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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Vintage Tastings (95)
. Next up was a superb wine that most were convinced was a Guigal La La wine. There was so much menthol, bacon and violety fruit it had to be! The palate was meaty, fine and long with great purityد.إ18,280.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (100)
I’ve rated the 2003 Hermitage perfect on numerous occasions, and while sound bottles are still as good as it gets, I’ve also had some tired bottles here in the States, so provenance is critical with this vintage. Still youthfully colored yet just starting to show some maturity in its aromatics of blackberries, dark currants, licorice, spice box, and leather, this fabulously textured, opulent 2003 hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a wealth of sweet tannins, and a monster of a finish. Clearing 15% alcohol (and I think the pH is probably around 4), it should be a required tasting for all those touting the low alcohol nonsense. This singular beauty can be drunk today with incredible pleasure or cellared for another two decades, if you’re so inclined.د.إ14,715.00 -
(6x75cl) 2017Jeb Dunnuck (98)
Just an incredible Hermitage in every sense, the 2017 Hermitage reminds me of the 2016 yet on steroids (or maybe a more finesse-driven example of the 2015?). Revealing a deep, saturated purple color as well as a stunning nose of red and black currants, kirsch, Asian spices, cured meats, ground pepper, and Acacia flowers, it shows more classic Chave minerality with time in the glass, and if this doesn't put a smile on your face, I don't know what will. These all carry to a full-bodied, powerful, yet seamless wine that has the sunny, extroverted style of the vintage yet still packs incredible mid-palate depth, ripe, polished tannins, no hard edges, and one hell of an incredible finish. It's going to be relatively accessible by this cuvée’s standards and offer considerable pleasure in its youth, yet also have 30-40 years of longevity.د.إ8,820.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (100)
I was blown away by the 2018 Hermitage from barrel, and it unquestionably doesn't disappoint from bottle. Reminding me slightly of the 2009, it possesses off-the-charts richness and depth, but like all great wines, stays pure, balanced, and light on its feel. Extraordinary notes of cassis, blue fruits, graphite, violets, and flowers define the bouquet, and this full-bodied, layered, multi-dimensional beauty has ripe tannins, flawless balance, and a great finish. This is pure Hermitage magic. Given its extravagant richness and texture, it should be relatively accessible in just a handful of years yet evolve for three decades or more.د.إ8,045.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (98+)
A powerhouse of a wine that flirts with perfection, the 2019 Hermitage reveals a dense purple hue as well as an extraordinary bouquet of sweet blue fruits supported by notes of crushed stone, lead pencil, leather, and ground pepper, with hints of flowers in the background. Full-bodied, stunningly pure, and massively concentrated, yet with riveting precision and elegance, it needs to be hidden in the back of the cellar for a decade and will evolve for 30, 40, if not 50 years. Tasting the trilogy of the 2018, 2019, and 2020 over the coming decades will be the equivalent of wine nirvana.د.إ9,630.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (100)
Pure gold, the 2018 Hermitage Blanc is another heavenly Hermitage Blanc from this estate that could not be any better. More in the style of the 2009 with its ripe, sexy, yet still pure and seamless profile, it offers quintessential notes of quince, honeyed lemons, white flowers, marzipan, and buttered toast. Full-bodied, deep, unctuous, and blockbuster styled on the palate, it has a level of purity that's off the charts. It offers incredible pleasure today, and you should unquestionably try a bottle over the coming year or two, then it will need a decade of cellaring. Hermitage Blanc – or white wine, for that matter – simply doesn't get any better.د.إ8,340.00 -
John Livingstone-Learmonth (5)
The bouquet is bold, on beef stock, iron, dense black berries, has a poised, integral sweetness, airs of raspberry liqueur, oak smoke. It’s a solid start. The palate has the theme of mineral well placed through it, a lot of mountain of matter, thickening towards the finish. It holds sparkling and dense fruits – cassis, soaked cherries. It is vibrant and very full; there is real flair off its sun-dialled deck. It has great juice; it’s a treat to taste this. Decanting advised. It has a lot of black fruits, a belle freshness to underpin it; it’s very long.د.إ1,670.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (96)
The star of the show is the 2019 Côte Rôtie Terrasses, which can thought of as a hypothetical mix of the 2017 and 2018, with perhaps a nod to the 2017. Both red and black fruits, peppery herbs, dried flowers, graphite, and a beautiful sense of minerality define the bulk of the aromatics, and it's medium to full-bodied on the palate, with fine, building tannins, terrific overall balance, and a great finish. From a vintage that produced ripe, tannic wines, this stays balanced and pure and is loaded with potential.د.إ1,625.00 -
The Jean-Marc Blain-Gagnard Montrachet Grand Cru 2021 is a spellbinding testament to the expertise of this revered Burgundy producer. Hailing from the prestigious Montrachet appellation, the domaine is distinguished by its meticulous vinification process based on handpicked Chardonnay grapes, precision parcellaire, and slow-paced fermentation in oak barrels. Aromatic opulence and textual finesse epitomise this stellar vintage.
