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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Bordeaux | 1 | 93 (VN (AG)) |
Inc. TAX
€193.18 |
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Vinous - Antonio Galloni (93)The 2019 Le Boscq is fabulous. A rush of wild cherry, smoke, licorice, tobacco, incense and scorched earth races across the palate. This deep, flavorful Saint-Estèphe is wonderfully expressive today. I would give the tannins a few years to soften. Le Boscq is a great choice for readers who want to explore the appellation without splurging on some of the bigger names. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 90 (VN (NM)) |
Inc. TAX
€538.27 |
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Vinous - Neal Martin (90)The 2020 Le Boscq still has that expressive, overtly floral bouquet with bunches of pressed violet infusing the black cherry and boysenberry fruit. Quite powerful and seductive. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, touches of black olive, fine depth with a slightly chewy finish that would benefit from a little more delineation and finesse. But I like this sturdy Saint-Estèphe and it should cellar well for a decade. |
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Bordeaux | 100 | 93 (JD) |
Inc. TAX
€190.54 |
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Jeb Dunnuck (93)A classic Saint-Estèphe, the 2022 Château Le Boscq reveals darker fruits, leafy herbs, tobacco, and damp earth. Medium to full-bodied, it has pure, fine tannins, terrific balance, and a rounded, supple mouthfeel. Aged in oak barrels, this should drink well for 15+ years. |
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Bordeaux | 2 | 92 (VN (AG)) |
Inc. TAX
€186.94 |
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Vinous - Antonio Galloni (92)The 2017 Le Pape is soft, refined and super expressive. Dried flowers, mint, cedar, tobacco and mocha add pretty aromatic top notes to this precise, understated Pessac-Léognan. Medium in body and wonderfully nuanced, the 2017 is absolutely gorgeous. Bright floral and red fruit notes add brilliance with a bit of time in the glass. This is such a compelling, understated wine, not to mention an overachiever and a terrific value. |
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Bordeaux | 6 | 91 (VN (AG)) |
Inc. TAX
€201.34 |
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Vinous - Antonio Galloni (91)The 2018 Le Pape is surprisingly gracious in this vintage. Floral notes lift sweet red berry fruit, cedar, licorice and mocha flavors as this stylish, mid-weight Pessac-Léognan shows off its considerable allure. Even with all of the natural richness of the year, Le Pape remains elegant and nuanced. I would cellar the 2018 for at least a few years to allow the tannins to soften. If enjoyed young, a few hours of aeration will do wonders. |
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Bordeaux | 6 | 94 (DC) |
Inc. TAX
€198.48 |
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Decanter (94)Lovely dark red fruits on the nose, a gorgeous sultry florality to it, something a little bit savoury too, pencil led and smoke - extremely welcoming. Great succulence on the palate, juicy and alive, really fresh with the charm of Merlot fully on show. Characterful, structured, mouthwatering and approachable with soft and smooth tannins. Seductive and so enjoyable. From a single 9ha block estate, a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 900m away from Haut Bailly. |
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Bordeaux | 3 | 91-93 (VN (NM)) |
Inc. TAX
€185.03 |
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Vinous - Neal Martin (91-93)The 2020 Le Pape was picked September 9–15. It is initially tight on the nose and only opens about an hour after opening (I spent the time chatting to Véronique Sanders via Zoom) to offer blackberry and wild hedgerow intermixed with light incense and pressed iris scents, all very well defined. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, beautifully balanced and very harmonious. There is a tincture of white pepper sprinkled over the finish that veers toward more red fruit in its final few bars. Excellent. |
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Bordeaux | 6 | 91-93 (VN (NM)) |
Inc. TAX
€207.83 |
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Vinous - Neal Martin (91-93)The 2020 Le Pape was picked September 9–15. It is initially tight on the nose and only opens about an hour after opening (I spent the time chatting to Véronique Sanders via Zoom) to offer blackberry and wild hedgerow intermixed with light incense and pressed iris scents, all very well defined. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, beautifully balanced and very harmonious. There is a tincture of white pepper sprinkled over the finish that veers toward more red fruit in its final few bars. Excellent. |
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Bordeaux | 4 | 89-92 (WA) |
Inc. TAX
€411.34 |
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Wine Advocate (89-92)The best Le Prieure I have ever tasted, this 2009 is a hedonist’s dream. Huge red and black fruit aromas soar from the glass of this deep ruby/purple-tinged beauty. With velvety tannin, a full-bodied, opulent personality, and a knock-out finish with no hard edges, it is already impossible to resist, so enjoy it over the next decade or more. (Tasted three times.) |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 98 (VN (AG)) |
Inc. TAX
€387.59 |
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Vinous - Antonio Galloni (98)One of the unquestioned Sleeper jewels of the year, the 2016 Le Prieuré is off the charts beautiful. Silky and impossibly refined, the 2016 is a wine of pure and total precision. Today, the 2016 is a bit more restrained than it was from barrel, when it was a more overt wine. That is not a bad thing, though, as I suspect the 2016 is going to need a number of years to be at its finest. Dark, beautifully perfumed and gracious, Le Prieuré represents the height of finesse in Saint-Émilion. Jean-Claude Berrouet consults for the Artemis Group, which is now the sole owner of Le Prieuré. The 2016 is a fabulous wine by any measure. Don't miss it. |
