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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Rhone | 2 | 97 (JD) | HK$7,775.00 | |||||
Jeb Dunnuck (97)The 2022 Châteauneuf Du Pape Blanc is the usual blend of all the permitted varieties. It shows the richer, layered, opulent style of the vintage beautifully, with loads of pear, acacia flower, citrus oil, and spice notes all defining the aromatics, and it's full-bodied, with a layered, opulent texture and a great finish. |
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Rhone | 1 | 97 (JD) | HK$4,520.00 | |||||
Jeb Dunnuck (97)The 2022 Châteauneuf Du Pape Blanc is the usual blend of all the permitted varieties. It shows the richer, layered, opulent style of the vintage beautifully, with loads of pear, acacia flower, citrus oil, and spice notes all defining the aromatics, and it's full-bodied, with a layered, opulent texture and a great finish. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 88-90 (VN (NM)) | HK$1,400.00 | |||||
Vinous - Neal Martin (88-90)The 2022 Bourgogne Aligoté was picked two weeks after the main harvest and racked just before the 2023 picking. It has quite a primal bouquet with grapefruit and Conference pear, gaining delineation in the glass. The palate is well-balanced with a lovely sense of "rondeur," slightly lower in acidity than last year but with commendable purity on the finish. Lovely. |
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Rhone | 4 | - | HK$1,860.00 | |||||
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Loire | 10 | - | HK$2,840.00 | |||||
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Burgundy | 1 | - | HK$3,130.00 | |||||
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A paragon of elegance and grace, the Didon Bourgogne Blanc 2022 is made from 100% Chardonnay grapes, expertly crafted in the sun-kissed vineyards of the Burgundy region in France. This exceptional wine is the creation of the reputable Didon winemakers, renowned for their innovative viticulture practices encompassing both traditional and modern winemaking techniques. Fermented in aged French oak barrels, then meticulously matured, it boasts an impressive palate profile teeming with luxuriously intricate flavours. Unmistakable notes of citrus and crisp green apple fuse harmoniously with a subtle, undertone hint of buttery richness, befitting any sophisticated palate. The Didon Bourgogne Blanc 2022 is an embodiment of the ultimate French white wine experience, presenting a beautiful balance of acidity and minerality. This poetic blend portrays the winemaker's passion for excellence, a testament to the Didon family's unwavering devotion to produce wines of superior quality. Savour this delightful nectar to appreciate the sheer artistry of Didon wines. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 98-99 (JS) | HK$6,395.00 | |||||
James Suckling (98-99)A deep and layered white with rich and intense structure. It’s full yet agile with so much energy and intensity. Cooked apple, lime zest and nougat with oyster and sea bed undertones. Fascinating already. |
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Burgundy | 1 | - | HK$5,810.00 | |||||
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Introducing a distinguished white wine, the Domaine de la Cras Bourgogne Coteaux de Dijon Cras Chardonnay 2022. Tucked into stunning French viniculture regions, Domaine de la Cras offers expressive wines, rooted deeply in the terroir of the Coteaux de Dijon. This Chardonnay blend highlights the true character of Burgundy with its distinct minerality and balanced acidity. Matured in French oak barrels, the 2022 vintage boasts a desirable mix of ripe tropical fruit flavours complemented by a vibrant lemon zest. Subtle undertones of vanilla and butterscotch lend complexity on the finish, making it an exemplary representation of Burgundy Chardonnay's charm. Domaine de la Cras follows natural winemaking principles, producing environmentally-conscious wines while preserving artisanal traditions. As a certified organic vineyard, they foster biodiversity, cultivating vines on clay-limestone soils which impart richness and depth into the Domaine de la Cras Bourgogne Coteaux de Dijon Cras Chardonnay 2022. |
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Rhone | 2 | - | HK$2,890.00 | |||||
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Cotes Catalanes | 2 | - | HK$2,760.00 | |||||
