Ch. Beychevelle: down to the river

Comparisons to Versailles abound, but Château Beychevelle is a lot more than just a pretty façade. We meet Romain Ducolomb, the estate’s Technical Director, to understand just what makes this such a special vineyard. There’s an old Médocain saying that the best vineyards overlook the river. But sometimes, the river looks back. At least, that’s how the […]

Ch. Haut-Batailley: in the pink

Classified Growths in Pauillac don’t change hands often, so when they do it’s worth taking note. Five years ago, the Cazes family of Château Lynch-Bages acquired Château Haut-Batailley: there are bold changes afoot. “So why did you paint it pink?” we ask Jean-Charles Cazes. We’re standing outside the cellars of Château Haut-Batailley in Pauillac, which Jean-Charles’s […]

Cambridge Distillery: inspiration and intervention

Cambridge Distillery is William Lowe MW’s laboratory, where he is doing truly remarkable things with gin. Here, we speak to William about moments of inspiration, fractional distillation and where he sees things going. Wine and spirits have more in common than you might think, says William Lowe, co-founder of Cambridge Distillery. As the first (and […]

Château Grand Mayne: “palpable energy”

At Château Grand Mayne in St Emilion, the Nony family are making wines that speak of the vineyard rather than the winery. We look at how they got here – and where they’re going. At 42 years old, Jean-Antoine Nony isn’t sure if he qualifies as part of Bordeaux’s “new generation”. But he’s been around […]