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.
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France
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Vinous (90-92)
The 2017 Corton Grand Cru was picked on 5 and 8 September and comes from Les Renardes but it also contains some fruit from the little known “Hautes Mourottes” and is made using vinification intégrale. It is deep in colour, and the bouquet is comparatively closed vis-à-vis Drouhin’s other Grand Cru, seeming quite broody, with blackberry and subtle iodine aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy tannin, one of the most muscular from Drouhin this year, and the saline finish is lightly spiced. Give it three or four years in bottle... at least.Inc. VAT£555.49 -
(3x150cl) 2018Jancis Robinson (17)
Deep cherry red. Ripe damson, rich in ripe fruit. But the texture gives elegance to that ripe fruit. Firm, dry with lovely tannin texture. There’s power but the texture is fine to offset the richness of fruit. Chalky aftertaste.Inc. VAT£1,143.49 -
Jancis Robinson (17)
Deep cherry red. Ripe damson, rich in ripe fruit. But the texture gives elegance to that ripe fruit. Firm, dry with lovely tannin texture. There’s power but the texture is fine to offset the richness of fruit. Chalky aftertaste.Inc. VAT£697.09 -
Inc. VAT£749.52 -
Inc. VAT£701.16 -
Inc. VAT£1,055.52 -
Inc. VAT£1,216.40 -
James Suckling (97)
A small parcel that yields just six barrels. Impressive citrus aromas with a flinty edge, as well as pithy lemons and grapefruit. It delivers a mouthwatering impression of power and clarity. The palate has a very succulent, powerful and refined feel with a stunning,saline mineral cut. Supreme concentration and power. This is great. Organically farmed grapes. Drink or hold through to 2025+.Inc. VAT£1,279.24 -
Decanter (95)
The east-facing climat of Les Languettes supplies all the fruit for this domaine white from Joseph Drouhin, so this is not an over powerful Corton-Charlemagne. Instead, it's built around a core of freshness and minerality with coiled, underlying concentration and stylish, scented 30% new wood. Racy and refined with some (skin) tannic grip.Inc. VAT£1,096.32 -
Tim Atkin MW (95)
Part of this cuv e is domaine from Les Languettes and part is purchased from Clos Charlemagne and (again) Les Languettes. All are vinified separately. This starts with a chalky nose before diving into a delightfully concentrated mid-palate. Roasted apples, toasted grains, fresh cream and citrus lift give this complexity and flair. 2023-33Inc. VAT£1,535.52 -
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (92-96)
From domaine fruit, picked on 26th August. 35% new wood from various forests. A deeper lemon yellow. Plenty of tension on the nose, with a breadth of apple fruit. A slight reductive quality before the oak takes over. A little youthful bitterness. I don’t find it showing at its best today but I suspect that there is more to this to emerge later. Drink from 2030-2038. Tasted: November 2023.Inc. VAT£751.56 -
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (92-96)
From domaine fruit, picked on 26th August. 35% new wood from various forests. A deeper lemon yellow. Plenty of tension on the nose, with a breadth of apple fruit. A slight reductive quality before the oak takes over. A little youthful bitterness. I don’t find it showing at its best today but I suspect that there is more to this to emerge later. Drink from 2030-2038. Tasted: November 2023.Inc. VAT£1,734.29 -
Vinous - Neal Martin (94-96)
The 2023 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru hails from vines located on the eastern side in the lieu-dit of Les Longuettes. This has a fragrant bouquet with orchard fruit, crushed chalk and white flower notes that gain intensity in the glass. The palate is very well balanced with orange rind and tangerine tones. The vibrant, spicy, lemongrass-laced finish has a seductively waxy texture. This is excellent.Inc. VAT£1,620.80 -
Inc. VAT£186.80 -
Inc. VAT£2,204.69 -
Inc. VAT£2,286.29 -
(6x75cl) 2008Vinous (88-91)
Good bright red. Very reduced nose hints at cherry and redcurrant. Supple on entry, the quite closed in the mid-palate and hard to taste now despite its breadth and sweetness. Best today on the silky, lingering back end, which shows lovely finishing spiciness.Inc. VAT£2,477.60 -
Inc. VAT£1,469.89 -
Inc. VAT£2,653.92 -
Burghound (93)
The ripe and beautifully layered aromas offer up notes of cassis, wild dark berries and plenty of sauvage characteristics. There is lovely sense of underlying tension present on the reasonably concentrated and powerful flavors that also exude evident minerality on the very firm but well-balanced, complex and sneaky long finale. This is an archetypical Cazetiers of muscle and overt power.Inc. VAT£780.72 -
(6x75cl) 2020Inc. VAT£764.69 -
(6x75cl) 2022Inc. VAT£935.60 -
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (92-95)
This comes mostly from the Combe de Lavaux sector. Dense bright balanced purple. The first nose is a little bit reticent but there is plenty happening behind, so lively with a perfectly balanced fruit and acidity, roses and raspberries, long and fine.Inc. VAT£626.38 -
Inc. VAT£553.24
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Vinous (90-92)
