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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Rhone | 1 | 94-97 (VN) | د.إ1,720.00 | |||||
Vinous - Josh Raynolds (94-97)Light gold. Intense, explosively perfumed and captivating, with a fabulous display of fruit, herb, mineral and spice aromas. A replay of the outstanding 2004, showing a leesy, pungent personality that suggests a great grand cru white Burgundy. The sheer flavor extract is remarkable; flavors include fresh and dried peach, pear, orange rind and honey, and the texture is sappy and tactile. There are only 150 cases of this for the world. |
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Rhone | 1 | 100 (WA) | د.إ12,150.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (100)As in 2016, my favorite of the white parcel selections this year is the 2017 Ermitage l'Ermite Blanc (231 cases produced), as it perfectly balances richness and power with refinement and structure. Toasted brioche and citrus marmalade, honey and truffle notes deliver sheer full-bodied, mouth-filling decadence, supported by austere notes of crushed granite, zesty grapefruit rind and cooling brine. Huge and intense yet refreshing, it's the essence of granite-grown Marsanne. |
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Rhone | 1 | 100 (WA) | د.إ13,435.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (100)Since I reviewed the 2019 Ermitage l'Ermite Blanc last year (98+), I had some doubts about spending the time to re-review it. But one taste had me transfixed. Hints of crushed stone and subtle oak appear on the nose, backed by waves of honeyed pear and pineapple, plus enough invigorating citrus to provide a sense of freshness. Full-bodied and rich without being heavy, this has come into its own, being incredibly long, balanced and ethereal on the finish. Amazing stuff! |
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Rhone | 1 | - | د.إ9,285.00 | |||||
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Rhone | 5 | - | د.إ8,659.00 | |||||
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Rhone | 1 | 99 (WA) | د.إ3,985.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (99)From a warm site and a hot vintage, the 2009 Ermitage le Meal Blanc was harvested on the August 28, and aged in 100% new French oak. Flirting with perfection and a full-bore, exotic, almost over-the-top expression of Marsanne, it has less minerality than the 2010, yet more of everything else with boatloads of caramelized fruits, buttered citrus, white flowers, honey and crushed rocks all soaring from the glass. Rich, layered, exuberant, unctuous and exotic, with stunning freshness despite it's thickness and weight, drink this incredible white anytime over the coming 30-40 years. |
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Rhone | 1 | 99 (WA) | د.إ4,685.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (99)Surprisingly, I preferred the 2011 Ermitage le Meal Blanc over the 2012 on this occasion and it showed a more flamboyant, sexy style in its caramelized pineapple, tropical, honeyed and floral personality. Big, rich and decadent, with fabulous fruit intensity and length, this rock star flirts with perfection and will keep for another 3-4 decades. |
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Rhone | 1 | 99 (DC) | د.إ4,040.00 | |||||
Decanter (99)Aromatically a different register to the 2014 de l'Orée tasted directly beforehand. This is less richly fruited, with a more herbal, almost vegetal note, like tomato stalk. A little closed on the nose. Full-bodied, and grand. Good acidity that feels firm and gently steely. Great amplitude, a sensation that stays with you into the length. A forceful white Hermitage, that still has great freshness, energy and (relatively speaking for a white Hermitage) precise acidity. So long. A surging tsunami of a wine. |
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Rhone | 1 | 97-99 (WA) | د.إ1,170.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (97-99)Is le Méal the most complex and complete lieu-dit on Hermitage, when considering both red and white wines? The 2018 Ermitage le Méal Blanc certainly makes a case for the white, offering honeyed, complex notes of mixed citrus, pineapple, pear and melon, structural notes of crushed stone, ample weight and richness on the palate and a long, vibrant finish. Just terrific. |
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Rhone | 2 | 97-99 (WA) | د.إ3,935.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (97-99)Is le Méal the most complex and complete lieu-dit on Hermitage, when considering both red and white wines? The 2018 Ermitage le Méal Blanc certainly makes a case for the white, offering honeyed, complex notes of mixed citrus, pineapple, pear and melon, structural notes of crushed stone, ample weight and richness on the palate and a long, vibrant finish. Just terrific. |
