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
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Jeb Dunnuck (93-96)
A rough blend of 78% Merlot and 22% Franc made by the team at Canon (Thomas Duclos also consults here), the 2018 Château Berliquet sports a deeper purple color as well as a complex, layered style in its black raspberry, white flowers, dried earth, spice, and forest floor aromas and flavors. It's medium to full-bodied, has a rounded, expansive texture, beautiful tannins, and brilliant freshness and purity as well as a serious kick of minerality on the finish. Coming from a smaller 10-hectare terroir located on the clay and limestone soils on the upper plateau, it will spend 16 months in 45% new French oak. Tasted twice.د.إ1,225.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (93-96)
A rough blend of 78% Merlot and 22% Franc made by the team at Canon (Thomas Duclos also consults here), the 2018 Château Berliquet sports a deeper purple color as well as a complex, layered style in its black raspberry, white flowers, dried earth, spice, and forest floor aromas and flavors. It's medium to full-bodied, has a rounded, expansive texture, beautiful tannins, and brilliant freshness and purity as well as a serious kick of minerality on the finish. Coming from a smaller 10-hectare terroir located on the clay and limestone soils on the upper plateau, it will spend 16 months in 45% new French oak. Tasted twice.د.إ785.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (93-96)
A rough blend of 78% Merlot and 22% Franc made by the team at Canon (Thomas Duclos also consults here), the 2018 Château Berliquet sports a deeper purple color as well as a complex, layered style in its black raspberry, white flowers, dried earth, spice, and forest floor aromas and flavors. It's medium to full-bodied, has a rounded, expansive texture, beautiful tannins, and brilliant freshness and purity as well as a serious kick of minerality on the finish. Coming from a smaller 10-hectare terroir located on the clay and limestone soils on the upper plateau, it will spend 16 months in 45% new French oak. Tasted twice.د.إ663.00 -
Wine Advocate (94)
The 2019 Berliquet is showing beautifully, wafting from the glass with aromas of cherries, wild berries, sweet spices, violets and forest floor. Medium to full-bodied, seamless and elegant, with terrific depth at the core, lively acids and ripe, powdery tannins, it concludes with a long, mineral finish. It's produced from a 9.5-hectare vineyard that encompasses three soil types: Saint-Émilion's limestone plateau (like its sibling, Château Canon); the slope, characterized by deep clay; and then sandy, colluvial soils at the foot of the slope. Right now it's planted with 70% Merlot and the balance Cabernet Franc, but the percentage of the latter is increasing as replanting progresses.د.إ736.00 -
James Suckling (95-96)
Very soft and polished with beautiful tannins that are poised and beautiful. It’s medium-to full-bodied and gorgeously proportioned. Ready for even more polishing.د.إ1,010.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (97)
A richer, darker-fruited wine than its big brother Canon, the 2022 Château Berliquet comes from slightly more clay soils and is always a bigger, broader wine, especially when compared to Canon and its neighbors on the upper plateau. It offers more currant and black cherry fruit as well as scorched earth, chocolate, and truffly aromas and flavors that gain persistence and intensity with time in the glass. These carry to a rich, full-bodied Saint-Emilion that has a beautifully layered mouthfeel, plenty of mid-palate depth, and a great finish. The level of purity and precision here is exceptional. The 2022 is 65% Merlot and 35% Cabernet Franc, from a mix of clay and limestone soils on the upper plateau, that spent 16 months in 44% new French oak, with 8% in amphora. It will evolve nicely over the coming 20-25 years.د.إ1,250.00 -
(3x150cl) 2023The Wine Independent (94-96)
A blend of 59% Merlot and 41% Cabernet Franc, the 2023 Berliquet has a pH of 3.53 and it is ageing in 10% amphorae and 90% oak barriques, of which 34% are new. It has a deep garnet-purple color and it hops from the glass with fragrant notes of wild blueberries, plum preserves, and kirsch, followed by hints of lilacs, fragrant soil, and cardamom. The medium-bodied palate is bright and energetic, with intense red and black berry layers and super-silky tannins, finishing with wonderful length and tension.د.إ4,693.98 -
The Wine Independent (94-96)
A blend of 59% Merlot and 41% Cabernet Franc, the 2023 Berliquet has a pH of 3.53 and it is ageing in 10% amphorae and 90% oak barriques, of which 34% are new. It has a deep garnet-purple color and it hops from the glass with fragrant notes of wild blueberries, plum preserves, and kirsch, followed by hints of lilacs, fragrant soil, and cardamom. The medium-bodied palate is bright and energetic, with intense red and black berry layers and super-silky tannins, finishing with wonderful length and tension.د.إ1,010.00 -
