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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Champagne | 1 | - | HK$1,035.00 | |||||
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Laherte Freres Les Vignes d'Autrefois Extra Brut 2016 exemplifies meticulous craftsmanship from the esteemed Champagne house, Laherte Freres. Sourced from select vineyards in the prestigious Côte des Blancs, this vintage showcases the exceptional terroir unique to Les Vignes d'Autrefois. Grapes were hand-harvested and underwent traditional méthode champenoise fermentation, ensuring preservation of purity and expression of the terroir. Ageing on lees for an extended period imparts remarkable depth and complexity, culminating in a crisp, mineral-driven palate with notes of citrus zest and brioche. The Extra Brut dosage accentuates its elegant dryness, making it a quintessential expression of refined Champagne. Renowned for their dedication to quality and heritage since 1602, Laherte Freres continues to produce exemplary Champagnes that resonate with connoisseurs worldwide. This 2016 vintage is a testament to their unwavering pursuit of excellence and passion for the art of fine winemaking. |
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Champagne | 1 | 90 (VN (AG)) | HK$3,970.00 | |||||
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (90)The NV (2022) Extra Brut Petit Meslier is a soft, open-knit Champagne that will likely offer its best drinking on the early side. Lemon confit, white flowers, marzipan and spice are nicely delineated. The brisk acids that make Petit Meslier so distinctive are a bit attenuated in this release. Dosage is 3 grams per liter. Disgorged: November 2024; multiple disgorgements throughout the year. |
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Champagne | 9 | 91 (VN (AG)) | HK$2,335.00 | |||||
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (91)The NV (2022) Extra Brut Rosé de Meunier is classic Laherte all the way. Sweet dried cherry, mint, leather, dried flowers and spice are very nicely lifted. This savory, layered Rosé is a total delight. All the elements are so well balanced. It's all finesse and class here. The Rosé is 60% Meunier done in Blanc de Noirs style, with 30% macerated Meunier and 10% still red wine. Dosage is 2.5 grams per liter; multiple disgorgements throughout the year. |
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Champagne | 4 | 92 (VN (AG)) | HK$2,735.00 | |||||
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (92)The NV (2021) Extra Brut Rosé de Saignée Les Beaudiers is attractive and quite distinctive. Sweet dried cherry, mint, tobacco, game, licorice and amaro herbs waft from the glass. Strong savory and earthy notes lend quite a bit of complexity. Readers should expect a fairly eccentric style. Dosage is 2.5 grams per liter. Disgorged: December 2024; multiple disgorgements throughout the year. |
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Champagne | 3 | 92 (JD) | HK$1,750.00 | |||||
Jeb Dunnuck (92)The NV Champagne Ultradition Extra Brut is based on the 2022 vintage with 50% reserve wine, and the blend is 60% Meunier, 30% Chardonnay, and the rest Pinot Noir. Disgorged in September 2024, with 4 grams per liter dosage, it pours a pale straw/silver color. It’s beautiful and fruity upfront, with loads of fresh black raspberries and red fruit, accompanied by a salty freshness reminiscent of cherries and salted chocolate. Refreshing, clean, and medium-bodied, it has fantastic value. What a fabulous entry wine in the range for this year; it combines intellectual thought with ease of enjoyment and is a true value wine. |
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Champagne | 2 | - | HK$1,795.00 | |||||
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An outstanding creation from the exceptional winemakers at Laherte Frères, the Ultradition Rosé NV is a classic yet innovative blend from the heart of Champagne, France. Harboured in the terroir of Chavot, this wine tells the story of seven generations of winemakers' passion, culminating in its distinctively refreshing and radiant character that appeals to an extensive palate. Made of 60% Meunier, 30% Chardonnay and 10% Pinot Noir, the Laherte Freres Ultradition Rosé NV is painstakingly hand-harvested and meticulously vinified, partly in casks, and undergoes natural malolactic transformation. The result is a light pink-hued wine with a finely-bubbled mousse, an inviting nose of red fruits and rose petals, and a captivating palette of strawberry, white nectarine, and a faint hint of mineral, reminiscing the rich soils where they were grown. Savour a bottle of Laherte Freres Ultradition Rosé NV for a true appreciation of artisanal Champagne production. |
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Champagne | 1 | - | HK$1,055.00 | |||||
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Lallier Ouvrage NV exemplifies the finesse and tradition of the esteemed Lallier estate, nestled in the heart of Champagne, France. Crafted meticulously from a blend of premier Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier grapes, this Non-Vintage Champagne reflects the harmonious balance achieved through expert viticulture and winemaking. The grapes are hand-harvested from sustainably managed vineyards, ensuring optimal ripeness and purity. Fermentation occurs in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, followed by extended aging on lees in the cellars, enhancing the wine’s complexity and depth. Lallier Ouvrage NV presents a delicate bouquet of white flowers, brioche, and subtle citrus notes, culminating in a refined, persistent finish. The passionate artisans at Lallier, renowned for their commitment to quality and innovation, imbue each bottle with a sense of elegance and sophistication. Perfect for discerning connoisseurs, Lallier Ouvrage NV is a testament to exceptional craftsmanship and enduring heritage. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 91-94 (BH) | HK$1,320.00 | |||||
