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
-
Jeb Dunnuck (98)
The flagship 2019 Château Belair-Monange checks in as 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc from 25-year-old vines and raised in 50% new French oak. It's a magical wine in the vintage and offers more depth and richness than just about every other Saint-Emilion out there, all while holding onto a gorgeous sense of finesse and elegance, which would almost have me guessing Pomerol in a blind tasting. Deep red and black fruits, truffly earth, tobacco, and spring flower notes all emerge on the nose, and this puppy is full-bodied, has a layered, seamless mouthfeel, gorgeous tannins, and one heck of a great finish. It's stunning, and while it offers incredible pleasure today given its purity and flawless balance, it deserves 7-8 years of bottle age and will evolve for 30 years or more.HK$5,195.00 -
(1x150cl) 2020Decanter (99)
The gunsmoke character is immediately evident on the nose, as is richly expressed damson and raspberry fruit. This is pared back and held back right now, elegant, showing a seductive edge without trying too hard. The texture is softly-brushed velvet, these tannins are front and centre but so fine and so precise that they don't get in the way of the fruit. Salinity from the limestone is evident on the finish, bringing a moreish juiciness and you can scrape your tongue against the pumice stone texture. Austere in all the right ways, with just the most incredible depth and layers. I love it. Harvest September 15 to 23. 98-100.HK$2,385.00 -
Decanter (99)
The gunsmoke character is immediately evident on the nose, as is richly expressed damson and raspberry fruit. This is pared back and held back right now, elegant, showing a seductive edge without trying too hard. The texture is softly-brushed velvet, these tannins are front and centre but so fine and so precise that they don't get in the way of the fruit. Salinity from the limestone is evident on the finish, bringing a moreish juiciness and you can scrape your tongue against the pumice stone texture. Austere in all the right ways, with just the most incredible depth and layers. I love it. Harvest September 15 to 23. 98-100.HK$1,425.00 -
Decanter (99)
The gunsmoke character is immediately evident on the nose, as is richly expressed damson and raspberry fruit. This is pared back and held back right now, elegant, showing a seductive edge without trying too hard. The texture is softly-brushed velvet, these tannins are front and centre but so fine and so precise that they don't get in the way of the fruit. Salinity from the limestone is evident on the finish, bringing a moreish juiciness and you can scrape your tongue against the pumice stone texture. Austere in all the right ways, with just the most incredible depth and layers. I love it. Harvest September 15 to 23. 98-100.HK$5,400.00 -
James Suckling (96)
Lots of lush blue and black fruits followed by violets, fresh mint, roasted almonds and black ink with vanilla beans and mocha. Full-bodied, refreshing acidity with firm and racy tannins. Broad and energetic mid-palate with a succulent and layered finish. Superb concentration with depth and tension. It’s difficult not to drink now but your patience will be rewarded. Try after 2027.HK$5,120.00 -
James Suckling (96)
Lots of lush blue and black fruits followed by violets, fresh mint, roasted almonds and black ink with vanilla beans and mocha. Full-bodied, refreshing acidity with firm and racy tannins. Broad and energetic mid-palate with a succulent and layered finish. Superb concentration with depth and tension. It’s difficult not to drink now but your patience will be rewarded. Try after 2027.HK$9,550.00 -
James Suckling (96)
Lots of lush blue and black fruits followed by violets, fresh mint, roasted almonds and black ink with vanilla beans and mocha. Full-bodied, refreshing acidity with firm and racy tannins. Broad and energetic mid-palate with a succulent and layered finish. Superb concentration with depth and tension. It’s difficult not to drink now but your patience will be rewarded. Try after 2027.HK$1,320.00 -
James Suckling (96)
Lots of lush blue and black fruits followed by violets, fresh mint, roasted almonds and black ink with vanilla beans and mocha. Full-bodied, refreshing acidity with firm and racy tannins. Broad and energetic mid-palate with a succulent and layered finish. Superb concentration with depth and tension. It’s difficult not to drink now but your patience will be rewarded. Try after 2027.HK$5,405.00 -
Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (100)
