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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Vinous - Neal Martin (92)
The 1982 Léoville Barton has a slightly feral nose compared to its peers, probably due to some Brettanomyces, leaning towards Rhône in style, with hints of coffee granules that, frankly, are a bit off-putting. The palate is medium-bodied with a slightly crunchy texture, plenty of black fruit intermixed with cedar and tobacco, showing some dryness on the finish. But this does improve markedly in the glass, cohering and the aromatics dispensing with some of their animal elements, prompting me to raise my initially parsimonious score. Tasted single blind at the 1982 dinner at Cornus in London.HK$28,730.00 -
(12x75cl) 1989A restrained, elegant style of Bordeaux for those who enjoy older claret to be a bit leaner and more austere. Definitely a food wine and one which has finally arrived in its drinking window after a long journey through dormancy.HK$19,890.00 -
(1x75cl) 1989HK$1,335.00 -
(12x75cl) 1990Jancis Robinson (18)
Crimson with a ruby rim and a classic cigar-box and tobacco-leaf nose. An interesting battle going on in the glass between the generally austere, straight-backed style of Barton and the lusciousness of the vintage. Aromatic sweet start and then a dry, even slightly tannic finish. Light hint of dead leaves (those famous dead tulips of Anthony Barton's?), almost of decay. Great balance. Bravo!HK$15,915.00 -
(12x75cl) 1995HK$12,350.00 -
(12x75cl) 1996Wine Advocate (93)
The 1996 Leoville Barton appears more youthful than the 1996 Langoa Barton in the glass with a healthy deep garnet core. The aromatics unfurl gracefully in the glass revealing briary, wild hedgerow, black truffle and sandalwood scents -- firmly in secondary aroma stage but with appreciable presence and intensity. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy tannin that form its firm and classic structure, spice, white pepper and cloves infusing the slightly animally red berry fruit. This is an adorable Léoville Barton that is occupying a very happy place at the moment -- superb precision, old school claret at its best. Decant for an hour no more, then enjoy. Tasted July 2016.HK$14,585.00 -
Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (90)
Deep ruby-red. Black cherry, blackcurrant and graphite on the nose. Fresh and intensely flavored; dense and thick for the vintage but with an essential gentleness. Finishes fresh and long, with tannins covered by fruit. Excellent for the vintage.HK$7,335.00 -
(12x75cl) 1999HK$8,730.00 -
(12x75cl) 2000Pressing every advantage afforded by the conditions of 2000, Léoville Barton produced an exceptionally long-lived and aristocratic wine, only just beginning to approach its recommended drinking window – this is classical Bordeaux after all! “This is a behemoth” in the words of Parker, who found that even in 2010 with a decade of age the St-Julien was a “broodingly backward” wine which “makes a mockery of many modern-day consumers wanting a wine for immediate gratification”. A further decade on and this Léoville Barton is finally beginning to unfurl its immense majesty to reveal its classic notes of cassis, cedarwood and dark fruits with impeccably constructed tannins. Parker ends his note, accompanied by a score of 95+ points, with the advice that “those who bought it should continue to exercise patience and be proud to own a wonderful classic with five decades of longevity ahead of it”.HK$14,115.00 -
HK$1,070.00 -
James Suckling (98)
This has intense aromas of souis bois, mushroom, flowers, spices and ripe berry tart. Full and very rich, with layers of round tannins and intense flavors. This is opulent and wild. So good for a baby but wait until 2017.HK$11,355.00 -
Wine Enthusiast (97)
Power and elegance merge effortlessly in this superb wine. Its pure black currant fruit is tightly coiled, supported by just the right amount of firm tannins. Great aging potential. A triumph.HK$13,475.00 -
HK$7,090.00 -
HK$9,415.00 -
Wine Enthusiast (96)
95-97 Barrel sample. New wood aromas, follow with solid, dark fruits. This is a powerful wine, which shows elegance and structure together and in balance. A beautiful wine for long-term aging.HK$7,375.00 -
Wine Enthusiast (96)
95-97 Barrel sample. New wood aromas, follow with solid, dark fruits. This is a powerful wine, which shows elegance and structure together and in balance. A beautiful wine for long-term aging.HK$7,495.00 -
Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (98)
Still young and brooding, this is pure St Julien, pure Barton loveliness. Great quality, juicy, balanced, crayon and cassis, we are right in the heart of the appellation here, but with the intensity and concentration turned up to full. 60% new oak for ageing.HK$10,905.00 -
Wine Enthusiast (98)
97-99 A big, solid, wood powered wine. The power is all there, new wood offering an immense structure, while the acidity gives the necessary freshness. A solid wine, very concentrated, with an immensely long future.HK$13,085.00 -
Vinous - Neal Martin (93)
The 2011 Léoville-Barton has an endearing nose with well-defined red berry fruit, cedar, pencil box and light sous-bois aromas that unfold with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, fine depth and precision, well-integrated oak and a tensile, quite saline finish that is elegant and persistent. This is a beautiful 2017 that should age with style. Tasted blind at the annual 10-Year-On tasting.HK$6,510.00 -
(1x75cl) 2011Vinous - Neal Martin (93)
