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Château Branaire-Ducru became a separate vineyard from the Beychevelle estate after the death of Bernard de la Valette, Duke of Espernon, in the mid 17th century, when his assets were turned over to the French Crown to pay off his debts.  In 1680, Jean-Baptiste Braneyre bought the property. His descendants, the Duluc family, had the current Château built around 1824.  Since 1988, it has belonged to a French family group whose chairman is Patrick Maroteaux. Château Branaire, a fourth growth in the 1855 classification, covers some 125 acres situated in the Saint-Julien village. Branaire’s wines are made in a modern vathouse with a gravity-flow system, which eliminates the need to pump the harvest and wine.  By doing so, the grapes and their natural expression of the Branaire ‘terroir’ are preserved. After natural aging in French oak barrels and fining with fresh egg whites, the wine is bottled at the Château. Thorough renovation of the estate since 1988 and ongoing pursuit of excellence with notably the creation of the second wine (Duluc) confirm Château Branaire spectacular come back to Bordeaux’s top wine forefront.  Cabernet Sauvignon 70% and Merlot 22%, Cabernet Franc 5% and Petit Verdot 3%.

Founded in the 18th century by the Gorce family, who gave it its original name, this great wine estate was producing one of the most highly regarded wines of the Médoc well before the 1855 classification.  Baron of Brane, nicknamed the ‘Napoléon of the Vineyards,’ bought up the estate in 1833 after selling Brane-Mouton (known today as Mouton-Rothschild)! A viticultural pioneer of his time, he was well aware of the reputation and the huge potential of the estate’s outstanding terroir, located largely on the famous Brane gravel mound. In 1838, eager to leave his trace in history, he chose to rename the estate ‘Brane-Cantenac’.  Sold in 1866 to the Roy family Brane continued to prosper. Before the First World War in 1914, its wine fetched the same prices as the first growths. The château was long known unofficially as the ‘First of the Seconds’. The Société des Grands Crus de France (a consortium of merchants and growers) bought Brane in 1920.  In 1925, Léonce Récapet and his son-in-law François Lurton, took over the whole of Brane-Cantenac and the majority shareholding of Château Margaux. Lucien Lurton (the son of François) inherited Brane-Cantenac in 1956. Whilst carefully maintaining Brane’s fine reputation, he bought up numerous classed growth and cru bourgeois estates.  By now one of Bordeaux’s most cherished viticulturists, Lucien Lurton left his estates to his ten children. His son Henri then took over the reins of the family estate. Having graduated as an œnologist, his aim was to develop and enhance the wine’s pedigree quality, elegant aromas, complexity and balance, while maintaining a harmony that reflected the style of the vintage and the typicity of its wonderful terroir.  The prestigious history of Brane-Cantenac though, is linked to its incomparable soil, which has been carefully studied over the years by the top specialists.  Recognised throughout the estate’s history as one of the finest in the Médoc, Brane’s terroir long gave the estate its unofficial ranking as ‘first of the seconds’. The heart of the estate is an unbroken block of 112 acres, which has remained unchanged for three centuries. 

After several decades of relatively mediocre performance, this château has clearly revived the tradition of quality that earned the château a place in the prestigious 1855 classification. This achievement is undoubtedly due to the huge effort made by the Forner family since 1964. The Forner family launched a major renovation programme soon after acquiring Camensac. They installed ultra-modern equipment and entirely renovated the winemaking facilities, in keeping with the estate’s large scale. The remarkably restored chateau building symbolises this renaissance. The château (a simple, but beautiful, 18th century manor house) is flanked either side by cellars and outbuildings. “Nature alone, however advantageous, cannot guarantee the production of outstanding wine” is the prevailing attitude at Château Camensac. The vines are located on the commune’s finest gravelly rise. The topography is fairly steep and the pebby soil quite deep.  This makes for excellent natural drainage, which is complemented by a well-maintained man-made drainage system.  The estate’s excellent potential is fully realised thanks to a “craftsmanship” approach by the Camensac winemaking team. The vineyard has a density of 10,000 vines per hectare, and grape varieties are as follows: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot.  The average age of the vines is quite old, which makes for reasonable yields.  The staff at Camensac are helped in their decisions by consulting oenologist Michel Rolland. The estate was purchased in 2005 by The Villars Family and is now managed by Clair Villars and her husband Jean-Pierre Foubet.

