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
Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
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Champagne | 1 | 93 (WA) |
Inc. TAX
€368.02 |
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Wine Advocate (93)Based on the 2019 vintage and disgorged in April 2022, Agrapart's NV Brut 7 Crus wafts from the glass with scents of crisp green apple, freshly baked bread, white flowers and buttery pastry. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and enveloping, it's an ample, incisive wine, with racy acids and a saline finish. When the range begins like this, you know you're in the presence of one of Champagne's greatest producers. |
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Champagne | 1 | 93+ (WA) |
Inc. TAX
€1,372.50 |
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Wine Advocate (93+)From 40+ year old Chardonnay vines grown in nearby terroirs of Cramant and Avize on very chalky soils, fermented 50% in oak barrels (the Avize part) and bottled unfiltered in May 2009, the 2008 Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Minéral was disgorged manually after five years. This is pure, dry and very elegant Champagne expressing the chalky terroir of its origin in a very straightforward and mineral way. Ripe and cooked apples, along with raisin and flavors on the chalky-fruity nose, lead to a firmly structured Champagne with a great purity of fruit and a persistent minerality in the complex finish. However, the finish is also somewhat drying and rough from this bottle, but it gets better with aeration and should be served in glasses that are not too small. |
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Champagne | 1 | 94 (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€738.90 |
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Vinous (94)The 2013 Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Minéral is powerful, ample and generous. All of the natural richness of 2013 comes through in this striking, layered exquisitely beautiful Champagne that melds together the essence of top sites in Avize (Les Champboutons) and Cramant (Les Bionnes). Dried citrus, lemon oil, almond and savory herbs add striking shades of nuance throughout, but what is most remarkable about the Minéral is the interplay of textural richness and energy. A Champagne of total seduction, the 2013 simply has it all. Dosage: 5 gr/L. Disgorged: May, 2019. |
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Champagne | 1 | 94 (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€859.98 |
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Vinous (94)The 2014 Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Minéral is a powerful, intense Champagne that captures all of the natural power of these old vines in Avize and Cramant. Aptly named, the Minéral is infused with tremendous mineral and soil inflections that give a real feeling of gravitas. Crushed rocks, slate, chalk and citrus accents are some of the many nuances that emerge with a bit of time in the glass. This release is fabulous. It is also a reticent wine, though, so at least a year or two in bottle will help soften. Dosage is 3 grams per liter. Disgorged: April, 2020. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 97-98 (JS) |
Inc. TAX
€1,051.98 |
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James Suckling (97-98)A very exotic Aile d’Argent with dried-mango, fresh-pineapple, and sliced-lemon aromas and flavors. Full-bodied and very ripe, yet it’s framed by bright acidity. Tangy and vivid with a long, intense finish. Exciting. Contrastive. 38% semillon and the rest sauvignon blanc and gris. |
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Bordeaux | 3 | 95-96 (JS) |
Inc. TAX
€835.98 |
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James Suckling (95-96)This is full-bodied with layers of fruit. Ripe and flavorful. Lots going on with a fleshy feel. No malolactic this year. Sweet peach, honeysuckle and citrus. Contrastive. 52% sauvignon blanc, 14% sauvignon gris and 34% semillon. |
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Champagne | 1 | 94 (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€526.19 |
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Vinous (94)The NV Brut Grand Cru Classe 1911 is best described as a multi-vintage wine, composed of 50% 1996 and 25% each 1995 and 1997. I have had the 1911 at least four times over the last few months and never been anything less than deeply impressed. A richly-textured, expansive Champagne, the 1911 bursts from the glass with expressive layers of perfumed Pinot fruit. The wine possesses stunning depth, clarity and precision in an utterly engaging style, with never-ending waves of fruit that caress the palate from start to finish. Precise chalky notes frame a sublime finish. Simply put this is remarkable juice, and one of the best relative values readers will find in Champagne. The 1911 is 100% Pinot Noir made from various lieu-dits in Bouzy. Disgorged September 7, 2009. |
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Champagne | 6 | 17 (JR) |
Inc. TAX
€4,244.87 |
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Jancis Robinson (17)Very pale and delicate, tiny bead. Very appetising and fresh and directed. Sprightly and racy. Lovely texture. But not that long. |
