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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Decanter (96)
The nose is shy and subtle, though notions of red apple, peppery rye crumb, stone and lemon emerge with more air. Tightly coiled, the palate suggests spicy riches with its insinuations of white pepper and tangerine peel. A lovely interplay of Pinot richness and Chardonnay slinkiness, showing depth, svelteness and elegance. It justs needs air to breathe. Gorgeous.Inc. VAT£365.06 -
Wine Advocate (90)
The 2021-based release of Taittinger’s NV Prestige Rosé, incorporating reserve wines from 2019, 2018 and 2016 and disgorged in January 2025 with a dosage of nine grams per liter, is showing well, revealing aromas of wild strawberry, raspberry and pink grapefruit mingling with brioche and timut pepper. Medium- to full-bodied, ample yet vibrant, it includes 14% still red wine, which lends attractive phenolic grip to its rich core of fruit. It is a blend of 35% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir and 25% Pinot Meunier. Its clear-glass bottle leaves it vulnerable to light strike, so it is essential to avoid exposure to direct sunlight.Inc. VAT£125.84 -
Wine Advocate (90)
The 2021-based release of Taittinger’s NV Prestige Rosé, incorporating reserve wines from 2019, 2018 and 2016 and disgorged in January 2025 with a dosage of nine grams per liter, is showing well, revealing aromas of wild strawberry, raspberry and pink grapefruit mingling with brioche and timut pepper. Medium- to full-bodied, ample yet vibrant, it includes 14% still red wine, which lends attractive phenolic grip to its rich core of fruit. It is a blend of 35% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir and 25% Pinot Meunier. Its clear-glass bottle leaves it vulnerable to light strike, so it is essential to avoid exposure to direct sunlight.Inc. VAT£306.04 -
Inc. VAT£529.73 -
Inc. VAT£304.80 -
Wine Spectator (90)
Big and rustic, with lots of raisin and berry aromas and flavors and full, velvety tannins. Not classy, but has an impressive concentration of fruit. Try after 1997.Inc. VAT£1,490.40 -
Wine Advocate (85)
A sweet, soft, commercially-styled wine, the 1994 offers a medium deep ruby color, a smoky, berry-scented nose, supple, fruity flavors, medium body, no hard tannin (a rarity for a 1994), and an easy to understand finish. Drink it over the next 4-8 years.Inc. VAT£820.14 -
Wine Spectator (91)
Lots of blackberry, licorice and light tar aromas. Full-bodied, with chewy tannins and a long finish. This needs time.--'95/'96 Bordeaux retrospective. Best after 2008. -JSInc. VAT£1,497.92 -
(6x150cl) 1996Wine Spectator (91)
Lots of blackberry, licorice and light tar aromas. Full-bodied, with chewy tannins and a long finish. This needs time.--'95/'96 Bordeaux retrospective. Best after 2008. -JSInc. VAT£1,730.84 -
Wine Enthusiast (94)
There is a great link here between the tannins, delicious red berry fruits and blackcurrants and the almost architectural structure. The wine certainly has fine fruit, a great balance, very complete, finishing gently, ripe and soft.Inc. VAT£1,414.60 -
(12x75cl) 2003Wine Spectator (94)
Wonderful blackberry and violet character with intense aromas. Full-bodied, with big, silky tannins and a long, long finish. Super. Could be classic in quality. Could be better than 2000. Score range: 92-94Inc. VAT£874.60 -
Wine Spectator (94)
Wonderful blackberry and violet character with intense aromas. Full-bodied, with big, silky tannins and a long, long finish. Super. Could be classic in quality. Could be better than 2000. Score range: 92-94Inc. VAT£129.59 -
Wine Enthusiast (94)
93-95 Barrel sample. Huge black currant flavors, very ripe fruit, but also a great sense of balance, of proportion that give this wine both charm and impressiveness. It's going to age seriously, and well.Inc. VAT£1,055.80 -
(12x75cl) 2006Wine Spectator (91)
This displays blackberry, sweet tobacco and green coffee aromas. Full-bodied, with soft tannins and a caressing texture. This has a really lovely mouthfeel for the vintage. Best after 2014. 35,750 cases made. -JSInc. VAT£1,039.87 -
(6x150cl) 2007Wine Spectator (90)
Has a pretty core of ripe plum and berry fruit, with a medium body, fine tannins and a clean finish. Score range: 87-90Inc. VAT£1,008.58 -
Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (95)
Melted tannins, juicy black fruits, finessed appellation signature, this opens to grilled blackberry and bilberries, brambed and pureed, with slate tannins and a wave of campfire smoke. Well balanced acidity also, this is charming, joyful and ready to drink but with plenty of life ahead. One to look out for.Inc. VAT£877.44 -
Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (95)
