France
The vast and diverse wine regions of France, each with its own unique terroirs, grape varieties, and winemaking techniques, are a treasure trove.
In Bordeaux, the birthplace of some of the world's most iconic wines, esteemed vineyards such as Château Lafite Rothschild, Château Margaux, Château Latour, and Château Haut-Brion produce exceptional red wines, showcasing the art of blending Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec. The region is also renowned for its exquisite white wines, with vineyards like Château d'Yquem and Domaine de Chevalier producing legendary sweet wines.
Moving to Burgundy, the vineyards of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Domaine Leroy, and Domaine Armand Rousseau capture the essence of the region's revered terroir, crafting exquisite red wines from the Pinot Noir grape. Meanwhile, Domaine Leflaive and Domaine Coche-Dury are celebrated for their world-class white wines, predominantly made from Chardonnay.
The Champagne region, known for its sparkling wines, boasts illustrious houses such as Krug, Dom Pérignon, and Moët & Chandon, as well as grower-producers like Pierre Péters and Jacques Selosse. These vineyards create exceptional sparkling wines using the traditional method, offering a symphony of delicate bubbles, elegant flavors, and vibrant acidity.
In the Rhône Valley, iconic vineyards like Chapoutier, E. Guigal, and Château de Beaucastel produce remarkable red wines in the northern appellations of Hermitage, Côte-Rôtie, and Cornas, showcasing the elegance and power of Syrah. Further south, Châteauneuf-du-Pape is celebrated for its rich and full-bodied red blends, with Château Rayas and Clos des Papes leading the way.
In Alsace, vineyards such as Domaine Zind-Humbrecht and omaine Trimbach craft exquisite white wines, including Riesling, Gewürztraminer, and Pinot Gris, expressing the region's unique terroir and varietal character.
These are just a few highlights among the diverse array of wines that France offers. From the Loire Valley's crisp whites and elegant reds to the Languedoc-Roussillon's bold and robust wines, each region presents its own vinous treasures.
France
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Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (95-97)
Just as deep a purple colour but more elegance on the nose, less obviously and immediately sumptuous. Wavelets of alpine strawberry and its raspberry equivalent dance across the palate, super fine, with startling elegance. Another 2022 beauty from Thomas. Drink from 2030-2038.HK$9,940.00 -
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (95-97)
Medium purple. There is very little nose initially, needing teasing out, but refined, certainly. Thomas Collardot thinks the 2023 is better than 2022 because of its subtlety and I can certainly see some of this quality in the mouth. Wavelets of fresh red berries, just a little pepper and lacy detail. I will settle on parity with 2022. Drink from 2030-2037. Tasted Nov 2024.HK$12,545 - HK$15,335
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(12x75cl) 2013HK$5,540.00 -
Vinous (89-91)
The 2017 Morey-Saint-Denis Village comes from four climats scattered across the appellation and sees one-third new oak. Compared to the Chambolle Village, there is more fullness of fruit on the nose, which offers red cherries, crushed strawberry and rose petal aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red fruit, a fine bead of acidity, a little piquancy toward the finish and a bit of orange zest on the aftertaste. Excellent.HK$995.00 -
Vinous (89-91)
The 2018 Morey-Saint-Denis Village has a detailed bouquet of blackberry and raspberry preserves mixed with cedar and light sous-bois notes. The palate is medium-bodied with a spicy, slightly savory opening. Nicely balanced, with good acidity, this segues into a peppery finish of moderate length. Enjoy over the next decade.HK$930.00 -
Vinous (89-91)
The 2018 Morey-Saint-Denis Village has a detailed bouquet of blackberry and raspberry preserves mixed with cedar and light sous-bois notes. The palate is medium-bodied with a spicy, slightly savory opening. Nicely balanced, with good acidity, this segues into a peppery finish of moderate length. Enjoy over the next decade.HK$2,145.00 -
Vinous (90-92)
The 2020 Morey-Saint-Denis Village, which contains around 15% whole bunch, had only finished its malo a month prior to my visit. It has a dense, intense, blackcurrant and cassis-scented bouquet that will need time to mellow. The palate is medium-bodied, fresh and fleshy but the black cherry fruit is framed by fine tannins and the finish is so silky smooth that you cannot help falling for its charms.HK$2,505.00 -
Vinous (87-89)
The 2021 Morey-Saint-Denis Village is tightly wound on the nose, yet there is a little more fruit concentration vis-à-vis the preceding Chambolle-Musigny. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, quite lively with a delineated, black pepper tinged finish that urges you back for more. Early-drinking, but still well crafted.HK$2,895.00 -
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (92-93)
An additional fresh purple density. Rich purple, with a depth of fruit to match. Quite special. I love the balance of this in the mouth, a dense and quite exuberant red fruit, brought back at the finish to the typical savoury style of Morey, long and fine. Darker fruit at the finish. Drink from 2028-2035.HK$3,085.00 -
(6x75cl) 2023Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (90-93)
A vivid ruby purple. The nose is stricter but still joyous. No sign of dilution but a gorgeous intensity of perfectly ripe fruit, good acidity and a lovely finale. Still on a roll! Drink from 2028-2032. Tasted Nov 2024.HK$3,220 - HK$3,930
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(12x75cl) 2013HK$6,620.00 -
HK$4,695.00 -
Wine Advocate (89-91)
The 2016 Vosne-Romanée Village comes from three vineyards covering 1.5 hectares and sees one-third new oak. It has a fragrant bouquet with ebullient strawberry and raspberry fruit entwined with cold stone aromas and discrete sous-bois aromas. The palate has a little more substance than its fellow village crus even if it does not quite deliver the same finesse as the Morey-Saint-Denis or the Gevrey-Chambertin. Still, I appreciate the deft spicy note that sustains the finish.HK$7,415.00 -
Vinous (90-92)
