Bordeaux

When all 6 wines – from the same producer – are superb to exceptional, that’s irrefutable proof they know what they are doing. Clos des Lunes, Domaine de la Solitude, Chateau Lespault-Martillac, and Domaine de la Chevalier are part of the portfolio of the Bernard Family. The clan is led by Olivier Bernard. And complemented by …

In 1826, Hugh Barton bought a part of the original Leoville estate that was to become Chateau Leoville Barton and which was ranked a Second Growth in the 1855 Classification of the Médoc It is often observed that the average lifespan of a family’s ownership of a Bordeaux chateau is …

WELCOME TO EDITION 823 of GRAPEVINE We have all been labouring under Covid restrictions for more than 16 months! Half of 2021 has gone by. Since late 2020, we have been planning our Great Bordeaux Tour 1 – 4 November 2021. Preceding that is the Great Champagne Tour 27 – 29 October 2021. If you …

Chateau La Conseillante  Perfumed and floral, including violets. Ripe, sensual blueberry/cherry fruit. Silky, seamless tannins. Lots of freshness to boot. Balance and finesse in the same sip.  La Conseillante has returned to great form (provided it does not spend too much time in oak after this).  Chateau Pichon Baron  Whiff …

I have tasted 33 wines of the Bordeaux 2020 vintage. Four are whites and, except for five over-extracted, over oaked, over-the-top reds, the rest reminds me of Bordeaux 2001 and 2002. Both those vintages have great freshness and, particularly in the case of 2001, great vitality and greater intensity. I …

Chateau Cheval Blanc 1996 Planted to 52% Cabernet Franc, 43% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 39 hectares are divided into 45 plots which have clay, large and small gravels, and sandy soil. Comprising 56% Cabernet Franc and 44% Merlot, Cheval Blanc ’96 is in its tertiary plane. The fruit …

When you next purchase a 3- or 6-bottle or 3-magnum case of Chateau Mouton Rothschild, you will find something new in it. ‘Principles of elegance, refinement, innovation and craftsmanship have guided and inspired us to create this lovely piece of fabric which protects the treasures it covers,’ revealed Proprietor Philippe Sereys de …

The sun shines on Petrus Let’s get the easy part out of the way. If you have bottles of Petrus 1965 and 1991, you are in trouble. None was made in those years. Jean-Claude Berrouet was 21 years young when in 1964, he was hired to be winemaker of the Pomerol. …

In 1855, there were two classifications of Bordeaux wine. Most people remember only that of the Médoc dedicated to reds. Actually, the more astounding classification was of the wines of Sauternes and Barsac. Instead of just four Premier Crus or First Growths in the Médoc, Sauternes and Barsac had 11!  …

From left, Camille Sereys de Rothschild, Philippe Sereys de Rothschild and Julien de Beaumarchais de Rothschild The label of Chateau Mouton Rothschild 2018 has been unveiled. It is a work of unbridled creative genius. What looks seemingly like two Chinese characters is actually “Mouton Rothschild”. The creator of this bold, innovative Mouton …