Plus: a blind tasting I epically failed.
May was my busiest wine tasting month to date, with over 50 wines tasted (!). Between some majorly memorable wine dinners and my first significant paid partnership of the year, it was busy. I had a bit of Burgundy tasting amnesia, so this month’s round-up doesn’t feature all 50 wines I tried. Instead, I’m sharing with you the standouts: from a noteworthy Givry to a stellar Languedoc red that needs to be on your summer must-drink list. Here are the highlights from everything I tried in May.
WINE #1: Chablis, Domaine de Vauroux 2022 (15/20, Wine.com)
Where I had it: On a double date with my husband and some friends on a Saturday night. I’d been craving Thai food all week (I blame White Lotus) so we stopped by Thai Villa in Flatiron. They make a good Pad Thai but – as we discovered – the rest of their offerings were not great. While I can’t recommend the restaurant, I will say their wine list was excellent so whoever is managing beverage over there is doing a fantastic job. I saw this Chablis sandwiched between an Alsatian Riesling and a Finger Lakes Pinot Gris and thought, “Ok, I’ll bite.”
How much a glass cost me: $18. Like last month’s experience at Nudibranch, this was another classically overpriced restaurant wine. It is what it is – but we can’t ask ourselves why more people don’t drink wine with dinner when we’re charging them almost exactly what a bottle costs for one glass. This part of the industry is going to need some serious reinvention to survive the next decade.
How much a bottle would cost you: $23. Now that’s a great price for a solid bottle of Chablis.
OVERALL COMPOSITE SCORE: 15/20
- DRINKABILITY SCORE: 3.5/5 – Simple, clean, classic. It was all lemon zest and mineral chalk. Stable, predictable. There’s just something delicious about a reliable Chablis and this one had what I needed that night. It wasn’t quite as complex or mineral as I tend to prefer my Chablis, so it loses a little point there, but it’s a good drink regardless.
- PAIRABILITY SCORE: 4/5 – This is a fabulous wine for a Thai restaurant. I paired it with shrimp pad thai royale but I could also see this going well with a mild curry, or even a chicken satay. It’s easy, doesn’t take itself too seriously, and has great acidity to balance any sweetness or umami in Thai food.
- WALLET-ABILITY SCORE: 4/5 – For the bottle, this price is unbeatable. For a glass, not quite, so it loses a point because of crazy NYC restaurant costs. (Certainly not the fault of the producer!) Grab yourself a bottle from Wine.com and bring it to a BYOB Thai spot near you. That combo won’t hurt your wallet and will keep your tastebuds singing.
- THE X FACTOR SCORE: 3.5/5 – Domaine Vauroux has been a family-owned domaine since in 1972. They get points for keeping things small and intentional, but I was not able to find much of any information at all about environmental practices, pesticide use, biodiversity in the vineyard, etc. There are so many fantastic small producers in Chablis who practice organic growing and winemaking and I’d love to see Vauroux join the fray.
WINE #2: Minervois, Hors Champs, Jean-Baptiste Senat 2022 (16/20, MYSA Wine)
Where I had it: After dinner at that Thai spot, my husband and I ventured on over to La Compagnie Flatiron for a nightcap before heading home. This place is quickly becoming one of my favorite wine bars in Manhattan. Like its other location in SoHo, the staff is the best, the food is great, and the lists are constantly changing so it’s always an adventure. I even love the understated, mid-century modern design of the place. And because it’s almost double the size of the SoHo location, there’s almost always a spot open at the bar – a rarity in NYC dining these days.
How much a glass cost me: $25. Again – high price for a glass BUT I went out on a limb this time: I tried to guess their monthly mystery wine. I’ve never dared to participate in this much-loved Compagnie tradition – I’m not the strongest blind taster on the block. That night, though? I was feeling bold. For a few extra bucks, they give you a little coaster you can write the name of the wine you’re guessing and you get parameters within which you guess: 1) it could be any bottle from the bottle list (not on the by the glass list), except 2) it’s under $200. Devastatingly, I didn’t guess this one right – more on that below.
