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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Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (92-95)
(5-Star) This vineyard is worked by horse. The grapes were destemmed, and the wine has been racked to tank. A stylish crimson purple colour. The bouquet is attractive, less intense than Tuvilains, but perhaps a classier balance. The alpine strawberry and raspberry also build really well at the back. Exceptional. Drink from 2030-2038. Tasted Dec 2023.Inc. VAT£444.80 -
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (92-95)
Another vineyard worked by horse. 40% whole bunch, still in barrel, 75% new wood. Mid crimson purple. A beautiful bouquet, with a headiness brought by the whole bunches. Dark red fruit with floral overtones. The stems give some white pepper as well, an there is a fine elegant finish. Drink from 2030-2038. Tasted: December 2023.Inc. VAT£365.54 -
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (92-95)
Another vineyard worked by horse. 40% whole bunch, still in barrel, 75% new wood. Mid crimson purple. A beautiful bouquet, with a headiness brought by the whole bunches. Dark red fruit with floral overtones. The stems give some white pepper as well, an there is a fine elegant finish. Drink from 2030-2038. Tasted: December 2023.Inc. VAT£750.80 -
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (93-96)
10% whole bunch, 70% new wood, 7 barrels. Red to crimson in colour, lightly reductive. This is a wine which is sitting back in a reflective manner, but the constituent parts are all there. More in a savoury style than lush fruit. I think it will work very well, with good keeping qualities, but it is less demonstrative up front. The finish shows the class.Inc. VAT£698.35 -
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (93-96)
10% whole bunch, 70% new wood, 7 barrels. Red to crimson in colour, lightly reductive. This is a wine which is sitting back in a reflective manner, but the constituent parts are all there. More in a savoury style than lush fruit. I think it will work very well, with good keeping qualities, but it is less demonstrative up front. The finish shows the class.Inc. VAT£1,065.49 -
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (96-99)
5 Star Wine. 45% whole bunch vinification, 7 new out of 9 barrels. A fine red to crimson colour. The nose is less flamboyant than the Mazoyères yet with serious intent. This is solid with an iron rich blood orange tang, then a dark strawberry fruit behind, a firmer backbone – showing clearly how well this wine will age. A magical Mazis-Chambertin with excellent length. Drink from 2032-2045. Tasted: December 2023.Inc. VAT£1,180.75 -
(6x75cl) 2022Vinous - Neal Martin (95-97)
The 2022 Mazoyères Chambertin Grand Cru has a refined bouquet with bright red berry fruit, damp loam, white pepper and Earl Grey, the 66% new oak and 65% whole bunches both neatly integrated. The medium-bodied palate offers sappy red fruit, a dash of white pepper and sage, gaining depth towards the finish that lingers tenderly in the mouth. Very elegant and stylish.Inc. VAT£1,752.80 -
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (90-92)
All destemmed, and now racked to tank, after 25% new wood. A fine bright crimson purple, with lifted fruit, showing both energy and balance. I like Savigny in 2022. Typical briary red fruit with well-integrated tannins. Fair length. Drink from 2030-2035. Tasted: December 2023.Inc. VAT£396.80 -
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (91-93)
This vineyard is worked by horse. 20% whole bunch vinification, 30% new wood. Dark purple with a little reduction. There is fine potential here too, in a liquid dark raspberry style, long on the palate, some sun dried cherries, but without the alcohol and excess of 2020. Good wine. Drink from 2029-2036. Tasted: December 2023.Inc. VAT£534.80 -
Vinous (96-98)
The 2020 Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru is 100% new oak and fully de-stemmed. This has a very well-defined bouquet with raspberry, wild strawberry and veins of blue fruit. The palate is well balanced, very smooth, fine acidity with black cherries and cassis fruit with wonderful poise on the finish. Superb.Inc. VAT£321.20 -
Renowned for its unparalleled craftsmanship, the Marchand & Tawse Chambolle Musigny 1er Cru Les Fuees 2019 exemplifies the distinctive complexity and rich, elegant character of Burgundy's terroir. Crafted by Pascal Marchand and Moray Tawse — committed viticulturists with a fervour for biodiversity — the varietal is grown in the Chambolle Musigny village, revered for its prestigious vineyards. Basking in an ideal southeastern exposure, the Pinot Noir vines yield ripe, intensely-flavoured grapes.
