Our onboard wine whisperer Arthur Charpentier – here to keep your glass as full as your sails as we fall in to the chillier months
As the days grow shorter and the ocean breeze turns crisp, there’s no better time to retreat to the warmth of your yacht’s salon, slip into cashmere, and uncork something soul-soothing. Autumn is red wine season—rich, comforting, and full of personality. And yes, we’ve got a few white gems too, because sometimes roast chicken and mushroom risotto deserve their own liquid spotlight.
Here’s your definitive guide to sipping in style this fall, from the misty slopes of Burgundy to the sun-drenched terraces of Napa—and even high in the Andes. Buckle up (or anchor up), we’re going full-throttle into flavor.
Pinot Noir – Burgundy’s Autumn Poet
Pinot Noir is like the symphony of fall in a glass: delicate, earthy, and nuanced. Especially in Burgundy, where it truly sings.
Our Pick: 2018 Chambertin Clos de Bèze – Louis Jadot
Rated 96 points by The Wine Advocate, this is no shy wallflower. Expect waves of cherries, cassis, wild berries, laced with hints of cinnamon, raw cocoa, dark chocolate, and orange zest. The texture? Velvety. The finish? Grandiose. It’s the kind of wine that makes roast duck or truffle tagliatelle feel like a Michelin experience.
Syrah – Rhône Valley’s Bold Charmer
For those who like their reds with a little more swagger, Syrah from the Rhône delivers a robust punch—with plenty of charm.
Wine to Know: Ermitage Le Pavillon Rouge – Michel Chapoutier 2012
Hand-harvested just shy of over-ripeness (because perfection doesn’t happen by accident), this 100% Syrah stunner is both powerful and poised. It reveals cassis, raspberry, crushed flowers, smoky earth, and that irresistible granite edge from the Les Bessards vineyard. Robert Parker dropped a 100-point bomb on this bottle—and we can see why. It’s what you’d serve after a day of offshore sailing.
Bordeaux Reds – Autumn’s Velvet Armor
Ah, Bordeaux. Where Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc swirl in harmony, and the wines wear their structure like a tailored tuxedo.
Showstopper: 2016 Château Pavie (Saint-Émilion)
A 100-point darling of The Wine Advocate, Pavie 2016 is a seductive force. Notes of violets, chocolate-covered cherries, blueberries, and eucalyptus evolve into plum preserves, kirsch, and cassis. It’s got shoulders like a rugby forward but glides across the palate like a ballerina. Pop this when you’re serving côte de boeuf on the aft deck—or just feeling dramatic under the autumn moonlight.
Napa Valley Reds – Cabernet on Steroids (the good kind)
“A single sip of this wine, and you’ll never look at wine the same way again.” That’s what I’ve always wanted to tell a client. But I’ve never had the chance to open one —This is the kind of wine that is as rare as a second glass of it—because the first usually ruins you for everything else…
That Wine: 2014 Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)
One word: transcendent. Inky to the rim, it explodes with white flowers, crème de cassis, blackberry, boysenberry, and forest floor. The palate is monumental—concentrated, perfectly balanced, with a finish that might outlast your charter season. Yes, 100 points again. This is what you open when your yacht hosts royalty—or when you just feel like you are.
One for the Globe-Trotters – Mendoza’s Masterpiece
We couldn’t write an autumn wine list without tipping our captain’s hat to South America.
Don’t Miss: 2019 Cheval des Andes (Mendoza, Argentina)
A collaboration between Cheval Blanc and the Las Compuertas terroir, this wine is the Argentine echo of Bordeaux elegance. Juicy Malbec meets structured Cabernet Sauvignon in a wine bursting with cherry, blackcurrant, blood orange, licorice, and spice. Winemaker Gérald Gabillet’s precision elevates every sip. Deep, suave, and age-worthy.
White Wines for Autumn – Because Not Everything Needs to Be Red to Be Right
Chardonnay – Burgundy’s Golden Treasure
When the chill creeps in, Burgundian Chardonnay brings warmth, elegance, and that just-right creamy touch. These whites are made for pairing with roast chicken in tarragon cream or a quiet evening watching the sunset from the flybridge.
Crown Jewel: 2013 Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru – Domaine Leflaive Ask any true wine lover who rules Chardonnay in Burgundy, and they’ll name Leflaive. Biodynamic farming, tiny yields, and astronomical demand (and yes, price) make these bottles rare treasures. The 2013 vintage is everything: dried honey, brioche, orange blossom, and flinty finesse. Sophisticated and soaring. 95 points from The Wine Advocate, and worth every drop.
California Chardonnay – The Bold Cousin with World-Class Taste
If Burgundy is royalty, California is the star of the silver screen—charismatic, confident, and impossible to ignore.
Star of the West: 2021 Peter Michael ‘Belle Côte’ Chardonnay (Knights Valley, Sonoma)
From a winery founded by British visionary Sir Peter Michael, this is New World opulence done right. Candied peach, apricot, roasted almonds, spring honey, a whisper of matchstick… and then that flinty, bright finish. Rich yet poised, generous yet elegant—it’s a glass of golden hour. Best enjoyed barefoot on deck, with grilled lobster.
Final Word from the Sommelier’s Logbook
Wine, like sailing, is about timing, balance, and the pleasure of the journey. This autumn, whether you’re docked in Saint-Tropez or cruising through the Ionian, let your glass reflect the season: rich, layered, and full of character.
So go ahead—decant something divine, cozy up under the stars, and toast to good taste wherever the tide takes you.
