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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James Suckling (94-95)
A dense, layered red with blackberry, tar, asphalt and spice character. Medium-to full-bodied with wonderful, polished and creamy tannins. Chewy and fine. Potentially one of the best in a long time.Inc. VAT£185.38 -
(12x37.5cl) 2021Vinous - Neal Martin (91-93)
The 2021 Poujeaux was impacted by the frost, so there is more Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend this year. This was picked September 30 to October 14. It is well-defined on the nose, offering brambly red berry fruit, incense and light pine cone scents; the sense of airiness here is very appealing. The palate is medium-bodied, fresh and saline, with firm but fine tannins and touch of sour cherry and graphite on the precise finish. This is a very commendable Poujeaux that I suspect will age well in bottle. (13.0% alcohol)Inc. VAT£213.49 -
(6x150cl) 2021Vinous - Neal Martin (91-93)
The 2021 Poujeaux was impacted by the frost, so there is more Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend this year. This was picked September 30 to October 14. It is well-defined on the nose, offering brambly red berry fruit, incense and light pine cone scents; the sense of airiness here is very appealing. The palate is medium-bodied, fresh and saline, with firm but fine tannins and touch of sour cherry and graphite on the precise finish. This is a very commendable Poujeaux that I suspect will age well in bottle. (13.0% alcohol)Inc. VAT£371.80 -
(12x75cl) 2023Vinous - Neal Martin (93)
The 2023 Poujeaux has a refined and delineated bouquet that unfolds nicely in the glass; blackberry and gravel, light black pepper scents with a touch of freshly rolled tobacco. The palate is medium-bodied with gently grippy tannins. Well balanced with neatly integrated oak, this is a Poujeaux that should develop in bottle. Good density for the vintage.Inc. VAT£292.01 -
Vinous - Neal Martin (93)
The 2023 Poujeaux has a refined and delineated bouquet that unfolds nicely in the glass; blackberry and gravel, light black pepper scents with a touch of freshly rolled tobacco. The palate is medium-bodied with gently grippy tannins. Well balanced with neatly integrated oak, this is a Poujeaux that should develop in bottle. Good density for the vintage.Inc. VAT£183.80 -
Vinous - Neal Martin (93)
The 2023 Poujeaux has a refined and delineated bouquet that unfolds nicely in the glass; blackberry and gravel, light black pepper scents with a touch of freshly rolled tobacco. The palate is medium-bodied with gently grippy tannins. Well balanced with neatly integrated oak, this is a Poujeaux that should develop in bottle. Good density for the vintage.Inc. VAT£176.60 -
Vinous (91-94)
Moderately saturated medium red. Aromas of raspberry, minerals and dried flowers complicated by torrefaction notes of mocha and coffee. Round on entry, then sappy in the middle, showing terrific crushed raspberry intensity along with saline, mocha, spice and earth notes. This very taut, energetic wine is even more backward than the Amoureuses. Really saturates the palate on the back end, finishing with outstanding smoky persistence.Inc. VAT£1,422.80 -
(12x75cl) 2014Wine Advocate (91-93)
The 2014 Chambolle Musigny les Charmes 1er Cru has one of the most exotic bouquets from La Pousse d'Or: macerated red cherries, orange peel and dried fig, nicely defined and just a little heady! The palate is succulent on the entry with supple, fine tannin. Here, there is a mixture of red and black fruit, whereas other cuvées lean towards the latter. It feels more harmonious in the mouth, perhaps more approachable with a persuasive, silky texture on the finish. This is very well crafted.Inc. VAT£1,841.38 -
Inc. VAT£323.96 -
(6x75cl) 2020Inc. VAT£956.69 -
Vinous (87-90)
Bright ruby-red. Wild, musky aromas of dark berries and spices come across as a bit dull. Juicy and moderately deep but rather closed today, showing more saline minerality than primary fruit. This very backward wine finishes with slightly tough tannins and a lingering salty character.Inc. VAT£1,352.47 -
Vinous (90-92)
