August Wine Reviews: The Best Chablis for Lobster Rolls and A Last-Minute Escape to Provence

The summer I turned French – by taking almost the entire month of August off (albeit accidentally).

Maine’s been on my bucket list since the second I moved to New York City in 2017. My husband and I dreamed about a road trip to the northeast’s only National Park, Acadia, from the moment we met. Finally, after eight years in NYC and five years together, we took the trip. And my goodness was it worthy of a spot on our bucket list (and everyone’s!). But the August surprises were just beginning: as I fell in love with our nation’s most underrated park, I landed a new job and unexpectedly found myself “funemployed” for three weeks. So, I did what any Francophile would do: I booked a last minute ticket to the South of France to get away from it all, find inspiration, and explore a wine region I’ve mostly overlooked – Provence.

As I write this from my little hotel in Nice, the sun is just setting over the mountains. There’s a lot more about Provence’s little-known appellations – Bellet and Palette – that I hope to share in the coming weeks and months, but until I do – here’s a roundup of the French wines I enjoyed this month.

WINE #1: “ADN Meunier”, Brut Nature, Champagne, Christophe Mignon (19/20, Astor Wines)

Where I had it: I brought this to a bachelorette with a group of friends (and – long story, my husband) in Philadelphia. We opened it to toast the bride on our first night in the Airbnb. To say it was the hit of the weekend was an understatement! I even got some skeptics to try it. They all asked for another glass the second the first was gone.

How much a bottle cost me (and would cost you): $72.

OVERALL COMPOSITE SCORE: 19/20

• DRINKABILITY SCORE: 5/5 – My raw, unfiltered notes for this wine were exactly as follows: “YUM. Acid bomb, but cute about it. Tart with a little body – like a lemon bread.” It was one of those wines that just kept giving and giving and giving, evolving in the glass with time and temperature. Long finish. A beautiful wine – and one of the best Champagnes I’ve had this year.
• PAIRABILITY SCORE: 5/5 – I could see this pairing with SO many dishes. That night, it was really just a little apéro wine and was stunning with potato chips as a snack, but this would truly shine with seafood, goat cheeses, or basically anything that has a bit of a lemon profile. It’s one of those wines that really can’t go wrong.
• WALLET-ABILITY SCORE: 4/5 – I bought this pre-tariff, and while it is an exceptional Champagne, I fully admit it’s at a price point that just won’t be accessible for everyone – and that sucks. It loses a point for that, but I do feel it is still priced well for the high quality of Champagne that it is (and that it’s organic and biodynamic to boot).
• THE X FACTOR SCORE: 5/5 – Organic, biodynamic, small and family owned. This one ticks all the boxes and then some. I can’t recommend it enough – and I definitely need to try more from this producer. Christophe Mignon’s estate is going on my list to visit for my next trip to Champagne.

WINE #2: “Les Vaudevey”, Chablis Premier Cru, Domaine Laroche, 2023 (16.5/20, Wine.com)

Where I had it: On our first night in Maine on the outdoor patio at UnderCanvas Acadia, paired with the daily fish special: fresh sea scallops over a bed of mashed potatoes and fire-roasted green beans. It was an exceptional moment I won’t soon forget and the wine made it even more spectacular.

How much a bottle cost me: $0. This was a sample.

How much a bottle would cost you: $74. The 2023 vintage is happily available on Wine.com!

OVERALL COMPOSITE SCORE: 16.5/20

• DRINKABILITY SCORE: 5/5 – I mean. It would be kind of insane if a premier cru Chablis didn’t score this high on the drinkability rating. These wines are almost always so wonderful that the fact “drinkability” is a category almost embarrasses them. What an absolutely stunning wine. Full of luscious layers, beautifully balanced acidity, and a finish that continues just as long as the sea breeze. A beautiful wine I certainly intend to return to.
• PAIRABILITY SCORE: 5/5 – This with seared local sea scallops? One of the best pairings I’ve had all year. An absolute delight. I could see it pairing with so many types of beautiful East Coast seafood – from lobster to crab and shrimp or even local whitefish. Absolutely exceptional with savory dishes and honestly? It even paired well with the cheesecake we had for dessert. Cannot recommend it enough.
• WALLET-ABILITY SCORE: 3.5/5 – $74 isn’t too bad for a premier cru from Chablis, but it also isn’t great. Quite the investment. While it’s worth it for a special occasion, I do know there are some similarly excellent premier cru Chablis that are $15-20 cheaper and great buys. If this were closer to $60-65, I’d give it an extra half point.
• THE X FACTOR SCORE: 3/5 – Labels note that the winery is both “vegan-certified” and “sustainable”, but I couldn’t find many details beyond that. Domaine Laroche is a large producer in Chablis with additional holdings in the Languedoc, so I’d like to see them do a bit better than some vague language tucked away on a tech sheet. Still, it’s a start.

