Place is empty. They had hordes of people tasting the 08’ last week. Paul Pontallier is super charming. Been here 25 years now. I first came here on a student trip with Prof. Peynaud in '68. Disaster vintage, that was! The 2008 however is tasting really good. Funny really. After all it was a dreadful summer. But the long dry autumn saved things. And produced the longest grape 'hang-time' period ever - 140 days! When the norm is 110 to 120 days. And the 2006 was lovely ... but our last case of that was just bought. By Clare!
Margaux really is the most beautiful Médoc Château for me.
Lots of banter about whether the First Growths are going to be nice to the world and put their prices right down! Paul smiles. Not a flicker of a clue. Angelus have just come out 40% down. The first. And only. But gives us hope.
Then we go to try the new Mouton Rothschild. They were very sorry they had to de-invite us to dinner as the French Ministre des Finances had urgent need to visit. Wonder why?
Anyway, we weren't unhappy to be invited to one of the best restaurants in Bordeaux - closer to home. Ate far too well and drank some stars: d'Armaillac, Petit Mouton and Clerc Milon, climaxing with the 61’ Mouton!
Not for sale, alas.
Crash to bed at midnight.
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