Most Expensive French Wines

Dom Pérignon only creates vintage wines; it is an absolute commitment. Only the best grapes of the most exceptional years are used, making each vintage distinct. It is the perfect embodiment of the Power of Creation – an act of creation that elevates the mind and enlightens the world. Dom Pérignon Vintage is the icon of the house, it showcases perfect equilibrium, revealing the harmony that is so characteristic of Dom Pérignon. The wine is complete, rhythmic and tactile. Dom Pérignon Vintage is exotic: its tactile thickness, its roundness, and its utterly unique depth of flavour. “The Dom Pérignon is a gorgeous, totally seductive Champagne that will drink well right out of the gate. Despite the warm, ripe personality of Dom Pérignon is quite gracious, there is plenty of depth underpinning the fruit. With each successive tasting, it seems to have gained more power and breadth, especially on the finish. Above all else, the is decidedly restrained for a warm, radiant vintage. It is not overtly flamboyant nor phenolically intense. Instead, it is a beautifully balanced Champagne, with all of its elements in the right place.” – 94+ points Antonio Galloni Vinous Media

Cristal is a remarkably balanced and refined champagne whose length is inimitable. It has a silky texture and fruity aromas, complemented by a powerful mineral quality with white fruit and citrus notes. Cristal is a wine that keeps well: it can be conserved for over twenty years without losing its freshness and character.

Critic tasting note: (2001 vintage) "A classic, clear red color with pronounced orange notes. The bouquet opens like a peacock’s tail with austere notes of currant jam, tobacco, antique leather, and garigue. It is incredible how it changes in the glass with breathing. The mouthfeel is austere, rich, and creates a great sensorial effect."

This producer was formerly known as Domaine Francois Gros until 1988, and as Domaine Anne & Francois Gros until 1995, Anne Gros is the daughter of Francois Gros. Please note that Domaine Anne-Francoise Gros (Domaine A.F. Gros) is a different producer.

Jean de Pontac began constituting the Haut-Brion vineyard, in the Graves region, in 1525. His descendants went on to produce “New French Claret”, the precursor of today’s great red wines. Their efforts enabled Arnaud III de Pontac to sell his wine under the estate’s name as early as 1660. It gained a fine reputation and enormous success in London. The first of the Bordeaux great growths was born! Haut-Brion’s history has been marked by many famous men: Count Joseph de Fumel (Field Marshal, Governor of the Province of Guyenne, and Mayor of Bordeaux), Talleyrand (Foreign Minister of Napoleon I, Emperor of France) and, more recently, C. Douglas Dillon (American ambassador to France and US Secretary of the Treasury during the Kennedy administration). In 1961, Haut-Brion was the first of the great growths to use stainless steel fermentation vats, and continues to be in the forefront of innovation thanks to the meticulous selection of the ideal clones for each grape variety used at the estate. Through the centuries, the owners and managers of Haut-Brion have been obsessed with perpetuating the château’s reputation for quality. Classified a First Growth in 1855, Haut-Brion has done everything possible ever since then to maintain its standing.

Since 1843, six generations of the Krug family have been creating the finest and rarest Champagnes. Crafting exclusively prestige cuvées every year, Krug is the best-rated Champagne house in the industry. Krug Grande Cuvée is born from the dream of one man, Joseph Krug, to offer the very best Champagne every year, regardless of annual variations in climate. Since 1843, the House of Krug has honoured this vision with each new Édition of Krug Grande Cuvée: the fullest expression of Champagne A light golden colour and fine, vivacious bubbles, holding a promise of pleasure. Aromas of flowers in bloom, ripe, dried and citrus fruits, as well as marzipan and gingerbread. Flavours of hazelnut, nougat, barley sugar, jellied and citrus fruits, almonds, brioche and honey.

Expressive fruit aromas and wood perfumes announce this wine. With 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, this is a complex wine marked by purity of black fruits, berries, toast and tannins. It has power, richness and a lovely edge of spice to go with the acidity. The wine is firmly structured, while bursting with fruit and freshness.

This shows typical levels of interest in wines from Richebourg. There has been a lowering in demand in the past year.

Utter perfection in wine...has soaring, complex aromatics, an expansive, sexy, full-bodied texture, and building, yet sweet tannin. Kirsch, currants, incense, exotic spices and leather nuances all emerge from this almost over the top, heavenly Bordeaux

Since 1843, six generations of the Krug family have been creating the finest and rarest Champagnes. Crafting exclusively prestige cuvées every year, Krug is the best-rated Champagne house in the industry. Krug Grande Cuvée is born from the dream of one man, Joseph Krug, to offer the very best Champagne every year, regardless of annual variations in climate. Since 1843, the House of Krug has honoured this vision with each new Édition of Krug Grande Cuvée: the fullest expression of Champagne A light golden colour and fine, vivacious bubbles, holding a promise of pleasure. Aromas of flowers in bloom, ripe, dried and citrus fruits, as well as marzipan and gingerbread. Flavours of hazelnut, nougat, barley sugar, jellied and citrus fruits, almonds, brioche and honey.