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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Distinguished exemplary of impeccable growing area and pedigree, the Louis Moreau Chablis Valmur Grand Cru 2012 personifies utmost elegance and finesse. Born from the exceptional terroir of Valmur, renowned among the Chablis Grands Crus, this wine is crafted by Louis Moreau, a fifth-generation winegrower in the winemaking heartland of Burgundy. Handpicked Chardonnay vines with an average age of 45 years are the cornerstone of this extraordinarily refined vintage.
After a classic vinification in stainless steel, it matures for 16 months on fine lees. The resultant wine is an embodiment of authenticity, boasting distinct mineral nuances of limestone and flint on the nose, alongside a sumptuous fruitiness. The palatial profile is rounded yet lively, undercharged by a vibrant energy that elegantly unites the richness of fruit and its mineral core. Each sip of Louis Moreau Chablis Valmur Grand Cru 2012 brings a harmonious symphony of flavours, leaving a lingering sense of allure behind.
Inc. GSTSG$908.41 -
Inc. GSTSG$20,266.33 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (92)
Tropical fruits, honey, mint, lime and almonds are some of the many scents that emerge from the 2012 Monbousquet Blanc. Vinification in oak (50% new), along with stirring of the lees, gives the wine much of its overt personality and lush, oily texture. Readers should expect a flamboyant white with expressive aromatics and plenty of depth. The blend is 67% Sauvignon Blanc and 33% Sauvignon Gris.Inc. GSTSG$898.60 -
Vinous - Neal Martin (90)
The 2012 Nairac has a peachy nose with Golden Delicious, honeysuckle and pear scents, fine definition though it needs a little more focus. The palate is well balanced with quite a tangy entry, good weight, waxy in texture with stem ginger and light lemongrass notes on the finish. Fine. Tasted blind at the Southwold Ten-Year On tasting.Inc. GSTSG$618.47 -
Wine Advocate (96)
I am not sure what the exact blend is for the 2012 Pape Clément, but it has a light gold color and is a gorgeously full-bodied, multi-dimensional wine with great texture in its notes of rose petal, honeysuckle, crystallized/caramelized tropical fruits, mandarin orange and honeyed lemon. Aged 15 months in mostly new French oak, this is another brilliant achievement for proprietor Bernard Magrez from this tiny white wine vineyard, although I would rate it slightly below his perfect 2009. Anticipated maturity: now-2030.Inc. GSTSG$1,372.75 -
Wine Advocate (93)
I reviewed the 2012 Hermitage Chevalier de Sterimberg last year, and it hasn’t budged an inch since that time. Possessing a Burgundian feel in its flinty minerality, white flowers, apple and brioche-scented bouquet, it’s medium to full-bodied, laser focused and has gained a subtle almond paste quality on the finish. Drink it over the coming decade or more.Inc. GSTSG$800.50 -
The Wine Cellar Insider (94)
Honeydew, cantaloupe, grassy, citrus scents pop with little effort. Fresh, lively, peppy and sweet, lemon and lime flavors produce a persistent finish. 92-94 PtsInc. GSTSG$1,462.49 -
Inc. GSTSG$868.08 -
Inc. GSTSG$1,329.58 -
Vinous (95)
Petrol, graphite, smoke, slate and white stone fruits grace the palate in the 2012 Chablis Montée de Tonnerre. Vivid and utterly crystalline, Raveneaus's 2012 is a great essay into to qualities of one of the great - maybe the single greatest - 1er Cru site in Chablis. The 2012 has a bit more new oak than is typically the case, as most of the new barrels in this vintage were used here. A thrilling finish rounds things off in style.Inc. GSTSG$2,506.67 -
Vinous (97+)
Precision, nuance and translucence - not qualities typically associated with this site - are the signatures in Raveneau's 2012 Chablis Valmur. This is a decidedly understated Valmur built on restraint and a total sense of polish. The silky, resonant finish is utterly beautiful. The Valmur is another of the 2012s here that appears to be holding back much of its personality. I imagine it will offer thrilling drinking over the next two decades.Inc. GSTSG$1,328.25 -
Inc. GSTSG$954.84 -
Wine Advocate (89-91)
The 2012 Saint Veran Les Pommards Vieilles Vignes comes from their 0.52-hectare parcel of 50+-year-old vines. It has a refined, almost languid bouquet that is well-defined and just gently unfurls from the glass. The palate is also very well-balanced, so much so that you can barely notice the 30% new oak. This is a very classy Saint Veran.Inc. GSTSG$825.24 -
Immerse yourself in the world of fine wines with the Rolet Arbois Vin Jaune 2012. Exclusively produced within the idyllic Jura region of France, this exceptional drop is a testament to the meticulous process undertaken by Rolet Père et Fils, an internationally recognised winery. The renowned Chardonnay grapes, famed for their unique character and extraordinary aromatic profile, are handpicked at optimal maturity before undergoing a prolonged aging process in oak barrels for 6 years.