Chasse-Spleen has consistently produced fine wine for the last three decades.  The wine is characterized by a very pronounced, deep ruby color, a bouquet of plumy ripeness, and rich, round, substantial flavors. How the estate came to be named is surrounded by an aura of myth and legend, with too popular theories competing. The first suggests that the name originated from a poem, Spleen, by Charles Baudelaire, who visited the estate when visiting his friend Odilon Redon, whose property neighbored Chasse-Spleen. Alternatively, Lord Byron is credited with the comment that his visit there, during a journey from London to Seville, did wonders for his mood, a “remède pour chasser le spleen”. Whichever of these fancy tales takes your fancy, by the turn of the century Chasse-Spleen was a well established Bordeaux estate in its own right. This is a property that still adheres to very traditional practices.  The vineyards of Chasse-Spleen are heavily parcellated, but lie not far from Arcins, to the south of the gravelly hill on which sits the village of Grand Poujeaux. The soils are mostly Garonne gravel, with some chalky clay mixed in, and the 80 hectares of vines, which average 30 years of age, are largely Cabernet Sauvignon (73%), with 20% Merlot and 7% Petit Verdot. The soils between rows are ploughed rather than planted, and harvesting is manual. The fruit is fermented in stainless steel and cement vats with temperature control, and then aged for between 12 and 14 months in oak barrels, of which 40% are new each year. Chasse-Spleen has been in the hands of the Villars family since 1976. It is now managed by Clair Villars and her husband Jean-Pierre Foubet.

Chateau Climens has a lengthy and fairly well documented history stretching back almost 500 years, although it does not seem that viticulture was undertaken here until the 17th Century. Throughout much of the early history of Chateau Climens it was owned by the Roborel family, who purchased the property in the middle of the 16th Century. They were responsible for expanding the estate and oversaw the production of both white and red wines, although obviously today Climens produces no red. It is not surprising that very early on, the prestigious growth, Chateau Climens, became known as Lord of Barsac. For one thing, its history is characterised by great continuity which has enabled us to get the best out of this terroir, and maintain the heritage, whilst ever improving it. It is a rare occurrence, but only five families have owned the estate from its origins and its surface area in a continuous single vineyard, has practically remained unchanged since its creation. The name Climens, which appears for the first time on a contract dated 1547, apparently meant unfertile or poor land in a local dialect: an admirable paradox for such a great terroir! Vines appear to have been planted as early as the end of the 16th century, hence the château became one of the much-envied First Growths in 1855. Climens has been owned since 1971 by the Lurton family who presides over a considerable empire of Bordeaux estates.  Lucien Lurton acquired Climens together with Doisy-Dubroca at a time when Sauternes seemed sadly neglected by wine-drinkers who would clamour for red Bordeaux. Since 1992, the château’s destiny has been in the hands of his daughter, Bérénice Lurton. She takes great care in perpetuating the magic of Château Climens, by ensuring that this legendary growth shines with evermore brilliance and elegance. The wine is unique in that it is produced from 100% Semillion.

Robert Parker has called Château Corbin “an estate to watch” under the new generational reins of passionate and determined owner/winemaker Anabelle Cruse Bardinet. Since taking over in 1999, Anabelle has improved quality through vineyard management, a reconstructed cellar and the creation of a second wine to take full advantage of the outstanding terroir.  Indeed, the 31-acre terroir of this Grand Cru Classé has been compared to that of Château Cheval Blanc.  It straddles the Pomerol border on the “graves” (gravelly plateau) of St.-Emilion and is planted with 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, with an average vine age of 30 years. Château Corbin is one of the few St. Emilion estates with a history of ownership by women and with a female winemaker.

