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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Bordeaux | 15 | 91 (VN (NM)) | HK$1,740.00 | |||||
Vinous - Neal Martin (91)The 2020 Château d'Aiguilhe Blanc has an understated bouquet that has closed up since I tasted it from barrel. Light aromas of honeysuckle and jasmine surface with aeration but refuse to click into fifth gear. The palate is well balanced with a lively, Sancerre-like entry with Anjou pear and gooseberry. Sharp acidity, but not shrill, this has fine tension with a very clever and subtle reduction on the finish. Very fine. |
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Bordeaux | 10 | 91 (VN (AG)) | HK$1,740.00 | |||||
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (91)Just bottled, the 2021 'Aiguilhe Blanc is rich, deep and super-expressive. Orchard fruit, dried flowers, sage and mint give the 2021 its strong savory character, while the fruit is in the background. Plush, minimal new oak yields a somewhat stark, yet compelling, dry white. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 93 (JS) | HK$3,885.00 | |||||
James Suckling (93)A dense and fresh white at the same time with cooked apples, lemon rind and minerals. Bright and vivid yet shows depth and seriousness. Phenolic and vivid. Hints of fresh herbs. Drink or hold. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 92-93 (JS) | HK$4,420.00 | |||||
James Suckling (92-93)A fresh and fruity white with sliced-apple and lemon character. Layered and a hint of tannic texture. Lemon zest and lots of energy. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 95 (JS) | HK$3,600.00 | |||||
James Suckling (95)Really fresh and vivid with sliced grapefruit, lemon, green apple and white peach. Apricot, too. Medium to full body with phenolic texture and a long, vivid finish. 70% sauvignon, 20% semillon and 10% muscadelle. Drink or hold. |
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Bordeaux | 3 | 94-96 (JD) | HK$4,320.00 | |||||
Jeb Dunnuck (94-96)I was blown away by the quality of the 2021 Château Lynch-Bages Blanc, which ranks with the top whites in the vintage. Offering awesome white grapefruit, floral, mint, and chalky notes, it hits the palate with medium-bodied richness, a vivid, pure, chiseled mouthfeel, and a great finish. I'd be a buyer. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 95 (JS) | HK$2,828.00 | |||||
James Suckling (95)A bright and vivid white with sliced lemon, grapefruit and mineral character. Medium to full body. Crisp acidity and a minerally finish. Lots of energy this year despite the hot and dry growing season. 67% sauvignon blanc, 22% semillon and 11% muscadelle. Drinking beautifully already. |
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Bordeaux | 14 | 92 (WI) | HK$2,470.00 | |||||
The Wine Independent (92)Picking for the 2023 Blanc de Lynch-Bages started in late August, and it had been bottled the week before tasting. It pops from the glass with vibrant notes of white peaches, fresh pears, and lemon curd followed by hints of lime blossom, wet pebbles, and wild thyme. The light to medium-bodied palate is zippy and refreshing, with loads of citrus and chalky layers and an invigorating finish. The blend is 81% Sauvignon Blanc, 11% Semillon, and 8% Muscadelle. |
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Burgundy | 2 | - | HK$8,400.00 | |||||
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Boisson Vadot Meursault les Grands Charrons 2019 is a splendid exemplar of French viticulture, embodying the precise artistry from the prestigious Boisson Vadot Domaine. Nestled within the heart of Côte de Beaune, Burgundy, where husbandry of the vine is an age-old tradition, Boisson Vadot prides itself on cultivating minimalist and terroir-expressive wines. Exuding definitive Meursault bouquet, this Chardonnay displays elegant notes of ripe apple, honey and acacia; intertwined with subtler nuances of toasted almond and butter. Its uniquely crisp and resonant acidity defines the 2019 vintage. Made the traditional fashion with utmost respect to the vine and manual labour, the grapes' quintessence is preserved through hand harvesting and native-tannin fermentation. The vinification process is carried out in French oak barrels, enhancing the wine's opulent character whilst maintaining its delicacy. The Boisson Vadot Meursault les Grands Charrons 2019 demonstrates the harmonious symphony of passionate winemaking and blessed terroir. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 94 (VN) | HK$24,395.00 | |||||