How much a bottle would cost you: $25. What a fab price for a natural beauty like this one.
OVERALL COMPOSITE SCORE: 16/20
- DRINKABILITY SCORE: 4/5 – This is a fun, zippy patio wine. It’s glou-glou but not so glou-glou at the same time. My initial guess was that this was a natural Beaujolais thanks to the producer’s adoration of carbonic maceration and organic & biodynamic practices. (Shoutout to the somm at Compagnie that night who made me feel less crappy for not guessing it correctly because my brain went “natural Beaujolais” and I never recovered from it.) It’s crunchy red raspberries and it’s a pure delight. A great late spring sipper that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Sign me up.
- PAIRABILITY SCORE: 3/5 – We didn’t have this one with food (unless you count some stolen bar peanuts) but I think this one might be difficult to pair. I could see it working well with light appetizers like goat cheeses, crudités, salads, etc., but I don’t know if it really has the body to hold up to a full meal. In terms of what it pairs best with overall? A carefree vibe on a sunny Sunday afternoon. And at that point, do we really care about food?! Maybe just a little, but you get my point.
- WALLET-ABILITY SCORE: 4/5 – Great price for a crushable, French natural wine (restaurant pricing aside)! No notes. I paid more for the blind tasting portion, but it would probably go for around $15 a glass.
- THE X FACTOR SCORE: 5/5 – If you take away anything from my wine reviews this month, let it be this: the producers in the Languedoc are on fire. The last couple decades have harbored significant change in their approach to winemaking and some of that is arguably due to Jean-Baptiste Senat, who left Paris in search of a simpler life in the mid 1990s. He’s been making organic and natural wines in Minervois ever since with a small team of passionate men and women (the fact they’re highlighted on the website with short, complimentary personal bios tells me a lot about the kind of place it is!). I can’t wait to see how Jean-Baptiste’s domaine continues to evolve, but one thing is for sure: winemaking is a vocation and the way he values his people and the vines shines through.
WINE #3: Crémant de Loire Brut, Les Quarterons, Domaine Amirault (17/20, Solano Cellars)
Where I had it: At home with my husband on a Friday night. This was another one of our “goal” bottles set aside at the end of 2024 (every time we reach one of the goals, we open up the bottle). My husband got a new job – no easy feat in these crazy times! – so we had to open up something bubbly to celebrate.
How much a bottle cost me: $0. This was a sample.
How much a bottle would cost you: $40. Pretty on par for a great quality Crémant de Loire so I’m not mad about it.
OVERALL COMPOSITE SCORE: 17/20
- DRINKABILITY SCORE: 5/5 – Nutty, lemon-y, taut – kind of tastes like what it feels like to be on a guingette de Loire in the middle of the summer with a bucket of fresh oysters – but it’s a fancy guingette, with candles, fairy lights hung from the tents or exterior fences, and white linen tablecloths. (Does such a place exist? Probably not but a girl can dream – and if it does exist this wine belongs there.) Mouthfeel is elegant, soft, easy. Pick up a bottle of this for summer and you won’t be sorry.
- PAIRABILITY SCORE: 4/5 – Seafood is for sure the obvious pairing here, but thanks to its mineral nature, I could see it going with quite a few other dishes, too. It would cut through anything in a heavy cream sauce for a balanced bite, or if you want to save it for the winter months, risotto could be great, too.
- WALLET-ABILITY SCORE: 4/5 – Honestly, $40 for a crémant these days is a pretty good price. I’d love it if it was $5-10 cheaper, but the realities of the market are the realities of the market. Either way – worth it.
- THE X FACTOR SCORE: 4/5 – I’ve written about this domaine before and love what they’re doing (including this STELLAR Vouvray from the April wine reviews). Amirault has been organic since 2012 and biodynamic since 2013, and there is complete gender parity among its employees. A family-owned domaine, I loved reading about how they balance their expansion into a global brand with eco-responsibility. They’re doing it well, and I get the sense there’s even more ambition where that came from.