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Champagne | 3 | 95 (DC) |
Inc. TAX
€864.25 |
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Decanter (95)This is a three-way assemblage: three grape varieties – and equal percentage of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with 20% of Pinot Meunier – and a blend of 3 vintages, 2009, 2010 and 2012. The nose is full of flavours and rich with notes of white flowers and crème patissière. However, the palate is crisp, fresh and delicate with a lovely creamy texture. It is elegant, refined and very stylish (unlike the bottle!). It’s a pleasant combination of power and concentration blended with finesse and elegance. While the dosage is 9g/l, it feels much drier, more like a 5g/l and this probably due to the spinal cord of acidity. |
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Champagne | 6 | 95 (DC) |
Inc. TAX
€1,796.93 |
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Decanter (95)This is a three-way assemblage: three grape varieties – and equal percentage of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with 20% of Pinot Meunier – and a blend of 3 vintages, 2009, 2010 and 2012. The nose is full of flavours and rich with notes of white flowers and crème patissière. However, the palate is crisp, fresh and delicate with a lovely creamy texture. It is elegant, refined and very stylish (unlike the bottle!). It’s a pleasant combination of power and concentration blended with finesse and elegance. While the dosage is 9g/l, it feels much drier, more like a 5g/l and this probably due to the spinal cord of acidity. |
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Champagne | 10 | 95 (DC) |
Inc. TAX
€1,822.38 |
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Decanter (95)This is a three-way assemblage: three grape varieties – and equal percentage of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with 20% of Pinot Meunier – and a blend of 3 vintages, 2009, 2010 and 2012. The nose is full of flavours and rich with notes of white flowers and crème patissière. However, the palate is crisp, fresh and delicate with a lovely creamy texture. It is elegant, refined and very stylish (unlike the bottle!). It’s a pleasant combination of power and concentration blended with finesse and elegance. While the dosage is 9g/l, it feels much drier, more like a 5g/l and this probably due to the spinal cord of acidity. |
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Champagne | 3 | 92 (WS) |
Inc. TAX
€944.65 |
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Wine Spectator (92)Well-spiced and finely knit, this harmonious rosé is framed by firm acidity wrapped in a creamy mousse and flavors of dried apricot, wild strawberry and almond skin. Smoke, floral and orange peel notes linger on the finish. |
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Champagne | 1 | 92 (WS) |
Inc. TAX
€567.73 |
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Wine Spectator (92)Well-spiced and finely knit, this harmonious rosé is framed by firm acidity wrapped in a creamy mousse and flavors of dried apricot, wild strawberry and almond skin. Smoke, floral and orange peel notes linger on the finish. |
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Champagne | 3 | - |
Inc. TAX
€1,124.99 |
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Exuding sheer elegance and sophistication, the Barons de Rothschild Blanc De Blancs 2008 embodies the strength and distinction of the Rothschild family's prestigious Champagnes. This superior cuvée is crafted exclusively from Chardonnay grapes, predominantly sourced from esteemed Grand Crus in the Côte des Blancs. Handpicked and prudently aged for a minimum of nine years, this refined Brut exhibits intoxicating blooms of white flowers, citrus, and crisp green apple, underscored by a subtle minerality. The fermentation in stainless steel vats and maturation in traditional chalk cellars bestow this champagne with its intense purity and a delicate finish. Barons de Rothschild Blanc De Blancs 2008 offers remarkable ageing potential while maintaining its characteristic precision and freshness. An investment in delightful complexity and luxurious pleasure, it is indeed a testament to Rothschild's commitment to crafting wines of unparalleled quality and refinement. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 93 (JS) |
Inc. TAX
€802.54 |
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James Suckling (93)A beautiful core of ripe fruits and berries, with currants and spices. Full and silky. Very polished. |
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Champagne | 1 | 91 (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€1,011.83 |
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Vinous (91)The 2015 Rilly La Montagne, 100% Pinot Noir, is soft, supple and forward. Exotic floral notes, passion fruit, chamomile and spice grace this pretty, open-knit Champagne. My impression is that the 2015 is going to be more rewarding over the near and medium-term rather than over a longer period of time. Dosage is 4.8 grams per liter. Disgorged: February 7, 2019. |
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Champagne | 1 | 97 (DC) |
