Falstaff's wine editors have compiled the ultimate list of the world’s 100 most iconic red wine estates. Here are the wineries from France that made the cut.
France has to take the top spot when it comes to iconic wines. While the wine culture of other countries is as old and as ingrained, it is France’s culture of fine wine that sets it apart – hence the reputational head start – not just by decades but often by centuries.
Bordeaux
Latour counts as the most powerful of the three Premier Grands Crus of the Médoc. Under the general direction of Frédéric Engerer, cellar master Hélène Genin crafts uncompromising quality. Recommended recent vintages: 2018, 2016, 2010, 2009, 2005, 2003, 2000, 1996
Bordeaux
In 1855 Château Lafite was one of the original four Premier Grands Crus of the Médoc. The Rothschild family bought it in 1868. Today it is run by Saskia de Rothschild and technical director Eric Kohler. Recommended recent vintages: 2018, 2016, 2010, 2009, 2005, 2003, 2000, 1996
Bordeaux
Bought by Nataniel de Rothschild in 1853, his visionary grandson Eric achieved the impossible: the château‘s upgrade to Premier Grand Cru Classé. Artists such as Picasso have created labels. Recommended recent vintages: 2019, 2018, 2016, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2005, 2000
Bordeaux
The wine’s reputation – already famous in the 18th century – precedes that of the château which was not built until 1815. Margaux is seen as the silkiest, most elegant expression of the entire Left Bank. Recommended recent vintages: 2019, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2010, 2009, 2005
Bordeaux
This château can look back on a 500-year history. Bought in 1935 by US-banker Clarence Dillon, it is now owned by Prince Robert of Luxembourg who ensures the most exacting standards. Recommended recent vintages: 2020, 2019, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2010, 2009
Bordeaux
Located on the Right Bank in the appellation of St. Émilion, Cheval Blanc is known for its elegant, Cabernet Franc dominated wines. It is a jewel in the crown of luxury conglomerate LVMH. Recommended recent vintages: 2018, 2016, 2015, 2010, 2009, 2005, 2000, 1998
Bordeaux
This St. Émilion estate was created when Domaine de Mazerat acquired Clos de l’Angélus. Stéphanie de Boüard-Rivoa runs it today, daughter of oenologist Hubert de Boüard de Laforest. Recommended recent vintages: 2020, 2019, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2010, 2009, 2005
Bordeaux
Owned by the Moueix family, this legendary Pomerol estate owes its status to a particular plateau of gravel and iron-rich clay which lends a seductive note of truffle to this Merlot-based wine. Recommended recent vintages: 2020, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2012, 2010, 2009
Bordeaux
Henri Geloud founded this tiny estate just few yards from Château Pétrus. His great-great-grandchildren Sylvie and Jacques Guinaudeau run Lafleur today and farm their vines organically. Recommended recent vintages: 2020, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2005
Bordeaux
Wine lovers already paid top dollar for VCC, as it is known, in the 19th century. Winemaker Alexandre Thienpont creates a point of difference with a larger proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. Recommended recent vintages: 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2010, 2009
Domaine De La Romanée-Conti, Burgundy
This wine is the epitome of a complete, age-worthy and aristocratic Pinot Noir. The stuff of dreams. Just 5,000 bottles are normally made each year. This veritable cult is sold on strictest allocation. Recommended recent vintages: 2018, 2015, 2012, 2010, 2005, 2002, 1999, 1996
Domaine Leroy, Burgundy
This domaine, run by the energetic Lalou Bize Leroy, owns half a hectare of the grand cru Chambertin. Farmed biodynamically since 1998, the fewer than 1,000 bottles made each year are like gold dust. Recommended recent vintages: 2018, 2016, 2015, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008
Domaine Armand Rousseau, Burgundy
Éric and Cyrielle Rousseau, the third and fourth generation at the estate respectively, own 2.15 hectares of the grand cru vineyard. Some of the parcels were planted in the 1930s. Recommended recent vintages: 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012
Jacques-Fréderic Mugnier, Burgundy
The grand cru vineyard Musigny is considered the finest, most poetic of all grands crus on the Côte de Nuits. Since taking over in 1985, former petrochemical engineer Frédéric Mugnier has raised it to new heights. Recommended recent vintages: 2019, 2018, 2015, 2013, 2010, 2009, 2005, 2002
Domaine DujacMarquis d'Angerville, Burgundy
Formerly owned by the Dukes of Burgundy, this 2.15 hectare monopole premier cru in the village of Volnay deserves grand cru status. Poor, stony soils result in incredibly fine-booned wines that reveal their true potential over decades.Recommended recent vintages: 2019, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2010, 2005