WINE #3: “La Vignette”, Touraine Blanc, Thierry Delaunay, (15/20, Golden Eagle Wines)

Where I had it: On our last night glamping at UnderCanvas Acadia. This is a bottle that was on their wine list (versus the Chablis that I brought in myself a couple nights prior). One of the most unexpected things about staying at the UnderCanvas in Acadia was their exceptional wine list! I brought several bottles from our apartment on the trip just in case the selection wasn’t great but I was blown away by their options. Can’t recommend a stay there enough!

How much a glass cost me: $12

How much a bottle would cost you: $18

OVERALL COMPOSITE SCORE: 15/20

• DRINKABILITY SCORE: 4/5 – What a pretty little glass this was! Pure lemon with a mineral edge. Perfectly balanced with acidity and a touch of bitterness. It was pure bliss and not overwrought. The perfect summer Sauvignon, especially if you’re pairing it with seafood or white fish.
• PAIRABILITY SCORE: 4/5 – The perfect glass with a local whitefish and mashed potatoes. Honestly, I have no notes. The team at UnderCanvas Acadia knows exactly what they’re doing with their winelist and I loved this sip with dinner. Can I go back and order this combo again please?
• WALLET-ABILITY SCORE: 5/5 – $18 for a great bottle of Loire Sauvignon Blanc is an absolute steal in the U.S. these days, so there is no denying this is a great deal. I need to buy a case for next year’s summer barbecues – can easily see it being a fast hit!
• THE X FACTOR SCORE: 2/5 – I wasn’t able to find out much about the organic or sustainable practices at this vineyard, so unfortunately, it earns a low score here. One of the producer websites notes that a certain level of wines from them is certified organic but it doesn’t disclose which one and the tech sheets do not mention it at all! A lot more can be done here, so we’re staying at two points for now.

WINE #4: Chablis, Famille Gueguen, 2023 (18/20, Sherry’s Wine)

Where I had it: On our last night in Maine at Red Sky restaurant in Southwest Harbor. What a gem of a restaurant. It doesn’t look like much from the outside but the food is exceptional from soup to nuts – and don’t get me started on that beautiful wine list. I took almost 20 minutes trying to choose a bottle because there were so many incredible options. Wowza.

How much a half-bottle cost me: $36.

How much a full bottle would cost you: $34. It’s highway robbery. Run, don’t walk. If you can find it near you, it’s worth the purchase by a long shot.

OVERALL COMPOSITE SCORE: 18/20

• DRINKABILITY SCORE: 4.5/5 – Flinty, green apple. A mineral, steely edge. Everything you could possibly want from a Chablis and more. It’s just one of those wines that’s a delight to drink, and the fact we enjoyed it on one of our last days of vacation made it even more incredible. I’ll be reaching for this bottle for years to come.
• PAIRABILITY SCORE: 4.5/5 – One thing about those restaurants in Maine? They know how to pair. (Sorry, can you tell I’m literally obsessed with Maine yet?!) This wine was phenomenal with the goat cheese heirloom tomato appetizer, and even better with the lobster risotto, cutting right through the fat and matching the acid in both dishes with ease.
• WALLET-ABILITY SCORE: 5/5 – For a Chablis of this quality, there is nothing better at this price point – period. We are, in some ways, entering the era of bulk Chablis (cc: La Chablisienne), so it can be tough to find amazing producers from this region at a good price point. Obviously, there’s no shortage of them – from my visit to the region in June to the fact I basically spent the first half of August almost exclusively drinking Chablis, there are a lot of fabulous producers who are continuing on in the work. Famille Gueguen is clearly one of them!
• THE X FACTOR SCORE: 4/5 – The vineyard is HVE 3 certified and has been farmed organically for years. I also recently discovered that Céline Gueguen, the co-founder of the estate, is actually the daughter of prominent Chablis winemaker, Jean-Marc Brocard, whose domaine I visited when I was in Chablis earlier this year. Birds of a sustainable wine feather stick together.