Inc. TAX
€809.58 |
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Decanter (97)A blend of 65% Pinot Noir consisting of Premier and Grand Crus from the Montagne de Reims and the Vallee de la Marne and 35% Chardonnay from the Cote des Blancs. Significantly, this has nine years ageing on its lees (longer than some Prestige Cuvees), the 2008 was first released onto the global market back in March 2019. With an Extra Brut dosage of 4g/l, this is a highly expressive, confident and convincing interpretation of the vintage. Right now, it is youthfully sharp and focused with fine salinity, depth, acidity and balance, and as such is already extremely approachable. The flavour spectrum encompasses toast, oyster shell, citrus, cream and a flinty, mineral depth. There’s supreme balance and elegance here, combined with a hidden underlying power that will continue to emerge and broaden with time. The finish is dry and long. |
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Champagne | 1 | 97 (DC) |
Inc. TAX
€661.98 |
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Decanter (97)A blend of 65% Pinot Noir consisting of Premier and Grand Crus from the Montagne de Reims and the Vallee de la Marne and 35% Chardonnay from the Cote des Blancs. Significantly, this has nine years ageing on its lees (longer than some Prestige Cuvees), the 2008 was first released onto the global market back in March 2019. With an Extra Brut dosage of 4g/l, this is a highly expressive, confident and convincing interpretation of the vintage. Right now, it is youthfully sharp and focused with fine salinity, depth, acidity and balance, and as such is already extremely approachable. The flavour spectrum encompasses toast, oyster shell, citrus, cream and a flinty, mineral depth. There’s supreme balance and elegance here, combined with a hidden underlying power that will continue to emerge and broaden with time. The finish is dry and long. |
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Champagne | 2 | 96 (HWC) |
Inc. TAX
€594.78 |
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Halliday Wine Companion (96)Comprises 40/33/27% pinot noir/chardonnay/pinot meunier, 73% grands and premiers crus. The low dosage of 2g/l and the warm vintage allow the fruit-based flavours free rein - white peach, Granny Smith apple and nectarine. The finish and aftertaste remain fresh and long. A house in grand form. |
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Champagne | 1 | 96 (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€1,504.38 |
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Vinous (96)The 2006 Brut Cuvée Louis Salmon is a fabulous Champagne that balances the natural richness of the year with tons of energy. In this very warm vintage the winemaking team opted to block most of the malolactic fermentation (70%) to preserve freshness, an approach that worked beautifully. The weight of the year is present, but it is balanced by the wine's freshness and energy. Time in the glass brings out hints of chamomile, marzipan and lemon confit. At fifteen years of age, the 2006 is still a young Champagne that requires cellaring. In a word: dazzling. |
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Champagne | 1 | 19.5 (MJ) |
Inc. TAX
€1,047.18 |
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Matthew Jukes (19.5)Billecart-Salmon’s elite blanc de blancs is named after Louis, the brother of Elisabeth Salmon, who co-founded this illustrious Champagne house more than two centuries ago with her husband Nicolas François Billecart. The 2007 vintage is only the second release of this cuvée and it is even more sophisticated than the 2006, to which I gave a mighty 19/20 score in my notes! This wine gains a fulsome 19.5/20 score. It is made from a blend of three grands crus: Cramant, which brings pin-sharp acidity to the mix; Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, which loads structure and longevity into its frame; and Chouilly, which anchors this stunning creation into the Côtes des Blancs soil with its devastating minerality. This is a sensational wine. Billecart has augmented its oak imprint from 15% in 2006 to 50% in 2007 and yet I can barely sense the increase given that the wine is in silky, lascivious harmony. It has aged for nearly a decade on its lees and it is ready to go right now. Every time you let this wine caress your palate it does so with a discreet, but highly enjoyable pinch of drama on the back end of each sip. As I get older, I prefer to save myself for the wines that really matter, turning down all but those wines I know pass my sky-high standards. This 2007 Louis is one of only a handful of truly great Champagnes I have tasted in the last 12 months and I cannot recommend it highly enough. |
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Champagne | 3 | 92 (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€595.98 |
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Vinous (92)(made from fruit grown in Cramant, Avize, Chouilly, Mesnil-sur-Oger and Oger; 8 g/l dosage; L402339 15193A): Light yellow-gold. High-pitched citrus and orchard fruit scents are complemented by notes of honeysuckle, lemongrass and chalky minerals. Spicy, focused and mineral-driven, with intense Meyer lemon, tangerine and pear skin flavors given depth by a hint of brioche. A note of smokiness builds on the finish, which hangs on with outstanding floral persistence. |