Melted tannins, juicy black fruits, finessed appellation signature, this opens to grilled blackberry and bilberries, brambed and pureed, with slate tannins and a wave of campfire smoke. Well balanced acidity also, this is charming, joyful and ready to drink but with plenty of life ahead. One to look out for.Inc. VAT£944.00 -
Vinous - Neal Martin (92)
The 2011 Talbot has a light and fragrant bouquet with red berry fruit, bell pepper and earthy notes, a touch of sage emerging with time. The palate is well balanced with a satisfying succulent on the entry, quite fleshy for a Saint-Julien in this vintage, not complexity but judiciously spiced and lively on the finish. For me, this Talbot overperforms in context of the growing season. Tasted blind at the annual 10-Year-On tasting.Inc. VAT£789.40 -
(12x75cl) 2012Vinous - Antonio Galloni (92)
The 2012 is a supple, inviting wine. Dark red cherry, plum, smoke and licorice appear first, followed by scents of graphite, smoke, violet and sage that add nuance. This expressive, open-knit Saint-Julien has a lot to offer. Above all else, the Talbot is incredibly sensual and inviting. It will be hard to resist young, but also has enough depth to drink well for two decades, perhaps longer.Inc. VAT£817.87 -
(6x75cl) 2014Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94)
The 2014 Talbot is soft, silky and wonderfully nuanced on the palate. Much more refined from bottle than it was from barrel, the 2014 has moved toward greater finesse over the last two years. This is a lovely effort. Lifted rose petal and lavender notes add closing nuance. The blend is 62 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 35 % Merlot and 6 % Petit Verdot. Tasted two times.Inc. VAT£256.32 -
(12x75cl) 2015Vinous - Neal Martin (93)
The 2015 Talbot has an exuberant nose with black cherry, bilberry, wild mint and brown spice aromas. This has fine delineation and well-integrated oak. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red fruit mixed with game and black pepper. It has good density on the finish that shows just a tiny bit of alcohol. Give this two or three years. Tasted blind at the 2015 Bordeaux Ten-Year-On tasting.Inc. VAT£985.44 -
Vinous - Neal Martin (93)
The 2015 Talbot has an exuberant nose with black cherry, bilberry, wild mint and brown spice aromas. This has fine delineation and well-integrated oak. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red fruit mixed with game and black pepper. It has good density on the finish that shows just a tiny bit of alcohol. Give this two or three years. Tasted blind at the 2015 Bordeaux Ten-Year-On tasting.Inc. VAT£669.96 -
Vinous - Neal Martin (93)
The 2015 Talbot has an exuberant nose with black cherry, bilberry, wild mint and brown spice aromas. This has fine delineation and well-integrated oak. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red fruit mixed with game and black pepper. It has good density on the finish that shows just a tiny bit of alcohol. Give this two or three years. Tasted blind at the 2015 Bordeaux Ten-Year-On tasting.Inc. VAT£986.64 -
Wine Spectator (95)
Rock 'em, sock 'em St.-Julien, with mouthcoating ganache and tar notes backed by commensurate cassis, blueberry paste and blackberry reduction flavors. The long finish rumbles through, with buried brambly grip providing the support for the dense fruit and toast to meld. Best from 2025 through 2040. 29,833 cases made.Inc. VAT£815.04 -
Wine Spectator (95)
Rock 'em, sock 'em St.-Julien, with mouthcoating ganache and tar notes backed by commensurate cassis, blueberry paste and blackberry reduction flavors. The long finish rumbles through, with buried brambly grip providing the support for the dense fruit and toast to meld. Best from 2025 through 2040. 29,833 cases made.Inc. VAT£607.56 -
Wine Spectator (95)
Rock 'em, sock 'em St.-Julien, with mouthcoating ganache and tar notes backed by commensurate cassis, blueberry paste and blackberry reduction flavors. The long finish rumbles through, with buried brambly grip providing the support for the dense fruit and toast to meld. Best from 2025 through 2040. 29,833 cases made.Inc. VAT£458.52 -
James Suckling (92-93)
This is solid and structured with blackberry and currant character. Full-bodied, muscular and dialed-in.Inc. VAT£609.84 -
James Suckling (92-93)
This is solid and structured with blackberry and currant character. Full-bodied, muscular and dialed-in.Inc. VAT£271.08 -
(6x150cl) 2017James Suckling (92-93)
This is solid and structured with blackberry and currant character. Full-bodied, muscular and dialed-in.Inc. VAT£926.70 -
James Suckling (94-95)
Very attractive core of pretty fruit and polished yet chewy tannins. Medium to full body, integrated tannins and a driven finish. One of the best Talbots in a long time.Inc. VAT£736.75
