Lucien Lurton family/September 2007

Dear Bordeaux Lovers,

During the harvest season and last week of September 2007, I had a privelege to visit several chateaux of the Lurton family, Chateau Gruaud-Larose (2nd growth of St-Julien), Ch.Haut-Bages Libéral (5th growth of Pauillac) , Ch.Camensac (5th growth of Haut-Medoc) and Ch.Chasse-Spleen.

(Ch.Gruaud-Larose, Mr.Francois Villars on the right)

Lurton family is the largest independent Estate and Chateau owner family in the Bordeaux region. Lucien Lurton gradually acquired 11 estates : Ch.Brane-Cantenac (2nd growth of Margaux owned by Henri Lurton), Ch.Haut-Nouchet (Pessac-Leognan, organic wine owned by Louis Lurton), Ch.Climens ( 1st growth of Barsac owned by Bérénice Lurton), Ch.Dufort-Vivens (2nd growth of Margaux owned by Gonzague Lurton), Ch.Camarsac (Bordeaux superieur owned by Bérénice Lurton), Ch. Tour de Bessan (Cru Bourgeois of Margaux owned by Marie-Laure Lurton), Ch.Bouscaut (classified growth of Graves-Pessac-Leognan, owned by Sophie Lurton), Ch.Duplessis (Cru Bourgeois of Moulis, owned by Marie-Laure Lurton), Ch.Desmirail (3rd growth of Margaux, owned by Denis Lurton), Ch.Villegeorge (Cru Bourgeois Superieur of Haut-Medoc, owned by Marie-Laure Lurton) and Ch.Doisy Dubroca (2nd growth of Sauternes, owned by Louis Lurton).





After the visit of the cellars and tasting of 2006 vintage of Gruaud-Larose and 2nd wine Sarget (above) we went to see Mrs.Claire Villars-Lurton owner of Chateau Haut-Bages Libéral (below)

Following this visit done by Mr.Stefano Ruini (wine maker of Ch.Haut-Bages Libéral), we went down of Pauillac estate to meet Mr.Jean-Pierre Foubet owner of Ch.Camensac and Ch.Chasse-Spleen in Saint Laurent Médoc who conducted an amazing tasting of vintage 2006 of his two wines (see below).

I have to admit I was astonished the richness of these wines. Well, we went back to Margaux to see Mr.Gonzague Lurton owner of Ch.Dufort-Vivens and we did a stop at Ch.Ferrière too owned by Mrs.Claire Villars-Lurton ( below)

(Mr.Gonzague Lurton, left side in the cellar Ch.Dufort-Vivens)

(Vinification process and great cellar atmosphere at Ch.Ferrière)

To end-up, this great and fantastic time we finished by the visit of Ch.Brane-Cantenac in Margaux owned by Mr.Henri Lurton and Ch.Desmirail owned by Mr.Denis Lurton (below).
(Vinfication process and cellar at Ch.Desmirail)

I would like to thank you everybody for their warm welcome especially during the harvest period. Sip responsibly..... MFM

QI Liquor or Chee Liquor/September 2007

Dear Connoisseurs,

QI liquor or Chee (meanning: Life force in all things) is made from a super-premium selection of Chinese tea with a base of chardonnay brandy will give you an extreme sensation of flavors when you'll drink it on ice or with different types of cocktails. It is right now the most popular drink in the US, as it is very often used by bartenders in their creation of NEW exotic cocktails.

Two recipes:


- Happy Ending

2 parts Qi White

1 part Vodka - Citron

2 tsp fresh lemon juice

Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Shake, then strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with lemon. Finally, a cocktail with a happy ending!

- Tiger Woods

1 part Qi Black

1 parts iced tea

1 parts lemonade

Pour into a tall glass over ice. Mix and garnish with lemon. Wow!

* M, St. Helena

Here below is Mr.Laz Kaufman (president of LK Consultants, left side)
in New York pouring on his terrasse with a wonderful view of the big apple skyline a glass of Qi Black liquor.
Mr. Kaufman built up Jagermeister in the US market and was part of the success of Grey Goose (Vodka). Today is helping Mr. Brian Backus to develop Qi Liqueur in the US market.
Enjoy! MFM