The result? The Rolet Arbois Vin Jaune 2012 exudes a striking golden sheen synonymous with revered Vin Jaune, while gracing palates with rich complexities - nutty nuances, exotic dried fruits and a mineral-edge finish. This prestigious tipple is a stunning accompaniment to French Comté cheese, or savoured on its own. Experience the embodiment of traditional French viniculture with the incomparable Rolet Arbois Vin Jaune 2012.
Inc. GSTSG$649.45 -
James Suckling (97)
Very cool, delicate and floral with daring elegance. Not the most powerful wine of this ripe vintage, but extremely refined. A very long finish that is marked by chalky minerality. The way that it literally blossoms in the glass after half an hour suggests that this masterpiece has at least a couple of decades of life ahead of it. Decant if you want to drink now.Inc. GSTSG$1,238.79 -
James Suckling (97)
Very cool, delicate and floral with daring elegance. Not the most powerful wine of this ripe vintage, but extremely refined. A very long finish that is marked by chalky minerality. The way that it literally blossoms in the glass after half an hour suggests that this masterpiece has at least a couple of decades of life ahead of it. Decant if you want to drink now.Inc. GSTSG$2,147.03 -
Vinous (92)
Bright pale straw-green. Fresh nose of green apple, quince lime and herbs. Then minty, almost peppery flavors of green fig, apple and gooseberry. Finishes long and suave with zippy acidity and a hint of minerality at the back. This is still very young but magically combines precision, concentration and refinement as only this cuvée manages. Strikes me as an earlier maturing version of Fréderic Emile, but will undoubtedly be another great star in this wine’s constellation history.Inc. GSTSG$889.96 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94)
The 2012 Valandraud Blanc is Murielle Andraud's more textured white. Made from the estate's best fruit and vinified in barrel, the Blanc is quite a bit richer than the Virginie de Valandraud. Here the textures are rich, sensual and inviting, with an extra kick of gravitas that propels the powerful, resonant finish. Even with all of its intensity, the Blanc retains gorgeous freshness.Inc. GSTSG$911.68 -
Burghound (96)
This is arguably the most elegant wine in the range with its ultra-pure aromas of quinine, oyster shell, mineral reduction and floral elements that are also trimmed in just enough wood to warrant commenting on it. There is a caressing, even seductive mouth feel to the beautifully well-delineated and concentrated medium-bodied flavors that possess an almost delicate quality before culminating in a nearly startlingly explosive finish that just goes on and on. This bone dry effort is an exercise in harmony and grace, or otherwise expressed, a classic Preuses. In a word, brilliant.Inc. GSTSG$1,134.15 -
Wine Advocate (91-93)
A dry white wine made from two-thirds Semillon and one-third Sauvignon from the vineyards of Yquem, Ygrec was first introduced in 1959, and around 1,000 cases are produced each year. An exquisite white Bordeaux, while it does possess a high level of residual sugar (8%-9%), 90% of the people who taste it would say it is completely dry because of its high acids and low pH. A brilliant effort, the 2012 was harvested between September 25 and October 25. It should drink well for 8-12 years.Inc. GSTSG$255.68
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Distinguished exemplary of impeccable growing area and pedigree, the Louis Moreau Chablis Valmur Grand Cru 2012 personifies utmost elegance and finesse. Born from the exceptional terroir of Valmur, renowned among the Chablis Grands Crus, this wine is crafted by Louis Moreau, a fifth-generation winegrower in the winemaking heartland of Burgundy. Handpicked Chardonnay vines with an average age of 45 years are the cornerstone of this extraordinarily refined vintage.
