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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Burgundy | 1 | 90 (VN) | HK$26,235.00 | |||||
Vinous (90)Pale straw-yellow. Much less expressive on the nose than the basic village wine, hinting at hazelnut and lees. Then fat and rich in the mouth, offering very good floral lift to the flavors of tangerine and spices. Perhaps a bit youthfully aggressive in the mid-palate today, but the finish is suave and long, with nicely delineated lemon and pineapple flavors. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 90 (VN) | HK$16,095.00 | |||||
Vinous (90)Pale straw-yellow. Much less expressive on the nose than the basic village wine, hinting at hazelnut and lees. Then fat and rich in the mouth, offering very good floral lift to the flavors of tangerine and spices. Perhaps a bit youthfully aggressive in the mid-palate today, but the finish is suave and long, with nicely delineated lemon and pineapple flavors. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 93 (WA) | HK$28,090.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (93)This was a fabulous vintage chez Ente, and from magnum the 2011 Meursault Les Petits Charrons is superb, bursting from the glass with an expressive bouquet of citrus zest, preserved lemon, wheat toast and pear, framed by a light touch of reduction. On the palate, the wine is medium-full, sapid and intense, with a deep core, succulent acids and terrific tension through the long, lingering finish. While this is drinking beautifully already, it has the structure and energy to develop for another decade at the very least. |
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Burgundy | 1 | - | HK$93,090.00 | |||||
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Experience sophistication in a bottle with the Auvenay Auxey Duresses Les Clous Blanc 2011. Produced in the idyllic region of Burgundy, France, this fine white wine represents the pinnacle of winemaking craftsmanship. The vineyard, owned by the revered winemaker Lalou Bize-Leroy's Domaine d'Auvenay, is world-renowned for its commitment to biodynamic farming to enhance the wine's complexity and depth. This rare, limited release expresses layers of nuanced flavours. In its creation, only the finest chardonnay grapes are handpicked, yielding an exquisite infusion of apple, lemon and toast. Matured in French oak barrels, the wine acquires sumptuous notes of cream and spice, reflected in its opulent body and lingering finish. Its vintage, 2011, is notable for its styled elegance, making Auvenay Auxey Duresses Les Clous Blanc 2011 a vintage wine of superior class. A majestic offering indeed for the discerning palate. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 96 (VN) | HK$19,165.00 | |||||
Vinous (96)A wine of pure texture the 2011 Chevalier-Montrachet captivates all the senses. Mint, lime, white flowers and Chamomile all vow for attention in a pliant, expressive wine of the highest level. The 2011 has a level of inner richness that is simply waiting in reserve. Another few years in bottle should unlock all of that potential. |
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Burgundy | 1 | - | HK$9,125.00 | |||||
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The Bernard Van Berg Bourgogne Grand Ordinaire Gouttes Blanc 2011 hails from the timeless vineyards of Burgundy, France, artfully crafted by master winemaker Bernard Van Berg. This choice selection, from the esteemed 2011 vintage, truly encapsulates the terroir, displaying a distinct elegance and complexity. Formed from 100% Chardonnay grapes, this Grand Ordinaire iteration reveals a harmonious blend of acidity and rounded fruitfulness, showing a balance rarely matched. Its meticulous vinification process of fermentation in oak barrels, with ageing on lees, contributes to its well-structured, full-bodied character. The wine produces an exquisite palate of ripe orchard fruits and subtle mineral undertones, with an endearing finish that lingers. An impeccable representation of Van Berg's mastery, the Bernard Van Berg Bourgogne Grand Ordinaire Gouttes Blanc 2011 stands as a prime testament to Burgundy's acclaimed winemaking heritage. Savour the enduring quality of this fine wine and let it enhance your cherished moments. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 94 (VN) | HK$32,020.00 | |||||
Vinous (94)The 2011 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru is just starting to drink well. Fresh and mineral, the 2011 also looks to have plenty of life ahead of it. Chalk, lemon confit and white flowers all grace this open-knit, curvy Charlemagne. The 2011 has really softened in recent years. Time in the glass brings out the layers in this very pretty and expressive Charlemagne from Bonneau du Martray. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 94 (VN) | HK$13,785.00 | |||||
