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 | 87 (VN) | HK$9,815.00 | |||||
Vinous (87)Barely medium red. Candied cherry and strawberry along with a hint of cinnamon on the nose. Sweet, supple and fruit-driven, with fairly deep flavors of cherry, red berries and spices. This was a rather full 13.5% natural alcohol. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 88 (VN) | HK$845.00 | |||||
Vinous (88)(aged in one-third new oak): Good medium red. Slightly sauvage aromas of red plum, currant, chocolate, mocha and leather. Offers modest depth and flesh but nice cut and peppery energy to its musky red fruit flavors. This distinctly low-fat wine has well-integrated acidity and finishes with good length. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 90+ (VN) | HK$2,935.00 | |||||
Vinous (90+)(completely destemmed and aged in one-third new oak; bottled in March, along with the sold-out premier cru, which I did not have a chance to taste, and the Clos des Lambrays): Moderately saturated medium red. Very ripe but not roasted on the nose, with its raspberry fruit complicated by spices and sexy earth tones, plus a slightly metallic whiff of cassis bud reduction. Juicy, spicy and savory but still a bit youthfully imploded for village wine. At once less sweet and less floral than the 2016 version, but if that wine is more fun, this one is deeper. Finishes with a firm tannic spine. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 90+ (VN) | HK$5,680.00 | |||||
Vinous (90+)(completely destemmed and aged in one-third new oak; bottled in March, along with the sold-out premier cru, which I did not have a chance to taste, and the Clos des Lambrays): Moderately saturated medium red. Very ripe but not roasted on the nose, with its raspberry fruit complicated by spices and sexy earth tones, plus a slightly metallic whiff of cassis bud reduction. Juicy, spicy and savory but still a bit youthfully imploded for village wine. At once less sweet and less floral than the 2016 version, but if that wine is more fun, this one is deeper. Finishes with a firm tannic spine. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 16.5 (JR) | HK$1,035.00 | |||||
Jancis Robinson (16.5)Blend of fruit from La Bidaude (very poor soils and lots of hard limestone), En la Rue de Vergy, Clos Solon. Bidaude should be a premier cru, suggests Bruno Champy. (Lavalle map shows it as such 1855.) One-third new oak, one-third second use. 100% destemmed. On lees and has not been racked. Will be racked today (pump arrives on cue). Rich black fruit with just a touch of smoky reduction. Smoky and spiced on the nose. Concentrated dark fruit in the heart but surrounded by smooth ripe tannins. Great depth of fruit and elegant at the same time. Rich but approachable. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 87-89 (VN) | HK$5,540.00 | |||||
Vinous (87-89)The 2021 Morey-Saint-Denis Village comes from the upper sectors of the vineyard and is completely de-stemmed. It has an attractive nose with dark berry fruit, loam and light seaweed scents. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, very smooth, creamy textured and seductive with a plummy, sensual finish. Not bad, though chasing the tail of Lambray's other 2021s. |
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Burgundy | 2 | - | HK$4,875.00 | |||||
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Burgundy | 1 | - | HK$13,055.00 | |||||
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Burgundy | 1 | - | HK$11,795.00 | |||||
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Burgundy | 1 | - | HK$11,630.00 | |||||
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Burgundy | 1 | - | HK$18,655.00 | |||||
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Burgundy | 2 | - | HK$12,200.00 | |||||
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Burgundy | 1 | - | HK$11,840.00 | |||||
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Bordeaux | 50 | 90 (VN (AG)) | HK$880.00 | |||||
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (90)The 2016 Nove is the top wine from Lamothe-Bergeron. Dark cherry, plum, chocolate, espresso, leather, licorice and a generous sheen of new oak give the Nove its distinctly lush, powerful feel. I would give the 2016 a year or two in bottle to help the oak integrate a bit further. |
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Bordeaux | 30 | - | HK$1,280.00 | |||||
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Lamothe-Bouscaut 2020 exemplifies the estate’s commitment to excellence in Pessac-Léognan. Crafted from meticulously selected Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes harvested from premier terroirs, this vintage showcases the region’s distinctive gravelly soils. Fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats, the wine undergoes a precise maceration process to extract optimal flavour and colour. Following fermentation, it is aged for 18 months in French oak barrels, imparting subtle notes of vanilla and toast while preserving its vibrant acidity. The 2020 vintage reflects Lamothe-Bouscaut’s dedication to sustainable viticulture, ensuring each bottle embodies elegance and complexity. With its harmonious structure and refined tannins, Lamothe-Bouscaut 2020 is a testament to the producer’s legacy and the exceptional character of Pessac-Léognan wines. Ideal for discerning connoisseurs, this wine promises an unforgettable tasting experience. |
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Burgundy | 1 | - | HK$2,545.00 | |||||
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Burgundy | 1 | - | HK$3,590.00 | |||||
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Burgundy | 1 | - | HK$17,285.00 | |||||
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Burgundy | 3 | 95+ (WA) | HK$39,785.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (95+)Unwinding in the glass with notes of Anjou pear, spring flowers, blanched almonds, citrus zest and white peach, the 2017 Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Caillerets is full-bodied, deep and incisive, with a layered but tight-knit core that's built around racy acids and chalky dry extract, concluding with a long, searingly mineral finish. This might be the finest wine produced at Domaine Lamy-Caillat to date. |
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Burgundy | 3 | 95 (WA) | HK$35,640.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (95)The 2018 Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Caillerets has turned out brilliantly, revealing an incipiently complex bouquet featuring scents of white flowers, Anjou pear, fresh peach, fresh pastry and flinty reduction. Medium to full-bodied, deep and satiny, it's a lively, concentrated wine with lovely mid-palate amplitude and a lively, saline finish. Inherently more open and immediate than the superb 2017 rendition, it will nevertheless merit and reward some bottle age. |
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