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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Burghound (90-93)
A soft dollop of wood sets of the super-fresh and elegant aromas of red currant, cherry, anise and lilac. The racy, delicious and refined middle weight flavors possess fine depth and persistence on the moderately structured and bitter cherry-inflected finish. This is really very pretty and should age well.Inc. VAT£1,276.32 -
Vinous (90-92)
Dark red-ruby. Good mineral lift to the aromas of red berries, tobacco and cardamom. Bright, fine-grained wine with moderate depth and sweetness but lovely inner-mouth floral lift to its raspberry and stone flavors. Still a bit compressed but this may be gaining in richness. The firmly tannic finish offers good persistence.Inc. VAT£985.09 -
Inc. VAT£1,165.24 -
Inc. VAT£1,206.35 -
(6x75cl) 2017Inc. VAT£960.04 -
Inc. VAT£1,358.69 -
Burghound (91-94)
A notably fresher nose offers up notes of various red berries along with a plentitude of floral nuances. There is also better energy on the palate of the medium-bodied flavors that exude evident minerality on the saline and lingering if again mildly rustic finish. With that said, this is much better-balanced.Inc. VAT£1,019.52 -
Inc. VAT£1,200.29 -
Burghound (91-94)
A very pretty and airy nose features notes of red cherry, raspberry and spice with a shading of soft wood and earth. On the palate though this is not nearly as concentrated though there is still perfectly good concentration and a sleek muscularity on the vibrant, detailed and lingering finish. While this is by no means light, it is a Charmes built more along the lines of finesse than power.Inc. VAT£1,710.35 -
(6x75cl) 2019Burghound (92-94)
Firm reduction flattens the under fruit today. More interesting are the fleshier and less mineral-driven flavors that possess solid flavors that are really lovely texture while exhibiting fine depth and persistence on the balanced and less structured finale.Inc. VAT£2,053.24 -
Inc. VAT£176.80 -
(6x75cl) 2012Vinous (93-95)
The 2012 Clos de La Roche is attractive, but it's also a bit monolithic. Menthol, crushed rocks, smoke, spices, anise and earthy notes add complexity to the fruit. There is plenty of energy and power in the glass, but less in the way of elegance or finesse, at least today.Inc. VAT£3,622.32 -
Burghound (88-91)
A somber nose half-heartedly offers up notes of forest floor, earth and leather on the essence of red berry fruit-scented aromas. There is better volume and muscle to the bigger and richer if decidedly grippy and somewhat short finish. This too may lengthen out but today it seems a bit clipped and compact.Inc. VAT£1,729.92 -
(6x75cl) 2019Inc. VAT£1,983.64 -
Burghound (92-94)
This is actually quite aromatically similar to the Genavrières if perhaps just a bit more spice elements in evidence. There is more substantial difference on the palate though with more size, weight and richness to the more powerful broad-shouldered flavors that possess so much dry extract that the palate impression is almost lush, all wrapped in a firm, lingering and balanced finale. What this doesn't have, at least not yet, is outstanding depth so at least moderate patience will be in order.Inc. VAT£1,927.49 -
Vinous (91-95)
Good deep red. Pungent aromas of blueberry, smoke, minerals and game. Lush, sexy and deep, with powerful extract and sappiness to its deep core of fruit. A metallic, iodiney quality and a saline element communicate a strong impression of the soil. This firmly structured wine coats the entire palate on the aftertaste, finishing with serious tannins and a note of coffee. Saouma noted that this grand cru was vinified with about one-third of its stems and underwent a long maceration; he planned to bottle most of it in magnums.Inc. VAT£1,857.12 -
Vinous (93-95)
The 2012 Clos de Vougeot is superb and sensual, its contours softened by the rich, naturally low-yielding vintage, which gives a level of pliancy and suppleness that is highly unusual for this wine. Sweet red berries, crushed rocks and high-toned floral nuances meld together beautifully. The expressive, layered finish is simply striking. Proprietor Mounir Saouma blends three barrels from different sources within the Clos for this wine.Inc. VAT£1,596.72 -
Inc. VAT£1,789.18 -
Inc. VAT£1,662.35 -
(6x75cl) 2010Vinous (94-96)
