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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Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (92)
You'll find a greater difference in quality than in a typical vintage between this and Hauts de Smith, with greater clarity of expression and rich aromatics here. Blueberry, raspberry leaf, lemongrass and campfire smoke, with salted cracker salinity on the finish. This is where you fid the sweet stuff in 2021 - not by looking for ripe fruit but by going long on juicy, elegant, well balanced savoury fruit that has plenty of character. A great 2nd wine that is worth seeking out. 30% new oak.HK$1,480.00 -
(6x150cl) 2023James Suckling (94-95)
This has a big structure of polished tannins that are energetic and punchy. Medium to full body with beautiful blackcurrants, as well as dark tobacco and wet earth. Chewy at the end, but a pointed and focused finish. More structured than 2022. 60% cabernet sauvignon and 40% merlot. From organically grown grapes.HK$2,826.00 -
James Suckling (94-95)
This has a big structure of polished tannins that are energetic and punchy. Medium to full body with beautiful blackcurrants, as well as dark tobacco and wet earth. Chewy at the end, but a pointed and focused finish. More structured than 2022. 60% cabernet sauvignon and 40% merlot. From organically grown grapes.HK$1,215.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (89-91)
The 2014 Le Petit Haut Lafitte Blanc is wonderfully aromatic and fragrant. White flowers, lemon peel, lychee and mint inform a perfumed, crisp white to drink in its youth. The Petit Haut Lafitte is 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Semillon, all done in barrel with some lees stirring, but no malolactic fermentation. This is the brightest of the estate's whites.HK$3,105.00 -
James Suckling (92-93)
A dense, layered white with cooked-apple, honey and lemon aromas and flavors. Layered and flavorful with a zingy, mineral finish. 80% sauvignon with 20% semillon.HK$1,795.00 -
(6x75cl) 2021James Suckling (93-94)
Both fresh and ripe with pleasing notes of green mangoes, papayas, limes and kiwi. Flint and shells, too. Medium-bodied with excellent tension and a textured finish. 80% sauvignon blanc and 20% semillon. From organically grown grapes.HK$1,875.00 -
(12x75cl) 2023James Suckling (94-95)
Good vibration here, with edgy, fresh acidity that makes it long and vivid. It's medium-bodied and tight, with sliced lemon and green apple and stone character. Better than 2022? 80% sauvignon blanc and 20% semillon.HK$3,718.00 -
(6x150cl) 2023James Suckling (94-95)
Good vibration here, with edgy, fresh acidity that makes it long and vivid. It's medium-bodied and tight, with sliced lemon and green apple and stone character. Better than 2022? 80% sauvignon blanc and 20% semillon.HK$3,818.00 -
James Suckling (94-95)
Good vibration here, with edgy, fresh acidity that makes it long and vivid. It's medium-bodied and tight, with sliced lemon and green apple and stone character. Better than 2022? 80% sauvignon blanc and 20% semillon.HK$2,165.00 -
(1x75cl) 1986Vinous - Neal Martin (94)
The 1986 Le Pin was tasted from another half-bottle with Fiona Morrison MW at the property. It confirms that this is a great wine considering the growing season that never favored Pomerol. Youthful in appearance, it offers a surprisingly precocious bouquet with blueberry and violet scents. Like before, it evokes a top-notch Chambertin. The palate is vigorous and disguises its age so well. It has a fine backbone that contrasts against its sensual texture, precise and nonchalant toward the finish. I feel that it is reaching the end of its drinking plateau, but what a fine Pomerol Jacques Thienpont crafted this year. Tasted at a private dinner in Pomerol.HK$22,460.00 -
Wine Advocate (82)
This wine unquestionably possesses an excessive amount of toasty new oak for its fragile, delicate constitution. The wine displays medium to dark ruby color, an aggressively woody, slightly smoky, and herb-scented nose, and medium-bodied, black-cherry-like flavors that are insufficient to stand up to the veneer of wood. Low in acidity, slightly diluted, and full of cosmetic smoke, vanillin, and wood, it should be consumed over the next 5-6 years. Given the frightfully high price asked for the 500+ cases of Le Pin (usually an exotic as well as brilliant wine), this is a vintage when the proprietor should have declassified the wine.HK$362,935.00 -
