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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(6x75cl) 2023Wine Advocate (90)
Aromas of cherries, sweet berries and vanilla pod preface the 2023 Pommard Tavannes, a medium to full-bodied, seamless and pure wine with a fleshy core of fruit, ripe tannins and lively acids.Inc. VAT£251.93 -
Hailing from the revered cellars of French winemakers Fernand & Laurent Pillot comes the exquisite Fernand & Laurent Pillot Volnay 2021. A testament to master craftsmanship and Burgundian terroir, this noble red wine is born in the renowned Volnay appellation amidst eastern France's lush, rolling vineyards. Each grape is meticulously handpicked, ensuring only the finest are fermented in traditional oak barrels, instilling a rich, complex character into every bottle.
The palate of this 2021 vintage marries luscious black fruit notes with an undercurrent of delicate spice and silky tannins. Its striking bright ruby hue is beguiling, hinting at the elegant, balanced and incredibly nuanced experience encapsulated within. Fernand & Laurent Pillot's unerring dedication to quality is prominent throughout, offering a wine that is not only remarkable in its vintage but truly embodies the essence of Volnay's esteemed vineyards.
Indulge in the superior refinement of Fernand & Laurent Pillot Volnay 2021; a wine that eloquently narrates its origin story with each sumptuous sip.
Inc. VAT£294.80 -
For those seeking an exemplary representation of Burgundian flair, the Fernand & Laurent Pillot Volnay 2022 promises an unparalleled indulgence. Produced by the esteemed Maison Fernand & Laurent Pillot, renowned for its approach of minimal intervention winemaking in Chassagne-Montrachet, this vintage exudes the enduring elegance associated with the Côte de Beaune’s prestigious terroir. Bright cherry and delicate floral notes enchant the nose, leading into a well-structured palate adorned with lingering spice undertones. The silky tannins testify to the meticulous crafting behind each bottle, utilising traditional vinification methods, native fermentation and selective ageing in French barrels. With its admired roots in Volnay's hallowed soils, Fernand & Laurent Pillot Volnay 2022 successfully encapsulates the harmony between centuries-old winemaking tradition and innovative viticultural prowess. Serve this wine to experience the epitome of French finesse captured in a glass.
Inc. VAT£294.80 -
(6x75cl) 2023Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (87-90)
Made from Grands, Ronceret, Brouillards and Pasquiers, the latter a new acquisition, so the Pilllots now have almost a hectare for this cuvée. Fuller purple, with some attractive if heady red berry fruit. Sweet raspberry on the palate but just a suggestion of volatility. Drink from 2027-2030. Tasted Nov 2024.Inc. VAT£251.93 -
Steeped in refinement, Ferran 2010 is a perfect addition for any wine enthusiast's cellar. This magnificently structured Bordeaux blend hails from Pessac-Léognan, a prestigious appellation renowned for exquisite reds. The blend is cultivated from 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Franc grapes, a harmonious fusion embodying immense depth and character.
Ferran 2010 undergoes conventional vinification, with exemplary precision and rigour at the heart of the process. Aged in French oak barrels for 15 months, this maturation imparts rich, velvety undertones that tantalisingly intertwine with vibrant red fruit and subtle spice.
Under the judicious custodianship of revered winemaker Guillaume Pouthier, Ferran 2010 captures the quintessence of balanced French winemaking. It masterfully encapsulates the characteristic harmony between time-honoured traditional techniques and innovative modern approaches. This fine vintage delights the palate with profound layers of complex flavours, a true testament to Pouthier's deft artistry and the fertile terroir of Pessac-Léognan.