Vinous (94)The 2011 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru is just starting to drink well. Fresh and mineral, the 2011 also looks to have plenty of life ahead of it. Chalk, lemon confit and white flowers all grace this open-knit, curvy Charlemagne. The 2011 has really softened in recent years. Time in the glass brings out the layers in this very pretty and expressive Charlemagne from Bonneau du Martray. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 94 (VN) | HK$10,940.00 | |||||
Vinous (94)The 2011 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru is just starting to drink well. Fresh and mineral, the 2011 also looks to have plenty of life ahead of it. Chalk, lemon confit and white flowers all grace this open-knit, curvy Charlemagne. The 2011 has really softened in recent years. Time in the glass brings out the layers in this very pretty and expressive Charlemagne from Bonneau du Martray. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 94 (WS) | HK$16,765.00 | |||||
Wine Spectator (94)A ripe style, displaying lime, apricot, peach, baked apple, toast, spice and caramel flavors. Creamy in texture, leaving a tactile sensation on the lengthy finish. Best from 2016 through 2027. 100 cases imported. -BS |
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Burgundy | 1 | 94+ (VN) | HK$65,970.00 | |||||
Vinous (94+)Pale, bright yellow. A meaty nuance mostly blew off to reveal complex scents of orange peel, dried apricot, almond, caramel and spicecake. Rich and sweet but with excellent acid cut to the dense flavors of citrus fruits, spices and crushed-stone minerality. Really echoes and builds on the back end, saturating the palate without leaving any impression of heaviness. Give this some time in a decanter or, better yet, lay it down for five or six years. An outstanding showing. |
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Rhone | 1 | 100 (RP) | HK$12,235.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate - Robert Parker (100)The 2011 Ermitage Cuvee de l’Oree comes from a lieu-dit known as Les Murets planted with 80- to 90-year-old Marsanne vines. The bouquet offers up scents of Asian spices, lychee nuts, white currant liqueur and peach and apricot marmalade. This stunning, honeyed, flamboyant white is perfection in a glass. Drink it over the next half century. |
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Rhone | 3 | 100 (RP) | HK$9,975.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate - Robert Parker (100)The 2011 Ermitage Cuvee de l’Oree comes from a lieu-dit known as Les Murets planted with 80- to 90-year-old Marsanne vines. The bouquet offers up scents of Asian spices, lychee nuts, white currant liqueur and peach and apricot marmalade. This stunning, honeyed, flamboyant white is perfection in a glass. Drink it over the next half century. |
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Rhone | 1 | 99 (WA) | HK$10,090.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (99)Surprisingly, I preferred the 2011 Ermitage le Meal Blanc over the 2012 on this occasion and it showed a more flamboyant, sexy style in its caramelized pineapple, tropical, honeyed and floral personality. Big, rich and decadent, with fabulous fruit intensity and length, this rock star flirts with perfection and will keep for another 3-4 decades. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 96 (VN) | HK$43,695.00 | |||||
Vinous (96)Two vintages of Coche Dury’s Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru follow. Neither 2011 nor 2003 is especially highly regarded, but it is precisely vintages like these that can be so instructive because they tell us so much about what talented growers can achieve in challenging years. The 2011 Charlemagne needs several hours of air to open, which is not surprising, as it has always been a stubborn wine. I remember that Jean-François Coche hesitated to show the Charlemagne when I stopped by to taste the bottled 2011s, as he felt the long malos had resulted in a wine that needs more time in bottle to fully come together. Now, at nearly age ten, the 2011 remains quite vibrant and nervy, with striking citrus, floral and mineral notes laced into a racy frame. All it needs is a bit more flesh, but it’s the sort of flesh that develops with more time in bottle. |
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Burgundy | 6 | 91 (WA) | HK$9,125.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (91)The 2011 Meursault (Les Vireuils) has an engaging bouquet of fresh apricot, passion fruit and flint, later a subtle hint of white chocolate that lends panache. The palate is very well-balanced with a fine line of acidity and grilled walnut, almond and fresh lemon all vying for attention. Long in the mouth with a persistent finish, this is a very fine Meursault Villages, as one has come to expect from this address. Drink 2015-2030. |
