France - All White Wines
France is revered for its exceptional white wines, which showcase the country's rich winemaking heritage, diverse terroirs, and unwavering commitment to quality. Today, let us embark on a journey through the best white wines that France has to offer, exploring renowned vineyards and the regions that give birth to these extraordinary expressions.
In Burgundy, the appellations of Chablis, Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet and Chassagne-Montrachet stand tall as the epitome of excellence in white wine production. Wineries such as Domaine Raveneau, Domaine Dauvissat, and Domaine Leflaive craft mesmerizing Chardonnays that capture the essence of the region's unique Kimmeridgian limestone soils. These wines exhibit precision, purity, and a remarkable balance of mineral notes, citrus flavors, and vibrant acidity.
Moving to the Loire Valley, the vineyards of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé are celebrated for their exceptional Sauvignon Blancs. Domaine Vacheron, Domaine Didier Dagueneau, and Domaine Pascal Jolivet create expressive and terroir-driven wines that showcase the region's distinct flinty minerality, zesty citrus, and herbaceous undertones.
Further northeast in France, in the region of Alsace, vineyards such as Domaine Zind-Humbrecht, Domaine Trimbach, and Domaine Weinbach produce stunning white wines from varietals like Riesling, Gewürztraminer, and Pinot Gris. These wines display remarkable depth, aromatic complexity, and a balance between sweetness and acidity, reflecting the region's unique microclimates and granite-rich soils.
In Bordeaux, the region of Graves is renowned for its white wines, particularly those crafted from the classic grape varieties of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon. Château Haut-Brion, Château Pape Clément, and Domaine de Chevalier are esteemed vineyards that produce rich and age-worthy white Bordeaux wines. These wines exhibit a beautiful interplay of tropical fruit flavors, vibrant acidity, and a touch of toasty oak.
Finally, in the Rhône Valley, the appellation of Condrieu shines as a beacon of excellence in Viognier production. Renowned vineyards such as Domaine Georges Vernay and Domaine Yves Cuilleron create remarkable Viognier wines that seduce the senses with their exotic aromas of apricot, peach, and delicate floral notes. These wines showcase richness, elegance, and a silky texture that lingers on the palate.
France - All White Wines
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Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (95)
Delicious pale lemon colour with a few green reflexes. Power in a chiselled rather than a fat style. There is nonetheless huge opulence on the palate, luxurious white fruit, ripe pears, not going as far as peach, yet still managing a certain elegance. All in place here. Long and ripely scented finish. Tasted: November 2021Inc. TAX€1,901.20 -
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (95)
Only down 40% thanks to general protection. Delicious pale lemon colour with a few green reflexes. Power in a chiselled rather than a fat style. Huge opulence on the palate, luxurious white fruit, ripe pears, not going as far as peach, and still managing a certain elegance. All in place here. A long and ripely scented finish. All one would hope for. Drink from 2027-2030. Tasted: November 2022Inc. TAX€1,657.33 -
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (96)
A pale colour with a lime tint. Backward but powerful, as it should be. Taking time to build on the palate, with a mineral thread of acidity, pure white fruit, expertly poised. There may be weightier examples around, but this is certainly very fine. Drink from 2030-2040. Tasted: October 2023.Inc. TAX€1,657.31 -
Vinous (92)
From purchased grapes from three different suppliers, the 2019 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru has a well-defined, quite mineral-driven bouquet with hints of hazelnut and apple blossom. The palate is well balanced with a saline entry and very good weight. The persistent marmalade-tinged finish has a satisfying saline aftertaste. Excellent.Inc. TAX€4,429.48 -
Savour the exquisitely crafted Jean-Marc Seleque, Coteaux Champenois Premier Cru, Dizy 2019. This vintage originates from the esteemed Premier Cru vineyards of Dizy in the Champagne region of France. Produced by seventh-generation grower Jean-Marc Seleque, this wine encapsulates the family's dedication to quality and tradition, with each cluster handpicked and diligently selected for superior taste. The vinification process utilises oak barrels, fostering a refined and complex flavour profile.