Burghound (91-94)A gentle application of wood sets off the intensely earthy dark currant and slightly gamy aromas. This resembles the Malconsorts in terms of its robust muscularity on the broad-shouldered flavors that possess excellent punch while delivering a touch of animale character on the youthfully austere and persistent finish. This isn't a wine of finesse but it is impressively scaled and clearly built-to-age. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 90-92 (WA) | HK$1,405.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (90-92)From 1.35 hectares of vines in the upper sector of Clos Vougeot (in the lieu-dit Montiotes Hautes), Nicole managed to eke out just 12 barrels to make her 2016 Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru. It has a pleasant bouquet with attractive woodland/undergrowth scents complementing the light red berry fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp tannin, well balanced and perhaps demonstrating more substance than the Echézeaux that was equally impacted by the frost. I appreciate here the touch of white pepper lingering on the aftertaste. Fine. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 92 (VN) | HK$6,630.00 | |||||
Vinous (92)The 2017 Clos Vougeot Grand Cru has a slightly diffuse nose at first, though it coheres with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with fleshy tannins, but there is a lack of tension and precision. Rather reduced toward the finish, which does not urge another sip. Tasted blind at the Burgfest 2017 tasting. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 91-93 (VN) | HK$1,205.00 | |||||
Vinous (91-93)The 2018 Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru comes from three separate parcels located at both the bottom and the top of the clos. It has a well-defined bouquet of bright red berry fruit, cranberry, morello cherry and touches of pomegranate; an underlying tertiary note becomes more evident with aeration. The fleshy, generous palate is very harmonious, with supple tannins and good acidity. Lightly spiced with a dash of white pepper and rosemary toward the gentle finish. Like other wines from Lamarche, this is understated but very pure and charming. |
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Burgundy | 8 | 91-93 (VN) | HK$6,565.00 | |||||
Vinous (91-93)The 2018 Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru comes from three separate parcels located at both the bottom and the top of the clos. It has a well-defined bouquet of bright red berry fruit, cranberry, morello cherry and touches of pomegranate; an underlying tertiary note becomes more evident with aeration. The fleshy, generous palate is very harmonious, with supple tannins and good acidity. Lightly spiced with a dash of white pepper and rosemary toward the gentle finish. Like other wines from Lamarche, this is understated but very pure and charming. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 91-93 (VN) | HK$1,385.00 | |||||
Vinous (91-93)The 2019 Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru does not deliver quite as much intensity and cohesion as the Echézeaux, offering leafy red berry fruit on the nose, which is quite muted at the moment and needs more presence. The palate has a little more chutzpah, displaying better grip than anticipated and a tightly wound, lightly spiced finish. It doesn’t quite make a statement like some other wines from the clos this vintage. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 91-93 (VN) | HK$7,430.00 | |||||
Vinous (91-93)The 2019 Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru does not deliver quite as much intensity and cohesion as the Echézeaux, offering leafy red berry fruit on the nose, which is quite muted at the moment and needs more presence. The palate has a little more chutzpah, displaying better grip than anticipated and a tightly wound, lightly spiced finish. It doesn’t quite make a statement like some other wines from the clos this vintage. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 94-96 (VN) | HK$1,850.00 | |||||
Vinous (94-96)The 2020 Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru has a tightly-wound nose that took time to open in the glass, touches of crushed rock filtering through the redcurrant and wild strawberry fruit. The palate is smooth and sensual, more density and sinew than the Echezeaux and a touch more salinity and energy on the finish. This should age well, but deserves three to four years in bottle. |
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Burgundy | 2 | 94-96 (VN) | HK$11,100.00 | |||||
Vinous (94-96)The 2020 Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru has a tightly-wound nose that took time to open in the glass, touches of crushed rock filtering through the redcurrant and wild strawberry fruit. The palate is smooth and sensual, more density and sinew than the Echezeaux and a touch more salinity and energy on the finish. This should age well, but deserves three to four years in bottle. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 92-95 (IB) | HK$5,930.00 | |||||
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (92-95)Light to medium red, less nose than for the Echezeaux, but at least as much fruit on the palate with both more tannins and acidity. This may yet put on more weight in the rest of its elevage. More energy at the back. Drink from 2027-2033. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 92-95 (IB) | HK$7,790.00 | |||||
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (92-95)Light to medium red, less nose than for the Echezeaux, but at least as much fruit on the palate with both more tannins and acidity. This may yet put on more weight in the rest of its elevage. More energy at the back. Drink from 2027-2033. |
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