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Champagne | 16 | 95 (DC) |
Inc. TAX
€546.78 |
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Decanter (95)A fine straw-gold colour with great finesse of bubble flow and mousse. Joyful aromas of apple blossom and ripe pear. A full, defined palate demonstrates richness that will help to give this a long life in the cellar. |
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Champagne | 1 | 95 (DC) |
Inc. TAX
€381.18 |
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Decanter (95)A fine straw-gold colour with great finesse of bubble flow and mousse. Joyful aromas of apple blossom and ripe pear. A full, defined palate demonstrates richness that will help to give this a long life in the cellar. |
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Champagne | 2 | 93 (JS) |
Inc. TAX
€560.93 |
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James Suckling (93)Cinnamon and dried nutmeg add to the experience of bread dough and rose petals. Flavorful on the medium-bodied palate and finely poised with bright acidity. Medium-long on the finish. Drink now. |
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Champagne | 1 | 93 (JS) |
Inc. TAX
€471.18 |
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James Suckling (93)Cinnamon and dried nutmeg add to the experience of bread dough and rose petals. Flavorful on the medium-bodied palate and finely poised with bright acidity. Medium-long on the finish. Drink now. |
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Champagne | 14 | 93 (JS) |
Inc. TAX
€617.58 |
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James Suckling (93)Cinnamon and dried nutmeg add to the experience of bread dough and rose petals. Flavorful on the medium-bodied palate and finely poised with bright acidity. Medium-long on the finish. Drink now. |
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Champagne | 1 | 94+ (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€1,642.38 |
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Vinous (94+)The 2006 Rosé Cuvée Elisabeth Salmon is powerful, intense and also classically austere in its make up. Crushed flowers, mint, red berries and cranberries are all finely sketched. The 2006 finishes with striking mineral-driven precision, and while it doesn’t have the opulence or exuberance of the 2002, it is still a very pretty and appealing Champagne. The Elisabeth Salmon is 50% Pinot Noir and 50% Chardonnay, with about 8% still Pinot Noir. Dosage is 6 grams per liter. |
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Champagne | 1 | 96 (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€1,822.38 |
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Vinous (96)The 2007 Brut Rosé Cuvée Elisabeth Salmon is even better than the last time I tasted it. A total pleasure bomb, the 2007 drinks well right out of the gate. Soft curves push a core of sweet red berry fruit, rose petal and cinnamon into the foreground. Readers will have a very hard time keeping their hands off the 2007. Why wait? The 2007 is so alluring today. |
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Champagne | 4 | 19+ (MJ) |
Inc. TAX
€863.05 |
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Matthew Jukes (19+)Created in 1988 as a tribute to Elisabeth Salmon, one of the House’s founders, this is the latest release and it has already benefitted from a remarkable ten years on its lees, because my sample was disgorged in October 2020. Made from 76% Grands Crus and 24% Premiers Crus, 55% Pinot Noir comes from Bouzy, Ambonnay, Verzy, Verzenay, Mareuil-sur-Äy and Äy and 45% Chardonnay comes from Chouilly, Cramant and Mesnil-sur-Oger. 9% red wine was added from Valofroy, a parcel of particularly old vines (60+ years old in 2008) situated high up on the hill above the winery in Mareuil. And 17% of the wine was vinified at low temperature in oak barrels which are, on average, 15 years old. The dosage is 7g/L. For the very first time, Elisabeth is available in magnums. I enjoyed an energetic tasting with Mathieu Roland-Billecart and he explained that this 2008 vintage seems like it has stolen the finest parts of each of the 1996 (tension), 2002 (layers of flavour) and the 2007 (refinement) and rolled them all into one wine! In a way, this is a fabulous analogy, but there is more to this vintage than meets the eye. The freshness and acidity here are both spectacular. These notes underpin the refined flavour with jolts of electricity which gather to form bolts of lightning. This is a young wine and yet the tenderness of the fruit is perfectly counterpointed by the shocking youthfulness on the finish. I cannot believe that 13 years have passed in the blink of an eye and so this means that 2008 Elisabeth might well be one of the slowest to age and longest-lived wines under this label to date. Having said this, the fruit is already magnificent. Mathieu asked me if I was familiar with the great French dessert clafoutis! At once a cherry clafoutis aroma arose from the glass, with faint notes of ginger blossom, saffron and white pepper. This is a crystalline and yet kaleidoscopic wine with fractals of flavour which splinter and shiver on the palate. It is high-tensile at the same time as being fragile and demure. It is everything Elisabeth would have wanted in her namesake wine. |
Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
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Champagne | 1 | 93 (WA) |
In Bond
€288.00 |
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Wine Advocate (93)Based on the 2019 vintage and disgorged in April 2022, Agrapart's NV Brut 7 Crus wafts from the glass with scents of crisp green apple, freshly baked bread, white flowers and buttery pastry. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and enveloping, it's an ample, incisive wine, with racy acids and a saline finish. When the range begins like this, you know you're in the presence of one of Champagne's greatest producers. |
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Champagne | 1 | 93+ (WA) |
In Bond
€1,125.00 |
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Wine Advocate (93+)From 40+ year old Chardonnay vines grown in nearby terroirs of Cramant and Avize on very chalky soils, fermented 50% in oak barrels (the Avize part) and bottled unfiltered in May 2009, the 2008 Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Minéral was disgorged manually after five years. This is pure, dry and very elegant Champagne expressing the chalky terroir of its origin in a very straightforward and mineral way. Ripe and cooked apples, along with raisin and flavors on the chalky-fruity nose, lead to a firmly structured Champagne with a great purity of fruit and a persistent minerality in the complex finish. However, the finish is also somewhat drying and rough from this bottle, but it gets better with aeration and should be served in glasses that are not too small. |
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Champagne | 1 | 94 (VN) |
In Bond
€597.00 |
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Vinous (94)The 2013 Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Minéral is powerful, ample and generous. All of the natural richness of 2013 comes through in this striking, layered exquisitely beautiful Champagne that melds together the essence of top sites in Avize (Les Champboutons) and Cramant (Les Bionnes). Dried citrus, lemon oil, almond and savory herbs add striking shades of nuance throughout, but what is most remarkable about the Minéral is the interplay of textural richness and energy. A Champagne of total seduction, the 2013 simply has it all. Dosage: 5 gr/L. Disgorged: May, 2019. |
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Champagne | 1 | 94 (VN) |
In Bond
€698.00 |
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Vinous (94)The 2014 Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Minéral is a powerful, intense Champagne that captures all of the natural power of these old vines in Avize and Cramant. Aptly named, the Minéral is infused with tremendous mineral and soil inflections that give a real feeling of gravitas. Crushed rocks, slate, chalk and citrus accents are some of the many nuances that emerge with a bit of time in the glass. This release is fabulous. It is also a reticent wine, though, so at least a year or two in bottle will help soften. Dosage is 3 grams per liter. Disgorged: April, 2020. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 97-98 (JS) |
In Bond
€858.00 |
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James Suckling (97-98)A very exotic Aile d’Argent with dried-mango, fresh-pineapple, and sliced-lemon aromas and flavors. Full-bodied and very ripe, yet it’s framed by bright acidity. Tangy and vivid with a long, intense finish. Exciting. Contrastive. 38% semillon and the rest sauvignon blanc and gris. |
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Bordeaux | 3 | 95-96 (JS) |
In Bond
€678.00 |
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James Suckling (95-96)This is full-bodied with layers of fruit. Ripe and flavorful. Lots going on with a fleshy feel. No malolactic this year. Sweet peach, honeysuckle and citrus. Contrastive. 52% sauvignon blanc, 14% sauvignon gris and 34% semillon. |
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Champagne | 1 | 94 (VN) |
In Bond
€420.00 |
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Vinous (94)The NV Brut Grand Cru Classe 1911 is best described as a multi-vintage wine, composed of 50% 1996 and 25% each 1995 and 1997. I have had the 1911 at least four times over the last few months and never been anything less than deeply impressed. A richly-textured, expansive Champagne, the 1911 bursts from the glass with expressive layers of perfumed Pinot fruit. The wine possesses stunning depth, clarity and precision in an utterly engaging style, with never-ending waves of fruit that caress the palate from start to finish. Precise chalky notes frame a sublime finish. Simply put this is remarkable juice, and one of the best relative values readers will find in Champagne. The 1911 is 100% Pinot Noir made from various lieu-dits in Bouzy. Disgorged September 7, 2009. |
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Champagne | 6 | 17 (JR) |
In Bond
€3,515.00 |
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Jancis Robinson (17)Very pale and delicate, tiny bead. Very appetising and fresh and directed. Sprightly and racy. Lovely texture. But not that long. |