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Regarded as an exemplar of Roussillon's finest, the Domaine le Roc des Anges Pi Vell 2022 crafts a sublime symphony of taste and elegance. Borne from biodynamically-grown Grenache and Carignan grapes from the sun-soaked terroirs of the French-Spanish border, this ethereal blend encapsulates the grace of its origins. With meticulous vinification and ageing in 500-litre oak barrels, Domaine le Roc des Anges Pi Vell 2022 unfolds in layers of nuanced flavours, from ripe cherries and figs to echoes of savoury garrigue. Producer Marjorie Gallet infuses every bottle with the essence of her passion and dedication to winemaking, working in perfect sync with nature to create a wine that captures the unique whispers of its terroir. Encapsulating a distinct character and complexity, Domaine le Roc des Anges Pi Vell 2022 is indeed an indulgence for the connoisseur. |
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Burgundy | 2 | - | HK$4,655.00 | |||||
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Burgundy | 1 | - | HK$4,655.00 | |||||
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Burgundy | 1 | 95-98 (IB) | HK$37,580.00 | |||||
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (95-98)A pure clear lemon colour. The extra weight of Montrachet is indeed apparent on the nose. Ripe pears. Perhaps this is a little less in the Sauzet style, not being from their own fruit, but it is impressive. The weight on the palate is profound, with certainly ripe fruit but also a point of minerality right in the middle, and good acidity. Almost a wine to eat rather than drink. It does indeed have the requisite very long finish. Drink from 2032-2045. Tasted: October 2023. |
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Burgundy | 4 | 90-93 (IB) | HK$7,035.00 | |||||
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (90-93)A surprising degree of green to the colour. A light but fine bouquet, all quite discreet, then rather more fruit intensity on the palate, quite linear but not without a little flesh on the bones. Apples washed with lime. Fine and elegant finish. Drink from 2027-2034. Tasted: October 2023. |
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Burgundy | 10 | - | HK$2,880.00 | |||||
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Burgundy | 10 | - | HK$2,410.00 | |||||
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Burgundy | 4 | - | HK$2,860.00 | |||||
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Burgundy | 10 | - | HK$2,670.00 | |||||
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Burgundy | 10 | - | HK$2,490.00 | |||||
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Burgundy | 2 | 87-89 (IB) | HK$650.00 | |||||
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (87-89)In tank now after a long slow fermentation and 12 months in barrel with 10% new. Currently not clear. A lovely energy to the nose. A little lime juice, then a more generous white fruit with tangy grape skins behind. Rather lovely especially in texture. texture. Drink from 2025-2028. Tasted: December 2023 |
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Burgundy | 2 | - | HK$995.00 | |||||
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Burgundy | 2 | - | HK$4,970.00 | |||||
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The Fernand & Laurent Pillot Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Fairendes 2022 is a premium, fine wine, emblematic of the renowned Chassagne-Montrachet region in Burgundy, France. Produced by the prestigious Pillot family, who trace their winemaking heritage back to the 19th century, this blend leverages their ancestral knowledge and innovative techniques. Immaculate blend of Chardonnay grapes gives the wine its radiant gold hue, while fermentation in oak barrels imparts a complex, aromatic profile of white fruits, citrus, and delicate vanilla undertones. Exquisite balance of freshness and richness is testament to the exceptional terroir and meticulous vinification process of Pillot family. This vintage presents delightful minerality, reflecting its origin from Les Fairendes vineyard, one of the finest Premier Cru sites. The Fernand & Laurent Pillot Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Fairendes 2022 is elegance bottled, a wine that enchants with every sip. Drink now with an extraordinary potential for aging. |
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Burgundy | 1 | - | HK$4,900.00 | |||||