This elegant wine is distilled from pure Meunier grapes, offering an impressive pallet of red fruits with a delicate minerality. Bright crimson in hue, the Dizy 2019 provides a remarkable balance between acidity and rounded smoothness, yielding an exceptionally pleasing finish.
Enjoy the Jean-Marc Seleque, Coteaux Champenois Premier Cru, Dizy 2019's fine craftsmanship with confidence, knowing it represents the best of Premier Cru selections.
Inc. TAX€433.45 -
Vinous (94)
The 2019 Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru comes from a one-third hectare of vines of which half is en friche (fallow), so only a couple of barrels are produced. It has a very delineated bouquet with enticing citrus peel, crushed pebbles, Clementine and blackcurrant leaf aromas. The palate is very well balanced with impressive concentration and slightly viscous on the entry. Quite rich for a Bâtard-Montrachet yet poised and mineral-driven on the finish. What a wonderful Bâtard-Montrachet - and I confess that I could not resist a cheeky morning sip!Inc. TAX€4,097.11 -
Vinous (96)
The 2004 Montrachet Grand Cru is a big and very pleasant surprise. Clean and silvery in color, it has an intense, bewitching bouquet of white peach and yellow plum, touches of petrichor developing in the glass. Taut and strict yet utterly compelling, this is what a Montrachet should be about. The palate offers brilliant delineation based on a killer line of acidity, revealing hints of lemongrass and lemon peel toward the energetic finish. This is a Montrachet that just feels so “alive.” Highly recommended. Tasted at the Montrachet vertical in London.Inc. TAX€3,341.20 -
James Suckling (99)
The complexity and sheer magnitude of Montrachet is on full show here. A powerful expression of the largest holdings in the Puligny side of the vineyard. Grilled hazelnuts, grilled peaches, grapefruit and lemon citrus, as well as a layer of spiced nougat-like aromas. There’s a very long, concentrated and dense palate that starts out cloaked in flavors of rich peaches and glossy fruits. The flavors then peel away in layers as it sits on the palate, revealing a very focused, refined and essence-like citrus core with tremendous elegance and intensity. Drink or hold through the next decade. Or even longer if you desire.Inc. TAX€2,957.20 -
Vinous (95-97)
The 2019 Montrachet Grand Cru (Marquis de Laguiche) is very intense on the nose, featuring subtle licorice scents tucked behind the citrus fruit; this seems to expand with aeration. The palate is beautifully balanced with a playful entry of apricot and quince. It builds beautifully in the mouth, revealing hints of crème brûlée and almond shavings toward the well-defined finish. Hints of chai tea and grilled hazelnut swirl around on the aftertaste. This is a long-term Montrachet.Inc. TAX€3,799.43 -
Vinous (97)
The 2020 Montrachet Marquis de Laguiche Grand Cru is consistent with my previous tasting in January. Exquisite definition on the nose, real mineralité here. The palate is intense and penetrating, touches of orange zest and spice building wonderfully towards the finish. Excellent.Inc. TAX€3,473.20 -
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (96-98)
Still on its fine lees. A fine fresh very pale primrose colour. Super discreet nose, just offering some light floral notes at first, but you know there is so much more to come. It is not over exuberant but the fruit comes across the palate in little wavelets, perfectly balanced acidity, the oak subsumed into the intensity of the fruit. The 2022 Marquis de Laguiche Montrachet bows out with a wonderfully long and fine finish. Drink from 2034-2045. Tasted: November 2023.Inc. TAX€2,665.33 -
Presenting the exquisite Kei Shiogai Bourgogne Blanc Pellans 2020, a splendid representative of the Bourgogne white wines of France. Crafted by winemaker Kei Shiogai, this high-quality Chardonnay emanates from a careful blend of grapes, meticulously hand-picked from the Pellans region renowned for its unique terroir. This wine was aged in French oak barrels which impart a characteristic complexity and depth to its elegant profile.
The Kei Shiogai Bourgogne Blanc Pellans 2020 expresses a seductive bouquet, enlivened by crisp pear notes enmeshed with subtle vanilla undertones and a lingering mineral finish, indicative of its Burgundian heritage. The perfumed nose segues into a balanced palate, offering a delicate dance of ripe fruits and refreshing acidity, culminating in a rich and lengthy finish. It is best served chilled and pairs wonderfully with seafood and mild cheese.