The 2017 Gevrey-Chambertin Clos Prieur 1er Cru, which is a new long-term contract for Drouhin, is lucid ruby in color. It has a fresh raspberry and crushed strawberry nose, touches of mint and allspice emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with gentle grip on the entry. It feels well structured, with good backbone, maybe missing a little tension toward the finish, but persistent and satisfying. Give it two or three years in bottle.Inc. VAT£461.52 -
Inc. VAT£801.89 -
Vinous (91-93)
The 2021 Gevrey-Chambertin Clos Prieur 1er Cru is another to add to a list of impressive wines from this less well-known Premier Cru. Vivid red berries, black olive and light limestone aromas waft temptingly from the glass and dupe you into thinking you're in more noble territory. The palate is very well balanced with fine definition, taut and fresh with a crisp and vivacious finish that has the sapidity to urge you back for more. Expect this to land at the top of my banded score.Inc. VAT£612.80 -
Wine Advocate (92)
The 2013 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Lavaux Saint-Jacques was cropped on October 12, entirely destemmed and underwent a 20-day maceration, spending 13 months in oak. It has a wonderful bouquet: very well defined with forest floor, soy and brambly red berry fruit. There is very good intensity here. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, good depth and harmony with a crisp, white pepper-dashed finish. There is already a sense of completeness here and will be well worth seeking out when released in the spring. It has the hubris to outperform both the Charmes-Chambertin and Clos-de-Bèze!Inc. VAT£941.29 -
Vinous (88)
(the parcels that go into this wine yielded an average of about 40 hectoliters per hectare in '16): Medium red. Dark raspberry, mint and soil tones on the nose, lifted by subtle violet perfume. A supple, pliant midweight with good energy and concentration. But ultimately less sweet than the Vosne-Romanée, with the tannins arriving late but turning a bit dusty. Jérôme Faure-Brac noted that all three of these village wines from the Côte de Nuits include some premier cru juice.Inc. VAT£333.20 -
Decanter (93)
The secret ingredient in this impressive village Gevrey-Chambertin is the inclusion of 25% Premier Cru grapes, which add a little more texture and concentration to the blend. With adroitly handled 20% whole bunches and new wood, it's spicy, sweet and textured with sappy acidity and notes of summer pudding and aromatic kitchen spices.Inc. VAT£592.40
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Vinous (90-92)
The 2017 Corton Grand Cru was picked on 5 and 8 September and comes from Les Renardes but it also contains some fruit from the little known “Hautes Mourottes” and is made using vinification intégrale. It is deep in colour, and the bouquet is comparatively closed vis-à-vis Drouhin’s other Grand Cru, seeming quite broody, with blackberry and subtle iodine aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy tannin, one of the most muscular from Drouhin this year, and the saline finish is lightly spiced. Give it three or four years in bottle... at least.In Bond£445.00 -
(3x150cl) 2018
Jancis Robinson (17)
Deep cherry red. Ripe damson, rich in ripe fruit. But the texture gives elegance to that ripe fruit. Firm, dry with lovely tannin texture. There’s power but the texture is fine to offset the richness of fruit. Chalky aftertaste.In Bond£935.00 -
Jancis Robinson (17)
Deep cherry red. Ripe damson, rich in ripe fruit. But the texture gives elegance to that ripe fruit. Firm, dry with lovely tannin texture. There’s power but the texture is fine to offset the richness of fruit. Chalky aftertaste.In Bond£563.00 -
In Bond£606.00
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In Bond£575.00
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In Bond£861.00
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In Bond£993.00
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James Suckling (97)
A small parcel that yields just six barrels. Impressive citrus aromas with a flinty edge, as well as pithy lemons and grapefruit. It delivers a mouthwatering impression of power and clarity. The palate has a very succulent, powerful and refined feel with a stunning,saline mineral cut. Supreme concentration and power. This is great. Organically farmed grapes. Drink or hold through to 2025+.In Bond£1,050.00 -
Decanter (95)
The east-facing climat of Les Languettes supplies all the fruit for this domaine white from Joseph Drouhin, so this is not an over powerful Corton-Charlemagne. Instead, it's built around a core of freshness and minerality with coiled, underlying concentration and stylish, scented 30% new wood. Racy and refined with some (skin) tannic grip.In Bond£895.00 -
Tim Atkin MW (95)
Part of this cuv e is domaine from Les Languettes and part is purchased from Clos Charlemagne and (again) Les Languettes. All are vinified separately. This starts with a chalky nose before diving into a delightfully concentrated mid-palate. Roasted apples, toasted grains, fresh cream and citrus lift give this complexity and flair. 2023-33In Bond£1,261.00 -
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (92-96)
