So yes here I am with another wine story of Bordeaux. I have written some posts on wine one of my passions in my life. And of course, on Bordeaux wines which is a very big area indeed. There is a smaller area that I like the most call Médoc right in the peninsula between the confluence of the Dordogne and Garonne rivers and the Atlantic ocean.
Let me tell you again about some of my all time favorite properties as I have found some pictures from my vault and even if paper photos and dated will complement rather nicely this post. But first , a bit about the Médoc, just a bit ok
The Médoc is in the Gironde department 33 of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. There are three parts to it: Bas-Médoc, Haut-Médoc and Landes, and two terroirs, the famous Médoc vineyard along the estuary, and Landes du Médoc towards the ocean. The coast is dotted with small seaside resorts: Soulac, Montalivet, Carcans, Hourtin or Lacanau, which is wonderful and many times with the family here. The wine part of the Médoc mainly corresponds to Haut-Médoc . The Médoc vineyard includes the following appellations: Médoc, Haut-Médoc, Saint-Estèphe, Pauillac, Saint -Julien, Listrac-Médoc, Moulis-en-Médoc and Margaux. Of course, the best in the world!!!
Here is a another sampler ok , hope you enjoy it as we do!
The Château Batailley is a 55 hectare wine estate located in Pauillac in Gironde. Located in AOC Pauillac, it is classified fifth grand cru in the official classification of Bordeaux wines of 1855. The name of this property comes from the word Battle which took place in 1453 on the vineyards and the Château. It was the 100 years war. During this war, the French reconquered Château Latour which was occupied by the English and which marked the end of the British reign in Aquitaine. In the 17C, vines were planted on these lands rich in history. The grounds of the Château were designed in the 19C by Barillet-Deschamps, landscape designer for Napoleon III. Batailley is a classic Pauillac, with a deep ruby color, well structured and pronounced notes of cassis. It is now owned by Borie-Manoux house of traders. The official Batailley webpage is here: http://www.batailley.com/
The group Borie-Manoux properties is here: http://www.borie-manoux.com/nos-vins/nos-proprietes.html
One of the oldest and most justly renowned in Saint-Emilion. The central pavilion inspired by the Trianon, the old mill, its splendid view of the vineyard. The Joseph Janoueix family, owners of Château Haut-Sarpe, is one of the great houses of the Libournais. Laid out on the coast and on the edge of the limestone plateau, this vineyard is one of the oldest and one of the most justly famous in Saint-Emilion. A grand style building, the central pavilion is inspired by the Trianon. Of course not on the Médoc area but one of my favorite out of it. In 1867 at the Paris exhibition, the owner of Sarpe was included on the list of 36 Saint-Emilion wines which obtained the gold medal. The official webpage: http://www.haut-sarpe.com/
The Château Beychevelle is a 250 ha wine estate including 90 ha of vines, located in Saint-Julien-Beychevelle in the Gironde. Located in the AOC Saint-Julien, it is classified fourth grand cru in the 1855 classification. The first castle was built in 1565 .The castle was rebuilt in 1757 by the Marquis de Brassier de Brudot, the new owner of the property. The family of Brassier, baron of Beychevelle, will give its first letters of marque to the wine of Beychevelle during the 18C. The the banker Armand Heine gave it to his daughter, Marie-Louise, who will marry Achille Fould. It is then that the dynasty of the Achille family – Fould from 1890, and over three generations with in particular Aymar Achille-Fould, will be at the origin of Beychevelle’s prestige. In 1986, on the latter’s death, the GMF and Suntory bought the entire estate from the Achille-Fould family .Recently restored to its original classicism, Beychevelle is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful castles and parks in Bordeaux. The current owner of the castle is the Castel Group at 50% in partnership with the Japanese group Suntory. Found me another picture in my vault and rather than a new post I will added here, pic taken from paper pic sorry for the quality it is old. The official webpage is here: https://beychevelle.com/
The Château Giscours is a 300-hectare Médoc-Gironde wine-growing estate located in Labarde, near Margaux, for which it has the AOC. This Margaux wine is classified third grand cru in the official classification of Bordeaux wines of 1855. The origins of the estate date back to the 14C, but the recognition of the vineyard by deed of sale dates from 1552. During the French Revolution, the property, emigrated and the castle was sold as national property. The modern property is truly created by Marc Promis, who particularly enlarged the domain to nearly 200 hectares, including 50 in vines, built the current castle, consisting of the imposing residence, stables, presses, cellars and vats. It was in 1847 that Jean-Pierre Pescatore, a great Parisian banker, profoundly modified the estate by rebuilding the current castle and the agricultural buildings. In 1875, Edouard Cruse, the new owner, had the park landscaped and had a farm built. model called “Ferme Suzanne” in honor of his wife, born Suzanne Baour. The Château Giscours is a 19C castle offering guest house accommodation with free WiFi, wine tastings and wine cellars visits. The rooms situated in the former horse stables near the chateau have views of the vineyards, air conditioning, and a private bathroom with bath or shower, toilet and hairdryer. More on the official webpage: http://chateau-giscours.com/
The Château Prieuré-Lichine, formerly Château Prieuré-Cantenac, is a wine estate located in Cantenac in Gironde. In AOC margaux, it is classified fourth grand cru in the official classification of Bordeaux wines of 1855. Former priory, the estate was created in the 15C by the Benedictine monks of the Abbey of Saint-Pierre de Vertheuil. Confiscated and put up for sale during the French revolution, the Château Prieuré-Cantenac passed into the hands of many families before being bought in 1951 by Alexis Lichine, who renamed the estate two years later. Alexis Lichine, of American-Russian origin, is known to be the author of the Encyclopedia of Wines and Spirits. He endowed his wine with new terroirs, modernized the existing facilities and renovated the estate. When he died in 1989, his son took over the estate until 1999, when the Ballande family took over. More info here: https://www.prieure-lichine.fr/
And now you see a bit more of my tastes, not bad at all. These have been tamed over the years and now more choosy on what I drink. Of course, these are not the only ones, the wine world is vast. I do like to search new finds and great tasting and more affordable wines in my belle France and even into my beloved Spain. Hope you enjoy the post and do try the wines! In vino veritas!!!
And remember, happy travels ,good health, and many cheers to all!!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 