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 (96-97)
Lots of deep blue fruit with blackberries and grape skins, as well as tar and asphalt. Lead, too. It’s full-bodied, yet very tight with powerful, defined tannins, surrounded by attractive ripe fruit. Serious. Reminds me of the excellent 1975. A blend of 65% cabernet sauvignon and 35% merlot.Inc. VAT£689.47 -
James Suckling (96-97)
Lots of deep blue fruit with blackberries and grape skins, as well as tar and asphalt. Lead, too. It’s full-bodied, yet very tight with powerful, defined tannins, surrounded by attractive ripe fruit. Serious. Reminds me of the excellent 1975. A blend of 65% cabernet sauvignon and 35% merlot.Inc. VAT£391.84 -
James Suckling (96-97)
Aromas of crushed berries, dried flowers and spices with undertones of ink and iron. Full-bodied with wonderful, fine tannins that are totally embedded in the structure. Endless length and such refinement. Rather ethereal. Another winner from Giscours.Inc. VAT£922.87 -
James Suckling (96-97)
Aromas of crushed berries, dried flowers and spices with undertones of ink and iron. Full-bodied with wonderful, fine tannins that are totally embedded in the structure. Endless length and such refinement. Rather ethereal. Another winner from Giscours.Inc. VAT£524.44 -
James Suckling (96-97)
Aromas of crushed berries, dried flowers and spices with undertones of ink and iron. Full-bodied with wonderful, fine tannins that are totally embedded in the structure. Endless length and such refinement. Rather ethereal. Another winner from Giscours.Inc. VAT£502.84 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94-96)
The 2021 Giscours is fabulous. In fact, the 2021 is one of the best Giscours in recent memory. Silky and impeccable in its balance, the 2012 possesses magnificent elegance that brings out its pedigreed personality. Rose petal, lavender, spice, gravel and black cherry all come together, framed by silky tannins that wrap it all up. The 2021 is less aromatic than most recent vintages, but the depth here is considerable, as is the potential. Taste two times.Inc. VAT£782.38 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94-96)
The 2021 Giscours is fabulous. In fact, the 2021 is one of the best Giscours in recent memory. Silky and impeccable in its balance, the 2012 possesses magnificent elegance that brings out its pedigreed personality. Rose petal, lavender, spice, gravel and black cherry all come together, framed by silky tannins that wrap it all up. The 2021 is less aromatic than most recent vintages, but the depth here is considerable, as is the potential. Taste two times.Inc. VAT£316.49 -
James Suckling (97-98)
This is a big move forward for Giscours. Full-bodied yet agile and fresh with tannins that are precise and integrated, with great beauty and length. Well-structured and vivid. Extremely fine yet defined tannins, and then it opens like a butterfly.Inc. VAT£482.69 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (96-98)
The 2023 Giscours is the very best wine I have ever tasted here. Giscours has been knocking on the door of Bordeaux's elite for a few years now. Two thousand twenty-three is the year in which Giscours joins the region's big boys and girls. A towering, majestic Margaux, the 2023 dazzles from start to finish. What a wine!Inc. VAT£330.29 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (96-98)
The 2023 Giscours is the very best wine I have ever tasted here. Giscours has been knocking on the door of Bordeaux's elite for a few years now. Two thousand twenty-three is the year in which Giscours joins the region's big boys and girls. A towering, majestic Margaux, the 2023 dazzles from start to finish. What a wine!Inc. VAT£648.58 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (96-98)
The 2023 Giscours is the very best wine I have ever tasted here. Giscours has been knocking on the door of Bordeaux's elite for a few years now. Two thousand twenty-three is the year in which Giscours joins the region's big boys and girls. A towering, majestic Margaux, the 2023 dazzles from start to finish. What a wine!Inc. VAT£318.29 -
Vinous - Neal Martin (90)