The 2010 Clos Saint Denis is all about textural finesse and effortless grace. Layers of sweet perfume emerge from this harmonious, understated Burgundy. White flowers and licorice add dimension and volume on the finely knit finish.Inc. VAT£3,089.60 -
Inc. VAT£1,643.15 -
(6x75cl) 2020Inc. VAT£1,557.11 -
Inc. VAT£1,213.92 -
Inc. VAT£1,358.69 -
Inc. VAT£1,358.69 -
(6x75cl) 2010Vinous (95)
Brilliant, high-pitched aromas of lemon, orange zest and nutmeg. Large-scaled, rich and deep for Corton-Charlemagne, saturating the palate with a wave of crushed limestone, citrus fruits, cinnamon, ginger and clove flavors. Wonderfully seamless wine with great concentration and persistence. This is actually much more pliant today than it appeared to be from barrel a year ago but I would expect it to shut down in bottle. If you have to open it anytime soon, Saouma suggests giving it a double decanting, as a mechanical action is needed to make the CO2 disappear.Inc. VAT£2,670.04 -
(3x150cl) 2011Vinous (94-96)
The 2011 Corton-Charlemagne is drop-dead gorgeous. Subtle, nuanced and very pretty, the 2011 is all about understatement and reserve. The aromas and flavors show off striking inner perfume and impeccable balance. This is a great showing from an utterly beautiful wine with a bright future, but it is also a wine that demand's the taster's full attention.Inc. VAT£10,397.52 -
(6x75cl) 2011Vinous (94-96)
The 2011 Corton-Charlemagne is drop-dead gorgeous. Subtle, nuanced and very pretty, the 2011 is all about understatement and reserve. The aromas and flavors show off striking inner perfume and impeccable balance. This is a great showing from an utterly beautiful wine with a bright future, but it is also a wine that demand's the taster's full attention.Inc. VAT£10,397.52 -
(6x75cl) 2020Inc. VAT£4,133.60 -
(6x75cl) 2009Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (92-95)
(from En Orveaux, on the north side of this sprawling grand cru) Bright, deep red. Complex, terroir-driven aromas of redcurrant, raspberry, minerals, licorice, smoke and tobacco, plus a whiff of fruit syrup. Dense, primary and penetrating, but already shows the compelling sweetness of fruit of the vintage. Not yet especially complex but stains the palate on the very long, vibrant aftertaste. An extremely young wine of great finesse.Inc. VAT£2,988.04
-
Burghound (90-93)
A soft dollop of wood sets of the super-fresh and elegant aromas of red currant, cherry, anise and lilac. The racy, delicious and refined middle weight flavors possess fine depth and persistence on the moderately structured and bitter cherry-inflected finish. This is really very pretty and should age well.In Bond£1,045.00 -
Vinous (90-92)
Dark red-ruby. Good mineral lift to the aromas of red berries, tobacco and cardamom. Bright, fine-grained wine with moderate depth and sweetness but lovely inner-mouth floral lift to its raspberry and stone flavors. Still a bit compressed but this may be gaining in richness. The firmly tannic finish offers good persistence.In Bond£803.00 -
In Bond£955.00 -
In Bond£986.00 -
(6x75cl) 2017In Bond£784.00 -
In Bond£1,113.00 -
Burghound (91-94)
A notably fresher nose offers up notes of various red berries along with a plentitude of floral nuances. There is also better energy on the palate of the medium-bodied flavors that exude evident minerality on the saline and lingering if again mildly rustic finish. With that said, this is much better-balanced.In Bond£831.00 -
In Bond£981.00 -
Burghound (91-94)
A very pretty and airy nose features notes of red cherry, raspberry and spice with a shading of soft wood and earth. On the palate though this is not nearly as concentrated though there is still perfectly good concentration and a sleek muscularity on the vibrant, detailed and lingering finish. While this is by no means light, it is a Charmes built more along the lines of finesse than power.In Bond£1,406.00 -
(6x75cl) 2019Burghound (92-94)
Firm reduction flattens the under fruit today. More interesting are the fleshier and less mineral-driven flavors that possess solid flavors that are really lovely texture while exhibiting fine depth and persistence on the balanced and less structured finale.In Bond£1,695.00 -
In Bond£144.00 -
(6x75cl) 2012Vinous (93-95)
The 2012 Clos de La Roche is attractive, but it's also a bit monolithic. Menthol, crushed rocks, smoke, spices, anise and earthy notes add complexity to the fruit. There is plenty of energy and power in the glass, but less in the way of elegance or finesse, at least today.In Bond£3,000.00 -