Vinous (94)The 1994 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru is exotic, deep and so distinctive. Oily and rich in the glass, with striking texture, the 1994 is superb. Orange peel, hazelnut, chamomile, dried savory herbs and tropical inflections all come alive in the glass. It is a superb wine from a year where hail, botrytis and mildew were among the challenges. |
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Burgundy | 2 | 90.0 | HK$20,440.00 | |||||
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Burgundy | 3 | 95 (VN) | HK$18,630.00 | |||||
Vinous (95)Bonneau du Martray’s 2006 Corton-Charlemagne (magnum) opens with a super-classic bouquet of slate, crushed rocks and hints of reduction. Bracing and intense and energetic, the 2006 flows with superb focus and pure mineral-drenched cut. From magnum, the 2006 is simply dazzling and appears to have many years of fine drinking ahead of it. 95 |
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Burgundy | 1 | 95 (VN) | HK$19,365.00 | |||||
Vinous (95)Light straw-yellow. Deep, soil-inflected aromas and flavors of white stone fruits, clove, hazelnut, marzipan, white pepper, smoke and minerals, with a note of orange bitters emerging after extended aeration. Wonderfully rich, silky and mouthfilling but not at all heavy, showing considerable baby fat for young Corton-Charlemagne but with a powerful stony underpinning. Seriously rich, ageworthy wine with a touch of dusty tannins and palate-saturating breadth and salty length. This wine is seriously satisfying right now but should undergo dramatic transformation over the years as it burns off some of its baby fat, which it started to do with 72 hours in the recorked bottle. A star of the vintage, showing no sign of heat or blurriness and communicating a very strong if fully ripe impression of terroir. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 95 (VN) | HK$19,340.00 | |||||
Vinous (95)(production was half of normal in 2016; aged in 30% new oak and bottled at the beginning of April of this year): Pale yellow-green. High-pitched aromas of citrus peel, menthol, lavender and white pepper. Extremely tight without coming across as austere, conveying striking purity to its bracing flavors of grapefruit pith, lemon and crushed stone. Adamant minerality gives this very dense wine terrific inner-mouth tension and yet there's an element of leavening sweetness here as well, not to mention compelling floral perfume throughout. This wonderfully smooth, rich yet weightless wine really dances on the palate, spreading out on the unflagging back end to saturate every square millimeter of the mouth. Cellarmaster Emmanuel Hautus compared this wine to the 2009 in its combination of richness, early appeal and potential longevity. |
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Burgundy | 4 | 93 (VN) | HK$19,835.00 | |||||
Vinous (93)The 2018 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru has a reductive nose but there is some fine fruit here, touches of orange pith, honeysuckle and melted candle wax. The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity, a hint of wood to be subsumed on the entry, impressive depth with a slightly toasty finish. Tasted blind at the Burgfest 2018 white tasting. |
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Burgundy | 3 | 94-97 (IB) | HK$23,785.00 | |||||
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (94-97)The analysis looks perfectly balanced at 13.35% alcohol and pH 3.15. This has been racked but not sulphured since the harvest. Primrose colour, the nose shows a little heaviness and needs freshening up soon with a sulphur adjustment. The nose suggests yellow fruit and a certain thickness of texture. Ripe to baked apple notes. The palate however shows wonderful potential with excellent grip due in part to a little youthful bitterness. Still the apple theme but more important to consider the intensity and the structure. Also the length is what it should be. I have to be cautious given the current stage of development. Tasted: December 2021 |
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Burgundy | 2 | - | HK$4,440.00 | |||||
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Indulge in the sublime experience of the Borgeot Chassagne Montrachet Vv 2022 - a testament to the exquisite craftsmanship of the Borgeot brothers, whose winemaking lineage spans seven generations. This majestic wine hails from the world-renowned vineyards of Chassagne-Montrachet in Burgundy, France. Flinty mineral notes dance with meticulously balanced undertones of ripe fruits and delicate oak, thanks to traditional vinification in French oak barrels, elevating the distinct Chardonnay grapes. The Borgeot Chassagne Montrachet Vv 2022's supple yet complex palate guarantees a pleasure-filled tasting adventure with a generous, lingering finish. Enlighten your senses and let the depth of this unique vintage transport you to the heart of the Borgeot's beloved terroir - a compelling choice for those seeking a truly classic Burgundy white. |
