France - All Red Wines
France stands as the epitome of excellence when it comes to crafting red wines that showcase the diversity of terroirs, grape varieties, and winemaking traditions.
In Bordeaux, the renowned Left Bank vineyards of Château Lafite Rothschild, Château Margaux, Château Latour, and Château Haut-Brion epitomize the artistry of winemaking. These prestigious estates craft red wines that blend Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec, resulting in wines of depth, structure, and complexity. The wines from the Right Bank, such as those from Pétrus, Château Ausone, and Château Cheval Blanc, offer elegance, refinement, and a focus on Merlot as the dominant grape variety.
In Burgundy, the Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune regions are home to iconic vineyards like Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Domaine Leroy, and Domaine Armand Rousseau. These vineyards produce world-renowned Pinot Noir wines that showcase finesse, complexity, and a captivating expression of their unique terroirs.
The Rhône Valley boasts appellations such as Hermitage, Côte-Rôtie, and Châteauneuf-du-Pape. In Hermitage, producers like Jean-Louis Chave and Domaine Jean-Louis Grippat craft powerful and age-worthy Syrah-based wines with immense structure and complexity. Côte-Rôtie is known for its elegant and perfumed Syrah wines, while Châteauneuf-du-Pape combines a blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre to create bold and full-bodied wines.
Moving to the Loire Valley, the vineyards of Chinon and Saumur-Champigny shine with exceptional Cabernet Franc wines. Producers such as Charles Joguet and Domaine Guiberteau showcase the region's ability to craft wines of finesse, with notes of red fruits, spice, and a characteristic herbal undertone.
Finally, in the south, the Languedoc-Roussillon region is celebrated for its bold and robust red wines. Vineyards like Mas de Daumas Gassac and Domaine Gauby produce powerful and expressive wines that highlight the region's warm climate and diverse terroirs.
France - All Red Wines
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Wine Advocate (95)
The 2011 Nuits-St-Georges 1er Cru Aux Boudots is slightly deeper in color compared to the Aux Vignerondes while the bouquet is very different, more marine-influenced, slightly estuarine. The palate is medium-bodied with a heavenly satin-like entry. The acidity is perfectly pitched, this Nuits building in the mouth toward a complete, harmonious, almost Romanee-Saint-Vivant like finish that caresses the mouth and exudes wonderful mineralite. This transcends the vintage.Inc. VAT£13,172.42 -
Inc. VAT£5,782.40
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Inc. VAT£15,310.82
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Wine Advocate (95)
The 2011 Nuits-St-Georges Aux Lavieres has a nose born of the sky more than the earth: airy, lifted and feminine. Touches of cold limestone emerge with time that are entrancing. The palate is vibrant and vital on the entry with a silver thread of acidity, a gradual build in the mouth with shimmering dark cherry and bergamot, then a gentle grip on the tense and teasing Vosne-like finish. Superb.Inc. VAT£3,464.00 -
Wine Advocate (90)
The 2011 Pommard Les Vignots was bottled December 2012. It has a complex, slightly earthy bouquet with subtle marine influences, defined and focused with hints of black olive emerging with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with fine focus, imbued with an Oriental edge (hoisin) which is folded into a fine silky finish. Drink now-2020.Inc. VAT£4,565.60 -
Wine Advocate (90)
The 2011 Pommard Les Vignots was bottled December 2012. It has a complex, slightly earthy bouquet with subtle marine influences, defined and focused with hints of black olive emerging with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with fine focus, imbued with an Oriental edge (hoisin) which is folded into a fine silky finish. Drink now-2020.Inc. VAT£9,009.62 -
Wine Advocate (96)
The 2011 Vosne-Romanee 1er Cru Les Beaux Monts had a slight reduction on the nose that soon blows away. The fruit is darker and broodier here than Aux Brulees with mulberry, raspberry, wild hedgerow and a touch of black olive compote. The palate is medium-bodied with firm, structured tannins lending this Vosne a firm backbone. It is beautifully balanced and extremely pure, not a hair out of place toward the delineated, feminine finish. This should age beautifully – the laser-like focus absolutely riveting.Inc. VAT£6,706.40 -
Wine Advocate (96)