Wine Enthusiast (91)
Formerly the property of one of Napoleon's generals, this estate is now performing impressively after renovations. This wine is richly structured and packed with black fruits. Dark tannins vie with black currants and ripe spice in this wine that will age well. Drink from 2024.د.إ635.00 -
Vinous (96)
The ripeness of the 2018 vintage gives an almost Syrah/Viognier character to the Chinon La Croix Boissée, which offers sweet black fruit and a creamy apricot note. Sumptuous yet never ever opulent, it's almost as if the wine's just done a yoga class. Plentiful tannins give the inside of your cheeks a chalky rub, while there's surprising freshness considering the ripeness, leading to a lengthy finish. This is a baby that will turn out to be a great adult.د.إ1,925.00 -
Vinous (95-97)
Just outside the village, Clos Guillot sits on a slope on clay over limestone. The 2019 Chinon is a serious barrel sample that melts in your mouth with its silken texture. No crushing, very little remontage and a year in used barrels all lend a very gentle touch. The tannins build gradually, coating the mouth with the finest of chalky textures. Excellent acidity keeps things fresh through the finish.د.إ1,150.00 -
The Bernard Dugat-Py Bourgogne Blanc 2019 is a magisterial achievement from one of Burgundy's premier vintners. A product of meticulously selected Chardonnay grapes from the coveted terroirs of Côte de Nuits, Bernard Dugat-Py crafts his wines with an uncompromising respect for traditional winemaking methods. This exultant 2019 vintage is no exception, boasting a vibrant flavour profile interlaced with notes of ripe orchard fruits and a seamless mineral finish.
Stellar years of experience in viticulture are evident in the precisely balanced acidity that sets this wine apart. With an enduring commitment to low yields and organic viticulture, Dugat-Py achieves a harmonious wine of both depth and complexity. His small-scale operation ensures an unwavering focus to quality and the hand-harvested grapes vineyards, producing a wine that is fundamentally expressive of its origins.
Indulge in the majesty of Bernard Dugat-Py Bourgogne Blanc 2019, and savour a wine precisely crafted to delight the discerning palate.
د.إ1,690.00 -
Discover the exquisite Bernard Dugat-Py Bourgogne Blanc 2020, a fine wine hailing from the heart of Burgundy, France. Showcase of the renowned winemaker's art, each bottle encapsulates the essence of meticulously handled Chardonnay grapes. Carving a distinct path in the fine wine panorama, Bernard Dugat-Py's nimble craftsmanship is discernible in this vintage. Drawn from low-yielding, biodynamically farmed vines, the grapes are carefully handpicked to ensure only the highest quality.
The whole-cluster fermented wine bestows a magnificent profile revealing apple, pear, and citrus notes, accented by subtle hints of toasted almond and minerals. Extended ageing on the lees in French oak barrels brings to the fore the wine's elegance and complex refinement. The Bernard Dugat-Py Bourgogne Blanc 2020 is a testament to the mastery of Bernard Dugat-Py, a radiant gem in the pantheon of great white Burgundies. The crystalline clarity and enduring finish make this wine an unforgettable experience for the discerning connoisseur.
د.إ1,350.00 -
The Bernard Dugat-Py Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru 2019 is an exceptional French white wine produced in the iconic Burgundy region. This esteemed producer, Bernard Dugat-Py, is revered for his traditional winemaking approach, using minimal intervention to allow the quality of the fruit to shine through. This Grand Cru wine is carefully crafted from hand-picked Chardonnay grapes grown on the south-west facing limestone slopes of the Corton-Charlemagne vineyard. Its maturation in French oak barrels contributes to the wine's elegance and complexity.
The Bernard Dugat-Py Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru 2019 boasts an intricate bouquet of apples and peaches, underlined by delicate notes of butter and toast. On the palate, it offers a harmonious balance of rich fruit flavours and refreshing mineral undertones, leading to a long and refined finish. An ideal companion for fine dining, it complements dishes with nuanced flavours, such as lobster or roasted poultry.
د.إ18,285.00 -
(6x75cl) 2021Introducing the magnificent masterpiece by Domaine Bernard Gripa, the Bernard Gripa Saint Peray Les Figuiers 2021. Hailing from the renowned Rhone region of France, this distinctive white wine distinctly expresses terroir. It is crafted from 100% Marsanne grapes, grown on south-facing, terraced vineyards located at the foot of the Saint Péray, a symbol of the exceptional terroir.
