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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Burgundy | 1 | 18 (JR) | HK$2,365.00 | |||||
Jancis Robinson (18)Lovely aromatic integration of clove, floral tones and red fruit, with a linear purity. Fine tannins and a long, perfumed finish show that this is the real deal. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 95-97 (VN) | HK$8,375.00 | |||||
Vinous (95-97)he 2019 Mazis-Chambertin Grand Cru contains 20% whole bunch, since the single parcel of 80-year-old vines tends to produce tiny bunches. This has a complex bouquet of red plum, red currant, marmalade and light peppery notes that seems to expand with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with very supple tannins and a fine bead of acidity. Poised and harmonious, leading to a precise and very persistent, earthy finish. Superb. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 95-98 (IB) | HK$21,500.00 | |||||
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (95-98)5 star. Picked 2nd September at 13.5%. 80% new wood. 10% whole bunch. Lovely mid purple, not the deepest. More reserved than Mazoyères but clearly with an amazing depth. Crystalline purity, a whole bevy of fine red fruits underlined by a little torrefaction. It is really backward still but with extraordinary length. Very stylish. And actually then a huge weight of fruit returns even later. Tasted: November 2021 |
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Tawse Mazis-Chambertin Grand Cru
(3x75cl)
2023
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Burgundy | - | 93-95 (BH) |
HK$7,090 - HK$8,665 |
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Burghound (93-95)(Don't Miss) (from Mazis-Bas). An elegant, airy and beautifully layered nose is spicier still with plenty of floral influence suffusing the mix of red and dark currant, anise and forest floor. The super-sleek and equally, if markedly denser, medium-bodied flavors exhibit excellent power on the sappy, balanced and wonderfully persistent finale that is unmistakably built to repay extended keeping. One to strongly consider. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 93-95 (BH) | HK$21,000.00 | |||||
Burghound (93-95)(Don't Miss) (from Mazis-Bas). An elegant, airy and beautifully layered nose is spicier still with plenty of floral influence suffusing the mix of red and dark currant, anise and forest floor. The super-sleek and equally, if markedly denser, medium-bodied flavors exhibit excellent power on the sappy, balanced and wonderfully persistent finale that is unmistakably built to repay extended keeping. One to strongly consider. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 93-95 (VN) | HK$2,075.00 | |||||
Vinous (93-95)The 2017 Mazoyères-Chambertin Grand Cru is de-stemmed and matured in 50% new oak (just two barrels produced). It has quite an intense bouquet of black and red fruit, plus hints of crushed violet petals and orange zest. The palate is very well balanced and quite voluminous in the mouth, with a fine bead of acidity. It displays more black than red fruit and touches of sage and black olive. The structured, masculine finish suggests it will need four or five years in bottle. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 97-99 (VN) | HK$10,385.00 | |||||
Vinous (97-99)The 2020 Mazoyères Chambertin Grand Cru contains around 60% whole bunch, de-stemmed Leroy style with the central stem removed, matured in 100% new oak. It has a very pure bouquet, focused and intense with brambly red fruit, forest floor and touch of truffle. The palate is medium-bodied with a creamy texture but without detracting from the tension. Very cohesive, enormous weight with a poised, touch of mintiness towards the finish. Persistent. This could be one of the wines of the vintage. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 97-99 (VN) | HK$3,000.00 | |||||
Vinous (97-99)The 2020 Mazoyères Chambertin Grand Cru contains around 60% whole bunch, de-stemmed Leroy style with the central stem removed, matured in 100% new oak. It has a very pure bouquet, focused and intense with brambly red fruit, forest floor and touch of truffle. The palate is medium-bodied with a creamy texture but without detracting from the tension. Very cohesive, enormous weight with a poised, touch of mintiness towards the finish. Persistent. This could be one of the wines of the vintage. |
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Tawse Mazoyeres-Chambertin Grand Cru
(3x75cl)
2023
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Burgundy | - | 95-97 (IB) |
HK$6,545 - HK$8,000 |
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Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (95-97)45% whole bunch. Lifted ruby purple. A touch of coconut from the wood. This has much more finesse than the Charmes. Really graceful on the palate yet still with tensile strength. An excellent fruit acid balance too, altogether a classy Mazoyères. Very persistent. Drink from 2030-2038. Tasted Nov 2024. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 95-97 (IB) | HK$17,740.00 | |||||
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (95-97)45% whole bunch. Lifted ruby purple. A touch of coconut from the wood. This has much more finesse than the Charmes. Really graceful on the palate yet still with tensile strength. An excellent fruit acid balance too, altogether a classy Mazoyères. Very persistent. Drink from 2030-2038. Tasted Nov 2024. |
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Burgundy | 1 | - | HK$42,670.00 | |||||
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The Tawse Musigny Grand Cru 2018 exemplifies the pinnacle of Burgundian elegance. Sourced from the esteemed Musigny vineyard in the Côte de Nuits, this Pinot Noir is meticulously cultivated by the renowned Tawse estate, celebrated for its dedication to sustainable viticulture and traditional winemaking techniques. Hand-harvested grapes undergo a precise vinification process, including cold maceration and fermentation in French oak barrels, enhancing complexity and structure. The 2018 vintage unveils a deep ruby hue, accompanied by aromatic notes of red berries, delicate floral nuances, and subtle hints of earth and spice. On the palate, it delivers a harmonious balance of silky tannins, vibrant acidity, and a lingering, refined finish. Tawse Musigny Grand Cru 2018 is a testament to the producer's unwavering commitment to quality and terroir expression, making it a distinguished choice for connoisseurs seeking the quintessential Burgundy Grand Cru experience. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 92-94 (VN) | HK$6,450.00 | |||||