Inc. VAT£364.87 -
Wine Advocate (85-87)
Notes of tobacco leaf, roasted herbs, red and black currants are found in this medium-bodied, straightforward 2012. Drink it over the next 5-6 years.Inc. VAT£250.87 -
Wine Advocate (87-89)
This straw-colored 2012 exhibits notes of figs, citrus oil, grapefruit and wet grass. Drink this intriguing, Sauvignon-dominated, dry white over the next 7-10 years.Inc. VAT£128.44 -
Vinous (93)
Opaque ruby. Smoke- and spice-accented scents of cherry liqueur, blueberry and violet are complicated by hints of olive paste and pipe tobacco. Juicy and broad on the palate, offering intense, deeply concentrated black and blue fruit and licorice flavors and a spicy touch of cracked pepper. Comes off elegant and precise for the vintage, finishing with solid thrust, excellent persistence and smooth, harmonious tannins.Inc. VAT£122.93 -
Inc. VAT£147.49 -
Wine Advocate - Robert Parker (95)
The cream of the lineup is the 2013 Hermitage le Méal. Not harvested until October and aged 18 months in 20% new oak, it has killer notes of jammy blackberry, black raspberry, crushed rocks, garrigue and olive tapenade. Possessing that kiss of sweet fruit that’s common from this warmer terroir, this medium to full-bodied Hermitage has gorgeously pure fruit, no hard edges, fine tannin and a great finish. It will cruise for two decades.Inc. VAT£140.93 -
Vinous (92)
Bright purple. Powerful, highly perfumed aromas of black and blue fruit liqueur, olive and potpourri, along with mineral and floral overtones. Stains the palate with juicy cassis and boysenberry flavors, while a sweet violet pastille nuance lends an exotic touch. Youthful tannins lend shape a very long, chewy, mineral-accented finish that shows outstanding power and repeating florality.Inc. VAT£116.93 -
Jeb Dunnuck (98+)
More bloody meat, black raspberries, wood smoke, spice, and truffle notes emerge from the 2017 Hermitage Le Méal, a massive, opulent effort that has loads of opulence and fruit, building tannins, a gorgeous mid-palate, and a monster finish. It's one of the finest wines I've tasted from this estate! It’s already approachable yet promises to evolve gracefully for 20-25 years or more.Inc. VAT£453.95 -
Wine Spectator (94)
A rich, velvety style, with lush fig, blackberry and black currant fruit driven by warm ganache, singed anise and roasted espresso notes. An iron thread propels the finish.Inc. VAT£148.13 -
Vinous (92)
Glass-staining ruby. Vibrant red and dark berry, spicecake and potpourri aromas on the intensely perfumed nose. Sappy and broad on the palate, offering appealingly sweet black raspberry, floral pastille and cola flavors buffered by lively acidity and a hint of smoky minerals. Closes smooth, sweet, gently tannic and very long, conveying further suggestions of spicecake and cola.Inc. VAT£92.93 -
(1x75cl) 2015Wine Advocate (94-96)
The 2015 Ermitage Les Dionnieres saw the same élevage as the Le Méal and has huge, unctuous aromas and flavors of ripe black cherries, black currants, framboise, crushed rocks and graphite. Coming from a site located on the eastern edge of the appellation, it has a huge mid-palate, integrated acidity and the sweet, sweet tannin that’s common in the vintage.Inc. VAT£131.05 -
Vinous (92)
Lurid ruby. Powerful, smoke-accented dark fruit preserve, violet, licorice and cracked pepper aromas develop a hint of olive as the wine opens up. Round and weighty on the palate, offering sweet black currant and cherry pie flavors and a touch of succulent herbs. The peppery note comes back strong on the clinging finish, which is framed by smooth, mounting tannins. While this lush wine checks in at 15% alcohol, I didn't notice it.Inc. VAT£111.85 -
(1x150cl) 2017Vinous (93)
Inky violet. Smoke-accented aromas of ripe cherry, blackberry, violet and black pepper, joined by a subtle mineral touch that builds in the glass. Chewy in texture and sharply focused, offering concentrated, spice-laced black and blue fruit flavors and a deeper licorice note. The peppery quality comes back on the long, clinging finish, which is shaped by steadily mounting tannins. This fruit is grown on the granitic soils of Tournon. 15% new oak.Inc. VAT£149.29 -
Inc. VAT£144.72 -
Vinous (88-90)
The 2021 Pouilly-Fuissé Clos des Prouges has a well-defined bouquet with lemon verbena and light sea spray aromas. The palate is well-balanced with fine acidity, moderate depth, though maybe it just does not quite kick on at the finish like the previous two vintages. Eight barrels produced instead of the usual 24 or 26.Inc. VAT£343.49 -
(6x75cl) 2022Inc. VAT£359.60 -
Vinous (90)
The 2020 Pouilly-Fuissé comes from close to 32 separate plots, vinified in concrete vats and used oak. It has a well-defined and focused bouquet, light floral scents emerging with time. The palate is well balanced with crisp acidity, nicely focused, not complex yet with impressive persistence and mineralité. Very fine.Inc. VAT£264.72 -
Vinous (89-91)
