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 (100)
The 2018 Château Larcis Ducasse checks in as 89% Merlot and 11% Cabernet Franc that comes from a gorgeous hillside terroir on the Côte Pavie, located between Château Pavie and Château Bellefont-Belcier. Aged 18 months in 60% new barrels, it offers a truly sensational bouquet of ripe blackcurrants, espresso roast, scorched earth, bloody meat, chocolate, iron, and bouquet garni. A massive, super-rich Saint-Emilion with a dense, concentrated, layered mouthfeel, it has building yet sweet tannins and incredible purity of fruit. Reminding me of the 2005 shortly after release, this heavenly juice offers astonishing richness and depth while staying flawlessly balanced and elegant. Sadly, there are less than 3,000 cases produced, but this monumental, legendary wine won't hit maturity for a good 8-10 years and will have 40-50 years of longevity if well stored. Hats off to Nicolas Thienpont and consultant Stéphane Derenoncourt for producing one of the wines of the vintage as well as one of the greatest young Bordeaux I've ever tasted.HK$3,705.00 -
James Suckling (98)
Baked-plum aromas., together with candied spices, earth, tobacco and light coffee, following through to a full body with firm yet polished tannins and a fresh, vivid finish. It really builds and shows loads of structure and intensity. Give it time to soften slightly, but the flavors and texture are already balanced and sophisticated. Classic style to this. The palate really builds. Try after 2026.HK$3,200.00 -
(12x37.5cl) 2020Jeb Dunnuck (96-99)
A wine that’s going to flirt with perfection is the 2020 Château Larcis Ducasse. It’s a Saint-Emilion with an almost Pomerol-like depth and power paired with classic Saint-Emilion aromatics and minerality. Incredibly pure notes of black cherries, blackberries, white flowers, truffle, and leafy herb notes all emerge on the nose and it’s full-bodied, with a layered, multi-dimensional texture, thrilling tannins, and a finish that won’t quit. If you get a chance, buy it. The blend is 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, aging in 55% new French oak.HK$3,910.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (96-99)
A wine that’s going to flirt with perfection is the 2020 Château Larcis Ducasse. It’s a Saint-Emilion with an almost Pomerol-like depth and power paired with classic Saint-Emilion aromatics and minerality. Incredibly pure notes of black cherries, blackberries, white flowers, truffle, and leafy herb notes all emerge on the nose and it’s full-bodied, with a layered, multi-dimensional texture, thrilling tannins, and a finish that won’t quit. If you get a chance, buy it. The blend is 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, aging in 55% new French oak.HK$8,570.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (96-99)
A wine that’s going to flirt with perfection is the 2020 Château Larcis Ducasse. It’s a Saint-Emilion with an almost Pomerol-like depth and power paired with classic Saint-Emilion aromatics and minerality. Incredibly pure notes of black cherries, blackberries, white flowers, truffle, and leafy herb notes all emerge on the nose and it’s full-bodied, with a layered, multi-dimensional texture, thrilling tannins, and a finish that won’t quit. If you get a chance, buy it. The blend is 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, aging in 55% new French oak.HK$5,890.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (96-99)
A wine that’s going to flirt with perfection is the 2020 Château Larcis Ducasse. It’s a Saint-Emilion with an almost Pomerol-like depth and power paired with classic Saint-Emilion aromatics and minerality. Incredibly pure notes of black cherries, blackberries, white flowers, truffle, and leafy herb notes all emerge on the nose and it’s full-bodied, with a layered, multi-dimensional texture, thrilling tannins, and a finish that won’t quit. If you get a chance, buy it. The blend is 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, aging in 55% new French oak.HK$3,215.00 -
(12x37.5cl) 2021James Suckling (94-95)
This is medium-to full-bodied with firm, silky tannins. Already has an expressive nose of blackcurrants, blackberries, white pepper, cloves and black licorice. Salty minerality. Fresh and fine. Spicy finish. Lengthy, too. 86% merlot and 14% cabernet franc.HK$3,960.00 -
James Suckling (94-95)