Burghound (88-91)
A somber nose half-heartedly offers up notes of forest floor, earth and leather on the essence of red berry fruit-scented aromas. There is better volume and muscle to the bigger and richer if decidedly grippy and somewhat short finish. This too may lengthen out but today it seems a bit clipped and compact.In Bond£1,423.00 -
(6x75cl) 2019In Bond£1,637.00 -
Burghound (92-94)
This is actually quite aromatically similar to the Genavrières if perhaps just a bit more spice elements in evidence. There is more substantial difference on the palate though with more size, weight and richness to the more powerful broad-shouldered flavors that possess so much dry extract that the palate impression is almost lush, all wrapped in a firm, lingering and balanced finale. What this doesn't have, at least not yet, is outstanding depth so at least moderate patience will be in order.In Bond£1,587.00 -
Vinous (91-95)
Good deep red. Pungent aromas of blueberry, smoke, minerals and game. Lush, sexy and deep, with powerful extract and sappiness to its deep core of fruit. A metallic, iodiney quality and a saline element communicate a strong impression of the soil. This firmly structured wine coats the entire palate on the aftertaste, finishing with serious tannins and a note of coffee. Saouma noted that this grand cru was vinified with about one-third of its stems and underwent a long maceration; he planned to bottle most of it in magnums.In Bond£1,529.00 -
Vinous (93-95)
The 2012 Clos de Vougeot is superb and sensual, its contours softened by the rich, naturally low-yielding vintage, which gives a level of pliancy and suppleness that is highly unusual for this wine. Sweet red berries, crushed rocks and high-toned floral nuances meld together beautifully. The expressive, layered finish is simply striking. Proprietor Mounir Saouma blends three barrels from different sources within the Clos for this wine.In Bond£1,312.00 -
In Bond£1,471.00 -
In Bond£1,366.00 -
(6x75cl) 2010Vinous (94-96)
The 2010 Clos Saint Denis is all about textural finesse and effortless grace. Layers of sweet perfume emerge from this harmonious, understated Burgundy. White flowers and licorice add dimension and volume on the finely knit finish.In Bond£2,554.00 -
In Bond£1,350.00 -
(6x75cl) 2020In Bond£1,278.35 -
In Bond£993.00 -
In Bond£1,113.00 -
In Bond£1,113.00 -
(6x75cl) 2010Vinous (95)
Brilliant, high-pitched aromas of lemon, orange zest and nutmeg. Large-scaled, rich and deep for Corton-Charlemagne, saturating the palate with a wave of crushed limestone, citrus fruits, cinnamon, ginger and clove flavors. Wonderfully seamless wine with great concentration and persistence. This is actually much more pliant today than it appeared to be from barrel a year ago but I would expect it to shut down in bottle. If you have to open it anytime soon, Saouma suggests giving it a double decanting, as a mechanical action is needed to make the CO2 disappear.In Bond£2,209.00 -
(3x150cl) 2011Vinous (94-96)
The 2011 Corton-Charlemagne is drop-dead gorgeous. Subtle, nuanced and very pretty, the 2011 is all about understatement and reserve. The aromas and flavors show off striking inner perfume and impeccable balance. This is a great showing from an utterly beautiful wine with a bright future, but it is also a wine that demand's the taster's full attention.In Bond£8,646.00 -
(6x75cl) 2011Vinous (94-96)
The 2011 Corton-Charlemagne is drop-dead gorgeous. Subtle, nuanced and very pretty, the 2011 is all about understatement and reserve. The aromas and flavors show off striking inner perfume and impeccable balance. This is a great showing from an utterly beautiful wine with a bright future, but it is also a wine that demand's the taster's full attention.In Bond£8,646.00 -
(6x75cl) 2020In Bond£3,424.00 -
(6x75cl) 2009Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (92-95)
(from En Orveaux, on the north side of this sprawling grand cru) Bright, deep red. Complex, terroir-driven aromas of redcurrant, raspberry, minerals, licorice, smoke and tobacco, plus a whiff of fruit syrup. Dense, primary and penetrating, but already shows the compelling sweetness of fruit of the vintage. Not yet especially complex but stains the palate on the very long, vibrant aftertaste. An extremely young wine of great finesse.In Bond£2,474.00