The 2011 Vosne-Romanee 1er Cru Les Beaux Monts had a slight reduction on the nose that soon blows away. The fruit is darker and broodier here than Aux Brulees with mulberry, raspberry, wild hedgerow and a touch of black olive compote. The palate is medium-bodied with firm, structured tannins lending this Vosne a firm backbone. It is beautifully balanced and extremely pure, not a hair out of place toward the delineated, feminine finish. This should age beautifully – the laser-like focus absolutely riveting.Inc. VAT£17,613.62 -
Wine Advocate (96)
The 2011 Vosne-Romanee 1er Cru Les Beaux Monts had a slight reduction on the nose that soon blows away. The fruit is darker and broodier here than Aux Brulees with mulberry, raspberry, wild hedgerow and a touch of black olive compote. The palate is medium-bodied with firm, structured tannins lending this Vosne a firm backbone. It is beautifully balanced and extremely pure, not a hair out of place toward the delineated, feminine finish. This should age beautifully – the laser-like focus absolutely riveting.Inc. VAT£29,184.04 -
Inc. VAT£15,336.74
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Wine Advocate (92)
This tiny jewel of a property, situated close to La Mission-Haut-Brion and Haut-Brion, has turned out one of the stars of the 2011 vintage. A deep dark ruby/purple color is followed by hints of graphite, charcoal, creme de cassis and Christmas fruitcake. This medium-bodied Pessac-Leognan is gorgeously concentrated with impeccably well-integrated acidity, tannin, alcohol and oak. An authoritatively long finish adds to the class and nobility of this wine. Drink it over the next 15 years.Inc. VAT£866.44 -
Wine Enthusiast (93)
This wine is characterized by both structure and rich fruitiness. A dark, smoky character brings out the solid tannins that underlie the black currant fruitiness and the balance. Although it doesn't have power, an intensity gives a flavor that lasts in the mouth. Drink this wine from 2018.Inc. VAT£2,188.87 -
Wine Enthusiast (93)
This wine is characterized by both structure and rich fruitiness. A dark, smoky character brings out the solid tannins that underlie the black currant fruitiness and the balance. Although it doesn't have power, an intensity gives a flavor that lasts in the mouth. Drink this wine from 2018.Inc. VAT£1,272.04 -
Vinous (91+)
Medium red. Brooding aromas of dark fruits, mint and menthol. Rich and deep on the palate, with spicy red fruit flavors lifted by a note of orange peel. Finishes with substantial dusty tannins and juicy persistence.Inc. VAT£810.04 -
Vinous (94-97)
Good medium red. Extravagantly complex nose combines raspberry, wild rose, crushed rock, clove, mocha and wild herbs. Wonderfully subtle, spherical and nuanced, communicating an almost 3-D texture to the flavors of red berries, spices, licorice, herbs and flowers. The wine's firm spine of tannins is utterly covered by lush, fleshy fruit today. The thick, slowly rising finish washes over the palate like a wave.Inc. VAT£1,518.04 -
Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (90-92)
Medium red, less bright than the Feusselottes. Reticent nose hints at crushed stone. Silky-sweet on entry, then surprisingly open-knit in the middle, with sweet berry and mineral flavors carrying nicely through a broad, fine-grained finish. Has the stuffing to support its smooth tannins. (My sample of the Chambolle-Musigny Baudes was locked up tight and in a dry phase; it will require revisiting next year in bottle.)Inc. VAT£559.49 -
Vinous (95)
Bright, full medium red. Knockout nose shows an almost candied character to the aromas of strawberry, cherry, dark berries, lavender, menthol and Indian spices. Dense, suave and juicy, with a distinctly silky texture to the broad flavors of red fruits, menthol and spices. Utterly seamless, suave, classically dry Chapelle with outstanding energy and definition. Still tight today but the wine's fine-grained tannins and superb breadth and length suggest that it will make a great bottle a decade hence.Inc. VAT£1,094.44 -
Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (91-94)
Good medium red. Expressive aromas of black cherry, licorice and menthol; reduced today but very Clos Vougeot. Dense and vibrant, with very good underlying spine to its black fruit flavors. Finishes with substantial ripe tannins and excellent length. A serious Clos Vougeot in the making.Inc. VAT£601.24 -
Wine Spectator (91)
A layer of resinous oak shades the cherry and raspberry fruit. Spice and mineral accents show up, but for now this is austere. Should come together nicely, as the finish shows promise. Best from 2017 through 2030. 200 cases made.Inc. VAT£583.24 -
Wine Spectator (92)