The producer, Bernard Gripa, is celebrated for his virtuosity in producing wines that balance richness and delicacy effectively. The Bernard Gripa Saint Peray Les Figuiers 2021 echoes this signature style, offering a harmonious blend of intensity and complexity. On the nose, it reveals aromatic blossoms and ripe stone fruit, while the palate delights with lively minerality and a plush, long-lasting finish.
This exemplary wine promises an unforgettable experience for discerning aficionados. Savour the regality of Bernard Gripa Saint Peray Les Figuiers 2021, a landmark white wine in the Rhone's illustrious lineage.
د.إ901.00 -
(6x75cl) 2021Vinous (91-93)
Shimmering violet color. Primary red and blue fruit aromas, along with suggestions of olive, smoked meat and cracked pepper. Offers fleshy, appealingly sweet cherry and blackberry flavors that turn spicier and firm up through the back half. Subtly chewy tannins add grip to a long, smoky finish that leaves cherry and spice notes behind.د.إ878.00 -
Introducing the esteemed Bernard Millot Meursault La Barre 2018, a remarkable white Burgundy from the world-renowned vineyard of Bernard Millot. Located in the heart of Meursault, a village celebrated for its exemplary Chardonnays, the vineyard reflects its distinctive terroir in every bottle. The 2018 vintage, harvested from the La Barre single vineyard, embodies a unique blend of artisanal skill and nature's bounty.
This wine underwent meticulous vinification involving gentle pressing and fermentation in French oak, lending nuances of toasted almond and vanilla to its vibrant citrus and white orchard fruit flavours. Its balanced acidity and long, mineral-driven finish exemplify Meursault's character.
Matured for 12 undisturbed months in the cellar, the Bernard Millot Meursault La Barre 2018 typifies the exceptional precision and finesse synonymous with the Bernard Millot name. Experience the embodiment of French winemaking culture in this exquisite vintage.
د.إ2,585.00 -
Eminent for its elegance, Bernard Millot Meursault Les Vireuils 2018 is an embodiment of top-tier white Burgundy wine. From the distinguished vineyards of Meursault, a revered village in the Côte de Beaune district of Burgundy, France, comes this pristine expression of the Chardonnay grape. Renowned producer Bernard Millot meticulously crafts this refined wine, using traditional vinification methods. Maturation occurs in French oak barrels, introducing a subtle hint of spice to the wine's complex palate.
A treat to finer palates, Bernard Millot Meursault Les Vireuils 2018 exudes bright, enchanting aromas of ripe orchard fruits and fresh, zingy citrus. This melds seamlessly into rich, creamy undertones with a mineral-driven finish, unveiling the elegant depth of this Chardonnay. Each bottle reflects the exceptional terroir it hails from and the skilled winemaking philosophy of the Millot Estate. Invest in Bernard Millot Meursault Les Vireuils 2018, and appreciate a marvellous wine that symbolises the peerless quality of white Burgundy.
د.إ2,870.00 -
Vinous (90)
The 2018 Bourgogne Chardonnay, which had been bottled by the time of my visit, has a clean, precise apple blossom and citrus-scented bouquet that shows impressive definition for a generic white Burgundy. The palate is taut and fresh with a touch of bitter lemon on the entry, superb acidity and a saline finish. You will not find a better white Bourgogne Blanc in 2018.د.إ1,890.00 -
Vinous (91-93)
The 2019 Chassagne-Montrachet Morgeots 1er Cru has a terse bouquet, certainly one of the most austere and Puligny-like from Alex Moreau this year. The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity, taut and fresh, steely and focused with wonderful sapidity towards the finish. Excellent.د.إ2,815.00 -
Wine Advocate (90-92)
The 2016 Saint-Aubin 1er Cru En Remilly, which was taken from tank and fined, has quite a powerful, well-defined, lemon zest and walnut-scented bouquet that just springs from the glass. The palate is well defined with hints of blackcurrant complementing the malic fruit, with a touch of spiciness coming through on the finish. Very fine—one of the best from Alex Moreau this year.د.إ2,185.00 -
Dive into the world of fine Burgundy wine with the exquisite Bertagna Vosne Romanee 1er Cru Les Beaumonts 2016. Crafted in the prestigious vineyards of Vosne Romanée, Côte de Nuits, this elegant Pinot Noir is a worthy representation of Domaine Bertagna’s absolute commitment to organic viticulture and asymptotic pursuit of perfection for almost six decades. A jewel of Bertagna’s 18 appellations, this Premier Cru Les Beaumonts 2016 embodies the harmonious balance between power and finesse. The long, slow vinification process in oak barrels bestows its complex bouquet accentuated by scents of wild cherries, violets and spiced chocolate. The velvety tannins and ripe fruit nuances linger on the palate, creating a wine that is not only deeply satisfying, but also emblematic of its illustrious terroir. Its consistent depth and refinement undoubtedly affirm Bertagna Vosne Romanee 1er Cru Les Beaumonts 2016 as a grand cru in all but name.