The 2017 Grand Tayac has a bold bouquet with vigorous blackberry, wild strawberry and crushed rose petal aromas - aromatics that do not hold back! The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins. Perhaps the oak comes across a little too much on the finish, but there is good structure with an appealing velvety finish. Very fine.Inc. VAT£345.58 -
Vinous - Neal Martin (85)
The 2018 Grand Tayac has a rather smudged, slightly oaky nose that dampens the fruit and terroir expression. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins, quite dense for a Margaux and just missing some delineation on the rather monotone finish. It needs more flair and personality.Inc. VAT£213.29 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (92)
Just as it was from barrel, the 2017 La Gurgue is a rich, powerful wine. Dark red cherry, red plum, cedar, spice, tobacco, licorice and mocha give this hearty Margaux plenty of character as well as personality. I especially admire the wine's density and sheer depth.Inc. VAT£231.64 -
Inc. VAT£3,540.58
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Inc. VAT£405.40
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Inc. VAT£594.78
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Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (89-92)
Full ruby color. Vibrant, deep aromas of cassis, blackberry, minerals, licorice and smoky oak. Large-scaled and impressively rich in the mouth; chewy and very concentrated. A rather powerfully structured, nicely delineated wine that should be long-lived. Another Margaux chateau that has improved dramatically over the last few years.Inc. VAT£1,327.78 -
Wine Advocate (89+)
The dense ruby/purple-colored, chunky, rich, slightly masculine 2011 Kirwan is medium-bodied and fleshy. It reveals excellent extraction of fruit and flavor, sweet, but noticeable tannins and a nicely textured mouthfeel as well as finish. While it may not be an archetypical Margaux, it is impressively endowed. Still young, it should hit its prime in 5-6 years and have 15-20 years of upside ahead of it.Inc. VAT£363.40 -
Wine Advocate (89+)
The dense ruby/purple-colored, chunky, rich, slightly masculine 2011 Kirwan is medium-bodied and fleshy. It reveals excellent extraction of fruit and flavor, sweet, but noticeable tannins and a nicely textured mouthfeel as well as finish. While it may not be an archetypical Margaux, it is impressively endowed. Still young, it should hit its prime in 5-6 years and have 15-20 years of upside ahead of it.Inc. VAT£543.18 -
Wine Advocate (89+)
The dense ruby/purple-colored, chunky, rich, slightly masculine 2011 Kirwan is medium-bodied and fleshy. It reveals excellent extraction of fruit and flavor, sweet, but noticeable tannins and a nicely textured mouthfeel as well as finish. While it may not be an archetypical Margaux, it is impressively endowed. Still young, it should hit its prime in 5-6 years and have 15-20 years of upside ahead of it.Inc. VAT£301.94 -
Vinous - Ian D'Agata (88-90)
Dark ruby. Bright blackcurrant and cherry aromas are complicated by violet and cedar: strikes me as deeper and richer nose than usual for Kirwan. Then somewhat more brooding in the mouth, with an austere quality but sneaky concentration to the herbal and inky dark fruit flavors. I like this wine's very fresh delivery of fruit, but the mouthcoating, building tannins keep the score down a bit.Inc. VAT£334.43 -
Wine Enthusiast (96)
This is a dense wine, firm with tannins and packed with fruit. It is dark, concentrated and boasts an impressive balance of tannins and blackberry fruit.Inc. VAT£771.67 -
Wine Enthusiast (96)
This is a dense wine, firm with tannins and packed with fruit. It is dark, concentrated and boasts an impressive balance of tannins and blackberry fruit.Inc. VAT£535.24 -
Wine Enthusiast (94)
Layers of black currant fruit and ripe tannins give this wine an elegant character. It is not powerful, but is certainly balanced and full of fruit. It will age well over the medium-term, meaning it will be ready to drink from 2023.Inc. VAT£429.60 -
Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (94)
Well-placed, sappy and succulent damson, blackberry and cassis fruits. This is graceful and well-balanced, with a lingering, gently spiced finish that stretches out with a satisfyingly juicy feel that has deepened over ageing. First vintage where you find a touch of Carmanère in Kirwan. Technical director Philippe Delfaut, this is an upscore this En Primeur.Inc. VAT£498.04 -
