★ ★ Domaines 2 Etoiles (great reference domaines) “The wines produced by Martine and Pierre-Marie Chermette (recently with their son Jean-Étienne) have virtually no equivalent. Their depth and definition place them above the rest.” La Revue du Vin de France
“Old vines, diligent but traditional vinification and élevage in foudre are the rudiments of the approach. To my palate, some of the cuvées reviewed here number among the finest values that can be found in French wine,” William Kelley, The Wine Advocate
“The wines produced by Martine and Pierre-Marie Chermette at Domaine du Vissoux have been consistently in the top tier of Beaujolais since at least the 1989 vintage, which I first tasted in 1990.” Josh Raynolds, Vinous.
“2021 at this address, as elsewhere, marks a return to a lighter-bodied, more ethereal, succulent style of Beaujolais than recent warm, dry vintages have tended to deliver, but at this address, those virtues don't come at the expense of flavor or substance.” William Kelley, The Wine Advocate
2022’s visit with Domaine Chermette was our fourth in Beaujolais, so we had a fair idea of what to expect. William Kelley’s note above really says it all. Pierre-Marie used the French phrase “très digeste” to broadly describe the style of the vintage. Translated literally, this is a rather prosaic ‘very drinkable’, but in the French tongue it carries connotations of prettiness, freshness and elegance. That’s 2021 Beaujolais for you.
In short, every wine we offer below is a joy to drink, from the lucid, floral highs of the Fleurie to the deeper, mineral and smoke-tinged Moulin-à-Vent. We’ll give a special commendation for the 2021 Brouilly Pierreux as one of the finest vintages from this vineyard we have shipped. These are bottles that Burgundy lovers should back up the truck for—they deliver the pleasure of many a Bourgogne and villages-level wine for a fraction of the price.
BannockburnThe 2024 wines mark a golden milestone in Bannockburn’s history. Stuart Hooper, a Geelo...The 2024 wines mark a golden milestone in Bannockburn’s history. Stuart Hooper, a Geelong businessman, demonstrated impressive vision 50 years prio...
François ChidaineWere the vineyards of the central Loire to be drawn up along Burgundian lines, and they...Were the vineyards of the central Loire to be drawn up along Burgundian lines, and they might yet be, François Chidaine would be one of the first i...
Cellier Saint BenoitLuis Gutiérrez has got it right. Only in his late 20s, Benjamin Benoit is already a ris...Luis Gutiérrez has got it right. Only in his late 20s, Benjamin Benoit is already a rising star of the Jura. Born into a family of Pupillin winegro...
Jo LandronWe try never to get too carried away at Bibendum, but a bottle of Jo Landron’s single-v...We try never to get too carried away at Bibendum, but a bottle of Jo Landron’s single-vineyard 2021 Les Houx—a refreshing curveball of white peach ...
Corzano e PaternoIt’s always fun visiting the cultivated crew at Corzano e Paterno. After working and st...It’s always fun visiting the cultivated crew at Corzano e Paterno. After working and studying abroad with David Croix in Burgundy and Mac Forbes in...
Larmandier-Bernier“We’re in a new period for Champagne,” Vouette et Sourbée’s Bertrand Gautherot said sev...“We’re in a new period for Champagne,” Vouette et Sourbée’s Bertrand Gautherot said several years ago. “Before, it was all about image; now, it is ...
Cantina D’ArcyIt’s not always the case that hype and rarity equate to quality, yet that’s certainly t...It’s not always the case that hype and rarity equate to quality, yet that’s certainly the case with Tom Myers’ tiny Piemonte start-up. It was alway...
