Bella Wine Tours in The Sunday Times

In The Sunday Times, August Travel Edition Laura Ivill 'samples the best grape escapes from around the world.'

Under the title 6 of the best Holidays with Wine, we are delighted that Bella Wine Tours features as the only recommended guided tour operator for Bordeaux in the Claret and Class feature.

Bella Wine Tours (07778 006691) www.bellawinetours.com) organises guided tours (three nights/two days) with access to the greatest wineries-Latour, Lafite Rothschild, Margaux- from £804pp, without flights.



Here is an example of the 3 day/Two night wine tour to Bordeaux.

Pocket Guide to the Wines of Bordeaux

Last week I met up with Dr Chris Kissack in Bordeaux. Chris was juggling a family holiday whilst also trying to do some work. I know the feeling well!
Chris is the man behind the excellent website www.thewinedoctor.com which covers many wine areas, but mainly focuses on the Loire and Bordeaux.
 I have clicked on The Wine Doctor at various times, and certainly used information when researching background details for Chateaux in Bordeaux. There is a great depth of knowledge and facts on the site. I have no idea how Chris manages to keep the site up to date as well as holding down a far more important job as a real doctor in a Neonatal unit.
We met at Chateau de la Riviere in Fronsac, where I wanted to show Chris the latest wines as well as to have a good look around the amazing limestone cellars. I also invited Xavier Buffo, the winemaker along for a chat and to add his angle to the tasting. We tasted Chateau de la Riviere 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010. We also tasted Aria 2009 and 2010. We ran out of time for the white, rose and clairet from the 2011.....but hopefully Chris enjoyed them later.
It was great fun to taste and chat.....and Xavier was extremely impressed by Chris' tasting ability, when it was noted that there was a change in style and quality since the 2008 vintage. This was due to a different philosophy and attitude at the estate. The yields have been reduced, the grape selection is finer and more precise, the use of oak is less and the quality is higher.
I look forward to seeing Chris' notes on the wines from Chateau de la Riviere.
Chris kindly gave Xavier and I a copy of his recently published book:
Pocket Guide to the Wines of Bordeaux. (£6.99)

Evidently this is designed for people with very large pockets, as it seems more of a normal book than a pocket guide.
The book is an excellent light read and really good introduction to the Bordeaux wine world. It is really up to date, with reviews on the 2011 vintage (as well as detailed reviews going back to 2003). I really like the easy relaxed style of the book. It is not heavy on tasting notes and historic background, but this is the perfect guide and prop for someone who is just getting in to Bordeaux or someone who wants to be current with what is happening, or even someone who is going on a wine tour to Bordeaux!!!!
There are short chapters on Biodynamic/Organics, Investment, the 1855 classification,major areas, serving wines, wine and food matches, the En Primeur system and much more.
In fact many of the Chateaux that Chris mentions in his Pocket Guide we visit on a regular basis at www.bellawinetours.com, so it is great to get different opinions and perspectives. The main Chateaux that we visit regularly are: Lafite Rothschild, Mouton Rothschild, Margaux, Latour, La Mission Haut Brion, Pontet Canet, Grand Puy Lacoste, Lynch Bages, Leoville Barton, Yquem, Pichon Baron, Cos d'Estournel, Smith Haut Lafitte, Domaine de Chevalier, Haut Bailly and Figeac.
I can recommend this book, and I will be buying several copies for clients on Bella Wine Tours.

Wine Tours in Bordeaux

 Flourishing roses and vines at Chateau Pontet Canet today (June 17th)

Excellent lunch at Chateau Pichon Longueville.

Tasting at Chateau Latour

Clear blue skies at Chateau d'Yquem

Violaine in the vineyard explaining biodynamics at Chateau Ponet Canet

Busy time for wine tours at the moment.www.bellawinetours.com We have received Americans, Canadians, Chinese, British, Australian, Swiss and Dutch clients recently.

