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Read about:
v The vintage 2009 at a Grand Cru Classé de Graves
v Bordeaux Wine Tours:
Last spots available!
v Mouton Rothschild 2007 label
v What Ronald has been drinking this month
Member of
The American Society
of Travel Agents
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Hollywood in Bordeaux: We organized a private Wine Tour for Ronn Moss ("Ridge" in The Bold and the Beautiful)
and his charming wife Devin Devasquez |
Dear Wine Lover,
Cold, very cold, that's our feeling here in Bordeaux. We have had minus 10 (14F) some nights.
The vineyards are quietly waiting to be pruned. The 2009 vintage is in the barrels and improving with
every month that passes.
I have tasted the different grape varieties of this super 2009 vintage in the Pessac-Léognan. You can read about our visit to Chateau Malartic Lagraviere in this edition.
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Our ferocious new guard dog "Easy" |
Meet "Easy", our new Chateau dog
On a personal note we are sorry to inform you that after seventeen years of faithful service, we had to say goodbye to our little dog "Bouchon" (cork in French).
Our Chateau seemed empty without a guard dog to protect our family.
It gives us great pleasure to announce that we now are being protected by our new Jack Russell Terrier "Easy". This ferocious creature already shredded two slippers and recently started chewing at the cables of my computer.
Don't be afraid of her, she is adorable and cuddly.
| Quote of the month: |
"Wine for me is passion. It's family and friends.
It's warmth of heart and generosity of spirit.
Wine is Art. It's the essence of civilization and the art of living. "
- Robert Mondavi |
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Bordeaux Wine Tours 2010 filling up
Of course I'll tell you about the exciting Tours we have planned for you for next year. Remember we just conduct four of these tours per year and there are just 6 spots left for 2010. See the Bordeaux Wine Tour Schedule for the dates for the upcoming season.
My Bordeaux Wine Blog can be # 1 in the world list
 Thanks to your help my Bordeaux Wine Blog is doing well in the world list of wine blogs. To move up one spot in this list I need just another 229 votes. And with 764 votes I would be number one! So please help us in two clicks and vote! It's easy and it's free. Thanks very much for your continuing support.
Alfred-Alexandre Bonnie, the owner of Chateau Malartic Lagraviere (R):
“We strive for the best possible quality while remaining affordable, even for the 2009" |
I hope you'll enjoy reading this Newsletter and
I look forward to hearing from you soon (Ronald@BXWINEX.com).
Don’t drink
anything I wouldn't drink!
Cheers from Bordeaux,
Ronald Rens, M. Sc., Wine Master
Wine writer and President
The Bordeaux Wine Experience
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The Vintage 2009, a sneak preview at Chateau Malartic Lagravière
Chateau Malartic Lagravière, Grand Cru Classé de Graves. |
It was quite chilly when we headed to the Pessac-Léognan, home to the Grand Crus Classés de Graves. This classification is one of the youngest in Bordeaux. Ironically we find here, in this young appellation, some of the oldest vineyards in Bordeaux. It was here that the wine growing tradition in Bordeaux started. The "Grabas de Bordeu", as this area was called in the middle ages, already played an important role in the 13th century. The first classification of the wines of Bordeaux dates from 1647.
Not just gravel in the soil of this appellation. The sub-soil is made up of fossils from warm seas |
The wines from the Graves came up ahead of all other wines. It is also the only appellation to get its name from its soil: The translation of the word graves, is gravel.
With this great combination of history and quality wines, we showed no hesitation accepting an invitation for a visit. Chateau Malartic Lagravière was our quest for the day. This chateau is one of the few properties to be classified for both its red wines and its whites.
At the chateau we were met by Karim Nasser This dynamic and enthusiastic "Directeur Commercial" showed us the state of the art wine making facilities of this Classified Growth. The wines are vinified in oak and stainless tanks and even in oak barrels. Huge investments have been made to revive this sleeping beauty.
