ボルドー最高評議会
Commanderie
May 13, 2023A trip to the Bordeaux wine region, to Saint-Emilion, in May 2023 - Commanderie de Bordeaux in Paris
What a delight to spend these two days in good company at prestigious wine estates. We were accompanied by our friends from the Commanderie de Bordeaux in Beirut, Maître Etienne Debbané and his family, who had given such as warm welcome to Antoine and Arnaud in April. We began the visit with Château Pavie where we were welcomed by Sales Director Didier Adam (visit and tasting).
For lunch, we were received by Mylène, the hostess, at the restaurant La Table de Pavie (Chef Yannick Alléno, 2 stars in the Michelin guide) in the heart of Saint Emilion for a sumptuous lunch accompanied by the wines Chateau Monbousquet 2019 and Château Berliquet 2010 Grand Cru Classé, and guided by skilled comments from Head Sommelier Benoît Gelin.
Our minibus dropped us off at Château Angelus (formerly a Premier Grand Cru Classé A, but it has now withdrawn from the classification) where we had to guess the melodies of the carillon: national anthems of Lebanon, Japan and France. We were greeted by Stéphanie de Boüard-Rivoal, daughter of Hubert de Boüard Laforest.
We tasted:
- Carillon d'Angélus 2022
- Château Angélus 2022
- Carillon d'Angélus 2020
- Carillon d'Angélus 2016
- Château Angélus 2020
- Château Angélus 2018
- Château Angélus 2016
In the late afternoon, we were enjoyed a visit and dinner at Château Cheval Blanc Premier Grand Cru Classé A, where we were welcomed by an ebullient Pierre Lurton particularly, who took us for a visit of this magical place with extensive grounds and a beautiful terrace set above the vat room and served us an exceptional dinner accompanied by magnificent wines.
We were very fortunate to finish in style with a Château d'Yquem 1989 (the estate is now managed by Lorenzo Pasquini, who was present).
The next day we were received by Nicolas Thienpont at Château Pavie Macquin Premier Grand Cru Classé and we visited the new and absolutely magnificent winemaking facilities.
Nicolas presented to us a very interesting tasting of wines en Primeur.
These wines were served by Nicolas during the buffet lunch he had organised:
- Larcis Ducasse Premier Grand Cru Classé 2018
- Pavie Maquin Premier Grand Cru Classé 2018
- Larcis Ducasse 1er GCC 2010
- Pavie Maquin 1er GCC 2009
- Charmes Godard 2020
Next we went to Château Balestard La Tonnelle, property owned by the Capdemourlin family, where we visited their new bioclimatic cellar and we were received on their magnificent terrace, with its amazing 360° view, for a tasting of the following wines:
- Château Roudier, Montagne Saint-Emilion 2019
- Château Cap De Mourlin, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé 2018
- Château Balestard La Tonnelle, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé 2015
On Sunday, May 14th , 8 of us were lucky enough to take part in a Masterclass given by David Suire at Château Laroque, Grand Cru Classé, a magnificent edifice with a tower dating from the 12th century, contrasting with the Renaissance mansion of the 16th century.
David showed us the vines of Château Laroque and explained the topology of the 61 hectares planted, and once inside the vat house of this Grand Cru Classé, he introduced us to the technique of recognising different grape varieties and terroirs.