Experience the mastery of Kei Shiogai in each bottle of the Bourgogne Blanc Pellans 2020, an authentic embodiment of Burgundy's splendour and finesse.
Inc. TAX€1,661.22 -
Indulge in a captivating glass of La Grange des Peres Vin de Pays de l'Herault Blanc 2014, an illustrious French white wine that whispers of age-old sophistication. Harvested from vineyards in the renowned Languedoc region, this divine compilation seamlessly blends Chardonnay, Roussanne, and Marsanne in its symphony of tantalising flavours. Each grape is pressed gently, ensuring the retention of their innate flavours and qualities, a testament to meticulous vinification that underlines La Grange des Peres' prestige.
With its radiant golden hue, enchanting aroma of white fruits, hint of almonds, and a characteristically vivid finish, this wine truly sets an unrivalled benchmark for Vin de Pays wines. The subtle caress of oak ageing bestows an added depth and complexity to the flavour, simultaneously upholding the fruit's natural vivacity.
The La Grange des Peres estate, led by visionary winemaker Laurent Vaillé, consistently delivers wines that epitomise fine French viticulture, making the La Grange des Peres Vin de Pays de l'Herault Blanc 2014 an unmissable indulgence for the discerning oenophile.
Inc. TAX€2,401.31 -
Vinous - Ian D'Agata (94-97)
(73% semillon and 27% sauvignon blanc): Pale straw-green. Lovely semillon aromas of white peach and beeswax complicated by lavender, jasmine and minerals. Multilayered and complex on the palate, showing more minerality to go with the very intense, pure flavors of peach, lemon and green fig. The sauvignon blanc really stands out on the long, deep finish. This very bright, focused wine is one of the stars of the vintage, red wines included.Inc. TAX€2,687.20 -
Vinous - Ian D'Agata (93-96)
(76% semillon and 24% sauvignon blanc; 46 h/h yield): Bright, pale yellow-gold. Subtly complex aromas of white stone fruits, lime, nut oil, nutmeg, menthol and bitter grapefruit. A huge, deep wine with laser-like acidity lifting the highly concentrated tropical fruit, white peach, spice and herb flavors. As youthfully chewy, thick and palate-staining as this is, it's also wonderfully light on its feet, showing uncommon class. One of the ten best Bordeaux wines of the year.Inc. TAX€3,089.20 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (93)
The 2016 La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc is ample, creamy and quite expressive, even in the early going. Quite unusually, the 2016 is the first Blanc here to be made with a majority of Sauvignon Blanc, as the winemaking team led by Deputy managing director Jean-Philippe Delmas did not feel the Sémillon was strong enough. In this tasting, the Blanc gives the impression it will drink well relatively early, which is my preference as well.Inc. TAX€2,687.20 -
The Wine Independent (99)
The 2017 La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc is a blend of 76.2% Semillon and 23.8% Sauvignon Blanc. The nose is very closed, eventually opening out to reveal notes of apple tart, fresh Bosc pears, and honey-drizzled white peaches with wafts of lime blossom and sea spray. The medium-bodied palate is tightly wound with fantastic energy and tension, delivering a long, mineral-laced finish.Inc. TAX€2,687.20 -
Vinous - Neal Martin (96)
Tasted side by side, the 2018 La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc is unequivocally a few steps ahead of the 2018 Haut-Brion Blanc. I made sure to decant my bottle for three hours before penning a single note, as it always demands aeration. Slightly deeper in color, which is nothing unusual, it has a more complex bouquet of yellow fruit, peach skin, almond shavings, hazelnut and light lanolin notes, all beautifully defined. The palate is extremely well balanced with a tangy, marmalade-tinged entry, dried honey and a slight pepperiness toward the finish. Very cohesive and focused, this is a marvelous, quite cerebral La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc. Superb.Inc. TAX€2,189.20 -
Vinous - Neal Martin (96)