Chateau Malartic Lagravière uses oak, stainless as well as oak barrels for the vinification |
Belgian entrepreneur Alfred-Alexandre Bonnie was about to give up his quest for his dream property as he stumbled upon Malartic Lagravière in 1996. As things go with love at first sight, it was more an affair of the heart than business. Bonnie invested millions of euro's in a total renovation of the chai's, the wine making facilities. He strongly believes that 70% of the quality of the wine comes from the vineyard. A lot of attention is dedicated to the vines. They have created natural barriers made out of 9 different species of plants to prevent diseases and bugs from spreading through the vineyards. This results in a significant reduction of the use of chemicals and of course improves the quality of the crop.
Our gracious and eloquent host Karim Nasser (R) showing Ronald the Chateau |
Tasting the Wines
We started the tasting with the different cepages (grape varieties) of the spectacular 2009 vintage. The estate's owner, Monsieur Bonnie, joined us for the tasting. We tasted Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and the Petit Verdot. It was a first time for me as well to taste the four grape varieties next to each other. We were amazed by the impressive massive red-purple color. The Merlot (45% of the production) struck me as having a strong nose with loads of fresh fruits. The Cabernet Sauvignon ( 45%) had great strong tannins, almost like velvet, nothing aggressive. Healthy, clean and showing lots of fruit. The Cabernet Franc (8%) showed intense darkness and had strong floral notes, with mild tannins and a hint of sweetness. The Petit Verdot (2%) was so dark it was nearly black. It tasted almost sweet, so beautifully ripe was this difficult and late maturing grape variety.
I can't wait to taste the blend at the future's tasting this March.
 More vintages
After tasting the 2008 red, I understand why the chateau staff bought a record number of bottles for their personal consumption. This wine has a nose that was like an explosion of fruits with hints of licorice, laurel and ripe fruit. In the mouth we found the "flinty" kind of flavor, so typical for the better wines from the Graves region.
The Chateau Malartic Lagravière (red) 2005 proved once again everything I have written before about this outstanding vintage. Great drinking young and years ahead of it. Difficult to keep your hands and your cork screws off them in the cellar, but patience will be rewarded.
| Quick stats on the Crus Classés de Graves |
- 16 properties are classified
- 500 hectare red wine varieties and 120 hectare white
- average yearly production of 2 million bottles
- value of yearly production:
€ 40 million |
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The whites
As opposed to how you would serve wines with a meal, in this appellation you taste first the reds and then the white wines. The Chateau Malartic Lagravière (white) 2008 (just 7 hectare under production, 1000 cases produced), was a success from my point of view. A light golden, straw color. On the nose there was an avalanche of citrus fruit, slightly dominated by grapefruit tones. A rich wine with some "fattiness"and a strong minerality as was to be expected. A slight hint of sweetness in a very pleasant finale.
Over lunch we tasted the excellent white 2005 with the foie gras. With the côte de veau, our host had selected the The Chateau Malartic Lagravière (red) 2002. This wine was acclaimed by the prestigious French wine guide "Le Guide Hachette", as the best French wine of the year.
I know, I know, enjoying all these meals and tasting these great wines is a tough job, but I do it all for you, my dear readers...
"The best value for money in Bordeaux,
that's our promise". |
The best value in Bordeaux?
In order to guard the reputation of his brand, Bonnie bought up all older vintages he could lay his hands up. The Bordeaux market place, "la place" as it is called, now contains only Malartics from the period when he has been in charge. "I want to protect the new image of my Chateau".
Asked about the importance of the classifications, Monsieur Bonnie jokes: "50 km from Bordeaux nobody understands these classifications any more".
Be that as it may, Malartic Lagravère nowadays merits to be in the ranks of the Classified Growths. And fortunately for us wine lovers, the prices remain reasonable.
Reasonable prices, that's what Monsieur Bonnie promised me, even for the outstanding 2009 vintage.
 Our Bordeaux Wine Tours: Still some spots available!
 Our aim is to create unique Bordeaux Wine Experiences. We don't organize many tours each year, it’s just four! The first three tours are already sold out. So if you were thinking about touring with us, you have to start acting right now. It is still possible for six couples to tour with us in 2010. These last spots are highly sought after. So if you really are interested you should ask us to hold your spot now, because you don’t want to miss out on this great Wine Experience.
