French Wines
Despite a labeling system that is often confusing, French wine still gives the greatest pleasure of any wine producing region. The style of French wine echoes that of the French themselves elegant, well-dressed, showing an appreciation for the good things of life but never to excess. French wines go best with food, never overpowering either in flavor or in alcohol, always well-mannered, often beautiful.
All these qualities make it worthwhile to spend some time to get to know French wine regions through exploring our French wine reviews. The country produces all styles of wine, from the cool wines of the Loire Valley, the stylish whites of Alsace, through the classics of Bordeaux and Burgundy, to the more powerful, muscular offerings of the Rhône Valley and the warm wines of Languedoc-Roussillon. And unique in their northern altitudes are the great Champagnes. Our French wine guide includes thousands of French wine ratings you can sort by wine region, grape variety, vintage, producer or price.
Château Ausone 2010 Barrel sample Red (Saint-Émilion)
- Online Exclusive
98-100. Very concentrated and wonderfully perfumed wine. It has great balance and acidity, intense freshness. The superb fragrance of the Cabernet Franc has made a gorgeous wine, black fruited and likely to age for decades.
— R.V.
(6/25/2011)
Château Margaux 2010 Barrel sample Red (Margaux)
- Online Exclusive
98-100 Very concentrated wood and tannins. With 90 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, this is initially more tannic than many Château Margaux vintages. Then all the elegance and style of Margaux comes through, with acidity, spice and great ripeness. An outstanding wine.
— R.V.
(6/25/2011)
Château Latour 2009 Red (Pauillac)
- Cellar Selection
- $2300
A big, powerful wine that sums up the richness of the vintage. It is densely fruity, spicy with an enormous black plum and berry fruit character to go with the acidity. It’s concentrated while still showing such wonderfully pure fruit. The aging potential is immense.
— R.V.
(2/1/2012)
Château Latour 2010 Red (Pauillac)
- Cellar Selection
Stern, almost severe initially, this great wine takes time to show its immense fruit power. Black currant and blackberry notes are packed into the wine, along with an impressive array of spices from new wood that gives a more exotic element. At the end, though, it has a fine, structured sense of proportion. Obviously for aging over decades, so don’t drink before 2022.
— R.V.
(5/1/2013)
Château Ausone 2010 Red (Saint-Émilion)
- Cellar Selection
A big, bold wine with unbelievable power and concentration. Low yields and a dominance of Cabernet Franc have produced an immensely concentrated wine. Still very young, this magnificent wine holds the promise of great aging.
— R.V.
(5/1/2013)
M. Chapoutier 1999 Le Méal Ermitage Red (Hermitage)
- $150
Chapoutier’s selections of the best parcels of vines in Hermitage are set to become legendary. Sold under the ancient spelling of the appellation name (Ermitage), they represent the epitome of the power and concentration that lies behind the reputation of the appellation. This cuvée is the best of the collection, with its brooding, opaque character, suggesting…
— R.V.
(6/1/2002)
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2010 Stival
Here’s an easy and bright Cabernet that would wash down with spaghetti…
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