Thank you all for the heartwarming feedback on my previous newsletter.

I was touched by the very personal emails I received.

Thank you all for your concern for my health. Fortunately, my road to improvement seems to continue, which gives me much hope for the future.

A vote of confidence
You have trusted us with your wine vacations for more than 20 years.

Next stage
Margaret and I are happy to see so many guests share our enthusiasm for the next stage of the Bordeaux Wine Experience.

Shared confidence
Many of you are showing your trust by enrolling in our exciting 2026 Bordeaux Wine Tour Schedule.

Great venue
I got a few questions about the “new” Chateau.

As much as I hate admitting it, the new venue is even nicer than our own chateau.

When all is said and done, I can highly recommend joining the Bordeaux Wine Experience in 2026 for a wine experience of a lifetime.

Old versus young, all is relative
On last week’s Bordeaux Grand Cru tour, we spoke about when wines are ready to drink and when it’s better to wait.

It’s not a simple question, but I’ll try to shed some light on it.

Much like the great wines of Bordeaux, some things in life truly get better with age.

With time, a young wine softens. Its boldness mellows. Its complexity deepens.

The same could be said for people. (And hopefully for you and me, too 😉)

Just like a beautifully aged Margaux or a perfectly mature Pauillac, we gain richness, character, and stories worth sharing around the table.

New charm in any stage
Every vintage — in the glass or in life — carries its own charm.

In other words, just because we’re older doesn’t mean we’re over — we might just be getting delicious.

And it is that road I wanted to address in this issue. I hope you enjoy reading it

Last chance to join us in 2025
Speaking of touring with Margaret and me, we have one single room left for September 2025—our last available spot!

This is your chance! Request your itinerary today and prepare for an unforgettable experience.

2026 Bordeaux Wine Tour Schedule

The Bordeaux Grand Cru Tour I
May 25 – 30, 2026

The Bordeaux Grand Cru Tour II
June 1 – 6, 2026 (under option)

The Bordeaux Grand Cru Harvest Tour I
September 15-19, 2026

The Bordeaux Grand Cru Harvest Tour II
September 21 – 26, 2026

During last week’s Bordeaux Grand Cru tour, I was asked about when wines are at their best—and when you can still wait. That’s not an easy question. But I’ll do my best to explain.

There are several factors that influence when to enjoy a Bordeaux:
1. Your personal taste
2. The vintage

3. The appellation
4. The quality of the wine (and winemaker)

Let’s take a closer look at each one:

Your own preference
This is the most important one, in my opinion.

Wines offer different types of aromas as they age:

Primary aromas come from the grape. In red wines, you can get:
•    Floral notes (like violet or rose)
•    Herbal (green pepper, forest floor, blackcurrant)
•    Fruity (red and black berries)
•    Spicy (pepper, cedar, cinnamon, cigar box…)

Secondary aromas develop during fermentation:
•    Yeasty notes (brioche, toast)
•    Lactic (butter, milk, yogurt)
•    Amyl (banana, candy)

Tertiary aromas appear in older wines, after aging:
•    Stewed fruits, prunes, cherries
•    Toasty or burnt (coffee, cocoa, tobacco)
•    Oak and spice (vanilla, clove, licorice)
•    Gamey, earthy or mushroomy notes
•    Even chemical hints (like polish or tar)

It is all about preference
Young wines focus more on the primary and secondary aromas.

As they age, the tertiary ones develop.

So, what matters most is: which aromas do you love?

If tertiary aromas aren’t really your thing, then maybe don’t cellar thousands of bottles.

By the time you open them, they may have fully developed those older characteristics you’re not into.

Discovering your preference
That’s why, on our tours, we always taste wines from various vintages.

It helps guests discover which stage they enjoy most.

But please remember, there’s no right or wrong. Wine is about pleasure, not rules.

My personal preference
Personally, I adore old wines. I’m crazy about those tertiary aromas.

I’ve been lucky to taste some incredible vintages—1961, 1945, even the mythical 1929 and 1928.

And yes, they were still alive and kicking!

But not everyone feels the same. If you love your wines young, drink them young!

Vintage matters
Not all vintages are equal. Even in Bordeaux, some years are just better than others.