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| Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Bordeaux | 1 | 93 (VN (AG)) |
In Bond
€138.00 |
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Vinous - Antonio Galloni (93)The 2019 Le Boscq is fabulous. A rush of wild cherry, smoke, licorice, tobacco, incense and scorched earth races across the palate. This deep, flavorful Saint-Estèphe is wonderfully expressive today. I would give the tannins a few years to soften. Le Boscq is a great choice for readers who want to explore the appellation without splurging on some of the bigger names. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 90 (VN (NM)) |
In Bond
€401.00 |
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Vinous - Neal Martin (90)The 2020 Le Boscq still has that expressive, overtly floral bouquet with bunches of pressed violet infusing the black cherry and boysenberry fruit. Quite powerful and seductive. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, touches of black olive, fine depth with a slightly chewy finish that would benefit from a little more delineation and finesse. But I like this sturdy Saint-Estèphe and it should cellar well for a decade. |
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Bordeaux | 100 | 93 (JD) |
In Bond
€135.00 |
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Jeb Dunnuck (93)A classic Saint-Estèphe, the 2022 Château Le Boscq reveals darker fruits, leafy herbs, tobacco, and damp earth. Medium to full-bodied, it has pure, fine tannins, terrific balance, and a rounded, supple mouthfeel. Aged in oak barrels, this should drink well for 15+ years. |
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Bordeaux | 2 | 92 (VN (AG)) |
In Bond
€132.00 |
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Vinous - Antonio Galloni (92)The 2017 Le Pape is soft, refined and super expressive. Dried flowers, mint, cedar, tobacco and mocha add pretty aromatic top notes to this precise, understated Pessac-Léognan. Medium in body and wonderfully nuanced, the 2017 is absolutely gorgeous. Bright floral and red fruit notes add brilliance with a bit of time in the glass. This is such a compelling, understated wine, not to mention an overachiever and a terrific value. |
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Bordeaux | 6 | 91 (VN (AG)) |
In Bond
€144.00 |
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Vinous - Antonio Galloni (91)The 2018 Le Pape is surprisingly gracious in this vintage. Floral notes lift sweet red berry fruit, cedar, licorice and mocha flavors as this stylish, mid-weight Pessac-Léognan shows off its considerable allure. Even with all of the natural richness of the year, Le Pape remains elegant and nuanced. I would cellar the 2018 for at least a few years to allow the tannins to soften. If enjoyed young, a few hours of aeration will do wonders. |
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Bordeaux | 6 | 94 (DC) |
In Bond
€144.00 |
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Decanter (94)Lovely dark red fruits on the nose, a gorgeous sultry florality to it, something a little bit savoury too, pencil led and smoke - extremely welcoming. Great succulence on the palate, juicy and alive, really fresh with the charm of Merlot fully on show. Characterful, structured, mouthwatering and approachable with soft and smooth tannins. Seductive and so enjoyable. From a single 9ha block estate, a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 900m away from Haut Bailly. |
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Bordeaux | 3 | 91-93 (VN (NM)) |
In Bond
€132.00 |
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Vinous - Neal Martin (91-93)The 2020 Le Pape was picked September 9–15. It is initially tight on the nose and only opens about an hour after opening (I spent the time chatting to Véronique Sanders via Zoom) to offer blackberry and wild hedgerow intermixed with light incense and pressed iris scents, all very well defined. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, beautifully balanced and very harmonious. There is a tincture of white pepper sprinkled over the finish that veers toward more red fruit in its final few bars. Excellent. |
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Bordeaux | 6 | 91-93 (VN (NM)) |
In Bond
€151.00 |
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Vinous - Neal Martin (91-93)The 2020 Le Pape was picked September 9–15. It is initially tight on the nose and only opens about an hour after opening (I spent the time chatting to Véronique Sanders via Zoom) to offer blackberry and wild hedgerow intermixed with light incense and pressed iris scents, all very well defined. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, beautifully balanced and very harmonious. There is a tincture of white pepper sprinkled over the finish that veers toward more red fruit in its final few bars. Excellent. |
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Bordeaux | 4 | 89-92 (WA) |
In Bond
€319.00 |
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Wine Advocate (89-92)The best Le Prieure I have ever tasted, this 2009 is a hedonist’s dream. Huge red and black fruit aromas soar from the glass of this deep ruby/purple-tinged beauty. With velvety tannin, a full-bodied, opulent personality, and a knock-out finish with no hard edges, it is already impossible to resist, so enjoy it over the next decade or more. (Tasted three times.) |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 98 (VN (AG)) |
In Bond
€300.00 |
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Vinous - Antonio Galloni (98)One of the unquestioned Sleeper jewels of the year, the 2016 Le Prieuré is off the charts beautiful. Silky and impossibly refined, the 2016 is a wine of pure and total precision. Today, the 2016 is a bit more restrained than it was from barrel, when it was a more overt wine. That is not a bad thing, though, as I suspect the 2016 is going to need a number of years to be at its finest. Dark, beautifully perfumed and gracious, Le Prieuré represents the height of finesse in Saint-Émilion. Jean-Claude Berrouet consults for the Artemis Group, which is now the sole owner of Le Prieuré. The 2016 is a fabulous wine by any measure. Don't miss it. |
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