France
The vast and diverse wine regions of France, each with its own unique terroirs, grape varieties, and winemaking techniques, are a treasure trove.
In Bordeaux, the birthplace of some of the world's most iconic wines, esteemed vineyards such as Château Lafite Rothschild, Château Margaux, Château Latour, and Château Haut-Brion produce exceptional red wines, showcasing the art of blending Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec. The region is also renowned for its exquisite white wines, with vineyards like Château d'Yquem and Domaine de Chevalier producing legendary sweet wines.
Moving to Burgundy, the vineyards of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Domaine Leroy, and Domaine Armand Rousseau capture the essence of the region's revered terroir, crafting exquisite red wines from the Pinot Noir grape. Meanwhile, Domaine Leflaive and Domaine Coche-Dury are celebrated for their world-class white wines, predominantly made from Chardonnay.
The Champagne region, known for its sparkling wines, boasts illustrious houses such as Krug, Dom Pérignon, and Moët & Chandon, as well as grower-producers like Pierre Péters and Jacques Selosse. These vineyards create exceptional sparkling wines using the traditional method, offering a symphony of delicate bubbles, elegant flavors, and vibrant acidity.
In the Rhône Valley, iconic vineyards like Chapoutier, E. Guigal, and Château de Beaucastel produce remarkable red wines in the northern appellations of Hermitage, Côte-Rôtie, and Cornas, showcasing the elegance and power of Syrah. Further south, Châteauneuf-du-Pape is celebrated for its rich and full-bodied red blends, with Château Rayas and Clos des Papes leading the way.
In Alsace, vineyards such as Domaine Zind-Humbrecht and omaine Trimbach craft exquisite white wines, including Riesling, Gewürztraminer, and Pinot Gris, expressing the region's unique terroir and varietal character.
These are just a few highlights among the diverse array of wines that France offers. From the Loire Valley's crisp whites and elegant reds to the Languedoc-Roussillon's bold and robust wines, each region presents its own vinous treasures.
France
![Bottle of Cristal, Lafite, DRC, Rayas and Chave](https://media.cruworldwine.com/media/resized/500_300/catalog/category/France.png)
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James Suckling (94-95)
Very powerful and tannic yet salty and savory. Full body, dense and chewy yet polished and bright. Great second wine from La Mission. Only 30% merlot.Inc. VAT£1,056.07 -
James Suckling (94-95)
Very powerful and tannic yet salty and savory. Full body, dense and chewy yet polished and bright. Great second wine from La Mission. Only 30% merlot.Inc. VAT£467.63 -
James Suckling (94-95)
Very powerful and tannic yet salty and savory. Full body, dense and chewy yet polished and bright. Great second wine from La Mission. Only 30% merlot.Inc. VAT£879.67 -
Wine Advocate (94)
The 2016 La Chapelle de la Mission Haut-Brion is blended of 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36.5% Merlot and 21.5% Cabernet Franc. Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, it absolutely sings of red roses, black tea and tilled black soil with a core of crushed blackberries, Morello cherries and cassis plus a hint of cinnamon stick. Medium-bodied, the palate delivers a great intensity of ripe black berries and floral layers, framed by soft, silken tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and mineral laced.Inc. VAT£570.04 -
James Suckling (92-93)
Quite tannic but in a very attractive way with blueberries, currants and spices. Medium-bodied, tight and chewy. Show tension and texture.Inc. VAT£489.64 -
James Suckling (93-94)
A solid second wine from La Mission with currants, blackberries and hints of fresh tobacco. Oyster shell as well. Full-bodied with firm and chewy yet fine-grained tannins. Driven and long.Inc. VAT£555.64 -
Jeb Dunnuck (94-96)
The second wine of this great estate, the 2019 La Chapelle De La Mission Haut-Brion checks in as 50% Merlot, 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc. It's a brilliant second wine, offering loads of ripe blackcurrants and blueberry fruits intermixed with Asian spice, chocolate, and dried flowers. It packs some muscle as well and has a rounded, opulent texture, full body, ripe tannins, and a great finish. You'd be excused for thinking this was another estate grand vin.Inc. VAT£510.04 -
