A day at the right bank of Bordeaux

Dear Readers,

Wednesday January 16th, a very cold, windy and rainning day in Pomerol estate, we went with Laure Chavaroche (Export manager of H.Cuvelier House) to meet Mr. Nicolas Despagne, one of the owner with Gerard Despagne of Chateau La Rose Figeac and Chateau Hautes Graves Beaulieu.

In the morning, we arrived at Ch. Maison Blanche in Montage Saint-Emilion area where everything takes place after the harvest made by hand every year. As you can see below the vinification is also traditionnal with a control of temperatures which will be about three weeks. (below)


The whole production (13.25 acres) of Ch.La Rose Figeac does age in French oak barrels during 12 to 15 months and for the second wine Ch. Hautes Graves Beaulieu is about 12 months. We ended-up this visit by a tasting of 2004, 2005 and 2006 .

Both wines were very delicate but Ch.Rose Figeac was more complex and well-balanced compared to the second wine.
Don't forget H.Cuvelier & Fils has the exclusivity of Hautes Graves Beaulieu since 2003 vintage.



After, we took the direction to Saint-Emilion estate to visit Ch.Angélus (1st Grand Cru Classé B, St-Emilion) owned by Mr.Hubert de Boüard de Laforest. This mythic and fantastic premium wine is also associated to perfection and tradition because seven generation have been involved and maintained the same style through these years among 58.5 acres of vines.




The wines ageing part is a minimum 20 months but can go 28 months in oak barrels, this will depend on the vintage.


We had the privilege to have the visit done by the headtaster.
Then, we finished by a tasting of 2004 vintage which was a classic with a slight touch of black fruits, moka, liquorice and new french oak. A lot of finesse and a long finish.

He indicated to us this one will be matured between 2010 and 2025 but he insisted as well their wines can be accessible younger and they will still reveal an intense and rich taste of fruit.









Then, following our lunch in Saint-Emilion village we had an appointment with Mr.Francois Despagne, owner of Ch.Grand Corbin-Despagne (St-Emilion Grand Cru). His vineyards are about 66.35 acres and located at the boundaries of St-Emilion estate. Since 1998, there is a second wine called Petit Corbin-Despagne.


Mr. Despagne (below) conducted himself the tasting but he showed us the great cellar behind the tasting room.



















Of course, after viewing those magnificient format and selection of old vintages, we finished our day by the tasting Ch.Grand Corbin-Despagne 2004. For him, the wine is a truly classic with very rich fruity taste but with elegance and finesse.

I would like to thank you all Chateaux owners for their warm welcome and for sharing their passion with us.

Cheers,
MFM

Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey/1st Cru in Sauternes

Dear Sauternes connoisseurs,

This premier cru in Sauternes growth used to be part of Cordier negociant, today is owned by Suez group. The vineyards are about 98.80 acres and divided in three parts. The first one is located north of the chateau, second part is very near to the bottom of Chateau Yquem (Premier Cru Superieur) and close to Chateau Suduiraut (Premier Cru) and finally last one is in Bommes area.



This castle is just full of surprise. It has been totally renovated by Suez group for the pleasure of the best customers which have the privilege to stay. (check this typical castle atmosphere in the living room on the left, and special reserve of 1945 Ch.Lafaurie-Peyraguey on the right)













Well, going back to what we're delighted and interested in Ch.Lafaurie-Peyraguey. Mr.Eric Larramona, Director (see picture below) invited me early this month of January to learn more about the extreme and intense work that must be done to be one of the most delicious sauternes of its growth.









After visiting the cellar, Mr. Laramona conducted a remarquable tasting on 3 vintages 2004, 2005 and 2006.

- 2004: Bottled in June 2006, ageing 18 months in a oak cask, is a classic vintage, well-balance less fresh than 2002 but with litlle spices in the mouth.
- 2005: Bottled in June 2007, same ageing, too young, fruity and complex. Comparable to 1997 vintage.
- 2006: will be bottled in June 2008, same ageing, long harvest and hand picked, the nose can already reveal some passion fruit and woody taste.