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The Fernand & Laurent Pillot Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Vergers 2022 is an extraordinary refinement of the prestigious Chardonnay grape. Expertly crafted in the revered vineyards of Chassagne-Montrachet in Burgundy, France, the Pillot family exhibits remarkable skill and tradition in every bottle. The wine is painstakingly matured under the guidance of Laurent Pillot, a paragon of his craft. This extraordinary cuvée exudes a captivating bouquet of crisp apple, toasted almond, and intriguing mineral notes. It's palate delivers an exquisite balance of creamy texture and refreshing acidity, culminating in a gracefully lingering finish. This embodiment of Burgundian mastery captures the character of the Vergers terroir beautifully, enveloped in its regal complexity and depth. Fernand & Laurent Pillot Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Vergers 2022 offers the discerning oenophile an exquisite experience of a lifetime, further solidifying its laudable position in the pantheon of luxurious wines. |
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Burgundy | 1 | - | HK$4,305.00 | |||||
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Discover the exquisite taste of Fernand & Laurent Pillot Chassagne-Montrachet 2022, a premier offering from the renowned vineyards of Chassagne-Montrachet, Burgundy. This fine wine presents an impeccable balance of depth and complexity, as the vineyards' clay-limestone soil imparts on the meticulously selected Chardonnay grapes a characteristic minerality and richness. Each hand-picked cluster is vinified traditionally, fermented in oak barrels and aged for over a year to achieve an elegant blend of rounded textures and delicate aromas. The established Pillot family, with Fernand and Laurent at the helm, continue their century-old tradition of quality winemaking. Their meticulous viticulture and vinification techniques have cemented their reputation for producing sophisticated and distinct Burgundy wines. The Fernand & Laurent Pillot Chassagne-Montrachet 2022 embodies this commitment to excellence, encouraging oenophiles to savour its rich bouquet and refined palate for a truly captivating experience. |
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Burgundy | 3 | 87 (VN) | HK$1,495.00 | |||||
Vinous (87)The 2022 Bourgogne Blanc has a light bouquet with apple blossom and orange pith. The well-balanced palate is taut and fresh with ample weight and a bright sapid finish. Everything you want in a white Burgundy, really. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 93 (VN) | HK$3,725.00 | |||||
Vinous (93)The 2022 Chassagne-Montrachet La Boudriotte 1er Cru has a crisp and precise bouquet, very focused with seamlessly integrated oak, crushed limestone and petrichor scents percolating through the yellow fruit. The palate is very well-balanced, with a slightly honeyed opening. It’s one of the richer cuvées by taste, though analytically, it has very good acidity and 13% alcohol. Fans out wonderfully on the finish. Excellent. |
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Burgundy | 5 | 90 (VN) | HK$3,375.00 | |||||
Vinous (90)The 2022 Chassagne-Montrachet Maltroye 1er Cru, raised in one-third new oak, has a well-defined bouquet with yellow plum, jasmine and light brioche aromas. It will require a couple of years to absorb the wood. The palate is well-balanced with a subtle walnut note on the entry, quite linear in style, with stem ginger veins towards the finish. Impressive length, this should give over a decade's worth of drinking pleasure. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 91 (VN) | HK$3,375.00 | |||||
Vinous (91)There are just two barrels of the 2022 Chassagne-Montrachet Chenevottes 1er Cru, the Domaine's smallest cuvée. Ergo, it is raised in 50% new oak. This is relatively primal on the nose, yet to reveal its personality. Yet, there is plenty of concentration here with an underlying sense of tension. The palate is well-balanced, but as expected, it is oaky at the moment, and it will require 4-5 years to subsume that wood fully. I'll be cautious for the moment. |
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Burgundy | 4 | - | HK$3,375.00 | |||||
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Burgundy | 1 | 88 (VN) | HK$2,230.00 | |||||
Vinous (88)The 2022 Chassagne-Montrachet Village is matured in 20% new oak. It has a generous bouquet with orchard fruit, touches of almond and patisserie. It will require a couple of years to absorb the oak. The palate is well-balanced, with a fine bead of acidity countering the richness, though it needs to muster a little more complexity on the finish. |
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