Bordeaux - The Mighty Won't Fall

As France's most famous wine region faces challenging times, its chateaux are behaving like true leaders

A Toast to Innovation

Both long-term vision and recent challenges are leading Bordeaux and its chateaux to a new era. The world wine capital has started the construction of a majestic "City of the Civilizations of Wine". Set to open in 2016, this 14,000-square-meter cultural complex will be entirely dedicated to wine culture.

Saint-Emilion icon Chateau Cheval Blanc has erected breathtaking facilities that bring modernity to the winemaking process and beauty to the vineyards. Cos d’Estournel, the "super second" and member of the "100-point club", and Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou, recently praised as the "world’s best cabernet blend", both enjoy innovative and creative leadership with Aymeric de Gironde and Bruno Borie.

The new dynamic is also found in new chateaux and lesser-known appellations putting pressure on the long-established Medoc and other Graves. My personal favourites include Cotes de Castillon, spearheaded by Domaine de l’A owner Stephane Derenoncourt (when he is not consulting for prestigious Bordeaux or Napa wineries). Its 2009 vintage - a 70 per cent Merlot, 25 per cent Cabernet Franc and five per cent Cabernet Sauvignon blend - is smooth and silky with wonderful notes of dark berries, plums and licorice. Another one is Chateau Marjosse, from the Entre Deux Mers area, with a 2008 wine that is rich on the nose and elegant on the palate. And the appellation Bordeaux Superieur is also one of the seven affordable and 'easy drinking' “Revelations" - branded wines created by Hubert de Bouard, owner of top-ranked Chateau Angelus, together with negociant Yvon Mau.

Bordeaux is changing, but by joining forces and bettering itself, you can never rule it out.

Bordeaux hosts some of France’s best golf courses. To play there and drink fine wine, contact Julien, in charge of The Experience Company (www.TheExCo.com), Asia’s premier travel concierge offering tailored experiences around fine wine. Reach The Experience Company at +852 2179 3307 or Julien@TheExCo.com. Quote "HKGolfer" for a special treat.

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Written by Julien Yung Mameaux

Click here to see the published article.

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