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Burgundy | 1 | - | HK$3,860.00 | |||||
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As a quintessence of mastery, the Borgeot Saint-Aubin 1er cru Derriere Chez Edouard 2022 mirrors the excellence of Burgundy's celebrated winemaking savoir-faire. Cultivated from the finest Premier Cru vineyards of Saint-Aubin, located in the prestigious Côte de Beaune, this wine testifies to the opulent terroir that birthed it. Borgeot estate, renowned for crafting elegant, structured wines, has excelled once more with this 2022 vintage. Complex, yet refined, it offers a subtle dance of ripe fruits and refreshing minerality, enveloped by an elegant oaky sophistication—a reflection of meticulous vinification in French oak barrels. A hallmark of dedication, passion, and centuries-old traditions, the Borgeot Saint-Aubin 1er cru Derriere Chez Edouard 2022 is not just a wine, but a narrative of its land, weather, and the hands that shaped its very essence—a true testament that fine wine is both an art and a science. |
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Burgundy | 2 | - | HK$2,625.00 | |||||
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Experience an exquisite glass of the 'Borgeot Santenay 1er Cru Les Gravieres Blanc 2022,' a perfect example of the renowned Borgeot brothers' craftsmanship. Produced in the heart of Burgundy, France, this fine wine reflects the nuances of the local terroir. The Borgeot brothers have, for generations, faithfully employed age-old techniques; organic farming and handpicking the white Chardonnay grapes used. This meticulous process gives way to sensational varietal expression and structure. The result—the Borgeot Santenay 1er Cru Les Gravieres Blanc 2022, is a sumptuous wine, drenched in poetic aromas of ripe lemon, toasted almond, and robust minerality. Upon sipping, one experiences a vibrant mouthfeel, stacked with a firm acidity and long, elegant finish. This wine personifies the winemakers dedication to tradition, authenticity, and quality. The Borgeot Santenay 1er Cru Les Gravieres Blanc 2022 certainly stands as a testament to the Borgeot's mastery in winemaking. Now, savour the legacy and sophistication with a bottle of this exceptional white wine. |
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Burgundy | 1 | - | HK$2,385.00 | |||||
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The Boris Champy Bourgogne Aligote Dore Selection Massale 2021 is an exemplary offering from renowned vintner Boris Champy. Crafted in the picturesque vineyards of Burgundy, France, this 100% Aligoté Dore was hand-picked and sorted meticulously for optimum flavour development. The Massale Selection method, resorted to by Boris Champy, is a traditional French winemaking technique whereby vines are propagated from multiple mother vines, reflecting the rich biodiversity of the vineyard. This fine wine exhibits lead notes of apple and citrus, underpinned by a luscious, nutty finish— a characteristic of the Aligoté Dore grape. A resident of Burgundy, Boris Champy is highly respected in the world of viticulture for his dedication to organic farming methods, showcasing the terroir's diversity phenomenally in every bottle he produces. The Boris Champy Bourgogne Aligoté Dore Selection Massale 2021, displaying elegance and finesse, is a testament to his exceptional craft. |
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Burgundy | 1 | - | HK$22,950.00 | |||||
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Burgundy | 1 | 94 (TA) | HK$4,710.00 | |||||
Tim Atkin MW (94)The Cistercians planted white grape vines here as far back as the 13th century, and curiously, they planted Pinot Noir all around it. As usual, it seems they knew what they were doing as this wine is always a delight. It's unusually deeply colored – almost golden, especially for a Beaune, yet it is vibrantly elegant with tingly acidity and delicate aromas. Tasting of Granny Smith apple and star fruit with a dollop of fresh cream, this turns lightly salty on the solid finish. 2022-27 |
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Burgundy | 4 | 93+ (VN) | HK$24,395.00 | |||||