So check out our tour schedule, or contact us now for a detailed itinerary and more information!
And read what our guests have to say:
 "It was a most memorable week for both of us. I began the week as a beginner wine lover and ended the week as a «true believer» in the world of Bordeaux wine.
Thank you, so very much, for a truly memorable experience. Your hospitality was just wonderful. Bill & I will both go forth as true ambassadors of Bordeaux wine, as a result of this fabulous trip. We leave with wonderful memories."
Bill and Dot H
Naples, Florida, USA
"From the time we left our home, until the time we left your home, expectations were met in every way. May we congratulate you on your outstanding tours, your knowledge, your time, and your personality; it all added up to an excellent Bordeaux Wine Experience. We will always remember our beautiful time in France".
Elizabeth and Fritz V
Iowa City, IA, USA
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 Mouton Rothschild label for the vintage 2007
A little history lesson
For every vintage since 1945 a famous artist has created an original artwork for the Chateau Mouton Rothschild label. In 1924, to commemorate the first vintage entirely bottled at the chateau, Baron Philippe de Rothschild asked Jean Calu to create the Mouton label for him.
In 1945, to celebrate the end of the Second World War, the Baron decided to crown the label for the vintage with the "V" for Victory (drawn by Philippe Jullian). The bottles of this spectacular vintage remain collector's items to this very day. Even the empty bottles are highly sought after. Artist have include over the years names like: Cocteau, Braque, Dali, César, Miró, Chagall, Picasso, Warhol, Balthus, Appel and so many others.
Since the 1980's it is Baroness Philippine de Rothschild, the current owner of this First Growth from Pauillac, who chooses the artist.
Bernar Venet will receive no money for his art.
He will be paid in cases of Mouton Rothschild. |
A french sculptor for the 2007 label
For the 2007 vintage it was the French sculptor and graphic artist Bernar Venet (1941) who was given this commission for the label.
Venet is known for his steel "lines", which combine the strict geometry of straight lines and curves with random coils. His creations are found in the United States, Germany, Japan and in France.
Artists have their artistic freedom while creating the label. But most artist are attracted by themes like the vine, the pleasure of drinking or the Mouton Rothschild ram.
Bernar Venet created for Mouton arcs suggesting the swell of a barrel. The arcs look like chalices rooted in the earth. They seem to open like the vines, to the precious gifts from above...
(A bit fuzzy for me, I just like the wine... Cheers!)
 What Ronald has been drinking this month...
The best of 2009
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The Best Bordeaux:
I have tasted so many great wines in 2009. This makes it hard to choose the best. After struggling with this problem I had to choose the Chateau Lafite Rothschild 1978 poured from jeroboams and served at the dinner at Lafite. See below for a picture of this unforgettable dinner in the circular cellar of this First Growth. 
On the nose the wine expressed its complexity with notes of cedar wood, herbs and some smokiness. I was surprised to be able to still find so much fruitiness in the wine. Both black and red fruits and some hints of tobacco and again the cedar.
The 1978 had a high acidity and still very strong tannins.
An unforgettable wine, a truly memorable night and a unique Bordeaux Wine Experience!
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The best "non Bordeaux" wine:
Guests on our week tours are invited to bring a bottle of wine from "their part of the world" to share with us on the "farewell dinner". On a recent tour Tony and Janene brought a very special wine from New Zealand: The Stoneyridge 2005 Larose, a Bordeaux style wine from Waiheke Island, near Auckland. Stephen White, owner and chief winemaker provided us with a barrel sample of his excellent 2008.
 The wine showed a deep dark red color. On the nose there was an avalanche of
fruit with strong notes of blackberry and cassis. This wine from "down-under" expressed notes like cigar box, tobacco and some mint. The ripe tannins were strong without being overpowering. A beautiful balance!
Click on the link for the site: Stonyridge. They ship anywhere in the world, right to your door.
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 Ronald and Margaret attended (and thoroughly enjoyed) the Vinexpo dinner at
First Growth Lafite Rothschild
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Have a great Winter and we look forward to seeing you all in Bordeaux in the near future!
Cheers from Bordeaux,
Ronald and Margaret Rens
   
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