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Decanter (96)
The nose is shy and subtle, though notions of red apple, peppery rye crumb, stone and lemon emerge with more air. Tightly coiled, the palate suggests spicy riches with its insinuations of white pepper and tangerine peel. A lovely interplay of Pinot richness and Chardonnay slinkiness, showing depth, svelteness and elegance. It justs needs air to breathe. Gorgeous.In Bond£287.00 -
Wine Advocate (90)
The 2021-based release of Taittinger’s NV Prestige Rosé, incorporating reserve wines from 2019, 2018 and 2016 and disgorged in January 2025 with a dosage of nine grams per liter, is showing well, revealing aromas of wild strawberry, raspberry and pink grapefruit mingling with brioche and timut pepper. Medium- to full-bodied, ample yet vibrant, it includes 14% still red wine, which lends attractive phenolic grip to its rich core of fruit. It is a blend of 35% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir and 25% Pinot Meunier. Its clear-glass bottle leaves it vulnerable to light strike, so it is essential to avoid exposure to direct sunlight.In Bond£102.00 -
Wine Advocate (90)
The 2021-based release of Taittinger’s NV Prestige Rosé, incorporating reserve wines from 2019, 2018 and 2016 and disgorged in January 2025 with a dosage of nine grams per liter, is showing well, revealing aromas of wild strawberry, raspberry and pink grapefruit mingling with brioche and timut pepper. Medium- to full-bodied, ample yet vibrant, it includes 14% still red wine, which lends attractive phenolic grip to its rich core of fruit. It is a blend of 35% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir and 25% Pinot Meunier. Its clear-glass bottle leaves it vulnerable to light strike, so it is essential to avoid exposure to direct sunlight.In Bond£239.00 -
In Bond£438.00 -
Inc. VAT£304.80 -
Wine Spectator (90)
Big and rustic, with lots of raisin and berry aromas and flavors and full, velvety tannins. Not classy, but has an impressive concentration of fruit. Try after 1997.Inc. VAT£1,490.40 -
Wine Advocate (85)
A sweet, soft, commercially-styled wine, the 1994 offers a medium deep ruby color, a smoky, berry-scented nose, supple, fruity flavors, medium body, no hard tannin (a rarity for a 1994), and an easy to understand finish. Drink it over the next 4-8 years.In Bond£649.00 -
Wine Spectator (91)
Lots of blackberry, licorice and light tar aromas. Full-bodied, with chewy tannins and a long finish. This needs time.--'95/'96 Bordeaux retrospective. Best after 2008. -JSIn Bond£1,213.00 -
(6x150cl) 1996Wine Spectator (91)
Lots of blackberry, licorice and light tar aromas. Full-bodied, with chewy tannins and a long finish. This needs time.--'95/'96 Bordeaux retrospective. Best after 2008. -JSIn Bond£1,410.31 -
Wine Enthusiast (94)
There is a great link here between the tannins, delicious red berry fruits and blackcurrants and the almost architectural structure. The wine certainly has fine fruit, a great balance, very complete, finishing gently, ripe and soft.In Bond£1,143.00 -
(12x75cl) 2003Wine Spectator (94)
Wonderful blackberry and violet character with intense aromas. Full-bodied, with big, silky tannins and a long, long finish. Super. Could be classic in quality. Could be better than 2000. Score range: 92-94In Bond£693.00 -
Wine Spectator (94)
Wonderful blackberry and violet character with intense aromas. Full-bodied, with big, silky tannins and a long, long finish. Super. Could be classic in quality. Could be better than 2000. Score range: 92-94In Bond£105.00 -
Wine Enthusiast (94)
93-95 Barrel sample. Huge black currant flavors, very ripe fruit, but also a great sense of balance, of proportion that give this wine both charm and impressiveness. It's going to age seriously, and well.In Bond£844.00 -
(12x75cl) 2006Wine Spectator (91)
This displays blackberry, sweet tobacco and green coffee aromas. Full-bodied, with soft tannins and a caressing texture. This has a really lovely mouthfeel for the vintage. Best after 2014. 35,750 cases made. -JSIn Bond£832.00 -
(6x150cl) 2007Wine Spectator (90)
Has a pretty core of ripe plum and berry fruit, with a medium body, fine tannins and a clean finish. Score range: 87-90In Bond£802.00 -
Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (95)
Melted tannins, juicy black fruits, finessed appellation signature, this opens to grilled blackberry and bilberries, brambed and pureed, with slate tannins and a wave of campfire smoke. Well balanced acidity also, this is charming, joyful and ready to drink but with plenty of life ahead. One to look out for.In Bond£694.00 -
Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (95)