The 2011 Léoville-Barton has an endearing nose with well-defined red berry fruit, cedar, pencil box and light sous-bois aromas that unfold with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, fine depth and precision, well-integrated oak and a tensile, quite saline finish that is elegant and persistent. This is a beautiful 2017 that should age with style. Tasted blind at the annual 10-Year-On tasting.HK$725.00 -
Wine Enthusiast (95)
Firmly tannic in character, this wine is dry and extracted. There's potential for this powerful, impressive wine to bear the wine's very dry character with the weight of its fruit.HK$7,630.00 -
Wine Advocate (90)
The 2013 Léoville-Barton has a more backward bouquet compared to the Langoa-Barton 2013, but there is more perfume here with blackberry, a touch of sea spray and cold limestone. The palate is medium-bodied with ripe tannin, a crisp line of acidity with finesse and elegance on the finish, which is one of the best you'll find in Saint Julien. This finishes with a flourish after a conservative opening and it should yield a decade of pleasure, maybe more. This is a solid showing in a tough vintage.HK$6,280.00 -
(1x1500cl) 2013Wine Advocate (90)
The 2013 Léoville-Barton has a more backward bouquet compared to the Langoa-Barton 2013, but there is more perfume here with blackberry, a touch of sea spray and cold limestone. The palate is medium-bodied with ripe tannin, a crisp line of acidity with finesse and elegance on the finish, which is one of the best you'll find in Saint Julien. This finishes with a flourish after a conservative opening and it should yield a decade of pleasure, maybe more. This is a solid showing in a tough vintage.HK$12,965.00 -
(1x1800cl) 2013Wine Advocate (90)
The 2013 Léoville-Barton has a more backward bouquet compared to the Langoa-Barton 2013, but there is more perfume here with blackberry, a touch of sea spray and cold limestone. The palate is medium-bodied with ripe tannin, a crisp line of acidity with finesse and elegance on the finish, which is one of the best you'll find in Saint Julien. This finishes with a flourish after a conservative opening and it should yield a decade of pleasure, maybe more. This is a solid showing in a tough vintage.HK$16,205.00 -
(6x75cl) 2013Wine Advocate (90)
The 2013 Léoville-Barton has a more backward bouquet compared to the Langoa-Barton 2013, but there is more perfume here with blackberry, a touch of sea spray and cold limestone. The palate is medium-bodied with ripe tannin, a crisp line of acidity with finesse and elegance on the finish, which is one of the best you'll find in Saint Julien. This finishes with a flourish after a conservative opening and it should yield a decade of pleasure, maybe more. This is a solid showing in a tough vintage.HK$3,220.00 -
Vinous - Neal Martin (94)
The 2014 Léoville Barton has a crisp, poised bouquet with graphite tinged black fruit, hints of crushed flower and clove, nicely define and gaining definition with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, beautifully judged acidity, sophisticated and poised, fanning out with confidence towards the fresh, energetic finish. This is a succinct and beautifully crafted Saint Julien with many years of drinking enjoyment to give. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.HK$8,790.00 -
(1x75cl) 2014Vinous - Neal Martin (94)
The 2014 Léoville Barton has a crisp, poised bouquet with graphite tinged black fruit, hints of crushed flower and clove, nicely define and gaining definition with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, beautifully judged acidity, sophisticated and poised, fanning out with confidence towards the fresh, energetic finish. This is a succinct and beautifully crafted Saint Julien with many years of drinking enjoyment to give. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.HK$735.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (97)
I absolutely loved the 2015 Léoville Barton and this has everything you could want from a Left Bank Bordeaux. Cassis, smoked earth, graphite, tobacco leaf, and thrilling amounts of minerality all emerge from this inky colored, full-bodied, power-packed, brut of a Saint-Julien that holds everything together and stays pure, balanced and elegant on the palate. It has a lot of tannins, yet more than enough fruit. The 2015 is a blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Merlot, brought up in 60% new French oak, and it needs 7-8 years of bottle age and will shine for 2-3 decades. Bravo!HK$8,290.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (97)
I absolutely loved the 2015 Léoville Barton and this has everything you could want from a Left Bank Bordeaux. Cassis, smoked earth, graphite, tobacco leaf, and thrilling amounts of minerality all emerge from this inky colored, full-bodied, power-packed, brut of a Saint-Julien that holds everything together and stays pure, balanced and elegant on the palate. It has a lot of tannins, yet more than enough fruit. The 2015 is a blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Merlot, brought up in 60% new French oak, and it needs 7-8 years of bottle age and will shine for 2-3 decades. Bravo!HK$4,275.00 -
Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (97)
Austere but confident, firm muscular tannins, this needs a good few moments of opening before the softer side appears, with creamy blackberry fruits with spiced rosemary and cumin notes alongside cedar, mint leaf, coffee bean and licorice. This makes it slapbang in the middle of classic Leoville Barton territory, and this is one to get on board with. Delicious, understated, savoury, boom. 60% new oak.HK$9,840.00

