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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James Suckling (94-94)
Some very attractive clarity of fruit on the nose with an array of peaches, white nectarines, melons and honeysuckles. The concentration is staggering. Very, very deep and dense with great acid drive underlying the fleshy ripe fruits. A citrus, stony finish with honeysuckles, spice meat and stone fruits. Superb. Drink or hold.HK$15,430.00 -
James Suckling (94-94)
Some very attractive clarity of fruit on the nose with an array of peaches, white nectarines, melons and honeysuckles. The concentration is staggering. Very, very deep and dense with great acid drive underlying the fleshy ripe fruits. A citrus, stony finish with honeysuckles, spice meat and stone fruits. Superb. Drink or hold.HK$7,115.00 -
James Suckling (97)
A small parcel that yields just six barrels. Impressive citrus aromas with a flinty edge, as well as pithy lemons and grapefruit. It delivers a mouthwatering impression of power and clarity. The palate has a very succulent, powerful and refined feel with a stunning,saline mineral cut. Supreme concentration and power. This is great. Organically farmed grapes. Drink or hold through to 2025+.HK$15,250.00 -
HK$20,345.00 -
Decanter (92)
Aromas of pear, crushed rock and flowers precede a concentrated, minerally, almost saline Perrieres, with a rich core of fruit and a precise, stony finish despite its mid-palate amplitude.HK$12,360.00 -
James Suckling (99)
The complexity and sheer magnitude of Montrachet is on full show here. A powerful expression of the largest holdings in the Puligny side of the vineyard. Grilled hazelnuts, grilled peaches, grapefruit and lemon citrus, as well as a layer of spiced nougat-like aromas. There’s a very long, concentrated and dense palate that starts out cloaked in flavors of rich peaches and glossy fruits. The flavors then peel away in layers as it sits on the palate, revealing a very focused, refined and essence-like citrus core with tremendous elegance and intensity. Drink or hold through the next decade. Or even longer if you desire.HK$20,345.00 -
Embarking on a tasting journey with the exquisite Justices 2016 is a sublime adventure. This transcendent vintage comes from the revered vineyards in the fertile slopes of Bordeaux, France, meticulously crafted under the guidance of renowned winemaker Jean Philippe Justices himself. Justices 2016 is a rare blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, matured using traditional barrel ageing methods which contribute to its astounding complexity and richness. This vintage exudes an enchanting bouquet of ripe black cherries, wild raspberries and delicate violet nuances, all underscored by a provocative layer of minerality. The palate is beautifully balanced, marrying fruity opulence with suave tannins, culminating in a devilishly long finish. Justices 2016, operating under the umbrella of Chateau Fayau, has received critical acclaim from Masters of Wine and top sommeliers globally. It presents a wonderful opportunity for collectors and enthusiasts seeking an outstanding expression of the quintessential Bordeaux blend.
HK$5,810.00 -
Vinous - Neal Martin (93)
The 2016 La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc has improved on the nose since en primeur, offering gently unfolding white peach, red apple, chalk and light yellow flower aromas. The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity, taut and linear and a little wavier than its Haut Brion Blanc counterpart, leaving a touch of lemongrass on the aftertaste. A refined, cerebral proposition that will age like those great Lavilles of the past.HK$15,430.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94)
The 2016 Cheval Blanc Blanc is a white of real depth and structural intensity. Citrus peel, almond, sage, mint and white pepper notes are highly nuanced and varietal in this 100% Sauvignon Blanc. Powerful and energetic in the glass, with terrific vibrancy, the 2016 has a lot to offer. Blocked malolactic fermentation and twenty months in oak contribute to giving the wine its natural intensity and character.HK$4,600.00 -
HK$6,915.00 -
Vinous (93-95)
(as with the Bâtard, the yield was not much more than ten hectoliters per hectare): Very pure aromas of lemon, lime, white flowers and liquid stone. Quite rich and concentrated but tight and youthfully clenched. There was very little fruit in 2016 from the upper, more minerally part of the vineyard, noted Brice de la Morandière, which may have resulted in a heavier wine than normal. But this wine boasts a strong spine, even if it's still an infant today.HK$14,920.00 -
Wine Spectator (94)
This white starts out rich and creamy, offering lemon cake, peach, spring blossom and pastry flavors, gaining focus on the finish, where the vibrant structure emerges. Fine length. Drink now through 2027. 650 cases made, 94 cases imported.HK$26,180.00 -
Wine Advocate (90)
Tasted from bottle, Leflaive's 2016 Puligny-Montrachet Village is showing well, wafting from the glass with a fragrant bouquet of pink grapefruit, white peach and spring flowers, complemented by a delicate touch of citrus blossom on the upper register. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, with a glossy attack, good depth and concentration and a bright but open-knit, charming core, concluding with an elegantly saline finish. The wine's aromatic exotica mark it out as a product of its vintage, but it's a classy Puligny Village from this important domaine.HK$17,480.00 -
Distinguished Louis Moreau Chablis Grand Cru Le Clos Clos des Hospices 2016 is something every wine connoisseur would covet. Born in Chablis, near Burgundy region of France, this wine reflects the excellence of Louis Moreau’s vineyards, nurtured by a multi-generational wine family tenacious about cultivating the best grapes.
