Day 5
After visiting some big names in the first two days in Bordeaux I was never expecting it to end this way. Today was simply sublime! Why? Because we visited two more first growths. Probably two of the better ones too…LaTour and Margaux.
Our first visit was to the ultra-modern-newly build LaTour on the outskirts of Pauillac. I was sold out to this chateau even after we watched the introduction video. The harmony and excellence that this estate emanates was contagious. The warmth of the small simple room transformed into a whirlpool of ideas and thoughts even before we set a foot in the chai. All I needed at that stage was to hold a glass of velvety opal red nectar. But it was not to be yet. To the cellar first… The stone courtyard with the p-trees was the perfect tranquil setting. The architecture was just as smooth and silky as the wines we tasted. The interior of the cellar was all stainless steel tanks, black walls and white wood finishing. Even the barrel cellar had glass stairs and glass panels in the floor.
The wines – extraordinary! Nothing like anything that I have tasted before. And in the ultra chic tasting room with its big window and view of the surrounding vineyards and villages it was a fairytale experience. Or something of a James Bond movie setting??? We tasted the 2006 Pauillac, the 2003 La Forte (their second wine) and the LaTour 2001. All completely different but perfect in its own style. My favourite was funny enough the second wine. It was elegant, full of primary fruit, toasty and balanced. The mouth was supple and round, with velvety tannins and a lengthy finish (but nothing compared to Cheval blanc). The LaTour 2001 was equally astonishing. The elegance and balance of this wine made me think of a supermodel with beautiful long legs and walking perfectly with her stilettos down some cobbled street in Paris.
The cherry on the cake of our visit to Bordeaux and the Medoc was our final stop at Chateau Margaux. A childhood dream realised! Yet another. The authenticity of this magnificent chateau will echo perpetually in my memory. The strong structure of the cellar and chateau itself; the cathedral-like underground barrel cellar with the stench of history and decades of dedication and hard work was beautiful, enchanting and even emotional. I could not help but smile as I walked among the barrels and wooden tanks. The feeling of contentment was overpowering. And as we progressed to the tasting, that feeling just climaxed as I sat down on the couch, enjoying the Margaux 2004. By this time the rain had started to come down outside and as their voices echoed in the background, I stared out over the rain drenched courtyard through the window, soaking up the moment. Absorbing. The wine was deep. It was balanced. It had length. It had fruit. Dark chocolate and café notes. Creamy yet light in texture and soft velvety tannins that was surprising for such a young vintage. As the rain continued, so did the taste in my mouth long after we left the estate direction back to Bordeaux. The memory of this day will forever resonate in our wine-filled imaginations. Some of us had been converted to enjoying and appreciating Cabernet-based wines. Some of us, if not all, had been converted to loving this Bordeaux-crap!
After visiting some big names in the first two days in Bordeaux I was never expecting it to end this way. Today was simply sublime! Why? Because we visited two more first growths. Probably two of the better ones too…LaTour and Margaux.
Our first visit was to the ultra-modern-newly build LaTour on the outskirts of Pauillac. I was sold out to this chateau even after we watched the introduction video. The harmony and excellence that this estate emanates was contagious. The warmth of the small simple room transformed into a whirlpool of ideas and thoughts even before we set a foot in the chai. All I needed at that stage was to hold a glass of velvety opal red nectar. But it was not to be yet. To the cellar first… The stone courtyard with the p-trees was the perfect tranquil setting. The architecture was just as smooth and silky as the wines we tasted. The interior of the cellar was all stainless steel tanks, black walls and white wood finishing. Even the barrel cellar had glass stairs and glass panels in the floor.
The wines – extraordinary! Nothing like anything that I have tasted before. And in the ultra chic tasting room with its big window and view of the surrounding vineyards and villages it was a fairytale experience. Or something of a James Bond movie setting??? We tasted the 2006 Pauillac, the 2003 La Forte (their second wine) and the LaTour 2001. All completely different but perfect in its own style. My favourite was funny enough the second wine. It was elegant, full of primary fruit, toasty and balanced. The mouth was supple and round, with velvety tannins and a lengthy finish (but nothing compared to Cheval blanc). The LaTour 2001 was equally astonishing. The elegance and balance of this wine made me think of a supermodel with beautiful long legs and walking perfectly with her stilettos down some cobbled street in Paris.
The cherry on the cake of our visit to Bordeaux and the Medoc was our final stop at Chateau Margaux. A childhood dream realised! Yet another. The authenticity of this magnificent chateau will echo perpetually in my memory. The strong structure of the cellar and chateau itself; the cathedral-like underground barrel cellar with the stench of history and decades of dedication and hard work was beautiful, enchanting and even emotional. I could not help but smile as I walked among the barrels and wooden tanks. The feeling of contentment was overpowering. And as we progressed to the tasting, that feeling just climaxed as I sat down on the couch, enjoying the Margaux 2004. By this time the rain had started to come down outside and as their voices echoed in the background, I stared out over the rain drenched courtyard through the window, soaking up the moment. Absorbing. The wine was deep. It was balanced. It had length. It had fruit. Dark chocolate and café notes. Creamy yet light in texture and soft velvety tannins that was surprising for such a young vintage. As the rain continued, so did the taste in my mouth long after we left the estate direction back to Bordeaux. The memory of this day will forever resonate in our wine-filled imaginations. Some of us had been converted to enjoying and appreciating Cabernet-based wines. Some of us, if not all, had been converted to loving this Bordeaux-crap!
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