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Rhone | 1 | 100 (JD) | د.إ3,670.00 | |||||
Jeb Dunnuck (100)The richest and most fruit loaded of the trio is the 2019 Ermitage Le Méal Blanc, which comes from a warmer terroir. This killer Hermitage Blanc has a vivid gold hue as well as a crazy good nose of quince, honeyed currants, acacia flowers, spice, and orange marmalade. It doesn't have the minerality of the L'Ermite (and to a lesser extent, the De l’Orée) yet has a more opulent, fat, unctuous style that's still flawlessly balanced and remarkably pure. This is another magical Hermitage from Chapoutier that does everything right. I followed this bottle for multiple days and it only improved with air. It's certainly the more early drinking of these three single vineyard releases, yet it still deserves 2-4 years of bottle age and should keep for 30 years or more. |
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Rhone | 1 | 100 (JD) | د.إ3,440.00 | |||||
Jeb Dunnuck (100)I was blown away by the 2020 Ermitage Le Méal Blanc, which is certainly the finest vintage of this cuvée I’ve tasted. From the pure south-facing Méal lieu-dit (which is the warmest terroir on Hermitage), it was vinified and aged 70% demi-muids (10% new) and 30% in stainless steel. Straight-up heavenly notes of white currants, powdered rock, celery seed, honeysuckle, and toasted almonds all define the bouquet, and it’s full-bodied and concentrated on the palate, with that rare mix of richness and freshness. Hermitage Blanc doesn’t get any better. I love this today, yet it will certainly benefit from a year or two of bottle age, drink well for 3-5 years, at which point, it’s probably best to wait until a solid 15 years after the vintage. |
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Rhone | 1 | - | د.إ4,470.00 | |||||
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Rhone | 12 | 99 (DC) | د.إ3,532.00 | |||||
Decanter (99)Rhône 2022 white wine of the vintage. Decidedly rich in style, the oak is quite marked, with roasted pineapple notes, lemon verbena and lemon thyme. Very full-bodied, this is massive, assertive and powerful, but with great freshness and energy. Flinty, smoky elements and a long, salty, mineral finish. One for the ages. Pure Marsanne, vines are over 50 years old, planted on pebbles, clay and some loess, facing south. Whole-bunch pressed, half fermented in demi-muids, half in vats. |
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Rhone | 1 | 97 (JD) | د.إ1,455.00 | |||||
Jeb Dunnuck (97)A killer wine as always, the 2018 Saint Joseph Les Granits Blanc reveals a medium gold color as well as powerful notes of white currants, toasted spices, brioche, quince, and crushed rock. With beautiful richness, medium to full body, no hard edges and a great finish, it's consistently one of the great whites in the appellation. |
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Rhone | 10 | - | د.إ1,080.00 | |||||
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Burgundy | 1 | - | د.إ4,330.00 | |||||
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Bordeaux | 3 | - | د.إ1,130.00 | |||||
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Loire | 1 | - | د.إ386.00 | |||||
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Experience the remarkable Chateau d'Avrille Coteaux de l'Aubance 1989, a manifestation of an exceptional vintage year. This distinct wine from the famed Loire Valley in France boasts the distinctive offering from Chateau d'Avrille, a testament to their meticulous approach to viniculture. Produced in the small and specialised Coteaux de l'Aubance region, this luscious golden-hued dessert wine is steeped in tradition. The grapes are selectively hand-picked, ensuring only the ripest become part of this tasteful blend. Fermentation in traditional oak barrels develops an exquisite, complex taste. Renowned for its balance, the Chateau d'Avrille Coteaux de l'Aubance 1989 offers myriad flavours of candied fruit, honey, and gentle spices. Artfully matured for over three decades, it sings a rich, haunting melody on the palate. A classic embodiment of a fine dessert wine, this bottle encapsulates the prestigious history of the Chateau d'Avrille estate. |
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Burgundy | 4 | 89 (WA) | د.إ875.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (89)Raised entirely in stainless steel, the 2016 Saint-Véran was showing very well, wafting from the glass with notes of lemon oil, honeysuckle and pastry cream. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, concentrated and powerful, with succulent underlying acidity, concluding with a stony, saline finish. Cropped at a mere 12 hectoliters per hectare, it nevertheless remains quite classical in profile—there's simply somewhat more flesh and concentration than usual. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 93 (VN) | د.إ1,735.00 | |||||