The 2021 Pouilly-Fuissé was tasted from two parcels, one from granite vinified in concrete, which has a leesy, slightly floral bouquet and a pleasant fatness on the mid-palate. Next is from limestone soils and raised in oak, which seems to have a little more tension and race. A third from Les Vignes Blanches, raised solely in used oak, has a pleasant reduction on the nose, again, with fine tension and good substance towards the finish. Together, these should provide the foundation for a well-crafted and quite complex Pouilly-Fuissé, though production will be severely reduced compared to other vintages - just eight barrels.Inc. VAT£244.40 -
Vinous (90-92)
The 2021 Pouilly-Fuissé Tournant de Pouilly 1er Cru was reduced to four barrels this year due to extensive hail damage. It has an attractive bouquet with lemon verbena and crushed chalky scents. The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity, taut and fresh, quite saline with lemon thyme and light ginger notes towards a finish that has a pleasing directness.Inc. VAT£410.69 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94)
The 2015 Ferrière is terrific. Black cherry, plum, lavender and spice give the 2015 its super distinctive dark profile. Juicy and generous on the palate, the 2015 has developed into a very nice Margaux that plays on the darker end of the fruit spectrum. The 2015 is dense and powerful, but also impeccably balanced.Inc. VAT£135.20 -
Wine Enthusiast (94)
From a vineyard that is now biodynamic, the wine has gained an extra dimension of fruit. At the same time, the tannins give the wine density that will stand it in good stead as it ages. This is for the long term.Inc. VAT£494.64 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94)
The 2018 Ferrière is a powerful, tightly wound wine. Inky dark fruit, gravel, cured meats, graphite, smoke and lavender all run through the 2018. Readers will have to be especially patient, as the 2018 needs time to unwind. Yields are down from an average of 45 hectoliters per hectare to just 26, which no doubt contributes to the wine's natural intensity. The blend is 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc, in other words, the Cabernet Sauvignon is especially high, a recent trend here because of climate change. This is the first year in which a portion of the wine was aged in cement and amphora (20%), which according to Claire Lurton allows for lower SO2 in aging.Inc. VAT£542.35 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (95)
The 2019 Ferrière is a dense, packed wine, just as it was from barrel. Black fruit, graphite plum, licorice and spice infuse the 2019 with tremendous character. This powerful, brooding Margaux is going to need at least a few years to come together. It sure is alluring in this tasting. Readers will have to be patient, though. The tannins are pretty formidable. Ferrière was impressive en primeur. It is equally compelling today.Inc. VAT£477.84 -
James Suckling (95-96)
Full-bodied with layers of bark, black tea and intense blackberry and earth. Iodine, too. It’s powerful, chewy and focused. 68% cabernet, 27% merlot, 3% petite verdot and 2% cabernet franc. From biodynamically grown grapes. Demeter certification.Inc. VAT£480.84 -
James Suckling (95-96)
Full-bodied with layers of bark, black tea and intense blackberry and earth. Iodine, too. It’s powerful, chewy and focused. 68% cabernet, 27% merlot, 3% petite verdot and 2% cabernet franc. From biodynamically grown grapes. Demeter certification.Inc. VAT£519.84 -
(12x37.5cl) 2021The Drinks Business (92-94)
Ferrière (Margaux; 81% Cabernet Sauvignon; 13% Merlot; 5% Petit Verdot; 1% Cabernet Franc; tasted at Durfot-Vivens). Cool, refined and pure, with a nice touch of graphite and a lovely minerality alongside the bright and brilliant fruit – cassis, redcurrant, cranberry, but also raspberry purée and mulberry. Super-soft on the entry, and with the racy acidity brilliantly incorporated and distributed across the palate, this builds to a lovely and intensely sapid crescendo. The Cabernet Sauvignon is the star here and that gives a superb fresh cassis signature to the fantail finish. Likely to be excellent valueInc. VAT£289.09
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(6x75cl) 2023Wine Advocate (90)
Aromas of cherries, sweet berries and vanilla pod preface the 2023 Pommard Tavannes, a medium to full-bodied, seamless and pure wine with a fleshy core of fruit, ripe tannins and lively acids.In Bond£190.00 -
Hailing from the revered cellars of French winemakers Fernand & Laurent Pillot comes the exquisite Fernand & Laurent Pillot Volnay 2021. A testament to master craftsmanship and Burgundian terroir, this noble red wine is born in the renowned Volnay appellation amidst eastern France's lush, rolling vineyards. Each grape is meticulously handpicked, ensuring only the finest are fermented in traditional oak barrels, instilling a rich, complex character into every bottle.