Bordeaux 2011: Robert Parker's scores

Robert Parker is probably the most influential wine journalist in the World. He writes an excellent magazine called the Wine Advocate, where he reviews wines from all the top wine areas. Parker has a team of tasters and he will eventually retire at some stage. But this one man has probably done more for the global reach of fine Bordeaux wines than any other journalist.
Therefore his scores are eagerly anticipated by the Chateaux in Bordeaux. A good score from Mr Parker can add significant financial security, whilst a low score can knock a reputation.
Here are a few scores from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, that were released on Friday for the 2011 Bordeaux vintage:
Alter Ego 88-90
Angelus 92-95
Ausone 96-100
Batailley 89-91
Beauregard 84-87
Beausejour (Duffau-Lagarrosse) 92-94
Beausejour Becot 90-92
Bellevue Mondotte 92-94+
Berliquet 90-93
Beychevelle 87-89
Bon Pasteur 91-93
Boyd Cantenac 89-91
Branaire Ducru 91-93
Brane Cantenac 90-93
Calon Segur 92-94
Canon 87-89
Canon La Gaffeliere 90-92
Cantemerle 88-90
Cantenac Brown 86-88+
Capbern Gasqueton 85-87
Chapelle d'Ausone 92-94
Chasse Spleen 85-87
Aiguilhe 87-88
Margaux 94-96+
Cheval Blanc 94-96
Cos d'Estournel 90-92
Angludet 88-90
Domaine de Chevalier 87-89
Ducru Beaucaillou 93-95
Faugeres 91-93
Fombrauge 87-89
Fonplegade 92-94
Gazin 88-91+
Giscours 88-90
Gloria 89-91
Grand Puy Ducasse 84-87
Grand Puy Lacoste 89-91
Gruaud Larose 89-91
Haut Bailly 91-93
Haut Batailley 87-90
Haut Brion 92-95
Joanin Becot 89-91
Kirwan 86-88+
La Conseillante 88-91
La Gaffeliere 90-93
La Lagune 90-93
La Mission Haut Brion 93-95
La Riviere 86-88
La Riviere Aria 89-91
La Tour Carnet 89-92
Lafite Rothschild 90-93
Lafleur 92-94
Lafon Rochet 85-87
Lagrange 85-87
Langoa Barton 86-88+
Larcis Ducasse 89-93
Larmande 83-85
Lascombes 91-93
Latour 93-95
Le Pin 94-96
L'Eglise Clinet 92-95
Leoville Barton 90-92+
Leoville Lascases 93-95+
Leoville Poyferre 91-94
L'Evangile 88-90
Lynch Bages 90-93
Magrez Fombrauge 92-95
Malescot St Exupery 91-93
Montrose 91-93
Mouton Rothschild 93-96
Palmer 92-94+
Pape Clement 92-94
Pavie 93-95
Pavie Decesse 92-94
Pavie Macquin 92-94
Pedesclaux 86-88
Petit Village 87-89
Petrus 90-93
Phelan Segur 89-91
Pichon Longueville Baron 90-92+
Pichon Longueville Comtesse 92-94
Pontet Canet 93-95
Potensac 87-89
Poujeaux 87-89
Rauzan Segla 91-94
Smith Haut Lafitte 91-93
Sociando Mallet 90-93
Talbot 87-89
Tronquoy Lalande 88-90
Troplong Mondot 91-93
Trotanoy 91-93
Vieux Chateau Certan 94-96


It is very interesting to see Robert Parkers notes. As with everything in life this is only one man's views and not neccessarily the right or wrong view.(I disagree with a few of his views, but that might make the wines better value!!!) But Parker's likes and or dislikes carry a lot of weight. It will be very interesting to see which Chateau release their wines later this week.

Chateaux Pontet Canet and Lynch Bages 2011

Two Chateaux that have produced stunning wines over the last few years have been the 5th Growth properties Chateau Pontet Canet and Chateau Lynch Bages in the Pauillac appelation.
Both properties regularly perform above their official 5th Growth classification from 1855.
Chateau Lynch Bages is affectionately known as 'Lunch Bags' in the UK trade. It has links from the Irishman Thomas Lynch who settled in the Bordeaux region in the 18th century. The property is now owned by the Cazes family, who have maintained and developed the vineyards and the winery. Jean Charles Cazes is the young man now at the helm of this 115 hectare estate.
The main wine produced at the Chateau is red Chateau Lynch Bages, whilst the second label is Echo de Lynch Bages and there is a small amount of white produced.

Chateau Pontet Canet is one of the stars of the Bordeaux region. It has only been owned by three families in the last 300 years....originally Jean Francois de Pontet in the 18th Century, then the Cruse family for 110 years during the 19th and 20th centuries and now (since 1975) by the Tesseron family.
This estate of 81 hectares (under vine) is situated next door to Chateau Mouton Rothschild. The estate has spent the best part of the last 10 years converting to organic and biodynamic viticultural practices. The recent wines 2008, 2009 and 2010 have been quite exceptional. There is always a purity of sweet ripe fruit at the core balanced with dense dark Autumn fruits.