WINE #5: Monthélie, Domaine Matrot, 2016 (16.5/20, Applejack Wines)

Where I had it: At home on the weekend to celebrate achieving another one of my 2025 goals: getting a new job. (I really didn’t think this one was going to happen for me, so it was a great surprise – like this wine!)

How much a bottle cost me: About $40. I purchased this on-site from a visit to the domaine in 2021.

How much a bottle would cost you: Currently retailing at around $48.

OVERALL COMPOSITE SCORE: 16.5/20

• DRINKABILITY SCORE: 4.5/5 – Monthélie is just one of many smaller appellations in Burgundy that – for me – are severely underrated. Small quantities, situated right next to two of Burgundy’s most famous high-end appellations, Volnay and Meursault, I’ve always enjoyed Monthélie wines for their elegance, value, and age-ability. This one was no exception. Velvety texture, dark berries. A delight to drink.
• PAIRABILITY SCORE: 4/5 – A Burg like this really can be enjoyed with or without food, but of course a decent gourmand meal will make it sing. I could see this going well with everything from apéro boards to mushroom risotto and so much more.
• WALLET-ABILITY SCORE: 5/5 – For a really lovely Burgundy in 2025, $48 is a great price. Sure, there’s no cru status to speak of on this one but I do feel it competes with many in the premier cru category. A great buy if you love Burgundy but don’t have a huge, huge budget.
• THE X FACTOR SCORE: 3/5 – Domaine Matrot is in lutte raisonnée across all their parcels, but has not made additional developments toward fully organic or biodynamic agriculture since settling into lutte raisonnée officially in the early 2000s. Much more can – and should – be done. Yet, they remain an independent and family-run domaine, so I give them three points here.

WINE #6: Champagne Delamotte Brut, NV (14/20, Wine.com)

Where I had it: At home on a weeknight. We paired it with grilled swordfish, baby potatoes, and zucchini. It was the perfect summer meal and it was a goal bottle to boot! What a whirlwind month it’s been.

How much a bottle cost me: $0. I got this as a sample.

How much a bottle would cost you: $80.

OVERALL COMPOSITE SCORE: 14/20

• DRINKABILITY SCORE: 3.5/5 – Champagne Delamotte is a reliable champagne house that consistently delivers lovely entry-level champagnes. That being said, I found the bubbles in this particular bottle to be a bit too aggressive for my taste. I prefer softer, more supple textures in Champagne so this one was a little outside of what I typically prefer.
• PAIRABILITY SCORE: 4.5/5 – This was a beautiful pairing with our grilled swordfish and it helped to give more depth to our baby potatoes. Despite not being my favorite Champagne to drink, it was still great with food.
• WALLET-ABILITY SCORE: 3/5 – I’d love for the prices on Champagne in the U.S. to come down a little bit for my own sake, but I’m not naïve. What’s crazy is that it is $8 more expensive than the Christophe Mignon Champagne, rated 19/20. For me, it’s a no. If you’re a big fan of the Delamotte style though, perhaps this would be a good investment for a celebration, but this was just not for me.
• THE X FACTOR SCORE: 3/5 – Delamotte is HVE-certified, but I would like to see a bit more movement here for a higher score, particularly for a house that is so popular.

WINE #7: La Clape, Languedoc, Château l’Hospitalet, 2021 (16/20, Gérard Bertrand)

Where I had it: At home on a little date night the night before I flew to Nice. We made a little bruschetta and cheese platter, put on some music, and made the most of a beautiful summer evening.

How much a bottle cost me: $0. I got this as a sample.

How much a bottle would cost you: $50.

