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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The Bastor-Lamontagne SO Blanc 2017 is a quintessential representation of the finesse and opulence of the Sauternes appellations. This exceptional wine hails from the acclaimed vineyard, Château Bastor-Lamontagne, residing in the heart of Bordeaux, France. The viticulture embraces traditional methods, prioritising sustainability and quality with a vine density of 6800 vines/ha. Vintage 2017 specifically, was marked by a special alternation of misty mornings and sunny afternoons, providing favourable conditions for the esteemed Botrytis cinerea, resulting in an extraordinary wine.
The Bastor-Lamontagne SO Blanc 2017, a fortuitous blend of 80% Semillon and 20% Sauvignon Blanc, proffers a melange of aromatic ripe stone fruit, honeyed notes and refreshing lively acidity. The splendid balance, complexity, and the lingering mouth-filling finish justify its esteemed reputation. Whether serving it as an indulgent aperitif or complementing it with savoury food pairings, the Bastor-Lamontagne SO Blanc 2017 provides an unforgettable sensual experience.
HK$1,585.00 -
(4x75cl) 1971Wine Advocate (73)
An aroma highly suggestive of freshly brewed tea and ripe tangerines suggests overripeness. On the palate, the wine is diffuse, lacking direction, and is somewhat watery and uninteresting. This is a curious and unappealing rendition of Batailley. Anticipated maturity: Now-probably in serious decline. Last tasted, 2/79.HK$5,370.00 -
Wine Spectator (92)
Beautiful wine. Very dark ruby-red. Wonderful blackberry, mineral and violet aromas. Full-bodied, with round and velvety tannins and a long, beautifully fruity finish.--1990 Bordeaux retrospective. Best after 2005. -JSHK$9,540.00 -
(12x75cl) 1994Wine Advocate (85)
An attractive black/ruby/purple color is followed by aromas of sweet curranty fruit and new oak. Medium-bodied, with good ripeness, this sound, straightforward, well-made wine lacks depth and complexity, but it will provide pleasant, foursquare drinking for another 12-14 years.HK$6,380.00 -
(12x75cl) 1998Wine Advocate (87)
An excellent dark plum color is followed by scents of tobacco, cedar, black currants, and earth. There is good ripeness, medium to full body, smoky, herb-tinged flavors, and fine length. The tannin is firm, but not excessive. This 1998 is tasting significantly better from bottle than it did during its elevage. Anticipated maturity: 2004-2017.HK$7,955.00 -
Wine Advocate (93)
Tasted at the Batailley vertical tasting at the château, the 2005 Batailley continues to be an excellent Pauillac that I suspect is overshadowed by some of its more illustrious and, let's not forget, more expensive neighbors. Here, it has an effervescent bouquet with vibrant red berry fruit and superb mineralité. This is extremely well focused, with hints of rose petal emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with finer tannin than in previous years. I feel there is still some oak to be fully absorbed, so don't be afraid to cellar this 2005 for another four or five years; but, even at this early stage, you can appreciate its precision on the graphite-infused finish. The 2005 Batailley is where the estate began its upward swing that is continuing to this day. Tasted April 2016.HK$6,755.00 -
Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (95)
Love this wine, I drink it regularly at home, and it always performs excellently in blind tastings, delivering so much of what we love about Pauillac. Ruby red colour, still vibrant, full of silky black fruits, pencil lead and mint leaf, revs up through the mid palate with layers of bilberry, cassis, slate and crushed rocks. You will get longer-lasting Pauillac 2009s, but this is thoroughly enjoyable and built to share. 55% new oak for ageing, Philippe Casteja owner.HK$6,055.00 -
Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (96)
We are in full on classic Pauillac territory here, sculpted and balanced juicy blackcurrant and bilberry fruits, great lift on the finish, one of best value wines of the tasting, sleek tannins, studded with freshly cut herbs and charcoal. For a long time the 2009 was the best of the two vintages at Batailley, but the 2010 is now taking the lead. 55% new oak for ageing, Philippe Casteja owner.HK$6,515.00 -
Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (96)
We are in full on classic Pauillac territory here, sculpted and balanced juicy blackcurrant and bilberry fruits, great lift on the finish, one of best value wines of the tasting, sleek tannins, studded with freshly cut herbs and charcoal. For a long time the 2009 was the best of the two vintages at Batailley, but the 2010 is now taking the lead. 55% new oak for ageing, Philippe Casteja owner.HK$905.00 -
Wine Advocate (90)
The 2013 Batailley has a relatively backward bouquet, however, there is respectable fruit concentration here for the vintage: blackberry, cedar and cigar box, your typical traits for this estate. The palate offers commendable weight and extraction: not a Batailley of finesse or even complexity, though one with a modicum of presence and substance. Given this is a 2013 there is negligible under-ripeness on the tensile and almost steely finish. I can see this giving 10-15 years of pleasure and it represents a very commendable wine in the context of the growing season.HK$3,830.00 -
Wine Advocate (91+)
The 2014 Batailley has an attractive bouquet, lilting scents of redcurrant and raspberry coulis, quite floral and very precise. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, good depth and body, rounded for Batailley and less austere than usual. It feels closed towards the finish, tight-lipped, but there is certainly grip and presence here. It will require several years in bottle before it can show its true potential, but there is a sense of class to this Batailley that I suspect will become more evident with maturity. Tasted twice with consistent notes.HK$4,465.00 -
(6x150cl) 2014Wine Advocate (91+)
