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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Wine Advocate (89)
Jean-Marc Roulot's lovely 2017 Bourgogne Blanc wafts from the glass with inviting aromas of citrus oil, white flowers, Anjou pear and a delicate touch of clear honey. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, satiny and lively, with fine concentration for its level, beautiful purity of fruit and a long, mouthwatering finish. Charming and beautifully balanced, it is a great introduction to the domaine's 2017 portfolio.HK$8,180.00 -
Wine Advocate (90)
Gently sun-kissed scents of Asian pear, white flowers and honeycomb introduce the 2017 Meursault Village, a medium to full-bodied, satiny-textured and elegantly fleshy wine derived from the Clos de la Baronne, Crotot, Gruyaches and Sous la Velle; as that palette of lieux-dits implies, it's the most open-knit, gourmand and forward Meursault in the domaine's range.HK$4,285.00 -
Discover the alluring appeal of the Guy Roulot Meursault Meix Chavaux 2017. An impeccable creation by the esteemed producer, Guy Roulot, this sensational offering hails from Meursault in the heart of France's illustrious Burgundy region. Known for his meticulous cultivation techniques, Guy Roulot crafts each vintage with the utmost precision, ultimately resulting in wines of prodigious balance and refinement.
The Meix Chavaux 2017 is a virtuoso expression of Chardonnay. The wine was subjected to meticulous aging, combining seamlessly with the region's limestone-rich soil and cool, maritime climate to present a mastery of depth, complexity and texture. Replete with a bouquet of fresh pear and green apple, underscored by harmonious notes of flint and vanilla, this divinely opulent white captivates the senses.
Every sip of the Guy Roulot Meursault Meix Chavaux 2017 promises a memorable indulgence, epitomising the profound and compelling character of Meursault’s exceptional terroir.
HK$4,715.00 -
The Wine Independent (100)
A blend of 56.2% Sauvignon Blanc and 43.8% Semillon, the 2017 Haut-Brion Blanc prances out with showy scents of pink grapefruit, fresh pineapple, and passionfruit with suggestions of crushed stones, coriander seed, and candlewax plus a waft of marzipan. The medium-bodied palate is expressive with impressive restraint, delivering gregarious fruit at this early stage, but holding back so many fine mineral and savory layers, finishing with epic tension and persistence. This is heart-thumping stuff.HK$39,265.00 -
Immerse yourself in the luxurious world of fine wine with the esteemed Heitz Lochardet Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru 2017. This exquisite wine has been meticulously crafted in the historic wine-making region of Burgundy, France. Under the expert care of third-generation vigneron Armand Heitz, the fermented juices of hand-picked Chardonnay grapes reach new heights. Embodying Heitz's passion for organic and biodynamic practices, this serially acclaimed vintner ages the wine in oak barrels, fostering a refined harmony of strength and elegance. The Heitz Lochardet Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru 2017 seduces the palate with its captivating blend of ripe fruit, mineral, and floral tones, underpinned by refined acidity and a commendable finish. The producers' dedication to showcasing the noble terroir results in a wine that whispers of the ancient limestone soils and distinct microclimate of its homeland. Relish the enigmatic complexity of each sip and surrender to the mesmerising charm of the Heitz Lochardet Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru 2017.
HK$30,840.00 -
Immerse yourself in the luxurious world of fine wine with the esteemed Heitz Lochardet Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru 2017. This exquisite wine has been meticulously crafted in the historic wine-making region of Burgundy, France. Under the expert care of third-generation vigneron Armand Heitz, the fermented juices of hand-picked Chardonnay grapes reach new heights. Embodying Heitz's passion for organic and biodynamic practices, this serially acclaimed vintner ages the wine in oak barrels, fostering a refined harmony of strength and elegance. The Heitz Lochardet Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru 2017 seduces the palate with its captivating blend of ripe fruit, mineral, and floral tones, underpinned by refined acidity and a commendable finish. The producers' dedication to showcasing the noble terroir results in a wine that whispers of the ancient limestone soils and distinct microclimate of its homeland. Relish the enigmatic complexity of each sip and surrender to the mesmerising charm of the Heitz Lochardet Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru 2017.