OVERALL COMPOSITE SCORE: 16/20

• DRINKABILITY SCORE: 4/5 – Berries. Spice. Chocolate. This is a great wine to keep around in fall and winter especially, but it isn’t so heavy-handed that you can’t enjoy it in summer, either. A bit rustic with sharper tannins, but I expect that from the Languedoc and don’t mind it too much.
• PAIRABILITY SCORE: 4/5 – A great wine to go with food, truly! I’d even venture to say that this could work with a dark chocolate or raspberry dessert in addition to all the usual savory suspects (BBQ, tomato bruschetta, etc.).
• WALLET-ABILITY SCORE: 3/5 – I struggle to fork out $50 for a bottle from the Languedoc, and while I understand the appellation (La Clape) and Bertrand’s approach might merit prices like this, I personally would not spend $50 on it. I’m a bit more of a Burgundy/Beaujolais-style red gal myself, so if I’m spending $50 on a wine, I’m looking for something a bit more refined, lighter, and more elegant. That being said, if you’re a fan of Languedoc’s reds, this could be $50 well-spent.
• THE X FACTOR SCORE: 5/5 – There’s no doubt that Gérard Betrand is one of the most indomitable names in French wine today, and certainly a juggernaut for the Languedoc. The fact that he’s able to produce so many wines from such vast holdings at a level that is organic and biodynamic to boot is incredibly admirable. While not every wine from his domaines across France bear these labels, the vast majority of them do, and it is fantastic to know that it’s possible to be a big producer while protecting the people and environment that make the wines.

WINE #8: Bellet Blanc, Collet de Bovis, 2024 (17/20)

Where I had it: At a private tasting on site with my friend Steph.

How much a glass cost me: $0. While the Collet de Bovis website notes that tastings are 15€, we got our tasting for free, as it was the start of the off-season and we disclosed that we were both wine professionals. If you end up traveling to Nice, don’t hesitate to stop by! You can take the little navette (shuttle) on the weekends (info here!), drive up, or take an Uber. Bellet is a lovely appellation (and one of France’s smallest!) tucked into the hills above Nice and it has some of the most stunning views I saw during my trip to the Côte d’Azur this month.

How much a bottle would cost you: 21€. (Sadly, it’s not available abroad as the production is so small!)

OVERALL COMPOSITE SCORE: 17/20

• DRINKABILITY SCORE: 5/5 – I’ll be honest: I didn’t know what to expect from the Bellet appellation. Before visiting, I knew it was a tiny area north of Nice where the quantities were small and that there hadn’t been much chatter about these wines. Boy, was I surprised. Bellet is, after all, a French wine terroir and appellation, run by a small group of passionate winemakers. By and large – the complexity dazzled me. On the nose, local flowers like oleander and mimosa, accompanied by fresh grapefruit and lemon. In the mouth, a stunning combination of it all with a mineral edge and a long finish. I wish I could have brought home several bottles!
• PAIRABILITY SCORE: 4/5 – We didn’t have anything to pair this bottle with at our tasting, but I have no doubt that this one would be stunning with seafood and fish – particularly from the Mediterranean! Those saline, citrus notes really can’t be matched and the complexity of the wine will certainly add to whatever it is you’re eating.
• WALLET-ABILITY SCORE: 4/5 – At 21€, the saddest thing about this wine is that you unfortunately cannot buy it stateside (or really, anywhere outside of Nice). That being said, if you can find it, you can be certain it was made with love and care by a passionate winemaker from one of France’s most overlooked appellations. It’s worth a couple of extra euros to know that the thing you’re consuming represents true French savoir-faire.
• THE X FACTOR SCORE: 4/5 – Jean Spizzo owns 4.5 hectares of vines around his home in Bellet. He farms all organically (working toward certification) and is minimal interventionist. He’s really the only one on the team (though he enlists some family members and hires the occasional worker to help with the harvest). He’s persisted in making wines this way since 1974. This is as small and family-owned as you can possibly get! When we mentioned his name at wine shops in Nice later on our trip, the wine shop owners all expressed how much they care for Jean and love his wines. He’s clearly doing things the right way and I love that for you, Jean! Keep on truckin’.

WINE #9: Bellet Blanc, Domaine de Toasc, 2022 (16.5/20)

Where I had it: At a private tasting at Château de Crémat with my friend Steph. Of note: Domaine de Toasc is closed to visitors, but you can taste their wines at their partner winery, Château de Crémat (and I highly recommend a visit!). It’s an absolutely stunning estate known for its unique red color and art deco architecture. It was frequented by Coco Chanel in the early 20^th century and today has a museum for art and fashion on site. It is another stop on the little wine shuttle that the city of Nice provides on the weekends.

