France - All White Wines
France is revered for its exceptional white wines, which showcase the country's rich winemaking heritage, diverse terroirs, and unwavering commitment to quality. Today, let us embark on a journey through the best white wines that France has to offer, exploring renowned vineyards and the regions that give birth to these extraordinary expressions.
In Burgundy, the appellations of Chablis, Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet and Chassagne-Montrachet stand tall as the epitome of excellence in white wine production. Wineries such as Domaine Raveneau, Domaine Dauvissat, and Domaine Leflaive craft mesmerizing Chardonnays that capture the essence of the region's unique Kimmeridgian limestone soils. These wines exhibit precision, purity, and a remarkable balance of mineral notes, citrus flavors, and vibrant acidity.
Moving to the Loire Valley, the vineyards of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé are celebrated for their exceptional Sauvignon Blancs. Domaine Vacheron, Domaine Didier Dagueneau, and Domaine Pascal Jolivet create expressive and terroir-driven wines that showcase the region's distinct flinty minerality, zesty citrus, and herbaceous undertones.
Further northeast in France, in the region of Alsace, vineyards such as Domaine Zind-Humbrecht, Domaine Trimbach, and Domaine Weinbach produce stunning white wines from varietals like Riesling, Gewürztraminer, and Pinot Gris. These wines display remarkable depth, aromatic complexity, and a balance between sweetness and acidity, reflecting the region's unique microclimates and granite-rich soils.
In Bordeaux, the region of Graves is renowned for its white wines, particularly those crafted from the classic grape varieties of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon. Château Haut-Brion, Château Pape Clément, and Domaine de Chevalier are esteemed vineyards that produce rich and age-worthy white Bordeaux wines. These wines exhibit a beautiful interplay of tropical fruit flavors, vibrant acidity, and a touch of toasty oak.
Finally, in the Rhône Valley, the appellation of Condrieu shines as a beacon of excellence in Viognier production. Renowned vineyards such as Domaine Georges Vernay and Domaine Yves Cuilleron create remarkable Viognier wines that seduce the senses with their exotic aromas of apricot, peach, and delicate floral notes. These wines showcase richness, elegance, and a silky texture that lingers on the palate.
France - All White Wines
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Indulge in the elegance of Laroche Chablis Grand Cru Les Blanchots Reserve de l'Obedience 2018, a testament to fine wine artistry. Produced by Domaine Laroche, a leading domaine in the renowned Chablis region of France, this exceptional wine stems from meticulously handpicked grapes grown on the sun-drenched slopes of Les Blanchots Grand Cru vineyard. Aging gracefully in Laroche’s characteristic centuries-old cellars, this Reserve captures the essence of the vineyard’s uniquely rich terroir. Underpinning its vibrant acidity is a symphony of complex citrus notes, white flower aromas and flinty minerality, epitomising the character of Lebanese Chablis. In 2018, breezy and sunny conditions facilitated exceptional vintages, and the Laroche Chablis Grand Cru Les Blanchots Reserve de l'Obedience 2018 is certainly no exception. This exquisite, critically acclaimed wine encapsulates Laroche's commitment to crafting wines of supreme quality with an intimate expression of site-specific Chardonnay. Enjoy a sip of French tradition.
HK$16,295.00 -
Wine Spectator (95)
Solid and compact right now, this is a powerful, concentrated white, showing a chalk flavor under the butter and apricot. Gathers speed across the palate, building to a long finish. Needs time to integrate and realize its full potential. Best from 2011 through 2024. 103 cases imported. -BSHK$104,150.00 -
Vinous (89)
The 2018 Mâcon-Verzé is bright and nicely focused. Light tropical overtones add an exotic flair to the candied citrus, apricot and mineral-driven flavors. The Mâcon-Verzé is initially rather taut, but it relaxes with time in the glass and gains notable volume as well to play off veins of underlying salinity.HK$7,325.00 -
HK$14,285.00 -
Vinous - Neal Martin (93)
The 2017 Malartic-Lagravière Blanc has a very impressive bouquet with flinty, citrus fruit that evolves more discrete tropical scents with aeration, hints of dried honey, lime and mango emerging with time. The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity, quite saline in the mouth and fine weight. A precise and quite sustained finish. This has great potential and it may improve with continued bottle age. That said, it will be irresistible in its youth.HK$5,880.00 -
HK$8,940.00 -
The Nalys Chateauneuf Du Pape Blanc 2017, produced in the illustrious South Rhône wine region of France, showcases the classic charm of this world-renowned appellation. The esteemed Domaine de Nalys curates a symphony of white grapes: Roussanne, Clairette, Grenache Blanc, and Bourboulenc, which imbues elegance and complexity. Fermentation takes place in a blend of wooden vats and stainless steel tanks, followed by a 10-month maturation to create an inimitable balance of finesse. The wine unveils a rich aromatic profile, enriched with apricot, pear, and lavender trailed by a lasting minerality on the palate. Nalys Chateauneuf Du Pape Blanc 2017's organic methodology underscores its profound respect for nature, adhering to meticulous farming practices and hand harvesting techniques. Brace yourself for an illuminating experience, as every sip unveils an expressive kaleidoscope of sensations, a testament to the noble terroir of Chateauneuf-du-Pape.