HK$24,150.00 -
The Heitz Lochardet Meursault En La Barre 2017 is an exquisite expression of Burgundy’s terroir from the acclaimed producer Heitz Lochardet. Relishing in full-bodied complexity, this sumptuously layered Chardonnay introduces the palate with invigorating citrus nuances soon accompanied by a delicate butterscotch undertone, asserting its sophistication and richness. This divine blend is a result of meticulous cultivation on the esteemed Meursault En La Barre vineyard, where climate conditions and limestone-rich soils conspire to create an unparalleled viticultural environment. The winemaking philosophy at Heitz Lochardet is aligned with biodynamic principles, ensuring that each vintage truly represents the quintessence of its origin. From a remarkable year that graced Burgundy vintners with an excellent harvest, the 'En La Barre' 2017 is a vivacious testament to Burgundy's repute. A glass of Heitz Lochardet Meursault En La Barre 2017 is a journey through the winemaker's artistry, mirrored in every unfolding sip.
HK$3,475.00 -
Vinous (86)
The 2017 Chassagne-Montrachet Maltroie 1er Cru is a little diffuse on the nose compared to its peers. The SO2 feels quite prominent here, not assimilated with the wine. The weighty palate has a lot of extract and fine acidity but it is missing tension on the finish, where it tends to drift. Tasted blind at the annual Burgfest tasting in Savigny-lès-Beaune.HK$4,525.00 -
Vinous (92)
The 2017 Meursault Les Perrières 1er Cru has a well-defined bouquet that features lime flower and crushed stone but lacks some intensity compared to its peers. Early picking? The palate is well balanced, taut and fresh, with a saline entry and fine acidity. There is a little sharpness toward the citric finish, although there is also satisfying length. Fine and quite elegant. Tasted blind at the annual Burgfest tasting in Savigny-lès-Beaune.HK$7,425.00 -
Vinous (92)
The 2017 Meursault Les Perrières 1er Cru has a well-defined bouquet that features lime flower and crushed stone but lacks some intensity compared to its peers. Early picking? The palate is well balanced, taut and fresh, with a saline entry and fine acidity. There is a little sharpness toward the citric finish, although there is also satisfying length. Fine and quite elegant. Tasted blind at the annual Burgfest tasting in Savigny-lès-Beaune.HK$11,165.00 -
Wine Advocate (89)
The 2017 Bourgogne Blanc is in fact declassified Saint-Romain and Auxey-Duresses blended with fruit from the commune of Meursault, and it's vinified and matured in used 350-liter barrels. Wafting from glass, with notes of toasted nuts, pear and citrus fruit, it's medium-bodied, ample and incisive, with a generous core of delicately textural fruit, framed by juicy acids and concluding with a stony finish. It's one of the finest examples of the appellation to be found.HK$1,385.00 -
Wine Advocate (94-96)
From an enclave within the premier cru Perrières, Boillot's 2017 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Clos de la Mouchère is utterly superb this year, wafting from the glass with aromas of lemon oil, mandarin orange, beeswax, iodine and subtle smoky reduction. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, satiny and layered, with striking volume and depth at the core, balanced by incisive acids that animate the long, mineral finish. Guillaume Boillot speculates that this monopole's comparative variety of mesoclimates and soil types lends the resulting wine greater complexity than would be the case with a small cuvée.HK$13,125.00 -
Indulge in the exquisite elegance of Henri Bourgeois Sancerre La Bourgeoise Blanc 2017. Crafted in the revered vineyards of Chavignol atop Sancerre's steeps, this unique single-estate Sauvignon Blanc echoes the refined and generations-long savoir-faire of the Bourgeois family. Enhanced to perfection in barriques, its maturation on fine lees results in a textured and richly nuanced palette that is synonymous with this iconic producer.
With its unmistakable crispness, hinting at the limestone-rich soils from where its grapes are harvested, it brilliantly embodies the depth and complexity of its terroir. This is a wine where each sip reveals notes of ripe citrus, alongside warm mineral undertones. A harmonic balance of intensity and freshness defines Henri Bourgeois Sancerre La Bourgeoise Blanc 2017, making it not just a wine but an experience to savour. Touted by leading wine connoisseurs, this is truly an embodiment of pure and timeless Sancerre mastery.