Underlines just how exciting this estate has become in recent years. So much flavour, juice and texture, layers of pleasure, campfire, gunsmoke, steel, raspberry, umami texture with contrast between the creamy ripe fruit coupled with pumice and crushed stones, juicy lift, a ton of pleasure finessed and powerful, exceptional quality and a signal that Bélair-Monanage has really come into its own, Harvest September 8 to 20, Moueix family.HK$1,670.00 -
(12x75cl) 2023Decanter (98)
A fabulous showing for Bélair this year. Great aromatics, subtle not shouting, not too ripe, definitely more cool and fresh. Smooth and supple, a gorgeous weight and balance in the mouth. Crisp and fresh but creamy and fleshy too. Delicious, minty, racy and chiselled, lots of power but so well balanced, charming and sophisticated. Still lots of mint and tension on the finish with orange, bitter grapefruit, slate and graphite but wow this is amazing. The tannins are perfection, the juicy strawberry, cherry core together with a filling overall weight and texture and long length is excellent. Great stuff and really focussed on drinkability. You could drink this today but equally it will age very well. Fun and friendly, controlled and stylish. Lots of oak but this will settle after ageing (14 months in 50% new oak). 3.82pH.HK$12,530.00 -
(6x75cl) 2023Decanter (98)
A fabulous showing for Bélair this year. Great aromatics, subtle not shouting, not too ripe, definitely more cool and fresh. Smooth and supple, a gorgeous weight and balance in the mouth. Crisp and fresh but creamy and fleshy too. Delicious, minty, racy and chiselled, lots of power but so well balanced, charming and sophisticated. Still lots of mint and tension on the finish with orange, bitter grapefruit, slate and graphite but wow this is amazing. The tannins are perfection, the juicy strawberry, cherry core together with a filling overall weight and texture and long length is excellent. Great stuff and really focussed on drinkability. You could drink this today but equally it will age very well. Fun and friendly, controlled and stylish. Lots of oak but this will settle after ageing (14 months in 50% new oak). 3.82pH.HK$5,680.00 -
(6x150cl) 2014HK$2,745.00 -
HK$1,765.00
-
Belargus Anjou Bonnes Blanches 2020 exemplifies the refined elegance of the Loire Valley. Crafted by the esteemed Domaine Belargus, this vintage is a harmonious blend of Chenin Blanc and other indigenous varietals, meticulously sourced from sustainably managed vineyards. Hand-harvested grapes undergo a gentle press, preserving their delicate aromas and vibrant acidity. Fermented in stainless steel tanks, the wine retains its fresh, fruity character while allowing subtle mineral undertones to emerge. The 2020 harvest benefited from an optimal climate, enhancing the wine’s expressive bouquet of white peaches, quince, and a hint of floral notes. A brief maturation on lees imparts a creamy texture without overshadowing its innate purity. Belargus Anjou Bonnes Blanches 2020 offers a crisp, balanced palate with a lingering finish, perfect for pairing with seafood, poultry, or enjoying on its own. This exceptional wine reflects Domaine Belargus’s commitment to quality and the rich heritage of Anjou’s winemaking tradition.
HK$3,595.00 -
Decanter (96)
This is a dry wine made from 3ha of the sweet-wine vineyard, Quarts de Chaume. The inviting honeyed, toasty aromas precede a palate with layers of flavour, alternating ripe yellow peaches and mineral intensity, with perfectly balanced, lemony acidity. The well-integrated oak supports rather than dominates, even at this early stage of the wine's life. Lovely now, this will last and last. The finish is very long, honeyed and sweet-and-sour. This is a wine that has everything. I love the bitter notes that recall the great botrytised whites of Chaume. The wine is completely dry; the structure is carried by the power of the schist soils that give this uniquely characterful Chenin its sumptuous, honeyed, saline, bitter deliciousness.HK$4,100.00 -
TheBelargus Anjou Ronceray 2018 is a momentous expression of Anjou, meticulously produced by celebrated winemaker, Jo Pithon. Located in the captivating terrain of Loire Valley in France, the vineyards of Belargus proudly present an enchanting reflection on the region's fertile lands. A symphony unfolds from the meticulous vinification of the Chenin Blanc grapes, handpicked from 70-year-old vines, guarding an ancestral legacy in each precious droplet. Bathed in the richness of the limestone and clay soil, this wine enjoys an aromatic complexity unparalleled in its class. Expect a bountiful palate justifying the long maturation in oak barrels, subtly suffused with the charm of wild flowers, honey, and ripe stone fruits. Leaning towards the drier spectrum, the Belargus Anjou Ronceray 2018 still maintains a balanced minerality and vibrant acidity as its tradition. For a harmonious blend of classic splendour and exceptional craftsmanship, let the Belargus Anjou Ronceray 2018 grace your finest moments.
