French Wine Experience – Curated 6 Pack

French Wine Experience – Curated 6 Pack - journey through France's most celebrated wine regions with this expertly curated 6-pack collection. Each bottle is a testament to French winemaking excellence, featuring varietals that highlight the unique terroirs of Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rhône, and beyond. From rich, full-bodied reds to elegant, crisp whites, this selection offers a perfect balance of sophistication and flavor. Whether you're a seasoned connoisseur or exploring French wines for the first time, this collection is a delightful way to savor the artistry of France in every sip. Perfect for dinners, celebrations, or as a thoughtful gift for wine lovers.

1 x Chateau des Capitans Julienas 2022 - Beaujolais, Burgundy France

94/100 Bettane et Desseauve
93/100 James Suckling
Bronze - Vinous
92/100 James Suckling (2021 vintage)
93/100 Rebecca Murphy, Wine Review Online (2020 vintage)
92/100 James Suckling (2020 vintage)
91/100 Wine Roger Voss, Enthusiast (2020 vintage)

Gold - International du Gamay
Bronze - Korea Wine Challenge
Gold - Concours des Grands Vins de France Macon (2021 vintage)
Silver - Concours des Grands Vins du Beaujolais (2021 vintage)
Bronze - Decanter World Wine Awards (2021 vintage)
Gold - Concours des Grands Vins du Beaujolais (2020 vintage)
Bronze - Decanter World Wine Awards (2020 vintage)

James Suckling "This Julienas has a very appealing interplay of restrained tannins and red fruit character with a lot of subtle spicy and earthy nuances. Juicy on the front and middle of the medium-bodied palate, then the tannins build nicely at the long, moderately dry and lively finish."

James Suckling "A delicious Juliénas..Racy red and blue berry fruit to the nose with an alluring lift of red flowers, slate and a white pepper tang. Juicy and uptight with structured tannins in a bright, medium-bodied palate. Firm, crunchy and mouthwatering finish." (2021 vintage)

Decanter World Wine Awards "Lifted aromas of blueberry, baked plum and cloves with a hint of herbal notes." (2021 vintage)

Rebecca Murphy, Wine Review Online "This is one very serious Beaujolais, with a dark ruby color, ripe raspberry, cherry and woody spices. It is medium-bodied with bright acidity and moderate tannins that will pair well with roast chicken, steak tartare or grilled salmon. " (2020 vintage)

James Suckling "A solid and compressed Beaujolais with cherry and ripe-strawberry character, firm tannins and a medium finish. It’s reserved now, but will open nicely with bottle age." (2020 vintage)

Wine Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast "The chateau, named after the Capitans who controlled Juliénas, has one of the patterned tile roofs often found in Burgundy. This partially wood-aged wine from the 30-acre vineyard is richly structured, with some firm tannins as well as juicy black fruits." (2020 vintage)

Decanter World Wine Awards "Elegant and restrained aromas of wild strawberry lead to a palate of red fruit and green leaf." (2020 vintage)

Drinks International "One of the “Ten Most Admired Wine Brands” in the world."

Wine Advocate “Georges Duboeuf is the #1 selling brand of Beaujolais in the world”

Château des Capitans is owned by the Duboeuf family. Grapes for this wine come from a single, undivided, vineyard. Vines are all over 50 years of age.

One of the oldest producing areas within the ten Beaujolais Cru appellations, Julienas is named after the Roman emperor Julius Caesar, the area has a 2000 year history of grape production. Its varied soil composition of sedimentary alluvial soils near the Saone River and the sandy granite of the sloping vineyards on the Beaujolais hills make for wines can range from light and fruity, to densely concentrated and powerful. The appellation has a continental climate with cool nights and warm days, and an extended ripening season thanks to the long summers providing optimum conditions for growing quality fruit. Typically Julienas wines are earthy and weighty, with a deep ruby-red colour and strawberry, violet, cinnamon, redcurrant and peony aromas. The wines can be powerful, and flavours of vanilla and spices can also emerge