James Suckling (94-95)
Extremely exotic on the nose with crushed blackcurrants, raspberries and peaches, following through to a full-bodied palate with wonderful, refined tannins that are creamy and velvety in texture. Very long and persistent with a caressing finish. Best of the trilogy?Inc. VAT£493.24 -
Jeb Dunnuck (93-95)
Another brilliant wine from Margaux, the 2023 Château Kirwan reveals a deep blue/purple hue to go with a nicely oaked profile of ripe black fruits, leafy herbs, iron, violets, and spice. It's balanced, medium to full-bodied, has a supple, layered mouthfeel, remarkable purity, and a great finish. As with most 2023s, it's going to shine with just a few years of bottle age.Inc. VAT£231.89 -
The La Cloitre Prieure Lichine Margaux 2020 is an exemplar expression of the celebrated Margaux appellation. Inspired by the 12th-century legacy of the Prieuré-Lichine estate, this wine is crafted with utmost precision at every stage. Born of the ideally draining gravelly soil and favourably tempered microclimate of Bordeaux, France, it encapsulates the quintessence of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grape blend.
With every sip, expect a cascade of luscious blackcurrant, dark cherry, and velvety tannin notes. The 18-month maturation in oak barrels adds a delicate hint of vanilla, rounding up a sophisticated palate. This bottle epitomises the acumen of Ballarin family and winemaker Stephane Derenoncourt, whose philosophy of minimal intervention and sustainable viticulture empowers the terroir to flourish, sculpting the uniqueness of La Cloitre Prieure Lichine Margaux 2020.
Committed to remarkable quality and longevity, this wine continues to evolve in the bottle, promising a compelling journey of sensory discovery for the discerning connoisseur.
Inc. VAT£384.29 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (89)
The 2019 La Couronne de Terme is a soft, easygoing second wine to drink now and over the next handful of years, while the red berry fruit remains vibrant. Pretty floral accents open this charming, effusive Margaux nicely.Inc. VAT£264.29
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James Suckling (96-97)
Lots of deep blue fruit with blackberries and grape skins, as well as tar and asphalt. Lead, too. It’s full-bodied, yet very tight with powerful, defined tannins, surrounded by attractive ripe fruit. Serious. Reminds me of the excellent 1975. A blend of 65% cabernet sauvignon and 35% merlot.In Bond£542.50 -
James Suckling (96-97)
Lots of deep blue fruit with blackberries and grape skins, as well as tar and asphalt. Lead, too. It’s full-bodied, yet very tight with powerful, defined tannins, surrounded by attractive ripe fruit. Serious. Reminds me of the excellent 1975. A blend of 65% cabernet sauvignon and 35% merlot.In Bond£310.50 -
James Suckling (96-97)
Aromas of crushed berries, dried flowers and spices with undertones of ink and iron. Full-bodied with wonderful, fine tannins that are totally embedded in the structure. Endless length and such refinement. Rather ethereal. Another winner from Giscours.In Bond£737.00 -
James Suckling (96-97)
Aromas of crushed berries, dried flowers and spices with undertones of ink and iron. Full-bodied with wonderful, fine tannins that are totally embedded in the structure. Endless length and such refinement. Rather ethereal. Another winner from Giscours.In Bond£421.00 -
James Suckling (96-97)
Aromas of crushed berries, dried flowers and spices with undertones of ink and iron. Full-bodied with wonderful, fine tannins that are totally embedded in the structure. Endless length and such refinement. Rather ethereal. Another winner from Giscours.In Bond£403.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94-96)
The 2021 Giscours is fabulous. In fact, the 2021 is one of the best Giscours in recent memory. Silky and impeccable in its balance, the 2012 possesses magnificent elegance that brings out its pedigreed personality. Rose petal, lavender, spice, gravel and black cherry all come together, framed by silky tannins that wrap it all up. The 2021 is less aromatic than most recent vintages, but the depth here is considerable, as is the potential. Taste two times.In Bond£613.50 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94-96)