Château Cos d'Estournel is known not only for its fine wine but also for its exotic Moorish architecture.  The word 'Cos' means 'The Hill of Pebbles' and indeed it is the exceptionally deep layers of gravel that make the hill of Cos one of the world's great vineyards. The 158 acres are planted with 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot and 2% Cabernet franc. The wine is aged 18 months in 80% new oak.  The estate has been managed by Jean-Guillaume Prats, the son of Bruno Prats, since 1999 and under his direction Cos d'Estournel has consistently produced one of Bordeaux's finest wines. 

Welcome to Château Coutet, one of the oldest wine-producing properties in Bordeaux, France -- dating back to 1643. Classified as a First Growth in 1855, Château Coutet fulfills its mission of excellence by producing the finest Sauternes-Barsac year after year.

Situated in the Garonne valley and in close proximity to the Ciron River, the 38.5 hectares of vines within the estate’s walls enjoy a particularly advantageous location to produce a great Sauternes with a signature style.  Château Coutet’s vineyard is planted with a variety of grapes traditional to the Barsac and Sauternes appellations: Semillon, Sauvignon and Muscadelle. With an average age of 35 years, the vines have developed a network of sufficiently deep roots to extract elements from the soil, giving the grapes richness and strength. From this exceptional terroir is born Château Coutet’s finest wines including the world renowned “Cuvée Madame,” produced only from the property’s exceptional vintages. “Cuvée Madame” is considered a great classic amongst wine connoisseurs and epicures.

In its youth, Chateau Coutet’s wines display generous aromas of orange flower, citrus fruit, honey, and vanilla. Time brings out deeper, warmer notes in which spices combine with more exotic flavors of cooked citrus and candied fruit. Age also enhances the harmony of its roasted botrytis character to give Château Coutet a delicate and unique bouquet that is unmatched.

Robert Parker calls Château d’Issan “one of the stars of Margaux,” thanks to the leadership of young Emmanuel Cruse who took over management of the property in 1993 and has spearheaded a dramatic rise in quality, fuelled by over $6 million U.S. in family investment.  According to historical records, a Château d’Issan wine was served at the marriage of Henry Plantagenet and Eleanor of Aquitaine in 1152.  Château d’Issan is one of the most beautiful 17th century châteaux in Bordeaux, and one of the few which retains its original moat. It was acquired by Emmanuel Cruse’s grandfather in 1945 and remains privately owned by the Cruse family.

The vineyards Châteaux of du Tertre, in the south-west section of the Margaux appellation, are remarkable for being in a single, coherent block adjacent to the chateau, covering about 125 acres. It is situated on one of the highest hills in Médoc which is where its name comes from (Tertre means knoll). This is a gravelly, pebbly mound typical of the region, planted with 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot. The vines average about 35 years of age, with many dating from the 1950s and 1960s. Under the ownership of Eric Albada Jelgersma since 1997, and with expert direction from manager Alexander van Beek, the wines of du Tertre have really taken off. As have those of its next door neighbor Châteaux Giscours, which is also owned and managed by the Jelgersman and Van Beek team. With the arrival of Alexander Van Beek there was a new attention to detail in the vineyard, with better training and care of the vines, and a green harvest, all destined to improve quality. The cuvier was also subject, like the chateau buildings themselves, to extensive restoration. The harvested fruit is fermented in traditional wooden vats stretching up to the first floor, with temperature control, and a maceration of up to three weeks. The wine spends up to eighteen months in oak, of which 50% is replaced each year. Throughout the process, from harvest to barrel, the wine is transferred by gravity feed rather than mechanical pumping. Clearly, with such care and modernisation in vineyard and cellar, the direction in which Jelgersma and Van Beek are taking du Tertre is up. Its wines, which show great finesse, are outstanding for their lovely colour and their perfumed aromatic savour.