HK$1,655.00 -
Wine Advocate (96)
"'Les Rouères' is one of the three plots listed in the original decree creating the Quarts-de-Chaume appellation, on the eastern side," reports Ivan Massonat. "The soils, thin and hot, rest on pudding sandstone—sand concretions and rolled gravel—accumulating the heat of the day and restoring it at night. This solar terroir gives birth to charming, ample and complex wines," finds Massonnat. His golden-colored 2019 Anjou Sec Rouères, from a 2.96-hectare plot, opens with a deep, intense and rich yet immediately also crystalline, fresh and concentrated bouquet of ripe and warm fruits intertwined with refreshing and piquant grapefruit and smoked speck aromas (think warm baked dates wrapped in bacon). The Rouères seems cooler, more crystalline and purer than the expansive, rich and narcotic 2019 Veau. Accordingly, the introduction on the palate is crystalline and full of vibrant minerality, purity and fine tannins, whereas the fruit is more lean and bitter, intertwined with tannins, heroic acidity and salts. The finish is still tight and reminiscent of candied lemons and a tequila-like salt and lemon mix. The 2019 Rouères is much less Dionysian at this early stage but Appollinese. The nose is almost a bit dusty, pure and stony as it is, and the oh-so-salty and piquant palate is built on finesse and mineral freshness rather than richness and power. This is definitely a wine to cellar for 10 or 20 years, and certainly longer. The still-tight and austere but tensile 2019 Rouères should gain complexity and texture with bottle age and eventually might also develop some hedonistic features, but for now it pleases most of all the Riesling aficionados among us. Natural cork. Tasted in September 2021.HK$5,080.00 -
(6x75cl) 2020The Belargus Anjou Roueres 2020 is a paragon of finesse from the prestigious loamy soils of Anjou, in the Loire Valley, France. This esteemed wine, cultivated by Belargus' master winemakers, elegantly showcases the region's characteristic Chenin Blanc grape, exuding a bouquet of quince, chamomile, and acacia. The wine's concise minerality brims with the immensity of its terroir.
Belargus winery, a distinguished producer known for their sequencing of biodynamic principles, ensures every bottle reflects a purity of fruit with nuanced structure. A part of the 2020 vintage, the Anjou Roueres offers a sensibly dry palate with balanced acidity. The fermentation and maturation process in oak barrels underscores the delicate complexity of the genuine Chenin Blanc.
Whether accompanying a light repast or treasured solo, the Belargus Anjou Roueres 2020 deserves a spot in every discerning wine aficionado's cellar. It is an eloquent testament to the harmonious relationship between nature's generosity and masterful winemaking.
HK$3,125.00 -
Wine Advocate (97)
"Le Veau is one of the three plots listed in the original decree creating the Quarts-de-Chaume appellation, on the western side," Ivan Massonnat explains, introducing his Anjou Sec Veau. The southwest-facing 1.68-hectare-plot rests on a flush schist area, giving this Anjou from the Quarts-de-Chaume AC (which is exclusively reserved for noble sweet wines) not only richness and power but also mineral tension and great aging potential. In 2018, Massonnat forgot to isolate the fruits of Le Veau, so it went into the Ronceray that I described earlier this year. The 2019 Anjou Sec Veau exhibits an intensely golden-yellow color followed by accordingly intense and concentrated, full and almost overripe, sweet and juicy tropical fruit that is absolutely exciting and made to meditate about whether the Quarts-de-Chaume appellation should not be opened to dry wines as well. However, this unique 2019 opens mind-blowingly intense, rich and complex and immediately asks for our time in order to explore all its depths and to follow the developments in the glass (I am using Zwiesel's wide and open Sensory Giacomo Conterno glass, which is just perfect for this kind of wine). On the palate, this full-bodied and rich yet perfectly balanced and elegant Chenin promptly reveals great finesse and minerality before the fruits come through and cover the palate with an almost oily texture; the spectacularly long finish, carried by crystalline acidity, cuts through this richness to leave the palate with a powerful, intense and aromatic as well as persistently salty aftertaste. This is another picture-book Chenin Blanc from Domaine Belargus, whose interplay of finesse and salinity with power and richness is mind-blowing. Natural cork. Tasted in September 2021.HK$4,750.00 -
Explore the unique and luxurious delight of the 'Belargus Anjou Veau 2020'. Crafted with precision in the rich soils of Loire Valley, France, this remarkable wine carries the distinct regional essence. The producer, Maison Belargus, is renowned for quality wines matured through innovative techniques. Rigorously following sustainable viticulture, the Belargus Anjou Veau 2020 boasts of expressive local varietals, with handling that enhances its natural aromatics.