From domaine fruit, picked on 26th August. 35% new wood from various forests. A deeper lemon yellow. Plenty of tension on the nose, with a breadth of apple fruit. A slight reductive quality before the oak takes over. A little youthful bitterness. I don’t find it showing at its best today but I suspect that there is more to this to emerge later. Drink from 2030-2038. Tasted: November 2023.In Bond£617.00 -
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (92-96)
From domaine fruit, picked on 26th August. 35% new wood from various forests. A deeper lemon yellow. Plenty of tension on the nose, with a breadth of apple fruit. A slight reductive quality before the oak takes over. A little youthful bitterness. I don’t find it showing at its best today but I suspect that there is more to this to emerge later. Drink from 2030-2038. Tasted: November 2023.In Bond£1,426.00 -
Vinous - Neal Martin (94-96)
The 2023 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru hails from vines located on the eastern side in the lieu-dit of Les Longuettes. This has a fragrant bouquet with orchard fruit, crushed chalk and white flower notes that gain intensity in the glass. The palate is very well balanced with orange rind and tangerine tones. The vibrant, spicy, lemongrass-laced finish has a seductively waxy texture. This is excellent.In Bond£1,330.00 -
In Bond£135.00
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In Bond£1,818.00
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In Bond£1,886.00
-
(6x75cl) 2008
Vinous (88-91)
Good bright red. Very reduced nose hints at cherry and redcurrant. Supple on entry, the quite closed in the mid-palate and hard to taste now despite its breadth and sweetness. Best today on the silky, lingering back end, which shows lovely finishing spiciness.In Bond£2,044.00 -
In Bond£1,207.00
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In Bond£2,193.00
-
Burghound (93)
The ripe and beautifully layered aromas offer up notes of cassis, wild dark berries and plenty of sauvage characteristics. There is lovely sense of underlying tension present on the reasonably concentrated and powerful flavors that also exude evident minerality on the very firm but well-balanced, complex and sneaky long finale. This is an archetypical Cazetiers of muscle and overt power.In Bond£632.00 -
(6x75cl) 2020In Bond£618.00
-
(6x75cl) 2022In Bond£759.00
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Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (92-95)
This comes mostly from the Combe de Lavaux sector. Dense bright balanced purple. The first nose is a little bit reticent but there is plenty happening behind, so lively with a perfectly balanced fruit and acidity, roses and raspberries, long and fine.In Bond£502.00 -
In Bond£445.00
-
Vinous (90-92)
The 2017 Gevrey-Chambertin Clos Prieur 1er Cru, which is a new long-term contract for Drouhin, is lucid ruby in color. It has a fresh raspberry and crushed strawberry nose, touches of mint and allspice emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with gentle grip on the entry. It feels well structured, with good backbone, maybe missing a little tension toward the finish, but persistent and satisfying. Give it two or three years in bottle.In Bond£366.00 -
In Bond£649.00
-
Vinous (91-93)
The 2021 Gevrey-Chambertin Clos Prieur 1er Cru is another to add to a list of impressive wines from this less well-known Premier Cru. Vivid red berries, black olive and light limestone aromas waft temptingly from the glass and dupe you into thinking you're in more noble territory. The palate is very well balanced with fine definition, taut and fresh with a crisp and vivacious finish that has the sapidity to urge you back for more. Expect this to land at the top of my banded score.In Bond£490.00 -
Wine Advocate (92)
The 2013 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Lavaux Saint-Jacques was cropped on October 12, entirely destemmed and underwent a 20-day maceration, spending 13 months in oak. It has a wonderful bouquet: very well defined with forest floor, soy and brambly red berry fruit. There is very good intensity here. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, good depth and harmony with a crisp, white pepper-dashed finish. There is already a sense of completeness here and will be well worth seeking out when released in the spring. It has the hubris to outperform both the Charmes-Chambertin and Clos-de-Bèze!In Bond£766.50 -
Vinous (88)
(the parcels that go into this wine yielded an average of about 40 hectoliters per hectare in '16): Medium red. Dark raspberry, mint and soil tones on the nose, lifted by subtle violet perfume. A supple, pliant midweight with good energy and concentration. But ultimately less sweet than the Vosne-Romanée, with the tannins arriving late but turning a bit dusty. Jérôme Faure-Brac noted that all three of these village wines from the Côte de Nuits include some premier cru juice.In Bond£257.00 -
Decanter (93)
The secret ingredient in this impressive village Gevrey-Chambertin is the inclusion of 25% Premier Cru grapes, which add a little more texture and concentration to the blend. With adroitly handled 20% whole bunches and new wood, it's spicy, sweet and textured with sappy acidity and notes of summer pudding and aromatic kitchen spices.In Bond£473.00
