BEAUX FRÈRES
WILLAMETTE VALLEY, OREGON 2023
WHY BUY: Beaux Frères has always dazzled us with its boldness and swagger, but the wines these days (under the direction of Artémis Domaines, which owns Chateau Latour, but still with oversight from Robert Parker, an original owner) are better than they’ve ever been. The 2023 class, including today’s haul (a 97-point Chardonnay for only $85 and a 97-point single-vineyard Pinot Noir for $115) is full of finesse, elegance and finish. Longtime fans know how exceedingly hard it is to come by bottles from this cult producer, given that you have to be on their mailing list or have an "in" at specialty wine shops (and even then good luck finding the quantity you might want). Which just makes today's offer that much more special. Snatch these up by the caseload, folks!
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING: James Suckling awarded 97-point scores to both the Vineyard Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, calling the former "smooth, suave and spicy," with "wonderful, lively fruit and savory accents," while praising the Chardonnay as "so layered, textural, minerally and savory" with "brilliant acidity" and "lemon curd, marzipan and hazelnuts that expand on the finish." Decanter was taken with the Willamette Valley Pinot, remarking, in a 95-point rave, how "opulence from the non-estate site marries with angularity and freshness" with "effusive rose petals" and "explosive red fruits" showing "brilliant textures" and "bright mineral salinity."
OUR TASTING NOTES: The single-vineyard Pinot carries itself like Oregon royalty; we love its spicy elegance, which builds from red cherry into something more complex, with cinnamon and clove weaving through without either taking over. The biodynamic farming shows in every sip; there's a purity here that feels fresh and almost electric. The Chardonnay surprised me with its mineral drive. This isn't in a fruit-forward California style but rather something more like white Burgundy, albeit with Oregon's characteristic brightness. Its chalky minerality is pronounced, but also deft, and we love the way a note of hazelnuts appear out of nowhere on the finish. As for the Willamette Valley Pinot, an appellation-level red, it brings a different energy entirely. This is a marvelously vibrant and alive wine, and the sly thing about it (and the wonderful thing about it) is that its richness and depth sneaks up on you.
THE STORY: It’s 1986, and Oregon wine country is still the Wild West. Robert Parker — yes, that Robert Parker — decides to invest in a pig farm with his brother-in-law Michael Etzel. They plant five acres of Pinot Noir in 1988, convert the old barn into a winery, and name it Beaux Frères (French, for "brothers-in-law”). It’s a massive hit, thanks to Parker’s imprimatur, and quickly evolves into a cult producer revered across the country and the world. Today, another Etzel, Michael D, runs the show under new ownership by Artémis Domaines, the same group behind Château Latour. The younger Etzel learned his craft working at Drouhin and Lafon, then returned home to tweak and update what his elders had done. Where the original wines emphasized power and extraction (Parker's preferred style) the current generation focuses on elegance and terroir expression, and that’s precisely what these wines deliver, and with elan.
WHAT TO PAIR THEM WITH: Big, bold wines need big, bold flavors. For the Pinots, that means roast duck breast with Calvados apples, or lamb with herbs de Provence. The Chardonnay works beautifully with nearly any seafood (but oysters best of all), and it’s the ultimate dance partner for an herbed roast chicken.
FUN FACT: When Michael D. visits his uncle Robert Parker's cellar, according to the collector's website The Buyer, he’s invited to "pick whatever wine you want" from caverns filled with "30-year-old Rayas, every vintage, every First Growth.” A pretty nice bit of swag for a winemaker who aims for greatness every time out.
OUR GUARANTEE: As always, we only buy and source directly from the winery to ensure that your wines arrive as they should: with pristine provenance. With Beaux Frères' notorious allocation system and cult following, secure your bottles and cases today before it’s too late!
*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Summer 2026. With the supply chain issues that we are seeing globally, there may be some unforeseen delays which could affect the ETA. All sale prices are the lowest available at Total Wine & More and ONLY valid through Concierge Sales. No further discounts or coupons may be applied. Offer not valid in DC, DE, KS, KY, LA, MI, NE, NM, NY, OK, or TN. This offer is valid for TWO WEEKS, or until sold out, and will expire on Sunday, March 29th, 2026.