The wine indulges the senses with its brilliant clear yellow colour and intricate bouquet of floral and citrus aromas. Benefitting from the chalky soils of Le Clos vineyard positioned encircling 'Les Clos des Hospices', the wine has a distinctive minerality. Cultivated from 100% Chardonnay grapes and matured precisely 12 months in stainless steel vats, this wine has a naturally pure, intense, and crisp taste enlivened with zesty citrus.
Reserve a bottle of Louis Moreau Chablis Grand Cru Le Clos Clos des Hospices 2016 and relish the harmonious interplay of intricate fruit flavours and fresh acidity. This is French artisan winemaking at its prime.
HK$4,110.00 -
The Louis Moreau Chablis Grand Cru Vaudesir 2016 is a sublime expression of the celebrated Chablis region. Produced by the Moreau family, custodians of the winemaking tradition for six generations, this exceptional vintage captures the unique characteristics of the Grand Cru vineyard, Vaudésir.
Harvested with utmost precision, these Chardonnay grapes undergo a careful vinification process. Fermentation occurs in stainless steel vats, preserving the inherent minerality and freshness whilst the ensuing maturation in the same vessels strikes a balance between fruit intensity and subtlety. The result is a wine that boasts a harmonious bouquet of bright citrus and distinctive flinty notes.
The palate displays an impressive structure with layers of crisp apple and white peach, illuminated by an undercurrent of mineral sharpness. The Louis Moreau Chablis Grand Cru Vaudesir 2016 offers a striking wine that continues to evolve, promising prolonged ageing potential that’s a testament to the Moreau family's dedication and expertise.
HK$4,470.00 -
Vinous (91-94)
(fairly late malo here): Aromas of pear, green apple, menthol, mint leaf and rosemary, complicated by warm southern herbs. Very rich, even opulent wine with noteworthy sucrosité and lowish acidity. This very tactile, smooth wine boasts excellent breadth without any rough edges. Finishes quite dry and rich, with palate-staining length and an emerging impression of lemon drop acidity.HK$6,150.00 -
Experience the mesmerising allure of the Luquet Pouilly Fuisse Au Bourg 2016, a white wine par excellence. Belonging to the esteemed Domaine Luquet family vineyard in the heart of Mâconnais region, France, this selection echoes the finesse borne out of more than a century's dedication to viticulture. This masterpiece is made from vintage 2016 Chardonnay, harvested from vines averaging 30 years of age, situated in the best part of the Fuissé vineyard. The winemaking process involves traditional fermentation in stainless steel tanks, followed by judicious ageing on lees to impart a riveting balance of freshness, fruit and complexity.
The Luquet Pouilly Fuisse Au Bourg 2016 serenades your senses with its full-bodied flair, accentuated by exquisite apple, pear and toasted almond notes. Harmonious and sophisticated, its iconic minerality certainly sets it apart. Relish the splendid evolution of this storied label when paired with fine dining platters encompassing seafood and creamy poultry dishes.