Since 2000, we’ve seen many great vintages thanks to climate change.

But not every year was a winner. Years like 2007 and 2013 are weak. These wines won’t age well—there’s not enough ripeness or structure.

If you own them, drink the now as they won’t improve.

Some hot years lacked acidity, which is essential for aging. Take 2003 on the Right Bank. Tasty at first, but now many are fading.

Then there are the stars: 2005, 2009, 2010, 2015, 2016—and the spectacular 2022.

These wines have it all: fruit, alcohol, acidity, and tannins in perfect balance.

Some appellations are made for early drinking.

Think “Premier Côtes de Bordeaux”—nice wines, but they don’t have the depth to age for decades.

Others, like Pauillac or Saint-Estèphe, especially with lots of Cabernet Sauvignon, need time to shine.

The quality of the wine
In Bordeaux, the best terroirs are often found in the Classified Growths (from the 1855 Classification).

First Growths sit at the top, followed by Second, Third, and so on. This ranking still means a lot today.

If you pick a Classified Growth from a great vintage, it’s hard to go wrong.

One of my favorite vintages of this century is 2005. You can rest assured; it is well represented in my cellar.

Why was it so great?

Perfect weather! And perfect weather doesn’t just benefit the big names.

Everyone did well that year—from Lafite Rothschild to small local châteaux.

I recently opened a 2005 Château Pascot, from our village.

It’s a humble wine from Premieres Côtes de Bordeaux.

Nothing fancy, but with a great little terroir. And it’s delicious right now—perfectly mature and affordable.

The other end of the scale
Now, let’s compare that to another wine I love: Mouton Rothschild.

I am fortunate enough to have a case of the outstanding 2005.

But I haven’t opened a bottle yet. Why? Because at just 20 years old, it’s still a baby!

Ticking all the boxes
You can see; this wine ticks all the four boxes I mentioned before for a wine that has to age for a long time:

1. One of my favorite wines: still too young for my taste

2. An outstanding vintage

3. A top appellation (Pauillac), with age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon.

4. Grown by a First Growth estate and made by my talented friend Philippe Dhalluin.

Conclusion?
Everything counts—vintage, appellation, winemaker, and most of all: your own taste.

Drink what you enjoy, when you enjoy it.

That’s what wine is really about.

This is definitely one of the most exclusive tours that we offer. Join the Bordeaux Grand Cru Tour, for an experience of pure opulence, featuring exquisite cuisine and exceptional wines.

Savor exclusive chateau-meals for a truly gorgeous, culinary experience.

The gastronomic delights are nothing short of extraordinary, featuring exclusive meals set in remarkable venues typically inaccessible to the public.

As if that weren’t enough, the tour presents a rare opportunity to taste all five First Growths of over 20 years old, plus the Superior First Growth Chateau d’Yquem of over 30 years old!

This tour offers exclusive dining, exceptional wines, and aged vintages, creating an unforgettable journey into Bordeaux’s culinary and wine excellence.

What makes it even more special is the inclusion of older vintages, adding a unique dimension to the wine-tasting experience.

It’s no wonder that the Bordeaux Grand Cru Tour has earned its status as a beloved favorite.

The Bordeaux Grand Cru Harvest Tour
Behold one of our most exclusive tours, a wine lover’s dream come true in the heart of Bordeaux.

This ultimate wine tour promises an unparalleled experience, setting the bar for perfection.

Harvest time in Bordeaux is a thrilling period, filled with anticipation and vibrant energy in the vineyards.

Prepare to be amazed as you savor the exquisite taste of all five First Growths of over 20 years old plus the distinguished Superior First Growth Chateau d’Yquem of over 30 years old! 

The tour doesn’t stop there; it extends to include the best offerings from Saint Emilion and Pomerol, featuring many older vintages.

Elevating the experience further are the outstanding meals meticulously curated at exceptional venues rarely accessible to the public.

This blend of exceptional tastings and exclusive dining makes this tour highly sought-after, offering Bordeaux enthusiasts the ultimate wine, culinary, and harvest season experience. season.

It’s no surprise that the Bordeaux Grand Cru Harvest Tour has become a cherished favorite.