This wine is produced by Les Vins Georges Duboeuf which is one of the largest wine producers in France founded by the late Georges Duboeuf who was affectionately known as 'le roi du Beaujolais' (the king of Beaujolais) or sometimes pape du Beaujolais (Pope of Beaujolais). Les Vins Georges Duboeuf produces a staggering 3 million cases of wine annually. The company is most well-known for its popularization and production of Beaujolais wines. In 2018 Georges’ passed control of his company to his son Franck Duboeuf, who is considered to be one of the key specialists in Beaujolais, its terroir and its wine, and has shifted production to focus more on Beaujolais Nouveau.

Beaujolais is an important wine region of eastern France in the southern part of Burgundy, famous for its vibrant, fruity red wines made from Gamay. The widespread plantings of Gamay here make Beaujolais one of the few regions of the world to be so focused on a single grape variety.

In some vintages, Beaujolais produces more wine than the Burgundy wine regions of Chablis, Côte d'Or, Côte Chalonnaise and Mâconnais put together.

Gamay is a grape variety that is most famous for producing the light, fruit-driven red wines of Beaujolais. While the variety offers fresh, red-fruit and candied aromas, it typically delivers little in the way of flavor concentration and body weight, giving light, simple wines.

1 x Chateau Marjosse Pierre Lurton Cuvee Canton Du Loup Rouge 2018 - Bordeaux, France

95/100 The Wine Independent
91/100 James Suckling
16.5/20 Jancis Robinson

Bronze - Jean Marc Quarin 

Owned by one of the world's famous winemakers, Pierre Lurton - presiddent of two of Bordeaux's best-known chateaux, the Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH) owned Chateau Cheval Blanc and Chateau d'Yquem. 

James Suckling "Firm and structured with a flavorful, dusty finish.....Black fruit, cedar, tobacco and dried leaves on the nose. It's medium-bodied with firm, chewy tannins.

Decanter "Perfumed and heavily scented on the nose, vibrant and aromatic - blackcurrants and violets. Slightly chewy in the mouth but soft too, a lovely push of chalky black fruits from start to finish. Good weight and texture, more delicate and refined than the Charmille cuvée with less overt acidity, but such lovely plump flavours. Very clean and well worked. A slight hint of toasted spice on the finish, but gently warming. Nice presentation." (2020 vintage)

Pierre Lurton “Canton du loup” (Canton of the wolf) has its origin in the red clays, rich in iron, of the limestone plateau of Tizac de Curton. These well-balanced soils, combining clay and the freshness of limestone with filtering properties, offer wines of great concentration and warmth in the mouth. The Canton du Loup 2018 has a ruby red color, reveals fruit aromas with brandy and cocoa....the palate is round, offering a richly structured substance and complex aromas of stone fruits, spices and blond tobacco."

Château Marjosse is owned by French 'wine royalty', Pierre Lurton - president of two of Bordeaux’s best-known châteaux; the Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH) owned, Château Cheval Blanc and Château d’Yquem, Château Marjosse. Pierre Lurton comes from two of the great Bordeaux families. His father Dominique was the youngest son of the paterfamilias François Lurton; his uncle André Lurton who founded the eponymous wine company; his many cousins run châteaux from Pauillac to Pomerol. His mother is from the famous Lafite family.

The influential Club Enologique asserts that Pierre is the most accomplished wine personality of his famous family. Trained as a doctor but swapping his studies for wine making after four years. At 23 he took over Clos Fourtet in St Emilion, one of the fine Lurton properties, and in 1991 he was appointed head of Château Cheval Blanc (it was bought by Bernard Arnault of LVMH in 1998); in 1999 he took on Château d’Yquem, which had just been added to the Arnault portfolio.