Jeb Dunnuck (94-96)
The second wine of this great estate, the 2019 La Chapelle De La Mission Haut-Brion checks in as 50% Merlot, 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc. It's a brilliant second wine, offering loads of ripe blackcurrants and blueberry fruits intermixed with Asian spice, chocolate, and dried flowers. It packs some muscle as well and has a rounded, opulent texture, full body, ripe tannins, and a great finish. You'd be excused for thinking this was another estate grand vin.Inc. VAT£858.07 -
Jeb Dunnuck (94-96)
The second wine of this great estate, the 2019 La Chapelle De La Mission Haut-Brion checks in as 50% Merlot, 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc. It's a brilliant second wine, offering loads of ripe blackcurrants and blueberry fruits intermixed with Asian spice, chocolate, and dried flowers. It packs some muscle as well and has a rounded, opulent texture, full body, ripe tannins, and a great finish. You'd be excused for thinking this was another estate grand vin.Inc. VAT£360.04 -
Decanter (94)
You are immediately set at ease by the confidence and sheer easy appeal of this wine. A silky and seductive La Chapelle that rivals plenty of first wines in this vintage. The texture is rich and taut at first, then softens in the glass, with a charge of freshness that keeps the momentum and the energy high. Not many wines that rival the 2010 and 2016s, but here it very much does - exuberant with chocolate and cracked pepper but pulls back at the right moment. Harvests from 7th to 29th September. I love it.Inc. VAT£785.26 -
Decanter (94)
You are immediately set at ease by the confidence and sheer easy appeal of this wine. A silky and seductive La Chapelle that rivals plenty of first wines in this vintage. The texture is rich and taut at first, then softens in the glass, with a charge of freshness that keeps the momentum and the energy high. Not many wines that rival the 2010 and 2016s, but here it very much does - exuberant with chocolate and cracked pepper but pulls back at the right moment. Harvests from 7th to 29th September. I love it.Inc. VAT£590.44 -
Decanter (94)
You are immediately set at ease by the confidence and sheer easy appeal of this wine. A silky and seductive La Chapelle that rivals plenty of first wines in this vintage. The texture is rich and taut at first, then softens in the glass, with a charge of freshness that keeps the momentum and the energy high. Not many wines that rival the 2010 and 2016s, but here it very much does - exuberant with chocolate and cracked pepper but pulls back at the right moment. Harvests from 7th to 29th September. I love it.Inc. VAT£402.64 -
James Suckling (93-94)
Nicely firm and structured with a tight core of blackberry, stone and bark with some graphite. Grainy, firm tannins. Fresh and focused finish. 51.3% merlot, 45.2% cabernet sauvignon and 3.5% cabernet franc.Inc. VAT£476.20 -
James Suckling (93-94)
Nicely firm and structured with a tight core of blackberry, stone and bark with some graphite. Grainy, firm tannins. Fresh and focused finish. 51.3% merlot, 45.2% cabernet sauvignon and 3.5% cabernet franc.Inc. VAT£706.38 -
James Suckling (93-94)
Nicely firm and structured with a tight core of blackberry, stone and bark with some graphite. Grainy, firm tannins. Fresh and focused finish. 51.3% merlot, 45.2% cabernet sauvignon and 3.5% cabernet franc.Inc. VAT£559.49 -
James Suckling (93-94)
Nicely firm and structured with a tight core of blackberry, stone and bark with some graphite. Grainy, firm tannins. Fresh and focused finish. 51.3% merlot, 45.2% cabernet sauvignon and 3.5% cabernet franc.Inc. VAT£516.29 -
Inc. VAT£353.09
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Inc. VAT£347.09
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Wine Advocate (92)
A blend of 84% Semillon and 16% Sauvignon Blanc, this wine displays oodles of figs, melon, crushed rock, white flowers and grapefruit. Its excellent texture, medium to full body make for a beautiful example of dry white Graves. Anticipated maturity: now-2025.Inc. VAT£1,483.27 -
Wine Advocate (92)