The 2017 Chambolle-Musigny Les Groseilles 1er Cru shakes off a touch of reduction to reveal and attractive, floral bouquet with scents of mandarin that infuse the black fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with a rounded opening, quite fleshy underneath that carapace of tannin, grippy with a slightly tarry finish. Broody at the moment, it deserves four or five years in bottle, by then it should drink well.Inc. VAT£1,716.58 -
Inc. VAT£1,433.38 -
Vinous (84-86)
The 2017 Chambolle-Musigny Villages, matures in 20% new oak, has a light, slightly rustic, ferrous bouquet. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannin, a little pinched at the moment with an angular finish.Inc. VAT£507.20 -
Vinous (94)
Dark red with ruby highlights. Very ripe but discreet aromas of dark cherry liqueur, wild berries and licorice, plus a note of sweet spices (cumin?). Dense, bright and savory; silky and soil-driven, with saline minerality complicating the berry and spice flavors. Finishes very long and perfumed, with excellent energy for the year. This is one address where I preferred the 2011s to the 2012s.Inc. VAT£1,176.04 -
Wine Advocate (96)
The 2014 Clos de la Roche Grand Cru, from 0.32 hectares of vines planted in 1950 and 1951, has a much more generous bouquet compared to the Chambolle-Amoureuses, tensile red cherry and raspberry coulis scents, wet limestone and just a hint of cassis in the background. It is very Clos de la Roche, to put it prosaically. The palate is very harmonious, silky smooth and elegant. There is fine weight in the mouth, though this is more about tension and elegance, with a gorgeous, sensual, satin-like touch to the finish. This could become one of the best wines from this vineyard.Inc. VAT£1,345.24 -
(6x150cl) 2015Vinous (93-95)
(two of the four barrels were new; the production here was just 25 hectoliters per hectare, according to Landanger): Bright ruby. Sexy perfume of black raspberry, minerals, brown spices, licorice pastille and underbrush. Plush, sweet and smooth, offering superb concentration, energy and balance. Utterly seamless wine with terrific inner-mouth floral lift. The wine's strong fruit blows past the firm, late-arriving tannins on the juicy, gripping, very long finish.Inc. VAT£2,882.20 -
(6x75cl) 2017Vinous (91-93)
The 2017 Clos de la Roche Grand Cru offers more red fruit than the Bonnes-Mares, although at the moment this does not quite deliver the same nuance and comeliness. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grain tannin, quite linear and strict (especially for this vineyard), but with a welcome pinch of white pepper and sage towards the persistent finish. Afford it several years in bottle.Inc. VAT£1,816.84 -
Inc. VAT£1,719.89 -
Inc. VAT£452.81 -
Inc. VAT£666.02 -
Inc. VAT£1,733.60 -
Vinous (94)
Good dark red. Expressive, high-toned nose shows a leesy complexity to the aromas of cherry, flowers, soil and what Patrick Landanger called blood peach. The palate offers uncanny energy and perfume, with sweet fruit lifted by spices and flowers. Lovely juiciness and class here. A wonderful Corton grand cru. Landanger did a much better job timing the harvest here than he did in 2012.Inc. VAT£1,360.18 -
Inc. VAT£1,319.38 -
Vinous (92)
The 2016 Pommard Les Jarollières 1er Cru has a clean and pure bouquet with black cherries, raspberry coulis and light cassis scents. The oak here is evident but nicely proportioned against the fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with supple blackberry and raspberry notes, just a tad on the oaky side although that will ultimately be subsumed and there is commendable harmony and length on the finish. This is very promising and ranks highly against its peers. Tasted blind at the 2016 Burgfest tasting.Inc. VAT£952.01 -
Inc. VAT£784.84 -
(12x75cl) 1999Vinous (88)
Medium bright red with an amber rim. Rather decadent, balsamic aromas of plum, truffle and coffee bean. Displays a silky texture and good energy but this is beyond its fruit stage today and does not seem to be going anywhere. Incidentally, 1999 was the first growing season in which Patrick Landanger took care of the vines following his purchase of this famous estate. He told me that he also raised the temperature of the wine at the end of the fermentation for a little more extraction.Inc. VAT£1,405.61 -
Inc. VAT£1,230.41 -