This is medium-to full-bodied with firm, silky tannins. Already has an expressive nose of blackcurrants, blackberries, white pepper, cloves and black licorice. Salty minerality. Fresh and fine. Spicy finish. Lengthy, too. 86% merlot and 14% cabernet franc.HK$2,585.00 -
(1x600cl) 2021James Suckling (94-95)
This is medium-to full-bodied with firm, silky tannins. Already has an expressive nose of blackcurrants, blackberries, white pepper, cloves and black licorice. Salty minerality. Fresh and fine. Spicy finish. Lengthy, too. 86% merlot and 14% cabernet franc.HK$5,615.00 -
(1x75cl) 2021James Suckling (94-95)
This is medium-to full-bodied with firm, silky tannins. Already has an expressive nose of blackcurrants, blackberries, white pepper, cloves and black licorice. Salty minerality. Fresh and fine. Spicy finish. Lengthy, too. 86% merlot and 14% cabernet franc.HK$735.00 -
James Suckling (94-95)
This is medium-to full-bodied with firm, silky tannins. Already has an expressive nose of blackcurrants, blackberries, white pepper, cloves and black licorice. Salty minerality. Fresh and fine. Spicy finish. Lengthy, too. 86% merlot and 14% cabernet franc.HK$2,915.00 -
(12x75cl) 2022Jeb Dunnuck (100)
One of the more muscular, concentrated 2022s in my tastings, the 2022 Château Larcis Ducasse sports a deep ruby/plum hue to go with serious aromatics of ripe red and black cherries, smoked tobacco, new leather, truffle, and an incredible sense of crushed stone-like minerality. Rich, full-bodied, and massively concentrated on the palate, this intense, flawlessly balanced, voluptuous 2022 has a stacked mid-palate, velvety tannins, and fabulous length on the finish. I wouldn't be surprised to see this close down with 3-4 years of bottle age only to re-emerge after a decade. Based on 86% Merlot and 14% Cabernet Franc raised in 40% new oak, this modern-day legend has a terrific pH of 3.48 and an alcohol of 14.8%.HK$9,625.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (100)
One of the more muscular, concentrated 2022s in my tastings, the 2022 Château Larcis Ducasse sports a deep ruby/plum hue to go with serious aromatics of ripe red and black cherries, smoked tobacco, new leather, truffle, and an incredible sense of crushed stone-like minerality. Rich, full-bodied, and massively concentrated on the palate, this intense, flawlessly balanced, voluptuous 2022 has a stacked mid-palate, velvety tannins, and fabulous length on the finish. I wouldn't be surprised to see this close down with 3-4 years of bottle age only to re-emerge after a decade. Based on 86% Merlot and 14% Cabernet Franc raised in 40% new oak, this modern-day legend has a terrific pH of 3.48 and an alcohol of 14.8%.HK$7,295.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (100)
One of the more muscular, concentrated 2022s in my tastings, the 2022 Château Larcis Ducasse sports a deep ruby/plum hue to go with serious aromatics of ripe red and black cherries, smoked tobacco, new leather, truffle, and an incredible sense of crushed stone-like minerality. Rich, full-bodied, and massively concentrated on the palate, this intense, flawlessly balanced, voluptuous 2022 has a stacked mid-palate, velvety tannins, and fabulous length on the finish. I wouldn't be surprised to see this close down with 3-4 years of bottle age only to re-emerge after a decade. Based on 86% Merlot and 14% Cabernet Franc raised in 40% new oak, this modern-day legend has a terrific pH of 3.48 and an alcohol of 14.8%.HK$1,025.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (100)
One of the more muscular, concentrated 2022s in my tastings, the 2022 Château Larcis Ducasse sports a deep ruby/plum hue to go with serious aromatics of ripe red and black cherries, smoked tobacco, new leather, truffle, and an incredible sense of crushed stone-like minerality. Rich, full-bodied, and massively concentrated on the palate, this intense, flawlessly balanced, voluptuous 2022 has a stacked mid-palate, velvety tannins, and fabulous length on the finish. I wouldn't be surprised to see this close down with 3-4 years of bottle age only to re-emerge after a decade. Based on 86% Merlot and 14% Cabernet Franc raised in 40% new oak, this modern-day legend has a terrific pH of 3.48 and an alcohol of 14.8%.HK$4,435.00 -
(12x75cl) 2023James Suckling (96-97)
This is really classic in character, with a fine tannin structure and medium body. It starts slowly and then accelerates quickly into intense black cherries, currants and a salty note. Savory and subtle. 86% merlot and 14% cabernet franc.HK$6,450.00 -
(3x150cl) 2023James Suckling (96-97)
