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
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Wine Spectator (92-94)
Lots of blackberry and spice character, with chocolate undertones. Full-bodied, with lovely fine tannins and a long finish. A textbook claret, with refinement yet power. Love the touch of sweet fruit on the end. Almost Burgundian. Lovely and pretty. Score range: 92-94Inc. VAT£1,177.27 -
Wine Spectator (90)
This exhibits plum, milk chocolate and light toasty oak aromas. Full-bodied, with soft, velvety tannins, delicious fruit and a medium finish. Very balanced and nicely textured. Enjoy the softness. Best after 2013. 8,335 cases made. -JSInc. VAT£818.47 -
Wine Spectator (90)
This exhibits plum, milk chocolate and light toasty oak aromas. Full-bodied, with soft, velvety tannins, delicious fruit and a medium finish. Very balanced and nicely textured. Enjoy the softness. Best after 2013. 8,335 cases made. -JSInc. VAT£884.98 -
Wine Spectator (97-100)
This is absolutely fabulous. I love the complex aromas of ripe fruit and fresh flowers that turn to mineral and raspberry, along with tannins on the finish. This changes all the time. Full-bodied and dense, but so beautiful and long. The layers of ultrafine tannins just turn off the tip of your tongue. Score range: 97-100 -JSInc. VAT£1,298.47 -
James Suckling (96-97)
This is a 2005 Malescot in the making. And that was stunning. I love the blueberries, chocolate and nuts on the nose and palate. The finish lasts for minutes with so much . Goes on and on. I want to drink this! Wow.Inc. VAT£1,240.87 -
James Suckling (98-99)
This is a superb wine. I didn’t think it could be better than the 2015 but indeed it is. Full, layered and sexy. It goes on for minutes with dense fruit, yet it’s also vivid and showcases sublime tannins and acidity balance. Great finish.Inc. VAT£801.67 -
James Suckling (98-99)
This is a superb wine. I didn’t think it could be better than the 2015 but indeed it is. Full, layered and sexy. It goes on for minutes with dense fruit, yet it’s also vivid and showcases sublime tannins and acidity balance. Great finish.Inc. VAT£456.04 -
James Suckling (95-96)
A fantastic 2017 from Margaux with a deep and ripe core of fruit in the center palate. Silky and juicy tannins. Full body, plenty of fruit and a long, flavorful finish.Inc. VAT£667.27 -
James Suckling (95-96)
A fantastic 2017 from Margaux with a deep and ripe core of fruit in the center palate. Silky and juicy tannins. Full body, plenty of fruit and a long, flavorful finish.Inc. VAT£360.04 -
James Suckling (97-98)
A structured and muscular Malescot with blackberry and blackcurrant aromas and flavors. Full-bodied, chewy tannins and a flavorful finish. Big wine for this producer.Inc. VAT£410.44 -
James Suckling (96-97)
Wow. This is so perfumed and mesmerizing with currant, floral and blackberry character. It’s full-bodied, yet so refined and polished with wonderfully fine-grained and crafted tannins. The finish goes on and on.Inc. VAT£590.47 -
James Suckling (96-97)
Wow. This is so perfumed and mesmerizing with currant, floral and blackberry character. It’s full-bodied, yet so refined and polished with wonderfully fine-grained and crafted tannins. The finish goes on and on.Inc. VAT£331.84 -
James Suckling (97-98)
Solid red with blackberry, blueberry, chocolate and spice. Lots of hazelnut, too. It’s full-bodied with chewy, polished tannins and a long, flavorful finish. Best of the trilogy vintages?Inc. VAT£579.64 -
James Suckling (97-98)
Solid red with blackberry, blueberry, chocolate and spice. Lots of hazelnut, too. It’s full-bodied with chewy, polished tannins and a long, flavorful finish. Best of the trilogy vintages?Inc. VAT£197.21 -
James Suckling (97-98)
Solid red with blackberry, blueberry, chocolate and spice. Lots of hazelnut, too. It’s full-bodied with chewy, polished tannins and a long, flavorful finish. Best of the trilogy vintages?Inc. VAT£501.64 -
James Suckling (97-98)