د.إ2,300.00 -
Vinous (93-95)
The 2019 Echézeaux Grand Cru contains 60% whole bunches. It comes from three plots that, still, only made two and a half barrels this year. It has a very well defined bouquet that seems to blossom in the glass, although it will need some time for the stems to be assimilated. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, very peppery in style with touches of white pepper and bay leaf towards the persistent finish. This is a classy wine, one that is not unlike Dujac’s Echézeaux!د.إ9,890.00 -
Burghound (90)
This is aromatically similar to the Les Crais though with the addition of a discreet dollop of wood. There is a bit more volume and power to the medium-bodied flavors that flash ample minerality on the moderately austere finale that delivers first-rate depth and persistence. This excellent and ageworthy effort is a classic Fixin and very much worth your interest.د.إ1,180.00 -
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (91)
Combes du Dessus has been assembled into this in 2023. A denser bright purple. The nose is less immediately forthcoming, but there is greater weight of fruit, richer raspberry towards the back of the palate yet with good acidity. The two plots do indeed complement each other. Just bottled. Drink from 2027-2032. Tasted Nov 2024.د.إ1,320.00 -
Vinous (90-92)
The 2020 Vosne-Romanée Village is more backward on the nose compared to the Fixin: blackberry, undergrowth and touch of wilted iris petal. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins. This feels lithe and sensual, the oak neatly integrated with a silky smooth finish. This should be a peach once in bottle.د.إ2,875.00 -
Vinous (90-92)
The 2021 Vosne-Romanée Village has an attractive nose with quite generous red cherry and crushed strawberry fruit, hints of violet. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine tannins, tensile and citrus-fresh with an orange peel infused finish. Very fine.د.إ1,915.00 -
Indulge in an unparalleled oenological delight with the Bertrand Bachelet Maranges 1er Cru La Fussiere 2019. Produced in the prestigious Burgundy region of France, this vintage stands out with its exceptional pedigree. Bertrand Bachelet, a respected name in winemaking, intricately crafts it in small batches to ensure superior quality. With vineyards located in the village of Maranges, the climatic conditions and terroir impart unique characteristics to the wine.
The producer employs traditional winemaking techniques to accentuate the intrinsic traits of Pinot Noir, the dominant grape in this vino. The rich, perfectly balanced notes of red fruits, vanilla and oak, intricately layered with a lingering minerality, make a dramatic statement. The 2019 Maranges 1er Cru La Fussiere is robust yet refined, exhibiting a complexity that reveals itself subtly.
Whether you are a seasoned sommelier or a budding enthusiast, the Bertrand Bachelet Maranges 1er Cru La Fussiere 2019 guarantees a memorable tasting experience.
د.إ1,035.00 -
Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (95)
This 2010 just nudges the 2009 for me in terms of future potential if you are looking to cellar over the long term. Has depth and silky tannins, layers of bitter black chocolate, tea, cocoa bean, espresso, salted cracker, rosemary, sage, anis, and aromatics of crushed roses as it opens. Great quality, a ton of complexity. 60% new oak for ageing, September 27 to October 13 for harvest.د.إ5,765.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (96)
I was able to taste the 2016 Château Beychevelle on two occasions, and it showed beautifully both times. This is also the first vintage made in the new cellar. Medium to full-bodied, incredibly seamless and elegant on the palate, yet beautifully concentrated, it offers a heavenly perfume of spring flowers, violets, saddle leather, and blueberry and cassis fruit. A blend of 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 47% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and the rest Cabernet Franc, brought up in 50% new oak, it’s still tight, taunt, and reserved on the palate, yet has the hallmark purity of fruit and balance of the vintage front and center. Hide bottles for 4-6 years, and it will keep for 25+ years or more.د.إ2,320.00