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Burgundy | 1 | - | HK$9,865.00 | |||||
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Burgundy | 1 | - | HK$67,445.00 | |||||
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Burgundy | 1 | - | HK$7,270.00 | |||||
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Bordeaux | 8 | - | HK$5,080.00 | |||||
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Burgundy | 1 | 92-94 (VN) | HK$58,680.00 | |||||
Vinous (92-94)The 2011 Meursault is totally alive in the glass. Gunpowder, slate and green pear notes emerge from a wine that impresses for its pure energy and drive. Next to some of the other wines in the range, the 2011 is a bit rough around the edges, but there is no lack of conviction and personality. It will be interesting to see if bottle age softens some of the contours. Still, there is a lot to like here. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 94-96 (VN) | HK$67,915.00 | |||||
Vinous (94-96)The 2011 Puligny-Montrachet Les Folatières , on the other hand, conveys an impression of pure silk. Here the flavors are more sculpted and finessed than in the Richarde, while the minerality is also more apparent. With time in the glass the beauty and purity of the fruit emerges, but the Folatières convinces for its regal texture and personality alone. Readers who can find the 2011 are going to be thrilled. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 99 (WS) | HK$17,725.00 | |||||
Wine Spectator (99)A lovely, creamy, tropical style, with mango, papaya and guava notes lending a caressing feel, while singed almond and warm piecrust accents blossom through the lush finish. Just when you think that's all there is, toasted coconut, fig, orange blossom and persimmon details kick in, lending length and dimension. The finish is ridiculously long. Best from 2020 through 2060. -JM |
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Sud Ouest | 2 | - | HK$6,105.00 | |||||
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Sud Ouest | 4 | - | HK$5,845.00 | |||||
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Burgundy | 1 | 97 (WA) | HK$72,750.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (97)The Montrachet was picked on 6 September at a respectable 37.1hl/ha. Lucid in colour, perhaps a little deeper than expected, it has a multi-faceted nose that you have to monitor over one hour. Hints of almond and butterscotch emerge at first, then salted caramel, pralines and peach skin. It is mercurial and utterly alluring. The palate is intense on the entry and immediately expresses a sense of vitality and tension. This Montrachet is suffused with great weight in the mouth with subtle touches of orange peel, almond and hazelnut that ebb with time. It mellows in the glass but never dispensing with one iota of tension, yet seeming if anything to gain in volume. This epitomizes great Montrachet. 265 cases produced. Drink 2016-2030+. |
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4 | - | HK$2,735.00 | ||||||
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The Fosse Seche Tris Chapelle 2011 is an expertly crafted French biodynamic wine from the esteemed Loire Valley. Produced by the beloved Arnaud family, who utilise traditional processes, the resulting wine exhibits depth, complexity, and balance. The grape composition of Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay and Cabernet allows for a unique flavour profile with a finish as distinctive as its terroir. frameborder> This bottling expresses a profound minerality and a delightful balance of ripened fruit flavours, buoyed by a rigorous acidity. Matured on the lees for 18 months, the Fosse Seche Tris Chapelle 2011 displays a tinge of honeyed richness, underpinned by smoky undertones - a mélange indicative of an elusive, yet captivating, exotic fruit character. With each sip, savour the embodied dedication, sophistication, and artisanal integrity, hallmarking the wine as a quintessential Fosse Seche Tris Chapelle. Capture the experience of this famed bottle and let it elevate your wine indulgence. |
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Burgundy | 1 | - | HK$15,395.00 | |||||
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Bordeaux | 3 | 89-91 (WA) | HK$2,085.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (89-91)No tasting note given. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 97 (WS) | HK$40,795.00 | |||||
Wine Spectator (97)This has terrific depth and cut, offering a core of dried pineapple, Jonagold apple and white peach fruit, along with quinine and gooseberry notes, all lined with a bracing jicama edge. The finish is backed by salted butter, brioche and shortbread details. Shows power and purity, with terrific length. Approachable now, but give this time. Best from 2017 through 2030. -JM |
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