Produced by Albin and Agnès Jacumin, and their son Baptiste, today's headliner wine was initially intended as an exclusive bottling for a market in northern Europe.

Alas, things do not always go according to plan. We were able to score this plush, deeply textured 2020 Châteauneuf-du-Pape from the winery at a special price. Today, we pass the savings along to you!

We feature it along with the winery's totally beautiful, hugely over-delivering Côtes du Rhône. At $14.99, quite frankly, it may be an even more exciting deal than the Châteauneuf.

Read on for the details, and for an elegant Extra Brut Champagne from Régis Poissinet, then smack down on the Big Green Button to get in on this small-estate, direct-from-France artisan action!

==========

2024 Domain Albin Jacumin “Les Bédines"
Côtes du Rhône, Southern Rhône, France
~~~~~~~~~~~
While we intended the Jacumin Châteauneuf-du-Pape to be the star today, this gem of a Côtes du Rhône really stole the show!

Generous and giving on the nose and in the mouth, its mixed dark red and black fruits are warm and inviting, layered with lovely notes of lavender and violets. A few fresh cracks of black pepper and a crushed rock earthiness results in a wine that instantly captivates.

A mouthfilling texture is beautifully balanced by lifted acidity, making this a wonderfully versatile red to drink any night of the week with nearly anything. Grilled meats are an obvious go-to, and we really enjoyed our sample bottle with pappardelle and spicy ground sausage in a light tomato sauce. 

It is absolutely crazy that we're able to bring you this blend of Grenache and small percentages of Syrah and Carignan from 40-year-old vines in the clay and sandy soils of Courthézon and Sérignan du Comtat for just fifteen bucks. There is serious character and nuance here, all in a wine that is as easy-going as can be!

As with the Châteauneuf-du-Pape, you won't find this gem of a wine anywhere else. We poured a sample last week for a customer. He took home three cases. Great stuff here!

Vin Chicago Price: 14.99

2020 Domain Albin Jacumin “La Chaise des Papes”
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhône, France
~~~~~~~~~~~
Bigger and more dense than the Côtes du Rhône, this 2020 vintage Châteauneuf-du-Pape struts its stuff with intense aromas and flavors of red and black fruits, purple flowers, black pepper, burnt ember and warm stones.

Intended as an exclusive bottling for a market in northern Europe, Jacumin’s 2020 “La Chaise des Papes” should have never made it to the US, but boy are we glad that it did.

Plush, round and totally enveloping from the first pour, this six-year-old charmer expands beautifully as you swirl it in the glass. Boasting gobs of fresh acidity and a long, long finish, it will pair perfectly with ribs or brisket. There’s plenty of power and tannin to hold up to a grilled tomahawk drenched in butter and herbs too!

Hard to resist today, the 2020 La Chaise des Papes will continue to develop layers of flavor and complexity over the coming decade. Between unpredictable tariffs and a weaker exchange rate, opportunities like this from the old world are getting harder to find. Stock up while supplies last!

Vin Chicago Price: 35.99

New Release from Régis Poissinet

Régis Poissinet ”L’Émergente” Extra Brut NV
Champagne, France
~~~~~~~~~~~
Based in the village of Cuchery, an area associated mainly with Pinot Meunier, Régis Poissinet has quickly become one of our favorite Récoltant-Manipulants, making balanced, playful and expressive Champagne that is incredibly refined and quite delicious.

A blend of 77% Pinot Meunier that was aged in tank and 23% Chardonnay that was aged in barrel, the grapes for this bottling come from his clay and silt limestone soiled certified organic and biodynamic vineyards.

As combination of fruit from the 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2022 vintages, the “L’Émergente” was disgorged in March of 2025, following extended lees aging, with a low dosage of 3 g/L. The result is a crisp, dry-yet-rich Champagne layered with complex aromas and flavors of mirabelle plum, warm apple pastry, almond flakes, cherry blossom, lemon curd, brioche, and a sprinkle of baking spice.

The bubbles are fine, persistent and soft, and - thanks to the partial barrel aging - the mouthfeel is rich, round and luxurious. We are the first in the United States to get this new bottling, and offer it to you today for a direct-from-the-winery price that beats every worldwide listing except a single one in Champagne!

Vin Chicago Price: 49.99