4:50 wake up call. 5:15 taxi. 8:15 flight to Bordeaux.

It’s Primeurs Week and it’s as though the Covid pandemic never happened, apart from being reminded by EasyJet that face masks are still mandatory on public transport in France.

Upon landing, we hightail it to the impressive new warehouse of Ulysse Cazabonne to taste the 2021s, as well as a veritable array of back vintages. The immediate impressions of 2021 are of a vintage that is wildly contrasting from top to bottom, but this is only Day 1 and we will taste a lot more wine over the next five days.

Reassuringly, the Châteaux we have recommended and followed for several years are all on fine form. Their 2021s are more approachable than 2020, 2019 and 2018, and remind me of 2014 en primeur for their approachability and moreishness.

Standouts were the Calon-Ségur stable which now includes Vray Croix de Gay and Le Prieuré, both of which were showing beautifully, as well as Château Laroque, a property that since David Suire joined in 2015 has been producing exceptional wine. The best wines exhibit heavenly aromatics and are perfectly poised. A great tasting to gain a sense of the vintage, thank you Ulysse.

I have high hopes for the week ahead!

Stay tuned for more updates from our team in Bordeaux throughout the week.