90+ Point Wines: French

La Grande Dame 2015 has a luminous golden hue. The nose reveals a strong, airy and delicate attack. On the palate, La Grande Dame 2015 offers on the palate a silky texture and on the nose, floral notes of jasmine and acacia evolving... Read More

The NV Brut Blanc de Blancs 7 Crus is beautiful, wiry and bursting with pure energy. Lemon, mint, white flowers and crushed rocks jump from the glass in a vibrant, crystalline Champagne endowed with striking purity. The style... Read More

The sample presented of Voge's 2020 Cornas Vieilles Vignes was reassuringly excellent, with gently lifted, floral scents of violets, cassis and crushed stone. Full-bodied, deep and powerful, concentrated and rich but still... Read More

A gutsy version, with smoky mesquite-edged red currant and cherry notes that are nicely rounded on the supple palate. Reveals wild herbs, spices and rooibos tea along the silky finish, which is held in check by softened yet present... Read More

This blend of Tannat with both Cabernets is still young and displaying plenty of firm tannins. Wood aging has added spice to this blackberry-flavored wine, with its rich texture and streak of acidity.

The 2019 Côtes Du Roussillon Villages Constance is slightly more fresh and vibrant, with more black raspberry fruit as well as notes of chalky minerality, ground pepper, garrigue, and sandalwood. It too has a savory, nicely... Read More

This Cairanne cooperative winery has come up trumps here - upfront, bright, energetic fruit, it's all about wild strawberries and crushed raspberries. The flavours are delicate but also loud, screaming pure fresh strawberry... Read More

“This year we have slightly less Cabernet Franc in the blend because we are only using the oldest vines, planted by my grandfather, as a tribute,” Stéphanie de Boüard-Rivoal said. “These are 60- to... Read More

There is a fine juiciness and freshness to this wine. Its tannins are all there, but are mitigated by layers of black-currant fruits, cassis and berry flavors. Drink from 2024 when it has all softened and integrated.

Château Brown, as its name suggests, bears testimony to the close links that have always existed between the Bordeaux region and the Anglo-Saxons. Founded in the late Middle Ages when Aquitaine belonged to England, Château... Read More

In the mouth, silky tannins launch a symphony of spicy, peppery and fruity flavors upon the palate that are of great quality and generously supported by a long, full softness. The finish is lengthy and lively, neither limp nor... Read More

A blend of 60% Sauvignon Blanc and 40% Sémillon, the 2022 Carbonnieux Blanc evokes notes of boxwood, white flowers, spices, confit citrus and pear mingled with dominant Sauvignon Blanc-inflected notes. Medium to full-bodied,... Read More

With green-fruit and lemon flavors, this wine is initially all about freshness. The structure slowly reveals itself, with attractive minerality and saline tanginess. Drink the wine from 2022

Aromas of cherries, blackberries, pencil shavings and creamy new oak introduce the 2022 d'Armailhac , a medium to full-bodied, sweet and dense wine that's rich and succulent, with a generous core of sun-kissed fruit, ripe... Read More

A blend of 80% Sémillon and 20% Sauvignon Blanc, the 2022 d'Yquem is a strong candidate for the title of wine of the vintage. Exhibiting a remarkably delicate, complex and energetic bouquet of rose, confit citrus, exotic... Read More

Matured 100% in foudres, the 2022 Chateauneuf du Pape from Château de Beaucastel evokes aromas of dark wild berries, dark cherries, spices and licorice mingled with a touch of chocolate. Medium to full-bodied, deep and dense,... Read More

A blend of 30% Mourvèdre, 30% Syrah, 30% Grenache and 10% Cinsault, the 2022 Cotes du Rhone Coudoulet de Beaucastel exhales a delicate, perfumed bouquet of black cherries, spices, violets and spring flowers. It’s... Read More

Reflecting the rich, dense 2018 vintage, this wine has a concentration that shows richness and juicy black fruits. It is taking its time to mature, still with a core of dryness. Drink the wine from 2025.

Le Petit Ducru offers up aromas of sweet plums, cassis, raw cocoa, pencil shavings and creamy new oak, followed by a medium to full-bodied, fleshy and layered palate framed by powdery tannins that assert themselves on the finish.... Read More

An amazing Ducru, one of the wines of the vintage. Hugely persistent, chiselled and precise, yet succulent in its berry and cassis fruit character. The slate and pencil lead finish slows things down and grabs hold of you, I love... Read More

The 2020 Durfort Vivens has turned out beautifully, unwinding in the glass with aromas of dark cherries and berries mingled with hints of licorice, baking chocolate and mint. Medium to full-bodied, deep and fleshy, it's layered... Read More

A juicy and vibrant red that goes deep on dark cherries, blackberries, toasted spices and walnuts. Medium-bodied with polished tannins and vivid acidity. The finish is smooth, with a chocolaty character. Drink or hold.... Read More

Clean pale yellow with hints of green and a nice brilliance. Crisp on the nose with ripe fruit and powerful, toasted bread, fresh almonds and hints of butter. Lots of finesse, elegance, white flowers and some mineral on the palate.... Read More