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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Jeb Dunnuck (98+)
More bloody meat, black raspberries, wood smoke, spice, and truffle notes emerge from the 2017 Hermitage Le Méal, a massive, opulent effort that has loads of opulence and fruit, building tannins, a gorgeous mid-palate, and a monster finish. It's one of the finest wines I've tasted from this estate! It’s already approachable yet promises to evolve gracefully for 20-25 years or more.HK$3,750.00 -
(6x75cl) 2017Jeb Dunnuck (98+)
More bloody meat, black raspberries, wood smoke, spice, and truffle notes emerge from the 2017 Hermitage Le Méal, a massive, opulent effort that has loads of opulence and fruit, building tannins, a gorgeous mid-palate, and a monster finish. It's one of the finest wines I've tasted from this estate! It’s already approachable yet promises to evolve gracefully for 20-25 years or more.HK$5,100.00 -
Wine Spectator (94)
A rich, velvety style, with lush fig, blackberry and black currant fruit driven by warm ganache, singed anise and roasted espresso notes. An iron thread propels the finish.HK$1,270.00 -
Vinous (92)
Glass-staining ruby. Vibrant red and dark berry, spicecake and potpourri aromas on the intensely perfumed nose. Sappy and broad on the palate, offering appealingly sweet black raspberry, floral pastille and cola flavors buffered by lively acidity and a hint of smoky minerals. Closes smooth, sweet, gently tannic and very long, conveying further suggestions of spicecake and cola.HK$785.00 -
(1x75cl) 2015Wine Advocate (94-96)
The 2015 Ermitage Les Dionnieres saw the same élevage as the Le Méal and has huge, unctuous aromas and flavors of ripe black cherries, black currants, framboise, crushed rocks and graphite. Coming from a site located on the eastern edge of the appellation, it has a huge mid-palate, integrated acidity and the sweet, sweet tannin that’s common in the vintage.HK$1,050.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (93-96)
Inky colored, the 2016 Ermitage Les Dionnières offers classic Hermitage notes of blackcurrants, smoked herbs, violets and toasted spice. It shows more minerality with time in the glass, is deep, rich and concentrated on the palate, has plenty of tannin, and a great finish. This is terrific, but unfortunately, there are only 125 cases produced.HK$5,400.00 -
Vinous (96)
Opaque ruby. Highly expressive aromas of black/blue fruit preserves, exotic spices and incense pick up a smoky nuance as the wine opens up. Seamless and broad in the mouth but distinctly energetic as well, offering intense, mineral-inflected black raspberry, bitter cherry and blueberry flavors and a hint of candied violet. Finishes seamless and extremely long, with an echo of juicy blue fruit and harmonious tannins that add gentle grip. This wine is an especially lively example of the vintage; no way I would have guessed that it came from a hot year. (20% whole clusters and 25% new oak)HK$4,000.00 -
Vinous (92)
Lurid ruby. Powerful, smoke-accented dark fruit preserve, violet, licorice and cracked pepper aromas develop a hint of olive as the wine opens up. Round and weighty on the palate, offering sweet black currant and cherry pie flavors and a touch of succulent herbs. The peppery note comes back strong on the clinging finish, which is framed by smooth, mounting tannins. While this lush wine checks in at 15% alcohol, I didn't notice it.HK$950.00 -
(1x150cl) 2017Vinous (93)
Inky violet. Smoke-accented aromas of ripe cherry, blackberry, violet and black pepper, joined by a subtle mineral touch that builds in the glass. Chewy in texture and sharply focused, offering concentrated, spice-laced black and blue fruit flavors and a deeper licorice note. The peppery quality comes back on the long, clinging finish, which is shaped by steadily mounting tannins. This fruit is grown on the granitic soils of Tournon. 15% new oak.HK$1,180.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (98)
Lastly, the 2016 Ermitage Le Méal is the top wine from Ferraton, and rightly so, as it’s a magical wine in 2016. Rocking notes of black raspberries, blackberries, toasted spices, tapenade, and dry aged beef all emerge from the glass, and it hits the palate with a wealth of material yet stays balanced, layered, and seamless. It's a sensational wine that's up with the top wines of the vintage. Hats off to the team at Ferraton for this remarkable wine as well as their full lineup of wines in 2016.HK$4,200.00 -
HK$1,080.00 -
Vinous (88-90)
The 2021 Pouilly-Fuissé Clos des Prouges has a well-defined bouquet with lemon verbena and light sea spray aromas. The palate is well-balanced with fine acidity, moderate depth, though maybe it just does not quite kick on at the finish like the previous two vintages. Eight barrels produced instead of the usual 24 or 26.HK$2,820.00 -
(6x75cl) 2022HK$2,755.00 -
Vinous (90)
The 2020 Pouilly-Fuissé comes from close to 32 separate plots, vinified in concrete vats and used oak. It has a well-defined and focused bouquet, light floral scents emerging with time. The palate is well balanced with crisp acidity, nicely focused, not complex yet with impressive persistence and mineralité. Very fine.HK$2,135.00 -
Vinous (89-91)
The 2021 Pouilly-Fuissé was tasted from two parcels, one from granite vinified in concrete, which has a leesy, slightly floral bouquet and a pleasant fatness on the mid-palate. Next is from limestone soils and raised in oak, which seems to have a little more tension and race. A third from Les Vignes Blanches, raised solely in used oak, has a pleasant reduction on the nose, again, with fine tension and good substance towards the finish. Together, these should provide the foundation for a well-crafted and quite complex Pouilly-Fuissé, though production will be severely reduced compared to other vintages - just eight barrels.HK$1,935.00 -
