Wine Park’s Top Shelf French
France’s is the gold standard that nearly of the world’s winemakers measure their efforts against so it must boggle the mind to wonder just how good must the top end of French wine be. Well, there’s no need to wonder, just browse Wine Park’s top shelf of French wine where some peerless vintages of Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, Rhone Valley and the Loire are sitting right now, waiting to be uncorked and savoured. Journey with us through six splendid bottles that encapsulate the pinnacle of vinous France, right from the king of sparkling wines to sublime Burgundy Chardonnay, Provence Rose, Northern Rhone Syrah in classic form, exuberant red Loire and of course majestic Left Bank Bordeaux. Come uncork Wine Park’s top shelf French. Cheers!
Champagne — Billecart-Salmon, Brut Reserve NV
Billecart Salmon is universally regarded as a brilliant and traditional practitioner of the Methode Champenoise method and great appetite for detail. Founded in 1818 by husband and wife Nicolas François Billecart and Elisabeth Salmon, the house of Billecart-Salmon is steeped in two hundred years of Champagne making history. The Champagne house meticulously handpicks grapes from 40 crus and its wines are sought by critics and enthusiasts alike. This superlative Champagne glistens with notes of citrus, apricots and a touch of biscuit, buoyed by creamy texture.
Burgundy — Vincent Girardin, Bourgogne Blanc 2018
Burgundy’s status as a premium wine region is assured in perpetuity in large part thanks to its cool climes that is the result of the coming together of the oceanic, continental and southerly influence. While summer temperatures rarely rise above 20 degrees C, hundreds of hours of sunshine in the growing season temper the cool summer and the frosty winters to help yield Chardonnay and Pinot of the highest order rooted in hillside deposits of limestone and marl. And is it on the best patches of these haloed vineyards that Vincent Girardin plants and harvests his fruit. His classic Burgundian white presents Chardonnay in authentic element. Girardin began his vinous journey at 19 and went on to craft accessible fruit driven Burgundian styles. Girardin’s philosophy crackles in a glass of this delightful Chardonnay that balances of citrus, pineapple and dry fruit with hints of oak and elegance. The wine’s rich mouthfeel in a fine memory by itself and there are so many good reasons why this sublime white deserves to be relished now.
Provence — Aix Provence Rose 2022
Rose wines appellations don’t quite get the limelight but when it comes to Provence in Southern France, the region is the real star. blessed with a combination of classic Mediterranean climes and copious sunshine tempered by cold winds rushing down the Rhone Alps from the north and vines rooted in limestone that yield fruit of great flavour and acidity. Our very own Provencal rose wine import enjoys rockstar status for its sprightly palate and fruity character. The Aix Provence Rose is an opulent salmon pink blend of Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault and abounds with floral aromas and flavours of strawberry and watermelon.
Rhone Valley — Saint Cosme, Côte-Rôtie 2018
Even before the wine commandeers your senses, the surreal sight of steep terraced vineyards of Côte Rôtie will. French for roasted slope, Côte Rôtie is acclaimed for making a Syrah potent with rich black fruit, tempered by pepper and chocolate with the smoothest of tannins that linger long after the bottle’s gone. The depth of palate can be chalked down to the granite laden slopes that take in dollops of sunshine that properly ripen the fruit while retaining acidity. The Saint Cosme, Côte-Rôtie 2018 scores a flattering 4.3 on Vivino for many good reasons. The full bodied red puts forward perfectly ripe fruit and alluring floral notes, complimented any an aged savoury character and touch of smoke. This gourmet wine the near perfect Syrah that solidifies Rhone Valley credentials as simply the best region to make this ferment.
Loire Valley — Domaine Guiberteau Saumur Rouge Les Moulins 2021
Guiberteau began his vinous journey on a whim in 1996 but rapidly emerged the ‘grand vigneron’ of Loire Valley, turning out stunning vintages in Saumur appellation’s Brézé vineyards rooted in limestone soils and highly valued for the quality of its Cabernet Franc. And this 100 per cent Cab Franc is grand proof of that, farmed organically, naturally fermented and aged for 12 months. This sumptuous gourmet red shows a perfumed nose, palate of succulent cherries and herbs with polished tannins tapering towards a long smokey finish.
Bordeaux — Chateau Gloria 2017
Classified as a Crus Bourgeois in the haloed Medoc region, Chateau Gloria has always been known to punch above its weight and that is easily evident from a single taste of this wine. The St Julien chateau has been impressing critics with many vintages of this wine which can peak as far as three decades out. This brilliant output is not surprising when you consider the average age of the vines which is 40 years, indicating a superior quality of grape. Cabernet Sauvignon rules the roost, rooted in clay and sand soils.
Chateau Gloria was the brainchild of Medoc icon Henri Martin who also went on to acquire other prestigious Bordeaux Chateaux.
This luscious, purple hued wine has been marvelled on by critics as being on par with many classified growths and overdelivers on just about every count.
