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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Rhone | 9 | 99 (WA) | HK$5,360.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (99)One of the sexiest, most decadent and unctuous wines in the vintage, the 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape le Secret de Sabon (95% Grenache and the rest a mix of permitted varieties) boasts a youthful ruby/purple-tinged color as well as a heavenly array of black raspberries, crushed flowers, spice and incense. Despite all its size and richness, it still glides across the palate with a weightless, elegant style, and this total hedonistic turn-on is ideal for drinking anytime over the coming 15+ years. |
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Rhone | 1 | 99+ (WA) | HK$12,495.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (99+)On another level, the 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Le Secret du Sabon is insanely good and possibly up there with some of the greatest Chateauneufs ever made. Loaded with notions of black fruits, black licorice, roasted herbs and olive tapenade, it's a thrilling example of Grenache and of Chateauneuf du Pape. Full-bodied, massively concentrated and structured, it's not for those looking for immediate appeal and needs another 4-5 years in the cellar. |
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Rhone | 1 | 99 (JD) | HK$6,580.00 | |||||
Jeb Dunnuck (99)Unquestionably the deepest, richest wine in the lineup, the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Le Secret des Sabon offers sensational notes of blackberries, cassis, crushed rocks, graphite, and bouquet garni. Full-bodied, ultra-fine, seamless, and pure, it has more elegance and purity than the 2010 and is reminiscent of the 2001. It's a gorgeous, extraordinary, layered, seamless Châteauneuf-du-Pape to drink over the coming two decades or more. |
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Rhone | 1 | 99 (JD) | HK$6,850.00 | |||||
Jeb Dunnuck (99)On another level, the 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape Le Secret Des Sabon is stacked and packed and ranks with the top 2-3 wines in this great vintage. A huge nose of blackcurrants, melted licorice, graphite, garrigue and pepper gives way to an uber-full-bodied, concentrated, massively endowed wine that has an insane level of opulence and decadent, sweet tannins, and a huge finish. This is a tour de force in wine that readers need to taste to believe. Given its wealth of fruit and texture, it’s already approachable, yet a solid 4-5 years of bottle age are warranted, and it's going to keep for 25 years or more. Bravo! As always, this cuvée is a field blend that’s 95% Grenache, with the balance a mix of varieties, mostly from sandy soils, brought up in oak tronconique tanks. |
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Rhone | 1 | 94-97 (WA) | HK$5,960.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (94-97)As usual, the 2018 Chateauneuf du Pape le Secret de Sabon is nearly all Grenache, from two old-vine parcels. Raspberries, black cherries and chocolate overtones appear on the nose, while the palate is full-bodied, rich and concentrated. Licorice notes mark the long finish, framed by silky-creamy tannins. |
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Rhone | 1 | 100 (WA) | HK$10,065.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (100)Although it had only been a year or two since I last tasted it, I couldn't turn down a chance to retry the 2019 Chateauneuf du Pape le Secret de Sabon. This time, it was singing even more impressively than the last, with hints of asphalt giving way to wonderfully ripe black cherries on the nose. Full-bodied, rich, creamy, lush and intense, it's a powerful wine but one that also manages to be elegant, finishing long and velvety, with mocha and cocoa-powder shadings. It's a terrific marriage of power and elegance. |
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Rhone | 5 | 98 (JD) | HK$5,595.00 | |||||
Jeb Dunnuck (98)Showing the class of the vintage, the 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape Le Secret Des Sabon reveals beautiful darker berries, meaty black cherries, sandalwood, and peppery garrigue nuances. It's medium to full-bodied, pure, and focused, with ripe, polished tannins, flawless balance, and a great finish. I love the incredibly pure, layered, graceful, yet powerful style that defines this quintessential 2020. Drink 2025-2045. |
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Rhone | 16 | 97 (JD) | HK$5,295.00 | |||||
Jeb Dunnuck (97)From a hot, dry year, the 2022 Châteauneuf Du Pape Le Secret Des Sabon is another big, rich wine that stays more focused and tight compared to the broader 2023 while still bringing full-bodied richness. Ripe black cherries, roasted garrigue, cured meats, and peppery spice define the aromatics, and it's beautifully concentrated, rich, and textured on the palate with ripe tannins. It will shine for two decades. Drink 2025-2045. |
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Rhone | 1 | - | HK$1,660.00 | |||||
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Rhone | 5 | 88 (VN) | HK$3,230.00 | |||||
Vinous (88)Full ruby-red. Roasted red berries and roast coffee on the liqueur-like nose. Concentrated, dense and chewy, with port-like ripeness and elevated alcohol. Classic grenache flavors of red berry liqueur and chocolate. Finishes with big, chewy tannins. |
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Rhone | 2 | 93 (WA) | HK$4,065.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (93)The 2012 Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvee Reserve is knockout stuff. Full-bodied, textured and yet still elegant and finesse-oriented, it gives up tons of ground pepper, spice, new leather and black cherry nuances. Made from 80% Grenache and 10% each of Syrah and Mourvedre, it has excellent concentration, mouth-filling levels of fruit and a big finish. Drink this beauty over the coming decade. |
