purchased the domaine from René, keeping the old vineyard, cellar and house and maintaining the excellent reputation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNow under the watchful eyes of Henri's two grandsons, Arnaud and Cedric Bourgeois, Domaine Laporte is one of the most highly respected estates in the Loire Valley. It consists of more than 21 hectares, and the flagship Sancerre comes from one of the finest vineyards in the appellation, Domaine du Rochoy, a 6.8-hectare vineyard carved out of the flint hillside overlooking the Loire River.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLaporte is a certified organic producer and the wine here is made in a very traditional, natural way, employing organic methods and always ensuring a sense of purity and excellence. With the different cuvées, the Bourgeois are able to explore the different expressions of Sancerre, all to very appealing effect.  Imported by Martines.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFarming and vinification practices: Sustainable, Organic (Ecocert), Vegan\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinemaker\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eArnaud and Cedric Bourgeois\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrape \/ Blend\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"prodItemInfo_varietal\"\u003eSauvignon Blanc\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSancerre, Loire, France\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Notes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: rgb(34,34,34);\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: rgb(34,34,34);\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eDomaine Laporte's hallmark Sancerre is back with the arrival of the 2025 vintage. While longtime fans may notice a slightly different label, the wine itself remains unchanged. Formerly known as Le Rochoy, the wine will now be released as Cuvée R, reflecting updated vineyard designation requirements adopted throughout Sancerre.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe change stems from a region-wide effort to align vineyard names with the historic cadastral maps that define official lieux-dits. While René Laporte traditionally referred to the entire flint-rich hillside as Le Rochoy, the vineyard source for this wine actually spans two neighboring parcels: Le Rochoy and Les Ratilleries. Beginning with the 2025 vintage, the wine will be labeled Cuvée R in recognition of these sites. The sourcing, winemaking, and style remain exactly as before: silex-driven Sancerre from vineyards overlooking the Loire, offering pronounced minerality, saline tension, white flower aromatics, and the precision that has made Le Rochoy a customer favorite for years.\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: rgb(34,34,34);\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: rgb(34,34,34);\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e92 Points - James Suckling\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eThis bright and fresh white has aromas of sliced apples, herbs and stones. It’s medium-bodied with fresh acidity. Vivid and textured with a delicious, persistent finish. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold. (2024)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct size: 750ml\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Martines","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54830511554865,"sku":null,"price":42.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/files\/DomaineLaporte_Sancerre_CuveeR_Sancerre_Loire_France_2025_305be939-6418-4f27-8b50-8157898ed877.jpg?v=1782187418"},{"product_id":"chateau-latour-le-pauillac-de-latour-bordeaux-france-2021","title":"Château Latour, Le Pauillac de Latour, Bordeaux, France, 2021","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eOverview of the Wine\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eAt the beginning of the eighteenth century, Chateau Latour started to be highly recognized around the world, thanks to the reconquest of the British market and the development of the wine business in Northern Europe. The aristocracy and other wealthy groups of consumers became very enthusiastic about a few great estates, of which Latour was one. And that was how Thomas Jefferson, ambassador of the United States in France, and future President, discovered this wine in 1787. At that time, a cask of Chateau Latour was already worth twenty times as much as one of ordinary Bordeaux wine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe reputation of Chateau Latour was consolidated during the 19th century. It was confirmed in 1855, when the government of Napoléon III decided to classify the growths of the Médoc and the Graves for the International Exhibition in Paris: Chateau Latour was classified as a First Growth. The existing chateau was built during this \"Golden Age\", between 1862 and 1864. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWinemaker\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eFrancois Pinault\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eGrape \/ Blend\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e60.9% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 11.1% Petit Verdot\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eOrigin\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003ePauillac, Bordeaux, France\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWinemaker's Tasting Notes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eThis generous, fruity wine is an excellent introduction to the family of wines produced by Château Latour. It can be enjoyed after four to five years of ageing, and will continue to improve for several more years.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e93 Points - Vinous\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eThis is the best showing yet for Latour’s 2021 Pauillac. Intensely perfumed, the 2021 has gained weight and body since I last tasted it. Crushed flowers, black pepper, leather and dried herbs are just starting to open in the bouquet. Dark and rather virile, the Pauillac is super expressive today. The elevated presence of Cabernet Sauvignon comes through loud and clear. Brisk acids and beams of supporting tannin are also quite prominent, largely because the 2021 doesn’t have the mid-palate richness of more opulent years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e93 Points - James Suckling\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eThis red has a medium-to light-bodied palate with a lovely center of pretty ripe fruit and finely textured tannins that run the length of the wine. Light chocolate and hazelnut on the finish. Drink or hold.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e91 Points - Falstaff\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eDark ruby garnet colour with purple reflections, delicate brightening on the rim. Delicately smoky black forest berries, a hint of tobacco, nuances of orange zest, subtle wood savouriness. Medium complexity, red cherries, integrated, round tannins, fresh and mineral, some graphite, already easy to drink, delicate leafy notes on the finish. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct size: 750ml\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Artemis Domaines","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55720334590257,"sku":null,"price":120.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/files\/ChateauLatour_LePauillacdeLatour_Bordeaux_France_2021.jpg?v=1786662411"}],"url":"https:\/\/merchantofwine.com\/collections\/french-wine-collector.oembed","provider":"Merchant of Wine","version":"1.0","type":"link"}