Made it through (from Monday 11th)

Last week was great but became difficult and hot on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, reaching 30ºC here in St.Emilion! From what I tasted it is true that 2010 is different – but MORE balanced – than 2009! The week ended with a Voyageur lunch where I was joined by Henry, Gary, Dan, Neil and David.

The sunshine (and heat) continued on Saturday so Libby and I headed to the huge annual antiques fair in Rauzan. There were loads of stalls and some amazing things on offer and after a very strange unforeseen school canteen lunch, we headed home.

Warm evening weather meant a lamb, Bordeaux sausage and pork belly slices barbeque and the perfect opportunity to match the 2009 Syrah de Folie bottled only last week, it’s a winner!

Early this morning I met up with Olivier Cazenave for a trip around Bordeaux to check on some of our great unknown (as of yet) Chateaux. It was quite a round trip starting in the west at Pellegrue and Chateau Bellevue Favereau, where I made some 2010 blends. The next visit was to Chateau Rougier whose young French owner has formed a family partnership with an Argentinean winegrowing family. The wines here are very promising indeed and one to look out for in the future. The last visit was way out to the west towards Blaye to Chateau Geneau and a very different terroir producing rich, juicy wines from predominantly Merlot.

I was late for Easter lunch at La Clariere but fantastic Bernadette had saved some in-season asparagus, garlic omelette and roast garlic lamb! I also got to try Henry’s excellent 2005 and bottled-today 2009 Chateau La Clariere.

Back to the Chai with Tony for a little photo shoot with Martin Crook; great photos check it out www.martincrook.com. Before Tony left for his flight to the UK we had a taste of last weeks bottled wines, the Vermentino and Syrah de Folie … tasting great already!