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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Bordeaux | 2 | 100 (JD) | HK$15,260.00 | |||||
Jeb Dunnuck (100)The 2022 Vieux Château Certan checks in as 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon that spent 18 months in two-thirds new French oak. Incredible aromatics of blackcurrants, mulled cherries, chocolate, woodsmoke, and flowery, spicy nuances all give way to a full-bodied Vieux Château Certan that builds incrementally on the palate, with flawless overall balance, a deep, layered mouthfeel, and velvety tannins. I love everything about this beauty, and while it's almost impossible to resist today, it's going to benefit from a decade in the cellar and shine for 40+ years. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 97-99+ (WI) | HK$23,435.00 | |||||
The Wine Independent (97-99+)A blend of 82% Merlot and 18% Cabernet Franc, Vieux Chateau Certan 2023 has a pH of 3.74 and it is deep garnet-purple in color. Notes of fresh blackberries, juicy plums, and black cherries slowly emerge from the glass, opening out to fragrant notes of violets, star anise, and black truffles, followed by wafts of wood smoke and cardamom. The medium-bodied palate is taut and muscular with firm, rounded tannins and seamless acidity, finishing with many, many layers of earth, spice, and floral notes. This is pure latent power. |
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Bordeaux | 3 | 97-99+ (WI) | HK$1,855.00 | |||||
The Wine Independent (97-99+)A blend of 82% Merlot and 18% Cabernet Franc, Vieux Chateau Certan 2023 has a pH of 3.74 and it is deep garnet-purple in color. Notes of fresh blackberries, juicy plums, and black cherries slowly emerge from the glass, opening out to fragrant notes of violets, star anise, and black truffles, followed by wafts of wood smoke and cardamom. The medium-bodied palate is taut and muscular with firm, rounded tannins and seamless acidity, finishing with many, many layers of earth, spice, and floral notes. This is pure latent power. |
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Bordeaux | 3 | 97-99+ (WI) | HK$11,085.00 | |||||
The Wine Independent (97-99+)A blend of 82% Merlot and 18% Cabernet Franc, Vieux Chateau Certan 2023 has a pH of 3.74 and it is deep garnet-purple in color. Notes of fresh blackberries, juicy plums, and black cherries slowly emerge from the glass, opening out to fragrant notes of violets, star anise, and black truffles, followed by wafts of wood smoke and cardamom. The medium-bodied palate is taut and muscular with firm, rounded tannins and seamless acidity, finishing with many, many layers of earth, spice, and floral notes. This is pure latent power. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 97-99+ (WI) | HK$5,495.00 | |||||
The Wine Independent (97-99+)A blend of 82% Merlot and 18% Cabernet Franc, Vieux Chateau Certan 2023 has a pH of 3.74 and it is deep garnet-purple in color. Notes of fresh blackberries, juicy plums, and black cherries slowly emerge from the glass, opening out to fragrant notes of violets, star anise, and black truffles, followed by wafts of wood smoke and cardamom. The medium-bodied palate is taut and muscular with firm, rounded tannins and seamless acidity, finishing with many, many layers of earth, spice, and floral notes. This is pure latent power. |
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Bordeaux | 13 | 97-99+ (WI) | HK$10,845.00 | |||||
The Wine Independent (97-99+)A blend of 82% Merlot and 18% Cabernet Franc, Vieux Chateau Certan 2023 has a pH of 3.74 and it is deep garnet-purple in color. Notes of fresh blackberries, juicy plums, and black cherries slowly emerge from the glass, opening out to fragrant notes of violets, star anise, and black truffles, followed by wafts of wood smoke and cardamom. The medium-bodied palate is taut and muscular with firm, rounded tannins and seamless acidity, finishing with many, many layers of earth, spice, and floral notes. This is pure latent power. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 94 (JD) | HK$905.00 | |||||
Jeb Dunnuck (94)From vines near Angelus and Canon that's a blend of 65% Merlot and % Cabernet Franc, the 2017 Vieux Chateau Mazerat sports a deep purple hue as well as loads of blueberry, red plum, and spiced, black cherry fruits, full-bodied richness, plenty of chocolatey minerality and a great finish. This rich, powerful, concentrated 2017 is going to benefit from 4-5 years of bottle age and drink beautifully for 15 years. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 89-91 (WA) | HK$2,400.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (89-91)The 2015 Vieux Château Saint André is the estate of upcoming winemaker Jean-Claude Berrouet (look out for him...I think he has a bright future). This has a sense of brightness on the nose, with vivid black cherry, cassis and blueberry fruit, very poised and focused. The palate is very well balanced with fine tannin. There is real backbone here, a lovely graphite seam and though the finish is a little abrupt, it should fill out by the time of bottling. If you cannot afford Petrus this year and still need a bit of Berrouet in your wine, then this is a perfect place to start. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 91 (VN (NM)) | HK$950.00 | |||||
Vinous - Neal Martin (91)The 2018 Vieux Château Saint André is owned by the Berrouet family, of course, synonymous with Petrus. It has a lovely nose of lilting red berry fruit and a light saline influence, hints of orange blossom emerging with continued aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins and very well-judged acidity. This Montagne Saint-Émilion has a bit of bite, especially on the tensile finish. Berrouet’s magic touch shows here. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 94 (JA) | HK$965.00 | |||||
Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (94)Exceptionally good, there is such heart to this wine, with rugged-textured tannins, edges of slate and salted black chocolate, sculpted blueberry fruits, touch of sage and fresh earth. Great stuff from owners and winemakers Jean-Claude and Jeff Berrouet. Will soften over next few years, but no need to wait too long to get going on this lovely wine. 20% new oak. |
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Rhone | 1 | 91 (WA) | HK$11,030.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (91)The elegant 2000 Vieux Telegraphe La Crau possesses 14.8% alcohol, along with a deep ruby/purple color, charming, rich, fruitiness, and firm tannin in the finish. With loads of freshness, copious quantities of pepper, seaweed, and black fruit characteristics, and a distinctive minerality, this full-bodied, sweet 2000 requires 2-3 years of cellaring; it should age well for 15-16 years. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2018. |
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Rhone | 1 | 95 (WA) | HK$1,015.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (95)One of the most age-worthy cuvees in the appellation, Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe’s 2005 Châteauneuf du Pape was gorgeous on this occasion, showing classic iodine, seaweed and peppery herbs intermixed with layers of sweet currant, plum and blackberry fruits. Full-bodied, powerful and ripe, with a still youthful profile, this beauty won’t hit full maturity for another 3-4 years, and should hold for a decade or more after that. |
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Rhone | 1 | 95.0 | HK$860.00 | |||||
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Rhone | 1 | 94 (WA) | HK$1,075.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (94)A super showing for this wine, the 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape is meaty and intense, with black olives and black cherries equally sharing the spotlight. Full-bodied, rich and velvety, with a long finish, it may be just a bit coarse in texture, but it delivers happiness in the glass. Drink now or hold; it should drink well for at least another decade. |
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Rhone | 1 | 93 (VN) | HK$860.00 | |||||
Vinous (93)(65% grenache, 15% syrah and 15% mourvedre): Bright ruby-red. Black raspberry, cherry compote, potpourri and Asian spices on the highly perfumed nose. Juicy red and dark berry flavors stain the palate, showing terrific clarity and spicy lift. The spicy quality comes back strong on the finish, which is framed by silky, harmonious tannins. In a graceful, almost weightless style, with zero excess fat but noteworthy flavor intensity. I underestimated this wine last year. |
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