Living in France and being married to une Française, I still find myself surprised by certain French customs.

I thought I’d seen it all, but a couple of weeks ago, I was invited to take part in a tradition I’d never heard of before.

It required boots, blisters, and a fair bit of brawn. Fortunately, the promise of excellent wine made the effort well worth it.

It turned out to be a truly special adventure, and I’m excited to share the story with you in this issue.

Speaking of special, my recent mention of the 1975 Mouton Rothschild imperial sparked quite a few questions.

As you may recall, on our tours we always taste all five First Growths, plus Yquem.

Mouton often stands out for its remarkable labels, and the 1975 was no exception.

Earlier this month, Maud and I were thrilled to be invited to the exclusive inauguration of the Cellarium at Chateau Haut-Bailly.

I’ll also take you into our beautiful evening celebrating their bold innovations and delicious wines in this issue.

A Special Note to the Community
It’s been wonderful hearing from so many of you over the past few months, whether about vintages, tastings, or the charming quirks of French wine culture.

The level of engagement from the last issue truly meant a lot to me. Thank you to everyone who took the time to write, share your thoughts, or simply say hello.

Your messages remind me that this isn’t just a newsletter. It’s a shared passion and a lively community.

So please keep your questions and comments coming, your curiosity is what makes this newsletter a real conversation …a community.

I can’t wait to share more stories, insights, and, of course, to welcome you and your friends to Bordeaux soon.

I’d love to hear from you! You can reach me anytime at: michael(at)bxwinex.com

Enjoy, and uncork the extraordinary!

1975 Mouton Rothschild
A few weeks ago, I had the absolute pleasure of joining some close friends for an exceptional day of great food and wine.

First of all, another big merci to my dear friend, Alexis, for sharing this unforgettable moment with me: a delicious imperial of 1975 Mouton Rothschild.

Since my last article, I’ve received a lot of questions like: “50 years old! How did it age?” and, perhaps more importantly, “How did it drink!?”

Michael’s Verdict 
I’m thrilled to report that the imperial had aged beautifully over the past 50 years.

The wine remained structured and slightly tannic, with a balance that still felt young (despite half a century in the bottle).

I enjoyed the soft aromas of chocolate and hints of cedar that paired nicely with the classic dark fruit notes that I expected.

As you may know, wine in larger bottles tend to age more gracefully — and more slowly.

Luckily, there were sixteen of us to do justice to this imperial, six liters of Bordeaux bliss… that’s eight bottles!

Ultimately, this was a truly memorable tasting experience. Every sip was a reminder of why Mouton was classified as a First Growth in 1973 (only two years before our bottle).

Of course, no conversation about this vintage would be complete without mentioning the iconic label.

The 1975 release was a collaboration with fellow American Andy Warhol. His signature pop-art flair adds a modern twist to the wine’s timeless elegance and reputation.

This was another truly unforgettable Bordeaux multi-sensory experience.

Le Brame du Cerf
Recently, I traded vineyards for the forest, joining my two brothers-in-law and father-in-law in Fontainebleau for le Brame du Cerf — the call of the stag.

The forest of Fontainebleau, one of the largest in France, has been a royal hunting ground since the days of Louis XIV (known for his style and the Palais de Versailles).

All in all, the brame du cerf has been part of French tradition for centuries.

Officially, it’s about observing stags in mating season. In practice, it’s a perfect alibi for drinking wine with the guys.

Each fall, the stags bellow to claim territory and woo their mates, filling the forests with deep, echoing roars.

Nature’s own showdown: part battle, part serenade. Captivating and slightly insane.

It’s an experience that connects you to nature, history, and, in my case, hopefully the in-laws.

Risky Business
As dusk settled over the forest, we stumbled into the darkness each night to witness the action firsthand.

Naturally, being French tradition, we were properly equipped: dressed to impress and armed with cheese, dried meats, wine, and a little whiskey — just in case.

Between moments of stealth and total clumsiness, we shuffled through the trees.

To tempt the beasts, my father-in-law would coax a billowing tune from an old oil lamp, a secret technique perfected over the years.

His expertise and pride were on full display.

Then it hit me: we were walking through a dark forest, during hunting season, trying to attract large, hormonal animals.

The Brame du Cerf isn’t just majestic. It’s gloriously absurd.

Pissed-Off Stag
While trying to avoid being handed the oil lamp (and the embarrassment that would surely follow), I couldn’t help but wonder, “What on earth am I doing here?”

And then it happened, that unforgettable moment: face-to-face with a very real, very large, and very pissed-off stag.

Our hearts stopped.

Time stopped.

We were caught between fear, fascination, and questionable judgment.

Luckily, the beast seemed equally puzzled, no doubt thinking, “What on earth are you doing here?” before trotting off in disbelief.

The encounter didn’t last long — slightly terrifying, mostly spectacular — but long enough to make me question every life choice that had led me into a dark forest armed with nothing more than an oil lamp.

Jokes aside, the sheer size, strength, and presence of the stag made it a truly majestic — and unforgettable — moment.

A little wiser and very thirsty, we were done with surprises for the night.

Perfect Alibi
Back in our tiny hunting cabin, safely removed from stags and stray ammunition, we turned to another beloved French tradition: good food and great wine.

It was the kind of weekend that reminds you how special life in France can be, where history, nature, and culture intertwine, wrapped in laughter, good company, and, of course…

A touch of chaos.

Aquarium, Auditorium, Symposium, Gymnasium… but a Cellarium?
I’ll admit, I had to look that one up when Maud and I were invited to the opening of a Cellarium a few weeks back.

According to my ever-reliable friend Google, “A cellarium (from the Latin cella, meaning ‘pantry’), also known as an undercroft, was a storeroom or cellar, usually in a medieval monastery or castle.”

Haut-Bailly, a favorite stop for many of our guests, has long been known for its innovative spirit and its willingness to blend tradition with fresh ideas.

Their new Cellarium fits perfectly into that lineage: a modern take on an ancient concept, with all the elegance and creativity one expects from this estate.

The space is a respectful and tasteful blend of modern design and classic Bordeaux heritage.

Tasting room, wine shop, event space, and welcoming center that is built to honor the past while preparing for the future.

A perfect complement to their already stunning underground cellar and cave.

A must-visit in the heart of Pessac-Léognan.

The talented and lovely Véronique Sanders and her experienced and friendly team welcomed the guests warmly as they guided us through an unforgettable tasting experience.

Impressive Vertical at Haut-Bailly
We explored a beautiful vertical of Haut-Bailly, and as always, the wines impressed: poised, elegant, and perfectly balanced.

As expected, from 2015 to 2019, the wines showed a clear evolution. From richness and power to greater finesse and definition.

As a classified growth, they remain one of the powerhouses within the Graves appelation, and I expect this to continue.

Bordeaux’s Enduring Spirit
By the end of the evening, surrounded by friends and fellow wine lovers. It was clear that this isn’t just a new cellar…

It is a celebration of Bordeaux’s enduring spirit.