(2x75cl) 1993Wine Spectator (90)
Delicious Le Pin. Exotic and flashy, sporting lots of new wood which lends a smoky, toasted oak character to the berry notes. Medium in body, delicate tannins and fruity finish. Drinkable now.HK$37,445.00 -
Vinous - Neal Martin (94)
The 1994 Le Pin is one of Jacques Thienpont’s greatest successes in the context of the limitations of this growing season, which this wine transcends. It has a spellbinding floral and mineral-laden nose with wonderfully defined pine needle and wild heather aromas. The palate is beautifully balanced with fine tannins. The 1994 has a silky texture and a florid red berry finish that caresses like a 1995. It is finely poised and demonstrates outstanding length and composure. Tasted at a private dinner in London.HK$265,695.00 -
(6x75cl) 1994Vinous - Neal Martin (94)
The 1994 Le Pin is one of Jacques Thienpont’s greatest successes in the context of the limitations of this growing season, which this wine transcends. It has a spellbinding floral and mineral-laden nose with wonderfully defined pine needle and wild heather aromas. The palate is beautifully balanced with fine tannins. The 1994 has a silky texture and a florid red berry finish that caresses like a 1995. It is finely poised and demonstrates outstanding length and composure. Tasted at a private dinner in London.HK$122,840.00 -
(6x75cl) 1999Wine Spectator (94)
Delivers decadent aromas of meat and berry, with hints of new leather. Full-bodied, featuring very soft tannins and a long finish. The palate shows lots of richness. Very yummy now. Don't wait. Unique and very seductive.—'89/'99 Bordeaux blind retrospective (2009). Drink now. 500 cases made.HK$140,555.00 -
Wine Spectator (96)
Distinctive, with a flash of menthol giving way to a beam of lightly mulled raspberry fruit that carries on through the finish, easily holding sway over the hints of bramble, licorice snap and warm plum compote. Just a touch sedate in feel, perhaps, but if you were a wine with this kind of fruit to burn, wouldn't you just kick back and let it groove too?—Blind 2000 Bordeaux retrospective (December 2015). Drink now through 2030. 500 cases made. — JMHK$259,195.00 -
(1x150cl) 2001Vinous - Neal Martin (98)
The 2001 Le Pin is hands down one of the finest wines that Jacques Thienpont has made. It’s cut from a completely different cloth than the 2000, delivering almost clinically defined black cherries, boysenberry, crushed stone and violet scents with laser-like precision. The medium-bodied palate is taut and fresh, with fine tannins, beguiling pure fruit and stunning focus on the finish. Jacques Thienpont seemed as excited as I was by the showing of this wine at 20 years. It is a stellar Pomerol and simply one of the best vintages of Le Pin ever made.HK$68,010.00 -
(1x75cl) 2001Vinous - Neal Martin (98)
The 2001 Le Pin is hands down one of the finest wines that Jacques Thienpont has made. It’s cut from a completely different cloth than the 2000, delivering almost clinically defined black cherries, boysenberry, crushed stone and violet scents with laser-like precision. The medium-bodied palate is taut and fresh, with fine tannins, beguiling pure fruit and stunning focus on the finish. Jacques Thienpont seemed as excited as I was by the showing of this wine at 20 years. It is a stellar Pomerol and simply one of the best vintages of Le Pin ever made.HK$37,730.00 -
(6x75cl) 2001Vinous - Neal Martin (98)
The 2001 Le Pin is hands down one of the finest wines that Jacques Thienpont has made. It’s cut from a completely different cloth than the 2000, delivering almost clinically defined black cherries, boysenberry, crushed stone and violet scents with laser-like precision. The medium-bodied palate is taut and fresh, with fine tannins, beguiling pure fruit and stunning focus on the finish. Jacques Thienpont seemed as excited as I was by the showing of this wine at 20 years. It is a stellar Pomerol and simply one of the best vintages of Le Pin ever made.HK$196,815.00 -
(12x75cl) 2004Wine Advocate (95)
