Vinexpo 2011

Vinexpo went pretty well for us, new prospects in countries where we were not present: Laos, Bulgaria, Romania, for example, and also a few significant orders, so I am quite happy.
This year’s show had probably fewer “tourists” and more industry visitors due to tougher control of invitations.
Hall 3 was good: air conditioning. On the negative side: too bad there is no bakery Paul or similar to provide decent sandwiches!
In the evening, we had our dinners at home with some of our customers. This was a good opportunity to eat and drink well 


The futures campaign is not over, the attention is focused on good prices (yes, they exist), those too far from our customers’ expectations are simply not financially sound.

Vinexpo, day 3

Vinexpo started!

Looking forward to see you in Hall 3, stand 359 W

Vinexpo

More than 10 people will be working at our stand at Vinexpo in Bordeaux to receive our customers, prospects and colleagues to taste Valandraud, Virginie de Valandraud, Clos Badon, Château Bel Air Ouy, Domaine des Sabines, Château Bellevue de Tayac, Bad Boy, Bad Girl, Blanc de Valandraud, Baby Bad Boy, the Thunevin-Calvet range, as well as Château Branda, Château Sansonnet, Château Fleur Cardinale, Château La Vieille Cure, etc…
We invite you to our stand W 359 in hall 3 from June 19 to 23 

The launch of the festivities starts on Saturday evening with a gala dinner and the induction of new members into the Jurade de Saint Emilion.

Saint Emilion - classification: the new Saint Emilion classification is finally on track with the signature from 2 government ministers. It is now time to participate and thank all those who labored over the document and create a consensus with the new rules.

The tough life of a negociant... at Cheval Blanc

I love inaugurations, bravo for this obviously successful cellar and thank you for having us for the visit and lunch today. In any case, Cheval Blanc 1990 in large bottle (double magnum) is awfully good.

I tasted this wine in barrel, should I say drunk, as it was already so nice in 1991! Still good, the size of the bottle does improve its quality, freshness and serving temperature, cool enough, has made this wine even better, as if it was possible.

And there was also Petit Cheval and Yquem

On the internet, Izak Litwar posted a profile on Valandraud.

Domaine de Chevalier red

I admit, I enjoyed drinking a sample of this young wine brought by a broker just before being released. Well, I drank the rest of this half bottle in the evening with Muriel. Great fruit, with precision, a perfect nose and a color that resembles running off wine, after fermentation.

Rated by Robert Parker 91-93, 92-95 by the Wine Spectator, 95-98 by James Suckling, 18 by Bettane & Desseauve, 93-95 by Neal Martin, 19 by René Gabriel and 18.5 per Decanter

Too bad I will not have enough bottles to sell...

Off we go!

Pontet Canet 2010 was just released today, one of the stars in Bordeaux and of the vintage, and for our wholesale house, a privilege of having a wine from the “Left Bank” to sell.

Also just released Fleur Cardinale, Haut Bergey, Le Gay, La Violette, Pagodes de Cos, Fleur de Gay...

2010 Bordeaux futures

This is the proof of a lack of clarity, as if proof were needed, when so many wines still have not yet been released. From famous crus to lesser known, there is worry of being wrong; should the price be increased? Lowered? What will the neighbors do?
The campaign will probably not end during Vinexpo.

Acker Merrall sold at their auction two bottles of champagne dated from the 1830 for 54,000 euros. Bordeaux are not the only ones reaching these heights, but beware of bubbles

On the site of the Wine Spectator, where James Molesworth Gloria Maroti Frazee host a video presenting Jean Faure 2008 and Mauvais Garçon 2008 (the US version of our Bad Boy), good value for money ("Bordeaux Values") not to be missed

Gault et Millau

In the June / July 2011 issue, a supplement was included with tasting notes of 2010 Bordeaux, written by Pierre Guigui, Hélène Durand and Florence Varaine, as well as articles written by Patricia Alexandre.

This time I also included comments, instead of just the ratings, as they make you want to drink the wines.

Clos du Beau Père 2010: "Crème de Cassis lifted by essences of violet on a well-balanced wine. Intensely gratifying. "16.5/20

Chateau Valandraud 2010: "Rare density and firmness could define this little jewel but also minerality, melted tannins, or candied fruit and delight; in other words, delicious.”18.5/20

Château Sansonnet 2010: "This is the rebirth of a beautiful terroir highlighted with splendor by the beautiful richness of this vintage. The barrel is noticeable but will blend in a generous mass and luscious fruit. "17/20

Virginie de Valandraud 2010 17/20

Clos Badon 2010 17/20

Chateau Fleur Cardinale 2010 (listed with the Grands Crus!): "This wine has great tension with ample ripeness, but not too much! The ensemble is sleek with a touch of sensuality brought by expressive fruit. A velvet touch! "17.5/20

Chateau Bellevue de Tayac 2010: "A real delicacy with notes of praline, but also roses, the mouth has bold tannins and a lovely richness spicy and soft fruit.”16/20

Château Tour des Termes 2010 Cru Bourgeois 16/20

Domaine des Sabines 2010 15.5/20

Fleur Carrère 2010 15/20

Bad Boy/Mauvais Garçon 2010: "Bordeaux, you said Bordeaux? This is actually a demoded cuvee with a powerful frame, characteristic of terroir. Brilliant success with a touch of cashew and licorice with delightful fruit. "16.5/20

Virginie de Valandraud Blanc 2010: "Definitely soft, and pleasant, a floral delight and a major achievement for maximum pleasure” 16/20

The releases of futures continues Fombrauge, Clémentin du Pape Clément, Clos Romanile, Vray Croix de Gay, The Prieuré, Siaurac ...

Hong Kong visit with Acker Merrall

I spent last week in Hong Kong drinking and eating with clients, collectors and some of my French colleagues, Bernard Magrez’s team, Romain Comte et Louis Michel Liger- Belair from Burgundy, but also Peter Sisseck from Pingus (and new owner in Saint Emilion)

Impressive organization: customers where pampered and the number of fine bottles opened was simply astounding. Thank you Gil, John and Sébastien.

Acker Merrall & Condit’s Wine Auction in Hong Kong

….”Three very special consignments, each coming directly from the respective properties and obviously of immaculate provenance, drew high level of interest of collectors. They represented some of the world’s most collectible wine regions: Château Valandraud from Saint Emilion in Bordeaux, Dominio de Pingus from Ribera del Duero in Spain and the biggest collection of Domaine Liger-Belair ever to come to auction. Of note, there was one lot encompassing eight jeroboams produced by Louis-Michel Liger-Belair spanning 2002-2009 that were never before commercially released, which realized HK$536,800/ US$68,821, setting a world auction record for any single lot of Domaine Comte Liger-Belair”…..