Bordeaux

This is the greatest of the trio of vintages that began in 1988, 1989, and rounded up at 1990. The oldest was lean and green in its first decade and – although remaining light –  many 1988s are rounding up very nicely now and deliciously fresh. The middle vintage, 1989, …

This Pauillac Fifth Growth was purchased in 1942 by the Quie family, owner also of Haut-Medoc Cru Bourgeois Chateau Bel Orme Tronquoy de Lalande, and Margaux Second Growth Chateau Rauzan-Gassies. The 30 hectares are planted to 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Franc. The soil is mostly gravel …

Even though 2006 is not considered a great vintage, decant this 45 to 60 minutes to ensure the red dazzles with its perfume of camphor/sandalwood, ripe capsicum, blue fruit, smoky notes, and hint of mint. Medium-plus-ish in body, harmonious, and deliciouslyfresh. The 67-hectare red vineyard is plantedto 55% cabernet sauvignon, …

Welcome to EDITION 720 of GRAPEVINE Greetings from having left London yesterday. I was in the English capital to speak at pre-opening dinners for the media for the Imperial Treasure Group which has just opened its first restaurant in Europe. I don’t normally get asked to do something like that but I …

This was served at lunch at Chateau Talbot last Friday 7 December 2018. The colour is bright light gold. Ripe and rich. Vanilla spiced fruit that also shows dried citrus peel, cloves and cinnamon. Full-bodied. Best enjoyed with food. Outstanding with the scallop dish (pictured). “My grandfather (Georges Cordier, son …

This is the white wine of Chateau Lagrange, the Third Growth of St-Julien. In 2017, because of the spring frost, 90% of production was lost. As such, the 6 hectare vineyard only produced a thousandbottles. Chateau Lagrange decidednot to sell any Arums de Lagrangeand kept the entire 2017 production to …

Welcome to EDITION 716 of GRAPEVINE Prince Robert of Luxembourg and his family-owned  Domaine Clarence Dillon  have joined Primum Familiae Vini. With his participation, the group now has 12 members.  ‘My family and I are truly honoured and thrilled to be included in such a prestigious organisation that shares our values and …

In the trio of vintages, 1988, 1989, and 1990, the first is the lightest, even green, particularly when it was tasted in its first, even second, decade. The wine, relative to the other two vintages, is the lightest. The middle vintage – 1989 – was too hot. Even searing. As …

This estate is owned by the Dassault Family, famed particularly for its involvement in the aerospace industry (although they are also minority owners of Cheval Blanc, Rieussec, and L’Evangile). La Fleur is not as famous as their other St-Emilion property (originally called Chateau Couperie) which when Marcel Dassault purchased in …