French Classics Tasting Kit

With a lovely fragrant bouquet and polished fruit texture on the palate this Bordeaux is almost Margaux-like in its purity. A velvety claret from the top-notch 2016 vintage. Lying to the north of the hamlet of Avensan, to the south of Moulis and Listrac and to the west of Margaux, Citran is a large property with 90 hectares under vine. It is planted 58% cab sauv 42% merlot on gravel and clayey graveland limestone. Japanese owners invested considerably in cellar and vineyard from 1987 and current owner( since 1996) the Merlaut Villars family are making the most of the benefits.

A ripe yet fresh balance of flavours and aromas and a fresh and fruity nose in the apple and melon spectrum leads to a creamy palate with a seam of underlying freshness. About 20% comes from the cooler Hautes Côtes vineyards for freshness, with the rest mainly from vineyards classified as Bourgogne situated on the land below Meursault and Puligny. About 65% is barrel-fermented and kept on its yeast lees for richness, while 35% is tank fermented to capture the freshness.

Gorgeously ripe and characterful Sancerre from one of the finest producers in the appellation. Blackcurrant leaf, quince, peach, alongside distinct minerality to compliment the richness makes this both approachable yet serious. The Society has been shipping Sancerre from the Vacheron family since the 1962 vintage, because of their consistent excellence.

A gorgeously pure and ethereal Fleurie from rising star Grégoire Hoppenot. The core of this wine is from Grégoire's own vineyards which he farms organically (and he is now integrating sheep for winter grazing) but in the small-yielding 2024 vintage, he also sourced fruit from one neighbouring grower. The 2024 is fine and very fresh, pulsing with energy and crunchy cranberry and red cherry fruit, with a spicy green whole-bunch character.

The great Schoenenbourg vineyard of Alsace rises above the picturesque town of Riquewihr. The Dopffs have been based in the picturesque village of Riquewihr since the 17th century, first as coopers and then as winemakers. This is one of their prized vineyard sites and produces a wine with great texture and with a mineral backbone.

From the same slopes that makes the Granites wine but from younger vines and different parts of the slope, this full of juicy fruit. The flavours are of ripe cherry and olive with a lot of finesse. Ideal for early to mid-term drinking.