Goes out to nearly 20.000 Bordeaux Wine Lovers all over the world!
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Ronald tasting the 2016 Vintage at the UGCB tastings
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A Personal Note From Ronald,
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By now you must have heard that the Bordeaux 2016 vintage is exceptional. After tasting hundreds of wines from this vintage I can honestly say that 2016 will be a vintage that will be remembered for a long time. There were even several wines that were the best I have ever tasted on futures!
Like every year for the last 10 years I will tell you about this most recent vintage. I will give you my tasting notes and ratings on the First Growths of both Left Bank and Right Bank. And I will give you my tasting notes and ratings of a few selected properties that made superb wines that made an impression on me. Of the other wines I will give you my ratings.
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Tasting and rating a great vintage
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I tasted so many wines for you
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Excellent wines on all price levels
I sincerely hope my notes and ratings may help you decide which wines to buy on futures because this year the question for each true Bordeaux lover should not be: “Will I buy wines on futures?” but: “Which wines will I be buying?” because some of these wines are a must-have in your cellar. I hope that this Vintage Special will help to find the answer to this question. And the good news is that there are excellent wines on all price levels.
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Last call for 2017 and an invitation for a 2018 Bordeaux Wine Tour
Touring Bordeaux with us is a great experience. For 2017 we have one room for a fast-deciding single and two double rooms. That’s it folks! All other spots are filled.
An invitation for 2018
Our tours for 2018 are filling up fast as well. Since we introduced our 2018 program three weeks ago, two tours sold out and a third is almost booked.
So make your plans, clear your calendars and plan your trip of a lifetime! Check out our 2018 Bordeaux Wine Tour Schedule here and ask us for an itinerary. We would love to see you in Bordeaux.
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Learn about Bordeaux wines, winemaking and history
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New Lay-out
I have changed the lay-out of this Vintage Special to make it easier to navigate and I would like your opinion. I love to hear your comments. I am open to all feedback so email me and simply reply to this magazine. I love to hear from you.
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Ronald and Margaret love to share
their passion for Bordeaux with you
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And please remember: Don’t drink anything I wouldn’t drink!
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2017 Bordeaux Vintage Special: Vintage 2016
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Generations to come
Great vintages in Bordeaux had high alcohol percentages over the past decade. 2016 is a very pleasant exception and the alcohol content is on average a full percentage point under the famous 2005, 2009 and 2010 for example. The other characteristic of the 2016 is the freshness, which I really loved. All elements together created great wines -and even often outstanding wines- that will entice Bordeaux lovers for generations to come.
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Bordeaux 2016: Unusual weather
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Great minds think alike. Great vintages often have similar weather patterns. Not the 2016. The weather was very unusual for a great vintage. The winter and spring were wet, in some appellations even very wet. The summer was dry and very hot (on average 5°C more than usual) with a remarkable amount of sunshine (+30% compared to an average year). The Indian summer was textbook perfect. The abundance of rain in spring lacked in the summer and before the harvest. But the rain mercifully relieved some hydric stress on the vines on exactly the right moment just before harvest time. In the words of Aymeric de Gironde of one of the outperformers, Cos d’Estournel: “It was like God wanted to scare us and then wanted to save us on the last moment.”
“This was one of the very few vintages in Bordeaux where you can say the rain saved the red wine,” said Axel Marchal, wine-researcher at the Bordeaux Wine University.
The Bordeaux vintage 2016 is very attractive for all buyers because of the exceptional wines at all levels. How the prices will turn out, remains to be seen of course.
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Drinking Yquem all night!
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Points, Ping-Pong and Parker (and Ronald)
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Why I use the 20-point scale
Rating wine is a very personal experience. A wine rating is one individual opinion of one individual taster on one specific moment and we should be modest about the outcomes. Nobody has an absolute judgment about wine, not even Robert Parker. Again it’s just an opinion of one taster.
There are many different systems of ratings. Some rate wines with stars with a maximum varying from three to five stars. In France wines traditionally are rated on a 20-point scale, the same scale that is used in all educational systems in France. The American wine critic Robert Parker introduced a 100-point scale and that became an instant success. I personally think that this 100-point scale attracts us so much because the 100-point mark unconsciously makes us think about 100% meaning perfection. For me the downside is that I feel that this 100-point scale is to refined. Can one really consistently discern the difference between a 93-point wine and a 94-point wine? Personally I doubt this very much. The difference becomes even more important at the 90-point mark. 90 points or 89 points makes all the difference for a wine and as a result for a chateau.
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Some buyers only want 90+ wines. Just one point difference in a rating may mean a price difference of four to eight euro a bottle. And if a chateau produces between 100.000 and 200.000 bottles this adds up.