The chartreuse of Chateau Fombrauge was built in 1410 by the descendant of Sir Robert de Knolles, which makes it one of the oldest in Saint-Emilion. The beautiful 17th century country manor was originally the cloister of the town’s Carthusian Monastery. Owned by Jacques de Canolle in 1466. The chartreuse was first surrounded by vineyards in 1615, and its famous sundial was built in 1679. The estate later belonged to the Dumas de Fombrauge family, who made it a shining example of applied viticulture in the 18th century. Since 1999 Château Fombrauge has been invigorated by the dynamic leadership of Bernard Magrez and his wine consultant Michel Rolland. Fombrauge’s 50-hectare vineyard is located in the far west of the St-Emilion appellation, on a limestone plateau in the commune of St. Christophe.  Fombrauge is typically a blend of 75% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Cabernet Franc. The grapes are fermented in temperature-controlled, concrete vats and the wine is then matured in oak barriques (30% new) for 14-16 months. It shows at its best with at least 5 years of bottle aging.

The first mention made of Château Giscours dates back to around 1330 when it was referred to as a fortified dungeon. In 1552, the estate was sold for 1,000 pounds and was already recognised as a vineyard at this time. Reference is made in the Féret, considered as the bible of Bordeaux wines, of Giscours being served to Louis XIV who, it was said, appreciated the wine.  Giscours passed from owner to owner, going through a period of decline which only ended when the estate was bought by Nicolas Tari after the Second World War. He undertook a general renovation of the estate, one of the most significant works being the creation of an artificial lake, which is today a key element in Giscours’ microclimate. After a run of financial difficulties, the wine growing business of Château Giscours was purchased in 1995 by Eric Albada Jelgersma, a Dutch businessman, who hired Alexander Van Beek to manage the estate.  Stretching over more than 210 acres, of which 80.5 are in production, and set among 740 acres of grassland and forest, the vineyard is split into two separate blocks and 43 perfectly distinct plots, allowing an ideal, individualised matching of grape variety with terroir type. The mix of grape varieties is very much that found at the great estates of the Médoc, with a high proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon (53 %). Merlot makes up 42 % of the vineyard, while the remaining 5% is composed of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Significant improvements in viticulture and winemaking techniques have been made since 1995. Château Giscours is now one of the most highly regarded wines of Margaux.

Father Gruaud and Chevalier de Larose owned this 82 hectares estate in Saint Julien in the mid 18th century.  Their two names were first associated on the label in 1781.  Due to inheritance problems, the estate was divided in two until 1935, when Désiré Cordier, who had already bought a part in the 1900s, restored the domain to its original size. Since the 1980s, Gruaud Larose has been held by groups of institutional investors before coming into the hands of the family Merlaut in 1997.  Located on the highest point of the appellation, the vineyard is planted in 100% garonnaise gravel soil, which were deposited 600,000 years ago. 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5.5% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot and 1.5% Malbec are the five grape varieties used in the blend of Gruaud Larose. The latter two varietals are indigenous to Bordeaux and give additional richness, fruitiness and concentration. The wine is more than ever worthy of its second growth status in the 1855 classification due to some intensive work under organic methods in the vineyard, such as : organic compost specifically evolved by Gruaud Larose, integrated phytosanitary protection by encouraging beneficiary insects thanks to the sexual confusion, replacement of chemicals with tilling and organic mulching, increment of the height of the trelliswork of the vines to maximise the photosynthesis process. The harvest is manual and in the cellar, traditional methods of vinification such as wooden vats and concrete are used in order to extract the maximum of richness without loosing the natural fruitiness and the legendary balance of the wines of Saint Julien. The estate is managed by David Launay.