This is really classic in character, with a fine tannin structure and medium body. It starts slowly and then accelerates quickly into intense black cherries, currants and a salty note. Savory and subtle. 86% merlot and 14% cabernet franc.HK$3,050.00 -
James Suckling (96-97)
This is really classic in character, with a fine tannin structure and medium body. It starts slowly and then accelerates quickly into intense black cherries, currants and a salty note. Savory and subtle. 86% merlot and 14% cabernet franc.HK$3,020.00 -
(12x75cl) 2001Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (86-89)
Saturated ruby. Ripe, liqueur-like aromas of blackberry, violet and Valrhona chocolate. Fat, supple and ripe, with lovely sweetness and flavor intensity in the middle palate. In a somewhat chunky style, with good size and richness for the year. Finishes with ripe, dusty, tactile tannins and lingering sweet berry flavors.HK$5,480.00 -
(12x75cl) 2010James Suckling (93-94)
Very refined and dense, with a beautiful intensity of dark fruit and hints of mint. Touch of class here.HK$2,775.00 -
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Vinous - Neal Martin (93)
The 2019 Larmande has kicked on nicely during its barrel maturation, now presenting aromas of black currant, raspberry, peony and light undergrowth scents. The oak is neatly integrated here. The palate is fresh and vibrant with crisp tannins and beautifully integrated oak toward the harmonious finish. One of the best that I have tasted from this estate.HK$1,605.00 -
(12x37.5cl) 2020Wine Advocate (91-93)
Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2020 Larmande has a beautifully bright perfume of kirsch, crushed black plums, fresh boysenberries and violets, plus suggestions of spice cake, Sichuan pepper and dusty soil. The medium to full-bodied palate has lovely poise with bags of freshness and a soft texture supporting the elegant red and black fruit layers, finishing earthy.HK$1,670.00 -
Wine Advocate (91-93)
Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2020 Larmande has a beautifully bright perfume of kirsch, crushed black plums, fresh boysenberries and violets, plus suggestions of spice cake, Sichuan pepper and dusty soil. The medium to full-bodied palate has lovely poise with bags of freshness and a soft texture supporting the elegant red and black fruit layers, finishing earthy.HK$1,290.00 -
(12x37.5cl) 2021Wine Advocate (92)
The 2021 Larmande has turned out well in bottle, wafting from the glass with notes of raspberries, rose petals and plums, followed by a medium to full-bodied, supple and suave palate that's layered and seamless, with a vibrant and enveloping core of fruit, ripe tannins and a perfumed finish.HK$1,740.00 -
(6x150cl) 2021Wine Advocate (92)
The 2021 Larmande has turned out well in bottle, wafting from the glass with notes of raspberries, rose petals and plums, followed by a medium to full-bodied, supple and suave palate that's layered and seamless, with a vibrant and enveloping core of fruit, ripe tannins and a perfumed finish.HK$2,960.00 -
Wine Advocate (92)
The 2021 Larmande has turned out well in bottle, wafting from the glass with notes of raspberries, rose petals and plums, followed by a medium to full-bodied, supple and suave palate that's layered and seamless, with a vibrant and enveloping core of fruit, ripe tannins and a perfumed finish.HK$1,225.00 -
Jancis Robinson (17+)
The first time that Larmandier-Bernier has made this wine. 100% Pinot Noir from old vines in Vertus. Spontaneous vinification in old vats and casks, 11 months on lees. Tirage end of July 2016. Six years sur lattes. Dosage 0 g/l. Baked sour cream, smoke and bay leaf. A powerful, bone-structured rigidity. Fennel and chalk dust and bitter rain and baobab. Pretty uncompromising. Tastes like a glacial waterfall. Maritime. No curves, no corners – a cliff face of a wine.HK$6,090.00 -
Vinous (94)
The 2012 Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Les Chemins d'Avize is another powerful, deep wine that needs time in the glass to be at its best. In fact, the 2012 was not really fully expressive until it had been opened for about 24 hours. There is an inherent depth to the 2012 that just needs time to emerge. With air, the 2012 is broad and expansive, with the layers of fruit intensity and tension that are such signatures of Pierre and Sophie Larmandier's very best wines. What a gorgeous Champagne this is. Dosage is 2 grams per liter. Disgorged: March 2018.HK$8,210.00