Although I feel that points are for Ping-Pong and wine is for pleasure, I use points as well for my ratings. I use the traditional 20 points scale where I sometimes added some half-points or even the occasional + or – where I want to ad some nuances. I have been using this 20-point scale over the last 30 years and it served me well. I hope my ratings will help you making your purchasing decisions in the extraordinary Bordeaux vintage 2016.
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Chateau Lafite Rothschild 2016,
1er Grand Cru Classé, Pauillac
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With Saskia de Rothschild and Eric Kohler at Lafite Rothschild
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I tasted in the new tasting room at Lafite in the company of Saskia de Rothschild and Eric Kohler, Lafite Rothschild’s technical director. Eric told me that this year the taster’s glasses were empty as well as the spittoons. He meant that the samples were so good that people wanted to drink them already.
Kohler had some difficulty understanding the vintage at first: “When we don’t understand what’s happening, we have serious doubts at first. We thought we were forced to harvest and that the wines would be a bit harsh because the berries were so hard. But during the harvest we realized that everything would be OK. We thought the vintage would be in line with the 1986 for which we had to wait a long time to open up. But no, everything turned out well. We still don’t understand what happened. We probably overestimated the hydric stress and the vines produced a remarkable quality. If we would understand everything it would take part of the fun away.” Kohler concludes with a smile.
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Intense deep purple red color for Lafite
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Chateau Mouton Rothschild 2016,
1er Grand Cru Classé, Pauillac
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I tasted the Mouton in the chateau’s tasting room with Philippe Dhalluin, the man responsible for all wines from the Mouton stable. Dhalluin has 35 years of experience in making wine of which he spend 30 in the Médoc. Philippe told me that most measurable elements of the 2016 are superior to the 2010 vintage. There are even more tannins but you won’t taste this because they are so well integrated. Dhalluin compares the 2016 with the Mouton 1986 (100 points by Robert Parker) but he told me that the tannins back then were very hard. “It would take many years to soften up. The 2016 is like a modern 1986,” he smiles. “Don’t forget that most elements we measure and master nowadays, were unknown to us in the 1980’s. This 2016 will be a monster!”
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Chateau Latour 2016,
1er Grand Cru Classé, Pauillac
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Latour is 50% biodynamic for the “grand vin” (entirely organic), but from 2017 that is being extended to 100% and I salute them for that effort. Latour emphasized that the first half of the year (January to June) was the wettest for 20 years and the second half (July to October) was the driest for 16 years.
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Chateau Margaux 2016,
1er Grand Cru Classé, Margaux
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I missed the late Paul Pontallier’s sparkle in his eyes and his enthusiasm about the new vintage. Fortunately the family tradition is continued and I tasted in Margaux’s new cellar with Paul’s son Thibault Pontallier, who was citing his father many times.
Pontallier’s successor, Philippe Bascaules, who worked with Paul Pontalier for more than twenty years, was running the Inglenook winery in the Napa Valley. He has now returned to Margaux as Managing Director while continuing to be involved with the winemaking at Inglenook. His first full vintage at Margaux will be the 2017.
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With Thibault Pontallier at Chateau Margaux
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Chateau Haut Brion 2016 – La Mission Haut Brion 2016,
1er Grand Cru Classé, Pessac-Léognan
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I tasted the Haut Brion wines in the professional tasting room in the tower of the chateau in the presence of Jean-Philippe Masclef, the the Technical director of Haut Brion.
A tasting here includes of course Haut Brion, but also La Mission Haut Brion as well as the superb white wines that are produced here. Click on the link for tasting notes and ratings for all wines.
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In the professional tasting room at Chateau Haut Brion
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Chateau d’Yquem 2016,
1er Grand Cru Classé Supérieur, Sauternes
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Pierre Lurton, General manager at Yquem, explained to me that heavy rains in winter and spring were stored in the Yquem clay subsoil helping the vines struggle through one of the driest summers from Yquem’s long history. It was actually the driest summer since 1898. The famous rains of September 13 that saved the red wines helped Yquem in a different way. Thanks to this more-than-welcome humidity the botrytis could develop. Lurton was happy to see the rains return around September 29, creating the second attack of botrytis in the vineyards.
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With Sandrine Garbay tasting Yquem
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The beautiful Saint Emilion vineyards
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Chateau Ausone 2016,
1er Grand Cru Classé “A”, Saint Emilion
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Just visiting Chateau Ausone is something very special. Ausone is one of the eight top wines in Bordeaux (Next to the five First Growths, Petrus and Cheval Blanc) and also the smallest of them all. With its 7ha (16acres) it is about 10 times as small as a Medoc First Growth. Ausone, producing between 15.000 and 18.000 bottles yearly, is NOT open for visitors.