The well-known property of Château Guiraud in Sauternes has earned a reputation for producing world-class nectar-filled dessert wines. Under the direction of Xavier Planty since 1981, the estate has improved on its fine reputation by incorporating individual cluster selection, barrel fermentation and aging in new oak. The 210-acre vineyard is planted with a relatively high 35% of Sauvignon Blanc and the remaining 65% with Semillon. The resulting wine is deep, rich and very complex. In 2005 Xavier Planty became one of the owners of Château Guiraud.

For four centuries, the Château Haut-Bailly overlooks its seventy acres of vines that grow in sandy soil containing fossil-bearing stones and gravel.  The vineyard has been owned and run by the Sanders family for the past fifty years.  Under their guidance the wines of Haut-Bailly have been established as being among the finest in the region. In 1998 the estate was purchased by an American banker Robert G. Wilmers and his French wife, Elisabeth. They have the same commitment to a wine of quality and elegance.  The supple and beguiling character of the wine derives from Haut-Bailly’s soil, its grapes and its highly competent team who, under the expert direction of Véronique Sanders, Jean Sander’s granddaughter, are determined to pursue a very demanding quality based policy.  Haut Bailly has a unique terroir that gives the wine an inimitable personality: finesse and balance as well as softness and richness. The wine is unfailingly full of charm and elegance.  The 80 acre vineyard, on the highest plateau in the Pessac appelation, is a single contiguous parcel that is planted with 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc.

Under the ownership and management of Jean-Claude Aubert, the wine from Château La Couspaude have gone from good to great ! Château La Couspaude is one of the rare wine estates actually within the town of Saint-Emilion. The estate is planted with the same grape varieties as the other great wines of Saint-Emilion, and in similar proportions: a large majority of Merlot (75%), as well as Cabernet Franc (15%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (10%). It is this predominance of Merlot, much hardier than Cabernet, which accounts for the large number of old vines and the impressive average age (40 years). The homogeneous nature of the soil and the age of the vines give La Couspaude a strong personality, which comes through each vintage.

Grapes have been grown at Château Lagrange, St.-Julien, for over 600 years.  Even Thomas Jefferson knew its wines.  A Third Growth in the Classification of 1855, it is the largest classified growth in the Medoc with 280 acres under vine.  It was acquired in 1983 by Suntory, the Japanese wine and spirits conglomerate, which has spared no effort or expense in extensively replanting and renovating the estate.  The property is planted with 65 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 28 percent Merlot and 7 percent Petit Verdot.  Château Lagrange has the largest plantings of Petit Verdot in Bordeaux, and often uses more of this grape variety in the blend than other Châteaux.  Today, Château Lagrange enjoys rave reviews under Bruno Eynard, who was promoted to Winemaker/Director after serving for seventeen years under Marcel Ducasse, who retired in 2005. Eynard had an auspicious start at Château Lagrange, joining the team in December 1990, just in time to work on the assemblage of the superlative 1990, one of the best vintages ever produced by the Château. Today, the wine of Château Lagrange are considered among the best of Bordeaux.

The history of Chateau Larmande begins as long ago as the 16th Century; records indicate that wine was produced here in 1585, and subject to inspections by local officials. It seems likely that the construction of the modest chateau at Larmande began the following century, as a foundation stone in the cellar bearing the date 1640 would suggest that this was when the property was built. During the centuries that followed the estate changed hands a number of times, initially under the direction of the Champagne family, subsequently passing to the Pion de Case and St Genis families in turn. In 1990, however, it was sold by Jean Meneret, founder of the Association des Grands Crus Classés de St Emilion, to La Mondiale, an insurance group. The capital and investment required to purchase and successfully run a Bordeaux property of any repute, such as Larmande, is indicated by the number now owned by banks, financial institutions and other companies rather than families, and in this respect Larmande is no different to many other leading Bordeaux properties. As a consequence, in poured the necessary funds for repair and restoration of the cellars, as well as the construction of a huge, new tasting room. The estate was already of a good size but under La Mondiale’s direction more land was purchased, increasing the total area under vine slightly, to a total of 62 acres, planted with 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Château Malartic-Lagravière is one of only six properties that is classified for both its red and white wine.  Bought by Alfred-Alexandre and Michèle Bonnie at the end of 1996, the estate has been completely renovated.  These significant investments by the new owners have resulted in a dramatic leap in the quality of wines.  Malartic-Lagravière's 131 acre vineyard is planted with 50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot on high gravel terraces. The wine, now aged for 15 to 22 months in 60% new oak, shows the classic characteristics of a first-rate Graves wine.  There are an additional 18 acres that are planted with the white grape varieties of Sauvignon Blanc (80%) and Semillon (20%). 

