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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Loire | 3 | 91-92 (VN) | HK$4,980.00 | |||||
Vinous (91-92)Les Romains is a flint and chalk parcel that sits on the outskirts of the town of Sancerre, and the 2021 vintage gives a refined and elegant expression. There's tenderness through the core, which is scented with nettle and elderflower notes, pear and just-ripe pineapple, which linger long on the finish. Tasted as a finished sample in tank. |
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Loire | 3 | 91-92 (VN) | HK$2,555.00 | |||||
Vinous (91-92)Les Romains is a flint and chalk parcel that sits on the outskirts of the town of Sancerre, and the 2021 vintage gives a refined and elegant expression. There's tenderness through the core, which is scented with nettle and elderflower notes, pear and just-ripe pineapple, which linger long on the finish. Tasted as a finished sample in tank. |
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Loire | 3 | - | HK$2,300.00 | |||||
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Alphonse Mellot Sancerre Les Romains 2022 epitomises the elegance and precision of the Sancerre appellation. Crafted from meticulously selected Sauvignon Blanc grapes harvested from the Les Romains vineyard, this vintage benefits from the region’s unique limestone and flint soils, imparting a distinct minerality. Alphonse Mellot, a revered estate with a storied heritage in Loire Valley winemaking, employs traditional vinification techniques combined with modern precision to preserve the wine’s vibrant character. Fermented in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperatures, the wine retains its fresh acidity and expressive aromatics. On the palate, it unveils notes of citrus zest, grapefruit, and subtle hints of flint, culminating in a crisp, lingering finish. The Alphonse Mellot Sancerre Les Romains 2022 is a testament to the finesse and terroir-driven excellence that defines exceptional Loire Valley Sauvignon Blancs, making it a distinguished choice for discerning enthusiasts. |
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Loire | 3 | - | HK$2,300.00 | |||||
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Alphonse Mellot Sancerre Les Romains 2022 epitomises the elegance and precision of the Sancerre appellation. Crafted from meticulously selected Sauvignon Blanc grapes harvested from the Les Romains vineyard, this vintage benefits from the region’s unique limestone and flint soils, imparting a distinct minerality. Alphonse Mellot, a revered estate with a storied heritage in Loire Valley winemaking, employs traditional vinification techniques combined with modern precision to preserve the wine’s vibrant character. Fermented in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperatures, the wine retains its fresh acidity and expressive aromatics. On the palate, it unveils notes of citrus zest, grapefruit, and subtle hints of flint, culminating in a crisp, lingering finish. The Alphonse Mellot Sancerre Les Romains 2022 is a testament to the finesse and terroir-driven excellence that defines exceptional Loire Valley Sauvignon Blancs, making it a distinguished choice for discerning enthusiasts. |
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Loire | 6 | - | HK$2,430.00 | |||||
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Alphonse Mellot Sancerre Paradis 2016 epitomises the artistry of Sancerre winemaking. Crafted from meticulously selected Sauvignon Blanc grapes, sourced from the finest terroirs in the Loire Valley, this exceptional wine showcases the estate’s dedication to quality. The vineyards benefit from flinty chalk soils and an optimal microclimate, imparting a distinctive minerality and elegance to the wine. Fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, the 2016 vintage preserves vibrant acidity and expressive aromatics, including notes of citrus, white flowers, and subtle hints of flint. Alphonse Mellot, a reputable négociant with deep roots in Sancerre since 1890, employs sustainable viticulture practices, ensuring ecological balance and superior fruit quality. The result is a refined and persistent palate, balancing freshness with complexity, making Alphonse Mellot Sancerre Paradis 2016 a quintessential expression for discerning connoisseurs. |
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Loire | 5 | - | HK$2,620.00 | |||||
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The Alphonse Mellot Sancerre Paradis 2021 epitomises the elegance and finesse of the Loire Valley. Grown in the distinguished terroirs of Sancerre, each Sauvignon Blanc grape is meticulously handpicked to ensure optimal ripeness. The vineyard, renowned for its limestone-rich soils, imparts a distinctive minerality and vibrant acidity to the wine. Alphonse Mellot, a family-owned estate with over a century of winemaking expertise, employs traditional vinification techniques combined with modern precision. After fermentation in stainless steel tanks to preserve its fresh and aromatic profile, the Paradis 2021 is carefully aged to enhance its complexity without overshadowing its innate purity. On the palate, it unveils notes of citrus zest, white flowers, and a subtle hint of flint, culminating in a crisp, lingering finish. This exceptional cuvée is a testament to Alphonse Mellot's dedication to crafting unparalleled Sancerre expressions. |
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Loire | 8 | 95 (VN) | HK$5,035.00 | |||||
Vinous (95)The 2019 En Grands Champs is so seductive; it's like tasting silk. You're immediately relaxed when you taste this - forget a day in the spa; just have a bottle of this. It's layered and relaxed with masses of concentration. This chalky terroir leaves a beautiful veil of fine tannins that act like a waterfall. You can enjoy it now as it's absolutely gorgeous, but it's got acidity, concentration and length. The 2019 will continue to evolve gracefully. Savory, lightly spiced, smoky. (70% whole bunches) |
