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
| Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
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Burgundy | 1 | 89-91 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£111.59 |
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Vinous (89-91)The 2020 Gevrey-Chambertin Village has a slightly stemmy bouquet (around 20% whoe bunch), dark berry fruit laced with cold tea, just a slight beetroot note emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red fruit, firm grip, fine depth with a crisp finish. Very fine. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 90-93 (IB) |
Inc. VAT
£474.80 |
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Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (90-93)Aged in single and double barrels for the first year, 15% new wood, then racked to foudre. An even and charming purple. The bouquet is delicious, half southern end (strawberries) half Brochon (richer fruit) together makes a great blend, with excellent energy at the back. And the good news is that there is plenty of it: 16,000 bottles! Drink from 2028-2034. Tasted: October 2023. |
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Benjamin Leroux Gevrey-Chambertin
(6x75cl)
2023
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Burgundy | - | 90-92 (IB) |
Expected Price Range
£283 -
£347
|
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Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (90-92)A rich but even purple. Plenty of generosity on the nose, covering the more savoury aspects. Very nicely poised with a burst of dark fruit energy, with a savoury dark strawberry note to finish, and medium plus length. Drink from 2029-2035. Tasted Oct 2024. |
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Burgundy | 2 | - |
Inc. VAT
£693.20 |
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Burgundy | 1 | - |
Inc. VAT
£894.72 |
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Burgundy | 2 | 90-92 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£557.09 |
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Vinous (90-92)The 2019 Nuits Saint-Georges Aux Thorey 1er Cru has a detailed bouquet of tertiary red berry fruit that just needs a little more intensity. The palate is medium-bodied with chalky tannins. Quite a masculine NSG, leading to a slightly hard finish. Racking will soften this up and my score is based on that being carried out. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 90-92 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£1,007.52 |
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Vinous (90-92)The 2017 Nuits Saint-Georges Les Boudots 1er Cru, which contains 50% whole bunches, has a vibrant bouquet of red fruit infused with hints of quince and orange blossom; veins of blue fruit emerge with time. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, almost pastille-like in terms of purity, and the finish is sensual and quite approachable. This will drink young but has the substance to give 15+ years of pleasure. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 92-94 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£637.24 |
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Vinous (92-94)The 2018 Nuits Saint-Georges les Boudots 1er Cru, picked on September 8, has a superb bouquet of dark cherries mixed with raspberry preserve and damp earth and moss aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red fruit, very fine tannins and a precise, elegant finish that expresses its terroir beautifully. Superb. |
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Burgundy | 2 | 92-94 (IB) |
Inc. VAT
£420.80 |
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Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (92-94)5 Star Wine. Benjamin loves Nuits-St-Georges in 2023 which is just as well because there is virtually nothing in 2024. Mostly destemmed. This has beautiful floral qualities, superb poise on the first half of the palate then develops a greater plummy richness behind. Archetypal Nuits in a very good way! Drink from 2031-2037. Tasted Oct 2024. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 88-90 (IB) |
Inc. VAT
£87.44 |
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Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (88-90)There was enough fruit to make use of a good mix of barrel shapes and sizes, as St-Romain was not much frosted. Pale colour with a light green tint. Fresh bouquet, some lime blossom, good tension here with a mineral backbone, and an attractive finish. Drink from 2024-2027. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 91-93 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£517.49 |
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Vinous (91-93)The 2018 Volnay Les Caillerets 1er Cru was the first red to be picked by Leroux, on August 29. It has a slightly smudged bouquet of brambly red fruit, sous-bois and a pepperiness imparted by the two-thirds whole-bunch addition. The palate is medium-bodied with a grainy texture and quite structured, like a Pommard, with its limestone soils very expressive and lending vivacity on the finish. Good potential. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 90 (VN (NM)) |
Inc. VAT
£948.29 |
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Vinous - Neal Martin (90)The 2021 Volnay Les Caillerets 1er Cru has a clean, lifted bouquet with red cherries, raspberry and bergamot scents that unfold in the glass. The palate has a little more flesh than its peers, well-judged acidity and a slightly meaty finish with a hint of pain d'épices. Moderate length. Give this a year in bottle to see what it can do. Tasted blind at the Burgfest tasting. |
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Champagne | 2 | - |
Inc. VAT
£233.06 |
