When it comes to wine, little has changed in Bordeaux for centuries – but in the 1990s a group of outsiders shook things up: the garagistes. Vinfolio’s Sophie Thorpe talks to three of the movement’s leading figures about its legacy – and what it means for Bordeaux today In 1991, Jean-Luc Thunevin made the first…
Ad Vivum is a boutique Napa project from Chris Phelps. Vinfolio’s Sophie Thorpe spoke to him about how twists of fate saw him go from aspiring doctor to star winemaker at the likes of Dominus, Caymus – and now his own label Chris Phelps never really meant to start his own winery. But fate had…
One of the leading estates in Bordeaux, Château Léoville-Las Cases is one of the largest and oldest Classed Growths in the Médoc. Along with Château Ducru-Beaucaillou, it is widely considered one of the best estates in Saint-Julien. The Léoville property’s history stretches back to the 17th century, but the vast estate was divided into three parts…
Ten years after The New California Wine was published, Jon Bonné has published a new book – an epic tale of France’s revolution. Vinfolio’s Sophie Thorpe caught up with the author to talk about his ambitious project to capture The New French Wine “I can die happy now,” Jon Bonné chuckles to me. The writer…
Top Napa estate Schrader Cellars has championed the use of individual clones of Cabernet Sauvignon, often in the same vineyard, in its quest for quality. Tasting through the range with the property’s own Master Sommelier Jason Smith, we explore how these pioneering wines have won the hearts of oenophiles around the world Schrader Cellars is one…
Maligned by many, adored by more, Sauvignon Blanc divides wine-drinkers – and no more so than the wine-drinking elite. But why? Vinfolio’s Sophie Thorpe talks to the people behind some of the world’s best examples to explore the grape’s status today It’s easy to sneer at Sauvignon Blanc. Its success has been its downfall. It’s…
Alvina Pernot – grand-daughter of Puligny-Montrachet-based producer Paul Pernot – established her own label in 2018, with her husband Philippe Abadie. About the Producer Alvina Pernot is one of the most exciting producers of white Burgundy today. Based in Puligny-Montrachet with some incredible vineyards, this is a name to watch – creating taut and mineral…
“A true first-growth chateau embodying elegance, nobility, and beautiful concentrated fruit, Lafite is clearly living up to its immortal reputation.” – Robert Parker Château Lafite Rothschild is one of the most famous wine estates in Bordeaux and the world. One of the Left Bank’s five First Growths, the Pauillac property is renowned for producing wines of…
“Lynch-Bages has been one of the most popular and successful wines to emerge from Bordeaux.” – Robert Parker Château Lynch-Bages is one of the largest and best properties in Pauillac, in the Médoc. While officially classified as a Fifth Growth estate, it regularly competes with the First and Second Growths when it comes to quality…
The 2022 vintage broke records in France for its hot, dry conditions – but the wines it produced are far from solar. Fresh from a week spent digging into the vintage with producers and tasting the wines, Sophie Thorpe reports on the remarkable year and the wines it produced There’s been a lot of hype…
“It quickly became the poster child and catalyst for the qualitative revolution in St Emilion and since 1988 there has not been a hiccup”. – Robert Parker Château Angélus is one of Saint-Emilion’s finest properties. Angélus is one of the few Saint-Emilion properties today that has remained under family ownership since its inception over 237…
“This estate has produced only exceptional wines over the last three decades.” -Robert Parker Château Margaux is one of Bordeaux’s most historic and famous estates. The only classified First Growth in Margaux, it epitomizes the appellation’s elegance, while producing wines with fantastic aging potential. Margaux’s roots date back eight centuries. The Margaux site was originally…