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Bordeaux | 19 | 93 (VN (NM)) | HK$11,420.00 | |||||
Vinous - Neal Martin (93)The 2009 Alter Ego de Palmer offers fleshy red cherry and wild strawberry scents on the nose, rose petal mixed with subtle mulch-like aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, a fine bead of acidity, fresh and poised with an open and expressive, slightly ferrous finish. This has a lot of personality and it should continue to age well. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners’ 2009 Bordeaux tasting. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 92-95 (WS) | HK$1,266.00 | |||||
Wine Spectator (92-95)Velvety and inviting, with lovely dark plum and blackberry fruit, followed by a long, caressing finish. This has some grip too, but it's nicely integrated. Should have some staying power. Tasted non-blind. Score range: 92-95 |
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Bordeaux | 5 | 94 (JS) | HK$9,700.00 | |||||
James Suckling (94)This is amazing for the second wine with incredible white truffle, stone and currant character. Purity of fruit on the nose. Full-bodied, silky and refined. Fantastic length. Better in 2018 but almost impossible to resist now. Incredible. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 94-95 (JS) | HK$11,025.00 | |||||
James Suckling (94-95)Very solid and powerful with dried mushroom and wet earth aromas and flavors. Complex. Full and chewy yet so polished and long. Spicy, meat and gorgeous. Most serious Alter Ego ever. More inner Ego now!. 52% merlot, 41% cabernet sauvignon, and petit verdot 6%. |
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Bordeaux | 6 | 94-95 (JS) | HK$5,695.00 | |||||
James Suckling (94-95)Very solid and powerful with dried mushroom and wet earth aromas and flavors. Complex. Full and chewy yet so polished and long. Spicy, meat and gorgeous. Most serious Alter Ego ever. More inner Ego now!. 52% merlot, 41% cabernet sauvignon, and petit verdot 6%. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 95-96 (JS) | HK$4,950.00 | |||||
James Suckling (95-96)This is very concentrated yet soft and fresh in texture. Full-bodied and round and mouth-filling. So impressive how it fills your mouth yet remains fresh. It’s so framed. |
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Bordeaux | 6 | 94 (JS) | HK$3,650.00 | |||||
James Suckling (94)This is a delicious and savory wine with beautiful, ripe and creamy tannins, as well as chocolate and plum character. Full body. The flavors turn to wet earth and mushrooms with some leather. A blend of 53% merlot, 41% cabernet sauvignon and 6% petit verdot. Lovely finish. Try after 2021. |
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Bordeaux | 2 | 95 (DC) | HK$3,465.00 | |||||
Decanter (95)Gorgeous rich dark purple in the glass. Quite jammy and concentrated on the nose, heady and perfumed with a lovely delicate florality to it too. Great freshness on the palate, juicy but a dark blackcurrant and cherry fruit juice. Beautifully balanced with integrated tannins and oak. Well defined fruit, generous and quite abundant against softly grippy, velvety tannins that just give support to the overall frame. It's serious but with a lightness of touch and playfulness - energetic and lively but still with depth. A great Alter Ego and confident winemaking on show. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 17+ (JR) | HK$3,400.00 | |||||
Jancis Robinson (17+)50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot. Cask sample. Very much in the Alter Ego mould – lively, fruit-driven with that vineyard-fresh feel but with a little more structure than previous years. Pure and appetising but will age. (JL) 13.7% |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 17+ (JR) | HK$3,180.00 | |||||
Jancis Robinson (17+)50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot. Cask sample. Very much in the Alter Ego mould – lively, fruit-driven with that vineyard-fresh feel but with a little more structure than previous years. Pure and appetising but will age. (JL) 13.7% |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 94-95 (JS) | HK$2,800.00 | |||||
James Suckling (94-95)Savory black and salted-olive character with oyster shells and black licorice. Fine, almost powdery yet firm tannins. Medium body. Excellent density and structure for the vintage. Second wine of Palmer. 60% cabernet sauvignon, 32% merlot and 8% petit verdot. From biodynamically grown grapes. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 94-95 (JS) | HK$5,405.00 | |||||
James Suckling (94-95)Savory black and salted-olive character with oyster shells and black licorice. Fine, almost powdery yet firm tannins. Medium body. Excellent density and structure for the vintage. Second wine of Palmer. 60% cabernet sauvignon, 32% merlot and 8% petit verdot. From biodynamically grown grapes. |
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Bordeaux | 2 | 94-95 (JS) | HK$3,590.00 | |||||
James Suckling (94-95)Savory black and salted-olive character with oyster shells and black licorice. Fine, almost powdery yet firm tannins. Medium body. Excellent density and structure for the vintage. Second wine of Palmer. 60% cabernet sauvignon, 32% merlot and 8% petit verdot. From biodynamically grown grapes. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 94-95 (JS) | HK$3,240.00 | |||||
James Suckling (94-95)Savory black and salted-olive character with oyster shells and black licorice. Fine, almost powdery yet firm tannins. Medium body. Excellent density and structure for the vintage. Second wine of Palmer. 60% cabernet sauvignon, 32% merlot and 8% petit verdot. From biodynamically grown grapes. |
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