There are 580 cases of the exotic, flamboyant 2004 Le Pin. Its dense plum/ruby color is accompanied by sweet aromas of kirsch, cassis, smoke, earth, and roasted herbs. Super-opulent for the vintage, it possesses wonderful fruit and glycerin, medium to full body, and a fleshy personality. It should drink well young, yet age nicely for two decades or more. The Pomerol of the vintage?HK$280,870.00 -
(1x75cl) 2004Wine Advocate (95)
There are 580 cases of the exotic, flamboyant 2004 Le Pin. Its dense plum/ruby color is accompanied by sweet aromas of kirsch, cassis, smoke, earth, and roasted herbs. Super-opulent for the vintage, it possesses wonderful fruit and glycerin, medium to full body, and a fleshy personality. It should drink well young, yet age nicely for two decades or more. The Pomerol of the vintage?HK$24,255.00 -
Wine Advocate (95)
There are 580 cases of the exotic, flamboyant 2004 Le Pin. Its dense plum/ruby color is accompanied by sweet aromas of kirsch, cassis, smoke, earth, and roasted herbs. Super-opulent for the vintage, it possesses wonderful fruit and glycerin, medium to full body, and a fleshy personality. It should drink well young, yet age nicely for two decades or more. The Pomerol of the vintage?HK$169,635.00 -
Vintage Tastings (97)
The 2005 Le Pin lived up to the hype and ultimately was wine of the afternoon for me. It had a great nose, t 'n a city yet still refined but also with so much stuffing. There was noticeable citrus with decadent fruit - cranberry, blueberry, blackberry, cassis, boysenberry - everyone was invited! There was great spine and length, but the 2005 was still so elegant. Jef called it 'a lip smacker' and noted 'kirsch and strawberry.' The 2005 was all that and then some.HK$174,720.00 -
(6x75cl) 2006Decanter (98)
Layer upon layer of complexity, texture and tannin continue to delight and surprise the palate. There’s silk and satin, subtle roasted coffee beans, sweet berry fruits, bracken, toffee and soft leather. Full of finesse and perfume; you would be thrilled to open a bottle now. But it’s also only just beginning to reveal its heart.HK$104,795.00 -
Wine Spectator (90-93)
Very typical Le Pin, with floral, cassis and light plum character. Full, yet refined, with lovely silky tannins and a long, long sweet fruit finish. Very pretty. Not many 2007s like this. The winemaker says that this has a deluxe caress and it does. Score range: 90-93HK$129,600.00 -
Wine Spectator (90-93)
Very typical Le Pin, with floral, cassis and light plum character. Full, yet refined, with lovely silky tannins and a long, long sweet fruit finish. Very pretty. Not many 2007s like this. The winemaker says that this has a deluxe caress and it does. Score range: 90-93HK$25,580.00 -
(3x75cl) 2009Wine Advocate (100)
Medium garnet colored, the 2009 Le Pin comes charging out of the glass with exuberant notions of baked red and black cherries, mulberries and warm plums with touches of star anise, cigar box and lavender plus wafts of menthol and fragrant soil. Full-bodied and boldly fruited, it has tons of vibrant red and black fruit layers with wonderful mineral and floral sparks throughout the long, plushly textured finish.HK$117,080.00 -
Wine Advocate (100)
Medium garnet colored, the 2009 Le Pin comes charging out of the glass with exuberant notions of baked red and black cherries, mulberries and warm plums with touches of star anise, cigar box and lavender plus wafts of menthol and fragrant soil. Full-bodied and boldly fruited, it has tons of vibrant red and black fruit layers with wonderful mineral and floral sparks throughout the long, plushly textured finish.HK$218,725.00 -
(6x75cl) 2010Wine Advocate (100)
The 2010 Le Pin is made from 100% Merlot. Deep garnet in color, it bursts from the glass with unbridled, hedonic notions of baked plums, Black Forest cake, Chinese five spice and blueberry pie plus wafts of smoked meats, candied violets, dark chocolate and cigar box. Medium-bodied, the palate exudes slow maturing black and blue berry layers, framed by firm, oh-so-plush tannins and oodles of freshness, finishing with incredible length and depth. Already drop dead gorgeous, this beautiful baby has a very long life ahead!HK$221,625.00 -
(1x300cl) 2011Wine Spectator (95)
This is tightening up a little now, with a graphite edge holding sway over lightly mulled plum and boysenberry fruit, revealing a lovely tug of earth at the end. This has lost the caressing feel of its youth and picked up the vintage's telltale briary edge, but the fruit is as gorgeous as always.HK$114,275.00

