Goes out to nearly 20.000 Bordeaux Wine Lovers all over the world!
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Mouton Rothschild 2014: an homage to Baronesse Philipine de Rothschild
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A Personal Note From Ronald,
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Last month we spoke about Left-Bank vs. Right-Bank and I gave you the example of Laniote, a small property in Saint Emilion. By sheer coincidence we dined at Laniote last week and tasted some extraordinary wines and I will tell you about this remarkable night.
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The coat of arms of Mouton Rothschild
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Mouton Rothschild
A First Growth on the Left Bank couldn’t be further away from Laniote but here we have news for you as well. Mouton Rothschild released their latest label. Those of you that have toured with me know my weak spot for Mouton Rothschild. I have been collecting Mouton for over 30 year now and I have more than 40 vintages in my cellar.
This First Growth from Pauillac changes its label each and every year and their recently bottled vintage 2014 is no exception. As it was the last vintage with Baronesse Philippine at the helm I expected the label to refer to her strong influence and I was right. I’ll show you the new label and I will tell you all about the artwork.
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Special offer on the Grand Tour of Bordeaux (maybe a nice Christmas present?)
Now is as good a time as ever to book a tour with us. Some tours have sold out and others are filling up fast. So come one, %Firstname%, book your spots before it is too late. We have a special offer on the Grand Tour of Bordeaux in May and September. If you book in 2016 you can benifit from our 2016 rates before they go up in January.
If you want to visit and taste all five First Growths and Yquem, this is the tour for you. Just click here and we will send you the Itinerary and you will see why this is such a great deal.
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Mouton Rothschild, a memorable visit on each of our week tours
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Unforgetable meals at venues not open to the public
are highlights on our Bordeaux Week Tours
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TripAdvisor, the story continues
We keep getting great reviews on TripAdvisor and they make me blush sometimes. Reading this TripAdvisor review, you will see why.
So if you’re hesitating about touring with us, don’t listen to me. Listen to them. Maybe you can make me blush some day after a Bordeaux Wine Tour.
*TripAdvisor.com
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Have a great Fall
I received some very nice feedback to the last issue of this Magazine and %%First name%%, I would love to hear more from you. So if you have a minute simply reply to this magazine. I love to get some feedback, thanks.
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Ronald and Margaret love to be
your hosts in Bordeaux
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And please remember: Don’t drink anything I wouldn’t drink!
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Mouton Rothschild 2014:
An homage to Baronesse Philipine de Rothschild
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Ronald with Philippe Sereys de Rothschild (M) and Julien de Beaumarchais de Rothschild.
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An English Artist for the Mouton Rothschild 2014
Since 1945 famous contemporary artists have created the artwork for the labels of this First Growth from Pauillac. Until her death in 2014, Baroness Philippine de Rothschild chose the artwork personally. Her father, Baron Philippe, was pictured on the 1987 label (his last vintage).
The commission for the illustration of the 2014 vintage was given to the English painter David Hockney, born in 1937. Influenced by Pop Art and a master of the most up-to-date techniques, from acrylics to the iPad, he nevertheless falls within the figurative tradition, especially portraiture, painting people and objects in bright, contrasting colors.
David Hockney was a personal friend of Baroness Philippine de Rothschild, who passed away in 2014 and to whom his drawing pays tribute.
For me they are just two glases, but Mouton describes it as: “Haloed by vibrant lines of force, signifying both emotion and wonder, two glasses, one empty, the other full, tell the story of feverish expectation and the constantly renewed miracle of the birth of a great wine: Château Mouton Rothschild, of which Baroness Philippine was for so long the guiding spirit.”
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David Hockney
Born in 1937, David Hockney is one of the greatest British artists of our time, having quickly secured his place in the painters’ pantheon. After graduating from the Royal College of Art in London with a gold medal in 1962, he immediately embarked on a successful career. The following year he met Dennis Hopper and Andy Warhol in the United States, where he discovered Pop Art, and went on to teach at the University of California in Berkeley and Los Angeles. He settled in Los Angeles, a haven of sunshine and freedom, in 1966.
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Exceptional people
Mouton Rothschild was put on the map by two exceptional people: Baron Philippe de Rothschild (1902-1988) and his daughter Baroness Philippine (1933-2014). Mouton Rothschild is also a place of art and beauty. Guests on our tours always enjoy seeing the famous Great Barrel Hall. Visiting the Museum of Wine in Art is of course a highlight of each tour. Lovers of ancient art will appreciate the collection of precious objects associated with the vine and wine from two millennia. But Mouton also has a magnificent new vat house that was inaugurated in 2013.