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Champagne | 3 | 95 (DC) |
In Bond
€714.00 |
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Decanter (95)This is a three-way assemblage: three grape varieties – and equal percentage of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with 20% of Pinot Meunier – and a blend of 3 vintages, 2009, 2010 and 2012. The nose is full of flavours and rich with notes of white flowers and crème patissière. However, the palate is crisp, fresh and delicate with a lovely creamy texture. It is elegant, refined and very stylish (unlike the bottle!). It’s a pleasant combination of power and concentration blended with finesse and elegance. While the dosage is 9g/l, it feels much drier, more like a 5g/l and this probably due to the spinal cord of acidity. |
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Champagne | 6 | 95 (DC) |
In Bond
€1,485.00 |
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Decanter (95)This is a three-way assemblage: three grape varieties – and equal percentage of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with 20% of Pinot Meunier – and a blend of 3 vintages, 2009, 2010 and 2012. The nose is full of flavours and rich with notes of white flowers and crème patissière. However, the palate is crisp, fresh and delicate with a lovely creamy texture. It is elegant, refined and very stylish (unlike the bottle!). It’s a pleasant combination of power and concentration blended with finesse and elegance. While the dosage is 9g/l, it feels much drier, more like a 5g/l and this probably due to the spinal cord of acidity. |
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Champagne | 10 | 95 (DC) |
In Bond
€1,500.00 |
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Decanter (95)This is a three-way assemblage: three grape varieties – and equal percentage of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with 20% of Pinot Meunier – and a blend of 3 vintages, 2009, 2010 and 2012. The nose is full of flavours and rich with notes of white flowers and crème patissière. However, the palate is crisp, fresh and delicate with a lovely creamy texture. It is elegant, refined and very stylish (unlike the bottle!). It’s a pleasant combination of power and concentration blended with finesse and elegance. While the dosage is 9g/l, it feels much drier, more like a 5g/l and this probably due to the spinal cord of acidity. |
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Champagne | 3 | 92 (WS) |
In Bond
€781.00 |
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Wine Spectator (92)Well-spiced and finely knit, this harmonious rosé is framed by firm acidity wrapped in a creamy mousse and flavors of dried apricot, wild strawberry and almond skin. Smoke, floral and orange peel notes linger on the finish. |
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Champagne | 1 | 92 (WS) |
In Bond
€470.00 |
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Wine Spectator (92)Well-spiced and finely knit, this harmonious rosé is framed by firm acidity wrapped in a creamy mousse and flavors of dried apricot, wild strawberry and almond skin. Smoke, floral and orange peel notes linger on the finish. |
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Champagne | 3 | - |
In Bond
€919.00 |
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Exuding sheer elegance and sophistication, the Barons de Rothschild Blanc De Blancs 2008 embodies the strength and distinction of the Rothschild family's prestigious Champagnes. This superior cuvée is crafted exclusively from Chardonnay grapes, predominantly sourced from esteemed Grand Crus in the Côte des Blancs. Handpicked and prudently aged for a minimum of nine years, this refined Brut exhibits intoxicating blooms of white flowers, citrus, and crisp green apple, underscored by a subtle minerality. The fermentation in stainless steel vats and maturation in traditional chalk cellars bestow this champagne with its intense purity and a delicate finish. Barons de Rothschild Blanc De Blancs 2008 offers remarkable ageing potential while maintaining its characteristic precision and freshness. An investment in delightful complexity and luxurious pleasure, it is indeed a testament to Rothschild's commitment to crafting wines of unparalleled quality and refinement. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 93 (JS) |
In Bond
€624.00 |
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James Suckling (93)A beautiful core of ripe fruits and berries, with currants and spices. Full and silky. Very polished. |
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Champagne | 1 | 91 (VN) |
In Bond
€821.00 |
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Vinous (91)The 2015 Rilly La Montagne, 100% Pinot Noir, is soft, supple and forward. Exotic floral notes, passion fruit, chamomile and spice grace this pretty, open-knit Champagne. My impression is that the 2015 is going to be more rewarding over the near and medium-term rather than over a longer period of time. Dosage is 4.8 grams per liter. Disgorged: February 7, 2019. |
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Champagne | 1 | 97 (DC) |
In Bond
€656.00 |
