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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Bordeaux | 1 | 89 (VN (AG)) | د.إ757.00 | |||||
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (89)The 2020 Bordeaux Blanc from Clarendelle is an attractive, aperitif-style dry white to drink now and over the next few years. Green apple, lemon peel, sage and mint linger on the bright, zesty finish. The blend is 43% Sauvignon Blanc, 30% Sémillon and 27% Muscadelle. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 98 (WE) | د.إ2,245.00 | |||||
Wine Enthusiast (98)97-99 Barrel sample. A tasting from several barrels, because the chateau has not made the final blend, so the rating is provisional. But the wine is so rich, with an almost perfect balance of acidity and ripeness, allied to a complete purity of honeyed botrytis. However the final wine turns out, it will be magnificent. |
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Bordeaux | 2 | 97 (VN (NM)) | د.إ1,265.00 | |||||
Vinous - Neal Martin (97)The 2015 Climens is notoriously difficult to taste in its youth, the aromatics often shutting down for the first few years and consequently showing poorly in blind tastings. Indeed, this transpires during the blind tasting of 2015 Sauternes so I retrieved another bottle and allowed it 48 hours to open. This is where this note comes from. It has a bashful bouquet compared to its peers with notes of beeswax and honeycomb, just a touch of jasmine developing in the glass. The palate is well balanced with a lightly spiced opening, notes of stem ginger and rhubarb with a vivacious and quite persistent finish that bodes well for the future. It is a great Climens in the making, but it will need a decade in bottle. Tasted blind at the Southwold 2015 Bordeaux tasting. |
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Rhone | 1 | 94+ (WA) | د.إ4,580.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (94+)The medium to full-bodied 2019 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc boasts impressive concentration and richness, allied to terrific freshness and length. As I was tasting it, I kept shaking my head marveling at how this blend of Bourboulenc, Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Picpoul and Roussanne achieved such a wonderful sense of balance. Hints of anise no doubt play a prominent role in achieving this, enlivening the melon and pear that form the wine's core, to be elegantly replaced on the finish by lingering notes of ripe citrus. Certainly this is one of the most impressive whites I can recall tasting from this benchmark estate. |
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Rhone | 1 | 94+ (WA) | د.إ2,430.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (94+)The medium to full-bodied 2019 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc boasts impressive concentration and richness, allied to terrific freshness and length. As I was tasting it, I kept shaking my head marveling at how this blend of Bourboulenc, Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Picpoul and Roussanne achieved such a wonderful sense of balance. Hints of anise no doubt play a prominent role in achieving this, enlivening the melon and pear that form the wine's core, to be elegantly replaced on the finish by lingering notes of ripe citrus. Certainly this is one of the most impressive whites I can recall tasting from this benchmark estate. |
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Rhone | 1 | - | د.إ2,045.00 | |||||
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Rhone | 2 | 95 (JD) | د.إ2,750.00 | |||||
Jeb Dunnuck (95)The 2021 Châteauneuf Du Pape Blanc is terrific and shows the crisp, vibrant style of the vintage yet still manages to bring plenty of richness and concentration. Ripe pears, peach, licorice, and white flowers all emerge on the nose, and it's medium to full-bodied, has a layered mouthfeel, and integrated acidity. It's another incredibly classy white from this estate that will keep for 10-15 years. |
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Rhone | 1 | 97 (JD) | د.إ2,095.00 | |||||
Jeb Dunnuck (97)The 2022 Châteauneuf Du Pape Blanc is the usual blend of all the permitted varieties. It shows the richer, layered, opulent style of the vintage beautifully, with loads of pear, acacia flower, citrus oil, and spice notes all defining the aromatics, and it's full-bodied, with a layered, opulent texture and a great finish. |
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Burgundy | 1 | - | د.إ1,770.00 | |||||
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Experience excellence with the distinguished Clos Rocs Pouilly Fuisse Pierrotes 2021. Produced in the lauded vineyards of Southern Burgundy, this vibrant white wine is a testament to the savoir-faire of Olivier Merlin, who has cultivated the reputable Clos Rocs name. Matured in oak barrels, this Chardonnay displays the quintessential character of the Pouilly-Fuissé zone with enviable lucidity. An end result of precise winemaking techniques and careful harvesting, it boasts an expressive nose with a fine blend of fruit and floral nuances, culminating in a rich, opulent palate. Minerality integrates seamlessly with notes of apple, pear, and lemon. Perfect now yet delectable for aging, its well-integrated acidity assures great holding potential. Indulge in the harmonious marriage of tradition and sophistication that is the Clos Rocs Pouilly Fuisse Pierrotes 2021. With every bottle lies a unique definition of quality encapsulated in its golden hues. |