A beautiful 1,000-case blend of 83% Semillon and the rest Sauvignon Blanc from the owners of La Mission Haut-Brion and Haut-Brion, this beauty exhibits oodles of marmalade, honeysuckle, caramelized melons and candle wax in a medium-bodied, authoritative style. Drink it over the next decade or more.Inc. VAT£1,483.27 -
Vinous - Neal Martin (91)
The 2012 Clarté de Haut-Brion is slightly more youthful than the Chapelle de la Mission with black brambly fruit, sandalwood and light rolled tobacco aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with a supple entry. There is fine weight for a Deuxième Vin and a satisfying freshness with a judicious pepperiness adorning the tensile finish. Excellent. Tasted at Bordeaux Index's 10-Year-On tasting.Inc. VAT£329.29 -
James Suckling (93-94)
This shows beautiful density and layers for a baby white with cooked apples, pears and hints of yogurt. Full-bodied, fresh and bright.Inc. VAT£168.80 -
James Suckling (93-94)
This shows beautiful density and layers for a baby white with cooked apples, pears and hints of yogurt. Full-bodied, fresh and bright.Inc. VAT£694.84 -
James Suckling (94-95)
A lovely, dense white with pretty phenolic tension and dried-apple and peach character. Medium to full body. Phenolics give this tension.Inc. VAT£663.64 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (90)
The 2018 La Réserve de Malartic-Lagravière is a very pretty, fruity wine to drink now and over the next handful of years. Hints of iron, cedar, tobacco, mint and dried herbs add an attractive, savory touch. There is, in my view, a bit too much oak that is felt in the slightly aggressive tannins, but that won't be an issue if the 2018 is enjoyed over the next handful of years.Inc. VAT£269.09 -
Inc. VAT£925.78
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Vinous - Neal Martin (93)
The 2019 La Louvière has an impressive bouquet of blackberry, raspberry, cedar and sandalwood scents, full of gusto and fine definition. The oak here is nicely integrated. The palate is medium-bodied, crisp and taut, with fine tannins and a focused, fresh, classically styled finish that shows finesse and persistence. Superb.Inc. VAT£369.64 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (92)
The 2020 La Louvière is a gorgeous, complex wine. Sweet pipe tobacco, cedar, incense, dried herbs and gravel meld into a core of dark red berry fruit. Brambly and savory, the 2020 has a ton to offer. This mid-weight Pessac-Léognan is an absolute delight. Drink it over the next 10-15 years.Inc. VAT£447.64 -
Inc. VAT£4,030.09
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Wine Advocate (90)
The 1981 exhibits a more youthful purple hue to its dark plum color than any vintage back to 1970. Somewhat narrowly constructed for a La Mission-Haut-Brion, it reveals plenty of incense, blueberry, black currant and crushed rock notes intertwined with a restrained, smoky character. The wine is medium-bodied, fresh and crisp with good concentration as well as a surprising youthfulness. However, the vintage’s deficiencies – a lack of heat and maturity – show up in the wine’s modest power and concentration. The 1981 does not possess the great richness, depth and intensity of the finest vintages, but it is still an outstanding effort that has aged extremely well. It could hold up for another two decades, but there is no point in deferring gratification.Inc. VAT£498.00
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James Suckling (94-95)
Very powerful and tannic yet salty and savory. Full body, dense and chewy yet polished and bright. Great second wine from La Mission. Only 30% merlot.In Bond£848.00 -
James Suckling (94-95)
Very powerful and tannic yet salty and savory. Full body, dense and chewy yet polished and bright. Great second wine from La Mission. Only 30% merlot.In Bond£379.00 -
James Suckling (94-95)
Very powerful and tannic yet salty and savory. Full body, dense and chewy yet polished and bright. Great second wine from La Mission. Only 30% merlot.In Bond£701.00 -
Wine Advocate (94)
The 2016 La Chapelle de la Mission Haut-Brion is blended of 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36.5% Merlot and 21.5% Cabernet Franc. Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, it absolutely sings of red roses, black tea and tilled black soil with a core of crushed blackberries, Morello cherries and cassis plus a hint of cinnamon stick. Medium-bodied, the palate delivers a great intensity of ripe black berries and floral layers, framed by soft, silken tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and mineral laced.In Bond£459.00 -
