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 | 4 | 91 (VN) | HK$2,155.00 | |||||
Vinous (91)(65% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay and 5% Pinot Meunier; no dosage, as the name indicates; disgorged in June, 2014): Light yellow. High-pitched and pure on the nose, offering intensely mineral citrus fruit and floral scents and a hint of ginger. Dry and incisive on the palate, delivering bitter lemon pith and pear skin flavors and a touch of honeysuckle. Closes taut, dry and very long, with excellent clarity and repeating floral character. This bottling was made entirely from 2010 wines. |
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Burgundy | 1 | - | HK$720.00 | |||||
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Phillip Cheron Chambolle Musigny Clos Orme 2021 embodies the quintessential elegance of Burgundy's premier terroir. Cultivated in the esteemed Clos Orme vineyard, nestled within Chambolle-Musigny, this exceptional Pinot Noir is meticulously hand-harvested to ensure optimal ripeness. Renowned producer Phillip Cheron employs biodynamic viticultural practices, enhancing the vineyard's natural expression. The winemaking process involves gentle fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, followed by ageing in a selection of French oak barrels to impart subtle complexity. The 2021 vintage reveals a refined bouquet of red cherries, raspberries, and delicate floral notes, complemented by a harmonious structure of fine tannins and vibrant acidity. The limestone-rich soils of Clos Orme contribute a distinctive minerality, elevating the wine's sophistication and depth. Phillip Cheron Chambolle Musigny Clos Orme 2021 is a testament to superior craftsmanship and the enduring allure of Burgundy’s finest vineyards, making it a prized addition to any connoisseur’s collection. |
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Burgundy | 1 | - | HK$975.00 | |||||
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Phillip Cheron Chambolle Musigny Quarante Ouvrées 2021 exemplifies the pinnacle of Burgundy’s esteemed Pinot Noir. Crafted in the heart of Chambolle-Musigny, this exquisite wine benefits from the meticulous viticultural practices of Phillip Cheron, a revered producer known for his dedication to terroir expression. The Quarante Ouvrées vineyard, renowned for its optimal slope and limestone-rich soils, imparts a distinct minerality and elegance to the wine. Hand-harvested grapes undergo a gentle maceration process, followed by fermentation in French oak barrels, allowing subtle integration of flavours without overshadowing the fruit’s purity. The 2021 vintage reveals a harmonious bouquet of red berries, delicate floral notes, and a hint of spice, culminating in a silky texture and a lingering finish. Perfectly balanced and poised for both immediate enjoyment and graceful aging, Phillip Cheron Chambolle Musigny Quarante Ouvrées 2021 is a testament to exceptional craftsmanship and Burgundy’s timeless allure. |
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Provence | 1 | - | HK$9,445.00 | |||||
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Bordeaux | 1 | 88 (VN (NM)) | HK$9,180.00 | |||||
Vinous - Neal Martin (88)The 2006 Pibran has a surprisingly sumptuous bouquet of raspberry coulis and blackberry scents mixed with vanilla. It is much more precocious than anticipated. The palate has a smooth texture and a touch of dark chocolate infusing the black fruit, and there is a discreet lactic element on the finish. This is a very good wine for a 2006, although the oak feels a little prominent after so much time in bottle. Tasted at the Pibran vertical at Château Pichon-Baron. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 86 (WA) | HK$28,300.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (86)After having some mediocre bottles of this wine, the last several times I tasted it, it performed well. Still dark ruby with an orange edge, the 1961 Pichon-Longueville has a big, spicy, damp-earth, cedary bouquet, and rich, fat, substantial flavors that lack the multidimension of the finest 1961s. Anticipated maturity: Now-2000. Last tasted, 2/88. |
