The riches of Bordeaux's riverbanks

As the last autumn leaves prepare to be carried away by the breeze, we venture into these vineyards one last time, guided by their well-kept secrets. This autumnal month, a silent witness to the transformation of the vines, offers us one last intoxicating dance before hibernation. Accompanied by the crackling of the leaves beneath our feet, we enter the estates, ready to savour the last emotions that these lands steeped in history have to offer...  

Right bank: La Magnifique   

Our journey begins in Pomerol, the smallest appellation in the Bordeaux region, with just eight hundred hectares of vines. With a great diversity of soils, from clay to gravel, the winegrowers have created a wide variety of wines, with each cuvée reflecting the characteristics of its terroir.

Château Beauregard: A journey to the heart of winemaking elegance  

At Château Beauregard, Roxanne, our sparkling guide, orchestrated for us a sensory discovery of the 17.5 hectares of vines, where the fusion of terroir and technology has found a balance. Among the neatly lined-up rows, the 'Vitibot', a ground drone, proved to be the vigilant guardian of organic farming, part of an innovative approach that respects the environment. 

It was in this landscape steeped in history, after a tour of the vat room and then the cellars, that we were offered a tasting of Benjamin de Beauregard 2020. Made from 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, its aromas of luscious red fruit and hints of vanilla delighted our senses. This wine is immediately accessible and fresh, yet promises to age gracefully for a decade. The highlight of our visit was tasting the grand vin of Château Beauregard, a masterful blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc. Its intense garnet colour introduced an olfactory symphony of black fruit aromas and subtle smoky notes. A ballet of complexity and elegance animated every sip, underpinned by a delicate acidity that gives this wine exceptional ageing potential.

Château Barde-Haut: Exceptional land and bold vintages 

Our escapade in the Bordeaux region takes us to the gates of Château Barde-Haut, where Hélène Garcin, the passionate guardian of these lands, welcomes us. A sumptuous estate spread over 17 hectares, Château Barde-Haut has distinguished itself by its singular philosophy: it does not seek to standardise its wines, but rather to let them express themselves freely, reflecting the nuances and particularities of each vintage. A special tasting of the first juices from the 2023 vintage, before malolactic fermentation had even begun, revealed the magic emerging in every drop... A wonderful discovery!

Then, to immerse ourselves a little further in a sensory voyage, a tasting of three exceptional great wines awaits us: Château Barde-Haut 2019, a Saint-Émilion Grand Cru classé of 80% merlot and 20% cabernet-franc, charms at first sight with its brilliant ruby colour. Aromas of red fruit enhanced by hints of chocolate fill our senses. On the palate, the generous flesh and delicate tannins stretch into a bewitching length. This is followed by the 2019 Château Poésia, another 10-hectare estate owned by Hélène and her husband, which seduces with vibrant blackberry fruit and exquisite concentration. To round things off, the 2019 Clos l'Eglise from Pomerol, made up of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, stands out for its assertive character, velvety roundness and delicate fruitiness combined with tannins that make you want to enjoy it again in a few years' time. A tasting that transcends time, capturing the ephemeral essence of each vintage at Château Barde-Haut.

Château La Fleur de Boüard: An oenological odyssey at the heart of winemaking innovation 

Let's plunge into the enchanted world of Château La Fleur de Boüard, the latest pearl on the Right Bank that we've explored. This estate offers a unique sensory experience, from a suspended vat room to total immersion in the cellars. La Fleur de Boüard is distinguished by its varied grape varieties: petits verdots, cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet-franc, chardonnay, syrah and vines up to 65 years old!

Amazed by the originality of this estate, we had the privilege of tasting the 2021 Chardonnay, a discovery with a brioche and lemon character, a surprising and delicious harmony. The Fleur de Boüard 2019 transports us to the Lalande-de-Pomerol appellation, offering light, mellow tannins, deliciously fruity aromas, and persistent freshness with acidity on the finish, a promise of prolonged cellaring. Then there was the 2016 Cuvée Simone, a 100% Merlot produced using the full vinification process, which offered us an extremely fine taste experience, ensuring that we could cellar it for at least 10-15 years. 

To round off our exploration of the right bank, a memorable dinner at the Chais de la Fleur, punctuated by a tasting of La Fleur de Boüard 2014, enchanted us with its notes of mushroom and undergrowth. Its velvety texture was proof that this wine for laying down had reached its peak, confirming that we were in the right place at the right time!

Left bank: Biodynamics   

Our second day of the U'wine tour takes us to the heart of the Pauillac appellation. Nestling among the jewels of the Médoc vineyards, this region stretches between Saint-Estèphe to the north and Saint-Julien to the south. Pauillac, renowned for its exceptional wines, boasts a range of main grape varieties including Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carménère and Petit Verdot. A symphony of flavours is about to be revealed in this wine-growing land of subtle nuances.