(12x75cl) 2020Inc. VAT£850.18 -
Inc. VAT£162.49
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James Suckling (94-95)
A dense, layered red with blackberry, tar, asphalt and spice character. Medium-to full-bodied with wonderful, polished and creamy tannins. Chewy and fine. Potentially one of the best in a long time.In Bond£134.50 -
(12x37.5cl) 2021Vinous - Neal Martin (91-93)
The 2021 Poujeaux was impacted by the frost, so there is more Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend this year. This was picked September 30 to October 14. It is well-defined on the nose, offering brambly red berry fruit, incense and light pine cone scents; the sense of airiness here is very appealing. The palate is medium-bodied, fresh and saline, with firm but fine tannins and touch of sour cherry and graphite on the precise finish. This is a very commendable Poujeaux that I suspect will age well in bottle. (13.0% alcohol)In Bond£160.00 -
(6x150cl) 2021Vinous - Neal Martin (91-93)
The 2021 Poujeaux was impacted by the frost, so there is more Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend this year. This was picked September 30 to October 14. It is well-defined on the nose, offering brambly red berry fruit, incense and light pine cone scents; the sense of airiness here is very appealing. The palate is medium-bodied, fresh and saline, with firm but fine tannins and touch of sour cherry and graphite on the precise finish. This is a very commendable Poujeaux that I suspect will age well in bottle. (13.0% alcohol)In Bond£274.00 -
(12x75cl) 2023Vinous - Neal Martin (93)
The 2023 Poujeaux has a refined and delineated bouquet that unfolds nicely in the glass; blackberry and gravel, light black pepper scents with a touch of freshly rolled tobacco. The palate is medium-bodied with gently grippy tannins. Well balanced with neatly integrated oak, this is a Poujeaux that should develop in bottle. Good density for the vintage.In Bond£202.00 -
Vinous - Neal Martin (93)
The 2023 Poujeaux has a refined and delineated bouquet that unfolds nicely in the glass; blackberry and gravel, light black pepper scents with a touch of freshly rolled tobacco. The palate is medium-bodied with gently grippy tannins. Well balanced with neatly integrated oak, this is a Poujeaux that should develop in bottle. Good density for the vintage.In Bond£132.50 -
Vinous - Neal Martin (93)
The 2023 Poujeaux has a refined and delineated bouquet that unfolds nicely in the glass; blackberry and gravel, light black pepper scents with a touch of freshly rolled tobacco. The palate is medium-bodied with gently grippy tannins. Well balanced with neatly integrated oak, this is a Poujeaux that should develop in bottle. Good density for the vintage.In Bond£126.50 -
Vinous (91-94)
Moderately saturated medium red. Aromas of raspberry, minerals and dried flowers complicated by torrefaction notes of mocha and coffee. Round on entry, then sappy in the middle, showing terrific crushed raspberry intensity along with saline, mocha, spice and earth notes. This very taut, energetic wine is even more backward than the Amoureuses. Really saturates the palate on the back end, finishing with outstanding smoky persistence.In Bond£1,165.00 -
(12x75cl) 2014Wine Advocate (91-93)
The 2014 Chambolle Musigny les Charmes 1er Cru has one of the most exotic bouquets from La Pousse d'Or: macerated red cherries, orange peel and dried fig, nicely defined and just a little heady! The palate is succulent on the entry with supple, fine tannin. Here, there is a mixture of red and black fruit, whereas other cuvées lean towards the latter. It feels more harmonious in the mouth, perhaps more approachable with a persuasive, silky texture on the finish. This is very well crafted.In Bond£1,496.00 -
In Bond£264.00 -
(6x75cl) 2020In Bond£778.00 -
Vinous (87-90)
Bright ruby-red. Wild, musky aromas of dark berries and spices come across as a bit dull. Juicy and moderately deep but rather closed today, showing more saline minerality than primary fruit. This very backward wine finishes with slightly tough tannins and a lingering salty character.In Bond£1,095.00 -
Vinous (90-92)