WINE #4: Givry Premier Cru, “Les Dessus”, Domaine du Cellier aux Moines 2021 (17/20, Empire State of Wine)
Where I had it: At a media dinner where I got to meet the winemakers, hosted at Craft New York. It was one of those evenings where you have to pinch yourself because you can’t believe that you’re even in the same room as some of New York’s top wine writers. (Cue the imposter syndrome and forgive me. Sometimes life just doesn’t feel real and this was one of those moments.) The food at Craft was delicious, modern, inventive and the staff was great, too. Drop by on your next night out in Flatiron.
How much a glass cost me: $0.
How much a bottle would cost you: $129. It’s pricey for the Côte Chalonnaise and it’s that price that drove down what would have been a higher rating.
OVERALL COMPOSITE SCORE: 17/20
- DRINKABILITY SCORE: 5/5 – What a beauty. I’ve written about this domaine a few times before and they just keep delivering. 2021 is one of my favorite vintages in Burgundy and Beaujolais and it was showing absolutely beautifully that evening. It was structured, layered, and silky, like a tart blackberry entremet. I have half a mind to buy a bottle and stash it away for the right moment. This one will not disappoint you. (Unless you don’t like Pinot from Burgundy, in which case, I’m not sure I can help you.)
- PAIRABILITY SCORE: 5/5 – This wine in particular was part of a vertical Givry tasting that happened before the official dinner portion of the evening, but I saved away a little taste to test it with the third course. It was beautiful with the grilled octopus and even managed to temper the spicy notes in the piquillo pepper white bean side. It’s such a solid wine that it’s difficult to imagine something it wouldn’t pair with. The possibilities here are endless!
- WALLET-ABILITY SCORE: 3/5 – I really do struggle with these prices. I love the wines dearly and every wine I’ve tried from Cellier aux Moines certainly ranks in with some of the best ones I’ve had from Burgundy this year. They deliver time and again – no matter the vintage, location, or cru level. But $129 for a red from the Côte Chalonnaise – even if a premier cru, even if a lieu-dit – feels steep. 2021 is a great vintage for Burgundy and Beaujolais, but I’m not sure at $129 it makes sense. I could see a range of $80-100 but above that is really pushing it.
- THE X FACTOR SCORE: 4/5 – I’m clearly going through a Domaine du Cellier aux Moines obsession: I wrote about their 2022 Givry Premier Cru in my January Wine Reviews and their Moulin à Vent in my March Wine Reviews. This is an organic and biodynamic domaine that’s constantly modernizing while remaining practical about what’s possible. I have no doubt they’ll continue to evolve both their “green” vineyard practices and CSR commitments as they expand.
WINE #5: Vin de France, “Petit Sauvage Rouge”, Pierre & Antonin 2022 (17.5/20, Wine.com)
Where I had it: Also at a media dinner where I got to meet the owners and winemakers, Pierre and Antonin, hosted at Juliette in Brooklyn. I don’t know what was in the water this May but French winemakers descended en masse into NYC and I was more than happy to make the most of it. Our dinner at Juliette was delicious. I’ve been there a few times but it’s been several years since my last visit. It’s still maintained its verdant and quirky ambiance and delicious, French-inspired fusion cuisine. We tasted quite a few wines from the Pierre & Antonin portfolio, but the Petit Sauvage Rouge was my favorite (and most underrated, too!).
How much a glass cost me: $0.
How much a bottle would cost you: $18. This is an absolute steal in the natural French wine space and you will not regret spending under $20 for a bottle of crushable red!
OVERALL COMPOSITE SCORE: 17.5/20
- DRINKABILITY SCORE: 5/5 – Pierre & Antonin wines exclusively use cépages résistants – hybrid and climate-resilient grape varieties, like Souvignier Gris and Cabernet Courtis. These grapes are not yet well-respected in France because they quite simply are not traditional. (I mean of course they aren’t. Climate change isn’t a “traditional” problem to solve.) The concept takes the environmental principles of organic and natural winemaking a step further, raising the bar. This was one of the first times I’ve ever tried wine made from hybrids like these from French terroir, and while I was skeptical at first, the proof is in the wine glass. Any talented winemaker with good terroir can make great wine with hybrids, and this one is no exception. 100% Cabernet Courtis. It was as if a Cabernet Franc from the Finger Lakes and a Gamay from Beaujolais had a new-age baby. Fun and zippy with balanced tannins and acidity, this is a lip-smacker that will immediately send you back for a second sip.