The palate of this 2021 vintage marries luscious black fruit notes with an undercurrent of delicate spice and silky tannins. Its striking bright ruby hue is beguiling, hinting at the elegant, balanced and incredibly nuanced experience encapsulated within. Fernand & Laurent Pillot's unerring dedication to quality is prominent throughout, offering a wine that is not only remarkable in its vintage but truly embodies the essence of Volnay's esteemed vineyards.
Indulge in the superior refinement of Fernand & Laurent Pillot Volnay 2021; a wine that eloquently narrates its origin story with each sumptuous sip.
In Bond£225.00 -
For those seeking an exemplary representation of Burgundian flair, the Fernand & Laurent Pillot Volnay 2022 promises an unparalleled indulgence. Produced by the esteemed Maison Fernand & Laurent Pillot, renowned for its approach of minimal intervention winemaking in Chassagne-Montrachet, this vintage exudes the enduring elegance associated with the Côte de Beaune’s prestigious terroir. Bright cherry and delicate floral notes enchant the nose, leading into a well-structured palate adorned with lingering spice undertones. The silky tannins testify to the meticulous crafting behind each bottle, utilising traditional vinification methods, native fermentation and selective ageing in French barrels. With its admired roots in Volnay's hallowed soils, Fernand & Laurent Pillot Volnay 2022 successfully encapsulates the harmony between centuries-old winemaking tradition and innovative viticultural prowess. Serve this wine to experience the epitome of French finesse captured in a glass.
In Bond£225.00 -
(6x75cl) 2023Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (87-90)
Made from Grands, Ronceret, Brouillards and Pasquiers, the latter a new acquisition, so the Pilllots now have almost a hectare for this cuvée. Fuller purple, with some attractive if heady red berry fruit. Sweet raspberry on the palate but just a suggestion of volatility. Drink from 2027-2030. Tasted Nov 2024.In Bond£190.00 -
Steeped in refinement, Ferran 2010 is a perfect addition for any wine enthusiast's cellar. This magnificently structured Bordeaux blend hails from Pessac-Léognan, a prestigious appellation renowned for exquisite reds. The blend is cultivated from 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Franc grapes, a harmonious fusion embodying immense depth and character.
Ferran 2010 undergoes conventional vinification, with exemplary precision and rigour at the heart of the process. Aged in French oak barrels for 15 months, this maturation imparts rich, velvety undertones that tantalisingly intertwine with vibrant red fruit and subtle spice.
Under the judicious custodianship of revered winemaker Guillaume Pouthier, Ferran 2010 captures the quintessence of balanced French winemaking. It masterfully encapsulates the characteristic harmony between time-honoured traditional techniques and innovative modern approaches. This fine vintage delights the palate with profound layers of complex flavours, a true testament to Pouthier's deft artistry and the fertile terroir of Pessac-Léognan.