The 2020 La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc has a complex and engaging bouquet with Granny Smiths and Conference pear, wet limestone, a subtle petrichor scent that I did not notice from barrel. The palate is very well balanced with admirable weight and just a tad more acidic "bite" compared to its showing en primeur. Hints of lemongrass add more spiciness and vivacity towards the finish that feels persistent in the mouth. This is very impressive and I can foresee a long future ahead. Dare I say that this has passed Haut-Brion Blanc in its slipstream during its élevage? Indeed, I do.Inc. TAX€2,267.20 -
Vinous - Neal Martin (95-97)
The 2021 La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc has a much more nuanced bouquet than the Haut-Brion Blanc this year with scents of Japanese yuzu, crushed stone, apple blossom and a touch of elderflower. The palate is very well balanced with a fine line of acidity, taut and fresh, vibrant and focused. This is more linear than the Haut-Brion and stricter, yet the precision on the finish is a wonder to behold. Fabulous.Inc. TAX€2,029.43 -
James Suckling (96-97)
A creamy, round texture with ripe yet fresh aromas and flavors, showing apples, pears and hints of peaches. Medium- to full-bodied, polished and satisfying. 65.3% sauvignon blanc and 34.7% semillon.Inc. TAX€1,833.83 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94)
The 2016 Cheval Blanc Blanc is a white of real depth and structural intensity. Citrus peel, almond, sage, mint and white pepper notes are highly nuanced and varietal in this 100% Sauvignon Blanc. Powerful and energetic in the glass, with terrific vibrancy, the 2016 has a lot to offer. Blocked malolactic fermentation and twenty months in oak contribute to giving the wine its natural intensity and character.Inc. TAX€664.00 -
Wine Advocate (95)
Cheval Blanc's relatively new white wine, the 2018 Le Petit Cheval Blanc, is a blend of 74% Sauvignon Blanc and 26% Sémillon. This is the first vintage that the Sémillon plantings have come online to make the blend. Profound notions of ripe pineapple, passion fruit and white peaches explode from the glass, followed by fragrant notes of lemongrass, lime blossoms and yuzu zest with a waft of sea spray. The palate is full-bodied with an alluring oiliness to the texture and layer upon layer of tropical fruits, citrus peel and minerals, marked by a refreshing line and finishing with loads of mineral sparks. Put aside all your preconceptions of "Bordeaux Blanc" and don't even try to compare it to Pessac-Leognan. This has its own gorgeous expression of these grapes, defying regional tradition. Give yourself over to the rich decadence of this flamboyant white that is at once without peers, but is also quintessentially Cheval Blanc.Inc. TAX€430.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (95)
The 2019 Blanc is a powerful deep wine. Low yields in the field resulted in a Blanc of unusual concentration and almost phenolic intensity. Citrus confit, marzipan, chamomile, dried herbs and a touch of new oak flesh out. The Blanc emerges from the former La Tour du Moulin Figeac estate, which is just across the road from Cheval Blanc property. It spent 22-23 months in large format oak, both of which are outside the norm in Bordeaux.Inc. TAX€437.20 -
Inc. TAX€591.83 -
Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (95)
White pear, sage, mango and citrus set the tone for this vibrant and juicy vintage of Le Petit Cheval. A touch of fennel and aniseed bitterness on the finish contrasts with a lovely density through the mid palate, and the whole thing is given lift, salinity and spice from waves of subtle oyster shell, lime zest and ginger. Lingering finish, great quality. Very few Bordeaux whites have this kind of long barrel ageing on lees, 10% new oak, spread across a mix of 600l demi-muids for 20% of the volume and the rest in larger oak casks in a range of sizes. Estate director Pierre-Olivier Clouet.Inc. TAX€646.08 -
Burghound (93-96)
Here the nose is restrained to the point of being all but mute and only aggressive swirling coaxes the grudging aromas of pear, white peach, apricot, acacia blossom and discreet menthol nuances. As is usually the case there is more size, weight and muscle to the medium weight plus flavors that possess a hint of bitter lemon on the massively long finish. What I find interesting about the 2013 Bâtard is not only that it is more elegant then usual but also that it manages to deliver so much volume and power without any appreciable weight. In a word, brilliant.Inc. TAX€4,031.20 -
