ボルドー最高評議会
the Grand conseil du vin de bordeaux
CommanderIES, wine brotherhoods

A total of 78 people attended the event held at Manchester Hall in Manchester. It was wonderful to see that the number of guests outnumbered the number of members and that of the guests a great number were of a younger generation.

Attendees included members from Manchester Wine Society, Manchester branch of the International Wine & Food Society, Manchester Order of Champagne together with a number of guests from smaller wine groups within the Manchester area.

The wine tasting, held in the Goulburn Lodge, consisted of 4 wine stations, manned by members of the Commanderie, with each wine station serving both red and white wines. Attendees were given a tasting sheet and had an hour and a half to taste whichever wines they chose to. At each wine station information and tasting notes from the particular Chateau were available for people to read or take with them. Likewise, the Vintage Code booklets and Mini Workshop booklets were placed throughout the room for people to pick up as they wished.

Nathalie Escurédo was introduced to the attendees outlining that she was a member of the Grand Conseil in Bordeaux and would be able to answer any questions or queries should anyone have any.

The Wine Tasting was a great success, with different people having their own favourite wines. Some people who attended had never tasted Bordeaux wines before and were impressed with the range that there was to taste. One comment (see comments sheet) was that ‘I have never tasted a wine from Margaux before – I wasn’t disappointed’. When looking at the Comments Sheet it is clear that some wines did stand out and were enjoyed by most who tasted them, e.g Château Clos Rene from Pomerol, the Château Chantegrive white and of course Nathalie’s Château Boutinet.

Overall, the Wine Tasting was very well received with favourable comments not only about the wines but also with regards to the Commanderie de Bordeaux, which will hopefully result in some new members.

On completion of the Tasting the group moved to the Goulburn Suite where a four-course lunch was served and matched with the 4 wines provided for the meal. Each of the wines were praised by group particularly as the 3 red wines were of the slightly older vintages of 2015 and 2016.

As the afternoon progressed the group gave their thanks and showed their appreciation to the 29 Chateaux who had very generously provided wines for the event.

All those who attended gave their thanks to the wine producers and to the Commanderie here in Manchester for organising what was a ‘wonderful event’. Those who were there left with a much greater understanding of the wines of Bordeaux, an increase in knowledge as to the range of wines available and to the difference in taste between the various Appellations with the Bordeaux area.

On behalf of all those who attended many thanks to all at the Grand Conseil for your support in this initiative and to each of the Chateaux for providing their wines.

Bordeaux, toujours Bordeaux

Colin Smith
Maître
Commanderie de Bordeaux in Manchester

General comments from those attending:

- We love Château La Gamaye, amazing selection of wines, thank you. Château Clos Rene – an absolute must!

- Château Chantegrive white excellent

- Château Mangot excellent

- Château Thieuley excellent

- Château Boutinet good

- Château Clos Rene excellent

- Château Clos du Roy very good

- Château Chantegrive red – good wine will improve

- Château Mangot – one to look out for

- Château Siran – very good wine

- Château Gros Moulin les lys du Moulin – a delicious white wine

- Château de Garbes – delicious

- Château Clos Rene – excellent, much enjoyed

- Opale Cremant – very enjoyable and uplifting fizz

- Château Labrande – a full flavoured crémant – very good

- Château La Doyenne – a good older style Bordeaux

- Loved the Crémant

- What a great afternoon – Château Bouscaut was wonderful

- The Château Chantegrive white was my first wine of the tasting, enjoyed it immensely, the flavour stayed with me through the tasting and lunch – thank you

- Château Clos Rene – extremely smooth and satisfying

- Château Thieuley – fresh and tasteful

- Favourite white – Château Gros Moulin, les Lys du Moulin

- Favourite wines – Opale Blanc de Blancs, Rabaud-Promis (delicious), Château Gros Moulin (delicious), Château Chantegrive red and Château Labrande (delicious)

Personal comments:

Comments from Richard G

- Château Chantegrive 2022 – fine nose good fruit

- Château Jean Duguay 2019 – good, pure, enjoyable

- Château Boutinet 2020 – enjoyable

- Château Clos des Prince 2019 – very good

Comments from Andy

- Château Chantegrive – as ever ‘symphonic’

- Château Boutinet – enchanting, as is Nathalie

Comments from Chris

- The Boutinet and Siran – truly excellent

Comments from Carol

- I loved the Chantegrive white which has a wonderful flavour

- I also really liked the Château Clos René

Comments from Tim

- The Clos René was lovely and ripe even though still young

Comments from Jane

- Fleur Moelleux – lovely bouquet and fresh fruity flavour. Really enjoyed it

Comments from Chris W

- Château Gros Moulin les Lys du Moulin- I loved it

Comments from David

- Favourites – Château Chantegrive, Château Clos René, Château Boutinet

Comments from Louis

- Favourites – Château Siran, Château Thieuley & Château Chantegrive red

Comments from Angela & Tim

- Château Clos Rene – long after taste, strong raspberry, would buy

- Château Labrande Cremant – dry – would buy

Comments from Neil

- Château Raband Promis - I would buy it, subtle and sophisticated

Comments from Alistar

- Château Chantegrive white – excellent

Comments from Brian

- Château Chantegrive white – grassy and luscious

- Château Clos René - tasteful, well made

- Château Mangot – nice surprise, lovely nose and mouth feel

Comments from David

- Château Chantegrive – mellow fruit on the nose and palate with good and complex spice and satisfying length

Comments from Carolyn

- Château Boutinet – we will be purchasing online.

- Château Clos René – a wonderful red

Comments from Carys

- Château La Gamaye – fabulous nose and long lasting, excellent

- Château Siran – Nectar. Not tasted Margaux wine before – lived up to expectations

Comments from Ruth & Neil

- Château Boutinet - was gorgeous, soft mellow, soft fruits – perfect for drinking with friends

- Château Chantegrive - also a favourite, yet to develop but charming to drink now

Comments from Allan

- Outstanding – enjoyed the Pomerol (Clos René) and Boutinet. The Siran was also very well received

Comments from Keith

- Really enjoyed the Château La Gamaye

Comments from Eddie, Pam & Hilary

- Château Clos Rene – best red by far

- Château Le Doyenne- lovely red great flavours

- Château Rabaud-Promis – great sweet dessert wine, lovely with the dessert, would definitely recommend it

My favourite comment from Pat

- We came as guests, we met new friends, we tried new wines, we have new favourite wines, thank you for a lovely day – Big thumbs up to Château La Gamaye, Château Clos des Prince and Château Pichon Bellevue