Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Deep in the Heart of Bordeaux......

This morning we got an early start and headed back to Bordeaux. We had a wine tour and tasting set up at Cos D'Estournel. Once we got past the city of Bordeaux and headed into the Medoc, it was exactly as you would imagine.


Lynch Bages

Lafite Rothschild






It was amazing to drive through all these vines and see all the famous vineyards surrounding us. Finally we arrive at the gates of Cos D'Estournel.....

And the Gates of Heaven Open......
We arrive at the chateau in St Estephe and meet with our tour guide. Turns out we are the only reservation, so we get a private tour. This was the most interesting and informative tour we have ever had. Our guide is actually used to working on the production of the wine, so we ended up getting a very in depth and unique perspective on the wine making process.
Cos's first harvest were sold in India, hence all the elephants and the mini-Taj Mahal garden. This wine was loved by Sultans, Queen Victoria & Napolean III.

Family Portrait....Love These!!!!

Mini Taj Mahal Gardens in Front of Chateau
The cellar was completely redesigned in time for the 2008 production. This is a very unique cellar that is entirely operated by gravity through the three floors of the cellar and uses no pumps.

Vat Room

Barrel Room

In the back of this photo are the elevator shafts that carry the vats down so the wine can be drained into the barrels.


This walkway was suspended over the barrels and lit up. It ended at the cellar of the owners reserve. Oh, how I would like a day in the owners cellar.


Owners Reserve Cellar dating back to 1865







I wonder if wine from the 1800's would even be good???

I loved this walkway over the barrels


London fell in love with all the elephants



Au Revoir Cos D' Estounel - I'm so happy to have had this experience and be leaving here with a few bottles of heaven to remember the experience.


After a wonderful morning we thought we would head into the center of Bordeaux for our lunch reservations. Unfortunately, the two laned road in and out of the Medoc made that a little difficult. One semi or tiny smart car in front of you and you are now moving at a snails pace. So, we decided to continue our Bordeaux exploration and find a place for lunch in Margaux.

We ended up at the Relais de Margaux. This turned out to be a small hotel with a golf course. First of all I don't recall ever seeing a golf course in France and secondly why is there a golf course in the middle of Margaux on some of the most amazing soil in the world! I had to ask! Apparently the soil under the hotel is swampy and worthless....phew. 




We had lunch at the Brasserie de Lac. I have no idea where the lake was, as I mentioned we were on the golf course. Regardless it was an amazing meal. Steve and I both had the special of the day and as usual the 'menu enfant' was amazing as well.
Did I mention that we of course enjoyed our 'plat du jour' with an amazing bottle of Margaux. But of course....




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