Melted tannins, juicy black fruits, finessed appellation signature, this opens to grilled blackberry and bilberries, brambed and pureed, with slate tannins and a wave of campfire smoke. Well balanced acidity also, this is charming, joyful and ready to drink but with plenty of life ahead. One to look out for.In Bond£766.00 -
Vinous - Neal Martin (92)
The 2011 Talbot has a light and fragrant bouquet with red berry fruit, bell pepper and earthy notes, a touch of sage emerging with time. The palate is well balanced with a satisfying succulent on the entry, quite fleshy for a Saint-Julien in this vintage, not complexity but judiciously spiced and lively on the finish. For me, this Talbot overperforms in context of the growing season. Tasted blind at the annual 10-Year-On tasting.In Bond£622.00 -
(12x75cl) 2012Vinous - Antonio Galloni (92)
The 2012 is a supple, inviting wine. Dark red cherry, plum, smoke and licorice appear first, followed by scents of graphite, smoke, violet and sage that add nuance. This expressive, open-knit Saint-Julien has a lot to offer. Above all else, the Talbot is incredibly sensual and inviting. It will be hard to resist young, but also has enough depth to drink well for two decades, perhaps longer.In Bond£647.00 -
(6x75cl) 2014Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94)
The 2014 Talbot is soft, silky and wonderfully nuanced on the palate. Much more refined from bottle than it was from barrel, the 2014 has moved toward greater finesse over the last two years. This is a lovely effort. Lifted rose petal and lavender notes add closing nuance. The blend is 62 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 35 % Merlot and 6 % Petit Verdot. Tasted two times.In Bond£195.00 -
(12x75cl) 2015Vinous - Neal Martin (93)
The 2015 Talbot has an exuberant nose with black cherry, bilberry, wild mint and brown spice aromas. This has fine delineation and well-integrated oak. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red fruit mixed with game and black pepper. It has good density on the finish that shows just a tiny bit of alcohol. Give this two or three years. Tasted blind at the 2015 Bordeaux Ten-Year-On tasting.In Bond£784.00 -
Vinous - Neal Martin (93)
The 2015 Talbot has an exuberant nose with black cherry, bilberry, wild mint and brown spice aromas. This has fine delineation and well-integrated oak. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red fruit mixed with game and black pepper. It has good density on the finish that shows just a tiny bit of alcohol. Give this two or three years. Tasted blind at the 2015 Bordeaux Ten-Year-On tasting.In Bond£533.50 -
Vinous - Neal Martin (93)
The 2015 Talbot has an exuberant nose with black cherry, bilberry, wild mint and brown spice aromas. This has fine delineation and well-integrated oak. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red fruit mixed with game and black pepper. It has good density on the finish that shows just a tiny bit of alcohol. Give this two or three years. Tasted blind at the 2015 Bordeaux Ten-Year-On tasting.In Bond£785.00 -
Wine Spectator (95)
Rock 'em, sock 'em St.-Julien, with mouthcoating ganache and tar notes backed by commensurate cassis, blueberry paste and blackberry reduction flavors. The long finish rumbles through, with buried brambly grip providing the support for the dense fruit and toast to meld. Best from 2025 through 2040. 29,833 cases made.In Bond£642.00 -
Wine Spectator (95)
Rock 'em, sock 'em St.-Julien, with mouthcoating ganache and tar notes backed by commensurate cassis, blueberry paste and blackberry reduction flavors. The long finish rumbles through, with buried brambly grip providing the support for the dense fruit and toast to meld. Best from 2025 through 2040. 29,833 cases made.In Bond£481.50 -
Wine Spectator (95)
Rock 'em, sock 'em St.-Julien, with mouthcoating ganache and tar notes backed by commensurate cassis, blueberry paste and blackberry reduction flavors. The long finish rumbles through, with buried brambly grip providing the support for the dense fruit and toast to meld. Best from 2025 through 2040. 29,833 cases made.In Bond£363.50 -
James Suckling (92-93)
This is solid and structured with blackberry and currant character. Full-bodied, muscular and dialed-in.In Bond£471.00 -
James Suckling (92-93)
This is solid and structured with blackberry and currant character. Full-bodied, muscular and dialed-in.In Bond£213.50 -
(6x150cl) 2017James Suckling (92-93)
This is solid and structured with blackberry and currant character. Full-bodied, muscular and dialed-in.In Bond£735.05 -
James Suckling (94-95)
Very attractive core of pretty fruit and polished yet chewy tannins. Medium to full body, integrated tannins and a driven finish. One of the best Talbots in a long time.In Bond£574.00