In Bond£272.00 -
Wine Advocate (85-87)
Notes of tobacco leaf, roasted herbs, red and black currants are found in this medium-bodied, straightforward 2012. Drink it over the next 5-6 years.In Bond£177.00 -
Wine Advocate (87-89)
This straw-colored 2012 exhibits notes of figs, citrus oil, grapefruit and wet grass. Drink this intriguing, Sauvignon-dominated, dry white over the next 7-10 years.In Bond£91.00 -
Vinous (93)
Opaque ruby. Smoke- and spice-accented scents of cherry liqueur, blueberry and violet are complicated by hints of olive paste and pipe tobacco. Juicy and broad on the palate, offering intense, deeply concentrated black and blue fruit and licorice flavors and a spicy touch of cracked pepper. Comes off elegant and precise for the vintage, finishing with solid thrust, excellent persistence and smooth, harmonious tannins.In Bond£99.00 -
In Bond£105.00 -
Wine Advocate - Robert Parker (95)
The cream of the lineup is the 2013 Hermitage le Méal. Not harvested until October and aged 18 months in 20% new oak, it has killer notes of jammy blackberry, black raspberry, crushed rocks, garrigue and olive tapenade. Possessing that kiss of sweet fruit that’s common from this warmer terroir, this medium to full-bodied Hermitage has gorgeously pure fruit, no hard edges, fine tannin and a great finish. It will cruise for two decades.Inc. VAT£136.80 -
Vinous (92)
Bright purple. Powerful, highly perfumed aromas of black and blue fruit liqueur, olive and potpourri, along with mineral and floral overtones. Stains the palate with juicy cassis and boysenberry flavors, while a sweet violet pastille nuance lends an exotic touch. Youthful tannins lend shape a very long, chewy, mineral-accented finish that shows outstanding power and repeating florality.In Bond£94.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (98+)
More bloody meat, black raspberries, wood smoke, spice, and truffle notes emerge from the 2017 Hermitage Le Méal, a massive, opulent effort that has loads of opulence and fruit, building tannins, a gorgeous mid-palate, and a monster finish. It's one of the finest wines I've tasted from this estate! It’s already approachable yet promises to evolve gracefully for 20-25 years or more.In Bond£359.00 -
Wine Spectator (94)
A rich, velvety style, with lush fig, blackberry and black currant fruit driven by warm ganache, singed anise and roasted espresso notes. An iron thread propels the finish.In Bond£120.00 -
Vinous (92)
Glass-staining ruby. Vibrant red and dark berry, spicecake and potpourri aromas on the intensely perfumed nose. Sappy and broad on the palate, offering appealingly sweet black raspberry, floral pastille and cola flavors buffered by lively acidity and a hint of smoky minerals. Closes smooth, sweet, gently tannic and very long, conveying further suggestions of spicecake and cola.In Bond£74.00 -
(1x75cl) 2015Wine Advocate (94-96)
The 2015 Ermitage Les Dionnieres saw the same élevage as the Le Méal and has huge, unctuous aromas and flavors of ripe black cherries, black currants, framboise, crushed rocks and graphite. Coming from a site located on the eastern edge of the appellation, it has a huge mid-palate, integrated acidity and the sweet, sweet tannin that’s common in the vintage.In Bond£106.00 -
Vinous (92)
Lurid ruby. Powerful, smoke-accented dark fruit preserve, violet, licorice and cracked pepper aromas develop a hint of olive as the wine opens up. Round and weighty on the palate, offering sweet black currant and cherry pie flavors and a touch of succulent herbs. The peppery note comes back strong on the clinging finish, which is framed by smooth, mounting tannins. While this lush wine checks in at 15% alcohol, I didn't notice it.In Bond£90.00 -
(1x150cl) 2017Vinous (93)
Inky violet. Smoke-accented aromas of ripe cherry, blackberry, violet and black pepper, joined by a subtle mineral touch that builds in the glass. Chewy in texture and sharply focused, offering concentrated, spice-laced black and blue fruit flavors and a deeper licorice note. The peppery quality comes back on the long, clinging finish, which is shaped by steadily mounting tannins. This fruit is grown on the granitic soils of Tournon. 15% new oak.In Bond£118.00 -
In Bond£102.00 -
Vinous (88-90)
The 2021 Pouilly-Fuissé Clos des Prouges has a well-defined bouquet with lemon verbena and light sea spray aromas. The palate is well-balanced with fine acidity, moderate depth, though maybe it just does not quite kick on at the finish like the previous two vintages. Eight barrels produced instead of the usual 24 or 26.In Bond£267.00 -