HK$5,420.00 -
Wine Advocate (96-98)
Lamy's sole grand cru, the 2017 Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru Haut Densité is simply extraordinary, unfurling in the glass with a youthfully reserved but massively complex bouquet of ripe Meyer lemon, mandarin, green apple and pear, complemented by notes of pastry cream, beeswax and iodine. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, searingly concentrated and powerful, amply endowed with chalky structuring dry extract and underpinned by tangy acids, concluding with an immensely long finish. The Criots-Bâtard has the presence of a red wine this year! It will be fascinating to follow its evolution in bottle.HK$41,865.00 -
Vinous (93)
The 2017 Saint-Aubin Derrière Chez Edouard 1er Cru has a "cool" nose with cold granite mixed with undergrowth, moss-like scents with a touch of menthol. It is very intense on the palate, one of Lamy's spicier 2017s with a tang of ginger and lemon thyme on the finish. Excellent.HK$10,325.00 -
Vinous (92)
The 2017 Saint-Aubin Clos de la Chatenière 1er Cru has an intriguing undergrowth and bell pepper-scented nose. There is a fine line of acidity on the palate, very tensile and focused on the saline finish, residual hints of stem ginger lingering on the aftertaste. Excellent.HK$6,495.00 -
Vinous (92)
The 2017 Saint-Aubin Clos de la Chatenière 1er Cru has an intriguing undergrowth and bell pepper-scented nose. There is a fine line of acidity on the palate, very tensile and focused on the saline finish, residual hints of stem ginger lingering on the aftertaste. Excellent.HK$2,120.00 -
Wine Advocate (89-91)
The 2017 Saint-Aubin La Princée is very pretty, displaying notes of pear, white flowers, citrus oil and a subtle touch of anise. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied, tangy and elegantly textural, with excellent length on the precise finish.HK$8,680.00 -
HK$9,490.00 -
HK$5,810.00
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Vinous (92-94)
The 2017 Viré-Clessé, which will be bottled at the beginning of 2022, has a killer nose with an almost Germanic feel, intense nectarine, melon and damp earthy scents with just a hint of petrol. The palate is beautifully balanced with a line of acidity keeping everything taut and linear. The 2017 is a little waxy in texture with orange rind, stem ginger and white pepper furnishing the very persistent finish. This is superb - a Viré-Clessé with genuine substance and longevity.HK$3,715.00 -
HK$9,885.00 -
HK$6,330.00 -
HK$4,785.00 -
Vinous (95)
The 2017 Chevalier-Montrachet Clos de Chevalier Grand Cru has a tightly wound bouquet that needs more coaxing than its peers; a lovely crustacean scent emerges with time, allied with a hint of star anise. The edgy palate is taut, precise and well balanced with a fine bead of acidity and quite a persistent finish. Overall, it is just missing a little profundity, yet it meliorates in the glass, gaining harmony and precision. Tasted blind at the annual Burgfest tasting in Savigny-lès-Beaune.HK$58,835.00 -
Wine Advocate (89-91)
The 2017 Puligny-Montrachet Village reveals pretty aromas of white peach, spring flowers and pastry cream, followed by a medium to full-bodied, ample palate that's the most pure and elegant of Chartron's communal appellations this year. It will be well worth seeking out.HK$4,215.00 -
Vinous (92-94)
Tasted from tank just prior to bottling, the 2017 Chablis Vaillons 1er Cru shows why this vintage is so compelling. Apricot, peach and tropical fruit give the 2017 a decidedly exotic flair, and yet bright acids keep the wine lively and energetic. Sweet floral and honeyed notes build into the creamy, layered finish in this super-expressive, inviting Chablis from Dauvissat.HK$2,620.00 -
Wine Advocate (89)
The 2017 Bourgogne Blanc offers up aromas of crisp orchard fruit, lemon oil and a subtle hint of hazelnut, followed by a medium to full-bodied, satiny palate that's concentrated and incisive, concluding with a saline finish. This is a serious Bourgogne, including declassified grapes from younger vines in grander appellations, and it makes for an excellent introduction to Vincent's style.HK$3,905.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (98+)
Cut from the same cloth, the 2017 Hermitage Blanc is stunning stuff, and Chave lovers should unquestionably have bottles of this in the cellar. Bottled in August of this year, its medium gold hue is followed by a mammoth bouquet of quince, flower oil, buttered almonds, and brioche. Every bit as good on the palate, it’s full-bodied, has a stacked mid-palate, flawless balance, and incredible minerality as well as length on the finish. It’s insanely good today, and while this cuvée can shut down, I wonder if this ever will. My money is on this drinking fabulously well for 25+ years. Life is too short not to drink as much Chave Hermitage Blanc as possible!HK$15,490.00 -
Vinous (93)
The 2017 Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru has a light stony bouquet with orchard fruit and light citrus aromas, gaining some intensity with aeration but never fully letting go. The palate is well balanced with fine depth and presence, and quite saline, especially toward the impressively persistent finish. Yes, this is very primal and sultry at the moment, though it should age with style. Tasted blind at the annual Burgfest tasting in Savigny-lès-Beaune.HK$21,680.00
