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
| Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
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Burgundy | 1 | - |
Inc. TAX
€5,314.48 |
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Introducing the magnificent Auvenay Meursault 1er Cru Les Narvaux 2003, an intriguing expression of French viticulture from producer Domaine Auvenay, the esteemed estate headed by Lalou Bize-Leroy. Nestled in the heart of Meursault, Auvenay captures the distinct terroir of the celebrated Burgundy region. This certain vintage from the Les Narvaux vineyard, a 1er Cru classification, demonstrates exceptional quality indicative of a superior vineyard. The 2003 harvest brought ripened Chardonnay grapes, producing a wine with an enveloping richness, built for longevity. Crafted minutely and traditionally by winemaker Lalou Bize-Leroy, renowned for her commitment to biodynamic farming, this wine embodies an exquisite amalgamation of lush fruitiness and mineral undertones. Its profuse bouquet of apple and almond with a hint of butterscotch adds an enigmatic allure to this prodigious offering. Relish the inimitable experience that Auvenay Meursault 1er Cru Les Narvaux 2003 affords, a testament to diligent farming, proficient winemaking, and the opulent bounty of the Burgundy region. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 98 (JS) |
Inc. TAX
€2,188.38 |
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James Suckling (98)A massive Yquem, this has a dense palate that is almost chewy like a red. Full and very sweet, with notes of dried apricot, pineapple, and papaya on the palate. Long, with a vanilla-coconut tart finish. What a wine, voluptuous, sexy, and luscious. 147 grams of RS. Pull the cork after 2015. |
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Burgundy | 3 | 93 (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€1,245.73 |
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Vinous (93)(this was bottled in May of 2005, whereas all of the above 2003s were bottled during the summer of 2004) Steely aromas of pineapple, stone, spices and mint; shows a distinctly metallic minerality. Then sweet, dense and rich, with outstanding depth of pineapple and stone flavors. Expands impressively on the back half, and finishes with resounding persistence and great purity. Accessible already but should be better with another couple years of aging. Very suave Montrachet. This wine should not explode now and then fade away, notes Frederic. |
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Bordeaux | 2 | 99 (WA) |
Inc. TAX
€358.27 |
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Wine Advocate (99)No tasting note was given. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 95-100 (WS) |
Inc. TAX
€1,210.04 |
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Wine Spectator (95-100)Loads of botrytis and honey character and hints of lemon rind and citrus fruits. Full-bodied, very sweet ,with loads of peach tart, spice and a long, honeyed finish. This has all on the back palate. Fantastic. Best La Tour Blanche I have tasted in many, many years. Score range: 95-100 |
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Burgundy | 1 | 88 (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€929.69 |
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Vinous (88)Medium yellow. Less vintage-typical aromas of orange, nutmeg and flint. Then more vibrant in the mouth, with a fine-grained texture and enticing floral lift. A bit warm on the end, but finishes with very good thrust and length. This has finesse for a 2003. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 90-93 (VN (ST)) |
Inc. TAX
€1,035.29 |
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Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (90-93)Expressive, musky aromas of peach, lime, quinine, white flowers and spices. Fat, chewy and very rich, with more depth of flavor than the foregoing 2003 samples. The captivating floral quality carries through in the mouth. A distinctly palate-coating wine with excellent stuffing and length. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 94 (WS) |
Inc. TAX
€419.72 |
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Wine Spectator (94)Wonderful apple, pineapple and pear aromas. Full-bodied, with bright acidity and a long, exotic finish. Terrific. Best I have had from here. Score range: 92-94 |
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Burgundy | 1 | - |
Inc. TAX
€814.78 |
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Burgundy | 1 | 88-91 (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€1,264.49 |
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Vinous (88-91)Exotic liqueur-like nose; in a slightly oxidative phase today. Dense and plump, with a captivating honeysuckle flavor. Shows good depth and power, not to mention length, but finishes with a trace of alcoholic bitterness. Still, Noel and I agreed that this, like the Ruchottes, is more typical for its site than most of his other 2003s. (Ramonet's Bienvenue-Batard-Montrachet showed a more exaggerated nut skin character and was impossible to assess with confidence, while the impressively fat Le Montrachet was rather heavy as well as a bit tired. I will report on these wines next year after they're in bottle. ). |
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Burgundy | 1 | 90+ (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€3,607.45 |
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Vinous (90+)More exotic aromas of grapefruit and lime oil. Fat and round in the mouth but distinctly closed today; comes across as less filled in than the Clos, and drier in style. This was a knockout from barrel a year ago, but today I find more texture than terroirBut then this was bottled on the morning of my visit. |
