The enchanting world of Saint-Émilion's Grands Crus

Close your eyes and imagine a day exploring picturesque vineyards, tasting exceptional wines, and sharing a delicious meal in the company of the owners and winemakers... At U'wine, we strive to organise regular estate tours; events that immerse you in the heart of the region's most prestigious wine estates. Today, we're taking you to the heart of the Saint-Émilion appellation. 

Château Pavie: excellence at its best 

Our tour gets off to a great start with the long-awaited visit to Château Pavie, which was awarded the title of '1er Grand Cru Classé A' in 2012, a title shared only with Château Figeac in the Saint-Émilion appellation. We were lucky enough to taste two of the estate's iconic wines, Château Pavie 2012 and Arômes de Pavie 2017.  

What our U'wine-Makers think  

Château Pavie 2012, dressed in deep garnet, revealed explosive aromas of ripe red fruit and spices on the nose. On the palate, it seduced with its incredible richness, silky tannins and long finish. As for Arômes de Pavie 2017, it captivated our taste buds with its freshness and elegance. A visit to this château is a plunge into Bordeaux's winemaking excellence, where tradition and innovation come together to create exceptional wines.

Château Clos Fourtet: Where time stands still 

Our journey continues at Château Clos Fourtet, where we had the rare opportunity to explore the natural underground cellars that house the estate's wine-making treasures. These caves, dug into the limestone rock over more than 13 hectares, provide an ideal environment for maturing the wines. Imagine 250 barrels and 100,000 bottles slumbering in this vast, dark expanse. After this more than captivating visit, we tasted the jewel of the house: the Château Clos Fourtet 2018.  

What our U'wine-Makers have to say about it  

On the nose, we were charmed by the aromas of black fruit, blackberries and a subtle touch of spice. On the palate, the richness and balance were remarkable, with silky tannins underpinning red fruit flavours.

Château Fleur Cardinale: a sensory immersion 

After a refreshing break in the cellars of Château Clos Fourtet, we made our way to Château Fleur Cardinale. Warmly welcomed by the owner's son, Ludovic Ducoster, and his wife Caroline, we had the exceptional opportunity to immerse ourselves in the vines through the seasons, by crossing a sensory corridor. Then it was time for lunch, and we had the privilege of tasting the Château Fleur Cardinale 2014 and 2018 wines at the owners' table.  

What our U'wine-Makers had to say  

The 2014 vintage won us over with its aromas of black fruit, blackcurrant and spicy notes, while the 2018 impressed us with its depth and balance, with silky tannins and a long finish. These wines, a perfect blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, capture the essence of Saint-Émilion.

Château Bellevue: A grand finale 

To round off this sensory journey, we visited Château Bellevue, a Grand Cru Classé in the Saint-Émilion appellation. With a 3-hectare vineyard planted with 100% Merlot, this estate is located on one of the most sought-after terroirs in Saint-Émilion. We were lucky enough to take part in an exceptional vertical tasting of Château Bellevue wines, from the 2011 to the 2019 vintages. It was an unforgettable experience, highlighting the richness of this Grand Cru Classé over the years. A vertical tasting that revealed the subtleties of each vintage, a true exploration of the wine's evolution over time.

Saint-Émilion: An adventure in tradition, passion and exceptional wines 

Our recent trip to Saint-Émilion transported us to a world of excellence, where the passion of the winemakers, the splendour of the vineyards and the tasting of exceptional wines created an unforgettable experience for our team and our customers. These Châteaux embody tradition and innovation, and we look forward to sharing the richness of their vintages with you. So get ready for the adventure of a lifetime, in the heart of Saint-Émilion, where wine becomes a true passion.