How much a glass cost me: 10€, as part of a tasting flight we sampled while at Château de Crémat.

How much a bottle would cost you: 21€. As with Le Collet de Bovis, this wine is unfortunately not currently available stateside.

OVERALL COMPOSITE SCORE: 16.5/20

• DRINKABILITY SCORE: 4.5/5 – An absolute delight to drink. Layered and complex, but not so complex that you’re overwhelmed and lost in weightyness. No, this is a fresh, dynamic glass from the hills of Nice that is exceptional for a wide variety of foods, moments, and vibes. At 95% Rolle (Vermentino) and 5% Chardonnay, it’s got a beautiful lemon, mineral acidity that’s well-balanced and integrated with soft, local florals.
• PAIRABILITY SCORE: 4/5 – Hand me some grilled Mediterranean shrimp or sardines with a squeeze of lemon and this wine will be a wonder. I did manage to bring home a bottle and I can’t wait to open it for a delicious meal!
• WALLET-ABILITY SCORE: 4/5 – For all the beautiful complexity offered here, 21€ feels more than worth it. I only wish these wines were available stateside! With only eight hectares, though, it’s not surprising. You’ll just have to get out to Château de Crémat to buy this bottle!
• THE X FACTOR SCORE: 4/5 – Domaine de Toasc has eight hectares and is organic-certified. I wasn’t able to find out too much more about the property, besides the fact that it’s currently undergoing renovations to improve the winery. I’ll be watching to see what else they contribute to environmental practices in the coming months and years.

WINE #10: Palette Blanc, Château Henri Bonnaud, 2024 (16/20)

Where I had it: At a private tasting at the château in Palette.

How much a glass cost me: 10€ as part of the tour and tasting I booked.

How much a bottle would cost you: 23€. As of writing this, I was unable to find a wineshop stateside that carries this one.

OVERALL COMPOSITE SCORE: 16/20

• DRINKABILITY SCORE: 4/5 – Château Henri Bonnaud is an absolutely stunning property in Palette. With 14 hectares specifically in Palette, they are among the largest in the appellation, and have a strong portfolio showing which includes wines under the Côtes de Provence appellation as well. My favorite of the ones I tasted was this one – a classic Palette blanc. At 15% Ugni Blanc and 85% Clairette, it’s driven by a unique mineral flavor profile that rounds out with soft florals and a touch of lemon.
• PAIRABILITY SCORE: 4/5 – I could easily see this going very well with food. Similar to the white wines from Bellet that I tried, this is just a great white to have on hand for all kinds of pairing opps, especially if you’re someone that fell into the Sauvignon Blanc trends hard this summer. You’ll get a bit more roundness from the Clairette than you might in a classic SB, but that makes it even better to pair with food – particularly cheeses.
• WALLET-ABILITY SCORE: 4/5 – A good price for a wine from such a small appellation. I just wish that it were available stateside! Henri Bonnaud does export to a select few states, but I was not able to find this particular wine available at the time of writing this.
• THE X FACTOR SCORE: 4/5 – Certified organic since 2012, this is a family-run estate that really prioritizes the environment (and looking at the photos of it, it’s easy to see why. Sainte-Victoire stuns in the background – who wouldn’t want to protect her?!).

WINE #11: “Edition S”, Coteaux d’Aix en Provence, Château Vignelaure, 2017 (17/20)

Where I had it: At a private tasting at the château.

How much a glass cost me: $0. I was offered this tasting for free.

How much a bottle would cost you: 46€. As of writing this, I was unable to find a wine shop stateside that carries this one.