Wine Spectator (97)
This intense white exhibits lemon, apple and honeydew melon flavors over a backbone of crackling acidity. Linear and persistent, this has an extra dimension, resonating on the long aftertaste of spice and mineral. Best from 2020 through 2032.Inc. TAX€4,775.20 -
Vinous (96)
The 2019 Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru shows a little more clarity, a touch more crystalline on the nose compared to the Bienvenue, scents of Granny Smith apples, petrichor and gunflint. It is controlled and penetrating. The palate is extremely well balanced with a fine silver bead of acidity that cuts through the concentrated malic fruit, a dash of pepper towards the finish that fans out gloriously, sour lemon and grapefruit lingering on the aftertaste. Wonderful. Closure: Diam 30Inc. TAX€5,675.20 -
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (96-98)
5-Star Wine Mid lemon yellow. The bouquet also takes time to emerge, then shows a little more power than the Bienvenues. The oak is a fraction more present but still superbly integrated. The taffeta texture could not possibly have more tensile strength, with an exemplary purity of fruit. To have so much power (not in an alcoholic sense) and yet so much grape. Little light fresh apple notes to finish. Tasted: May 2022Inc. TAX€5,333.20
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Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (95)
Delicious pale lemon colour with a few green reflexes. Power in a chiselled rather than a fat style. There is nonetheless huge opulence on the palate, luxurious white fruit, ripe pears, not going as far as peach, yet still managing a certain elegance. All in place here. Long and ripely scented finish. Tasted: November 2021In Bond€1,575.00 -
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (95)
Only down 40% thanks to general protection. Delicious pale lemon colour with a few green reflexes. Power in a chiselled rather than a fat style. Huge opulence on the palate, luxurious white fruit, ripe pears, not going as far as peach, and still managing a certain elegance. All in place here. A long and ripely scented finish. All one would hope for. Drink from 2027-2030. Tasted: November 2022In Bond€1,370.00 -
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (96)
A pale colour with a lime tint. Backward but powerful, as it should be. Taking time to build on the palate, with a mineral thread of acidity, pure white fruit, expertly poised. There may be weightier examples around, but this is certainly very fine. Drink from 2030-2040. Tasted: October 2023.In Bond€1,370.00 -
Vinous (92)
From purchased grapes from three different suppliers, the 2019 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru has a well-defined, quite mineral-driven bouquet with hints of hazelnut and apple blossom. The palate is well balanced with a saline entry and very good weight. The persistent marmalade-tinged finish has a satisfying saline aftertaste. Excellent.In Bond€3,680.00 -
Savour the exquisitely crafted Jean-Marc Seleque, Coteaux Champenois Premier Cru, Dizy 2019. This vintage originates from the esteemed Premier Cru vineyards of Dizy in the Champagne region of France. Produced by seventh-generation grower Jean-Marc Seleque, this wine encapsulates the family's dedication to quality and tradition, with each cluster handpicked and diligently selected for superior taste. The vinification process utilises oak barrels, fostering a refined and complex flavour profile.
This elegant wine is distilled from pure Meunier grapes, offering an impressive pallet of red fruits with a delicate minerality. Bright crimson in hue, the Dizy 2019 provides a remarkable balance between acidity and rounded smoothness, yielding an exceptionally pleasing finish.
Enjoy the Jean-Marc Seleque, Coteaux Champenois Premier Cru, Dizy 2019's fine craftsmanship with confidence, knowing it represents the best of Premier Cru selections.
