After a week of holidays in France and the UK, the Bordeaux en-primeur campaign is back in full swing. Prices are consistently being set only slightly lower than 2011, except for the Pichons, which are down 20%. Pichon Comtesse Lalande is as dependable as ever, but Pichon Longueville Baron, which is usually denser and richer, [...]

Here is a short album of my Bordeaux visit in early May 2012. Not only did I taste the latest 2011 Bordeaux vintage, but also visit many chateaux, speak to their owners as well as taste as many wines as possible. Each chateau prepares a sample of their envisaged release for the critics and merchants [...]