Vinous (92-94)The 2020 Puligny-Montrachet Champ Gain 1er Cru has the best aromatics of Tawse’s white with delineated, mineral-driven citrus fruit that blossoms in the glass. The palate is well-balanced with fine delineation, citrus fresh with touches of orange zest and nectarine towards the finish that has plenty of energy. Excellent. |
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Burgundy | 2 | 91-94 (IB) | HK$9,030.00 | |||||
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (91-94)A domaine wine, badly hit by the frost. Clear bright colour, a light barrel toast but clearly with interesting fruit beneath. There is quite some concentration on the palate especially at the back, with yellow plum and pear fruit, a good thread of acidity and persistence. |
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Burgundy | 2 | 88-90 (VN) | HK$2,065.00 | |||||
Vinous (88-90)The 2017 Savigny-lès-Beaune Les Lavières 1er Cru includes around 35% whole clusters, raised in 20% new oak (this cuvée was racked just before my visit). The nose shows just a slight reduction, but underneath there is pretty brambly black fruit mixed with black olive tapenade. The palate is medium-bodied with crunchy black fruit, quite fine tannin, touches of black currant pastilles and a dash of spice toward the pert finish. Pretty, though I would drink this over the next 10 years. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 90-91 (IB) | HK$3,600.00 | |||||
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (90-91)Destemmed, 20% new wood, now racked to tank. A lovely fresh crimson colour. Mixed red berries, including strawberry, this is unforced and very pleasing. Tannins, lighter acidity, but the fruit wins through. Drink from 2028-2033. Tasted Nov 2024. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 91-93 (BH) | HK$3,225.00 | |||||
Burghound (91-93)This is also elegant, perfumed and very floral with its pretty blend of red currant, cherry, anise and violet-scented nose. There is lovely tension and minerality suffusing the rich, focused and surprisingly powerful flavors that brim with dry extract on the beautifully long, firm and youthfully austere finish. This is excellent and easily the best of the Tawse wines from the Côte de Beaune. Very much worth considering. (91-93)/2031+ |
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Burgundy | 1 | 89-92 (IB) | HK$3,305.00 | |||||
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (89-92)Black centre, purple rim. 50% whole bunch with two new barrels in seven. The alcohol shows through a bit on the nose. Racked and assembled. Impressive density here, even with some intense red fruit backing the blacker notes. The power takes it out of a classical Volnay but is still a good wine for those who are OK with the extra intensity. Tasted: November 2021 |
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Burgundy | 1 | 91-93 (IB) | HK$860.00 | |||||
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (91-93)Domaine. Two barrels, one year old, badly hit by the frost as this is an early site. 12 barrels in 2022! 20% whole bunch, which shows in a very elegant way on the nose. Sensual yet precise. This holds up very well even in this placing among the Côte de Nuits 1ers Crus. The fruit is darker than one might expect, and holds on through, past the tannins at the back. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 91-93 (VN (NM)) | HK$4,785.00 | |||||
Vinous - Neal Martin (91-93)The 2023 Volnay Les Fremiets 1er Cru is completely destemmed this year. It has a fresh and more marine-influenced bouquet to the point where you might misconstrue there being some stems in the mix. The palate is medium-bodied, fresh and much more elegant than the 2022. It has fine tannins and nice poise with a harmonious finish. There's not enormous length, but this is really quite a lovely Volnay. |
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Provence | 1 | - | HK$5,290.00 | |||||
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Provence | 1 | - | HK$4,240.00 | |||||
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Provence | 1 | - | HK$2,625.00 | |||||
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Provence | 1 | - | HK$1,445.00 | |||||
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The Tempier Bandol Cabassaou 2019 exemplifies the quintessential expression of Bandol's rugged terroir. Crafted in the esteemed vineyards of Provence, this robust red is predominantly made from Mourvèdre grapes, complemented by Grenache and Cinsault. Under the meticulous stewardship of Famille Tempier, renowned for their biodynamic practices, the 2019 vintage benefits from optimal sun exposure and well-drained limestone soils, imparting depth and complexity. Aged for 18 months in French oak barrels, it unveils aromas of ripe blackberries, earthy truffles, and subtle spices. On the palate, it delivers a harmonious balance of rich tannins and vibrant acidity, culminating in a long, elegant finish. The Tempier Bandol Cabassaou 2019 is a testament to the producer’s dedication to quality and tradition, making it a distinguished choice for connoisseurs seeking a refined and enduring red wine. |
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Provence | 1 | - | HK$1,140.00 | |||||
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Tempier Bandol La Tourtine 2003 epitomises the exceptional craftsmanship of Domaine Tempier, nestled in the esteemed Bandol appellation of Provence. This illustrious vintage is predominantly crafted from Mourvèdre grapes, meticulously sourced from the revered La Tourtine vineyard, renowned for its granite-rich terroir. Adhering to organic farming principles, the grapes undergo gentle hand harvesting to preserve their purity. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, followed by extended ageing in French oak barrels, enhancing the wine's complexity and structure. The 2003 vintage offers a deep garnet hue, unveiling aromas of ripe dark fruits, earthy undertones, and subtle spice. On the palate, it delivers a harmonious balance of robust tannins and vibrant acidity, culminating in a lingering, elegant finish. Tempier Bandol La Tourtine 2003 is a distinguished expression, reflecting the producer’s unwavering dedication to excellence and the unique character of the Bandol region. |
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