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Rhone | 1 | 94-96 (WA) | HK$2,250.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (94-96)Sabon's 2017 Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve should be a stellar wine worthy of cellaring when it's released. The sample I was shown displayed gorgeous red fruit aromas of raspberries and strawberries allied to darker notes of plum and chocolate. This full-bodied, richly concentrated wine is packed and stacked, loaded with ripe tannins that should guarantee a long life. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 89 (WA) | HK$5,635.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (89)This is an opulent, sexy, modern-style St. Emilion possessing deep, super-ripe black cherry and cassis fruit, smoke, and character in a medium-bodied, lush format. It tasted better from bottle than it did out of barrel. The finish is excellent, but with more length, it would have even jumped to the magical 90-point category. Some tannin is noticeable, but this wine is capable of lasting 12-14 years. |
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Bordeaux | 8 | 94 (VN (AG)) | HK$2,395.00 | |||||
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94)The 2019 Rol Valentin has turned out beautifully. Rich, ample and creamy, the 2019 is utterly beguiling from the first taste. Crushed raspberry, mint, spice, blood orange and mocha all build in the glass as this creamy, succulent Saint-Émilion shows off its curves and overall allure. The 2019 is even more impressive from bottle than it was from barrel. |
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Bordeaux | 3 | 93-94 (JS) | HK$4,730.00 | |||||
James Suckling (93-94)Blackberry, blackcurrant, dark-chocolate and walnut aromas and flavors. It’s medium-to full-bodied with strong yet creamy tannins and a fresh finish. |
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Bordeaux | 20 | 93-94 (JS) | HK$2,375.00 | |||||
James Suckling (93-94)Blackberry, blackcurrant, dark-chocolate and walnut aromas and flavors. It’s medium-to full-bodied with strong yet creamy tannins and a fresh finish. |
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Burgundy | 10 | 92 (IB) | HK$2,280.00 | |||||
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (92)Pale in colour, slightly quiet on the nose, a little flesh, excellent acidity, lemons and oranges. Quite a powerful attack of concentrated white fruit which develops well further back. Drink from 2026-2032. Tasted Jul 2024. |
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Burgundy | 1 | - | HK$930.00 | |||||
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Experience the exquisite elegance of Roland Lavantureux Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos 2016, a masterpiece from the heart of Burgundy’s prestigious Les Clos vineyard. Crafted exclusively from 100% Chardonnay grapes, this vintage showcases Lavantureux’s unwavering commitment to biodynamic viticulture, ensuring each grape reaches its fullest potential. Hand-harvested and meticulously vinified in stainless steel and oak barrels, the 2016 harvest benefits from optimal weather conditions, resulting in a wine of remarkable balance and depth. On the palate, it reveals vibrant minerality, layered with notes of white peach, citrus zest, and subtle hints of flint, culminating in a long, refreshing finish. The terroir of Les Clos imparts a distinctive complexity, reflecting the limestone-rich soils and the unique microclimate of this Grand Cru appellation. Renowned for their dedication to sustainable practices and exceptional quality, Roland Lavantureux consistently delivers wines that embody the true spirit of Chablis. Indulge in this exemplary expression, perfect for discerning connoisseurs. |
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Burgundy | 1 | - | HK$4,210.00 | |||||
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Experience the distinct flavour profile of Roland Lavantureux Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos 2017. Expertly crafted in the age-old tradition of the Lavantureux family, it is produced in the heart of France's esteemed wine region of Burgundy. With vineyards sited atop the steep hill of Les Clos, this wine combines the terroir's unique mineral richness with Chardonnay's vibrant fruit purity to create an exceptional Grand Cru Chablis. The 2017 vintage is a fine testament to the savoir-faire of the Lavantureux family, presenting a perfect balance of concentrated fruit and refreshing acidity, enclosed in a framework of oak-undertones. Its complex aroma profile gives notes of white flowers, crisp apple, and precise minerality, leading to a long and elegant finish. Roland Lavantureux Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos 2017 is a wine of great complexity and finesse, promising an outstanding expression of its prestigious appellation. |
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Burgundy | 1 | - | HK$845.00 | |||||
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Roland Lavantureux Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos 2018 epitomises the excellence of Burgundy’s esteemed Les Clos vineyard. Crafted by the esteemed Roland Lavantureux, this Grand Cru is nurtured in meticulously maintained biodynamic vineyards, ensuring the expression of pure Chardonnay fruit. The 2018 vintage benefits from optimal growing conditions, with grapes hand-harvested to preserve their integrity. Fermentation occurs in stainless steel tanks, allowing the wine to maintain its vibrant acidity and precise structure. A judicious period of ageing on neutral oak enhances complexity without masking the terroir’s distinctive minerality. On the palate, the wine reveals layers of citrus zest, white peach, and subtle floral notes, underpinned by a crisp, elegant finish. The refined balance and depth of Roland Lavantureux Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos 2018 make it a quintessential expression for fine wine aficionados, embodying the heritage and meticulous craftsmanship of one of Chablis’ most revered producers. |
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