I adore both Chateaux and they consistently make great wines. However this year maybe difficult.
Since 2008 the price for the wines has doubled. Interestingly the Chateaux have copied each others pricing over the last few years:

Prices ex negociant:     Approx. Current UK retail price per bottle:

• 2008    €48      Pontet Canet £75              Lynch Bages £80
• 2009    €72      Pontet Canet £160            Lynch Bages £120
• 2010    €100    Pontet Canet £120            Lynch Bages £115

Both Chateaux have produced excellent wines in 2011, however the global market has become more and more tricky. The investors, collectors and wine enthusiasts throughout the world got very excited by the 2009 and 2010 vintages. Is there any money left to buy the 2011s?
What price will these two wine estates release their wines?
My estimate is that they will be €60-€70 per bottle................

Bordeaux 2011: Top wines

My top red wines from tasting the 2011 barrel samples:

1. Chateau Palmer
2. Chateau Pontet Canet
3. Chateau Pichon Baron
4. Chateau Haut Brion
5. Vieux Chateau Certan
6. Chateau Lafite Rothschild
7. Chateau Haut Bailly
8. Domaine de Chevalier
9. Clos du Clocher
10. Chateau Figeac

My top sweet white wines from 2011 samples:

1. Chateau de Fargues
2. Chateau d'Yquem
3. Chateau Coutet
4. Chateau Climens
5. Chateau Guiraud

My top dry whites from 2011 samples:

1. Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte
2. Domaine de Chevalier
3. Chateau Malarctic Lagraviere
4. Chateau La Mission Haut Brion
5. Chateau Marjosse.

NB I am yet to taste at Chateau Latour and Ausone....I will taste in May. I will re taste at Mouton Rothschild, Margaux, Lafite, Haut Brion and Cheval Blanc over the next few weeks.

Chateau Lafite Rothschild 2011, early price release

The 'Primeur' campaign has certainly come to life this year. With the news that Chateau Latour will not be offering their wines via the traditional negociant distribution at the end of last week, today we had the release of the first tranche for Chateau Lafite Rothschild, Premier Grand Cru Classe, Pauillac.
This is a bold and ballsy move from the Chateau. There were strong rumours from Monsieur Christophe Salin, the managing director of Domaine Baron de Rothschild's estates during the Primeur tastings two weeks ago that they would release low and early. I am pleased that they have had the courage of their convictions.

The price released ex Chateau is €350 per bottle and this will be sold ex negociant at €450 to the international wine buyers. Chateau Lafite Rothschild 2011 is now being traded at £5500 per case in London.

This price is in fact a reduction of 25% from the 2010 price (€600), but it is a 246% increase from the 2008 release price (€130). Many people tasted the Chateau Lafite at the Chateau and comparisons were made to the 2008, 2004 and 2001 vintage.
It is interesting to see how these vintages are currently being traded on the market:


2011= £5500 per 12 bottles
2008= £7200
2004= £6000
2001= £6000

So the release of Chateau Lafite Rothschild 2011 is in fact a true reflection of where the current fine wine market is trading for other comparable vintages. The Chateau have gained significantly by increasing the price to a new level (from the 2008 price), for what is perceived as a similar quality. Rather than let middle men, investors, speculators cream off the 200% price difference the Chateau have closed the gap. It will be very interesting to see where the 2011 is trading in comparison to 2008, 2004 and 2001 in 6 months time. On the basis that 2011 is a good vintage this is definitely a BUY in comparison to wines on the market.
I personally thought that Chateau Lafite Rothschild produced a magnificent wine in 2011. I know they had issues with the growing season and they suffered partial hailstorms in the vineyards just before picking on September 1st. But the wine has a great deep spicy bramble core. It is real cassis classy Cabernet Sauvignon, with an elegant polished layer of complexity.

I applaud Chateau Lafite Rothschild for getting their price out early and in many ways setting the tone for others to follow. We do not know how much stock was allocated in this first tranche release. They might have been simply testing the water. Let's see who follows later this week.
On a personal note I really did like the 2011 Chateau Lafite Rothschild, but I felt Chateau Pontet Canet, Lynch Bages and Pichon Baron as equal wines......and let's hope at a fraction of the price.

The other key factor that may influence prices are the notes from Robert Parker, which will be released in a few weeks. Sometimes Chateaux prefer to wait for Parker's pronouncement and then set their price. This might positively or negatively effect the pricing and positioning of traded wines.