In 1855 the wines of the left bank were “classified” on the orders of Napoleon III (who, incidentally spent some time in BBR’s St James’s cellars during his exile in the 1830s). This new classification was designed for the Exposition Universelle de Paris, at which the wines would be on display. The wines were ranked […]

Monday 16th June – We had what can only be described as wine ‘enlightenment’ this week – truly one of the greatest evenings of my twenty years in the wine trade. I used the excuse of having the always insightful and enigmatic Jean-Guillaume Prats, Managing Director of Château Cos d’Estournel dropping by, to raid the […]

We are nearing the end of the 2007 Bordeaux en-primeur campaign, with the last few wines expected to be released in the coming days. This time of year is usually a busy and hectic one in the Fine Wine office, though this year it has been a little quiet. Our favourites have sold relatively well, […]

  Well, what an interesting week. And what have we learnt? Well, 2007 was about as good as it could be given the dreadful growing season up to the end of August. It was never going to be as good as 2005, and for once no one has pretended otherwise. However good the winemaking, vineyard […]