The final A of the Grands Crus Classés de Bordeaux for the 1998 vintage took place in October 2019 on the shores of Lake of Annecy. Thank you Ella and Jean-Philippe for your welcome in Veyrier du Lac!
Here are the results (top six) from the Final A, which included the top four from the Final B, as well as the eight Super Grand Cru Classés (First Growth):
When at the end of the 70’s, Daniel Lamare decided to surround himself with a few friends to create the UAIO, who would have believed that, almost half a century later and in spite of its sad demise, the association would continue to exist and that its members, old and new, would meet, more motivated than ever, on the shores of Lake Annecy to taste and classify, in a perpetuated tradition, the best wines of Bordeaux.
So here we are in October 2019 in Veyrier du Lac on the shores of the Annecy Lake in the superb house with a view of the lake of Ella and Jean Philippe, delighted with a welcome still as well organized and friendly as the one realized by the same family two years earlier in Les Baux de Provence.
This opportunity to meet between Parisians and provincials for these magical moments around the best wines of the world, we would not miss it at any price.
During this tasting, the very first classified great growths of Bordeaux 1998 were, as our tradition requires, compared, blind, to other great châteaux of Bordeaux selected during the tastings of the year.
Château Latour came out on top (rated 16.50), but was almost dethroned by a stunning Clos de L’Oratoire (rated 16.29). This Merlot, with Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, seduced us with its hint of candied strawberry and blueberry and its spicy aftertaste.
We look forward to the next final, perhaps in Montpellier, when our troops have chased the English virus!”
Régine and Francis
Opening of a “small” bottle of Ausone 1970 in honor of our hosts…
Régine and Francis