Meticulous hand-harvesting, traditional native yeast fermentation, and 18 months of ageing in French oak barrels refine the inherent characteristics of the fruit, lending the wine its radiant ruby hue, sumptuous berry undertones, and lingering spicy finish. Radiating delicacy and power, the Marchand & Tawse Chambolle Musigny 1er Cru Les Fuees 2019 is an exquisite representation of an illustrious viticultural legacy. Distinguished yet versatile, it makes a captivating addition to any discerning oenophile's collection.
Inc. VAT£803.52 -
(6x75cl) 2022
Vinous - Neal Martin (88-90)
The 2022 Chambolle-Musigny Village comes from several lieux-dits and includes more whole bunches than previous vintages - 60%. That does dominate the aromatics at the moment and covers some of the terroir expression. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins. It is lightly spiced, somehow just a little conservative towards the finish, where it needs to muster a little more complexity. But it will drink well for 8-10 years.Inc. VAT£497.09 -
(6x75cl) 2010Vinous (93-95)
(from the same supplier and 60+-year-old vines as the Clos Saint-Denis): Good deep, bright red. Wild, deep nose offers raspberry, dark chocolate and smoked meat. Fat, sweet and voluminous, with soil-driven flavors of dark spices and salty minerality. At once big and fine, finishing very long, with excellent lift and earthy perfume. Conveys a strong impression of terroir.Inc. VAT£1,917.89 -
Vinous (92-95)
(50% new oak): Deep red. Vibrant aromas of blackberry, menthol and red licorice. Intense and fine-grained, with lovely incipient complexity to the flavors of blueberry, wild herbs and licorice. Like this Clos Saint-Denis, this boasts a very strong, rising finish. Here the tannins are even smoother.Inc. VAT£265.73 -
(1x75cl) 2016Vinous (90-92)
(25% vendange entier; aging in 50% new oak; from vines at the bottom of this grand cru, where the soil is more red clay than limestone): Bright medium red. Nose dominated by musky, slightly funky reduction. Creamy and sweet in the mouth but a bit too easygoing for young Clos de la Roche, showing limited energy and lift to its fat flavors of strawberry, red raspberry and smoky underbrush. Plush and smooth but does not offer the refinement or grip of the better examples from this grand cru.Inc. VAT£248.93 -
(1x75cl) 2017Vinous (92-94)
The 2017 Clos de la Roche Grand Cru contains 25% whole clusters, matured in 50% new oak. Despite some reduction on the nose, there is plenty of dense fruit here, the blackberry aromas mingling with briar and undergrowth. The nicely structured palate is medium-bodied with crunchy black fruit laced with sea salt and thyme, and good backbone on the finish. Give it four to five years and it may deserve a higher score.Inc. VAT£397.32 -
Vinous (94-96)
The 2018 Clos Saint-Denis Grand Cru comes from the namesake lieu-dit, matured in 50% new oak with 25% whole bunch. It has a wonderful bouquet of pure red currant, cranberry, sous-bois and crushed stone aromas that is very delineated and focused. The medium-bodied palate offers a saline entry, superb tension and fine weight, with a pinch of black pepper toward the persistent finish. Superb.Inc. VAT£237.20 -
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (95-97)
Three barrels, all new, from three different coopers, The Clos St-Denis will stay in barrel until the spring. 20% whole bunches. An impressive, saturated, purple colour. This has all the gorgeous heady qualities of the appellation. Exceptionally sensual yet with depth and structure. Now another immense burst of fruit on the back of the palate. Bilberries, blueberries and luscious raspberries. Drink from 2030-2038. Tasted Nov 2024.Inc. VAT£1,132.00 -
(6x75cl) 2019The Marchand & Tawse Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru 2019 is an ethereal blend of layered complexity and elegance. This Burgundy white is passionately produced by the noble Marchand & Tawse winery, a testament to the marriage of French tradition and innovative viticulture. Upholding a rich heritage rooted in Pommard in the heart of Burgundy, Marchand & Tawse adhere to sustainable farming, enhancing the indigenous diversity of their vines. The 2019 vintage emanates from Corton-Charlemagne, indisputably one of the most prestigious appellations of the Côte de Beaune.
Crafted from 100% Chardonnay grapes, this wine's brilliance shines in its bouquet of ripe fruit and soulful minerality. Notes of citrus, acacia blossom and almond balance exquisitely with the minerality. The maturation in French oak barrels over 18 months offers a smooth, opulent texture, while keeping the wine's inherent character and freshness. A testament to immaculate craftsmanship, a bottle of Marchand & Tawse Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru 2019 is indeed a collector's treasure.