Solid red with blackberry, blueberry, chocolate and spice. Lots of hazelnut, too. It’s full-bodied with chewy, polished tannins and a long, flavorful finish. Best of the trilogy vintages?Inc. VAT£361.84 -
James Suckling (94-95)
A tight and focused young red with redcurrant and blackberry character. It’s medium-bodied with racy and fine tannins and a linear, focused finish. Lots going on, yet it’s tight and energetic.Inc. VAT£488.69 -
James Suckling (94-95)
A tight and focused young red with redcurrant and blackberry character. It’s medium-bodied with racy and fine tannins and a linear, focused finish. Lots going on, yet it’s tight and energetic.Inc. VAT£285.29 -
James Suckling (96-97)
This has a very deep and beautiful palate with cherries, chocolate, hazelnut and orange peel. Pretty blackcurrants and blue berries, too. Medium body. The finish has gorgeous al-dente fruit at the end and is always subtle. Open tannins. A blend of 58% cabernet sauvignon, 37% merlot, and 5% petit verdot.Inc. VAT£263.09 -
James Suckling (96-97)
This has a very deep and beautiful palate with cherries, chocolate, hazelnut and orange peel. Pretty blackcurrants and blue berries, too. Medium body. The finish has gorgeous al-dente fruit at the end and is always subtle. Open tannins. A blend of 58% cabernet sauvignon, 37% merlot, and 5% petit verdot.Inc. VAT£257.09 -
Inc. VAT£1,852.80
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Inc. VAT£1,994.40
-
Inc. VAT£1,303.20
-
Inc. VAT£1,711.20
-
Inc. VAT£884.40
-
Inc. VAT£865.20
-
Wine Advocate (80)
The 1970 Château Margaux was born during a weak period for the estate and it has long been an underperforming wine. It's not terrible, but it unquestionably does fall a long way short of what you would expect from a First Growth. It has a one-dimensional nose with rather lifeless tar and cedar scents. The palate is showing a touch of volatility on the entry with charred, dry tannins that lead down towards a foursquare finish, which can best be described as dull. Tasted June 2015.Inc. VAT£554.40 -
Inc. VAT£5,191.20
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Inc. VAT£589.20
-
Inc. VAT£4,822.80
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Wine Spectator (92-94)
Lots of blackberry and spice character, with chocolate undertones. Full-bodied, with lovely fine tannins and a long finish. A textbook claret, with refinement yet power. Love the touch of sweet fruit on the end. Almost Burgundian. Lovely and pretty. Score range: 92-94In Bond£949.00 -
Wine Spectator (90)
This exhibits plum, milk chocolate and light toasty oak aromas. Full-bodied, with soft, velvety tannins, delicious fruit and a medium finish. Very balanced and nicely textured. Enjoy the softness. Best after 2013. 8,335 cases made. -JSIn Bond£650.00 -
Wine Spectator (90)
This exhibits plum, milk chocolate and light toasty oak aromas. Full-bodied, with soft, velvety tannins, delicious fruit and a medium finish. Very balanced and nicely textured. Enjoy the softness. Best after 2013. 8,335 cases made. -JSIn Bond£699.00 -
Wine Spectator (97-100)
This is absolutely fabulous. I love the complex aromas of ripe fruit and fresh flowers that turn to mineral and raspberry, along with tannins on the finish. This changes all the time. Full-bodied and dense, but so beautiful and long. The layers of ultrafine tannins just turn off the tip of your tongue. Score range: 97-100 -JSIn Bond£1,050.00 -
James Suckling (96-97)
This is a 2005 Malescot in the making. And that was stunning. I love the blueberries, chocolate and nuts on the nose and palate. The finish lasts for minutes with so much . Goes on and on. I want to drink this! Wow.In Bond£1,002.00 -
James Suckling (98-99)
This is a superb wine. I didn’t think it could be better than the 2015 but indeed it is. Full, layered and sexy. It goes on for minutes with dense fruit, yet it’s also vivid and showcases sublime tannins and acidity balance. Great finish.In Bond£636.00 -
James Suckling (98-99)
