Bordeaux Wine Region (king of them all)

Bordeaux is the top wine region in the world. Not just  legendary and cultural, it also produces the top wines. These wines serve as the benchmark for all others. Bordeaux is an Eighteenth Century architectural and cultural gem. The city by that name has 600,000 residents and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. It

Chateau Jean Faure, St. Emilion charms in a most special way, both as a destination and as a wine

I’m at Chateau Jean Faure in St. Emilion. I feel like I’m home. The sunny disposition, soil, and general feeling of this place seem familiar and magical. The chateau’s historic roots, its reference terroir, and a passionate owner: Olivier Decelle make it very special. Monsieur Decelle explains: “This is a historic terroir. There are two

Château Rauzan-Ségla 2007. A worthy Margaux with a rich complexity and good length.

Château Rauzan-Ségla 2007. A worthy Margaux with a rich complexity and good length. Owned by the Wertheimer family of Chanel since 1994, the winery is again producing excellent wines. This one still has lots of room to mature. It displays aristocratic notes of blackberries, currants and spring flowers. Well worth the effort to find one.

Chateau Desmirail Margaux 2009 – Grand Cru Classe (3rd Growth): The dark color and very mature dark fruit bouquet…

… revealed a lot in the first few seconds! Being 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot, the distinct cassis was the first aroma and flavor to hit the palate, followed by raspberry, plum jam, chocolate and cedar. As the layers slowly unfolded, a dusty earthy quality and other fruity, floral nuances developed. The wine is

Chateau Grand Picque-Caillou – Bordeaux Rouge, 2005 ($25) RATING: 90.

A charming Bordeaux with fruity, earthy and subtle spicy aromas. A very nice nose. A light wine with nuances of black and red berries, subtle cherries, raisins and vanilla. Many of the aromas continue in the flavours with additional notes of ultra ripe strawberries. Light tannins. Smooth finish. It’s a round wine. Delicate, lively and

Chateau Grand Picque-Caillou – Bordeaux Rouge, 2005

($20)  RATING: 90. A charming Bordeaux with fruity, earthy and subtle spicy aromas. A very nice nose. A light wine with nuances of black and red berries, subtle cherries, raisins and vanilla. Many of the aromas continue in the flavours with additional notes of ultra ripe strawberries. Light tannins. Smooth finish. It’s a round wine.