- PAIRABILITY SCORE: 3/5 – A fruity red wine and a quinoa bowl didn’t quite go together, but I won’t hold it against the wine. I could see Petit Sauvage Rouge pairing well with grilled meat, grilled fish, or even a cheese platter – as long as the cheeses were a little more mild. This wasn’t my favorite wine to pair with food but I don’t necessarily think that’s a bad thing. Some wines just pair better with people or occasions and that’s totally fair. Just like the red from Jean-Baptiste Senat, this is a vibe centered wine.
- WALLET-ABILITY SCORE: 5/5 – I still can’t get over the fact that this wine is $18. What a steal for a wine that is definitely going to be a crowd-pleaser at a BBQ! Check out their Pet-Nat, too – at $22 it’s another great one to have chilling in an ice bucket while the night unfolds.
- THE X FACTOR SCORE: 4.5/5 – Pierre and Antonin have not just covered the basics for this category: they’ve gone beyond it with the inclusion of the hybrid, climate resilient grape varieties. I love their forward-thinking approach. The duo’s goal is just to make great wines they love that don’t do any harm to the environment and our world. I can’t wait to see where they take things from here.
WINE #6: Petit Chablis, Domaine du Colombier 2023 (16/20, Wine.com)
Where I had it: I opened this one up to film my 1 Minute French Wine Lesson on Petit Chablis, and kept it open for a week afterward to pair it with a few different meals.
How much a bottle cost me: $0. This was a sample I received alongside a paid partnership for the region of Chablis.
How much a bottle would cost you: $25. A great price for almost anything from Burgundy but especially a Petit Chablis as good as this one.
OVERALL COMPOSITE SCORE: 16/20
- DRINKABILITY SCORE: 4/5 – Clean, crisp, mineral. It’s square and precise with a touch of lemon at the end. I hadn’t tried many wines from this producer before I worked on a partnership with the region but I’m adding them to my list so I can try some more.
- PAIRABILITY SCORE: 4/5 – I eat popcorn as an after-dinner snack multiple times a week so I try a lot of wines with it (I’m nothing if not predictable… if a popcorn brand wants to sponsor me I can totally deliver, ha!). This one was perfection with a simple movie theater style and the salt fed into the mineral of the wine for the perfect bite.
- WALLET-ABILITY SCORE: 5/5 – Now this is a steal. It’s rare these days to find anything from Burgundy with a price like this one. Go grab a few before the prices go up – you will not regret it!
- THE X FACTOR SCORE: 3/5 – From what I can gather, this domaine practices lutte raisonnée to remain flexible for weather issues. I get it, but I don’t love the use of herbicides here, so some points are lost there. It’s been a family-run domaine for over 100 years, which is quite impressive. I would love to see them take it a step further from a sustainability perspective and will be watching to see how the domaine evolves in the next couple decades.
WINE #7: Petit Chablis, Jean-Marc Brocard 2022 (17/20, Mr. D’s)
Where I had it: Date night in with my husband, followed by dinner in. Between Matt’s new job and the world spinning faster and faster for both of us, we spent most of May completely missing each other. We had a dozen networking dinners and apéros and breakfasts. It took us almost the entire month to get back together and share a meal over a night with no phones. I’m glad we had this wine for it.
How much a bottle cost me: $0. This was a sample I received alongside a paid partnership for the region of Chablis.
How much a bottle would cost you: $30. Great price for a seriously great late spring wine. I’m definitely going to be buying a few bottles of this on my own!