Under the watchful eye of Jean-Marc Blain and Claudine Gagnard, strict yield control and practiced viticulture have underpinned the wine's profound balance of opulence and elegance. Remarkably, the wine reflects the nuance of its terroir, a kiss of limestone minerality underscoring a symphony of orchard fruit, honey, and buttery brioche. A rounded palate and a lingering finish, spiked with fresh acidity, complete the captivating profile of Jean-Marc Blain-Gagnard Montrachet Grand Cru 2021. A bottle of this vintage will elevate any occasion, truly capturing the essence of world-class Burgundian winemaking.
د.إ20,600.00 -
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (95)
Delicious pale lemon colour with a few green reflexes. Power in a chiselled rather than a fat style. There is nonetheless huge opulence on the palate, luxurious white fruit, ripe pears, not going as far as peach, yet still managing a certain elegance. All in place here. Long and ripely scented finish. Tasted: November 2021د.إ6,035.00 -
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (95)
Only down 40% thanks to general protection. Delicious pale lemon colour with a few green reflexes. Power in a chiselled rather than a fat style. Huge opulence on the palate, luxurious white fruit, ripe pears, not going as far as peach, and still managing a certain elegance. All in place here. A long and ripely scented finish. All one would hope for. Drink from 2027-2030. Tasted: November 2022د.إ5,030.00 -
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (96)
A pale colour with a lime tint. Backward but powerful, as it should be. Taking time to build on the palate, with a mineral thread of acidity, pure white fruit, expertly poised. There may be weightier examples around, but this is certainly very fine. Drink from 2030-2040. Tasted: October 2023.د.إ5,460.00 -
د.إ1,525.00 -
د.إ1,575.00 -
(6x75cl) 2019Vinous (93)
The 2019 Puligny-Montrachet Champ Canet 1er Cru has a very attractive nose with enticing scents of nectarine, tinned white peaches, Braeburn apples and a light chalky note. The palate is well balanced with orange pith, apricot and lychee notes on the entry. This Champ Canet has fine depth and good tension, the mouth tingling with spicy residues after it has departed. Excellent.د.إ2,560.00 -
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (93)
Lemon and lime colour. The fruit comes across a little riper, with some plum skins. Notably generous on the palate but still with excellent acidity, an intriguing little touch of liquorice further back, quite complex. Drink from 2029-2035. Tasted Oct 2024.د.إ2,225.00 -
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (94)
Pale primrose. A fine bouquet with some complexity, fruit as white as it is yellow, this has really maintained its grip though the fruit is at its fleshiest here, quite a long finish. Does it have quite the nervous intensity at the back? That is not really what Combettes is about. Fruit marries well with the oak here, a delicious and fairly accessible Combettes. Tasted: November 2021د.إ3,620.00 -
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (93)
82% down in production I am told, meaning just 1 x 350 litre barrel, a new one. Pale lemon with a light green tint. Quite a concentration on the bouquet, fruit and oak integrated. Excellent tension behind, the fruit being concentrated enough to stand up to the oak, and the finish shows significant promise. This will come out well – if you can find any! Drink from 2026-2032. Tasted: November 2022د.إ3,275.00 -
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (93)
Pale lemon and lime. The 20222 Les Referts has notably more density than the Garenne, a touch of salt on the citrus at the back of the palate, with generous yellow plum fruit in between. Good length. Drink from 2028-2035. Tasted: October 2023.د.إ2,520.00 -
Wine Advocate (94)
The 2018 Morgon Côte du Py derives from both higher-altitude and lower-lying parcels, and it is a great success this year, offering up a lovely bouquet of dark fruits, cherries, smoked meat and licorice. On the palate, it's full-bodied, ample and layered, with a fleshy and concentrated core, fine girdling tannins and succulent acids, concluding with a long and sapid finish.د.إ1,400.00 -
Jancis Robinson (18)
Riper fruit on the palate with a sort of rhubarb note and loads of cherry and redcurrant. Well integrated leafy bitterness and a long, stately finish.د.إ5,040.00 -
Burghound (94)
Sweet spot Outstanding. This is at once the spiciest and the most floral-suffused nose in the range with its ripe yet ultra-fresh nose of various dark berries, anise and newly turned earth scents. The mouthfeel is also intriguing as it combines excellent density with an appealing sleekness that carries over to the mineral-driven, powerful and compact finale that is wonderfully persistent if very clearly built-to-age. This is almost always Pavelot's best wine and it is highly likely to be so in 2022 as well.د.إ1,160.00 -
Indulge in the sublime taste of Jean-Marc Seleque Partition 7 Parcelles Extra Brut 2016, an exceptional Champagne by a distinguished producer. Crafted with precision and passion in the hailed terroir of Pierry, a highly revered commune in the Côte des Blancs sub-region of Champagne, France. This extraordinary Champagne is a symphony of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier grapes meticulously cultivated from seven select parcels, hence the name 'Partition 7 Parcelles'. The 2016 vintage was marked by optimal conditions that produced a perfect harmony of acidity and ripeness. Jean-Marc Seleque, a producer famed for his unwavering commitment to sustainable viticulture, employs traditional vinification methods and elevates the wine in oak barrels, lending it intricate buttery and toasted notes. This extra brut exudes elegance and complexity, with a well-balanced finish that lingers on the palate. Savour the Jean-Marc Seleque Partition 7 Parcelles Extra Brut 2016's delightful nuances of crisp apple, ripe peach, and toasted brioche. An absolute must for discerning Champagne aficionados.