Club Enologique describes Pierre Lurton as having the world’s most corporate wine job. "However he divides his time between two of the world’s most exalted wine properties, but comes down to earth in Entre-deux-Mers, the leafy, unpretentious appellation to the east of Bordeaux at Château Marjosse."

The Château Marjoss estate is located in Entre-deux-Mers, on the right bank of Bordeaux. Initially owned by the wine merchant Bernard Chénier, Château Marjosse was acquired by the Deleuze family, who, in 1990, gave some plots to Pierre Lurton to rent. In 1992, Pierre Lurton, who grew up in Château Reynier, neighbour to this magnificent Chartreuse, moved to a second home in Château Marjosse and, over successive years became the owner of the entire vineyard, as well as the Chartreuse in 2013.

Decanter "Since Lurton bought Château Marjosse in 1994, the estate has improved beyond recognition. Pierre's father, Dominique Lurton, also made over a further 30ha so that, under the Château Marjosse label, Lurton now exploits 42ha of vineyard, six hectares of white and 36ha of Bordeaux red – a total of 300,000 bottles a year. Pierre insists his wine is Bordeaux and not Bordeaux Supérieur because ‘my wine is only supérieur in the bottle’. His objectives are ambitious. As the quality of the terroir with clay-limestone soil is similar to some of the better areas in Saint-Emilion, he hopes to prove that wines from this area can rival those from more prestigious regions."

Sommeliers International "At Château Marjosse the land possesses yet another specific feature, known locally as “la Boulbène”, a silty-clayey texture that has developed on ancient alluvions. The fertility of these soils no longer needs to be proved, because, by chance, they are also found in Saint-Emilion, a terroir that is extremely familiar to the man who manages “Cheval Blanc” …. Pierre Lurton. Assisted in this transformation by Consultant-Oenologist Pascal Poussevin, whose recommendations range from vine growing to wine-making, Pierre Lurton’s estate has now reached its cruising speed … Beyond the fabulous adventures he experiences in his role as manager of Châteaux d’Yquem, Cheval Blanc, as well as estates in South Africa, Latin America and in Australia … it is undoubtedly with “the salt of this land here in the Entre-deux-Mers” that his years of quest for perfection will be revealed. It is clear that this region needs winegrowers of such calibre, those who possess a sixth sense and, using techniques that almost resemble intentional alchemy, transform the grapes they touch into wines that exude the unique character of a specific area."

The Entre-deux-Mers region, nicknamed by wine experts as “Little Tuscany”, is unique and jealously protected by its inhabitants. "There are fifteen appellations that constitute the Entre-deux-Mers. The most well-known of them all, reputed for its dry, lively white wines, is certainly the one which bears the name of this region! The Entre-deux-Mers cultivates a certain speciality in producing white wines, due to its basic geological assets, possessing gravelly-limestone soils, upon which Sémillon, Sauvignon, Muscadelle and even Ugni Blanc grape varieties are planted. But the variety of soils and sub-soils associated with such a complex landscape provides a diversity of terroirs … These are favourable for producing red wines, that are regrettably not sufficiently well-known, but highly prized for the complexity of their aromas, their deep, vivid colour, as well as the concentration and elegance of their tannins." Sommeliers International.

Bordeaux, in the southwest of France, needs little introduction as one of the world's most famous, prestigious and prolific wine regions. Its three trump cards are diversity, quality and quantity. The majority of Bordeaux wines (nearly 90 percent of production volume) are the dry, medium- and full-bodied red Bordeaux Blends that established its reputation. The finest (and most expensive) of these come from the great châteaux of the Haut-Médoc and the Right Bank appellations Saint-Émilion and Pomerol. The legendary reds are complemented by high-quality white wines, both dry styles (particularly from Pessac-Léognan) and the sweet, botrytized nectars of Sauternes.

