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 | 16+ (JR) | HK$2,755.00 | |||||
Jancis Robinson (16+)Pretty smart and appealing on the nose with ripe fruit and some floral notes. Masses of acidity and great chiselled fruit. Not really ready yet. |
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Burgundy | 1 | - | HK$1,765.00 | |||||
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Burgundy | 2 | - | HK$1,395.00 | |||||
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Burgundy | 1 | - | HK$6,460.00 | |||||
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Burgundy | 1 | 89-91 (VN) | HK$10,530.00 | |||||
Vinous (89-91)The 2020 Meursault Santenots 1er Cru was very primal and leesy on the nose, grapefruit, camomile and kiwi fruit scents emerging with time. The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity, pear and gooseberry on the entry, cutting acidity with a straightforward, lightly spiced finish. Maybe just a little conservative, but this is well-crafted. |
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Burgundy | 1 | - | HK$3,855.00 | |||||
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Burgundy | 1 | - | HK$3,295.00 | |||||
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Burgundy | 1 | 93 (WA) | HK$17,000.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (93)The 2009 Volnay Caillerets is one of the subtler polished wines in this lineup. A model of weightless elegance, it presents hints of rose petals, sweet red cherries, licorice and minerals, all wrapped up in a sensual package that is impossible to resist. The wine’s understated finesse and inner sense of energy are both remarkable. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2029. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 92-94 (WA) | HK$7,410.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (92-94)Aromas of red berries, cherries, dark chocolate and peonies mingle with nuances of soil and raw cocoa, introducing the 2018 Volnay 1er Cru Caillerets, a medium to full-bodied, deep and nicely concentrated wine that's fine-boned and elegant, with powdery tannins and a chalky, mineral finish. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 92-94 (VN) | HK$8,905.00 | |||||
Vinous (92-94)The 2020 Volnay Les Caillerets 1er Cru comes from vines planted in 2000 (the older vines purchased several years ago were uprooted in this vintage.) It has a more intense bouquet than the Fremiets with black cherries, raspberry punnet, crushed stone and silex aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with crunchy black cherry and raspberry fruit, a taut line of acidity, linear and strict with a brisk white pepper tinged, quite Pommard-like, almost clinical finish. Excellent, but unapologetically hardcore. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 89 (WA) | HK$1,235.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (89)The 2004 Volnay 1er Cru Champans was poured from magnum. It has a slightly deeper color than the Taillepieds. The nose is more cohesive with cranberry and red plum scents, a ferrous note emerging with aeration. The palate is less stalky than the Taillepieds with more grip on the finish, which needs more finesse. Still, this is a decent wine for the vintage. Drink now-2019. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 93+ (WA) | HK$4,960.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (93+)In contrast to the precocious 2017, the 2016 Volnay 1er Cru Les Champans is tight-knit and reserved and will demand patience. Offering up aromas of plums, cherries, violets, dark chocolate and forest floor, the wine is, medium to full-bodied, chewy and firm, with lovely depth at the core but an imposing, muscular chassis of fine-grained tannin that asserts itself on the finish. I have no concerns about the balance of this Champans, but readers should plan on waiting at least a dozen years before pulling corks. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 93+ (WA) | HK$7,555.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (93+)In contrast to the precocious 2017, the 2016 Volnay 1er Cru Les Champans is tight-knit and reserved and will demand patience. Offering up aromas of plums, cherries, violets, dark chocolate and forest floor, the wine is, medium to full-bodied, chewy and firm, with lovely depth at the core but an imposing, muscular chassis of fine-grained tannin that asserts itself on the finish. I have no concerns about the balance of this Champans, but readers should plan on waiting at least a dozen years before pulling corks. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 92-94 (VN) | HK$4,495.00 | |||||
Vinous (92-94)The 2017 Volnay Les Champans 1er Cru is tasted from two barrels. It demonstrates wonderful grace and precision with mineral-infused cranberry and wild strawberry fruit. There is a sense of vitality and sophistication here. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grain tannin. The oak is beautifully integrated, notes of orange rind and even just a subtle touch of honey towards the relatively powerful and sustained finish that just feels audacious. Wonderful. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 93-95 (VN) | HK$4,625.00 | |||||
Vinous (93-95)The 2018 Volnay Les Champans 1er Cru has an outgoing bouquet similar to the Taillepieds, albeit one with more intellectual weight and gravitas behind it. Black cherries, blueberry and light cassis aromas reveal crushed stone and undergrowth notes, all delivered with intensity and superb delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly firmer, stockier tannins than the Taillepieds, darker fruit and grainier texture toward the persistent finish. I see this has having real long-term potential. Excellent. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 18+ (JR) | HK$5,405.00 | |||||
Jancis Robinson (18+)Very bright crimson – much deeper crimson than the 2021. So rich, vibrant and sweet. A very, very different animal from the 2021. Should last much longer and appeal to a wider group of wine lovers. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 93-95 (VN) | HK$2,935.00 | |||||
Vinous (93-95)The 2021 Volnay Les Champans 1er Cru belts out of the glass with blackberry, raspberry and crushed stone aromas, the most vigorous of the Premier Crus at this juncture. Wonderful definition. The palate is harmonious, poised, and demonstrates more substance than the other crus with a slightly confit finish that lingers seductively. This could age magnificently - a victory in a challenging growing season that deserves a hearty applause. |
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