OVERALL COMPOSITE SCORE: 17/20

• DRINKABILITY SCORE: 4.5/5 – Everyone underestimates the reds from Provence and this wine proves that point precisely. Château Vignelaure was a pioneer in the red wines of Provence. Today, they have significant plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon (which – by itself isn’t necessarily a rarity but also isn’t super common, either). A 50/50 combination of Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon, this would not typically be the red I reach for, but its beautiful, velvety texture and confit prune aromas made it an absolute delight to drink. Edition S as a cuvée is created only in exceptional vintages and the result certainly speaks to the standout year. Only 3,000 bottles of it were made, so if you can snag a bottle, it’ll be well-worth it. It’s like walking into a speakeasy full of velour red couches with low-lighting and fruit-scented candles. A delight.
• PAIRABILITY SCORE: 4.5/5 – This wine was made for the dishes of early-mid fall. Thinking of a ratatouille, a mushroom risotto, a wild rice and sweet potato soup. Even better with a coq au vin or a Provençal daube. Anytime there’s a chill in the air and you’re cooking something with complex flavors, this wine will surely do the trick.
• WALLET-ABILITY SCORE: 4/5 – I only wish this wine were easier to find stateside! It is a bit on the pricier side for the French market, but it is a beautiful, unique wine that I really enjoyed discovering. A bottle came home with me and I can’t wait to open it for a special occasion.
• THE X FACTOR SCORE: 4/5 – The château has been organic-certified since 2018 (but practicing for much, much longer). The higher score here reflects an X Factor commitment I haven’t talked much about but that is very important to me personally: art. The owners of Château Vignelaure are serious art collectors, so the cellar walls on the property are lined with an eclectic collection of paintings and sculptures from around the world. While the combination of art and wine is not ground-breaking by any means (I was just at the New York City Armory Show, featuring a Champagne bar by Pommery) I love that this opens the property up to a new subset of visitors who may not be wine lovers, but who could in turn appreciate wine in the same way they appreciate art – and ultimately become winelovers. When you combine this with Château Vignelaure’s ground-breaking development of red wines in Provence, I think they deserve four points here. There is something very unique about this property and their wines that makes it well-worth a short drive from Aix-en-Provence.

WINE #12: Palette Blanc, Château des Trois Sautets, 2022 (18/20)

Where I had it: At a private tasting on site.

How much a glass cost me: 10€ as part of a tour and tasting I booked. If you’re near Aix-en-Provence, I cannot recommend a visit to Château des Trois Sautets enough. It was an incredible experience and the winery is unlike any other I’ve ever visited. The château started out as a goat farm and produces an absolutely exceptional AOP goat cheese on site, Brousse du Rove. It was only recently that the three brothers at the head of the estate decided to add winemaking to the family’s portfolio and the results are delicious. This is classic French farming at its best: committed to biodiversity, animal ethics, education, and the creation of some products that are just straight up delicious. This was one of my favorite visits from my time in Provence and I cannot recommend a tour there enough.

How much a bottle would cost you: 27€. Unfortunately, Château des Trois Sautets does not export to the U.S. at the time of writing this blog.

OVERALL COMPOSITE SCORE: 18/20

• DRINKABILITY SCORE:  4/5 – Have you ever had a wine that immediately gives you the vision of the place it was created? One sniff of a glass from the Palette Blanc at Château des Trois Sautets did that for me immediately. It was pure grapefruit, little white flowers, and citrus. Closing my eyes, it took my right outside to the mountains where the grapes are grown and the path of the goats as they graze. I could hear the goat bleats, the birds in the trees, the wind in the wild grass. It’s a simple glass of wine but that doesn’t make it any less magnificent.
• PAIRABILITY SCORE: 5/5 – It’s a unique and incredible experience to taste wines alongside other agricultural products made on site. Château des Trois Sautets generously offers guests the ability to taste each of their wines with a different style of goat cheese fait maison and the result is next-level delicious. This one was perfect with the fresh Brousse du Rove. The tanginess of the cheese and the citrus aromas of the wine performed the perfect interplay of flavors on my palate. I don’t doubt that this wine is perfect with other light cheeses and even seafood like grilled shrimp and oysters.
• WALLET-ABILITY SCORE: 4/5 – For the French market, 27€ feels a little steep, but Château des Trois Sautets is a small producer and there is a cost to doing things the right way. I think this one is worth it. I just wish it were available in the U.S. I sadly could not fit another bottle in my VinGarde Valise!
• THE X FACTOR SCORE: 5/5 – I really should be giving Château des Trois Sautets ten points here for their exceptional commitment to ethical animal agriculture (the nearly 150 goats in the herd really are cared for in absolute luxury and stay their entire lives on property until they pass away naturally – unheard of in animal agriculture), their ongoing and ever expanding interest in organic and biodynamic winemaking, and their passion for polyculture (the estate is also home to olive groves, forests, and wild grasses as well as geese, chickens, and many dogs). I was touched by their commitment to their staff and the kindness with which they treat every visitor and customer. A winery unlike any other.