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Margaret with Camille Sereys de Rothschild,
ambassador to Mouton
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Mouton Rothschild now belongs to Baroness Philippine’s three children: Camille Sereys de Rothschild,
Philippe Sereys de Rothschild (L), who acts as Chairman and Julien de Beaumarchais de Rothschild.
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Right-Bank wines proven to age very well
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Medieval Saint Emilion, minutes away from Chateau Laniote
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Right-Bank wines can age very well
Last month I told you about the differences between Left- and Right-Bank in Bordeaux. It is true that Left-Bank wines tend to be able to age longer. That the Saint Emilion wines can age as well we saw last week over diner at Chateau Laniote. After an aperitif with Champagne, Arnaud, our host, served us two wines from this other wine region with a B. And then we came back to Bordeaux. As we said that night: Everything was homemade from then on, even the wines!
We started our vertical with the pleasant Laniote 2011. Easy drinking but not a show-horse.
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Vertical of Chateau Laniote
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Ronald enjoying Chateau Laniote 1964
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School years
Arnaud then whispered in my ear that the next wine he was pouring was a Laniote 1979. This wine was evolved and expressed delicate aromas. It was funny to realize that I was drinking wine from the year I went to University. The wine was in its optimum drinking window and we enjoyed it tremendously. But then Arnaud smiled mysteriously when pouring the last bottle of the night. It turned out to be Laniote1964! Arnaud must have studied my school years, as this was the year I went to elementary school. We were drinking a 52-year-old wine and it was still fresh!
The vintage 1964 was a disaster on the Left-Bank because of the rains that fell during harvest time and destroyed the later-ripening Cabernet Sauvignons. But the rains came after the Merlot was harvested and that is the most important grape variety on the Right-Bank. In Bordeaux the vintage 1964 resembles weather conditions of 1950 and 1998. These are Right-Bank vintages as well.
The Laniote 1964 still had some freshness and some very soft tannins and even some fruit. At 52 years old it was not near the end of its life. As we say in French: “Ca tienne la route!”
We enjoyed Arnaud’s treasure over a selection of fine cheeses and my fellow diners and me were quietly contemplating this extraordinary experience of drinking a memorable wine of over half a century old! Thank you Arnaud and your lovely wife Florence for a beautiful night.
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Arnaud de la Filolie –the eighth generation.
Chateau Laniote has been in the same family
for two centuries
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TripAdvisor:
“Wine education, humor and a truly great experience”
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We are very proud of he great reviews we receive on TripAdvisor and I would like to share the following review with you because it makes me so happy when we succeed to create these once-in-a-lifetime experiences for our guests.
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A TripAdvisor comment
“Wine education, humor and a truly great experience”
“My wife and I love wine and have visited France before but never Bordeaux. This year we celebrated our 25th anniversary and I retired so this was a trip of a lifetime for us. I discovered the Bordeaux Wine Experience newsletter some time ago and felt like this was the trip to take. We were not disappointed. Ronald and Margaret were excellent hosts and balanced each other out very nicely.
We had spent three nights in Bordeaux then caught a taxi to the Chateau and Margaret met us while Ronald poured us a glass of Champagne. Nice start to our wine experience.
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Chateau Coulon Laurensac, home to the
Bordeaux Wine Experience
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Getting your hands dirty on the Bordeaux Grand Cru Tour
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Education
I expected to be educated in all facets of Bordeaux wine and this happened every day along with a good dose of humor from Ronald. The added bonus was that every couple present was there for the same reason: wine! We had such a great time visiting with people from all over the world and now consider new friends from Turkey, Australia, and of course the USA. You could tell everyone was having a very good time and when the time came to participate in making the planned group lunch all guests eagerly jumped in to help. What a great experience.
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Personal Tours
The winery visits were first rate and we were usually greeted by owners who provided personal tours and shared their family histories in the wine business. The wines we tasted on tour were always excellent and so was the food. Dinner out at planned restaurants was above our expectations
This wine tour was everything we expected and we are so glad we were able to go. Thank you Ronald and Margaret.”
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Hands on cooking on The Bordeaux Grand Cru Tour
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Special offer for The Grand Tour of Bordeaux
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The Grand Tour of Bordeaux in 2017 for the 2016 rates
The Grand Tour is Grand in every way. You will visit all five First Growths and Yquem. Of course we’ll visit top First Growths in Saint Emilion and famous Pomerol as well. And the meals will be as exclusive as your tastings. And if you book before December 31, you benefit from our 2016 rates and save € 200 per person. Limited availabilities in May 2017 and September 2017. Click here for more information.
