Location

France

France has gone on a roller coaster ride. A booming industry was decimated by mildew and phylloxera in the second half of the 19th century, then two World Wars in the 20th century. Thirst won in the end, and, France is now the World’s #2 wine producer by volume.

Without doubt the two greatest drivers of the French wine industry have been the concept of Terroir and the establishment of the Appellation d’origine contrôlée.

Combined these have defined a philosophical approach to growing and making wine and enforced strict controls of grape varieties that can be planted in each region and winemaking practices that can be employed.

Frances has come through with flying colours, successive generations have been better trained, spent time in the New World exposing them to different techniques for growing vines and making wine, and, have been able to push the boundaries to achieve excellence.

First Records of Wine Production – Go back millennia to the 6th century BC. The Greeks kicked things off with the Romans ramping things up. Those Romans got around and took their vines and wines with them! Over time the wealth of the Monastries took over much of the production. Nobility took their turn until the guillotine fell!

Founding Figures – In ‘recent times’, technical advancement in the industry were driven by Minister of the Interior, Jean-Antoine Chaptal following the French revolution, work done by Louis Pasteur in the 19th century, and, the Emperor Napoleon III commissioning of the 1855 classification of Bordeaux.

Area Planted – with around 630,000 hectares of vines France produces 17% of the World’s wine

Established Regions – When we think French wine, the regions that immediately come to mind are Champagne with its fizz, Bordeaux’s Cabernet blends and Sauternes, Burgundy’s Pinot and Chardonnay, the Rhône Valley’s Shiraz, Grenache, Marsanne & Roussane, and, Alsatian Riesling.

Most Common Varieties

White – From greatest area planted down the top red varieties are Ugni Blanc, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Melon de Bourgogne, Sémillon, Chennin Blanc, Colombard, Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains, Grenache Blanc, Viognier, and, Riesling.

Red – The list doesn’t surprise the order they come in does from greatest area planted down the top red varieties are Merlot, Grenache, Syrah, Carignan, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Gamay, Pinot Noir, Cinsaut, Pinot Meunier and Mourvèdre.

Up and Coming Regions – In recent times we’ve seen the Rosé of Provence, the hidden gems from the Languedoc, Jura and Loire Valley increasing in popularity.

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Domaine William Fèvre Chablis Premier Cru ‘Vaillons’ 2020

Chardonnay | France, Burgundy

From a huge 3.5 ha holding that is composed by <75% Vaillons proper with the remainder from Roncières, Mélinots and Châtains. Derived from old vines in Les Minots (that are a source for the Fèvre massale selection), as well as holdings in Roncières and Chatains, the 2020 Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons unwinds in the glass with notes of white flowers, crisp stone fruit and clear honey. Medium to fullbodied, satiny and enveloping, it’s a beautifully vibrant, racy wine that concludes wit

$122

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Off Dry 18-25g/l sugar

Huet Vouvray Demi Sec ‘Le Mont’ 2022

Chenin Blanc | Vouvray, D'Anjou-Saumur

"The 2022 Le Mont Demi-Sec is less fruity and charming than, say, Clos du Bourg; its tension and line come from its flinty terroir. Despite its 21g/L residual sugar, it retains a sense of tautness without being totally linear. Radish and pear notes linger on the long finish. This is grown-up demi-sec." Drink 2024-2038 Rebecca Gibb MW, Vinous 95 Points

$122

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Old vine depth & persistence

Domaine SC Guillard Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes ‘Réniard’ 2019

Pinot Noir | Gevrey-Chambertin, Côte-de-Nuits

There is lovely perfume lift and a purity of fruit. The palate is beautifully balanced and finely structured Deep crimson deep purple tints, very deep color. The nose is layered with berry fruit, raspberry, wild strawberry, again cassis enters the fray with some blackberry fruit notes. There is lovely perfume lift and a purity of fruit. The palate is beautifully balanced and finely structured with spice, red berry loads of silky tannins and a long driven finish. The old vines providing depth and

$123

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Kientzler Grand Cru Schoenenbourg Riesling 2021

Riesling | France, Alsace

I've been watching Kientzler over the last decade now and have seen them consistently produce excellent wines from the Lieu Dit Muhlforst and the Grand Cru vineyards of Osterberg, Geisberg and Schoenenbourg. Sherbety, superfine, exceptional intensity, long fine harmonious & seamless. Draws you in. Incredibly long & lingering, citrus, fine green apple. Shape & flow is insane. Love this. Earthy and savoury with a little shroomy funk coming through very, very good. Given the typic

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JM Sélèque Solessence Nature (2015) NV

Champagne | France, Champagne

Brut Nature wines by default have nothing to hide behind so the fruit has to do the talking ... JM's is positively SHOUTING! Excellent purity. Singular, refined. Superb love the line and length with excellent harmony. Pithy, layered, red berries. Excellent secondary development. Although the call is that this is the standard Solessence with no dose, it clearly is not. For a start it's the base vintage is 4 years older, & it has been disgorged for almost 2 years. I can't understate just how m

$124

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Old vine depth & persistence

Domaine SC Guillard Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes ‘Réniard’ 2018

Pinot Noir | Gevrey-Chambertin, Côte-de-Nuits

There is lovely perfume lift and a purity of fruit. The palate is beautifully balanced and finely structured Deep crimson deep purple tints, very deep color. The nose is layered with berry fruit, raspberry, wild strawberry, again cassis enters the fray with some blackberry fruit notes. There is lovely perfume lift and a purity of fruit. The palate is beautifully balanced and finely structured with spice, red berry loads of silky tannins and a long driven finish. The old vines providing depth and

