Cf june302025

Cellar Favorite: 1952 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Romanée-Conti Grand Cru

France: Burgundy, cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites, featured

Neal Martin, Jun 2025

1952 was a significant vintage: it marked the return of the Romanée-Conti cuvée after the monopole’s ungrafted vines were pulled out following the 1945 harvest. It was a complete privilege to drink this extraordinarily rare piece of history.

Cf june232025

Cellar Favorite: 2000 Noël Verset Cornas

cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites, France: Rhône & Beaujolais

Neal Martin, Jun 2025

A recent bottle of the 2000 Cornas was a pertinent reminder of how Noël Verset’s wines can bring such joy.

Cf june162025

Cellar Favorite: 1990 Hennebelle

cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites, France: Bordeaux, featured

Neal Martin, Jun 2025

The 1990 Hennebelle is a pertinent reminder of the glories of Bordeaux, how a modest quarter-century-old Haut-Médoc could deliver such pleasure.

Cf june092025 widescreen

Cellar Favorite: 2021 Château Simone Palette Blanc

cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites, France

Neal Martin, Jun 2025

The 2021 Château Simone Blanc serves as a pertinent reminder of just how good wines from Provence can be.

Cf june22025

Cellar Favorite: 1988 Dom Ruinart Brut Rosé

cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites, France: Champagne

Neal Martin, Jun 2025

If you have bottles of the 1988 Dom Ruinart Brut Rosé left in your cellar, do not hesitate to crack them open now.

Cf may272025

Cellar Favorite: 1977 Diamond Creek Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Volcanic Hill

cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites, United States: California, napa

Neal Martin, May 2025

Even in its fourth decade, the 1977 Volcanic Hill shows little ageing in the glass, attesting to what is reputedly Diamond Creek’s longest-lived Cabernet Sauvignon.

Cf may192025

Cellar Favorite: 2004 Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey Montrachet Grand Cru

France: Burgundy, cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites

Neal Martin, May 2025

The 2004 Montrachet Grand Cru from Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey is an elusive white Burgundy that amounts to one barrel. A friend generously offered this bottle of 2004 Montrachet at a casual dinner in Beaune during Hospices weekend last November.

Cf may122025

Cellar Favorite: 2022 António Madeira Branco Vinhas Velhas

cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites, Portugal

Neal Martin, May 2025

On a recent return to Solar dos Presuntos, Lisbon’s go-to restaurant for any wine-lover, I ordered Madeira’s 2022 Branco Vinhas Velhas. Our sommelier grinned, knowing the treat in store. I was blown away.

Cf 05052025

Cellar Favorite: 2012 Domaine Tempier Bandol Cuvée Classique

cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites, France

Neal Martin, May 2025

Bandol is a gem of a wine region with a treasure trove of great wines and producers, and the most renowned of all is Domaine Tempier. During a recent dinner in London, I spotted a bottle of 2012 Bandol Cuvée Classique on the wine list. It was a no-brainer.

Cf morgon 2015 lapierre

Cellar Favorite: 2015 Marcel Lapierre Morgon Cuvée Marcel Lapierre

cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites, France: Rhône & Beaujolais

Neal Martin, Apr 2025

During my recent trip to Beaujolais, I was treated to a smattering of mature bottles that proved once again how exquisitely Gamay can age. None more so than this delectable ten-year-old Morgon popped open during my visit to one of Beaujolais’ most renowned producers, Marcel Lapierre.