The Bordeaux Wine Magazine 2026 March 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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The stunning Chateau Lafite Rothschild in Pauillac on the Left Bank
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A Personal Note From Michael,
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Technically, it’s still winter in Bordeaux. But looking out my window at our park, you wouldn’t believe it.
Everything is turning green with new leaves. I saw the same thing in the vines yesterday while visiting Chateau Angélus on the Right Bank in Saint-Émilion.
It’s beautiful to see, but it also makes Bordeaux and the winemakers nervous.
This kind of early growth can be risky. A cold snap or early morning frost (similar to 2017) can damage vines overnight.
A good reminder that even in winter, making great wine in Bordeaux is never easy.
I’ll keep you posted as spring approaches.
For now, though, Bordeaux is alive. Vibes are high. And I’ve been skimming a little from the barrel tops.
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Michael visiting Chateau Angélus in Saint-Émilion
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Chateau Lafite Rothschild
In this issue, I’m diving into one of Bordeaux’s great icons.
I’ll share a few special bottles from my cellar, a visit behind the scenes at the estate… and confess how I once managed not to recognize the chateau’s owner.
Not one of my prouder moments!
Please Continue to Reach Out to Me
Your messages, questions, and stories truly mean the world to me.
We’re bound by curiosity, a love of wine, and a shared appreciation for life’s little absurdities. Keep the notes coming.
Join Me in Bordeaux
As you may know, we host just four all-inclusive Bordeaux Experiences each year.
The downside: when it’s full, it’s full.
Take a look at the last remaining spots for 2026, or get ahead of the crowd and explore our 2027 tour program.
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Experience all five First Growths of over 25 years old
plus Chateau d’Yquem of over 40 years old with me
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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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Saskia de Rothschild: The New Kid on the Block
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The Grand Vin resting in 100% new oak barrels
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Chateau Lafite Rothschild is famous. The name alone turns heads, certainly mine.
The wine is iconic, a benchmark for excellence all over the world.
But what keeps us addicted to this great wine vintage after vintage is the people, the energy, and the history.
At the heart of Lafite today is Saskia de Rothschild, Chair and CEO.
She succeeded her father, Baron Éric de Rothschild, in 2018, becoming the youngest person to lead a Premier Grand Cru estate.
With Saskia at the helm, Lafite and Bordeaux are in excellent hands.
Spend a little time with her, and you immediately understand why.
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Saskia de Rothschild and her father, Baron Eric de Rothschild
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Michael’s Rocky Start with Saskia
The first time I met Saskia de Rothschild was not my finest moment.
I was at a tasting at Chateau Duhart-Milon, Lafite’s Fourth Growth estate, completely absorbed in the wines when a beautiful young woman approached my table.
Without really looking up, I asked her:
“So… what do you do here?”
She smiled and replied:
“Well… I’m the owner.”
I’m rarely at a loss for words, but I was speechless… and embarrassed. Bravo.
Fortunately, Saskia shares my sense of humor and took my misstep in stride.
And what could have been an awkward moment instead became the start of a great friendship.
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Saskia and Michael enjoying a glass
on the patio behind the chateau
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Lunch with Saskia
Last week, we had the chance to sit down over lunch, and of course, we laughed again about my memorable misstep.
No formalities. Just wine, stories, and straight talk: vineyards, vintages, and what it takes to keep Lafite at the very top.
Saskia struck me as sharp, fearless, and a true force de nature.
Lafite is not standing still. With deep respect for the chateau’s legacy, she is preparing it for the future.
Tackling challenges like climate change while continuing to push the estate forward.
At one point, she smiled and simply said:
“Just wait…” I could feel her confidence in the future.
Lafite is already one of the greatest wine estates in the world. Under Saskia’s leadership, the momentum is unmistakable.
I left that lunch impressed, inspired, and frankly a little in awe.
It’s thrilling to watch this next chapter unfold. And we have a front-row seat.