The latest vintage is tasted next to the coveted vats that hold the precious wines. The family is very much involved. Owner Alain Vauthier and his daughter are omnipresent during the tastings. They were both wearing happy smiles because of the great vintage.
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With Alain Vauthier of Chateau Ausone
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Chateau Cheval Blanc 2016,
1er Grand Cru Classé “A”, Saint Emilion
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What makes Cheval Blanc so unusual is three main soil types – fine textured with clay, more coarsely textured with gravel, and large gravel with sand – that constitute a veritable patchwork. Some estates in Saint-Emilion have excellent gravelly soil, while others in Saint-Emilion and Pomerol have very good clay soils. Cheval Blanc, on the other hand, has both types of soil in fairly equal proportions. Traditionally the Cabernet Franc plays an important role here.
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With Pierre Lurton of Chateau Cheval Blanc and Yquem
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Chateau Angelus 2016,
1er Grand Cru Classé “A”, Saint Emilion
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Chateau Angélus is a bit hidden just outside of Saint Emilion. It has been said that in the old days on this property you could hear the church bells of no less than three churches sounding the Angélus (a Roman Catholic prayer). And that is why the chateau is called Angélus.
Not many Bordeaux chateaux have managed to remain family-owned over the years.
Angélus is still owned by one of Bordeaux’s oldest wine families, the family de Boüard de Laforest. It is the eighth generation that has started working here but it remains Hubert de Boüard de Laforest who makes the wine.
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With Hubert de Boüard de Laforest of Chateau Angélus
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Chateau Pavie 2016,
1er Grand Cru Classé “A”, Saint Emilion
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I tasted the Pavie in the tasting room of the chateau overlooking the vines and in the presence of the owner, the almost shy Gérard Perse. The Dutch connection worked well as Perse’s wife is from Sneek, in the northern parts of the Netherlands. Perse has traveled a lot in the Netherlands and it we all enjoyed catching up on memories together.
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With Gérard Perse of Chateau Pavie
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Other remarkable properties that outperformed in 2016
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Cos d’Estournel 2016,
2ème Grand Cru Classé, Saint Estéphe
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With Aymeric de Gironde of Chateau Cos d’Estournel
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Montrose 2016,
2ème Grand Cru Classé, Saint Estéphe
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With Hervé Berland of Chateau Montrose
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Léoville Las Cases 2016,
2ème Grand Cru Classé, Saint Julien
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With Bruno Roland of Chateau Léoville Las Cases
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Ducru Beaucaillou 2016,
2ème Grand Cru Classé, Saint Julien
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With Bruno Borie of Chateau Ducru Beaucaillou
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Palmer 2016,
3ème Grand Cru Classé, Margaux
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Pontet-Canet 2016,
5ème Grand Cru Classé, Pauillac
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With AlfredTesseron of Chateau Pontet-Canet
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Vieux Chateau Certan 2016,
Pomerol
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With Alexander Thienpont and his son of Vieux Chateau Certan
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La Conseillante 2016,
Pomerol
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Other Pauillac and Saint Estèphe 2016 ratings
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Other Margaux and Saint Julien 2016 ratings
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Other Haut Medoc, Moulis and Listrac 2016 ratings
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Other Pessac-Léognan 2016 ratings
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Other Saint Emilion and Pomerol 2016 ratings
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A view on Cos d’Estournel in Saint Estèphe
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Our 2018 Bordeaux Wine Tour Program
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2018 Bordeaux Wine Tour Schedule
(Open for booking)
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_____________________________________________________________________
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What makes our Bordeaux Wine and Culinary Tours so special?
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Carefree and truly effortless travel in Bordeaux: We take care of everything, really everything |
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See and taste all 5 First Growths and Château d’Yquem! |
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Expert (and humorous) guidance by Bordeaux specialist Ronald Rens |
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Air-conditioned accommodation at our privately owned 18th century chateau |
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Taste more Classified Growths than on any other Bordeaux wine tour! |
• |
Grand Cru Farewell Dinner with all Grand Cru wines (including Chateau d’Yquem!) |
• |
Gourmet meals at Bordeaux Chateaux and a Michelin starred restaurant! |
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Grand Cru wines with all meals (except breakfast…) |
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Air-conditioned, luxury motor coach transportation throughout the tour |
• |
Great food and wine and a lot of fun in a small group |
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Because you want a Bordeaux Wine Experience and not “just a tour”
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A master-class on tasting Classified Growths marks the
start of each of our Bordeaux Week Tours
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The Bordeaux Grand Cru tour
This is probably our most exclusive tour. This ultimate wine tour for Bordeaux lovers is as good as it gets. Can you believe that you’ll see and taste all five First Growths and Superior First Growth Chateau d’Yquem including some older vintages! Of course we include the best of Saint Emilion and Pomerol as well. Add to this outstanding meals at exceptional venues not normally open to the public and you’ll see why this tour usually sells out early.