In Bond€350.00 -
Vinous (94)
The 2019 Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru comes from a one-third hectare of vines of which half is en friche (fallow), so only a couple of barrels are produced. It has a very delineated bouquet with enticing citrus peel, crushed pebbles, Clementine and blackcurrant leaf aromas. The palate is very well balanced with impressive concentration and slightly viscous on the entry. Quite rich for a Bâtard-Montrachet yet poised and mineral-driven on the finish. What a wonderful Bâtard-Montrachet - and I confess that I could not resist a cheeky morning sip!In Bond€3,405.00 -
Vinous (96)
The 2004 Montrachet Grand Cru is a big and very pleasant surprise. Clean and silvery in color, it has an intense, bewitching bouquet of white peach and yellow plum, touches of petrichor developing in the glass. Taut and strict yet utterly compelling, this is what a Montrachet should be about. The palate offers brilliant delineation based on a killer line of acidity, revealing hints of lemongrass and lemon peel toward the energetic finish. This is a Montrachet that just feels so “alive.” Highly recommended. Tasted at the Montrachet vertical in London.In Bond€2,775.00 -
James Suckling (99)
The complexity and sheer magnitude of Montrachet is on full show here. A powerful expression of the largest holdings in the Puligny side of the vineyard. Grilled hazelnuts, grilled peaches, grapefruit and lemon citrus, as well as a layer of spiced nougat-like aromas. There’s a very long, concentrated and dense palate that starts out cloaked in flavors of rich peaches and glossy fruits. The flavors then peel away in layers as it sits on the palate, revealing a very focused, refined and essence-like citrus core with tremendous elegance and intensity. Drink or hold through the next decade. Or even longer if you desire.In Bond€2,455.00 -
Vinous (95-97)
The 2019 Montrachet Grand Cru (Marquis de Laguiche) is very intense on the nose, featuring subtle licorice scents tucked behind the citrus fruit; this seems to expand with aeration. The palate is beautifully balanced with a playful entry of apricot and quince. It builds beautifully in the mouth, revealing hints of crème brûlée and almond shavings toward the well-defined finish. Hints of chai tea and grilled hazelnut swirl around on the aftertaste. This is a long-term Montrachet.In Bond€3,155.00 -
Vinous (97)
The 2020 Montrachet Marquis de Laguiche Grand Cru is consistent with my previous tasting in January. Exquisite definition on the nose, real mineralité here. The palate is intense and penetrating, touches of orange zest and spice building wonderfully towards the finish. Excellent.In Bond€2,885.00 -
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (96-98)
Still on its fine lees. A fine fresh very pale primrose colour. Super discreet nose, just offering some light floral notes at first, but you know there is so much more to come. It is not over exuberant but the fruit comes across the palate in little wavelets, perfectly balanced acidity, the oak subsumed into the intensity of the fruit. The 2022 Marquis de Laguiche Montrachet bows out with a wonderfully long and fine finish. Drink from 2034-2045. Tasted: November 2023.In Bond€2,210.00 -
Presenting the exquisite Kei Shiogai Bourgogne Blanc Pellans 2020, a splendid representative of the Bourgogne white wines of France. Crafted by winemaker Kei Shiogai, this high-quality Chardonnay emanates from a careful blend of grapes, meticulously hand-picked from the Pellans region renowned for its unique terroir. This wine was aged in French oak barrels which impart a characteristic complexity and depth to its elegant profile.
The Kei Shiogai Bourgogne Blanc Pellans 2020 expresses a seductive bouquet, enlivened by crisp pear notes enmeshed with subtle vanilla undertones and a lingering mineral finish, indicative of its Burgundian heritage. The perfumed nose segues into a balanced palate, offering a delicate dance of ripe fruits and refreshing acidity, culminating in a rich and lengthy finish. It is best served chilled and pairs wonderfully with seafood and mild cheese.
Experience the mastery of Kei Shiogai in each bottle of the Bourgogne Blanc Pellans 2020, an authentic embodiment of Burgundy's splendour and finesse.
In Bond€1,375.00 -
Indulge in a captivating glass of La Grange des Peres Vin de Pays de l'Herault Blanc 2014, an illustrious French white wine that whispers of age-old sophistication. Harvested from vineyards in the renowned Languedoc region, this divine compilation seamlessly blends Chardonnay, Roussanne, and Marsanne in its symphony of tantalising flavours. Each grape is pressed gently, ensuring the retention of their innate flavours and qualities, a testament to meticulous vinification that underlines La Grange des Peres' prestige.
With its radiant golden hue, enchanting aroma of white fruits, hint of almonds, and a characteristically vivid finish, this wine truly sets an unrivalled benchmark for Vin de Pays wines. The subtle caress of oak ageing bestows an added depth and complexity to the flavour, simultaneously upholding the fruit's natural vivacity.