The 2019 Vosne-Romanée Village contains 20% whole bunch from the La Violette lieu-dit and destemmed fruit from the Quartiers de Nuits and Basses-Maizière lieux-dits. Aged in 30% new oak, it is quite backward and surly on the nose at first, but opens to reveal white pepper and clove aromas tincturing the tightly wound black fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with crunchy black fruit, and quite sweet at its core, with that white pepper leitmotif and a touch of graphite toward the crunchy finish.HK$3,165.00 -
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (90-92)
Thomas has enough fruit to vinify two vats, using 40% whole bunches for Les Violettes and none for Quartiers de Nuits, to make 20% for the whole cuvée which is assembled as soon as the wine goes to barrel. Vibrant purple, a very heady nose, slightly heated lush raspberry. But the nobility of the terroir shows through in the mouth where the raspberries are less lush and are joined by a few strawberries. Good acidity, considerable length. Tasted: November 2021HK$1,055.00 -
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (90-92)
Thomas has enough fruit to vinify two vats, using 40% whole bunches for Les Violettes and none for Quartiers de Nuits, to make 20% for the whole cuvée which is assembled as soon as the wine goes to barrel. Vibrant purple, a very heady nose, slightly heated lush raspberry. But the nobility of the terroir shows through in the mouth where the raspberries are less lush and are joined by a few strawberries. Good acidity, considerable length. Tasted: November 2021HK$3,105.00 -
Vinous (87-89)
The 2021 Vosne-Romanée Village has a bit more gumption on the nose compared to the Gevrey-Chambertin with lifted red berry fruit and touches of black tea. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red fruit, fine-boned with a citrus-freshness, hints of marmalade towards the finish. Fine.HK$3,580.00 -
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (92-94)
5 Star Wine. Fresh bright purple. What a radiant nose, all the heady joy of Vosne, such stylish bright ripe cherry fruit with some mixed red berries behind. Seamless texture and very long. Sheer class. Drink from 2028-2035.HK$3,675.00 -
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (92-94)
5 Star Wine. 30 barrels! A lively fresh ruby, animated fresh raspberry, with an airy lift. This really is a thing of beauty, with just the right structure to back up the quality of the fruit. No feeling of dilution, a masterful hand at work. Subtle detail without loss of intensity. Drink from 2028-2034. Tasted Nov 2024.HK$3,715 - HK$4,540
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Treat yourself to the exquisite essence of the Bordeaux region with a bottle of Corbin 2010. Produced on the charming estate of Château Corbin, this fine wine basks in the superior reputation of its Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classe classification. The care behind its crafting is palpable, with a well-curated blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, harvested from vines over thirty years old. Aged 18 months in French oak barrels, Corbin 2010 offers exceptional harmony between tannins and delightful complexity in its taste profile. The rich, ruby-red hue speaks of ripe, dark fruit aromas, whilst a refined sprinkling of spice highlights its noble heritage. Decanting is recommended to truly unlock Corbin 2010's magnificence before savouring. As the product of a notably warm vintage year, the Corbin 2010 is nothing short of a testament to the ethos of Château Corbin, championing elegance and authenticity in every drop.
HK$5,887.00 -
The Wine Cellar Insider (91)
From 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, the wine reached 13.5% alcohol. With a nose of licorice and fresh black raspberry jam, the medium-bodied wine is soft, smooth and forward, ending with dark berries and a hint of dust in the finish. 89-91 PtsHK$3,685.00 -
The Wine Cellar Insider (91)
With a nose as charming as estate manager Annabelle Cruse, the violet, licorice and black cherry aromas are a pleasure. On the palate, the wine is medium bodied, fresh, soft and sweet with a black raspberry and thyme finish. A blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, the wine reached 13% alcohol and will be aged in 40% new, French oak barrels. 90-91 PtsHK$2,410.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (93)
From a 13-hectare estate located north and slightly west of the village of Saint-Emilion, the 2015 Château Corbin is mostly Merlot blended with 17% Cabernet Franc, all of which comes from sandier, clay soils. It offers ample notes of ripe cherries, strawberries, dried herbs and bouquet garni, with a beautiful floral quality developing with time in the glass. Ripe, undeniably sexy and polished on the palate, with full-bodied richness and ultra-fine tannin, give bottles a few year and drink over the following 10-15. Tasted three times.HK$3,125.00 -
Wine Enthusiast (94)
Powerful tannins and ripe fruits are the main characters here. With a solid, foursquare character, it is generous and opulent. Tannins and concentration are all there, resulting in a wine with serious aging potential.HK$3,360.00 -
(6x150cl) 2016Wine Enthusiast (94)
Powerful tannins and ripe fruits are the main characters here. With a solid, foursquare character, it is generous and opulent. Tannins and concentration are all there, resulting in a wine with serious aging potential.HK$3,030.00 -
Wine Advocate (91-93+)
.HK$845.00 -
Wine Advocate (91-93+)
.HK$3,620.00 -
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Jeb Dunnuck (93)
The 2019 Château Corbin is a complex, medium to full-bodied effort with the spicy red and black fruit character of the vintage as well as notes of dried flowers, Asian spice, chocolate, and lead pencil. Wonderfully balanced, with ripe yet present tannins, a good sense of freshness, and a great finish, it's going to drink nicely for 15-20 years.HK$2,840.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (93)
The 2019 Château Corbin is a complex, medium to full-bodied effort with the spicy red and black fruit character of the vintage as well as notes of dried flowers, Asian spice, chocolate, and lead pencil. Wonderfully balanced, with ripe yet present tannins, a good sense of freshness, and a great finish, it's going to drink nicely for 15-20 years.HK$2,925.00