Inc. VAT£1,127.69 -
Inc. VAT£151.45 -
Inc. VAT£169.32 -
(1x75cl) 2016Inc. VAT£311.05 -
Inc. VAT£204.53 -
Inc. VAT£239.33 -
Inc. VAT£1,403.60 -
(6x75cl) 2022Inc. VAT£648.80 -
(6x75cl) 2023Vinous - Neal Martin (93-95)
The 2023 Gevrey-Chambertin Les Champeaux 1er Cru includes 20% whole bunch this year. It has a beautifully defined bouquet with vivacious red berry fruit, superb delineation and a greater sense of mineralité than some of Tawse's other cuvées. The palate is medium-bodied, harmonious and silky smooth with pure red fruit notes and a poised, persistent finish. The 2022 was great, so is this.Inc. VAT£690.80 -
Vinous (89-91)
(picked on September 12): Dark red. Raspberry, minerals and smoked meat on the nose. Plush, silky and very ripe, although a bit lacking in definition and lift. Much smokier than the Etelois, this plush village wine finishes with building tannins.Inc. VAT£101.33 -
Vinous (89-92)
(14% natural alcohol; these vines, ranging in age from 55 to 80 years, produced just half of a normal crop in 2016, according to winemaker Mark Fincham): Bright, dark red. Somewhat wild scents of black raspberry, smoke, black olive and minerals. Dense, juicy and youthfully imploded, with its tight dark fruit and rose petal flavors conveying a strong impression of energy. Not currently displaying the give of the Etelois, this wine finishes with a hint of game and slightly dusty tannins. Fincham likes this better than I do today, but it should benefit from a racking.Inc. VAT£113.33 -
(6x75cl) 2019Vinous (92-94)
The 2019 Gevrey-Chambertin En Pallud is the largest cru of the domaine, from 0.64 hectares of vine located just below Mazis-Chambertin. It is raised in used barrels apart from one (I tasted from new François Frères and used). The precise bouquet presents red cherries, raspberry, crushed stone and wilted rose petals, beautifully focused. The palate is very finessed with silky tannins and pure red fruit. As Pinoté as Pinot Noir can be. I absolutely love this.Inc. VAT£551.39
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Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (92-95)
(5-Star) This vineyard is worked by horse. The grapes were destemmed, and the wine has been racked to tank. A stylish crimson purple colour. The bouquet is attractive, less intense than Tuvilains, but perhaps a classier balance. The alpine strawberry and raspberry also build really well at the back. Exceptional. Drink from 2030-2038. Tasted Dec 2023.In Bond£350.00 -
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (92-95)
Another vineyard worked by horse. 40% whole bunch, still in barrel, 75% new wood. Mid crimson purple. A beautiful bouquet, with a headiness brought by the whole bunches. Dark red fruit with floral overtones. The stems give some white pepper as well, an there is a fine elegant finish. Drink from 2030-2038. Tasted: December 2023.In Bond£295.00 -
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (92-95)
Another vineyard worked by horse. 40% whole bunch, still in barrel, 75% new wood. Mid crimson purple. A beautiful bouquet, with a headiness brought by the whole bunches. Dark red fruit with floral overtones. The stems give some white pepper as well, an there is a fine elegant finish. Drink from 2030-2038. Tasted: December 2023.In Bond£605.00 -
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (93-96)
10% whole bunch, 70% new wood, 7 barrels. Red to crimson in colour, lightly reductive. This is a wine which is sitting back in a reflective manner, but the constituent parts are all there. More in a savoury style than lush fruit. I think it will work very well, with good keeping qualities, but it is less demonstrative up front. The finish shows the class.In Bond£573.00 -
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (93-96)
10% whole bunch, 70% new wood, 7 barrels. Red to crimson in colour, lightly reductive. This is a wine which is sitting back in a reflective manner, but the constituent parts are all there. More in a savoury style than lush fruit. I think it will work very well, with good keeping qualities, but it is less demonstrative up front. The finish shows the class.In Bond£870.00 -
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (96-99)
5 Star Wine. 45% whole bunch vinification, 7 new out of 9 barrels. A fine red to crimson colour. The nose is less flamboyant than the Mazoyères yet with serious intent. This is solid with an iron rich blood orange tang, then a dark strawberry fruit behind, a firmer backbone – showing clearly how well this wine will age. A magical Mazis-Chambertin with excellent length. Drink from 2032-2045. Tasted: December 2023.In Bond£975.00 -