Vinous (93)The 2018 Meursault Charmes-Dessus 1er Cru has a clean and precise bouquet. Understated at first, it opens with crushed rock, white flowers and touches of citrus fruit. It appears to build in intensity. The palate is quite oaky on the entry, although that should be subsumed with time. Good substance, slightly reductive, yet judiciously spiced with ample depth on the satisfying finish. Great potential. Tasted blind at the Burgfest 2018 white tasting. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 94 (VN) | د.إ5,635.00 | |||||
Vinous (94)The 2018 Meursault Les Perrières 1er Cru is very harmonious on the nose. Yellow flowers, Japanese yuzu, quince and orange zest open with aeration whilst maintaining superb focus. The palate is very well balanced with a fine bead of acidity, taut and fresh with a welcome bitter lemon note that upholds tension and salinity on the finish. I like where this Perrières is going - one to watch. Tasted blind at the Burgfest 2018 white tasting. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 93 (IB) | د.إ2,440.00 | |||||
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (93)The holding is located on the southern side of Les Charmes, in the top of the lower part. Pale lemon and lime, plenty of charm to the nose, medium plus bodied, discreet, but there is plenty there, and the finish is elegant and persistent. Tasted: 10/1/2021 |
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Burgundy | 3 | 91-93 (VN) | د.إ936.00 | |||||
Vinous (91-93)The 2018 Chablis Vaillons 1er Cru, blended from six parcels, is pure, focused and taut, all while expressing the natural richness of the year. Lemon confit, white flowers, white pepper, mint and a kiss of French oak add striking aromatic top notes to match the wine's linear, energetic feel. The Vaillons has a surprising amount of freshness and lift, with bright saline notes that extend the finish. I suspect the opulence of the year will emerge more fully over time, but this is nevertheless a fine showing. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 88-90 (IB) | د.إ826.00 | |||||
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (88-90)This is from the excellent Pargues vineyard, vinified and aged in stainless steel. Pale colour. The bouquet has a Chablisian crispness but also the juiciness of this 2022 vintage. Crisply concentrated on the palate, this still needs quite a bit more elevage. Which always needs time as shown by the reductive tang. Drink from 2024-2027. Tasted: June 2023. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 94 (VN) | د.إ2,220.00 | |||||
Vinous (94)The 2018 Chablis Les Clos Grand Cru has a concentrated bouquet with yellow fruit, orange rind and light crushed stone. It coalesces nicely in the glass. The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity, lightly spiced with fine grip, tensile, even a little mean on the finish. Wonderful salinity. Superb. Tasted blind at the Burgfest 2018 white tasting. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 94 (VN) | د.إ1,605.00 | |||||
Vinous (94)The 2019 Chablis Les Clos Grand Cru has a clean, precise, more floral bouquet than the Valmur; white flower petal scents infuse the citrus fruit, along with a hint of egg whites. The palate is well balanced, taut and linear, with great poise and nervosité, leading to an intense and very persistent finish. This will vie with the Valmur as best Grand Cru. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 95 (TA) | د.إ1,910.00 | |||||
Tim Atkin MW (95)Christian and Fabien own an enviable three hectares that extend two-thirds of the way up the slope. This 2020 is almost cozy with concentrated extract at the core. This generous body is smartly lifted by vivid acidity. The flavors range from citrus and star fruit to roasted hazelnuts and a hint of smoke. 2024-40 |
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Burgundy | 1 | 94 (VN) | د.إ1,515.00 | |||||
Vinous (94)The 2020 Chablis Valmur Grand Cru has a well-defined nose, citrus fruit mixed with pear, wet limestone and green apples, tight at first but responds to aeration. The palate is well balanced with a fine line of acidity, taut and fresh with a lovely, lip-smacking salinity that fires up the finish. Excellent. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 92+ (VN) | د.إ2,295.00 | |||||
Vinous (92+)The 2020 Chablis Vaudésir Grand Cru has a backward bouquet that demands coaxing from the glass: wet pavement, pressed yellow flowers and a touch of flint. Very focused. Fresh and saline, the palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity; however, it remains quite strict and oddly like a 2021 towards the close. Give this three or four years in bottle. |
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