د.إ2,945.00 -
The Jean-Marc Seleque Soliste Pinot Noir Les Gayeres Premier Cru 2016 is a fine testament to Franche Champagne craftsmanship. Produced by esteemed winemaker Jean-Marc Seleque in Pierry, a picturesque Premier Cru village, this Pinot Noir embodies the exceptional savoir-faire and years of family vineyard expertise. Utilising organic and sustainable methods, Seleque’s dedication to uncompromising quality is evident in this vintage.
The 2016 Soliste, matured for 18 months in 35% new oak, boasts a captivating aroma. A triumphant harmony of wild strawberries, cherries, forest floor and subtle spice linger on the nose, promising an impeccable tasting journey. On the palate, here's finesse; a silken texture met with bright acidity, and a satisfying, lingering finish. This poised, elegant red offers notes of red fruits and a touch of spice, mirrored from the bouquet.
A true delicacy for enthusiasts, the Jean-Marc Seleque Soliste Pinot Noir Les Gayeres Premier Cru 2016 won't fail to enchant.
د.إ2,750.00 -
Steeped in sophistication, the Jean-Marc Seleque, Les Gouttes d'Or Premier Cru, Pierry 2016 is an epitome of exquisite French handiwork. Crafted in the reputed vineyards of the Pierry terroir, nested in Champagne, this first-class blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier has received Premier Cru designation, affirming its exceptional quality. The grapes, handpicked during the harvest peak of 2016, underwent meticulous vinification in oak casks, imbuing the wine with its distinct character. The result embraces you with delicate citrus notes, elegantly balanced by a tantalising underpinning of minerality and a refined, persistent finish.
Produced by the talented Jean-Marc Seleque, it reflects his unwavering commitment to ecological vineyard management, low-intervention winemaking and a personal artistry that has been honed over seven generations. The Jean-Marc Seleque, Les Gouttes d'Or Premier Cru, Pierry 2016 offers discerning enthusiasts a captivating experience of the traditional Champagne method through a compelling modern lens.
د.إ2,845.00 -
Savour the exquisitely crafted Jean-Marc Seleque, Coteaux Champenois Premier Cru, Dizy 2019. This vintage originates from the esteemed Premier Cru vineyards of Dizy in the Champagne region of France. Produced by seventh-generation grower Jean-Marc Seleque, this wine encapsulates the family's dedication to quality and tradition, with each cluster handpicked and diligently selected for superior taste. The vinification process utilises oak barrels, fostering a refined and complex flavour profile.
This elegant wine is distilled from pure Meunier grapes, offering an impressive pallet of red fruits with a delicate minerality. Bright crimson in hue, the Dizy 2019 provides a remarkable balance between acidity and rounded smoothness, yielding an exceptionally pleasing finish.
Enjoy the Jean-Marc Seleque, Coteaux Champenois Premier Cru, Dizy 2019's fine craftsmanship with confidence, knowing it represents the best of Premier Cru selections.
د.إ1,475.00 -
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (94-97)
Medium deep red purple with a little bit of spice. Starts gently then it really swells on the palate. All is at the back of the palate with a really classy finish, perfect tension, a very elegant Chambertin.د.إ13,015.00 -
Vinous (94-96)
The 2018 Latricières-Chambertin Grand Cru has an outstanding bouquet of crushed iris and incense aromas filtering through mineral-rich black fruit. Such vibrancy! The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, very good acidity and a wonderfully focused finish that is top-drawer. Superb.د.إ8,795.00 -
د.إ9,840.00 -
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (94-97)
5*s 34 hl/ha. Fine pale lemon, with a very distinct Caillerets nose - all the stones you could want - to support the pure white fruit. Impeccable density on the palate, now including some bright yellow plum fruit, racy acidity, layers on layers here, boding well for the future. Perfect balancing acidity, this has the power to age extremely well.د.إ2,945.00
