The Bordeaux Wine Magazine 2026 April issue by the Bordeaux Wine Experience, the leading Bordeaux Wine Tour Company
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This magazine was shared with you as a member
of our exclusive circle of Bordeaux wine enthusiasts.
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Bordeaux’s annual tasting campaign, where the newest vintage is presented to the international press and trade
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A Personal Note From Michael,
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It’s En Primeurs season in Bordeaux,
and it’s been nothing short of extraordinary.
I’m looking forward to sharing what I’m seeing and hearing from the 2025 vintage.
Including a few brief reflections drawn from recent tastings and conversations, with a focus on both personal and guest favorites.
What is En Primeurs?
Bordeaux’s annual tasting campaign, where the newest vintage, still aging in barrel, is presented to the international press and trade.
It offers a rare opportunity to experience the 2025 vintage nearly two years before release.
Aside from the harvest, this is one of the most important moments on the Bordeaux calendar. And over the past few weeks, I have developed a deeper appreciation for the Bordeaux Wine Experience.
This is Bordeaux at its most unfiltered.
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Michael enjoying En Primeurs in Bordeaux
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Bordeaux is Buzzing
Early morning visits, long lunches, pop-up street tastings, chateau dinners, and of course, the inevitable after parties.
…only to wake up and do it all over again.
This is the Bordeaux I’ve been living in these past few weeks. Vibrant, chaotic, and drenched in tannins.
Before going further, I want to take a moment to thank the community of chateau owners, wine masters, winemakers, and négociants who have so generously welcomed me into their inner circle in such a short time.
2025 Vintage
Somewhere between the chaos and purple-stained smiles, the 2025 vintage is beginning to reveal itself.
I’m not a professional critic, but one thing is certain. This is no ordinary year.
There are truly compelling wines taking shape.
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Tasting the many Grand Cru estates during En Primeurs
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Bordeaux Wine Experiences
We host a limited number of Wine Experiences each year.
Designed for a small number of guests with private access and time spent in places rarely seen from the outside.
The best times to experience Bordeaux is once things settle after En Primeurs and, of course, during Harvest.
Our Philosophy
Open doors that few pass through, revealing Bordeaux in an atmosphere of comfort, laughter, authenticity, and a true sense of place through its people, its wines, and its simple pleasures.
Take a closer look and join our 2026 Harvest Experience. We are nearly full!
And our 2027 Wine Experiences are now open and already filling up.
Contact me for details and any questions. You can reply to this email, I read every message personally.
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Guests enjoying incredible wines, meals, and moments
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Let’s uncork the extraordinary!
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Join me for an unforgettable wine-filled experience in Bordeaux,
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Left Bank: Confident, Composed, and Consistent
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The legendary, world-renowned wine critic Mr James Suckling has a new favorite tasting companion…
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General Thoughts
Across both banks and appellations, what is emerging so far is not a vintage defined by excess, but by balance and composure.
The Left Bank looks reassuringly strong. The wines feel classic. Structured. Fresh. More about balance than sheer power.
At the very top end, the five First Growths (Lafite Rothschild, Latour, Margaux, Mouton Rothschild, and Haut-Brion) set the tone.
The early picture is promising. This is a winemaker’s vintage: confident and precise.
This vintage is defined by consistency. Built to last and to be enjoyed along the way.
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Chateau Margaux: “It’s all in balance this year”
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Chateau Margaux
Getting some of the strongest early praise. Intensity with elegance. Ripe, but not heavy.
One of the team looked at me and said, “It’s all in balance this year.” And that feels right.
Perfect balance between elite craftsmanship and the 2025 version of Mother Nature.
Results: seductive.
Chateau Pichon Baron
One of the more reassuring Pauillacs this year. Precision over power. Cabernet-led, structured, and composed.
One taster near me noted, “Nothing pushed, everything in place.” …I simply agreed.
Result: classical, confident, and controlled.
Remains a benchmark for those who value structure and purity over showmanship.
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Chateau Pichon Baron: classical, confident, and controlled
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Chateau Pontet-Canet
There is a clear sense of balance. Confident, soft, and very much shaped in the vineyard.
During my visit, Alfred Tesseron, owner of Pontet-Canet, pointed to the harvest as decisive.
Notably, the team returned through the same parcels up to five times. That patience, along with some perfectly timed humidity, brought both precision and poise to the wine.
As he put it: “You can taste the balance and energy the late humidity gives the wine.”
Balance. Confidence. Softness. And as Mr Tesseron says, “shaped in the vineyard.”
It’s a simple idea, but translates directly into the glass.
Result: poised, precise, and energetic.
Pontet-Canet will continue to be a favorite.
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Michael and Alfred Tesseron, owner of Chateau Pontet-Canet
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Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte
Impressive alignment. Fruit, texture, and oak. All moving in the same direction. Nothing competing.
As Florence Cathiard, owner of Smith Haut Lafitte, explained, the goal is coherence, everything speaking with one voice.
Results: goal accomplished… composed.
Chateau Haut-Bailly
Restraint continues to define the style at a very high level. Nothing excessive. Everything intentional.
I also spent time with Véronique Sanders, estate director, who said, “A precision and a delicate balance. Where climate, conviction, and terroir come together in rare coherence.”
She summed up 2025 in one word: Holistic.