(6x75cl) 2022In Bond£279.00 -
Vinous (90)
The 2020 Pouilly-Fuissé comes from close to 32 separate plots, vinified in concrete vats and used oak. It has a well-defined and focused bouquet, light floral scents emerging with time. The palate is well balanced with crisp acidity, nicely focused, not complex yet with impressive persistence and mineralité. Very fine.In Bond£202.00 -
Vinous (89-91)
The 2021 Pouilly-Fuissé was tasted from two parcels, one from granite vinified in concrete, which has a leesy, slightly floral bouquet and a pleasant fatness on the mid-palate. Next is from limestone soils and raised in oak, which seems to have a little more tension and race. A third from Les Vignes Blanches, raised solely in used oak, has a pleasant reduction on the nose, again, with fine tension and good substance towards the finish. Together, these should provide the foundation for a well-crafted and quite complex Pouilly-Fuissé, though production will be severely reduced compared to other vintages - just eight barrels.In Bond£183.00 -
Vinous (90-92)
The 2021 Pouilly-Fuissé Tournant de Pouilly 1er Cru was reduced to four barrels this year due to extensive hail damage. It has an attractive bouquet with lemon verbena and crushed chalky scents. The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity, taut and fresh, quite saline with lemon thyme and light ginger notes towards a finish that has a pleasing directness.In Bond£323.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94)
The 2015 Ferrière is terrific. Black cherry, plum, lavender and spice give the 2015 its super distinctive dark profile. Juicy and generous on the palate, the 2015 has developed into a very nice Margaux that plays on the darker end of the fruit spectrum. The 2015 is dense and powerful, but also impeccably balanced.In Bond£110.00 -
Wine Enthusiast (94)
From a vineyard that is now biodynamic, the wine has gained an extra dimension of fruit. At the same time, the tannins give the wine density that will stand it in good stead as it ages. This is for the long term.In Bond£375.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94)
The 2018 Ferrière is a powerful, tightly wound wine. Inky dark fruit, gravel, cured meats, graphite, smoke and lavender all run through the 2018. Readers will have to be especially patient, as the 2018 needs time to unwind. Yields are down from an average of 45 hectoliters per hectare to just 26, which no doubt contributes to the wine's natural intensity. The blend is 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc, in other words, the Cabernet Sauvignon is especially high, a recent trend here because of climate change. This is the first year in which a portion of the wine was aged in cement and amphora (20%), which according to Claire Lurton allows for lower SO2 in aging.In Bond£412.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (95)
The 2019 Ferrière is a dense, packed wine, just as it was from barrel. Black fruit, graphite plum, licorice and spice infuse the 2019 with tremendous character. This powerful, brooding Margaux is going to need at least a few years to come together. It sure is alluring in this tasting. Readers will have to be patient, though. The tannins are pretty formidable. Ferrière was impressive en primeur. It is equally compelling today.In Bond£361.00 -
James Suckling (95-96)
Full-bodied with layers of bark, black tea and intense blackberry and earth. Iodine, too. It’s powerful, chewy and focused. 68% cabernet, 27% merlot, 3% petite verdot and 2% cabernet franc. From biodynamically grown grapes. Demeter certification.In Bond£363.50 -
James Suckling (95-96)
Full-bodied with layers of bark, black tea and intense blackberry and earth. Iodine, too. It’s powerful, chewy and focused. 68% cabernet, 27% merlot, 3% petite verdot and 2% cabernet franc. From biodynamically grown grapes. Demeter certification.In Bond£396.00 -
(12x37.5cl) 2021The Drinks Business (92-94)
Ferrière (Margaux; 81% Cabernet Sauvignon; 13% Merlot; 5% Petit Verdot; 1% Cabernet Franc; tasted at Durfot-Vivens). Cool, refined and pure, with a nice touch of graphite and a lovely minerality alongside the bright and brilliant fruit – cassis, redcurrant, cranberry, but also raspberry purée and mulberry. Super-soft on the entry, and with the racy acidity brilliantly incorporated and distributed across the palate, this builds to a lovely and intensely sapid crescendo. The Cabernet Sauvignon is the star here and that gives a superb fresh cassis signature to the fantail finish. Likely to be excellent valueIn Bond£223.00