Merlot is a red wine grape variety with strong historic ties to Bordeaux and the southwest of France. It is the second most-planted red wine grape variety in the world, after Cabernet Sauvignon. Merlot is extremely popular in northern Italy, the United States. Chile has built its reputation mainly on its Merlot-based cuvées. Merlot's flavour profile includes plum and black cherry. Often described as producing smooth, rounded and "easy drinking" wines. Merlot is often used to great effect in blends, and is known in his capacity to make some of the most famous wines in the world.

1 x Chateau Maucoil Chateauneuf-du-Pape Privilege Red 2020 ~ Southern Rhone, France

93/100 Rober Parker, Wine Advocate
92/100 Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider

94/100 Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider (2019 vintage)
93/100 Wine Enthusiast (2019 vintage)
93/100 Decanter (2019 vintage)
92/100 James Suckling (2019 vintage)
92/100 Falstaff (2019 vintage)
93/100 Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider (2018 vintage)
92/100 Falstaff (2018 vintage)
92/100 Anna Lee C. Iijima, Wine Enthusiast (2018 vintage)

Bronze - Concours General Agricole Paris

Organic

Rober Parker, Wine Advocate "This beauty offers up succulent red raspberry fruit, accented by hints of orange zest and spice. The oak here is nicely balanced and integrated into the full-bodied wine, finishing long, with silky tannins and echoes of stone fruit."

Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider "I really like the strong floral notes that accompany the sweet, ripe, soft and silky, kirsch and black cherry nuances. The supple, fruity finish, with the right hint of spice and a touch of chocolate on the backend is ready to go on release."

Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider "Deep, dark meaty berries pop with a single swirl. From there, the wine is floral, fresh and peppery. On the palate you find lusciously textured black and white cherries, kirsch and black raspberries. The wine is soft and silky, with a solid depth of flavor and length in the finish. There is a minor touch of oak in the endnote which should become fully integrated with a few years in the cellar. There is more than enough fruit to take over all of the wood." (2019 vintage)

Wine Enthusiast "This profoundly ripe Grenache-dominant red highlights the plummy, black-fruited richness of Grenache against the angularity and spice of Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault. Full bodied and muscular, it's freshened by a swathe of brambly, peppery herbs and fine-grained, glossy tannins on the finish." (2019 vintage)

Decanter "Open nose showing dusty red fruits aromas with hints of slow cooked meat and hints of oak. Fleshy and quite opulent, round with ripe fruit and firm tannins." (2019 vintage)

James Suckling "Attractive nose of spiced plums, ripe blackberries, tobacco, dried flowers, dark chocolate and cloves. It’s full-bodied with firm, chewy tannins. Bold, compact and dense. Big wine. From organically grown grapes." (2019 vintage)

Falstaff "Strong ruby, purple reflections, broad ochre rim. Attractive nuances of sweet cherries, subtle herbal spice, some blackberries and liquorice. Complex, elegant, dark fruit, fine sweetness, spicy tannins, nougat on the finish." (2019 vintage)

Grenache (50%) Syrah (15%) mourvèdre (12%), Cinsault (8%) Clairette and Bourboulenc (5%)
Alcohol: 14.5%

The history of Château Maucoil began several centuries ago. Ancient documents state that its first occupants were Romans who set up a base for Caesar’s legions. Later, Joseph de La Pise, Lord of Maucoil and archivist of the House of Orange-Nassau, the Dutch royal family, inherited the estate and the castle which was built in 1624. From then on, winegrowing became an intrinsic part of the history of Château Maucoil.

The 45 hectares of vines in the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation have been organic agriculture since 2011. Château Maucoil uses ancient methods such as furrowing, forming mounds and ploughing to tend the vineyard.

Originally from Bordeaux, the Lavau family who now own Château Maucoil, have been involved with winemaking for generations, and have had vineyards ranging from Bordeaux to Tunisia. In 1964 they were seduced by the richness and quality of the Provencal soil and settled down to make wine in the Rhone Valley.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a historic village between the towns of Orange and Avignon, in France's southern Rhône Valley. It is famous for powerful, full-bodied red wines made predominantly from the classic southern Rhône grape trio: Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. These three varieties are behind the vast majority of the appellation's red wines, although a total of eighteen are approved for use – a mix of red and white grape varieties.

