France may not be the country that discovered wine, but many consider it to be the place that perfected it. While there’s a wide variety of grapes and styles produced across the country, the most famous are elegant and refined—and always best appreciated with food. There’s a reason oysters have become synonymous with Muscadet, Sancerre with chèvre and beef Bourguignon with the region’s earthy reds. The French arguably have a particular knack for balancing flavors—and life in general—in a way that other wine-producing nations only wish they could.
But the appeal of French wine goes well beyond the well-known greatest hits. The country produces all manner of wine, from the stylish whites of Alsace and the yellow Vin Jaune of the Jura, to the bold and powerful offerings of the Rhône Valley and the warm wines of Languedoc-Roussillon. Some of these lesser-known offerings are represented in our tasters’ picks below.
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“Our French reviewers noted several Editor’s Choice or Hidden Gems,” says Wine Enthusiast Tasting Director Anna-Christina Cabrales. “These standouts, some being new to the market, were accessible in price point, immediately expressive in the glass but also have the capacity for long-term cellaring.”
While it’s virtually impossible to know all of the great French wines on the market, our tasters have made a valiant effort. Altogether, they reviewed nearly 4,000 French bottles this year—the best of which made the cut for the Enthusiast 100: The Best Wines of 2023. Spanning the cool Loire Valley to sun-drenched Chateauneuf-du-Pape, these picks represent not just the highest scoring, most prestigious or priciest bottles. (Many of the most impressive clock in under $30.) Rather, they’re the ones that captured a certain je ne sais quoi.
Here are the best French wines of 2023.
Anne-Sophie Pic & Michel Chapoutier 2021 Syrah (Cornas)
Dense and richly interwoven aromas of juicy cranberry and kirsch embrace a core of black plum, blackberry and thyme. The palate is delicious, with blackberry, rhubarb, pomegranate and an abundant midpalate of black olives and cassis served in a terracotta pot with fresh potting soil. With time in the glass, the wine evolves with generous silkiness, elegantly balanced by refreshing acidity. Beautiful. Editor’s Choice. 95 Points — Anna-Christina Cabrales
La Ferme du Mont 2021 Vendage White (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Fresh aromas of white peaches, tangerine, lime zest and acacia fill the glass in this bright expression. The palate is round with flavors of sliced lemon, pink grapefruit, green pear, fresh almonds, white flowers and river rocks. Mouthwatering acidity uplifts and provides tremendous energy to this wine. Editor’s Choice. 95 Points — A.C.
Domaine Delaporte 2020 La Côte d’Amigny Sauvignon Blanc (Sancerre)
This limited-production wine comes from a small parcel of old vines in Chavignol. It is ripe and dense, balancing white fruits and intense, tangy acidity. The wine is just ready to drink but will be better from 2024. Editor’s Choice. 95 Points — Roger Voss
Domaine Jean Dauvissat Père et Fils 2020 Fourchaume Premier Cru (Chablis)
Gentle aromas of lemon verbena, fresh pears and melon intertwine with baby’s breath, acacia, salty ocean breeze and stone. An abundance of white peach, lemongrass, chervil, fresh hay, broken seashell and flaky sea salt coats the palate. A delicious expression with intense minerality and dry extract that lingers on the long finish. Editor’s Choice. 94 Points — A.C.
Domaine du Vieux Bourg 2020 Au Bois Retour (Chénas)
This Chénas combines well-integrated black fruit with supportive herbal streaks. Ruby in color, this wine has a perfumed nose of alpine strawberry, cranberry, boysenberry, dried oak, black raspberry, violet and forest floor. The wine has a supple mouthfeel with expressive black tea notes towards the back palate through to the long finish. This wine is focused on the nose and complex. Editor’s Choice. 93 Points — Reggie Solomon
Véronique Günther-Chereau 2017 Monnières-Saint Fiacre Cru Communal Melon de Bourgogne (Muscadet Sèvre et Maine)
This is an elegant Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Sur Lie. Lemon-gold in color, this wine has a perfumed nose of ripe Fuji apple, pear, dried pineapple, white peach and blossom. Hints of wet stone and bread dough reveal themselves on the palate through to the finish. 93 Points — R.S.
Pierre Amadieu 2019 Domaine Grand Romane Red (Gigondas)
This is a powerful blend of 65% Grenache, 20% Mourvèdre and 15% Syrah.The wine is so lively upon opening that it will surely pique curiosity amongst enthusiasts. An intense core of blackberries, sunbaked plums and touch of wild mint coats the palate. Natural high-altitude acidity helps draw a long, dark-fruited finish, with salinity, fine gritty tannins and clove. Editor’s Choice. 93 Points — A.C.
Maison L’Envoyé 2021 Chateau Vivier Monopole Gamay Noir (Fleurie)
This Fleurie has a distinctive aroma silhouette that immediately communicates something good is about to happen in your glass. Black raspberry leaps out on the nose followed by black plum, black tea, forest floor, red cherry and rosehip. On the palate well-integrated black fruit is in lockstep with ripe tannins. Editor’s Choice. 92 Points — R.S.
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All products featured here are independently selected by our team, which is comprised of experienced writers and wine tasters and overseen by editorial professionals at Wine Enthusiast headquarters. All ratings and reviews are performed blind in a controlled setting and reflect the parameters of our 100-point scale. Wine Enthusiast does not accept payment to conduct any product review, though we may earn a commission on purchases made through links on this site. Prices were accurate at the time of publication.
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