And, again Eric I would like to thank you for your warm welcome and I would say to our wines lovers: "open your mind to Sauternes region as many times we forget about such jewel excists!!!

MFM

Jean Fillioux Single Cask tasting and Marthe Cognac Discovery

Dear Epicureans,

In December 2007, I finally had a chance to take some time to go back to Jean Fillioux cognac house in Charente county after a long trip in Asia right in the heart of Grande Champagne vineyards.


At the end of the morning, we finished our discussion by a great tasting with Pascal Fillioux (Fourth Generation, see picture below).


We began with Cask N°76 which was in a certain way corresponding to the vintage year 1976. I should say great nose, fine in the mouth and with a very nice finish at the end, a typical Grande Champagne cognac (see below).




Then, just followed by the cask N°70, just to compare if they were any difference noticeable in between two cognacs from the 70's (right side).
Imagine a second, the bottle was n°523 of 540 bottles, you can still tell master blender or head taster is capable to maintain and to reveal the same extreme finesse with a long after-taste to each one.




Well, we just had a wonderful family's lunch with Mrs.Monique Fillioux and their son Christophe. And, early afternoon I had the privelege to taste Cognac Marthe collection(see below) which is also owned by Pascal Fillioux. The history from this cognac, it is a lovely story. But, to make it short the cognac was made for Mrs. Marthe Chevrolet (yes, the famous car dealer Chevrolet) who falled in love with Cognac region end of nineteen century and decided to establish herself with a Fillioux family member.
The range is for connoisseur and for artist because each color will remind you the palette of a painter. The "Aquarelle" XO (average 18 years old, Grande Champagne cognac 100%) in blue on left side, center "Fauve" Extra (average 23 years old, Grande Champagne cognac 100%) and "Sepia" Very Rare (average 30 years old and in limited quantities, Grande Champagne cognac 100%). This cognac is sold to key accounts in duty paid in Europe and in United States and also in some Duty Free chains. You will be very surprised by this quality cognac.

I would like to thank you for your warm welcome and to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Great finish for this end of the year with a glass of Reserve Familiale and a great cuban cigar!

MFM

Back to Michel Couvreur atmosphere in Burgundy/ October 2007

Dear Whisky connoisseurs and friends,

I should say back to Michel Couvreur's land instead of Burgundy region even if Michel Couvreur's house is located not too far from Beaune city.

(above Michel Couvreur and myself just before going down to his cellar)

I had the privilege to visit him a couple days there in mid-October. Mr. Michel Couvreur kindly invited me to stay in his lovely guest house just above the cellars. Do not ask me, but at night is almost a travel to Scotland because all the ingredients are combined to feel it. (see below)
Next day, we made a special selection with Mr.Couvreur for a tasting conducted by Mr.Jean-Arnaud Frantzen(head taster, on the left) and assisted by Mr.Cyril Deschamps (son-in-law of Mr.Michel Couvreur, on the right)

















First, we started with 10 years old "Fleeting Single Cask".
Nose: roasted, vanilla, floral and fresh
Taste: elegant, round and good start with a long finish.
I will definitely recommand this one during Spring season.









Second, it was the "Blossoming auld sherried", 18 years old.
Nose: floral, aromatic and fruity
Taste: old cognac, very long in the mouth and touch of quince at the end.
I will say we are getting to another stratosphere.










Third, extreme and magnificient "For Ever Young Pristine, 35 years old"
Nose: light amber, floral and blond tobacco
Taste: finesse, great finish with a long aftertaste.
I will give one word to this whisky "Quintessence"









I almost forgot during our tasting I did ask to Mr.Couvreur and to Mr.Frantzen if they had something extremely special and unique they never offered to anybody. And, I had the honor to sip from the Cask 69 (April 1969) Malt whisky of 38 years old, (see below). I will keep for me my tasting notes on this one due to its rarety but I would only add it is strickly coming from Mr.Couvreur paradise cellar.




I would like to thank again Mrs. Couvreur and Mr.Couvreur and their team for their always warm welcome.
Cheers in Bouze-les-Beaune!
MFM

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