After a classic vinification in stainless steel, it matures for 16 months on fine lees. The resultant wine is an embodiment of authenticity, boasting distinct mineral nuances of limestone and flint on the nose, alongside a sumptuous fruitiness. The palatial profile is rounded yet lively, undercharged by a vibrant energy that elegantly unites the richness of fruit and its mineral core. Each sip of Louis Moreau Chablis Valmur Grand Cru 2012 brings a harmonious symphony of flavours, leaving a lingering sense of allure behind.
In BondSG$774.00 -
In BondSG$18,490.00
-
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (92)
Tropical fruits, honey, mint, lime and almonds are some of the many scents that emerge from the 2012 Monbousquet Blanc. Vinification in oak (50% new), along with stirring of the lees, gives the wine much of its overt personality and lush, oily texture. Readers should expect a flamboyant white with expressive aromatics and plenty of depth. The blend is 67% Sauvignon Blanc and 33% Sauvignon Gris.In BondSG$765.00 -
Vinous - Neal Martin (90)
The 2012 Nairac has a peachy nose with Golden Delicious, honeysuckle and pear scents, fine definition though it needs a little more focus. The palate is well balanced with quite a tangy entry, good weight, waxy in texture with stem ginger and light lemongrass notes on the finish. Fine. Tasted blind at the Southwold Ten-Year On tasting.In BondSG$508.00 -
Wine Advocate (96)
I am not sure what the exact blend is for the 2012 Pape Clément, but it has a light gold color and is a gorgeously full-bodied, multi-dimensional wine with great texture in its notes of rose petal, honeysuckle, crystallized/caramelized tropical fruits, mandarin orange and honeyed lemon. Aged 15 months in mostly new French oak, this is another brilliant achievement for proprietor Bernard Magrez from this tiny white wine vineyard, although I would rate it slightly below his perfect 2009. Anticipated maturity: now-2030.In BondSG$1,200.00 -
Wine Advocate (93)
I reviewed the 2012 Hermitage Chevalier de Sterimberg last year, and it hasn’t budged an inch since that time. Possessing a Burgundian feel in its flinty minerality, white flowers, apple and brioche-scented bouquet, it’s medium to full-bodied, laser focused and has gained a subtle almond paste quality on the finish. Drink it over the coming decade or more.In BondSG$675.00 -
The Wine Cellar Insider (94)
Honeydew, cantaloupe, grassy, citrus scents pop with little effort. Fresh, lively, peppy and sweet, lemon and lime flavors produce a persistent finish. 92-94 PtsIn BondSG$1,315.00 -
In BondSG$737.00
-
In BondSG$1,200.00
-
Vinous (95)
Petrol, graphite, smoke, slate and white stone fruits grace the palate in the 2012 Chablis Montée de Tonnerre. Vivid and utterly crystalline, Raveneaus's 2012 is a great essay into to qualities of one of the great - maybe the single greatest - 1er Cru site in Chablis. The 2012 has a bit more new oak than is typically the case, as most of the new barrels in this vintage were used here. A thrilling finish rounds things off in style.In BondSG$2,270.00 -
Vinous (97+)
Precision, nuance and translucence - not qualities typically associated with this site - are the signatures in Raveneau's 2012 Chablis Valmur. This is a decidedly understated Valmur built on restraint and a total sense of polish. The silky, resonant finish is utterly beautiful. The Valmur is another of the 2012s here that appears to be holding back much of its personality. I imagine it will offer thrilling drinking over the next two decades.In BondSG$1,210.00 -
In BondSG$777.00
-
Wine Advocate (89-91)
The 2012 Saint Veran Les Pommards Vieilles Vignes comes from their 0.52-hectare parcel of 50+-year-old vines. It has a refined, almost languid bouquet that is well-defined and just gently unfurls from the glass. The palate is also very well-balanced, so much so that you can barely notice the 30% new oak. This is a very classy Saint Veran.In BondSG$668.00 -
Immerse yourself in the world of fine wines with the Rolet Arbois Vin Jaune 2012. Exclusively produced within the idyllic Jura region of France, this exceptional drop is a testament to the meticulous process undertaken by Rolet Père et Fils, an internationally recognised winery. The renowned Chardonnay grapes, famed for their unique character and extraordinary aromatic profile, are handpicked at optimal maturity before undergoing a prolonged aging process in oak barrels for 6 years.