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The Benoit Beaufort Blanc de Noirs Brut Grand Cru NV is a distinguished expression of Champagne excellence. Crafted in the prestigious Grand Cru vineyards of the Côte des Bar, this exquisite Blanc de Noirs is predominantly made from Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes. Under the meticulous stewardship of the Beaufort family, renowned for their unwavering commitment to quality, each grape is hand-selected to ensure only the finest fruit is used. Employing the traditional méthode champenoise, the wine undergoes a secondary fermentation in the bottle, followed by an extended lees ageing that imparts complex flavours and a refined texture. The Benoit Beaufort Blanc de Noirs Brut Grand Cru NV exhibits a brilliant golden hue with a persistent, elegant mousse. On the palate, it reveals layers of red berries, brioche, and subtle citrus notes, balanced by a vibrant acidity and a lingering finish. This non-vintage masterpiece exemplifies the sophistication and heritage of Benoit Beaufort, making it a superb choice for discerning wine enthusiasts. |
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Burgundy | 4 | - |
Inc. VAT
£582.80 |
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Imbibe in the delectable aroma and taste of Benoit Ente Bourgogne Blanc 2021, a breathtaking manifestation of exquisite Burgundian craftsmanship. Spawned from the revered vineyards of Burgundy, this fine white wine bears the hallmark of Benoit Ente, a distinguished, independent French winemaker renowned for his purist methods. Each bottle encloses an unadulterated expression of Chardonnay, meticulously cultivated under the ardent care of Ente. The grapes are grown on gravel and clay soils in the heart of Burgundy, offering an unparalleled depth of flavour. The Benoit Ente Bourgogne Blanc 2021 undergoes gentle aging in French oak barrels, endowing a delicate undertone of vanilla to its vibrant citrus profile. Limited in production yet abundant in character, this riveting wine brims with notes of green apple, pear, and a subtle mineral finish. A befitting choice for the discerning palate, the Benoit Ente Bourgogne Blanc 2021 elegantly captures the sophistication of French winemaking. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 94 (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£1,803.49 |
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Wine Advocate (94)The 2019 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Clos de la Truffière is also showing very well, wafting from the glass with notes of crisp yellow and green orchard fruit mingled with honeysuckle, bread dough, orange oil and iodine. Medium to full-bodied, satiny and enveloping, with lively acids and a seamless, elegant profile, it concludes with chalky grip on the finish. As readers may remember, this cuvée derives from an isolated parcel surrounded by trees and the dry stone walls Burgundians know as "murgers." |
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Burgundy | 2 | 95 (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£2,487.64 |
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Wine Advocate (95)Unwinding in the glass with aromas of white peach, pear, dried white flowers, nutmeg and toasty reduction, the 2020 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Clos de la Truffière is medium to full-bodied, satiny and concentrated, with a deep, layered core, racy acids and a long, penetrating finish. Pure and chiseled, it's a brilliant white Burgundy from Benoit Ente. |
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| Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Burgundy | 1 | 89-91 (VN) |
In Bond
£90.00 |
|||||
Vinous (89-91)The 2020 Gevrey-Chambertin Village has a slightly stemmy bouquet (around 20% whoe bunch), dark berry fruit laced with cold tea, just a slight beetroot note emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red fruit, firm grip, fine depth with a crisp finish. Very fine. |
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|
|
Burgundy | 1 | 90-93 (IB) |
In Bond
£375.00 |
|||||
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (90-93)Aged in single and double barrels for the first year, 15% new wood, then racked to foudre. An even and charming purple. The bouquet is delicious, half southern end (strawberries) half Brochon (richer fruit) together makes a great blend, with excellent energy at the back. And the good news is that there is plenty of it: 16,000 bottles! Drink from 2028-2034. Tasted: October 2023. |
|||||||||
Benjamin Leroux Gevrey-Chambertin
(6x75cl)
2023
|
|
Burgundy | - | 90-92 (IB) |
Expected Price Range
£283 -
£347
|
||||
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (90-92)A rich but even purple. Plenty of generosity on the nose, covering the more savoury aspects. Very nicely poised with a burst of dark fruit energy, with a savoury dark strawberry note to finish, and medium plus length. Drink from 2029-2035. Tasted Oct 2024. |
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Burgundy | 2 | - |
In Bond
£557.00 |
|||||
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Burgundy | 1 | - |
In Bond
£727.00 |
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Burgundy | 2 | 90-92 (VN) |
In Bond
£445.00 |
|||||
Vinous (90-92)The 2019 Nuits Saint-Georges Aux Thorey 1er Cru has a detailed bouquet of tertiary red berry fruit that just needs a little more intensity. The palate is medium-bodied with chalky tannins. Quite a masculine NSG, leading to a slightly hard finish. Racking will soften this up and my score is based on that being carried out. |
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|
|
Burgundy | 1 | 90-92 (VN) |
In Bond
£821.00 |
|||||
Vinous (90-92)The 2017 Nuits Saint-Georges Les Boudots 1er Cru, which contains 50% whole bunches, has a vibrant bouquet of red fruit infused with hints of quince and orange blossom; veins of blue fruit emerge with time. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, almost pastille-like in terms of purity, and the finish is sensual and quite approachable. This will drink young but has the substance to give 15+ years of pleasure. |