$125

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André Clouet Chalky NV

Chardonnay | Montagne de Reims, Champagne

A Blanc de Blanc from the Pinot Master of Bouzy! Chalk soils have long been considered one of the key resources enabling the Champagne region to produce such intense and refined wines. Aiming to highlight this relationship, Andre Clouet have released a new wine in their range further dialing up the crisp and salty flavours so prevalent in wines from these chalk rich soils. A 100% Chardonnay cuvee, this initial release of “Chalky” is entirely from the outstanding 2013 vintage, with vineyar

$127

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Domaine Jean Marc & Hugues Pavelot Savigny-lès-Beaune 1er Cru ‘Aux Guettes’ 2019

Pinot Noir | Savigny-lès-Beaune, France

Here too there is a mentholated top note present on the more sauvage and forest floor nuanced aromas of red and dark currant. I very much like the sense of underlying tension suffusing the even more mineral-driven middle weight flavors that coat the palate with dry extract that buffers the very firm tannic spine shaping the beautifully long finale. This serious, austere and compact effort is quite tightly wound and a wine that is unlikely to make for especially interesting drinking young; then a

$127

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Benchmark Villages Gevrey

Domaine SC Guillard Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes ‘Aux Corvées’ 2021

Pinot Noir | Gevrey-Chambertin, Burgundy

Layers of concentrated fruit and a refined texture this is a superb effort full of personality! Deeper crimson. Red fruits edging into darker fruits quite spicy floral lift cherry liquor notes. Detailed with a deeper earthy note. Lovely volume and mouth filling texture very fine tannins with a super fresh mid palate with plenty of energy and tension. Drink 2023-2040 Tom Carson

$127

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Domaine William Fèvre Chablis Premier Cru ‘Mont de Milieu’ 2017

Chardonnay | France, Burgundy

The name of this appellation comes from Mont de Lieu which marks the border between Burgundy and Champagne, illustrated by a marker stone dividing the two duchies which can be found on its summit. With a double exposure moving from south to southeast facing, this terroir benefits from a higher average temperature and more sunshine than the other Premiers Crus.

$128

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The Fabrice Session 🎧 & 🎥 Inside!

R.Pouillon Reserve Brut NV

Blend | Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, Avenay-Val-d'Or

The perfect introduction to Pouillon's wines, yet, far from an entry level. The gives you a peak into just how much personality and vitality his wines have. Balancing a hint of oxidative character with delicious fruit with great length and depth. The Reserve Brut represents a little splash of fruit across most of Pouillon's holdings. The blend of Pinot, Meunier and Chardonnay is expertly integrated. Fabrice truly gets élévage. This is an incredibly complex, layered and beautiful Champagne. Suc

$128

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Domaine William Fèvre Chablis Premier Cru ‘Mont de Milieu’ 2019

Chardonnay | Chablis, France

The name of this appellation comes from Mont de Lieu which marks the border between Burgundy and Champagne, illustrated by a marker stone dividing the two duchies which can be found on its summit. With a double exposure moving from south to southeast facing, this terroir benefits from a higher average temperature and more sunshine than the other Premiers Crus. The 2019 Chablis 1er Cru Mont de Milieu unwinds in the glass with notions of orange oil, clear honey, beeswax and white flowers. M

$128

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Benchmark Villages Gevrey

Domaine SC Guillard Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes ‘Aux Corvées’ 2020

Pinot Noir | Gevrey-Chambertin, Burgundy

Layers of concentrated fruit and a refined texture this is a superb effort full of personality! Very deep color. The is more new oak here to be seen of first impressions that elevate the overall complexity and class of the aromas, it is amply carried by the depth of fruit, wild strawberry, black cherry, blackberry and plum with a brooding background. The palate is suitably concentrated with ample extract and structure that has layers of fruit and texture. Very classy effort. The finish long and

$129

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Domaine Roland Lavantureux Chablis 1er Cru ‘Vau de Vey’ 2021

Chardonnay | France, Burgundy

“Pure mid yellow. Soft fruit on the nose. Lean with lemons and lime but enough volume of fruit with a salivatory fresh acidity behind, and very good length.” Jasper Morris 90-93 Points

$130

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Benchmark Villages Gevrey

Domaine SC Guillard Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes ‘Aux Corvées’ 2019

Pinot Noir | Gevrey-Chambertin, Côte-de-Nuits

Layers of concentrated fruit and a refined texture this is a superb effort full of personality! Very deep color. The is more new oak here to be seen of first impressions that elevate the overall complexity and class of the aromas, it is amply carried by the depth of fruit, wild strawberry, black cherry, blackberry and plum with a brooding background. The palate is suitably concentrated with ample extract and structure that has layers of fruit and texture. Very classy effort. The finish long and

$131

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Domaine Thibert Pouilly-Fuissé ‘Les Cras’ 2018

Chardonnay | Pouilly-Fuisse, France

To be labelled 1er Cru from the 2020 Vintage! “Bursting with aromas of orange oil, confit citrus, freshly baked bread, peaches and buttery pastry, the 2018 Pouilly-Fuissé Les Cras is medium to full-bodied, satiny and concentrated, with racy acid and a taut, incisive profile. Concluding with a penetrating, intensely mineral finish, it's one of the most serious wines in the range. 2025 - 2035” William Kelley 93+ Points, Burghound 90-93 ♥ Sweet Spot Outstanding

$131

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