The 2021 Giscours is fabulous. In fact, the 2021 is one of the best Giscours in recent memory. Silky and impeccable in its balance, the 2012 possesses magnificent elegance that brings out its pedigreed personality. Rose petal, lavender, spice, gravel and black cherry all come together, framed by silky tannins that wrap it all up. The 2021 is less aromatic than most recent vintages, but the depth here is considerable, as is the potential. Taste two times.In Bond£244.50 -
James Suckling (97-98)
This is a big move forward for Giscours. Full-bodied yet agile and fresh with tannins that are precise and integrated, with great beauty and length. Well-structured and vivid. Extremely fine yet defined tannins, and then it opens like a butterfly.In Bond£383.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (96-98)
The 2023 Giscours is the very best wine I have ever tasted here. Giscours has been knocking on the door of Bordeaux's elite for a few years now. Two thousand twenty-three is the year in which Giscours joins the region's big boys and girls. A towering, majestic Margaux, the 2023 dazzles from start to finish. What a wine!In Bond£256.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (96-98)
The 2023 Giscours is the very best wine I have ever tasted here. Giscours has been knocking on the door of Bordeaux's elite for a few years now. Two thousand twenty-three is the year in which Giscours joins the region's big boys and girls. A towering, majestic Margaux, the 2023 dazzles from start to finish. What a wine!In Bond£502.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (96-98)
The 2023 Giscours is the very best wine I have ever tasted here. Giscours has been knocking on the door of Bordeaux's elite for a few years now. Two thousand twenty-three is the year in which Giscours joins the region's big boys and girls. A towering, majestic Margaux, the 2023 dazzles from start to finish. What a wine!In Bond£246.00 -
Vinous - Neal Martin (90)
The 2017 Grand Tayac has a bold bouquet with vigorous blackberry, wild strawberry and crushed rose petal aromas - aromatics that do not hold back! The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins. Perhaps the oak comes across a little too much on the finish, but there is good structure with an appealing velvety finish. Very fine.In Bond£249.50 -
Vinous - Neal Martin (85)
The 2018 Grand Tayac has a rather smudged, slightly oaky nose that dampens the fruit and terroir expression. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins, quite dense for a Margaux and just missing some delineation on the rather monotone finish. It needs more flair and personality.In Bond£158.50 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (92)
Just as it was from barrel, the 2017 La Gurgue is a rich, powerful wine. Dark red cherry, red plum, cedar, spice, tobacco, licorice and mocha give this hearty Margaux plenty of character as well as personality. I especially admire the wine's density and sheer depth.In Bond£177.00 -
In Bond£2,912.00
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In Bond£325.00
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In Bond£470.00
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Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (89-92)
Full ruby color. Vibrant, deep aromas of cassis, blackberry, minerals, licorice and smoky oak. Large-scaled and impressively rich in the mouth; chewy and very concentrated. A rather powerfully structured, nicely delineated wine that should be long-lived. Another Margaux chateau that has improved dramatically over the last few years.In Bond£1,068.00 -
Wine Advocate (89+)
The dense ruby/purple-colored, chunky, rich, slightly masculine 2011 Kirwan is medium-bodied and fleshy. It reveals excellent extraction of fruit and flavor, sweet, but noticeable tannins and a nicely textured mouthfeel as well as finish. While it may not be an archetypical Margaux, it is impressively endowed. Still young, it should hit its prime in 5-6 years and have 15-20 years of upside ahead of it.In Bond£290.00 -
Wine Advocate (89+)
The dense ruby/purple-colored, chunky, rich, slightly masculine 2011 Kirwan is medium-bodied and fleshy. It reveals excellent extraction of fruit and flavor, sweet, but noticeable tannins and a nicely textured mouthfeel as well as finish. While it may not be an archetypical Margaux, it is impressively endowed. Still young, it should hit its prime in 5-6 years and have 15-20 years of upside ahead of it.In Bond£427.00 -