James Suckling (92-93)
Quite tannic but in a very attractive way with blueberries, currants and spices. Medium-bodied, tight and chewy. Show tension and texture.In Bond£392.00 -
James Suckling (93-94)
A solid second wine from La Mission with currants, blackberries and hints of fresh tobacco. Oyster shell as well. Full-bodied with firm and chewy yet fine-grained tannins. Driven and long.In Bond£447.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (94-96)
The second wine of this great estate, the 2019 La Chapelle De La Mission Haut-Brion checks in as 50% Merlot, 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc. It's a brilliant second wine, offering loads of ripe blackcurrants and blueberry fruits intermixed with Asian spice, chocolate, and dried flowers. It packs some muscle as well and has a rounded, opulent texture, full body, ripe tannins, and a great finish. You'd be excused for thinking this was another estate grand vin.In Bond£409.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (94-96)
The second wine of this great estate, the 2019 La Chapelle De La Mission Haut-Brion checks in as 50% Merlot, 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc. It's a brilliant second wine, offering loads of ripe blackcurrants and blueberry fruits intermixed with Asian spice, chocolate, and dried flowers. It packs some muscle as well and has a rounded, opulent texture, full body, ripe tannins, and a great finish. You'd be excused for thinking this was another estate grand vin.In Bond£683.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (94-96)
The second wine of this great estate, the 2019 La Chapelle De La Mission Haut-Brion checks in as 50% Merlot, 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc. It's a brilliant second wine, offering loads of ripe blackcurrants and blueberry fruits intermixed with Asian spice, chocolate, and dried flowers. It packs some muscle as well and has a rounded, opulent texture, full body, ripe tannins, and a great finish. You'd be excused for thinking this was another estate grand vin.In Bond£284.00 -
Decanter (94)
You are immediately set at ease by the confidence and sheer easy appeal of this wine. A silky and seductive La Chapelle that rivals plenty of first wines in this vintage. The texture is rich and taut at first, then softens in the glass, with a charge of freshness that keeps the momentum and the energy high. Not many wines that rival the 2010 and 2016s, but here it very much does - exuberant with chocolate and cracked pepper but pulls back at the right moment. Harvests from 7th to 29th September. I love it.In Bond£633.00 -
Decanter (94)
You are immediately set at ease by the confidence and sheer easy appeal of this wine. A silky and seductive La Chapelle that rivals plenty of first wines in this vintage. The texture is rich and taut at first, then softens in the glass, with a charge of freshness that keeps the momentum and the energy high. Not many wines that rival the 2010 and 2016s, but here it very much does - exuberant with chocolate and cracked pepper but pulls back at the right moment. Harvests from 7th to 29th September. I love it.In Bond£476.00 -
Decanter (94)
You are immediately set at ease by the confidence and sheer easy appeal of this wine. A silky and seductive La Chapelle that rivals plenty of first wines in this vintage. The texture is rich and taut at first, then softens in the glass, with a charge of freshness that keeps the momentum and the energy high. Not many wines that rival the 2010 and 2016s, but here it very much does - exuberant with chocolate and cracked pepper but pulls back at the right moment. Harvests from 7th to 29th September. I love it.In Bond£319.50 -
James Suckling (93-94)
Nicely firm and structured with a tight core of blackberry, stone and bark with some graphite. Grainy, firm tannins. Fresh and focused finish. 51.3% merlot, 45.2% cabernet sauvignon and 3.5% cabernet franc.In Bond£384.00 -
James Suckling (93-94)
Nicely firm and structured with a tight core of blackberry, stone and bark with some graphite. Grainy, firm tannins. Fresh and focused finish. 51.3% merlot, 45.2% cabernet sauvignon and 3.5% cabernet franc.In Bond£563.00 -