This is a superb wine. I didn’t think it could be better than the 2015 but indeed it is. Full, layered and sexy. It goes on for minutes with dense fruit, yet it’s also vivid and showcases sublime tannins and acidity balance. Great finish.In Bond£364.00 -
James Suckling (95-96)
A fantastic 2017 from Margaux with a deep and ripe core of fruit in the center palate. Silky and juicy tannins. Full body, plenty of fruit and a long, flavorful finish.In Bond£524.00 -
James Suckling (95-96)
A fantastic 2017 from Margaux with a deep and ripe core of fruit in the center palate. Silky and juicy tannins. Full body, plenty of fruit and a long, flavorful finish.In Bond£284.00 -
James Suckling (97-98)
A structured and muscular Malescot with blackberry and blackcurrant aromas and flavors. Full-bodied, chewy tannins and a flavorful finish. Big wine for this producer.In Bond£326.00 -
James Suckling (96-97)
Wow. This is so perfumed and mesmerizing with currant, floral and blackberry character. It’s full-bodied, yet so refined and polished with wonderfully fine-grained and crafted tannins. The finish goes on and on.In Bond£460.00 -
James Suckling (96-97)
Wow. This is so perfumed and mesmerizing with currant, floral and blackberry character. It’s full-bodied, yet so refined and polished with wonderfully fine-grained and crafted tannins. The finish goes on and on.In Bond£260.50 -
James Suckling (97-98)
Solid red with blackberry, blueberry, chocolate and spice. Lots of hazelnut, too. It’s full-bodied with chewy, polished tannins and a long, flavorful finish. Best of the trilogy vintages?In Bond£467.00 -
James Suckling (97-98)
Solid red with blackberry, blueberry, chocolate and spice. Lots of hazelnut, too. It’s full-bodied with chewy, polished tannins and a long, flavorful finish. Best of the trilogy vintages?In Bond£159.00 -
James Suckling (97-98)
Solid red with blackberry, blueberry, chocolate and spice. Lots of hazelnut, too. It’s full-bodied with chewy, polished tannins and a long, flavorful finish. Best of the trilogy vintages?In Bond£402.00 -
James Suckling (97-98)
Solid red with blackberry, blueberry, chocolate and spice. Lots of hazelnut, too. It’s full-bodied with chewy, polished tannins and a long, flavorful finish. Best of the trilogy vintages?In Bond£285.50 -
James Suckling (94-95)
A tight and focused young red with redcurrant and blackberry character. It’s medium-bodied with racy and fine tannins and a linear, focused finish. Lots going on, yet it’s tight and energetic.In Bond£388.00 -
James Suckling (94-95)
A tight and focused young red with redcurrant and blackberry character. It’s medium-bodied with racy and fine tannins and a linear, focused finish. Lots going on, yet it’s tight and energetic.In Bond£218.50 -
James Suckling (96-97)
This has a very deep and beautiful palate with cherries, chocolate, hazelnut and orange peel. Pretty blackcurrants and blue berries, too. Medium body. The finish has gorgeous al-dente fruit at the end and is always subtle. Open tannins. A blend of 58% cabernet sauvignon, 37% merlot, and 5% petit verdot.In Bond£200.00 -
James Suckling (96-97)
This has a very deep and beautiful palate with cherries, chocolate, hazelnut and orange peel. Pretty blackcurrants and blue berries, too. Medium body. The finish has gorgeous al-dente fruit at the end and is always subtle. Open tannins. A blend of 58% cabernet sauvignon, 37% merlot, and 5% petit verdot.In Bond£195.00 -
Inc. VAT£1,852.80
-
Inc. VAT£1,994.40
-
Inc. VAT£1,303.20
-
Inc. VAT£1,711.20
-
Inc. VAT£884.40
-
Inc. VAT£865.20
-
Wine Advocate (80)
The 1970 Château Margaux was born during a weak period for the estate and it has long been an underperforming wine. It's not terrible, but it unquestionably does fall a long way short of what you would expect from a First Growth. It has a one-dimensional nose with rather lifeless tar and cedar scents. The palate is showing a touch of volatility on the entry with charred, dry tannins that lead down towards a foursquare finish, which can best be described as dull. Tasted June 2015.Inc. VAT£554.40 -
Inc. VAT£5,191.20
-
Inc. VAT£589.20
-
Inc. VAT£4,822.80