Vinous (93+)Pale, bright yellow. A note of meaty reduction to the aromas of crushed stone, white pepper and smoke. Densely packed, smooth and refined, showing lovely freshness and lift to its intense stone fruit and floral flavors. Finishes very long and suave, with an impression of fine-grained tannins and terrific lift. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 94-96 (VN) | HK$23,845.00 | |||||
Vinous (94-96)The 2018 Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru has an impressive bouquet of mineral-rich citrus fruit, smoke, honeysuckle and jasmine aromas, complex and alluring. The palate is fresh and vibrant with crisp acidity, with plenty of tangerine and grapefruit notes, but it is the mineralité and tension that really elevate this Grand Cru. For once, this might outperform the La Cabotte. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 100 (JS) | HK$22,810.00 | |||||
James Suckling (100)Its really hard to imagine how a white Brugundy could be more flinty and minerally than this super-concentrated and super-vibrant Chevalier Montrachet. Lovely aromas of lemon blossom, jasmine, tangerine and nectarine, alongside all the stony stuff. Then comes the staggeringly long finish that is totally pure and precise. From Bouchard’s 2.3-hectare holding, which comprises almost a third of the entire Grand Cru site. Drink or hold. |
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Burgundy | 6 | 100 (JS) | HK$24,395.00 | |||||
James Suckling (100)This chardonnay masterpiece is currently like a fully wound Breguet watch, but the extremely subtle nose of citrus, wild herbs and flowers is already breathtaking. Mind-blowing concentration, purity and precision on the generous but by no means massive palate. The really extraordinary thing is the intense crushed-stone minerality that's married to sensual creaminess on the mid-palate, then asserts itself ever more singularly at the finish, until it's completely overwhelming. From 2.33 hecatres of vineyards on all four terraces of this famous site. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 93-95 (IB) | HK$28,040.00 | |||||
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (93-95)954 barrels only from Bouchard’s 2+ hectares, including the La Cabotte section which could not be made separately this year. A touch of coconut and light vanilla sitting on top of the concentrated, mostly white, fruit. A touch of verbena, ripe citrus, even a hint of liquorice. The fruit weight builds at the back. A softer finish than some producers this year. Kicks on a bit more right at the back. Drink from 2027-2033. Tasted: November 2022 |
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Burgundy | 2 | 95+ (VN) | HK$28,645.00 | |||||
Vinous (95+)Knockout pure-but-reticent nose melds deep yellow fruits, oak char, baking spices and minerals (this always needs a lot more time than the Chevalier-Montrachet here, notes Frédéric Weber). Wonderfully silky and rich but light on its feet; a serious mouthful of lemon zest, crushed stone and spices with outstanding focus and supporting salty minerality. Really shines today for its inner-mouth tension and explosive palate-dusting finish. Bouchard's Montrachet production was off by more than 50% in 2016 (to around 23 hectoliters per hectare), but the Cabotte was less affected by frost, producing three barrels, vs. four in 2017. This wonderfully plush, fine-grained, concentrated wine is built for a long and eventful evolution in bottle. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 95 (WA) | HK$38,395.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (95)The 2017 Chevalier-Montrachet La Cabotte Grand Cru is also showing very well from bottle, opening in the glass with a lovely bouquet of crisp green orchard fruit, citrus oil, white flowers, blanched almonds and wheat toast. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, satiny and incisive, with a deep and layered core, racy acids and a long, penetrating finish. While this can't quite match the mid-palate volume of the Montrachet, it certainly nods to Montrachet in style. Readers able to track down a few bottles should plan on exercising at least a decade's patience. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 95 (DC) | HK$11,540.00 | |||||
Decanter (95)Bouchard have some of the biggest holdings of Corton-Charlemagne, at 3.9ha, all of them east-facing and high on the slope. This is perfumed and intense, with citrus rind and tangerine notes, chalky freshness and old-vine concentration. The oak is assertive but well integrated. |
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