(6x75cl) 2022Vinous - Neal Martin (95-97)
The 2022 Mazoyères Chambertin Grand Cru has a refined bouquet with bright red berry fruit, damp loam, white pepper and Earl Grey, the 66% new oak and 65% whole bunches both neatly integrated. The medium-bodied palate offers sappy red fruit, a dash of white pepper and sage, gaining depth towards the finish that lingers tenderly in the mouth. Very elegant and stylish.In Bond£1,440.00 -
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (90-92)
All destemmed, and now racked to tank, after 25% new wood. A fine bright crimson purple, with lifted fruit, showing both energy and balance. I like Savigny in 2022. Typical briary red fruit with well-integrated tannins. Fair length. Drink from 2030-2035. Tasted: December 2023.In Bond£310.00 -
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (91-93)
This vineyard is worked by horse. 20% whole bunch vinification, 30% new wood. Dark purple with a little reduction. There is fine potential here too, in a liquid dark raspberry style, long on the palate, some sun dried cherries, but without the alcohol and excess of 2020. Good wine. Drink from 2029-2036. Tasted: December 2023.In Bond£425.00 -
Vinous (96-98)
The 2020 Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru is 100% new oak and fully de-stemmed. This has a very well-defined bouquet with raspberry, wild strawberry and veins of blue fruit. The palate is well balanced, very smooth, fine acidity with black cherries and cassis fruit with wonderful poise on the finish. Superb.In Bond£265.00 -
Renowned for its unparalleled craftsmanship, the Marchand & Tawse Chambolle Musigny 1er Cru Les Fuees 2019 exemplifies the distinctive complexity and rich, elegant character of Burgundy's terroir. Crafted by Pascal Marchand and Moray Tawse — committed viticulturists with a fervour for biodiversity — the varietal is grown in the Chambolle Musigny village, revered for its prestigious vineyards. Basking in an ideal southeastern exposure, the Pinot Noir vines yield ripe, intensely-flavoured grapes.
Meticulous hand-harvesting, traditional native yeast fermentation, and 18 months of ageing in French oak barrels refine the inherent characteristics of the fruit, lending the wine its radiant ruby hue, sumptuous berry undertones, and lingering spicy finish. Radiating delicacy and power, the Marchand & Tawse Chambolle Musigny 1er Cru Les Fuees 2019 is an exquisite representation of an illustrious viticultural legacy. Distinguished yet versatile, it makes a captivating addition to any discerning oenophile's collection.
In Bond£651.00 -
(6x75cl) 2022
Vinous - Neal Martin (88-90)
The 2022 Chambolle-Musigny Village comes from several lieux-dits and includes more whole bunches than previous vintages - 60%. That does dominate the aromatics at the moment and covers some of the terroir expression. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins. It is lightly spiced, somehow just a little conservative towards the finish, where it needs to muster a little more complexity. But it will drink well for 8-10 years.In Bond£395.00 -
(6x75cl) 2010Vinous (93-95)
(from the same supplier and 60+-year-old vines as the Clos Saint-Denis): Good deep, bright red. Wild, deep nose offers raspberry, dark chocolate and smoked meat. Fat, sweet and voluminous, with soil-driven flavors of dark spices and salty minerality. At once big and fine, finishing very long, with excellent lift and earthy perfume. Conveys a strong impression of terroir.In Bond£1,579.00 -
Vinous (92-95)
(50% new oak): Deep red. Vibrant aromas of blackberry, menthol and red licorice. Intense and fine-grained, with lovely incipient complexity to the flavors of blueberry, wild herbs and licorice. Like this Clos Saint-Denis, this boasts a very strong, rising finish. Here the tannins are even smoother.In Bond£218.00 -
(1x75cl) 2016Vinous (90-92)
(25% vendange entier; aging in 50% new oak; from vines at the bottom of this grand cru, where the soil is more red clay than limestone): Bright medium red. Nose dominated by musky, slightly funky reduction. Creamy and sweet in the mouth but a bit too easygoing for young Clos de la Roche, showing limited energy and lift to its fat flavors of strawberry, red raspberry and smoky underbrush. Plush and smooth but does not offer the refinement or grip of the better examples from this grand cru.In Bond£204.00 -