WINE #13: “Le Pas du Moine” Rosé, Côtes de Provence Sainte Victoire, Château Gassier, 2024 (17.5/20, Wine.com)

Where I had it: At a private tasting on site.

How much a glass cost me: $0. I was offered a free tasting here and got to experience Château Gassier’s summer party, La Montagne Rose (events schedule here!). Most weekends from May – September, the estate welcomes comedians and musicians from around the region to perform. Open to the public, these events also feature a wide selection of food trucks on site and are typically held outside with a stunning view of Montagne Sainte-Victoire. If you find yourself near Aix-en-Provence in the summer, stop by!

How much a bottle would cost you: $29. It’s available on Wine.com so save this note for next summer as it’s a great one to have on hand.

OVERALL COMPOSITE SCORE: 17.5/20

• DRINKABILITY SCORE: 4/5 – One of the things I really enjoy in the wines from Château Gassier is their measured, subtle aromatic profiles. This is true for almost their entire portfolio but especially in Le Pas du Moine. If I tasted this blind, I might mistake it for a white wine given how refined and precise the flavor profile is. Very soft notes of stone and pear with a long finish.
• PAIRABILITY SCORE: 4.5/5 – I enjoyed this wine for a second time later that evening at the comedy show, where I paired it with a Vietnamese vermicelli bowl. It was delicious – the two had some pretty complementary flavor profiles and didn’t overpower one another. Clearly, a great wine with food – and it would work equally as well with a cheeseboard, summer salads, and seafood.
• WALLET-ABILITY SCORE: 4/5 – Given the increasing cost of French wine, I’m not mad about the price here. Gassier has significant holdings but is also wonderfully committed to organic practices, so $29 feels fair.
• THE X FACTOR SCORE: 4/5 – Beyond being certified organic, Château Gassier is heavily invested in the environmental biodiversity of the Sainte-Victoire area and has also committed to regenerative agricultural practices (including the use of cover crops, etc.). This is the type of movement I love to see from a larger producer!

WINE #14: “Pointe du Diable” Rosé, Château Malherbe, 2023 (17.5/20)

Where I had it: At a private tasting at the château, just south of Bormes-les-Mimosas (and east of the town of Hyères).  

How much a glass cost me: $0. I was offered a free tasting here at the end of my trip.

How much a bottle would cost you: 26€. As of writing this, I was unable to find a wine shop stateside that carries this one.

OVERALL COMPOSITE SCORE: 17.5/20

• DRINKABILITY SCORE: 4.5/5 – A blend of Sémillon, Cinsault, and Grenache, this wine was an unexpected aromatic explosion of flavor and tension. Think strawberry jolly rancher, red and pink florals, sea salt, and breathtaking acidity. This is a fantastic rosé that would be perfect with a pre-dinner cheeseboard or snack, especially in the summer.
• PAIRABILITY SCORE: 4/5 – I didn’t pair this with anything expressly during my tasting, but as I note above, I think it would be fantastic at a summer apéro or barbecue, particularly if fresh cheeses or seafood are at all involved.
• WALLET-ABILITY SCORE: 4/5 – I am often tough on rosés, particularly on ones from Provence. More often than not, I find they are over-simplified and over-hyped, and to make matters worse there’s an awkward bitterness at the end of them that turns me off. All this is to say that for 26€ (much less a wine that is not easy to find stateside), I would normally give it a lower score. But it is such a gem of beauty and complexity that I really do think it merits the price. If it were 20€, that would be even better, but I think this is a competitive cost overall.
• THE X FACTOR SCORE: 5/5 – Organic, biodynamic, woman-founded, woman-run, family-owned – this exceptional domaine has everything going for it. The vineyard has quite literally never seen an herbicide, and its beautiful forest surroundings are among the most protected natural landscapes in the country. I cannot wait to see what Château Malherbe does in the coming years – it’s only up from here.

WINE #15: “Madame Ferrari”, Vin de France, Château Malherbe, 2022 (18.5/20, Saratoga Wine)

Where I had it: At a private tasting at the château, just south of Bormes-les-Mimosas (and east of the town of Hyères).  

How much a glass cost me: $0. I was offered a free tasting here at the end of my trip.