Naturally, the next step was to uncork a few bottles of Lafite.
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In 2018 Saskia de Rothschild became the youngest person
to ever lead a Premier Grand Cru estate
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Chateau Lafite Rothschild: Three Vintages, One Estate
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Chateau Lafite Rothschild’s famous rond chai
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I reached into my cellar and pulled a few Lafite vintages Saskia recommended to me: 1996, 2001, and 2016.
Three very different expressions of the same estate. And three reminders of why Lafite sits comfortably at the very top of Bordeaux.
But Lafite’s reputation didn’t begin yesterday.
By the late 1700s, its wines were already sought after across Europe.
An American Connection
Thomas Jefferson, during his time as ambassador to France, famously praised Lafite and heavily stocked it in his personal cellar.
Fun Fact: In 1985, a bottle believed to be Jefferson’s 1787 Lafite sold for an astonishing $156,450 (but this gets a little murky as the authenticity was contested).
By the time Bordeaux created the Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855, Lafite’s reputation was already firmly established.
The ranking itself was based largely on the prices wines commanded at the time.
Not surprisingly, Chateau Lafite Rothschild was placed at the very top, where it has remained ever since.
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Three epic Lafite vintages: 1996, 2001 & 2016
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The Land Behind the Legend
Part of the magic comes from the land itself.
In blind tastings, you’ll usually recognize Lafite as the most feminine and elegant of the five First Growths.
Some of its most prized vines sit on a gently rising gravel plateau above Pauillac (I’ll circle back to this infamous terroir shortly).
These deep gravel soils drain quickly, forcing the vines to dig deep for water and nutrients.
An ideal environment for Cabernet Sauvignon.
Cabernet Sauvignon is the soul of Lafite, and Pauillac and its surrounding slopes are its natural home.
The result is the unmistakable Lafite profile: precision, elegance, and that signature graphite-and-cassis character.
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Experiences Lafite during our tours is so special for our guests
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The 1996 is a Lafite Masterpiece
A good friend generously shared a bottle of this vintage with me a few weeks ago.
After tasting this 100-pointer, I couldn’t resist securing a few for my own cellar to share with you on our 2026 tours.
The wine is aging beautifully: still vibrant and structured, with aromas of cedar, graphite, cassis, and tobacco.
The tannins have softened with time, but the backbone remains unmistakable. A wine that can completely reshape your expectations of Bordeaux.
Entering the New Millennium
The 2001, often overshadowed by the 2000 vintage, tells a different story.
Elegant and complex. Darker fruit wrapped in silky tannins, with subtle notes of spice.
We enjoyed it side by side with another First Growth from my cellar, a Chateau Mouton Rothschild from the same vintage.
Both come from the same gently rising gravel hill (just from different sides). And each expresses its own very distinct and very recognizable personality.
And tasting First Growths together is pure joy. A unique experience that our guests truly appreciate.
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Enjoying First Growths together is pure joy and
a unique experience that our guests truly appreciate
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The Infamous Hourglass
Then came the 2016. This vintage is particularly meaningful for Saskia.
She introduced the small hourglass symbol on the label, a nod to an epic harvest, slow drip of time, and Lafite’s long-term vision.
This 99-point wine is powerful yet incredibly precise: deep black fruit, subtle oak, and that unmistakable Lafite balance.
A wine built to age for decades, yet already remarkably accessible for such a young Lafite.
Experiences like this remind me why tasting Lafite on our tours is so special for our guests.
If this sparked your curiosity, remember: when you join me, you won’t just taste Lafite, but special vintages from all five First Growths (and Chateau d’Yquem).
Take a look at the last remaining spots for our 2026 Wine Experiences, or explore our brand new 2027 program.
My cellar is waiting to be shared with you!
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A small hourglass on the 2016 label is a nod to an epic harvest, the slow drip of time, and Lafite’s long-term vision.
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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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