Ask us for an Itinerary here.
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The Bordeaux Grand Cru Harvest Tour
The Harvest Tour is Grand in every way, both in food and wine. Enjoy chateau meals and Michelin rated dining. The most exciting time in Bordeaux is harvest time. You can sense the anticipation in the air.
And the food is superb as well: Exclusive meals at extraordinary venues not normally open to the public. On top of that you’ll see and taste all five First Growths and Superior First Growth Chateau d’Yquem and many of them will be older vintages!
Ask us for an Itinerary here.
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Bordeaux in full harvest swing
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Prestigious estates, not pretentious people
It is true: Bordeaux and its wines can seem a bit intimidating at first. Don’t worry, on this tour Ronald will guide you through all this like an insider. Remember: we tour prestigious estates, not pretentious people. You’ll develop a preference for “Left-Bank” or “Right-Bank”, while visiting some of the best chateaux in the world. Our tours are both entertaining and informative. Some of our guests already know a lot about Bordeaux and its wines. For others a tour serves as a top-down introduction to the fascinating Bordeaux Wine World. Whatever your background, we can guarantee that you will have a great time.
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Superior First Growth Yquem
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Intimate, not intimidating
We combine a down-to-earth approach with a great sense of humor. And we prefer nice people on our tours. Pretentious or obnoxious people: please stay away! We’re serious about this because it is a personal, intimate experience (i.e. with us), filled with a lot of fun, so there is no time or energy for jerks… So please only join us if you are a nice person who likes wine and want to learn more about the intriguing Bordeaux wine world and want to taste the best wines in the world while having a fun vacation.
Click here for our Tour Schedule.
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Culinary highlights and great fun!
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A Food and Wine Experience
Although this Bordeaux wine tour seems to emphasize “just” on wine, we feel wine is best enjoyed with great food. That’s why we put as much effort into the planning of the meals as we do on the planning of the vineyard visits. Our Bordeaux Wine Experiences include memorable dinners in the best restaurants of the Bordeaux area. You will enjoy a dinner at a famous Michelin starred Relais & Chateaux Restaurant.
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First Growth Mouton Rothschild, a highlight on all our week tours
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Gourmet meals in venues not normally open to the public
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Culinary highlights
And there is more! You’ll never forget those gourmet meals in different Bordeaux Chateaux.
And if that is not enough, the Farewell Dinner will be at our Chateau Coulon Laurensac. Our private chef will prepare another wonderful meal for us that we’ll accompany by an impressive succession of library wines that have been aging in our cellar, including a First Growth from an older vintage and Superior First Growth Chateau d’Yquem of over 20 years old!
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2017 Bordeaux Wine Tour Schedule
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_____________________________________________________________________
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What makes our Bordeaux Wine and Culinary Tours so special?
• |
Carefree and truly effortless travel in Bordeaux: We take care of everything, really everything |
• |
See and taste all 5 First Growths and Château d’Yquem! |
• |
Expert (and humorous) guidance by Bordeaux specialist Ronald Rens |
• |
Air-conditioned accommodation at our privately owned 18th century chateau |
• |
Taste more Classified Growths than on any other Bordeaux wine tour! |
• |
Grand Cru Farewell Dinner with all Grand Cru wines (including Chateau d’Yquem!) |
• |
Gourmet meals at Bordeaux Chateaux and a Michelin starred restaurant! |
• |
Grand Cru wines with all meals (except breakfast…) |
• |
Air-conditioned, luxury motor coach transportation throughout the tour |
• |
Great food and wine and a lot of fun in a small group |
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2017 Bordeaux Day Tour Packages
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The most complete Wine Day Tour Packages in Bordeaux!
Stay at our Chateau and be chauffeur-driven to Classified Growths on a private tour that combines the best of both worlds in Bordeaux: the Médoc and Saint Emilion.
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Chateau Coulon Laurensac, without a doubt the best place in the world to taste all five First Growths and Yquem…
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The Bordeaux Wine Experience
at Chateau Coulon Laurensac
1, chemin de Meydieu
33360 Latresne (BORDEAUX), France
Website : www.BXWINEX.com
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Call us:
1-877-203-2665 (toll free from USA & Canada) or
+33 556 20 64 12 (from anywhere else in the world)
(These lines go directly to our Chateau in Bordeaux so please remember that we’re on Paris time!)
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Copyright © 2017 by The Bordeaux Wine Experience. All rights reserved. The content, design and graphical elements of this Magazine are copyrighted. The Bordeaux Wine Experience is a Dutch company specializing in wine and culinary tours in the Bordeaux region for an English speaking international clientele.
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