(1x75cl) 2017Vinous (92-94)
The 2017 Clos de la Roche Grand Cru contains 25% whole clusters, matured in 50% new oak. Despite some reduction on the nose, there is plenty of dense fruit here, the blackberry aromas mingling with briar and undergrowth. The nicely structured palate is medium-bodied with crunchy black fruit laced with sea salt and thyme, and good backbone on the finish. Give it four to five years and it may deserve a higher score.In Bond£328.00 -
Vinous (94-96)
The 2018 Clos Saint-Denis Grand Cru comes from the namesake lieu-dit, matured in 50% new oak with 25% whole bunch. It has a wonderful bouquet of pure red currant, cranberry, sous-bois and crushed stone aromas that is very delineated and focused. The medium-bodied palate offers a saline entry, superb tension and fine weight, with a pinch of black pepper toward the persistent finish. Superb.In Bond£195.00 -
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (95-97)
Three barrels, all new, from three different coopers, The Clos St-Denis will stay in barrel until the spring. 20% whole bunches. An impressive, saturated, purple colour. This has all the gorgeous heady qualities of the appellation. Exceptionally sensual yet with depth and structure. Now another immense burst of fruit on the back of the palate. Bilberries, blueberries and luscious raspberries. Drink from 2030-2038. Tasted Nov 2024.In Bond£933.00 -
(6x75cl) 2019The Marchand & Tawse Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru 2019 is an ethereal blend of layered complexity and elegance. This Burgundy white is passionately produced by the noble Marchand & Tawse winery, a testament to the marriage of French tradition and innovative viticulture. Upholding a rich heritage rooted in Pommard in the heart of Burgundy, Marchand & Tawse adhere to sustainable farming, enhancing the indigenous diversity of their vines. The 2019 vintage emanates from Corton-Charlemagne, indisputably one of the most prestigious appellations of the Côte de Beaune.
Crafted from 100% Chardonnay grapes, this wine's brilliance shines in its bouquet of ripe fruit and soulful minerality. Notes of citrus, acacia blossom and almond balance exquisitely with the minerality. The maturation in French oak barrels over 18 months offers a smooth, opulent texture, while keeping the wine's inherent character and freshness. A testament to immaculate craftsmanship, a bottle of Marchand & Tawse Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru 2019 is indeed a collector's treasure.
In Bond£923.71 -
In Bond£123.00 -
In Bond£138.00 -
(1x75cl) 2016In Bond£256.00 -
In Bond£167.00 -
In Bond£196.00 -
In Bond£1,149.00 -
(6x75cl) 2022In Bond£520.00 -
(6x75cl) 2023Vinous - Neal Martin (93-95)
The 2023 Gevrey-Chambertin Les Champeaux 1er Cru includes 20% whole bunch this year. It has a beautifully defined bouquet with vivacious red berry fruit, superb delineation and a greater sense of mineralité than some of Tawse's other cuvées. The palate is medium-bodied, harmonious and silky smooth with pure red fruit notes and a poised, persistent finish. The 2022 was great, so is this.In Bond£555.00 -
Vinous (89-91)
(picked on September 12): Dark red. Raspberry, minerals and smoked meat on the nose. Plush, silky and very ripe, although a bit lacking in definition and lift. Much smokier than the Etelois, this plush village wine finishes with building tannins.In Bond£81.00 -
Vinous (89-92)
(14% natural alcohol; these vines, ranging in age from 55 to 80 years, produced just half of a normal crop in 2016, according to winemaker Mark Fincham): Bright, dark red. Somewhat wild scents of black raspberry, smoke, black olive and minerals. Dense, juicy and youthfully imploded, with its tight dark fruit and rose petal flavors conveying a strong impression of energy. Not currently displaying the give of the Etelois, this wine finishes with a hint of game and slightly dusty tannins. Fincham likes this better than I do today, but it should benefit from a racking.In Bond£91.00 -
(6x75cl) 2019Vinous (92-94)
The 2019 Gevrey-Chambertin En Pallud is the largest cru of the domaine, from 0.64 hectares of vine located just below Mazis-Chambertin. It is raised in used barrels apart from one (I tasted from new François Frères and used). The precise bouquet presents red cherries, raspberry, crushed stone and wilted rose petals, beautifully focused. The palate is very finessed with silky tannins and pure red fruit. As Pinoté as Pinot Noir can be. I absolutely love this.In Bond£442.27