Read what Steve and Danielle Coper found of their Grand Tour with the Bordeaux Wine Experience:
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The Grand Tour of Bordeaux at First Growth Chateau Latour
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Steve and Daniele at Chateau Margaux on
The Grand Tour of Bordeaux
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What a wonderful week we’ve had!
Your home is so beautiful and welcoming. We enjoyed every minute, met many new friends and learned so much about Bordeaux
and its wines. Of course, Ronald kept us entertained with so many great stories and excellent knowledge. Each chateau we visited helped us grow our knowledge and appreciation for the finest wines of Bordeaux.
Thank you so much for helping us enjoy the Bordeaux Wine Experience. Merci beaucoup.
Steve and Danielle Coper (USA)
The Grand Tour of Bordeaux September 2016
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Our 2017 Bordeaux Wine Tour Program
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Because you want a Bordeaux Wine Experience and not “just a tour”
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The Grand Tour of Bordeaux
The Grand Tour maybe the most special tour we offer, with meals as exceptional as your visits. Imagine tasting all five First Growths and Yquem. And there is more: Superb chateau meals and Michelin rated dining… Add to this the best of Pomerol and Saint Emilion and you’ll see that this dazzling Grand Tour of Bordeaux is your chance to see and taste the very best that Bordeaux has to offer.
Ask us for an Itinerary here.
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Seeing the original artwork at First Growth Mouton Rothschild
is a highlight on all our Bordeaux week tours
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A master-class on tasting Classified Growths marks the
start of each of our Bordeaux Week Tours
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The Bordeaux Grand Cru tour
This is probably our most exclusive tour. This ultimate wine tour for Bordeaux lovers is as good as it gets. Can you believe that you’ll see and taste all five First Growths and Superior First Growth Chateau d’Yquem including some older vintages! Of course we include the best of Saint Emilion and Pomerol as well. Add to this outstanding meals at exceptional venues not normally open to the public and you’ll see why this tour usually sells out early.
Ask us for an Itinerary here.
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The Bordeaux Grand Cru Harvest Tour
The Harvest Tour is Grand in every way, both in food and wine. Enjoy chateau meals and Michelin rated dining. The most exciting time in Bordeaux is harvest time. You can sense the anticipation in the air.
And the food is superb as well: Exclusive meals at extraordinary venues not normally open to the public. On top of that you will see and taste all five First Growths and Superior First Growth Chateau d’Yquem and many of them will be older vintages!
Ask us for an Itinerary here.
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Bordeaux in full harvest swing
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2017 Bordeaux Wine Tour Schedule
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_____________________________________________________________________
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What makes our Bordeaux Wine and Culinary Tours so unique?
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See and taste all 5 First Growths and Château d’Yquem! |
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Expert (and humorous) guidance by Bordeaux specialist Ronald Rens |
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Air-conditioned accommodation at our privately owned 18th century chateau |
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Taste more Classified Growths than on any other Bordeaux wine tour! |
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Grand Cru Farewell Dinner with all Grand Cru wines (including Chateau d’Yquem!) |
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Gourmet meals at three Bordeaux Chateaux and a Michelin starred restaurant! |
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Grand Cru wines with all meals (except breakfast…) |
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Air-conditioned, luxury motor coach transportation throughout the tour |
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Great food and wine and a lot of fun in a small group |
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2016 – 2017 Bordeaux Day Tour Packages
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The most complete Wine Day Tour Packages in Bordeaux!
Best of both worlds tour
Stay at our Chateau and be chauffeur-driven to Classified Growths on a private tour that combines the best of both worlds in Bordeaux: the Médoc and Saint Emilion.
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Chateau Coulon Laurensac, probably the best place in the world to taste all five First Growths and Yquem…
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The Bordeaux Wine Experience
at Chateau Coulon Laurensac
1, chemin de Meydieu
33360 Latresne (BORDEAUX), France
Website : www.BXWINEX.com
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Call us:
1-877-203-2665 (toll free from USA & Canada) or
+33 556 20 64 12 (from anywhere else in the world)
(These lines go directly to our Chateau in Bordeaux so please remember that we’re on Paris time!)
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Copyright © 2016 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 Dutch company specializing in wine and culinary tours in the Bordeaux region for an English speaking international clientele.
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