Cellar Tracker Bordeaux Trip 2011

Back in January Bella Wine Tours was invited by the Cellar Tracker community to co ordinate a trip to Bordeaux for an interesting group of wine enthusiasts. The initial contact was from the UK and I was under the impression that if we put together an interesting itinerary, then we would get 20-25 people to Bordeaux. I am always sceptical so I presumed 10-15! The clients for Cellar Tracker are mainly American, but they are truly internet fans, so some of the clients were from China, Singapore, Canada and the UK.
Fortunately the Cellar Tracker community is strong and I organized a busy schedule of visits, tastings and lunches and dinners for the 28 people who signed up for the trip. I offered accommodation in the excellent 5 star Hotel Regent as well as the 3 star Hotel de Normandie.
Here are a few pictures of the happy wine enthusiasts who attended the 4 days of fun at the end of May 2011:











Visiting Chateau Lafite Rothschild. We tasted the excellent 1995.








The incredible barrel room at Chateau Lafite Rothschild.











The 28 people were great fun. Some of them knew each other beforehand, but many of them did not know anyone else. Everyone got on extremely well and we had a busy but fun time.
Here is or schedule:
Sunday: Arrive at Hotels and meet for an evening drink.
Monday: Coaches to Chateau Pontet Canet for a visit and tasting of the 2005 and 2010 barrel sample.
Visit and Tasting to Chateau Mouton Rothschild....2010 barrel sample tasted.
Visit and Tasting to Chateau Lynch Bages....2004 and 2010 tasted
Lunch in Pauillac in a riverside restaurant.

Visit and tasting at Chateau Lafite Rothschild...Tasted the 1995
Visit and tasting at Ch. Grand Puy Lacoste...Tasted 2010 and 2005.
Visit and Tasting at Ch. Pichon Longueville...Tasted 2010,2009,1008 and 2003.

Monday was free to explore the restaurants of Bordeaux.







Happy clients in the tasting room at Ch. Pichon Longueville, where we were really treated to some exceptional wines...2010,2009,2008 and 2003.








Tuesday: Coaches to Ch. La Mission Haut Brion...Tasted the 2007 Ch. Haut brion and 2007 Ch. La Mission Haut Brion.
Visit and Tasting at Domaine de Chevalier....Tasted the 2010(Red and White) and 2005(Red)
Lunch and a tasting with Daniel and Florence Cathiard at Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte. A delicious lunch after some lovely aperitifs..Ch. Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc 2008 and Rouge 2007. Lunch with the 1998 and 2006 from Magnums.
In the afternoon we visited the majestic Chateau d'Yquem for a visit and tasting of the incredible 2007.

Tuesday evening was free to explore Bordeaux.







The amazing new egg fermentor at Domaine de Chevalier.









Wednesday: Coaches to Chateau de la Riviere in Fronsac. A full tour of the cellars and the Chateau as well as a tasting of teh 2005 and 2010 and the 2001 Aria.
Lunch free to stroll around Saint Emilion.
Afternoon visit to Ch. La Conseillante in Pomerol, where we tasted the 2010.

I arranged a dinner at Chateau Coutet in Barsac. We tasted some fabulous sweet wines....2010, 1998, 1976, 1989 during a beautiful meal in the Chateau.

Thursday morning we visited Chateau Margaux where we tasted the 2007 Pavillon Rouge and Ch. Margaux.
Last visit was to Ch. Rauzan Segla where we enjoyed the 2010 and the 2006.

Everyone had a great time. We covered a lot of ground and we met some fantastic characters and personalities. We also got on very well as a group and it was a great pleasure to organise. There are many notes and many better pictures and detailed tasting notes on the Cellar Tracker main website and the forum.

I would be delighted to organise a similar type trip to Bordeaux. via www.bellawinetours.com