The La Grange des Peres estate, led by visionary winemaker Laurent Vaillé, consistently delivers wines that epitomise fine French viticulture, making the La Grange des Peres Vin de Pays de l'Herault Blanc 2014 an unmissable indulgence for the discerning oenophile.
In Bond€1,990.00 -
Vinous - Ian D'Agata (94-97)
(73% semillon and 27% sauvignon blanc): Pale straw-green. Lovely semillon aromas of white peach and beeswax complicated by lavender, jasmine and minerals. Multilayered and complex on the palate, showing more minerality to go with the very intense, pure flavors of peach, lemon and green fig. The sauvignon blanc really stands out on the long, deep finish. This very bright, focused wine is one of the stars of the vintage, red wines included.In Bond€2,230.00 -
Vinous - Ian D'Agata (93-96)
(76% semillon and 24% sauvignon blanc; 46 h/h yield): Bright, pale yellow-gold. Subtly complex aromas of white stone fruits, lime, nut oil, nutmeg, menthol and bitter grapefruit. A huge, deep wine with laser-like acidity lifting the highly concentrated tropical fruit, white peach, spice and herb flavors. As youthfully chewy, thick and palate-staining as this is, it's also wonderfully light on its feet, showing uncommon class. One of the ten best Bordeaux wines of the year.In Bond€2,565.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (93)
The 2016 La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc is ample, creamy and quite expressive, even in the early going. Quite unusually, the 2016 is the first Blanc here to be made with a majority of Sauvignon Blanc, as the winemaking team led by Deputy managing director Jean-Philippe Delmas did not feel the Sémillon was strong enough. In this tasting, the Blanc gives the impression it will drink well relatively early, which is my preference as well.In Bond€2,230.00 -
The Wine Independent (99)
The 2017 La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc is a blend of 76.2% Semillon and 23.8% Sauvignon Blanc. The nose is very closed, eventually opening out to reveal notes of apple tart, fresh Bosc pears, and honey-drizzled white peaches with wafts of lime blossom and sea spray. The medium-bodied palate is tightly wound with fantastic energy and tension, delivering a long, mineral-laced finish.In Bond€2,230.00 -
Vinous - Neal Martin (96)
Tasted side by side, the 2018 La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc is unequivocally a few steps ahead of the 2018 Haut-Brion Blanc. I made sure to decant my bottle for three hours before penning a single note, as it always demands aeration. Slightly deeper in color, which is nothing unusual, it has a more complex bouquet of yellow fruit, peach skin, almond shavings, hazelnut and light lanolin notes, all beautifully defined. The palate is extremely well balanced with a tangy, marmalade-tinged entry, dried honey and a slight pepperiness toward the finish. Very cohesive and focused, this is a marvelous, quite cerebral La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc. Superb.In Bond€1,815.00 -
Vinous - Neal Martin (96)
The 2020 La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc has a complex and engaging bouquet with Granny Smiths and Conference pear, wet limestone, a subtle petrichor scent that I did not notice from barrel. The palate is very well balanced with admirable weight and just a tad more acidic "bite" compared to its showing en primeur. Hints of lemongrass add more spiciness and vivacity towards the finish that feels persistent in the mouth. This is very impressive and I can foresee a long future ahead. Dare I say that this has passed Haut-Brion Blanc in its slipstream during its élevage? Indeed, I do.In Bond€1,880.00 -
Vinous - Neal Martin (95-97)
The 2021 La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc has a much more nuanced bouquet than the Haut-Brion Blanc this year with scents of Japanese yuzu, crushed stone, apple blossom and a touch of elderflower. The palate is very well balanced with a fine line of acidity, taut and fresh, vibrant and focused. This is more linear than the Haut-Brion and stricter, yet the precision on the finish is a wonder to behold. Fabulous.In Bond€1,680.00 -
James Suckling (96-97)
A creamy, round texture with ripe yet fresh aromas and flavors, showing apples, pears and hints of peaches. Medium- to full-bodied, polished and satisfying. 65.3% sauvignon blanc and 34.7% semillon.In Bond€1,517.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94)