Wine Advocate (89+)
The dense ruby/purple-colored, chunky, rich, slightly masculine 2011 Kirwan is medium-bodied and fleshy. It reveals excellent extraction of fruit and flavor, sweet, but noticeable tannins and a nicely textured mouthfeel as well as finish. While it may not be an archetypical Margaux, it is impressively endowed. Still young, it should hit its prime in 5-6 years and have 15-20 years of upside ahead of it.In Bond£242.00 -
Vinous - Ian D'Agata (88-90)
Dark ruby. Bright blackcurrant and cherry aromas are complicated by violet and cedar: strikes me as deeper and richer nose than usual for Kirwan. Then somewhat more brooding in the mouth, with an austere quality but sneaky concentration to the herbal and inky dark fruit flavors. I like this wine's very fresh delivery of fruit, but the mouthcoating, building tannins keep the score down a bit.In Bond£268.00 -
Wine Enthusiast (96)
This is a dense wine, firm with tannins and packed with fruit. It is dark, concentrated and boasts an impressive balance of tannins and blackberry fruit.In Bond£611.00 -
Wine Enthusiast (96)
This is a dense wine, firm with tannins and packed with fruit. It is dark, concentrated and boasts an impressive balance of tannins and blackberry fruit.In Bond£430.00 -
Wine Enthusiast (94)
Layers of black currant fruit and ripe tannins give this wine an elegant character. It is not powerful, but is certainly balanced and full of fruit. It will age well over the medium-term, meaning it will be ready to drink from 2023.Inc. VAT£429.60 -
Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (94)
Well-placed, sappy and succulent damson, blackberry and cassis fruits. This is graceful and well-balanced, with a lingering, gently spiced finish that stretches out with a satisfyingly juicy feel that has deepened over ageing. First vintage where you find a touch of Carmanère in Kirwan. Technical director Philippe Delfaut, this is an upscore this En Primeur.In Bond£399.00 -
James Suckling (94-95)
Extremely exotic on the nose with crushed blackcurrants, raspberries and peaches, following through to a full-bodied palate with wonderful, refined tannins that are creamy and velvety in texture. Very long and persistent with a caressing finish. Best of the trilogy?In Bond£395.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (93-95)
Another brilliant wine from Margaux, the 2023 Château Kirwan reveals a deep blue/purple hue to go with a nicely oaked profile of ripe black fruits, leafy herbs, iron, violets, and spice. It's balanced, medium to full-bodied, has a supple, layered mouthfeel, remarkable purity, and a great finish. As with most 2023s, it's going to shine with just a few years of bottle age.In Bond£174.00 -
The La Cloitre Prieure Lichine Margaux 2020 is an exemplar expression of the celebrated Margaux appellation. Inspired by the 12th-century legacy of the Prieuré-Lichine estate, this wine is crafted with utmost precision at every stage. Born of the ideally draining gravelly soil and favourably tempered microclimate of Bordeaux, France, it encapsulates the quintessence of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grape blend.
With every sip, expect a cascade of luscious blackcurrant, dark cherry, and velvety tannin notes. The 18-month maturation in oak barrels adds a delicate hint of vanilla, rounding up a sophisticated palate. This bottle epitomises the acumen of Ballarin family and winemaker Stephane Derenoncourt, whose philosophy of minimal intervention and sustainable viticulture empowers the terroir to flourish, sculpting the uniqueness of La Cloitre Prieure Lichine Margaux 2020.
Committed to remarkable quality and longevity, this wine continues to evolve in the bottle, promising a compelling journey of sensory discovery for the discerning connoisseur.
In Bond£301.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (89)
The 2019 La Couronne de Terme is a soft, easygoing second wine to drink now and over the next handful of years, while the red berry fruit remains vibrant. Pretty floral accents open this charming, effusive Margaux nicely.In Bond£201.00