How much a bottle would cost you: $55. It is the estate’s most expensive wine – with good reason. At first glance, you might not think $55 for a bottle of Vin de France makes much sense, but this cuvée holds a story unlike any other wine I’ve ever tried. Madame Ferrari was the intrepid female founder who created Château Malherbe in 1941, planting several hectares of Grenache and Rolle almost entirely on her own. This wine is a blend of both grape varieties from those parcels – vinified uniquely together at harvest using the same methods that Madame Ferrari would have used when she made this wine in the 40s. It is both modern and traditional, blending both history and the future in a cuvée that will most certainly stand the test of time.

OVERALL COMPOSITE SCORE: 18/20

• DRINKABILITY SCORE: 5/5 – Wow. What a unique and stunning wine this is. Blood orange, wild strawberry, Provence garrigue. Light ruby in color (similar to a Pinot Noir from Burgundy with a bit of age on it), it’s equally tart and saline and the taste continues long after you’ve finished that first sip. An absolute wonder. There is a bit of magic in this cuvée that makes you feel like you’ve stepped back in time and are sitting across the table from the inimitable Madame Ferrari herself, circa 1945. Unbelievable.  
• PAIRABILITY SCORE: 4.5/5 – As my guide, Tristan, told me, “Sommeliers and chefs love this wine”. It’s easy to see why. This one has extraordinary gastronomic potential thanks to its complexity, salinity, minerality, and long finish. Pair it with tuna tataki, risotto, salade Niçoise, or any number of refined dishes and you won’t be disappointed. I wish I had been able to purchase a case.
• WALLET-ABILITY SCORE: 4/5 – With only 3,000 bottles made, I can understand the price, but I do with it was a little bit more affordable. That being said, this wine is one-of-a-kind. If you can get your hands on one, it is well worth that price indeed.
• THE X FACTOR SCORE: 5/5 – Ibid to the first wine I reviewed from this château as above!

WINE #16: “Petit Salé”, IGP Bouches du Rhône, Château de Roquefort, 2024 (17/20, iDealWine)

Where I had it: I enjoyed this wine at the Lilou Hotel’s fabulous restaurant on my last night in Hyères. I highly recommend a stay there if you’re planning on visiting Château Malherbe. It’s a beautiful seaside town that isn’t too overrun with tourists. The hotel was lovely and centrally located. To make things even more enticing, the restaurant was named one of the best wine lists in France, so it is truly a wine lover’s dream. Fantastic selection from some underrepresented regions and appellations. I spent a good ten minutes just perusing the list!  

How much a glass cost me: 10€, as ordered as part of my meal at the Hotel Lilou’s restaurant.

How much a bottle would cost you: $15.

OVERALL COMPOSITE SCORE: 17/20

• DRINKABILITY SCORE: 3.5/5 – You might recognize this producer from their more popular Côtes de Provence rosé cuvée, Corail. (I’ve been seeing it all over wine shops in NYC this summer.) This is one of those wines that comes alive with food but can be a bit awkward to drink on its own. It has a unique, somewhat unctuous, oily texture with notes of peach and salt.
• PAIRABILITY SCORE: 4/5 – This one needs food! It comes alive with it, and the sky is kind of the limit. While I can’t see it balancing out heavier dishes, it was incredible with my heirloom tomato and mozzarella appetizer and was even better with the tuna tataki main. This is a wine that simply belongs on a restaurant wine list!
• WALLET-ABILITY SCORE: 5/5 – For such a food-friendly, unique, fun wine, you can’t get better than $15. It’s not the kind of grand vin you’d age in a cellar forever but it’s incredible with food and I can easily see this doing well at an apéro with friends.
• THE X FACTOR SCORE: 4.5/5 – Château de Roquefort is an organic-certified domaine that implements biodynamic practices. In 2022, a woman took the helm and has continued to prioritize exceptional winemaking made possible by a profoundly deep respect for nature and the environment. I’d love to see them get that biodynamic certification – but it’s not everything. I’ll need to taste more wines from this domaine!

If you take anything away from this post, I hope it’s that you cannot sleep on the whites and reds from Provence. As the market evolves away from rosé and toward mineral-driven whites and sultry reds, it’s clear that Provence has a bright future – and it’s not salmon-colored. Thanks for reading, and see you next month!

Looking for more wine reviews? Check out the July Edition or my methodology post on Unfined + Unfiltered. Enjoy, santé !