The result? The Rolet Arbois Vin Jaune 2012 exudes a striking golden sheen synonymous with revered Vin Jaune, while gracing palates with rich complexities - nutty nuances, exotic dried fruits and a mineral-edge finish. This prestigious tipple is a stunning accompaniment to French Comté cheese, or savoured on its own. Experience the embodiment of traditional French viniculture with the incomparable Rolet Arbois Vin Jaune 2012.
In BondSG$550.00 -
James Suckling (97)
Very cool, delicate and floral with daring elegance. Not the most powerful wine of this ripe vintage, but extremely refined. A very long finish that is marked by chalky minerality. The way that it literally blossoms in the glass after half an hour suggests that this masterpiece has at least a couple of decades of life ahead of it. Decant if you want to drink now.In BondSG$1,120.00 -
James Suckling (97)
Very cool, delicate and floral with daring elegance. Not the most powerful wine of this ripe vintage, but extremely refined. A very long finish that is marked by chalky minerality. The way that it literally blossoms in the glass after half an hour suggests that this masterpiece has at least a couple of decades of life ahead of it. Decant if you want to drink now.In BondSG$1,945.00 -
Vinous (92)
Bright pale straw-green. Fresh nose of green apple, quince lime and herbs. Then minty, almost peppery flavors of green fig, apple and gooseberry. Finishes long and suave with zippy acidity and a hint of minerality at the back. This is still very young but magically combines precision, concentration and refinement as only this cuvée manages. Strikes me as an earlier maturing version of Fréderic Emile, but will undoubtedly be another great star in this wine’s constellation history.In BondSG$765.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94)
The 2012 Valandraud Blanc is Murielle Andraud's more textured white. Made from the estate's best fruit and vinified in barrel, the Blanc is quite a bit richer than the Virginie de Valandraud. Here the textures are rich, sensual and inviting, with an extra kick of gravitas that propels the powerful, resonant finish. Even with all of its intensity, the Blanc retains gorgeous freshness.In BondSG$777.00 -
Burghound (96)
This is arguably the most elegant wine in the range with its ultra-pure aromas of quinine, oyster shell, mineral reduction and floral elements that are also trimmed in just enough wood to warrant commenting on it. There is a caressing, even seductive mouth feel to the beautifully well-delineated and concentrated medium-bodied flavors that possess an almost delicate quality before culminating in a nearly startlingly explosive finish that just goes on and on. This bone dry effort is an exercise in harmony and grace, or otherwise expressed, a classic Preuses. In a word, brilliant.In BondSG$991.00 -
Wine Advocate (91-93)
A dry white wine made from two-thirds Semillon and one-third Sauvignon from the vineyards of Yquem, Ygrec was first introduced in 1959, and around 1,000 cases are produced each year. An exquisite white Bordeaux, while it does possess a high level of residual sugar (8%-9%), 90% of the people who taste it would say it is completely dry because of its high acids and low pH. A brilliant effort, the 2012 was harvested between September 25 and October 25. It should drink well for 8-12 years.In BondSG$225.00