HK$7,775.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (94-96)
The 2018 Châteauneuf Du Pape Blanc looks to be the finest white to date and unquestionably ranks with the finest whites in the vintage. Beautiful notes of crushed rocks, honeysuckle, quince, and spice all flow to a medium to full-bodied, balanced, powerful white that’s flawlessly balanced. It’s one of the rich yet elegant whites that can drink nicely on its own or shine on the dinner table.HK$8,090.00 -
HK$19,140.00 -
Wine Advocate (91)
Piuze's new 2022 Chablis La Butte "O" comes from the lieu-dit Butteaux but outside the confines of the premier cru. It's an attractive effort redolent of pear, toasted nuts, bee pollen, white flowers and youthful reduction. Medium to full-bodied, satiny and incisive, with racy acids and a long mineral finish, it's a fine addition to the range.HK$4,115.00 -
Discover the exquisite Pierre Girardin Eclat de Calcaire Chardonnay 2019, an intoxicating testament to the Burgundy region's rich viticulture, championed by the generational skills of the Girardin family. Crafted by wine maestro Pierre Girardin, this Chardonnay imbues the unparalleled rhythm of Burgundy soils, encapsulating within each bottle the innate beauty of the terroir. Selected grapes are meticulously harvested from vineyards in the Puligny-Montrachet and Meursault, certain to impress with their profound mineral character and distinct clarity. Barrel fermented and aged for twelve months in French oak, this Chardonnay was created with particular reverence for precision and harmony. The Pierre Girardin Eclat de Calcaire Chardonnay 2019 delivers a captivating bouquet of orchard blossom balanced with crisp green apple, elegantly layered with nuanced notes of finely ground limestone. A meticulously composed, vivacious revel in each sip, this Chardonnay is a timeless expression of the Girardin legacy and the enduring appeal of Burgundy Chardonnay.
HK$4,820.00 -
Immerse your palate in the exquisite 'Pierre Girardin Meursault 1er Cru Les Genevrieres 2018'; a testament to Girardin's exceptional craftsmanship. Sourced from low-yielding 50 year-old vines, this French gem expresses Burgundy's Meursault region's terroir in every sip. Delving into the glass, you'll encounter a bouquet of floral and citrus notes mingling with a hint of minerality. The fermentation in French oak barrels confers structure and elegance, while the 12-month maturation process ensures added complexity. The producer; Pierre Girardin, hails from a 13-generation lineage of Burgundy winegrowers, bringing modern vinification techniques without compromising traditional values. This 2018 vintage showcases Pierre's commitment to purity and terroir expression, underscoring a consistency that has cemented his reputation in world of fine wine. Purchase and explore the pleasure offered by the 'Pierre Girardin Meursault 1er Cru Les Genevrieres 2018' today.
HK$25,380.00 -
Discover the opulence of the Rene Bouvier Marsannay Blanc Clos 2013. This exquisite Chardonnay hails from Marsannay, the northern gateway of Burgundy's illustrious Côte de Nuits. Renowned winemaker Rene Bouvier has crafted this wine with meticulous attention, ageing it in oak barrels for 12 months to enhance its depth and richness. However, the use of oak is restrained, allowing the pure, vibrant fruit to shine through. The 2013 vintage - an exceptional year for white Burgundy - endows the wine with beautiful acidity, complemented by luscious apple, pear, and citrus notes, augmented by a whisper of minerality. The grandeur of Rene Bouvier's winemaking philosophy is showcased in every bottle, emphasising respect for the terroir and dedication to expressing its specific character. Savour the Rene Bouvier Marsannay Blanc Clos 2013 - a testament to authentic French viniculture.
HK$4,395.00 -
Wine Spectator (93-96)
Balanced and very spicy, with almond paste and apricot. Full-bodied, medium sweet, with a long, fruity, tangy finish. Layered and stylish. Score range: 93-96 -JSHK$6,945.00 -
HK$3,915.00 -
Vinous (93)
The 2018 Sancerre Blanc Les Romains offers lovely textural depth and fine balance. Lemon confit, marzipan, spice and floral notes add that extra bit of pliancy and resonance that gives the wine its soft curves and open-knit personality. Best of all, the 2018 will drink well right out of the gate.HK$6,190.00 -
Vinous (93)
Palish straw-yellow color; less bright than some vintages in this tasting. (I've seen published tasting notes on this wine dating back as far as a decade that described it as distinctly golden in color, but not this bottle!) Rather wild aromas of hawthorn, acacia flower, chalk and cedar, plus a hint of truffle; not about fruit. Powerful, large-scaled and penetrating on the palate; densely packed but a bit disjointed owing to its combination of sweetness and bracing acidity. Conveys a rare impression of solidity for Chablis, suggesting that it will live on in bottle for many more years. But will it ever truly be fun to drink? Dauvissat noted that there was not a lot of juice in the press in '96, and the wine is clearly high in dry extract. This wine actually finished its malolactic fermentation after the '97 Clos did, and it was bottled later than that wine. (Dauvissat described this wine as le monstre--a bit special for its combination of huge alcohol, gras and very high acidity; he picked what he described as a normal crop on September 23 with potential alcohol ranging from 12.5% to 14.5% and the wine finished with between 5 and 5.5 grams per liter acidity)HK$82,850.00 -
Vinous (96-98)
The 2019 Chablis Les Clos Grand Cru is more strict and linear on the nose compared to Les Preuses, gradually developing some subtle grilled almond and walnut aromas. You just need about 30 seconds and you are lost in the aromas. The palate is exceptionally well balanced with a nigh-perfect thread of acidity. This Les Clos displays ethereal poise from start to finish and is blessed with a pixelated quality that distinguishes it from any other. Brilliant. Candidate for wine of the vintage.HK$50,450.00