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Decanter (97)A blend of 65% Pinot Noir consisting of Premier and Grand Crus from the Montagne de Reims and the Vallee de la Marne and 35% Chardonnay from the Cote des Blancs. Significantly, this has nine years ageing on its lees (longer than some Prestige Cuvees), the 2008 was first released onto the global market back in March 2019. With an Extra Brut dosage of 4g/l, this is a highly expressive, confident and convincing interpretation of the vintage. Right now, it is youthfully sharp and focused with fine salinity, depth, acidity and balance, and as such is already extremely approachable. The flavour spectrum encompasses toast, oyster shell, citrus, cream and a flinty, mineral depth. There’s supreme balance and elegance here, combined with a hidden underlying power that will continue to emerge and broaden with time. The finish is dry and long. |
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Champagne | 1 | 97 (DC) |
In Bond
€533.00 |
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Decanter (97)A blend of 65% Pinot Noir consisting of Premier and Grand Crus from the Montagne de Reims and the Vallee de la Marne and 35% Chardonnay from the Cote des Blancs. Significantly, this has nine years ageing on its lees (longer than some Prestige Cuvees), the 2008 was first released onto the global market back in March 2019. With an Extra Brut dosage of 4g/l, this is a highly expressive, confident and convincing interpretation of the vintage. Right now, it is youthfully sharp and focused with fine salinity, depth, acidity and balance, and as such is already extremely approachable. The flavour spectrum encompasses toast, oyster shell, citrus, cream and a flinty, mineral depth. There’s supreme balance and elegance here, combined with a hidden underlying power that will continue to emerge and broaden with time. The finish is dry and long. |
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Champagne | 2 | 96 (HWC) |
In Bond
€477.00 |
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Halliday Wine Companion (96)Comprises 40/33/27% pinot noir/chardonnay/pinot meunier, 73% grands and premiers crus. The low dosage of 2g/l and the warm vintage allow the fruit-based flavours free rein - white peach, Granny Smith apple and nectarine. The finish and aftertaste remain fresh and long. A house in grand form. |
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Champagne | 1 | 96 (VN) |
In Bond
€1,235.00 |
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Vinous (96)The 2006 Brut Cuvée Louis Salmon is a fabulous Champagne that balances the natural richness of the year with tons of energy. In this very warm vintage the winemaking team opted to block most of the malolactic fermentation (70%) to preserve freshness, an approach that worked beautifully. The weight of the year is present, but it is balanced by the wine's freshness and energy. Time in the glass brings out hints of chamomile, marzipan and lemon confit. At fifteen years of age, the 2006 is still a young Champagne that requires cellaring. In a word: dazzling. |
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Champagne | 1 | 19.5 (MJ) |
In Bond
€854.00 |
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Matthew Jukes (19.5)Billecart-Salmon’s elite blanc de blancs is named after Louis, the brother of Elisabeth Salmon, who co-founded this illustrious Champagne house more than two centuries ago with her husband Nicolas François Billecart. The 2007 vintage is only the second release of this cuvée and it is even more sophisticated than the 2006, to which I gave a mighty 19/20 score in my notes! This wine gains a fulsome 19.5/20 score. It is made from a blend of three grands crus: Cramant, which brings pin-sharp acidity to the mix; Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, which loads structure and longevity into its frame; and Chouilly, which anchors this stunning creation into the Côtes des Blancs soil with its devastating minerality. This is a sensational wine. Billecart has augmented its oak imprint from 15% in 2006 to 50% in 2007 and yet I can barely sense the increase given that the wine is in silky, lascivious harmony. It has aged for nearly a decade on its lees and it is ready to go right now. Every time you let this wine caress your palate it does so with a discreet, but highly enjoyable pinch of drama on the back end of each sip. As I get older, I prefer to save myself for the wines that really matter, turning down all but those wines I know pass my sky-high standards. This 2007 Louis is one of only a handful of truly great Champagnes I have tasted in the last 12 months and I cannot recommend it highly enough. |
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Champagne | 3 | 92 (VN) |
In Bond
€478.00 |
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Vinous (92)(made from fruit grown in Cramant, Avize, Chouilly, Mesnil-sur-Oger and Oger; 8 g/l dosage; L402339 15193A): Light yellow-gold. High-pitched citrus and orchard fruit scents are complemented by notes of honeysuckle, lemongrass and chalky minerals. Spicy, focused and mineral-driven, with intense Meyer lemon, tangerine and pear skin flavors given depth by a hint of brioche. A note of smokiness builds on the finish, which hangs on with outstanding floral persistence. |