Château Pontet-Canet : The elegance of terroir 

Our day begins with a fascinating exploration of Château Pontet-Canet, a majestic estate spanning 81 hectares. Nestling close to the Gironde estuary, the Cabernet Sauvignon grapes (which make up 62% of the vineyard) flourish on gravelly clay-limestone soils. In perfect harmony with nature, the estate also includes Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Committed to biodynamic viticulture since 2004, Château Pontet-Canet has re-adopted traditional methods, using ten horses to work the soil and hand-picking the grapes to ensure a delicate selection of berries. Their philosophy is clear: "The terroir is the guide". 

After an immersive tour of the cellars and learning about their method of ageing in amphorae, we had the privilege of tasting the 2014 Château Pontet-Canet. Its eye-catching deep garnet colour reveals a bewitching bouquet of fruit and subtle hints of chocolate, testifying to a rare elegance. On the palate, this delicate wine caresses the palate, revealing aromas of wild berries and a balanced tannic structure. A lively, fresh finish promises ageing potential of over two decades. In short, Château Pontet-Canet 2014 is a celebration of the Pauillac terroir, an exceptional wine to be enjoyed now, with the promise of long cellaring.

Château Haut-Bages Libéral: Between prestigious vineyards and family history  

Our oenological exploration led us to the prestigious Château Haut-Bages Libéral, next to the eminent Châteaux Latour and Pichon Baron. At the helm of this property is Claire Lurton, a worthy representative of the third generation of the Libéral family, who passionately orchestrates the destiny of this 30-hectare estate. Composed mainly of Merlot (70%) and Cabernet-Sauvignon (30%), the vineyard is divided into two distinct areas. One part nestles on the historic plateau of Bages, benefiting from gravelly soil, while the other rises majestically above the Gironde, on a limestone hillock preserved by the estuary, which provides a mild microclimate, sparing the wines from winter frosts and giving them a distinctive minerality.

After a meticulous 16-month ageing process, in which terracotta amphorae and concrete vats share the care of 60% of the production, the wines reveal a silky texture and delicious fruity aromas. During the meal, Château Haut-Bages Libéral offered us a memorable experience by inviting us to savour three vintages of its emblematic grand cru: Château Haut-Bages Libéral 2000, 2016 and 2019. The 2016 vintage is distinguished by an aromatic bouquet revealing red and black fruit aromas, and a silky, persistent palate. As for the 2019 vintage of the Premier Cru, composed of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot, it reveals an imposing elegance, fine but powerful tannins, and a mineral, fruity and spicy cuvée, with hints of liquorice. Finally, the tasting ends on a high note with the 2000 vintage, a fruity cuvée with hints of undergrowth and mushrooms, leaving an unforgettable imprint on our discerning palates.

Château Pédesclaux: Discovering excellence  

 Our U'wine Tour ends at the prestigious Château Pédesclaux, a Grand Cru Classé with origins dating back to the 18th century. Having recently undergone a remarkable renovation, the château harmoniously blends its prestigious past with distinctive modern architecture. The arrival of the Lorenzetti family in 2009 marked a decisive turning point, introducing innovative viticultural and oenological practices. Committed to an environmentally-friendly approach, they have gone organic in 2019. 

A tour of the winery, which is entirely gravity-fed, reveals the soul of the estate. We then enjoyed Château Pédesclaux 2015, a subtle blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot and 6% Petit Verdot. Its intense garnet colour heralds an exceptional sensory experience, revealing remarkable volume on the palate with bewitching notes of gingerbread and light tobacco. The second vintage tasted, Château Pédesclaux 2017, carefully matured for 16 months in new barrels, offers a fascinating complexity, elegantly blending the characteristics of the estate's four grape varieties. This emblematic wine of the appellation seduces with a delicate nose of red fruit underlined by musky touches. A cuvée that embodies the quintessence of the appellation and brings our oenological journey to a close in style.

This trip to Bordeaux gave our members a sensory immersion into the heart of the region's vineyards. From the well-kept secrets of the Right Bank to the fascinating biodynamic techniques of the Left Bank, each estate we visited revealed the unique essence of its terroir. Exceptional wines, encounters with passionate winemakers and memorable moments were the highlights of these two days rich in discovery. The diversity of grape varieties, the innovative methods used, and the fusion of tradition and modernity created an intoxicating symphony, confirming once again that the riches of Bordeaux's shores are truly treasures to be savoured. Cheers to the vineyards!