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 (92-94)
A little more depth of cherry red colour here and a delicate but charming bouquet. Builds to the back, a little smokiness and a touch of pepper, a gracious and quite delicate Echezeaux of middling intensity but some length.HK$5,340.00 -
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (92-94)
A little more depth of cherry red colour here and a delicate but charming bouquet. Builds to the back, a little smokiness and a touch of pepper, a gracious and quite delicate Echezeaux of middling intensity but some length.HK$9,465.00 -
(1x75cl) 2017Vinous (93-95)
The 2017 Grands Echézeaux Grand Cru comes from 0.30 hectares of vine. It has a tightly wound bouquet at first – one of the few crus from Lamarche to demand coaxing from the glass. It eventually reveals some lovely raspberry preserve, wild strawberry and subtle Seville orange marmalade scents, all very well defined. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, and more structure and backbone than the Echézeaux, leading to a fresh and quite saline finish. This will need five or six years in bottle, but there is very good potential here.HK$3,370.00 -
Vinous (92-94)
The 2018 Grands Echézeaux Grand Cru comes from Lamarche’s 0.30 hectares of vine. It has a little more horsepower than the Echézeaux, scents of orange peel and a light ash-like aroma infusing the red fruit. Fine definition here, if not profound complexity. The palate is medium-bodied with supple, lithe tannins. This is a sleek and silky smooth Grands Echézeaux with a lovely touch of spice that bursts through on the finish. Give this two to three years in bottle, as it is will be early-drinking for a Grand Cru, though I suspect it will drink well for many years.HK$3,060.00 -
(6x75cl) 2018Vinous (92-94)
The 2018 Grands Echézeaux Grand Cru comes from Lamarche’s 0.30 hectares of vine. It has a little more horsepower than the Echézeaux, scents of orange peel and a light ash-like aroma infusing the red fruit. Fine definition here, if not profound complexity. The palate is medium-bodied with supple, lithe tannins. This is a sleek and silky smooth Grands Echézeaux with a lovely touch of spice that bursts through on the finish. Give this two to three years in bottle, as it is will be early-drinking for a Grand Cru, though I suspect it will drink well for many years.HK$18,790.00 -
(12x75cl) 2022HK$3,910.00 -
(6x75cl) 2005Burghound (95)
A hint of menthol adds nuance to the mostly highly-spiced red berry fruit nose that is quite reserved if beautifully complex while leading to sweet, delicious, generous and round medium full flavors that are classy and refined, all wrapped in a strikingly persistent and explosive finish. This offers excellent cellar potential and at this early stage the wood, which is normally fairly prominent, is already well integrated but note that this will need every bit of 15 years, perhaps even slightly longer, to arrive at its prime as it's very structured. A really beautiful LGR that showed even a bit better than it had only three weeks earlier as it was given the benefit of an hour's worth of air.HK$29,205.00 -
(12x75cl) 2007Burghound (93)
In contrast to the last two wines, here the wood is again very generous though it does not dominate the spicy and dense red pinot fruit that merges into a relatively lush, even opulent flavor profile that is supple and textured with impressive volume and mid-palate fat, all wrapped in a powerful, focused and long finish. This is a comparatively big '07 with plenty of dry extract.HK$50,415.00 -
(1x75cl) 2008Burghound (92)
This also displays moderate new wood influence that largely if not completely stays out of the way of the perfumed ripe violet, soy and hoisin suffused blue pinot fruit aromas that are in keeping with the spicy, rich, round and utterly delicious flavors that are quite supple on the mid-palate and culminate in a highly complex and lingering finish.HK$4,940.00 -
(6x75cl) 2008Burghound (92)
This also displays moderate new wood influence that largely if not completely stays out of the way of the perfumed ripe violet, soy and hoisin suffused blue pinot fruit aromas that are in keeping with the spicy, rich, round and utterly delicious flavors that are quite supple on the mid-palate and culminate in a highly complex and lingering finish.HK$31,015.00 -
(6x75cl) 2009HK$26,590.00 -
(6x75cl) 2010Burghound (95)
This is quite ripe though still fresh and bright with intensely spicy aromas of red berry and cherry liqueur. There is a seductively silky texture to the middle weight and delicious flavors that possess excellent depth as well as seriously impressive persistence. As with many wines in the range in 2010, the phenolically mature tannins possess a very fine grain and while firm, they are already well-integrated. The overall impression of this lovely effort is one of balance and harmony. In a word, terrific.HK$22,655.00 -