Chateau Fieuzal
Clarity remains the defining thread. Clean lines, lifted fruit, and a precision that feels fresh, approachable, layered, intentional.
I spent time with Stephen Carrier, friend and winemaker at Fieuzal, who spoke about taking calculated risks during the last crush.
Decisions made with precision and confidence, reflected in a wine that is focused, expressive, and finely balanced.
Results: structure, precision, composure.
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Enjoying some caviar and a bottle of 2019 with
Stephen Carrier, friend and winemaker at Chateau Fieuzal
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Chateau Fieuzal opened a pop-up tasting room
in the heart of Bordeaux for En Primeurs
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Right Bank: Precise, Poised, and Approachable
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Right Bank: the 2025 vintage shows depth, texture, and poise
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Saint-Émilion and Pomerol
I spent a lot of time on the Right Bank. My impression is more nuanced.
There is greater variation here, and I believe producers faced more significant challenges with Merlot and the 2025 heat.
That said, the top estates still shine.
Chateau Figeac
Cabernet brings lift and structure, while Merlot adds depth and texture beneath it.
I spent time with Madame Manoncourt, owner of Figeac, whose enduring elegance and clarity of vision continue to shape the estate with remarkable consistency.
Results: remarkable consistency (bien sûr).
Figeac will continue to be a guest favorite.
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Madame Manoncourt, owner of Chateau Figeac, and Michael
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Clos Fourtet
Limestone once again shows its influence. Fresh and precise. A structure that builds slowly and steadily.
I had a brief exchange with the owner, Matthieu Cuvelier. He described this year as one where: “The vineyard does most of the talking.” A very accurate reflection.
The results: confidence and precision.
Chateau Angélus
Definition rather than volume. Elegant. Powerful. Incredibly approachable. Built on balance.
What stands out is not power, but clarity. Clean and velvety texture. An endless finish.
The results: approachable… then irresistible.
And I’m very excited about their new vat room. More to come in the coming issues!
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Chateau Angélus: elegance paired with depth and balance
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Chateau Grand Mayne
Energy and poise. The wine opens with generosity, then provides depth and structure as it evolves (gifted by the limestone).
I spent time with my friend and owner of Grand Mayne, Jean-Antoine Nony. He spoke about patience during the vintage.
Yet again, patience is paying off. Layered, polished, and confident. Craftsmanship and terroir are noted with a lingering balance.
Results: balanced and highly approachable.
Chateau La Conseillante
Just across the road, Pomerol brings a subtle shift.
Very powerful. Less about impact and more about depth and texture.
A lot of soft tannins. Aromatic, refined, and beautifully balanced. Lingers en bouche.
Results: composed and precise, layered.
Across the Right Bank as a whole, what stands out is not power, but poise.
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Chateau Grand Mayne: layered, polished, and confident
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My Takeaway?
This is a winemaker’s vintage. Not one to buy blindly, but there is real appeal (and opportunity) across both banks.
The wines are focused, energetic, structured, and composed.
Yields were low, which will likely separate the field. Rewarding those who achieved a true balance between climate, terroir, and craft.
Once again, 2025 is no ordinary vintage. There are truly exciting wines taking shape.
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2025: a winemaker’s vintage
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Start Planning Your Bordeaux Wine Experience
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The Bordeaux Wine Experiences are designed for those who value experience over the ordinary,
conversation over crowds, and the rare privilege of being welcomed behind doors seldom opened.
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The Bordeaux Grand Cru Tour
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Venues typically inaccessible to the public
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Join the Bordeaux Grand Cru Tour for an experience of pure opulence, featuring exquisite cuisine and exceptional wines.
Taste the soul of Bordeaux through its most celebrated vineyards and vintages.
From legendary First Growths to hidden family estates, each glass reveals a story of passion, terroir, and time-honored craftsmanship.
Savor exclusive chateau meals for a truly gorgeous, culinary experience.
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The gastronomic delights are nothing short of extraordinary, featuring exclusive meals set in remarkable venues typically inaccessible to the public.
The tour presents a rare opportunity to taste all five First Growths of over 25 years old, plus the Superior First Growth Chateau d’Yquem of over 40 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.
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The Bordeaux Grand Cru Harvest Tour
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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 thrilling, filled with anticipation and vibrant energy in the vineyards.
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Taste all five First Growths of over 25 years old
plus Chateau d’Yquem of over 40 years old
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Prepare to be amazed as you savor the exquisite taste of all five First Growths of over 25 years old, plus the Superior First Growth Chateau d’Yquem of over 40 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.
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Experience our Bordeaux Grand Cru & Harvest Tours
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A Superb, Fun, and Exclusive Wine Vacation
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The ultimate destination to enjoy all five First Growths plus Yquem
in a relaxed and informal atmosphere
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The Bordeaux Wine Experience
Domaine de Coulon
2 Chemin de Meydieu
33360 Latresne (BORDEAUX), France
Website: www.BXWINEX.com
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Call us:
+33 (6) 83 44 89 41
(These lines go directly to our Chateaux in Bordeaux, so please remember that we’re on Paris time!)
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Copyright 2026 by The Bordeaux Wine Experience. All rights reserved. The content, design, and graphical elements of this Magazine are copyrighted. The Bordeaux Wine Experience is a company specializing in wine and culinary tours in the Bordeaux region for an English-speaking international clientele.
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