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Champagne | 16 | 95 (DC) |
In Bond
€437.00 |
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Decanter (95)A fine straw-gold colour with great finesse of bubble flow and mousse. Joyful aromas of apple blossom and ripe pear. A full, defined palate demonstrates richness that will help to give this a long life in the cellar. |
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Champagne | 1 | 95 (DC) |
In Bond
€299.00 |
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Decanter (95)A fine straw-gold colour with great finesse of bubble flow and mousse. Joyful aromas of apple blossom and ripe pear. A full, defined palate demonstrates richness that will help to give this a long life in the cellar. |
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Champagne | 2 | 93 (JS) |
In Bond
€455.00 |
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James Suckling (93)Cinnamon and dried nutmeg add to the experience of bread dough and rose petals. Flavorful on the medium-bodied palate and finely poised with bright acidity. Medium-long on the finish. Drink now. |
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Champagne | 1 | 93 (JS) |
In Bond
€374.00 |
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James Suckling (93)Cinnamon and dried nutmeg add to the experience of bread dough and rose petals. Flavorful on the medium-bodied palate and finely poised with bright acidity. Medium-long on the finish. Drink now. |
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Champagne | 14 | 93 (JS) |
In Bond
€496.00 |
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James Suckling (93)Cinnamon and dried nutmeg add to the experience of bread dough and rose petals. Flavorful on the medium-bodied palate and finely poised with bright acidity. Medium-long on the finish. Drink now. |
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Champagne | 1 | 94+ (VN) |
In Bond
€1,350.00 |
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Vinous (94+)The 2006 Rosé Cuvée Elisabeth Salmon is powerful, intense and also classically austere in its make up. Crushed flowers, mint, red berries and cranberries are all finely sketched. The 2006 finishes with striking mineral-driven precision, and while it doesn’t have the opulence or exuberance of the 2002, it is still a very pretty and appealing Champagne. The Elisabeth Salmon is 50% Pinot Noir and 50% Chardonnay, with about 8% still Pinot Noir. Dosage is 6 grams per liter. |
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Champagne | 1 | 96 (VN) |
In Bond
€1,500.00 |
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Vinous (96)The 2007 Brut Rosé Cuvée Elisabeth Salmon is even better than the last time I tasted it. A total pleasure bomb, the 2007 drinks well right out of the gate. Soft curves push a core of sweet red berry fruit, rose petal and cinnamon into the foreground. Readers will have a very hard time keeping their hands off the 2007. Why wait? The 2007 is so alluring today. |
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Champagne | 4 | 19+ (MJ) |
In Bond
€713.00 |
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Matthew Jukes (19+)Created in 1988 as a tribute to Elisabeth Salmon, one of the House’s founders, this is the latest release and it has already benefitted from a remarkable ten years on its lees, because my sample was disgorged in October 2020. Made from 76% Grands Crus and 24% Premiers Crus, 55% Pinot Noir comes from Bouzy, Ambonnay, Verzy, Verzenay, Mareuil-sur-Äy and Äy and 45% Chardonnay comes from Chouilly, Cramant and Mesnil-sur-Oger. 9% red wine was added from Valofroy, a parcel of particularly old vines (60+ years old in 2008) situated high up on the hill above the winery in Mareuil. And 17% of the wine was vinified at low temperature in oak barrels which are, on average, 15 years old. The dosage is 7g/L. For the very first time, Elisabeth is available in magnums. I enjoyed an energetic tasting with Mathieu Roland-Billecart and he explained that this 2008 vintage seems like it has stolen the finest parts of each of the 1996 (tension), 2002 (layers of flavour) and the 2007 (refinement) and rolled them all into one wine! In a way, this is a fabulous analogy, but there is more to this vintage than meets the eye. The freshness and acidity here are both spectacular. These notes underpin the refined flavour with jolts of electricity which gather to form bolts of lightning. This is a young wine and yet the tenderness of the fruit is perfectly counterpointed by the shocking youthfulness on the finish. I cannot believe that 13 years have passed in the blink of an eye and so this means that 2008 Elisabeth might well be one of the slowest to age and longest-lived wines under this label to date. Having said this, the fruit is already magnificent. Mathieu asked me if I was familiar with the great French dessert clafoutis! At once a cherry clafoutis aroma arose from the glass, with faint notes of ginger blossom, saffron and white pepper. This is a crystalline and yet kaleidoscopic wine with fractals of flavour which splinter and shiver on the palate. It is high-tensile at the same time as being fragile and demure. It is everything Elisabeth would have wanted in her namesake wine. |