HK$4,350.00 -
HK$34,405.00 -
Wine Enthusiast (95)
This wine is intense and concentrated, ripe in generous tropical and citrus fruits. There is plenty of lemon as well as grapefruit in the tight, mineral texture. It is likely to age well, and should be best from 2020.HK$6,150.00 -
Wine Enthusiast (95)
This wine is intense and concentrated, ripe in generous tropical and citrus fruits. There is plenty of lemon as well as grapefruit in the tight, mineral texture. It is likely to age well, and should be best from 2020.HK$3,700.00 -
Wine Advocate (92)
The 2016 Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru En Virondot was reduced from sixty to twenty-six barrels because of the frost. Often cited as one of the domaine’s best crus, it boasts one of the most intense aromatics from the domaine this year with scents of white peach, walnut oil, linseed and just a slight petrol-like aroma in the background. The palate is well balanced but certainly rich and powerful, sporting an almost viscous texture and a gorgeous, honeyed finish that caresses the mouth. I love the depth and drive of this Virondot, a great success for winemaker Sabine Morey in a challenging vintage.HK$6,550.00 -
Renowned for its compelling complexity and ethereal elegance, Marcel Deiss Altenberg Bergheim 2016 is a quintessential representation of Alsace's unrivalled terroir. Produced by the pioneering biodynamic estate of Domaine Marcel Deiss, this grand cru wine is a harmony of 13 Alsatian grape varieties, each contributing to its multifaceted character.
From cultivation to bottling, Marcel Deiss meticulously adheres to traditional practices, treating each vineyard plot as a distinct entity. This respect for nature and regional heritage is palpable in the 2016 vintage, noted for its impressive ageing potential. Expect an opulent bouquet of honeyed citrus, ripe orchard fruits and spicy undertones; the palate offers a luxurious texture balanced with a vibrant acidity.
Hailing from the sun-drenched slopes of Altenberg de Bergheim, Marcel Deiss Altenberg Bergheim 2016 beautifully encapsulates the synergy between varietal and vineyard, delivering an unforgettably profound vinous experience.
HK$4,350.00 -
James Suckling (96)
A ripe set of orchard fruit with quite a rich and assertive, minerally edge. The palate has a supple, juicy and attractively fresh feel with plenty of concentrated, rich, yellow-fruit flavors with very intense, fresh and focused drive to the finish. Twists dry. Impressive. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.HK$3,700.00 -
Experience a remarkable bottling from the respected cellars of Michel Gros with the Hautes Cotes de Nuits Fontaine Saint Martin Blanc 2016. Originating from Burgundy, France, this white wine is an astounding vintage, synonymous with Gros' family tradition of excellence cultivated since 1830. The intricately layered bouquet is provided by the terroir-reflective Chardonnay grapes, diligently hand-harvested to ensure optimum maturity and quality. Aged for a year in lightly toasted barrels, the result is an expressive, elegant, and meticulously balanced wine. Delicate, yet rich, flavours of citrus and honey mingle with the buttery undertones, culminating in a seamlessly smooth finish. A quintessential companion to seafood and white meat dishes, Michel Gros Hautes Cotes de Nuits Fontaine Saint Martin Blanc 2016 is a captivating Bleu Blanc Rouge revelation that continues the family heritage of novel, pristine Chardonnay wines.
HK$1,900.00 -
Vinous (88)
Aromas of yellow fruits and spicy oak, plus a whiff of caramel. Reasonably intense wine with yellow fruit and spice flavors supported by ripe acidity and lifted by a mineral element. Not particularly nuanced but not short on energy. About half of this wine comes from hillside vines, the other half from the bottom of the hill on gravelly soil.HK$4,420.00 -
Vinous (96)
A profound, challenging wine. Deep aromas and flavors of pear, quince, baked grapefruit, spice, touch of smoked honey and even tobacco. Racy and intense on the palate, with an underlying core of crushed stone throughout. This is elegant and vital, the very opposite of austere, while the finish is fresh and electric. Memorable and unique.HK$6,390.00 -
HK$9,355.00 -
HK$5,820.00 -
HK$7,115.00 -
Wine Advocate (95+)
The Pape Clement 2016 Blanc is a blend of 50% Sauvignon Blanc, 36% Sémillon, 9% Sauvignon Gris and 5% Muscadelle. It leaps from the glass with gregarious scents of ripe peaches, fresh grapefruit and key lime pie plus touches of cedar, honeysuckle and toast. Medium-bodied, the palate offers fantastic precision and depth, with layers of citrus and stone fruit flavors supported by a racy line of freshness, finishing very long.HK$13,595.00