An expressive, fluid red, with cherry, raspberry, spice and mineral flavors riding the vibrant structure to a lingering conclusion. The tannins show up on the finish but are buffered by sweet fruit. Best from 2016 through 2030. 366 cases made. -BSInc. VAT£2,060.44 -
Vinous (88-89)
Palish red. Soil-driven aromas of mocha, smoked meat, pepper and underbrush. Quit pliant and sweet in the mouth, but showing only moderate clarity and depth. A flavor of black cherry is joined by spices and a touch of greenness on the back end. I wanted more lift.Inc. VAT£812.69 -
Wine Advocate (92)
The 2011 Pommard 1er Cru Les Rugiens has a tight blackberry, bay leaf and seaweed bouquet. The palate is typically tannic and brusque on the entry with angular tannins, fine acidity and a strong saline finish. There is a hint of bitter chocolate on the aftertaste, perhaps from a touch of wood that needs time to be absorbed, therefore I suggest affording this Pommard several years in bottle – there is a lot of energy in this wine. Drink 2016-2030.Inc. VAT£737.09 -
Jancis Robinson (17+)
Outstanding blackcurrant fruit with a long, intense, flavoursome palate. Fine but extremely powerful tannin which deserves much more bottle age. Impressive and intense without being over-extracted. (RH)Inc. VAT£1,399.20 -
Jancis Robinson (17+)
Outstanding blackcurrant fruit with a long, intense, flavoursome palate. Fine but extremely powerful tannin which deserves much more bottle age. Impressive and intense without being over-extracted. (RH)Inc. VAT£1,852.80 -
Wine Enthusiast (95)
A solidly structured wine, it is both elegant and intensely powerful. It is disclosing its fruitiness slowly, at the moment dense and concentrated. A restrained edge provides complexity and balance. It will need aging, so don't drink before 2022.Inc. VAT£5,298.00 -
Wine Enthusiast (95)
A solidly structured wine, it is both elegant and intensely powerful. It is disclosing its fruitiness slowly, at the moment dense and concentrated. A restrained edge provides complexity and balance. It will need aging, so don't drink before 2022.Inc. VAT£4,421.26 -
Wine Enthusiast (95)
A solidly structured wine, it is both elegant and intensely powerful. It is disclosing its fruitiness slowly, at the moment dense and concentrated. A restrained edge provides complexity and balance. It will need aging, so don't drink before 2022.Inc. VAT£683.60 -
Wine Enthusiast (95)
A solidly structured wine, it is both elegant and intensely powerful. It is disclosing its fruitiness slowly, at the moment dense and concentrated. A restrained edge provides complexity and balance. It will need aging, so don't drink before 2022.Inc. VAT£2,792.44 -
Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (91-93)
Bright full red. Red fruit aromas are perked up by pepper and spices. Dense and backward, in a distinctly masculine style. The pepper and spice flavors are given a penetrating quality by the wine's firm spine of acids and tannins. Youthfully imploded today but there's superb red fruit intensity here. Finishes vibrant and long, with slowly expanding fruit and spice flavors. This should evolve gracefully in bottle.Inc. VAT£861.64 -
Vinous (93-96)
Saturated bright, deep red. Sappy black cherry, wild herbs, tea leaf and exotic spices on the complex but subdued nose. Broad, rich, deep and classically dry, with a saline character contributing to the impression of density and extract. Very complete but backward Richebourg with a lovely rising aftertaste featuring well-buffered, ripe tannins.Inc. VAT£2,415.20
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Wine Advocate (95)
The 2011 Nuits-St-Georges 1er Cru Aux Boudots is slightly deeper in color compared to the Aux Vignerondes while the bouquet is very different, more marine-influenced, slightly estuarine. The palate is medium-bodied with a heavenly satin-like entry. The acidity is perfectly pitched, this Nuits building in the mouth toward a complete, harmonious, almost Romanee-Saint-Vivant like finish that caresses the mouth and exudes wonderful mineralite. This transcends the vintage.In Bond£10,969.00 -
In Bond£4,816.00
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In Bond£12,751.00
-
Wine Advocate (95)
The 2011 Nuits-St-Georges Aux Lavieres has a nose born of the sky more than the earth: airy, lifted and feminine. Touches of cold limestone emerge with time that are entrancing. The palate is vibrant and vital on the entry with a silver thread of acidity, a gradual build in the mouth with shimmering dark cherry and bergamot, then a gentle grip on the tense and teasing Vosne-like finish. Superb.In Bond£2,884.00 -
Wine Advocate (90)