The 2017 Chambolle-Musigny Les Groseilles 1er Cru shakes off a touch of reduction to reveal and attractive, floral bouquet with scents of mandarin that infuse the black fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with a rounded opening, quite fleshy underneath that carapace of tannin, grippy with a slightly tarry finish. Broody at the moment, it deserves four or five years in bottle, by then it should drink well.In Bond£1,392.00 -
In Bond£1,156.00 -
Vinous (84-86)
The 2017 Chambolle-Musigny Villages, matures in 20% new oak, has a light, slightly rustic, ferrous bouquet. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannin, a little pinched at the moment with an angular finish.In Bond£402.00 -
Vinous (94)
Dark red with ruby highlights. Very ripe but discreet aromas of dark cherry liqueur, wild berries and licorice, plus a note of sweet spices (cumin?). Dense, bright and savory; silky and soil-driven, with saline minerality complicating the berry and spice flavors. Finishes very long and perfumed, with excellent energy for the year. This is one address where I preferred the 2011s to the 2012s.In Bond£964.00 -
Wine Advocate (96)
The 2014 Clos de la Roche Grand Cru, from 0.32 hectares of vines planted in 1950 and 1951, has a much more generous bouquet compared to the Chambolle-Amoureuses, tensile red cherry and raspberry coulis scents, wet limestone and just a hint of cassis in the background. It is very Clos de la Roche, to put it prosaically. The palate is very harmonious, silky smooth and elegant. There is fine weight in the mouth, though this is more about tension and elegance, with a gorgeous, sensual, satin-like touch to the finish. This could become one of the best wines from this vineyard.In Bond£1,105.00 -
(6x150cl) 2015Vinous (93-95)
(two of the four barrels were new; the production here was just 25 hectoliters per hectare, according to Landanger): Bright ruby. Sexy perfume of black raspberry, minerals, brown spices, licorice pastille and underbrush. Plush, sweet and smooth, offering superb concentration, energy and balance. Utterly seamless wine with terrific inner-mouth floral lift. The wine's strong fruit blows past the firm, late-arriving tannins on the juicy, gripping, very long finish.In Bond£2,366.00 -
(6x75cl) 2017Vinous (91-93)
The 2017 Clos de la Roche Grand Cru offers more red fruit than the Bonnes-Mares, although at the moment this does not quite deliver the same nuance and comeliness. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grain tannin, quite linear and strict (especially for this vineyard), but with a welcome pinch of white pepper and sage towards the persistent finish. Afford it several years in bottle.In Bond£1,498.00 -
In Bond£1,414.00 -
In Bond£372.00 -
In Bond£547.00 -
In Bond£1,424.00 -
Vinous (94)
Good dark red. Expressive, high-toned nose shows a leesy complexity to the aromas of cherry, flowers, soil and what Patrick Landanger called blood peach. The palate offers uncanny energy and perfume, with sweet fruit lifted by spices and flowers. Lovely juiciness and class here. A wonderful Corton grand cru. Landanger did a much better job timing the harvest here than he did in 2012.In Bond£1,095.00 -
In Bond£1,061.00 -
Vinous (92)
The 2016 Pommard Les Jarollières 1er Cru has a clean and pure bouquet with black cherries, raspberry coulis and light cassis scents. The oak here is evident but nicely proportioned against the fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with supple blackberry and raspberry notes, just a tad on the oaky side although that will ultimately be subsumed and there is commendable harmony and length on the finish. This is very promising and ranks highly against its peers. Tasted blind at the 2016 Burgfest tasting.In Bond£752.00 -
In Bond£638.00 -
(12x75cl) 1999Vinous (88)
Medium bright red with an amber rim. Rather decadent, balsamic aromas of plum, truffle and coffee bean. Displays a silky texture and good energy but this is beyond its fruit stage today and does not seem to be going anywhere. Incidentally, 1999 was the first growing season in which Patrick Landanger took care of the vines following his purchase of this famous estate. He told me that he also raised the temperature of the wine at the end of the fermentation for a little more extraction.In Bond£1,130.00 -
In Bond£984.00 -
(12x75cl) 2020In Bond£670.00 -
In Bond£129.00