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| Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Burgundy | 1 | - |
In Bond
€4,425.00 |
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|
Introducing the magnificent Auvenay Meursault 1er Cru Les Narvaux 2003, an intriguing expression of French viticulture from producer Domaine Auvenay, the esteemed estate headed by Lalou Bize-Leroy. Nestled in the heart of Meursault, Auvenay captures the distinct terroir of the celebrated Burgundy region. This certain vintage from the Les Narvaux vineyard, a 1er Cru classification, demonstrates exceptional quality indicative of a superior vineyard. The 2003 harvest brought ripened Chardonnay grapes, producing a wine with an enveloping richness, built for longevity. Crafted minutely and traditionally by winemaker Lalou Bize-Leroy, renowned for her commitment to biodynamic farming, this wine embodies an exquisite amalgamation of lush fruitiness and mineral undertones. Its profuse bouquet of apple and almond with a hint of butterscotch adds an enigmatic allure to this prodigious offering. Relish the inimitable experience that Auvenay Meursault 1er Cru Les Narvaux 2003 affords, a testament to diligent farming, proficient winemaking, and the opulent bounty of the Burgundy region. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 98 (JS) |
In Bond
€1,805.00 |
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James Suckling (98)A massive Yquem, this has a dense palate that is almost chewy like a red. Full and very sweet, with notes of dried apricot, pineapple, and papaya on the palate. Long, with a vanilla-coconut tart finish. What a wine, voluptuous, sexy, and luscious. 147 grams of RS. Pull the cork after 2015. |
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Burgundy | 3 | 93 (VN) |
In Bond
€1,035.00 |
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Vinous (93)(this was bottled in May of 2005, whereas all of the above 2003s were bottled during the summer of 2004) Steely aromas of pineapple, stone, spices and mint; shows a distinctly metallic minerality. Then sweet, dense and rich, with outstanding depth of pineapple and stone flavors. Expands impressively on the back half, and finishes with resounding persistence and great purity. Accessible already but should be better with another couple years of aging. Very suave Montrachet. This wine should not explode now and then fade away, notes Frederic. |
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Bordeaux | 2 | 99 (WA) |
In Bond
€297.00 |
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Wine Advocate (99)No tasting note was given. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 95-100 (WS) |
In Bond
€971.00 |
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Wine Spectator (95-100)Loads of botrytis and honey character and hints of lemon rind and citrus fruits. Full-bodied, very sweet ,with loads of peach tart, spice and a long, honeyed finish. This has all on the back palate. Fantastic. Best La Tour Blanche I have tasted in many, many years. Score range: 95-100 |
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Burgundy | 1 | 88 (VN) |
In Bond
€771.00 |
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Vinous (88)Medium yellow. Less vintage-typical aromas of orange, nutmeg and flint. Then more vibrant in the mouth, with a fine-grained texture and enticing floral lift. A bit warm on the end, but finishes with very good thrust and length. This has finesse for a 2003. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 90-93 (VN (ST)) |
In Bond
€859.00 |
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Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (90-93)Expressive, musky aromas of peach, lime, quinine, white flowers and spices. Fat, chewy and very rich, with more depth of flavor than the foregoing 2003 samples. The captivating floral quality carries through in the mouth. A distinctly palate-coating wine with excellent stuffing and length. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 94 (WS) |
In Bond
€346.00 |
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Wine Spectator (94)Wonderful apple, pineapple and pear aromas. Full-bodied, with bright acidity and a long, exotic finish. Terrific. Best I have had from here. Score range: 92-94 |
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Burgundy | 1 | - |
In Bond
€664.00 |
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Burgundy | 1 | 88-91 (VN) |
In Bond
€1,050.00 |
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Vinous (88-91)Exotic liqueur-like nose; in a slightly oxidative phase today. Dense and plump, with a captivating honeysuckle flavor. Shows good depth and power, not to mention length, but finishes with a trace of alcoholic bitterness. Still, Noel and I agreed that this, like the Ruchottes, is more typical for its site than most of his other 2003s. (Ramonet's Bienvenue-Batard-Montrachet showed a more exaggerated nut skin character and was impossible to assess with confidence, while the impressively fat Le Montrachet was rather heavy as well as a bit tired. I will report on these wines next year after they're in bottle. ). |
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Burgundy | 1 | 90+ (VN) |
In Bond
€2,995.00 |
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Vinous (90+)More exotic aromas of grapefruit and lime oil. Fat and round in the mouth but distinctly closed today; comes across as less filled in than the Clos, and drier in style. This was a knockout from barrel a year ago, but today I find more texture than terroirBut then this was bottled on the morning of my visit. |
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