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Bordeaux | 3 | 98 (WA) | HK$42,435.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (98)The 1990 Pichon-Longueville Baron has always been one of my benchmark wines, one that never ceases to perform. Now at 27 years of age, it is clearly at its peak, and what a wondrous thing it is. Now showing some bricking on the rim, the bouquet is utterly sublime, with red berries, cedar, touches of graphite, crushed rose petals and incense. You just want to become enveloped by these aromas. The palate is perfectly balanced, perhaps not as structured as it once showed since the tannins have mellowed, but what you get is a Pauillac relishing its secondary phase, which is almost Burgundy-like in terms of mouthfeel. Suffused with tension, it gains weight in the mouth toward the slightly tart finish. It is a Pichon Baron that only knows how to give sophisticated drinking pleasure. I once wrote that Pichon Baron is better than many 1990 First Growth, and that is a statement I have no reason to change. Tasted April 2017. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 93 (VN (NM)) | HK$18,530.00 | |||||
Vinous - Neal Martin (93)The 1995 Pichon Baron was an ex-château bottle that had been reconditioned at the estate. This has a beautiful bouquet, a mixture of red and black fruit, cedar and mint, the latter becoming prominent with aeration. A friend mentioned rooibos tea and I immediately clock that scent. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, very pure and slightly ferrous in style. I have to say that this bottle is superior to previous ones, more vigorous with greater weight and less evolution towards the finish. Quite sweet on the aftertaste, it is simply, banally, just delicious. Drinking perfectly now. Tasted at the 1995 Bordeaux off-line at Piccolino in London. |
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Bordeaux | 3 | 91 (WS) | HK$15,500.00 | |||||
Wine Spectator (91)Slightly earthy, featuring tobacco, cigar box and dark fruits. Full-bodied, offering supervelvety tannins and a long, rich finish. Plenty of subtle things are going on here in the glass, with lots of wonderful fruit underneath. Can't wait on this. Showing beautifully now. Better than ever.¿'89/'99 Bordeaux blind retrospective (2009). Drink now. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 97 (JD) | HK$25,850.00 | |||||
Jeb Dunnuck (97)A blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Franc aged 15 months in 80% new barrels, the 2000 Château Pichon-Longueville Baron is a gorgeous wine from this team. There's clearly some secondary nuances and solid maturity, yet it's in such a great spot, with currants, smoky tobacco, leather, and spicy nuances all defining the bouquet. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, with a pure, layered mouthfeel, still present yet polished tannins, and a great finish. It shows beautifully today, with that terrific mix of maturity, richness, and balance, and it should hold here for another 15-20 years with a gradual decline thereafter. Drink 2026-2046. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 93 (WS) | HK$12,990.00 | |||||
Wine Spectator (93)Dense aromas of licorice, tobacco, cedar and currants. Subtle yet complex. Full-bodied, with silky tannins and a rich, long finish. Very pretty. One of the best from Pauillac this year, and clearly better than 2001. One of the surprises of the vintage. Best after 2008. 20,000 cases made. |
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Bordeaux | 3 | 93 (VN (NM)) | HK$14,035.00 | |||||
Vinous - Neal Martin (93)The 2004 Pichon-Baron has a lilting bouquet of blackberry, wild strawberry, rose petals and dried herbs, conservative in style but clean and precise. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannin, and quite sappy in the mouth. This 2004 has plenty of personality and sports an attractive estuarine personality, showing traces of brine and seaweed toward the fresh, bright, vivid finish. It should drink well for many years. Tasted at the Pichon-Baron vertical at the château. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 96 (WSM) | HK$18,095.00 | |||||
Wine & Spirit Magazine (96)Baron was trapped in its oak en primeur, seeming flashy, luscious and soft. Now bottled and shipped, it has the unremitting tannic power of the vintage, balanced by unrelenting purity of fruit that somehow manages to anesthetize the monstrous tannin, to soften the extremely dry, mineral-bound finish into a caress. The wine may be bombastic, but it's also succulent and as sweet as a ripe black raspberry. It's easy to imagine this wine 50 years from now, in impeccable condition. |
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