|||||||||
|
|
Burgundy | 1 | 92-94 (VN) |
In Bond
£515.00 |
|||||
Vinous (92-94)The 2018 Nuits Saint-Georges les Boudots 1er Cru, picked on September 8, has a superb bouquet of dark cherries mixed with raspberry preserve and damp earth and moss aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red fruit, very fine tannins and a precise, elegant finish that expresses its terroir beautifully. Superb. |
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|
|
Burgundy | 2 | 92-94 (IB) |
In Bond
£330.00 |
|||||
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (92-94)5 Star Wine. Benjamin loves Nuits-St-Georges in 2023 which is just as well because there is virtually nothing in 2024. Mostly destemmed. This has beautiful floral qualities, superb poise on the first half of the palate then develops a greater plummy richness behind. Archetypal Nuits in a very good way! Drink from 2031-2037. Tasted Oct 2024. |
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|
|
Burgundy | 1 | 88-90 (IB) |
In Bond
£70.00 |
|||||
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (88-90)There was enough fruit to make use of a good mix of barrel shapes and sizes, as St-Romain was not much frosted. Pale colour with a light green tint. Fresh bouquet, some lime blossom, good tension here with a mineral backbone, and an attractive finish. Drink from 2024-2027. |
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|
|
Burgundy | 1 | 91-93 (VN) |
In Bond
£412.00 |
|||||
Vinous (91-93)The 2018 Volnay Les Caillerets 1er Cru was the first red to be picked by Leroux, on August 29. It has a slightly smudged bouquet of brambly red fruit, sous-bois and a pepperiness imparted by the two-thirds whole-bunch addition. The palate is medium-bodied with a grainy texture and quite structured, like a Pommard, with its limestone soils very expressive and lending vivacity on the finish. Good potential. |
|||||||||
|
|
Burgundy | 1 | 90 (VN (NM)) |
In Bond
£771.00 |
|||||
Vinous - Neal Martin (90)The 2021 Volnay Les Caillerets 1er Cru has a clean, lifted bouquet with red cherries, raspberry and bergamot scents that unfold in the glass. The palate has a little more flesh than its peers, well-judged acidity and a slightly meaty finish with a hint of pain d'épices. Moderate length. Give this a year in bottle to see what it can do. Tasted blind at the Burgfest tasting. |
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|
|
Champagne | 2 | - |
In Bond
£177.00 |
|||||
|
The Benoit Beaufort Blanc de Noirs Brut Grand Cru NV is a distinguished expression of Champagne excellence. Crafted in the prestigious Grand Cru vineyards of the Côte des Bar, this exquisite Blanc de Noirs is predominantly made from Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes. Under the meticulous stewardship of the Beaufort family, renowned for their unwavering commitment to quality, each grape is hand-selected to ensure only the finest fruit is used. Employing the traditional méthode champenoise, the wine undergoes a secondary fermentation in the bottle, followed by an extended lees ageing that imparts complex flavours and a refined texture. The Benoit Beaufort Blanc de Noirs Brut Grand Cru NV exhibits a brilliant golden hue with a persistent, elegant mousse. On the palate, it reveals layers of red berries, brioche, and subtle citrus notes, balanced by a vibrant acidity and a lingering finish. This non-vintage masterpiece exemplifies the sophistication and heritage of Benoit Beaufort, making it a superb choice for discerning wine enthusiasts. |
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|
|
Burgundy | 4 | - |
In Bond
£465.00 |
|||||
|
Imbibe in the delectable aroma and taste of Benoit Ente Bourgogne Blanc 2021, a breathtaking manifestation of exquisite Burgundian craftsmanship. Spawned from the revered vineyards of Burgundy, this fine white wine bears the hallmark of Benoit Ente, a distinguished, independent French winemaker renowned for his purist methods. Each bottle encloses an unadulterated expression of Chardonnay, meticulously cultivated under the ardent care of Ente. The grapes are grown on gravel and clay soils in the heart of Burgundy, offering an unparalleled depth of flavour. The Benoit Ente Bourgogne Blanc 2021 undergoes gentle aging in French oak barrels, endowing a delicate undertone of vanilla to its vibrant citrus profile. Limited in production yet abundant in character, this riveting wine brims with notes of green apple, pear, and a subtle mineral finish. A befitting choice for the discerning palate, the Benoit Ente Bourgogne Blanc 2021 elegantly captures the sophistication of French winemaking. |
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|
|
Burgundy | 1 | 94 (WA) |
In Bond
£1,485.00 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (94)The 2019 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Clos de la Truffière is also showing very well, wafting from the glass with notes of crisp yellow and green orchard fruit mingled with honeysuckle, bread dough, orange oil and iodine. Medium to full-bodied, satiny and enveloping, with lively acids and a seamless, elegant profile, it concludes with chalky grip on the finish. As readers may remember, this cuvée derives from an isolated parcel surrounded by trees and the dry stone walls Burgundians know as "murgers." |
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|
|
Burgundy | 2 | 95 (WA) |
In Bond
£2,057.00 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (95)Unwinding in the glass with aromas of white peach, pear, dried white flowers, nutmeg and toasty reduction, the 2020 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Clos de la Truffière is medium to full-bodied, satiny and concentrated, with a deep, layered core, racy acids and a long, penetrating finish. Pure and chiseled, it's a brilliant white Burgundy from Benoit Ente. |
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