The 2014 Batailley has an attractive bouquet, lilting scents of redcurrant and raspberry coulis, quite floral and very precise. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, good depth and body, rounded for Batailley and less austere than usual. It feels closed towards the finish, tight-lipped, but there is certainly grip and presence here. It will require several years in bottle before it can show its true potential, but there is a sense of class to this Batailley that I suspect will become more evident with maturity. Tasted twice with consistent notes.HK$4,565.00 -
James Suckling (94-95)
Wow. The shows a new level of excellence with mint, mineral and currant character. Full body, super fine tannins and a savory finish. New definition here. Precision. New second wine from this estate moved up the quality.HK$4,945.00 -
James Suckling (96)
Shows beautiful, ripe cabernet aromas with currants, plums, meat and smoke. Flowers, too. Full body, deep and ripe fruit and exquisite, ripe tannins. Flavorful finish. Tight right now, but shows excellent potential. Best ever. Try after 2024.HK$5,805.00 -
(1x75cl) 2016James Suckling (96)
Shows beautiful, ripe cabernet aromas with currants, plums, meat and smoke. Flowers, too. Full body, deep and ripe fruit and exquisite, ripe tannins. Flavorful finish. Tight right now, but shows excellent potential. Best ever. Try after 2024.HK$745.00 -
James Suckling (96)
Shows beautiful, ripe cabernet aromas with currants, plums, meat and smoke. Flowers, too. Full body, deep and ripe fruit and exquisite, ripe tannins. Flavorful finish. Tight right now, but shows excellent potential. Best ever. Try after 2024.HK$2,755.00 -
James Suckling (94-95)
This is very structured and dense with lots of fruit and tannin, yet it’s tight and long. Linear and racy. Muscular.HK$4,325.00 -
James Suckling (94-95)
This is very structured and dense with lots of fruit and tannin, yet it’s tight and long. Linear and racy. Muscular.HK$3,820.00 -
James Suckling (94-95)
This is very structured and dense with lots of fruit and tannin, yet it’s tight and long. Linear and racy. Muscular.HK$2,530.00 -
James Suckling (96)
Shows beautiful, ripe cabernet aromas with currants, plums, meat and smoke. Flowers, too. Full body, deep and ripe fruit and exquisite, ripe tannins. Flavorful finish. Tight right now, but shows excellent potential. Best ever. Try after 2024.HK$3,275.00 -
(1x150cl) 2019James Suckling (96)
Shows beautiful, ripe cabernet aromas with currants, plums, meat and smoke. Flowers, too. Full body, deep and ripe fruit and exquisite, ripe tannins. Flavorful finish. Tight right now, but shows excellent potential. Best ever. Try after 2024.HK$890.00 -
(1x300cl) 2019James Suckling (96)
Shows beautiful, ripe cabernet aromas with currants, plums, meat and smoke. Flowers, too. Full body, deep and ripe fruit and exquisite, ripe tannins. Flavorful finish. Tight right now, but shows excellent potential. Best ever. Try after 2024.HK$3,045.00 -
James Suckling (96)
Shows beautiful, ripe cabernet aromas with currants, plums, meat and smoke. Flowers, too. Full body, deep and ripe fruit and exquisite, ripe tannins. Flavorful finish. Tight right now, but shows excellent potential. Best ever. Try after 2024.HK$2,640.00 -
James Suckling (96)
Shows beautiful, ripe cabernet aromas with currants, plums, meat and smoke. Flowers, too. Full body, deep and ripe fruit and exquisite, ripe tannins. Flavorful finish. Tight right now, but shows excellent potential. Best ever. Try after 2024.HK$1,750.00 -
Vinous - Neal Martin (95)
The 2020 Batailley appears to have gone up a couple of gears since I tasted it just after bottling. It has a perfumed, wonderfully precise nose, almost Margaux-like in style, with scents of cassis and crushed violet blossoming in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with succulent blackberry and hints of licorice on the entry. It's quite saline, building with confidence toward the finish of real heft. This will need a decade to come around, but it will be worth waiting for. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.HK$3,035.00 -
Vinous - Neal Martin (95)
The 2020 Batailley appears to have gone up a couple of gears since I tasted it just after bottling. It has a perfumed, wonderfully precise nose, almost Margaux-like in style, with scents of cassis and crushed violet blossoming in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with succulent blackberry and hints of licorice on the entry. It's quite saline, building with confidence toward the finish of real heft. This will need a decade to come around, but it will be worth waiting for. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.HK$3,115.00 -
Vinous - Neal Martin (95)
The 2020 Batailley appears to have gone up a couple of gears since I tasted it just after bottling. It has a perfumed, wonderfully precise nose, almost Margaux-like in style, with scents of cassis and crushed violet blossoming in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with succulent blackberry and hints of licorice on the entry. It's quite saline, building with confidence toward the finish of real heft. This will need a decade to come around, but it will be worth waiting for. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.HK$2,010.00 -
Vinous - Neal Martin (95)
The 2020 Batailley appears to have gone up a couple of gears since I tasted it just after bottling. It has a perfumed, wonderfully precise nose, almost Margaux-like in style, with scents of cassis and crushed violet blossoming in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with succulent blackberry and hints of licorice on the entry. It's quite saline, building with confidence toward the finish of real heft. This will need a decade to come around, but it will be worth waiting for. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.HK$1,715.00 -
James Suckling (93-94)
Subtle aromas of currants and fresh flowers with some tar and graphite. Medium-bodied with firm tannins and bright acidity. Very typical and bright for Pauillac. Linear and fine. Solid and tight. Well age nicely.HK$2,690.00 -
James Suckling (93-94)
Subtle aromas of currants and fresh flowers with some tar and graphite. Medium-bodied with firm tannins and bright acidity. Very typical and bright for Pauillac. Linear and fine. Solid and tight. Well age nicely.HK$1,540.00