Southern Rhone White Blend is a blanket term used to describe the various combinations of white wine grapes used in the southern half of the Rhone Valley. The principal varieties involved in a white wine from the southern Rhone are any combination of Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne, Viognier, Ugni Blanc, Clairette, Bourboulenc and Picpoul.

1 x Clos des Centenaries Grenache Vielles Vignes (Old Vines) Red (Organic) 2020 - Southern Rhône, France

15.5/20 La Revue de Vin de France (2019 vintage)
14.5/20 Bettane et Desseauve (2014 vintage)

Organic

The Winemaker "Notes of raspberry, sweet spices and dry flowers. The palate is round and soft with a full bodied and smooth finish."

100% Grenache

Clos des Centenaires was founded Luc Baudet of Chateau Mas-Neuf fame, and Californian wine industry veteran, Jack Edwards who both share a passion for artisan wines and the terroir of France’s Southern Rhone.

Clos des Centenaires is a historic vineyard situated in Costieres de Nimes, close to the Mediterranean Sea. The vineyard boasts 70-year-old Grenache vines which are deeply rooted in the pebble stones overlooking the picturesque lakes of Petite Camargue. The vineyard also features Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Verdot, and Cinsault, and is known for producing unique, high-end, elegant wines of excellent value.

The vineyard soils are cultivated amongst natural grassland using shallow tillage methods and special attention is paid to the revitalization of vines (using annually prepared biodynamic compost). Inputs are limited to organically approved natural products.

Costieres de Nimes is the most southerly appellation of the Rhone wine region in southeastern France. The wines of the area are reputed to have been consumed by the Ancient Greeks and thus figure among the oldest known wines in the world. The Costieres de Nimes AOC covers an area between the towns of Nimes and Arles.

The Rhone Valley is one of France's key wine regions, and is divided neatly by a gap of about 25 miles (40km). Wines from the northern part of the valley tend to be Syrah-dominant (Hermitage and Cote Rotie being the most notable examples), while wines from the southern Rhone are more commonly blends, with Grenache playing a more dominant role. Chateauneuf-du-Pape is the most famous example of a southern Rhone blend, but similar blends are found in wines from Gigondas, Vacqueyras and the regional Cotes du Rhone title.

Grenache is a red-wine grape grown extensively in France, Spain, Australia and the United States and is one of the most widely distributed grapes in the world. Grenache is the French name for the grape, but it has a number of synonyms. In Spain, where it is one of the country's flagship varieties, it is known as Garnacha, and on the island of Sardinia it has been known for centuries as Cannonau. In France, Grenache is most widely planted in the southern Rhone Valley and throughout both Provence and Languedoc-Roussillon. It is most commonly found alongside Syrah and Mourvedre in the classic Southern Rhone Blend (notably in Cotes du Rhone wines), and is the main grape variety in Chateauneuf-du-Pape.

1 x Domaine de Grand Croix Brouilly 2022 - Burgundy, France

91/100 James Suckling (2023 vintage)
Bronze - Wine Enthusiast (2021 vintage)
Bronze - Wine Enthusiast (2020 vintage)

James Suckling "A deliciously fruity red that has aromas and flavors of strawberries, dark raspberries and oranges. It’s medium-bodied with creamy tannins and a juicy finish." (2023 vintage)

Wine Enthusiast "Juicy with layers of easy red fruits, this wine is generous and ripe. A light core of tannins gives some structure." (2021 vintage)

Wine Enthusiast "Brouilly has given a soft, plush wine with light acidity and gentle tannins. Red-fruit flavors and final acidity predominate." (2020 vintage)

Winemaker "When young, the wine has red berry characteristics (raspberries and strawberries) but also a touch of blackcurrant. Smooth and complex on the palate, where it develops its full range of aromas."