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Burgundy | 1 | - | د.إ5,250.00 | |||||
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Burgundy | 2 | 87-88 (IB) | د.إ808.00 | |||||
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (87-88)Big crop picked 16th September, below Pommard and Volnay and Meursault. Made half and half in 600 litre barrels and stainless steel. A little deeper in colour and indeed in bouquet than the Chardonnay. Apple and fresh quince, mostly young vine produce, but this is absolutely delicious, and sweeps through to a long finish. Tasted: November 2021 |
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Burgundy | 1 | 87-89 (VN) | د.إ705.00 | |||||
Vinous (87-89)The 2021 Bourgogne Aligoté was picked on 11 October and will be bottled before Christmas. It has a taut, fresh nose with linden and frangipane scents. The palate is well-balanced and very effortless, with touches of stem ginger that liven the finish. This is a perfectly fine Aligoté. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 88-90 (VN (NM)) | د.إ658.00 | |||||
Vinous - Neal Martin (88-90)The 2022 Bourgogne Aligoté was picked two weeks after the main harvest and racked just before the 2023 picking. It has quite a primal bouquet with grapefruit and Conference pear, gaining delineation in the glass. The palate is well-balanced with a lovely sense of "rondeur," slightly lower in acidity than last year but with commendable purity on the finish. Lovely. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 95 (IB) | د.إ15,499.00 | |||||
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (95)(5-Star Wine) An attractive faint green tint to the colour. The nose shows no signs of heat or heaviness. This is magical on the palate, absolutely fills the mouth, ripe lemons on top of rich pear fruit, but nothing peachy or over-ripe. A brilliant example of Charmes, as the vineyard and the vintage are completely in harmony. Drink from 2026-2035. |
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Burgundy | 1 | - | د.إ4,495.00 | |||||
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Crafted in the esteemed Burgundy region of France, the Comtesse de Cherisey Meursault 1er Cru Blagny La Genelotte 2016 is a masterful example of viticulture finesse. This radiant white wine embodies the time-honoured traditions of its monopole vineyard, nestled within Meursault's Blagny sub-region. With meticulous cultivation practices, Comtesse de Cherisey yields immaculate Chardonnay grapes that capture the region's terroir exquisitely. Undergoing cautious vinification in French oak barrels, this enticing nectar lends itself to elegant complexity. Predominantly mineral, the palate unravels with tropical fruit and floral notes, sung alongside a harmonious, creamy length. The 2016 vintage, marked by its favourable growing conditions, delivers an exceptional balance of opulence and acidity. The ensemble of traditional and avant-garde techniques undertaken by the revered Comtesse de Cherisey Meursault 1er Cru Blagny La Genelotte estate manages to create a truly distinctive tasting experience with the 2016 vintage. One that will captivate white Burgundy aficionados and discerning collectors alike. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 98 (JS) | د.إ2,990.00 | |||||
James Suckling (98)Sliced-apple and lime with some aniseed and licorice. Iodine, too. Full-bodied with linear acidity and a fine tannin structure that goes on for minutes. 65% sauvignon blanc and 35% semillon. This is fantastic and so delicious now, but can age for a very long time. Drink or hold. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 98-99 (JS) | د.إ3,200.00 | |||||
James Suckling (98-99)A super white with dense mango, lemon and lime, as well as some clove and nutmeg. Full-bodied, really complete and long. Sensational. So much potential here. 66% sauvignon blanc and 34% semillon. |
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Rhone | 1 | 95 (JD) | د.إ1,235.00 | |||||
Jeb Dunnuck (95)The 2019 Saint Joseph Silice Blanc is a gorgeous white based on 100% Marsanne. Loads of stony mineral notes as well as white flowers and white currants define this full-bodied, rich, concentrated beauty. Remarkably pure, it offers subtle background oak, flawless balance, and a great, great finish. This is another head-turning wine from this incredible estate. Enjoy bottles over the coming decade. |
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Bordeaux | 2 | 95-97 (WA) | د.إ1,400.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (95-97)The 2017 Coutet has lovely notions of spice cake, fresh ginger and honeysuckle over a core of lemon curd, beeswax and preserved peaches. Rich, spicy and quite decadent in the mouth, it has wonderful freshness and depth, finishing very long. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 17+ (JR) | د.إ700.00 | |||||
Jancis Robinson (17+)Full bottle all of 1,405 g. 95% Sémillon, 4% Sauvignon Blanc, 1% Muscadelle. Cask sample. 18 months in oak envisaged. No information on yield. Greenish hint to the golden hue. Very classic with a botrytis note and some real freshness. Weight and integrity here with a savoury, even bacon-fat, finish. Not one of the sweetest wines, or what I probably mean is that the acidity is more pronounced than in many of its peers. Sleek and fresh. But probably for relatively early drinking. 13.5% Drink 2024 – 2038 |
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Bordeaux | 23 | 95-97 (JD) | د.إ4,584.58 | |||||