Vinous (90-92)
The 2021 Pouilly-Fuissé Tournant de Pouilly 1er Cru was reduced to four barrels this year due to extensive hail damage. It has an attractive bouquet with lemon verbena and crushed chalky scents. The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity, taut and fresh, quite saline with lemon thyme and light ginger notes towards a finish that has a pleasing directness.HK$3,410.00 -
(1x75cl) 2005Wine Spectator (91)
This offers blackberry, currant and hints of meat on the nose. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a meat, berry and light vanilla character. Has a velvety texture, with pretty fruit. Best after 2011. 4,165 cases made. -JSHK$800.00 -
James Suckling (93)
Perfumed, with raspberries and flowers and hints of lemon. Full body, with ultra-fine tannins and a chewy finish. Austere now, but stylish. Best after 2018.HK$8,315.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94)
The 2015 Ferrière is terrific. Black cherry, plum, lavender and spice give the 2015 its super distinctive dark profile. Juicy and generous on the palate, the 2015 has developed into a very nice Margaux that plays on the darker end of the fruit spectrum. The 2015 is dense and powerful, but also impeccably balanced.HK$1,165.00 -
Wine Enthusiast (94)
From a vineyard that is now biodynamic, the wine has gained an extra dimension of fruit. At the same time, the tannins give the wine density that will stand it in good stead as it ages. This is for the long term.HK$3,960.00 -
Wine Enthusiast (94)
From a vineyard that is now biodynamic, the wine has gained an extra dimension of fruit. At the same time, the tannins give the wine density that will stand it in good stead as it ages. This is for the long term.HK$1,460.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94)
The 2018 Ferrière is a powerful, tightly wound wine. Inky dark fruit, gravel, cured meats, graphite, smoke and lavender all run through the 2018. Readers will have to be especially patient, as the 2018 needs time to unwind. Yields are down from an average of 45 hectoliters per hectare to just 26, which no doubt contributes to the wine's natural intensity. The blend is 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc, in other words, the Cabernet Sauvignon is especially high, a recent trend here because of climate change. This is the first year in which a portion of the wine was aged in cement and amphora (20%), which according to Claire Lurton allows for lower SO2 in aging.HK$4,350.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (95)
The 2019 Ferrière is a dense, packed wine, just as it was from barrel. Black fruit, graphite plum, licorice and spice infuse the 2019 with tremendous character. This powerful, brooding Margaux is going to need at least a few years to come together. It sure is alluring in this tasting. Readers will have to be patient, though. The tannins are pretty formidable. Ferrière was impressive en primeur. It is equally compelling today.HK$3,810.00 -
James Suckling (95-96)
Full-bodied with layers of bark, black tea and intense blackberry and earth. Iodine, too. It’s powerful, chewy and focused. 68% cabernet, 27% merlot, 3% petite verdot and 2% cabernet franc. From biodynamically grown grapes. Demeter certification.HK$3,715.00 -
James Suckling (95-96)
Full-bodied with layers of bark, black tea and intense blackberry and earth. Iodine, too. It’s powerful, chewy and focused. 68% cabernet, 27% merlot, 3% petite verdot and 2% cabernet franc. From biodynamically grown grapes. Demeter certification.HK$4,180.00 -
(12x37.5cl) 2021Vinous - Antonio Galloni (92-94)
The 2021 Ferrière is marked by a historically high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. That yields a Ferrière with notable strictness and energy. Red/purplish fruit, lavender, rose petal, mint and sweet spice all take shape in the glass. Pretty floral top notes reappear on the finish, adding lift. I especially admire the vibrancy here.HK$2,255.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (92-94)
The 2021 Ferrière is marked by a historically high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. That yields a Ferrière with notable strictness and energy. Red/purplish fruit, lavender, rose petal, mint and sweet spice all take shape in the glass. Pretty floral top notes reappear on the finish, adding lift. I especially admire the vibrancy here.HK$1,365.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (92-94)
The 2021 Ferrière is marked by a historically high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. That yields a Ferrière with notable strictness and energy. Red/purplish fruit, lavender, rose petal, mint and sweet spice all take shape in the glass. Pretty floral top notes reappear on the finish, adding lift. I especially admire the vibrancy here.HK$2,640.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (92-94)
The 2021 Ferrière is marked by a historically high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. That yields a Ferrière with notable strictness and energy. Red/purplish fruit, lavender, rose petal, mint and sweet spice all take shape in the glass. Pretty floral top notes reappear on the finish, adding lift. I especially admire the vibrancy here.HK$1,745.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (92-94)
The 2021 Ferrière is marked by a historically high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. That yields a Ferrière with notable strictness and energy. Red/purplish fruit, lavender, rose petal, mint and sweet spice all take shape in the glass. Pretty floral top notes reappear on the finish, adding lift. I especially admire the vibrancy here.HK$3,845.00