The wine was vinified naturally and aged in used wooden barrels to create an unfiltered, impeccably pure expression retaining its fruit intensity. With a nose braced by fresh citrus and a lively palate hinting at touches of exotic fruits, the Belargus Anjou Veau 2020 forms a perfect harmony of immense freshness and approachable depth. Bask in the classic elegance of this white, a delightful addition to any sophisticated wine collection.
HK$4,100.00 -
(6x75cl) 2018Hailing from the esteemed vineyards of Anjou in France's Loire Valley, the Belargus Coteaux du Layon 2018 is a magnificent embodiment of the domain's artisanal mastery. This delicate, late harvest Chenin Blanc is the work of renowned vigneron, Thibaud Boudignon, in collaboration with Jonatan Laval and Jean-Jérôme Kérouanton; their combined expertise imbuing a pioneering spirit into this luscious golden elixir. Immaculately tended, the aged vines give rise to wine with a pure, concentrated flavour profile, heady with notes of candied pear, honey, and wild flowers.
The minimal-intervention winemaking process, featuring indigenous yeasts and extended lees contact, further amplifies the wine's organic expressions. Both fascinating and complex, the Belargus Coteaux du Layon 2018 is a testament to Anjou's unique climate and schist-rich terroir, showcasing an unprecedented level of freshness and minerality that will delight any discerning palate. Enjoy this sweet, opulent gem in its youth or in years to come.
HK$1,970.00 -
Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (93)
Enjoyable and unfussy, not the most concentrated of the 2010s in this lineup, full of dark brambled fruits, enjoyable and easy to drink, plenty of character.HK$3,685.00 -
The Wine Cellar Insider (89)
Medium bodied, with red plums and cherry fruits, the wine offers a light, currant and herb finish. 87-89 PtsHK$4,330.00 -
Vinous - Neal Martin (90)
The 2015 Belgrave has an attractive blackberry, raspberry and pressed iris bouquet that displays commendable intensity. The palate is quite grippy with slightly hard tannins but there is plenty of fruit with hints of autumn leaves and fennel toward the slightly bitter finish. Enjoy this over the next decade. Tasted blind at the Southwold 2015 Bordeaux tasting.HK$3,060.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (91)
The 2016 Belgrave is gorgeous. Striking aromatics and silky, nuanced fruit give the 2016 much of its considerable immediacy and overall appeal. This expressive, beautifully layered Haut-Médoc has a lot to offer.HK$3,135.00 -
(12x75cl) 2017Vinous - Antonio Galloni (88)
The 2017 Belgrave comes across as wild and gamy. Iron, graphite, incense, tobacco and inky dark fruit give the 2017 a distinctly feral personality. That impression is further enhanced by big, rustic tannins. I liked this a bit more from barrel.HK$2,870.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (88)
The 2017 Belgrave comes across as wild and gamy. Iron, graphite, incense, tobacco and inky dark fruit give the 2017 a distinctly feral personality. That impression is further enhanced by big, rustic tannins. I liked this a bit more from barrel.HK$1,985.00 -
Wine Advocate (89-91)
.HK$3,085.00 -
-
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (91)
The 2019 Belgrave is every bit as impressive from bottle as it was en primeur. Dark, bold and savory, the 2019 is fabulous from the very first taste. Wild black cherry, lavender, spice and dried herbs build in a Haut-Médoc that is positively stellar in every way. I loved it.HK$2,640.00
