Sébastien Vincenti's 2023 Domaine de Fondrèche Ventoux Rouge has knocked our socks off!

Earning an impressive 94-point review from Jeb Dunnuck, this lovingly crafted Southern Rhône red is loaded with purity, character, freshness and deliciousness, and it sells for a song.

At $19.99, this stuff is going to fly. Read on for the tasting notes, and for a crack at James Bond's favorite Champagne, then hit the Big Green Button to get in on the action!

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2023 Domaine de Fondrèche Ventoux Rouge
Southern Rhône Valley, France
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Sébastien crafts this irresistible blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre from 45-year old, certified organic vines planted on a plateau of rocky alluvial and limestone soils topped with a veneer of clay and sand.

Gobs of red fruit pop immediately, gaining heft and twisting into a darker hue of black raspberry with exposure to air. If you can imagine the stylistic merger of a ripe red Burgundy and a finessed Châteauneuf-du-Pape, then you're on the right track.

On the palate are notes of peppery herbs, wildflowers and boysenberry along with a lively streak of limestone minerality that will quickly have you coming back for another sip. As much about texture and mouthfeel as it is the fruit, it is delicious, pure and balanced from start to finish...

“Brought up in foudre and concrete, the 2023 Ventoux Domaine is deep ruby/purple-hued and has a brilliant perfume of peppery red and blackberries, pepper, creamy flowers, and smoked meats. Based on 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah, and 10% Mourvèdre, it's medium-bodied and has a pure, layered, focused mouthfeel, fine tannins, and a great finish. It has incredibly well-integrated oak and is going to evolve gracefully over the coming 10-15 years. There are roughly 3,300 cases produced. Drink 2025-2038.”
          - 94 Points, Jeb Dunnuck (11/11/2025)

Catching artisan wine of this quality for twenty bucks is rare. The quality-to-price ratio here is simply fantastic.

Vin Chicago Price: 19.99

Bollinger is Back at Vin Chicago!

Bollinger "Special Cuvée"
Champagne, France
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What can we say? As giddy as we get nerding out over grower-producer Champagnes, we can’t help but have our favorites among the Grandes Marques, and Bollinger is right there at the top of the list. James Bond, after all, can’t be wrong!

With a high amount of reserve wine and a balanced but never stingy dosage, the Pinot Noir dominated Bollinger “Special Cuvée” is a legit regal bottle of Champagne. Taste it in a lineup of 50 Champagnes, and you'd have no problem picking it out. It's that distinctive, and it is that good. Simply put, there is only one Bolly.

“A vibrant, graceful Champagne that shows fine definition and integration, with a mouthwatering frame of acidity. The persistent, lacy mousse is enmeshed with an appealing range of ripe and juicy black cherry and boysenberry fruit, blood orange granita, candied ginger and chopped almond flavors. Long and well-spiced on the chalky finish. Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier. Drink now through 2035."
          - 93 Points, Wine Spectator (11/30/2025)

“The NV Champagne Special Cuvée (60% Pinot Noir and based on the 2021 harvest) pours a bright yellow/silver hue on opening and reveals a fresh and actually more mineral-driven profile on the nose than I was expecting, revealing layers of fresh raspberries, brioche, wet stone, and orange blossoms. The palate is medium to full-bodied and classically rounded, as you would come to expect from this house, but it retains good tension and a silky, chalky texture, with an ultra-fine mousse, salinity in its notes of grapefruit zest and almond, and a creamy texture through the finish. It’s very well-styled and is going to drink well over the next 10 years. They always try to have 8-10 vintages the blend, the oldest being 18 years (15 years when it goes into the bottle). 8 grams per liter dosage.”
          - 93+ Points, Jeb Dunnuck (12/20/2024)

“A polished palate of fine bubbles with pears, light bread dough and caramel undertones. Medium-bodied with pretty toasted-oak and vanilla flavors. Refined finish. Touch of quince and grapefruit with dried apples. Base wine 2021 plus nine different vintages. A blend of 61% pinot noir, 25% chardonnay and 14% pinot meunier. Drink now."
          - 93 Points, James Suckling (7/18/2025)

Wine Spectator quotes $120, which seems on the high side for what this wine normally sells for. Our price is right in the sweet spot.

Vin Chicago Price: 69.99