OVERALL COMPOSITE SCORE: 17/20
- DRINKABILITY SCORE: 4/5 – This was my favorite Chablis of the month. Lime zest and acid and salty like a day at the beach. It’s just one of those wines that’s great for laughter, conversation, and yes, a fun game of Yahtzee.
- PAIRABILITY SCORE: 4/5 – I will die on this hill: there is no better pairing for Petit Chablis than basil pesto pasta. It’s just a delight. The two go together so well it almost shames peanut butter and jelly. The lemon in the pesto and the lime in the Petit Chablis were at a constant push-pull. The salt and fat from the parmesan were cut by the white wine’s acidity. I immediately wanted another bite and another glass. Tastes like summer.
- WALLET-ABILITY SCORE: 4/5 – $30 is right on the money. I saw a few other retailers selling it for $25, which is a better deal, but it sold out at that price (understandably so!!) so I couldn’t share that link here. Still, $30 is solid for Petit Chablis, particularly for one this good.
- THE X FACTOR SCORE: 5/5 – Brocard is one of the leaders of organic and biodynamic winemaking in Chablis, with over 40+ hectares certified. It is a family-owned domaine that proudly discloses its support of two nonprofit initiatives: Mécénat Chirurgie Cardiaque, which provides grants to children with heart defects to be treated for them in France if healthcare in their home country doesn’t have the life-saving procedures available, and Terre d’Abeilles, which protects, promotes, and preserves bee populations in France. I rarely give a 5/5 for this category but this domaine really deserves it. Doing good for the land and the people who live on it in one foul swoop deserves a perfect score.
WINE #8: Chinon Rosé, “Extra Ball”, Domaine Grosbois 2023 (15.5/20, Solano Cellars)
Where I had it: At home on Memorial Day weekend. May was (shockingly?!) a terrible month for weather in NYC – it was cold and rainy almost every day. But on the Monday of Memorial Day, the skies opened up and the sun came back in time for those end-of-weekend barbecues. I think we all breathed a collective sigh of relief. Summer finally felt like it was on its way.
How much a bottle cost me: $0. This was a sample.
How much a bottle would cost you: $25.
OVERALL COMPOSITE SCORE: 15.5/20
- DRINKABILITY SCORE: 3.5/5 – More orange peel than strawberry, this glass is giving me summer party in Palm Springs. Throw on a sundress and some strappy sandals and enjoy this poolside with a salad, fish tacos, or even ceviche. It’s a little more fruit-forward than I personally like my rosés but it’s very well-made and leaves a delicious tangy after-taste that leaves you salivating.
- PAIRABILITY SCORE: 4/5 – This is a great summer rosé for anything you might be eating at that Palm Springs pool party. It could go well with everything from salads to tacos, but I actually think it might even work with ranch dressing?! That sounds wild but that’s my first inclination: that even a creamy mayo-based sauce would work well with this one. Try it out and let me know how it goes!
- WALLET-ABILITY SCORE: 4/5 – The unmatched value in the Loire continues to impress. I’ve been enjoying wines from this region for over a decade at this point and I’m always stunned when I taste yet another insanely good wine for under $30 (or sometimes – even under $18!). Obviously that’s not true for every appellation or producer but there are consistently incredible QPR deals to find in the Loire – and this is one of them.
- THE X FACTOR SCORE: 4/5 – Certified organic, biodynamic, and yes – vin nature, too – I honestly couldn’t believe this was a natural wine at first. Stunningly well-made (no offense to other great natural wine producers but sometimes things get a little crazy in that world… so crazy that a glass turns my stomach sour for the rest of the evening). The domaine also incorporates polyculture and permaculture elements into the vineyards for a more complete, balanced ecosystem. It’s also family-owned and run by two brothers: Nicolas and Sylvain. In other words: doing great things and it’s only up from here.
May might have been a packed month, but I have a feeling that June is going to be even busier – I’m going to Bordeaux for the first time in over a decade and stopping by the Decanter Fine Wine Encounter. See you next month and happy summer!
Looking for more wine reviews? Check out the April Edition or my methodology post on Unfined + Unfiltered. Enjoy, santé !