100% Gamay

Since 1989, SA Vins Georges Duboeuf has purchased the harvest from the estate, which was originally owned by the Guigard family from 1925 to 2008. Now operated by Gilles Vincent and his son Stéphane, the estate has been owned by Groupama since 2009, with Gilles Vincent remaining the brand owner. The 60-year-old vines are densely planted, and goblet pruning is practiced.

1 x Domaine des Evigneaux Rouge 2019 - Rasteau, France

93/100 James Suckling
92/100 Wine Enthusiast
92/100 James Suckling (2018 vintage)
91/100 Wine Enthusiast (2018 vintage)
90/100 Andreas Larsson - Tasted (2018 vintaeg)
90/100 CellarTracker (2018 vintage)

2 Stars - Bettane & Desseauve
2 Stars - Le Guide Hachette des Vins (2018 vintage)

Gold - Paris General Agricultural Competition
Bronze - Decanter World Wine Awards
Silver - Decanter World Wine Awards (2018 vintage)

James Suckling "Full and spicy nose with touches of smoked bacon and terracotta. Although endowed with good concentration, this Rasteau is not marked by power with a fresh and elegant palate which ends with a nice interplay of fine tannins and mineral freshness. Blend of Grenache and Syrah. To enjoy or to keep."

Wine Enthusiast "Savory notes of crushed earth and hints of clay accentuate the decadent flavors of blackberry and raspberry jam in this textured and balanced blend of Grenache, Syrah, Carignan, Mourvèdre and Cinsault. Outperforming and consistent among the Rasteaus, it shows the complexity of the exciting vintage terroir."

Decanter World Wine Awards "Obvious oak, with sweet spices and caramelly fruit. Juicy palate, with good concentration and grippy tannins."

James Suckling "Has plenty of spicy, meaty and juicy fruit character. Full body and a round, flavorful finish." (2018 vintage)

Wine Enthusiast "Dusty, baked-clay minerality penetrates from nose to finish in this velveteen red. A full-bodied blend of Grenache, Syrah, Carignan and Mourvèdre, it's deeply concentrated, with flavors of dried plums and black figs. Subtleties of smoked meat, leather and earth lend nuance and depth." (2018 vintage)

Andreas Larsson - Tasted "Intense dark purple colour. Modern expression with new oak and pure dark fruit notes. Silky and rounded palate with good volume and integrated oak, ripe dark fruit flavours and spicy finish. Fine density and length." (2018 vintge)

Le Guide Hachette des Vins " Character and brilliance...A dominant grenache (50%) and four other southern grape varieties combine in this cuvée aged partly in amphorae and partly in barrels. A lovely nose fond of fresh grapes and morello cherries enhanced with a floral touch is followed by a dynamic, ample and fruit-concentrated palate, built on well-established tannins and harmonious woodiness." (2018vintage)

50% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 10% Carignan, 5% Mourvèdre, 5% Cinsault
Alcohol: 14.5%

The Domaine Les Évigneaux extends over 10 hectares in Rasteau, a charming village in the south of the Rhône Valley. Perched on a hill facing the Dentelles de Montmirail, the rugged terrain of the Rasteau vineyard offers a great diversity of soils and a colorful landscape. From one terrace to another, along the slopes, we go from clay-limestone soil to blue marl, from rolled pebbles to red marl. With more than fifteen plots spread across the entire Rasteau appellation, our Domaine takes full advantage of this geological diversity which has made the reputation of this Rhône Valley Cru.

Originally from Bordeaux, the Lavau family has been involved with winemaking for generations, and have had vineyards ranging from Bordeaux to Tunisia. In 1964 they were seduced by the richness and quality of the Provencal soil, and settled down to make wine in the Rhone Valley.