The 2011 Pommard Les Vignots was bottled December 2012. It has a complex, slightly earthy bouquet with subtle marine influences, defined and focused with hints of black olive emerging with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with fine focus, imbued with an Oriental edge (hoisin) which is folded into a fine silky finish. Drink now-2020.In Bond£3,802.00 -
Wine Advocate (90)
The 2011 Pommard Les Vignots was bottled December 2012. It has a complex, slightly earthy bouquet with subtle marine influences, defined and focused with hints of black olive emerging with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with fine focus, imbued with an Oriental edge (hoisin) which is folded into a fine silky finish. Drink now-2020.In Bond£7,500.00 -
Wine Advocate (96)
The 2011 Vosne-Romanee 1er Cru Les Beaux Monts had a slight reduction on the nose that soon blows away. The fruit is darker and broodier here than Aux Brulees with mulberry, raspberry, wild hedgerow and a touch of black olive compote. The palate is medium-bodied with firm, structured tannins lending this Vosne a firm backbone. It is beautifully balanced and extremely pure, not a hair out of place toward the delineated, feminine finish. This should age beautifully – the laser-like focus absolutely riveting.In Bond£5,586.00 -
Wine Advocate (96)
The 2011 Vosne-Romanee 1er Cru Les Beaux Monts had a slight reduction on the nose that soon blows away. The fruit is darker and broodier here than Aux Brulees with mulberry, raspberry, wild hedgerow and a touch of black olive compote. The palate is medium-bodied with firm, structured tannins lending this Vosne a firm backbone. It is beautifully balanced and extremely pure, not a hair out of place toward the delineated, feminine finish. This should age beautifully – the laser-like focus absolutely riveting.In Bond£14,670.00 -
Wine Advocate (96)
The 2011 Vosne-Romanee 1er Cru Les Beaux Monts had a slight reduction on the nose that soon blows away. The fruit is darker and broodier here than Aux Brulees with mulberry, raspberry, wild hedgerow and a touch of black olive compote. The palate is medium-bodied with firm, structured tannins lending this Vosne a firm backbone. It is beautifully balanced and extremely pure, not a hair out of place toward the delineated, feminine finish. This should age beautifully – the laser-like focus absolutely riveting.In Bond£24,304.00 -
In Bond£12,771.00
-
Wine Advocate (92)
This tiny jewel of a property, situated close to La Mission-Haut-Brion and Haut-Brion, has turned out one of the stars of the 2011 vintage. A deep dark ruby/purple color is followed by hints of graphite, charcoal, creme de cassis and Christmas fruitcake. This medium-bodied Pessac-Leognan is gorgeously concentrated with impeccably well-integrated acidity, tannin, alcohol and oak. An authoritatively long finish adds to the class and nobility of this wine. Drink it over the next 15 years.In Bond£706.00 -
Wine Enthusiast (93)
This wine is characterized by both structure and rich fruitiness. A dark, smoky character brings out the solid tannins that underlie the black currant fruitiness and the balance. Although it doesn't have power, an intensity gives a flavor that lasts in the mouth. Drink this wine from 2018.In Bond£1,792.00 -
Wine Enthusiast (93)
This wine is characterized by both structure and rich fruitiness. A dark, smoky character brings out the solid tannins that underlie the black currant fruitiness and the balance. Although it doesn't have power, an intensity gives a flavor that lasts in the mouth. Drink this wine from 2018.In Bond£1,044.00 -
Vinous (91+)
Medium red. Brooding aromas of dark fruits, mint and menthol. Rich and deep on the palate, with spicy red fruit flavors lifted by a note of orange peel. Finishes with substantial dusty tannins and juicy persistence.In Bond£659.00 -
Vinous (94-97)
Good medium red. Extravagantly complex nose combines raspberry, wild rose, crushed rock, clove, mocha and wild herbs. Wonderfully subtle, spherical and nuanced, communicating an almost 3-D texture to the flavors of red berries, spices, licorice, herbs and flowers. The wine's firm spine of tannins is utterly covered by lush, fleshy fruit today. The thick, slowly rising finish washes over the palate like a wave.In Bond£1,249.00 -
Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (90-92)
Medium red, less bright than the Feusselottes. Reticent nose hints at crushed stone. Silky-sweet on entry, then surprisingly open-knit in the middle, with sweet berry and mineral flavors carrying nicely through a broad, fine-grained finish. Has the stuffing to support its smooth tannins. (My sample of the Chambolle-Musigny Baudes was locked up tight and in a dry phase; it will require revisiting next year in bottle.)In Bond£447.00 -
Vinous (95)
