France

I was surprised to see how close this very famous chateau is to downtown Bordeaux. Since it is so old – dating from 1525 – I’m sure that the old city of Bordeaux was much smaller when Haut-Brion was established, and that no one expected the Bordeaux subdivisions to spring up around such a famous wine estate. We were greeted by Laetitia, the PR Director, and she began our tour with an overview of the vineyards using a model of the property. Haut Brion has 48 hectares of red grapes (45% merlot, 45% cab, 9% CF, 1% PV) and 2.8 [...]

We actually made it to the outskirts of Bordeaux from Palmer in 20 minutes by taking the D209 along the river as suggested by Google Map. However once we reached the city, the directions quickly disintegrated and we found ourselves hopelessly lost in a strange section of town. I telephoned the hotel and they told us they were located near the Grand Theater and to park at Tourney. From this, we were able to use our Hertz map to painfully make our way into the heart of the city and finally find the hotel. Parking prices are rather sharp at [...]

It was a short drive to our 3pm appointment at Palmer where we were welcomed by Celine, the PR Director. As she walked us to the vineyard, it felt as if it were in the high 80’s F and we wished we had brought lighter clothing. Palmer has always been a personal favorite of ours as a special occasion wine, and it was nice to finally visit the chateau. Celine informed us that they have 55 hectares and adjoin Chateau Margaux. They have no clay, and are primarily gravel with sand – situated on the top of the Margaux terrace. [...]

Do not follow Google Map directions to Chateau d’Issan or you will find yourself on a road that passes the front of the chateaux, but where there is no access. By the time we had figured this out, we were 15 minute late to our next appointment with Clarisse, the PR Director at Chateau d’Issan who had spent time studying English in both New York and Seattle and had a delightful American accent. She also has exuberant energy and walked us around the vineyards and through the ancient fortress from the 1600’s with its own moat -- explaining the history [...]

After Cos, we headed South on the D2 and stopped to take photos of Lafite and Pichon – two estates I had visited last year while it was raining. Finally I could get a nice photo of them in the sun. Then we drove to the small village of Arcins where Caroline had kindly made reservations for us at this very famous Medoc restaurant, and we were impressed to find that every table had a reserved name tent on it with the name of person dining – including ours. Bottles of all of the top chateaux filled the wine shelves [...]

Another sunny day and beautiful breakfast at Chateau Beausejour, and then we checked out because we were relocating to downtown Bordeaux that evening. It turned out to be an extremely hot day – in the mid 80’s, which I’m sure broke some temperature records for the region. When I called home to Sonoma, we discovered it has been raining there since we left—while Bordeaux had been sunny and warm. Rather ironic that California was much cooler than France, but then Sonoma/Napa really needed the rain. Chateau Cos d’Estournel, 2nd Growth, St. Estephe – we were greeted by the Marketing Director, [...]

When Mike and I visited Bordeaux in 1996, we toured Ch. Mouton-Rothschild and stayed overnight at Chateau Pomys where we had a memorable stay. Wanting to revisit such a happy memory, we made dinner reservations at Pomys and found it to be just delightful as the last time. It was a warm evening and the crickets chirped cheerfully as we made our way to our table around 7:30pm. Though their wine list is not extensive, we wanted to try the estate wine, which is St. Estephe AOC – one of my favorites, as I really enjoy the austere style. The [...]

Next stop was Chateau Talbot, about 10 minutes drive south of Pauillac in St. Julien, and hidden behind a lush curtain of green ivy covering its ancient walls. We were met by Jean-Pierre Marty, and appreciated his practical approach to winemaking and international experience – having worked all over the world making wine, including Australia and China. Starting in the vineyard, he explained that St. Julien has a different quality of gravel and sandy clay than Pauillac and with less limestone. Like many estates they use no weed killer or insecticides, but will use non-organic sprays when necessary to combat [...]

After departing Margaux we drove north along the D2, passing many famous chateaux until we came to Pauillac. We had the prix fixe menu at the charming Pauillac Café along the river, and then made our way to Chateau Pontet-Canet, where we met with the very charming Jean-Michel Comme, viticulture and winemaking director. With his perfect French-accented English, he regaled us with the progress of biodynamics in the vineyard, and we watched fascinated while a large draft horse pulled a plow through rows to aerate the soil. The story at Pontet-Canet is all about their transition to biodynamics that was [...]

We awoke to a sunny blue sky, and I spent an hour relaxing in our private living room reading over my research notes on the wineries we were to visit that day. Conveniently hot water and tea were available before breakfast. The evening before, Annie had asked us what time we wanted to eat, and we had agreed on 8:30am. Therefore, at the appointed time, we entered the all white dining room to a crackling fire in the white fireplace. The large dining room table, which comfortably seated six, was covered with an antique white lace tablecloth and a very [...]

We departed St. Emilion around 4:15pm and drove to our next hotel located in Listrac-Medoc. This time Google Map provided perfect directions and we arrived in exactly the 1 hour 5 minute time suggested. Perhaps I had mentioned to Caroline that today was our 24th wedding anniversary, and that is why she booked us into such a romantic French country manor house – because that is the only way you can describe Chateau Beausejour. With its lovely white limestone façade; built in the 1800’s, you are met at the door by owner Annie accompanied by her white Dalmatian dog. The [...]

We were welcomed by Audrey, the PR director and discovered that we were part of a scheduled tour with two other couples. However I asked so many questions about clones, types of yeast, and fermentation temperatures that she fetched the enologist and the viticulturist to meet with us as well. Chateau Figeauc is unique in that it is one of the oldest chateau in St. Emilion, tracing its roots back to the 2nd century AD when a Roman gentleman named Figeacus lived there. It is also unique in that it uses more cabernet sauvignon in the blend than is normal [...]

Caroline had made lunch reservations for us at the charming L’enver du Decor restaurant in St. Emilion. Lori accompanied us and helped us select our lunch and wine. We all ended up ordering the Prixe Fixe lunch menu – which I think is always a good deal in France with fresh seasonal dishes. It started with a creamy white asparagus soup, and we each selected a different glass of wine to accompany this and then compared. Mike, my husband, had the local rose; I ordered a white Graves; and Lori had a white Pessac-Leognan. Next course was steak, potatoes and [...]

We awoke to slightly cloudy skies, but by late morning they faded away and we were treated to another sunny blue sky with a high of around 68 F. After a pleasant breakfast with Bernard, we packed our luggage and said good-bye, but not before buying 2 bottles of his wine – 2003 to drink now and 2005 to save – as well as 2 of the boxed bottles of merlot salt he was selling. We then headed towards our destination in Pomerol, passing Ausone and Cheval Blanc along the way – both estates I was privileged to visit last [...]

We slept well and enjoyed listening to the crickets and frogs outside of our window. Breakfast is included in the rate of $98 Euros per night to stay at Chateau Monlot, so we headed downsides to the charming dining room where we feasted on good coffee and too many fresh and heavenly croissants of every type. Bernard, the owner, joined us and invited us to join his family for lunch at 1pm, as well as a tour of the wine cellars. What a friendly place! We gladly accepted. Next we wandered around the sunny grounds of the chateau taking pictures, [...]