A full weekend

Friday, big day with customers, brokers, various matters, traceability, banks, suppliers, tasting of a few batches of Pomerol 2005 and 2006 and especially from 10 am to 3 pm, a pleasant interlude, however still serious with a group of leaders to talk about the world of wine, wholesale, globalization, wine, a few candid questions, others more in-depth. And I thought about Pierre Marie Currie’s theory on the way to deal with the game and rules of world commerce, classification (a current topic), the future of wines called “Garage”, brands, margin… A quality meal in the restaurant Le Vieux Presbytère in Montagne Saint Emilion with Blanc N°1 de Valandraud, Croix de Labrie 2002, Turcaud blanc 2005, Valandraud 1999 and 2003. Following lunch, the whole group went for a guided tour at Château Laroze.

During the weekend, visit of the cellars and vineyards of Domaine Fayat-Thunevin, Pomerol and Lalande de Pomerol, Prieuré Lescours, Clos Badon and Valandraud. Oversee the progress of the construction work, tasting of the wines produces by a little property that one of my acquaintances wants to buy, take advantage of the weekend to catch-up on paperwork…

On March 15, I will be going to New York with the Cercle des Grands Vins from the Right Bank. I leave with Xavier on March 14 to preview the 2006 vintage of a few of our crus. There, were are going to taste La Commanderie de Mazeyres 2006, which is part of the Cercle and promote the quality of the 2006 vintage in Bordeaux, and for our own properties. Our ambition today is to be part of the best Pomerol, considering the incredible work that has been done. We need to communicate to our customers the changes that have been taking place in the Clément Fayat properties. Thanks to president Alain Raynaud and all the members of the Cercle to have ambition for Bordeaux, even if it has a cost (local and national governmental organizations have a hard time helping private initiatives) for we are only 125 members – however, more than certain AOC (Appellations)!