The 2016 Cheval Blanc Blanc is a white of real depth and structural intensity. Citrus peel, almond, sage, mint and white pepper notes are highly nuanced and varietal in this 100% Sauvignon Blanc. Powerful and energetic in the glass, with terrific vibrancy, the 2016 has a lot to offer. Blocked malolactic fermentation and twenty months in oak contribute to giving the wine its natural intensity and character.In Bond€544.00 -
Wine Advocate (95)
Cheval Blanc's relatively new white wine, the 2018 Le Petit Cheval Blanc, is a blend of 74% Sauvignon Blanc and 26% Sémillon. This is the first vintage that the Sémillon plantings have come online to make the blend. Profound notions of ripe pineapple, passion fruit and white peaches explode from the glass, followed by fragrant notes of lemongrass, lime blossoms and yuzu zest with a waft of sea spray. The palate is full-bodied with an alluring oiliness to the texture and layer upon layer of tropical fruits, citrus peel and minerals, marked by a refreshing line and finishing with loads of mineral sparks. Put aside all your preconceptions of "Bordeaux Blanc" and don't even try to compare it to Pessac-Leognan. This has its own gorgeous expression of these grapes, defying regional tradition. Give yourself over to the rich decadence of this flamboyant white that is at once without peers, but is also quintessentially Cheval Blanc.In Bond€349.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (95)
The 2019 Blanc is a powerful deep wine. Low yields in the field resulted in a Blanc of unusual concentration and almost phenolic intensity. Citrus confit, marzipan, chamomile, dried herbs and a touch of new oak flesh out. The Blanc emerges from the former La Tour du Moulin Figeac estate, which is just across the road from Cheval Blanc property. It spent 22-23 months in large format oak, both of which are outside the norm in Bordeaux.In Bond€355.00 -
In Bond€482.00
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Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (95)
White pear, sage, mango and citrus set the tone for this vibrant and juicy vintage of Le Petit Cheval. A touch of fennel and aniseed bitterness on the finish contrasts with a lovely density through the mid palate, and the whole thing is given lift, salinity and spice from waves of subtle oyster shell, lime zest and ginger. Lingering finish, great quality. Very few Bordeaux whites have this kind of long barrel ageing on lees, 10% new oak, spread across a mix of 600l demi-muids for 20% of the volume and the rest in larger oak casks in a range of sizes. Estate director Pierre-Olivier Clouet.In Bond€529.00 -
Burghound (93-96)
Here the nose is restrained to the point of being all but mute and only aggressive swirling coaxes the grudging aromas of pear, white peach, apricot, acacia blossom and discreet menthol nuances. As is usually the case there is more size, weight and muscle to the medium weight plus flavors that possess a hint of bitter lemon on the massively long finish. What I find interesting about the 2013 Bâtard is not only that it is more elegant then usual but also that it manages to deliver so much volume and power without any appreciable weight. In a word, brilliant.In Bond€3,350.00 -
Wine Spectator (97)
This intense white exhibits lemon, apple and honeydew melon flavors over a backbone of crackling acidity. Linear and persistent, this has an extra dimension, resonating on the long aftertaste of spice and mineral. Best from 2020 through 2032.In Bond€3,970.00 -
Vinous (96)
The 2019 Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru shows a little more clarity, a touch more crystalline on the nose compared to the Bienvenue, scents of Granny Smith apples, petrichor and gunflint. It is controlled and penetrating. The palate is extremely well balanced with a fine silver bead of acidity that cuts through the concentrated malic fruit, a dash of pepper towards the finish that fans out gloriously, sour lemon and grapefruit lingering on the aftertaste. Wonderful. Closure: Diam 30In Bond€4,720.00 -
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (96-98)
5-Star Wine Mid lemon yellow. The bouquet also takes time to emerge, then shows a little more power than the Bienvenues. The oak is a fraction more present but still superbly integrated. The taffeta texture could not possibly have more tensile strength, with an exemplary purity of fruit. To have so much power (not in an alcoholic sense) and yet so much grape. Little light fresh apple notes to finish. Tasted: May 2022In Bond€4,435.00