Jeb Dunnuck (95-97)The 2023 Château Coutet is another decadent, powerful Barsac in the vintage. Honeyed orange, toasted spices, sautéed pineapple, and assorted tropical, floral notes all just about jump from the glass, and it's full-bodied on the palate, with a wealth of fruit, good acidity, and a great finish. |
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Bordeaux | 25 | 95-97 (JD) | د.إ4,584.58 | |||||
Jeb Dunnuck (95-97)The 2023 Château Coutet is another decadent, powerful Barsac in the vintage. Honeyed orange, toasted spices, sautéed pineapple, and assorted tropical, floral notes all just about jump from the glass, and it's full-bodied on the palate, with a wealth of fruit, good acidity, and a great finish. |
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Rhone | 1 | 97 (DC) | د.إ1,150.00 | |||||
Decanter (97)A particularly floral expression, with lavender and violets on the nose among the apricot fruit. Full-bodied, but still fluid on the palate, this has a real intensity and freshness, a sense of tension and minerality. Long finish that's not overburdened by oak. This has a sense of straightness and direction despite the breadth on the palate and open aromatic display. Very well balanced, finishing floral. Selection of parcels grown on biotite granite, vinified then aged nine months in barriques and foudres. Drinking Window 2021 - 2030 |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 98 (WA) | د.إ25,580.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (98)A warm to hot vintage ideal for producing outstanding reds does not necessarily make for a great Sauternes vintage, but in the case of 1990 it did. Dry, warm winds in the autumn contributed to the level of concentration that this wine exhibits. Fortunately, a little rain in late September and early October ensured that botrytis flourished well in the end, the final factor necessary to achieve this extraordinary expression. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 96 (WS) | د.إ5,774.00 | |||||
Wine Spectator (96)This leans toward the tropical side, with mango and guava notes out front, while maple, date, blood orange and citrus oil flavors fill in behind. The finish kicks into another gear, taking off with honeysuckle, orange blossom and frangipane accents. Has almost unbridled power today, while maintaining serious cut. A very impressive showing in a rather overlooked vintage. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 100 (VN (NM)) | د.إ14,110.00 | |||||
Vinous - Neal Martin (100)Just weeks after tasting the 2001 Château d’Yquem at the estate, another bottle was served at a lunch in London and it was perfection. The aromatics are practically identical and likewise the palate, but this bottle, which had been decanted, displays a scintilla more tension, perhaps more "vibrancy" that so effortlessly counterbalances the richness. Irrespective of points, it is simply one of the most magnificent wines of any kind that can pass your lips. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 100 (VN (NM)) | د.إ18,850.00 | |||||
Vinous - Neal Martin (100)Just weeks after tasting the 2001 Château d’Yquem at the estate, another bottle was served at a lunch in London and it was perfection. The aromatics are practically identical and likewise the palate, but this bottle, which had been decanted, displays a scintilla more tension, perhaps more "vibrancy" that so effortlessly counterbalances the richness. Irrespective of points, it is simply one of the most magnificent wines of any kind that can pass your lips. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 100 (WA) | د.إ8,025.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (100)Following a very long harvest stretching nearly two months, the 2015 Château d'Yquem came in at 13.9% alcohol and 144 grams per liter of residual sugar, sporting a pH of 3.65 and six grams per liter of tartaric acid. None of these numbers, however, even remotely begin to tell you how profound this wine is. The nose opens with electric notes of ripe pineapples, green mango, orange blossoms and lemon tart with hints of fungi, lime zest, crushed rocks and jasmine. The freshness on the palate is just astonishing, permeating and lifting layer upon layer of tropical fruits and earthy notions, all encased in a sumptuous texture and culminating in a very, very long, mineral-tinged finish. Truly, this is a legendary vintage for d'Yquem. I've been conservative with my drinking window here, and I would not be at all surprised if our descendants are drinking this vintage well into the next century. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 100 (WA) | د.إ7,895.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (100)Following a very long harvest stretching nearly two months, the 2015 Château d'Yquem came in at 13.9% alcohol and 144 grams per liter of residual sugar, sporting a pH of 3.65 and six grams per liter of tartaric acid. None of these numbers, however, even remotely begin to tell you how profound this wine is. The nose opens with electric notes of ripe pineapples, green mango, orange blossoms and lemon tart with hints of fungi, lime zest, crushed rocks and jasmine. The freshness on the palate is just astonishing, permeating and lifting layer upon layer of tropical fruits and earthy notions, all encased in a sumptuous texture and culminating in a very, very long, mineral-tinged finish. Truly, this is a legendary vintage for d'Yquem. I've been conservative with my drinking window here, and I would not be at all surprised if our descendants are drinking this vintage well into the next century. |
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