The impressive turreted Château of Palmer takes its name from an English general who arrived in Bordeaux in 1814 and purchased this property. Under the ownership of the Mahler-Besse and Sichel families since 1939, Château Palmer has consistently been producing profound wines that can rival any of the first growths. The 128 acre vineyard is planted with 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 47% Merlot and 6% Petit Verdot. The wine is aged for 21 months in 45% new oak barrels. The result is a wine of the utmost breed that magically combines power with fineness.

Bernard de Laage de Meux has been Marketing and Communication director at Château Palmer since 1999. He has a post-graduate degree in business administration as well as a diploma from the Institut des Hautes Finances in Paris. After spending almost 10 years in Bordeaux, involved in the professional organizations for Bordeaux wines, he managed a Cognac company, also responsible for export sales.

Château Pape Clement is truly one of the most historic properties in all of France. The vineyard was purchased in 1299 by Bertrand de Goth who later became Pope Clement V, hence the name of the château. Pape Clement has been producing profound wines since its purchase by Bernard Magrez in 1984. There are 74 acres planted with 58% Cabernet Sauvignon and 42% Merlot; the wine is then aged 20 months in new oak. A superb white wine is produce from 7 acres planted with 45% Sauvignon Blanc, and 42% Semillon and 19% Muscadelle

Château Pontet-Canet, one of the best-known classed growths of Pauillac, was purchased in 1975 by Guy Tesseron. The management of the estate was entrusted to his son Alfred, who has worked diligently in order to develop and confirm the reputation of this famous classified growth. "Quality" is the key word in the vineyard and cellar. With 195 acres planted with 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot and then aged 15 to 22months in 50% new oak, the personality of Pontet-Canet's wine is defined by subtlety and complexity and its very marked Pauillac character.

Château Soutard can trace its history back to 1775 and was owned by the same family from 1811 to 2006 . The property was recently purchased by La Mondiale, an insurance group and the owner of Château Larmande. The previous owners were Isabelle, Hélène and François de Ligneris. Soutard’s winemaking is in the hands of François, who initially trained as an architect before switching his studies to wine. He then spent time working with the Hill Smith family in Australia before beginning to take over from his father. François de Ligneris’ wines are very close to his straightfoward personality. The Château Soutard’s owner in Saint-Emilion wants indeed to respect the specificity of each vintage. Now 2005 is an ideal and perfectly balanced vintage. Imagine, dream and be tempted by this wine. Soutard is located in the northern extreme of Saint Emilion’s limestone plateau - 75% of the vineyards(27 hectares) are located on the limestone plateau, the rest being planted on limestone-clay and sandy slopes. Soutard’s wine is a blend of 65% Merlot and 35% Cabernet Franc. The grapes are hand-harvested and vinified separately according to variety, age of the vines and the part of the vineyard. The wine is then matured in oak barrels (33% new), fined using egg whites and then bottled by natural gravity. It is never filtered.  Soutard’s wines are full-bodied, dense and powerful with a great potential for ageing.

Château Suduiraut is one of the great estates of Sauternes. Even today, vintages such as 1899 and 1928 are remarkable examples of great dessert wine.  Adjacent to Château d’Yquem on the north, Suduiraut’s 220 acres are planted with 90% Semillon and 10% Sauvignon Blanc. The wine is a rich, luscious, very complex style of Sauternes that will easily keep for 30 years.

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