Domaine Comte Liger-Belair, Burgundy
This grand cru vineyard measures just 0.85 hectares. The vine age is remarkable, some vines were planted more than 100 years ago. The very poor soils make the wines delicate and scented. Recommended recent vintages: 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012
Bouchard Père et Fils, Burgundy
Right in the heart of the Grèves vineyard in Beaune, this extraordinary parcel of vines was given to the Carmelite nuns of Beaune in celebration of Anne of Austria giving birth to future King Louis XIV. Recommended recent vintages: 2019, 2018, 2017, 2010, 2009, 2005, 1999
Domaine Georges Roumier, Burgundy
Christophe Roumier has just a few vines in this premier cru vineyard in the village of Chambolle, but they are special. Planted in 1947, they bring forth a wine that does justice to its poetic name. Recommended recent vintages: 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012
Méo-Camuzet, Burgundy
Next to the the six grands crus owned by this estate, Cros Parantoux takes a special position. This premier cru borders onto grand cru Richebourg in Vosne-Romanée and was made famous by the late Henri Jayer. Recommended recent vintages: 2019, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2012, 2010, 2005
Châteauneuf-Du-Pape, Rhône
Château Rayas has been in the hands of the Reynaud family since 1880. What sets this wine apart is that it is made from 100% Grenache, when most other wines of the appellation are blends. Recommended recent vintages: 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2012, 2010, 2009
Château Beaucastel, Rhône
The Perrin family owns many estates in the Rhône Valley. This cuvée, first made in 1989, based mostly on Mourvèdre is only made in the best vintages. Recommended recent vintages: 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2012, 2010, 2009
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône
Janasse makes four red Châteauneuf cuvées called Prestige, Tradition, Chaupin and the flagship Vieilles Vignes, made from 100-year-old vines. Recommended recent vintages: 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2012, 2010, 2007, 2000
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône
The wines from this pioneering estate which started bottling and marketing its own wines as early as 1902, and adopted organic farming early on, are made from old vines with tiny yields. Recommended recent vintages: 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2007
Château La Négly, Languedoc
Jean Paux-Roset, together with oenologist Paul Gros, crafts top cuvées L’Ancely, La Porte du Ciel and Clos des Truffiers, the latter from 1962-planted Syrah vines. Recommended recent vintages: 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2011, 2010, 2007, 2006
Jean Louis Chave, Rhône
Hermitage is the most famous site for Syrah in the world. The Chave family, tracing its history back to 1481, owns plots there and makes wines with a precision that shows each facet of the vineyard. Recommended recent vintages: 2018, 2017, 2015, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2007, 2006
Jaboulet, Rhône
Takeover by the Frey family spelled a quality renaissance recalling legendary vintages 1961, 1978 and 1990. The Syrah for this wine is from the Bessards, Le Méal, Greffieux and Rocoules parcels. Recommended recent vintages: 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2015 , 2012, 2010, 2009
E. Guigal, Rhône
Known as the “La-Las”, the Syrah trio of the parcels La Turque, La Landonne and La Mouline present all the finesse of the Côte-Rôtie vineyard. But which one to choose? All three are stunning. Recommended recent vintages: 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2012, 2010, 2009, 2005
M. Chapoutier, Rhône
Michel Chapoutier loves to provoke but he also is a visionary. He may make a high volume of wines but his top segment shows that he is playing at the very summit of what is possible. Recommended recent vintages: 2005, 2000, 1995, 1990
Clos Rougeard, Loire
This tiny parcel of Cabernet Franc vines on pure limestone has been the shining star of this estate and the Loire Valley for decades. A recent ownership change lets collectors hold their breath. Recommended recent vintages: 2015, 2014, 2013, 2010, 2007, 2005, 2003, 1989
100 Red Wine Icons was written by Peter Moser, with contributions from Dr. Ulrich Sautter, Othmar Kiem, Dominik Vombach, Benjamin Herzog and Anne Krebiehl MW.
Domaine Dujac, Burgundy
This grand cru site brings forth some of the most mineral red Burgundies. Jacques Seysses and his son Jeremy express the vineyard‘s character with the utmost finesse. An address with cult status. Recommended recent vintages: 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2013, 2012, 2010