(6x75cl) 2011Jancis Robinson (18)
Nervy and dramatic with lovely balance between fruit and structure. Long and rich and the flavours just yo-yo over the palate. Lovely stuff but look at the price! Clean and long.HK$18,220.00 -
Tim Atkin MW (97)
One of only five Grands Crus monopoles in Burgundy, this is sometimes regarded as being of lesser quality than the other four, but that’s unfair. The wine is improving with every vintage since it was elevated in 1992 and this is particularly fine. Delicate, sweet and stylish, it's a nunaced, fragrant Pinot with lacy tannins, effortlessly integrated oak and a bright, refreshing finish.HK$23,000.00 -
Wine Advocate (97)
Tasted blind at the Burgfest tasting in Beaune, the 2013 La Grande Rue Grand Cru has a backward and broody bouquet, very complex with hints of woodland, damp earth and fern filtering through the tightly wound red fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with supple and very fine, almost filigree tannins. The acidity is beautifully judged here -- very focused and refined, seamless towards the sophisticated finish. This is one of the best vintages of La Grand Rue that I have tasted, which is a considerable achievement given that this was not an exemplary growing season. Tasted September 2016.HK$7,420.00 -
(6x75cl) 2014Wine Advocate (93-95)
The 2014 La Grande Rue Grand Cru has a wonderful bouquet similar to the Grands Echézeaux, though at the moment albeit without the same degree of complexity. Perhaps this is just more backward at the moment. The palate is very well balanced with a keen line of acidity, nicely structured, perhaps just a little more conservative than the Grands Echézeaux, but maybe that means it will offer more once in bottle. One has the sense of a La Grande Rue just biding its time. Hopefully one day I will find out its qualities once in bottle.HK$26,490.00 -
Vinous (95)
The 2015 La Grand Rue Grand Cru has a concentrated bouquet, very pure but more introspective than its peers. It demands a lot of coaxing from the glass, eventually unfolding to reveal gorgeous, seductive scents of wild strawberry, raspberry, orange blossom and sous-bois. The palate is medium-bodied, offering supple tannin, crisp acidity and symmetrical focus, but I would have liked more substance on the finish. At the moment, this Grand Cru is holding its breath. It needs to exhale! There is a great wine here, but at present, it is indifferent to being loved. Tasted blind at the annual Burgfest tasting.HK$23,360.00 -
Vinous (95)
The 2016 La Grande Rue Grand Cru has a very pure, almost pastille-like bouquet with copious red cherry fruit mixed with crushed strawberry and a little cassis. La Grande Rue? [Post script: Bingo!] The palate is very pretty with fine-grain tannin. This is surfeit with freshness and vitality, although it does not quite have the depth and structure of other Grand Crus from the appellation. It does fan out towards the finish. The persistence, and the saline aftertaste are very appealing. Excellent. Tasted blind at the 2016 Burgfest tasting.HK$68,575.00 -
(3x75cl) 2016Vinous (95)
The 2016 La Grande Rue Grand Cru has a very pure, almost pastille-like bouquet with copious red cherry fruit mixed with crushed strawberry and a little cassis. La Grande Rue? [Post script: Bingo!] The palate is very pretty with fine-grain tannin. This is surfeit with freshness and vitality, although it does not quite have the depth and structure of other Grand Crus from the appellation. It does fan out towards the finish. The persistence, and the saline aftertaste are very appealing. Excellent. Tasted blind at the 2016 Burgfest tasting.HK$16,315.00 -
Vinous (95)
The 2016 La Grande Rue Grand Cru has a very pure, almost pastille-like bouquet with copious red cherry fruit mixed with crushed strawberry and a little cassis. La Grande Rue? [Post script: Bingo!] The palate is very pretty with fine-grain tannin. This is surfeit with freshness and vitality, although it does not quite have the depth and structure of other Grand Crus from the appellation. It does fan out towards the finish. The persistence, and the saline aftertaste are very appealing. Excellent. Tasted blind at the 2016 Burgfest tasting.HK$20,205.00 -
Vinous (96)
The 2017 La Grande Rue has a deep, introspective bouquet, offering more black fruit than red; touches of oyster shell and seaweed percolate through with time. The palate is where the quality shines through, in the filigreed tannins and the wonderful sense of symmetry. Fresh as a daisy without compromising intensity, especially on the pixelated finish, which seems to go on forever. Brilliant. This far exceeded my expectations. Tasted blind at the Burgfest 2017 tasting.HK$3,925.00 -