James Suckling (93-94)
Nicely firm and structured with a tight core of blackberry, stone and bark with some graphite. Grainy, firm tannins. Fresh and focused finish. 51.3% merlot, 45.2% cabernet sauvignon and 3.5% cabernet franc.In Bond£447.00 -
James Suckling (93-94)
Nicely firm and structured with a tight core of blackberry, stone and bark with some graphite. Grainy, firm tannins. Fresh and focused finish. 51.3% merlot, 45.2% cabernet sauvignon and 3.5% cabernet franc.In Bond£411.00 -
In Bond£275.00
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In Bond£270.00
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Wine Advocate (92)
A blend of 84% Semillon and 16% Sauvignon Blanc, this wine displays oodles of figs, melon, crushed rock, white flowers and grapefruit. Its excellent texture, medium to full body make for a beautiful example of dry white Graves. Anticipated maturity: now-2025.In Bond£1,204.00 -
Wine Advocate (92)
A beautiful 1,000-case blend of 83% Semillon and the rest Sauvignon Blanc from the owners of La Mission Haut-Brion and Haut-Brion, this beauty exhibits oodles of marmalade, honeysuckle, caramelized melons and candle wax in a medium-bodied, authoritative style. Drink it over the next decade or more.In Bond£1,204.00 -
Vinous - Neal Martin (91)
The 2012 Clarté de Haut-Brion is slightly more youthful than the Chapelle de la Mission with black brambly fruit, sandalwood and light rolled tobacco aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with a supple entry. There is fine weight for a Deuxième Vin and a satisfying freshness with a judicious pepperiness adorning the tensile finish. Excellent. Tasted at Bordeaux Index's 10-Year-On tasting.In Bond£268.00 -
James Suckling (93-94)
This shows beautiful density and layers for a baby white with cooked apples, pears and hints of yogurt. Full-bodied, fresh and bright.In Bond£138.00 -
James Suckling (93-94)
This shows beautiful density and layers for a baby white with cooked apples, pears and hints of yogurt. Full-bodied, fresh and bright.In Bond£563.00 -
James Suckling (94-95)
A lovely, dense white with pretty phenolic tension and dried-apple and peach character. Medium to full body. Phenolics give this tension.In Bond£537.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (90)
The 2018 La Réserve de Malartic-Lagravière is a very pretty, fruity wine to drink now and over the next handful of years. Hints of iron, cedar, tobacco, mint and dried herbs add an attractive, savory touch. There is, in my view, a bit too much oak that is felt in the slightly aggressive tannins, but that won't be an issue if the 2018 is enjoyed over the next handful of years.In Bond£205.00 -
In Bond£733.00
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Vinous - Neal Martin (93)
The 2019 La Louvière has an impressive bouquet of blackberry, raspberry, cedar and sandalwood scents, full of gusto and fine definition. The oak here is nicely integrated. The palate is medium-bodied, crisp and taut, with fine tannins and a focused, fresh, classically styled finish that shows finesse and persistence. Superb.In Bond£292.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (92)
The 2020 La Louvière is a gorgeous, complex wine. Sweet pipe tobacco, cedar, incense, dried herbs and gravel meld into a core of dark red berry fruit. Brambly and savory, the 2020 has a ton to offer. This mid-weight Pessac-Léognan is an absolute delight. Drink it over the next 10-15 years.In Bond£357.00 -
In Bond£3,352.00
-
Wine Advocate (90)
The 1981 exhibits a more youthful purple hue to its dark plum color than any vintage back to 1970. Somewhat narrowly constructed for a La Mission-Haut-Brion, it reveals plenty of incense, blueberry, black currant and crushed rock notes intertwined with a restrained, smoky character. The wine is medium-bodied, fresh and crisp with good concentration as well as a surprising youthfulness. However, the vintage’s deficiencies – a lack of heat and maturity – show up in the wine’s modest power and concentration. The 1981 does not possess the great richness, depth and intensity of the finest vintages, but it is still an outstanding effort that has aged extremely well. It could hold up for another two decades, but there is no point in deferring gratification.Inc. VAT£498.00