Chaps,

Almost completed the 5 Chateau`s I wanted to visit this summer but have room for 1 maybe 2 more.

Already on the agenda,

Ch Labegorce Margaux
Ch Phelan Segur St Estephe
Ch Peyrabon Pauillac
Ch Charmail
Ch Lilan Ladouy (heard great things about these guys ?)

Ideally need 2 close together for the last morning before we set off back to Creuse.
Similar level to above would be good but happy to explore further down the line if anyone can recommend any ??
We will be based in Pauillac centre as there is a large tasting on one evening.

Regards
Richard

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Update
Phelan Segur are closed in August
Also Lynch Moussas are closed for a refurb.

So I need another 2 to replace. Have contacted Lagrange though.
Also booked at Croize Bages now to the original list.

Any thoughts out there ??
Dunc you must have visited loads in your time ??

Regards
Richard

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No Richard, have done loads of bottles though

When driving around in France the Misses was not interested at all.

She did the open air markets, and art exhibitions, whilst I scoured the village markets and tiny old world merchants for Petite Chateau and even a few amazing garage clarets. The supermarkets were not all over the place at the time, so the superb markets had small producers and some growers moving stuff to keep the wolf from the door.

I have not done that for while Richard. Been doing Channel sailing in recent years.

* Drove past the wrought iron gates of a few.

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Duncan

Dunc,

Cool, hope all is well with you.

Just had an invite from Ponet Canet but the wines are too expensive for my budget.
Will hold back incase the other 5/6 dont reply which I do expect some not to bother being French !! lol

Whats your take on Chateau Charmail and Lilian Ladouys any experience ??

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Dunc,

Have got appointments arranged now for Lagrange, Peyrabon, Lilian Ladouy, Labegorce, Rauzan Gassies.

Hope to get a slot at Marquis De Terme and CH Ferriere what other producers from Margaux or close by would you like to visit ??

also might need 1 more from Estephe area if you can help ??

Getting excited now !! cant wait !!

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If I were driving into St Estephe, I'd go to the grandfather of that Appelation

Bruno Pratts at COS.

But I cant help you Richard, because I've only seen pictures of the magnificent Chateau on the web.

You could taste their house red if they still make it ? - A big investment company have bought most of the shares I believe, and may have changed things

House red - La Maitre de Cos D'Estournel - was affordable way back.

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Duncan

Anyone sampled Grand Duroc Milon / Chateau Pedesclaux.

Looking at changing the last morning around a little.

Any thoughts would be much appreicated.

Peyrabon, and Lagrange now added and booked for the trip !! yipee !!

Regards
Richard

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Sorry, Duroc Milon ?
Clerc Milon yes. Are they close by or related to land at Milon ? Clerc Milon was a firm old school Pauillac, perfumed nose, very classic stuff that you could once find gathering dust in the back of a small claret merchant in England. Probably expensive now....so..... no recent experience I'm affraid.

I also bought a couple of these from a Brakespears (Henley Brewery) wine shop ...way way back in the 80's

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Duncan

Duncan and any other Bordeaux lovers here is my line up !!

Ch Peyrabon
Ch Labergorce
Ch Lilian Ladouy
Ch Lagrange
Marquis De Terme
Ch Pédesclaux

Also attending a 20+ Pauillac producer evening.

I think this is a great mix of some favorites and a couple that are making big noises recently.

I have one shop in Margaux to visit as well, any other shops in Paulliac or Estephe you know of ?? Will probably google later in the week.

So excited saving my pennies now !!

Forgot to mention that Lagune 1968 was amazing two weekends back !!
Lovely deep brown edge and so young in taste so smooth and reasonable length really full and deep.
These are my top bargain this year !! and in my top 3 wines tasted so far !! Glad I have four left, Dunc if you are ever passing let me know always a decent bottle open in my house.

Regards
Richard

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Of the Marquis De Terme (Labergorce Marg is softer, drink 5 - 10 years or so)

I think this post is maybe for you & me. From what you have been drinking, Your claret budget is way way above mine, Lagune '68 crikey !...However..... I do still have a few.

When you get back, you may tell me (us) about the 2009 MDT Margaux.
The '09 is supposed to have the structure of those made in '05 and the ripe opulence of those made after the hot summer of 2003.

I have 3 x Marquis DT '03's gathering dust in a wood box. MDT was / maybe still is an affordable 4th growth margaux that was / is supposed to be on the way up. That's why I have a few on the super ripe vintage which was marked down by experts en premeur.

Anyway - A resume' of their MDT wines, and, if they are keeping well would be handy. Ta Richard.

Remember Richard, we awnt to know what they taste like, not per se', where you've been

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Duncan

Dunc,

You are right no other Bordeaux fans !! seems very strange that the mecca of wine doesnt have more fans than two ??

Got another exciting night on the 19th of June I am hosting.

Just getting the menu started now and then onto the important bit the Wines !!

changing topic though I opened a ST Cosme CDR 07 on Tuesday night, wow was it hot but the fruit and length hide the heat for a while !!
Second night was much better a lot more smooth.
This was a fellow wine friends rec and a good one at that !!

I guess I will keep the other 5 for a while yet, what do you reckon ??
You know Rhone better than me for drinking windows.

Regards
Richard

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Am a fan, but the 4-5 times I've been to Bdx it's been either with MW groups and so we've just gone to the posh places, or with Dourthe Kressman and while they were very interesting to wine writers I wouldn't recommend them for a holiday visit.

I did some thinking. Are you going as far as Sauternes?

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mel

Mel,

Hi, I can believe it would be boring visiting with wine geeks all day !!

Not tavelling that far south, staying around Margaux/Pauillac/St Estephe.

Also attending a 20 producer tasting on the Thursday evening before we eat !! Best have small tasters.

Really looking forward to this as everyone I have spoken / emailed has been very friendly indeed.
Will take a photo of Ch Margaux as we drive past !!

Richard

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Southern Rhone syrah '07

A most unique CdR, because it is only entitled to the Cotes appelation, as it is grown out of territory for a total syrah cuvee.

How much was this Rich ? If I may be so impertinent ! I'd like that cos I like Saint Joe. Rich, I'd say longer than normal, even for this ripe '07 vintage.
Leah says that (he or she) is fed up with over oaked syrah. So we assume that there is light oak treatment for this wine.
Hmnn - you have 5 bottles left, nice. It would keep till Christmas 2011, or a tad more, depending on...... Is it old world style ? Say enjoy 3 this year and two next year. If the next one tastes young but deeper revise your drinking dates forward. If the forth one tastes that it may be going flat (no lift to the fruit).......you know that you should enjoy the last two over the next three months.

You have the luxury of sucking-it-and-seeing as you go

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Duncan

Dunc,

£52.00 for a six pack, seemed a decent price for a good producer.

Will check another one out this side of August.

Regards
Richard

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