Bright, full medium red. Knockout nose shows an almost candied character to the aromas of strawberry, cherry, dark berries, lavender, menthol and Indian spices. Dense, suave and juicy, with a distinctly silky texture to the broad flavors of red fruits, menthol and spices. Utterly seamless, suave, classically dry Chapelle with outstanding energy and definition. Still tight today but the wine's fine-grained tannins and superb breadth and length suggest that it will make a great bottle a decade hence.In Bond£896.00 -
Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (91-94)
Good medium red. Expressive aromas of black cherry, licorice and menthol; reduced today but very Clos Vougeot. Dense and vibrant, with very good underlying spine to its black fruit flavors. Finishes with substantial ripe tannins and excellent length. A serious Clos Vougeot in the making.In Bond£485.00 -
Wine Spectator (91)
A layer of resinous oak shades the cherry and raspberry fruit. Spice and mineral accents show up, but for now this is austere. Should come together nicely, as the finish shows promise. Best from 2017 through 2030. 200 cases made.In Bond£470.00 -
Wine Spectator (92)
An expressive, fluid red, with cherry, raspberry, spice and mineral flavors riding the vibrant structure to a lingering conclusion. The tannins show up on the finish but are buffered by sweet fruit. Best from 2016 through 2030. 366 cases made. -BSIn Bond£1,701.00 -
Vinous (88-89)
Palish red. Soil-driven aromas of mocha, smoked meat, pepper and underbrush. Quit pliant and sweet in the mouth, but showing only moderate clarity and depth. A flavor of black cherry is joined by spices and a touch of greenness on the back end. I wanted more lift.In Bond£658.00 -
Wine Advocate (92)
The 2011 Pommard 1er Cru Les Rugiens has a tight blackberry, bay leaf and seaweed bouquet. The palate is typically tannic and brusque on the entry with angular tannins, fine acidity and a strong saline finish. There is a hint of bitter chocolate on the aftertaste, perhaps from a touch of wood that needs time to be absorbed, therefore I suggest affording this Pommard several years in bottle – there is a lot of energy in this wine. Drink 2016-2030.In Bond£595.00 -
Jancis Robinson (17+)
Outstanding blackcurrant fruit with a long, intense, flavoursome palate. Fine but extremely powerful tannin which deserves much more bottle age. Impressive and intense without being over-extracted. (RH)Inc. VAT£1,399.20 -
Jancis Robinson (17+)
Outstanding blackcurrant fruit with a long, intense, flavoursome palate. Fine but extremely powerful tannin which deserves much more bottle age. Impressive and intense without being over-extracted. (RH)Inc. VAT£1,852.80 -
Wine Enthusiast (95)
A solidly structured wine, it is both elegant and intensely powerful. It is disclosing its fruitiness slowly, at the moment dense and concentrated. A restrained edge provides complexity and balance. It will need aging, so don't drink before 2022.Inc. VAT£5,298.00 -
Wine Enthusiast (95)
A solidly structured wine, it is both elegant and intensely powerful. It is disclosing its fruitiness slowly, at the moment dense and concentrated. A restrained edge provides complexity and balance. It will need aging, so don't drink before 2022.In Bond£3,663.00 -
Wine Enthusiast (95)
A solidly structured wine, it is both elegant and intensely powerful. It is disclosing its fruitiness slowly, at the moment dense and concentrated. A restrained edge provides complexity and balance. It will need aging, so don't drink before 2022.In Bond£567.00 -
Wine Enthusiast (95)
A solidly structured wine, it is both elegant and intensely powerful. It is disclosing its fruitiness slowly, at the moment dense and concentrated. A restrained edge provides complexity and balance. It will need aging, so don't drink before 2022.In Bond£2,311.00 -
Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (91-93)
Bright full red. Red fruit aromas are perked up by pepper and spices. Dense and backward, in a distinctly masculine style. The pepper and spice flavors are given a penetrating quality by the wine's firm spine of acids and tannins. Youthfully imploded today but there's superb red fruit intensity here. Finishes vibrant and long, with slowly expanding fruit and spice flavors. This should evolve gracefully in bottle.In Bond£702.00 -
Vinous (93-96)
Saturated bright, deep red. Sappy black cherry, wild herbs, tea leaf and exotic spices on the complex but subdued nose. Broad, rich, deep and classically dry, with a saline character contributing to the impression of density and extract. Very complete but backward Richebourg with a lovely rising aftertaste featuring well-buffered, ripe tannins.In Bond£2,010.00