Vinous (96)
The 2017 La Grande Rue has a deep, introspective bouquet, offering more black fruit than red; touches of oyster shell and seaweed percolate through with time. The palate is where the quality shines through, in the filigreed tannins and the wonderful sense of symmetry. Fresh as a daisy without compromising intensity, especially on the pixelated finish, which seems to go on forever. Brilliant. This far exceeded my expectations. Tasted blind at the Burgfest 2017 tasting.HK$16,050.00 -
Vinous (96)
The 2017 La Grande Rue has a deep, introspective bouquet, offering more black fruit than red; touches of oyster shell and seaweed percolate through with time. The palate is where the quality shines through, in the filigreed tannins and the wonderful sense of symmetry. Fresh as a daisy without compromising intensity, especially on the pixelated finish, which seems to go on forever. Brilliant. This far exceeded my expectations. Tasted blind at the Burgfest 2017 tasting.HK$19,575.00 -
Vinous (93-95)
The 2018 La Grande Rue Grand Cru is the famous 1.65-hectare monopole of the domaine that runs parallel to Romanée-Conti and La Romanée on the other side of the road. It has a well-defined bouquet of dark cherries, raspberry, wild hedgerow and traces of Chinese tea, developing tertiary notes after a couple of minutes in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins, a satin-like texture and just the right amount of acidity. The caressing, slightly gourmand finish displays hints of meat juices and a subtle savory aspect lends complexity. Very fine.HK$5,395.00 -
(3x75cl) 2018Vinous (93-95)
The 2018 La Grande Rue Grand Cru is the famous 1.65-hectare monopole of the domaine that runs parallel to Romanée-Conti and La Romanée on the other side of the road. It has a well-defined bouquet of dark cherries, raspberry, wild hedgerow and traces of Chinese tea, developing tertiary notes after a couple of minutes in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins, a satin-like texture and just the right amount of acidity. The caressing, slightly gourmand finish displays hints of meat juices and a subtle savory aspect lends complexity. Very fine.HK$12,845.00 -
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (94-98)
Perfect fresh mid red to purple in colour. There is an extra distinction to the bouquet, with a touch of spice and a little bit of blood orange. Very nuanced this year. Sweetly harmonious across the middle of the palate, iron-rich at the finish, supple and extremely persistent. Long, harmonious, with a silky touch.HK$12,590.00 -
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (94-98)
Perfect fresh mid red to purple in colour. There is an extra distinction to the bouquet, with a touch of spice and a little bit of blood orange. Very nuanced this year. Sweetly harmonious across the middle of the palate, iron-rich at the finish, supple and extremely persistent. Long, harmonious, with a silky touch.HK$12,355.00 -
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (94-98)
Perfect fresh mid red to purple in colour. There is an extra distinction to the bouquet, with a touch of spice and a little bit of blood orange. Very nuanced this year. Sweetly harmonious across the middle of the palate, iron-rich at the finish, supple and extremely persistent. Long, harmonious, with a silky touch.HK$33,680.00 -
(1x150cl) 2020Tim Atkin MW (97)
Nicole is thrilled that La Grande Rue is producing at 80% of its capacity, even in this dry vintage. Of course, much less is made of this old vine cuv e – only two barrels. This has a touch more blush in its color than its counterpart. It's also showing some reduction so less perfumed at the moment. There's a strong flint note followed by pretty rose petals then sweet strawberries. The texture is marvellous, feeling of pure silk. Medium-bodied with integrated lift and soign tannins, this is seriously stylish. 2022-40HK$12,170.00 -
Tim Atkin MW (97)
Nicole is thrilled that La Grande Rue is producing at 80% of its capacity, even in this dry vintage. Of course, much less is made of this old vine cuv e – only two barrels. This has a touch more blush in its color than its counterpart. It's also showing some reduction so less perfumed at the moment. There's a strong flint note followed by pretty rose petals then sweet strawberries. The texture is marvellous, feeling of pure silk. Medium-bodied with integrated lift and soign tannins, this is seriously stylish. 2022-40HK$23,800.00

