Crus Bourgeois – a steady ship
Having had just 18 months in 2007 to reinvent themselves, after the previous cru bourgeois system was cancelled, the Alliance des Crus Bourgois du Médoc consider themselves fortunate to have saved the name ‘cru bourgeois’ a term which has positive resonance with consumers.
The new Crus Bourgeois – three years in
With the cancellation of the 2003 classification in 2007, the cru bourgeois moniker in Bordeaux was due for extinction, but was saved via a third-party accredited, transparent scheme. Three years on from the introduction of the new system, how are the ‘new’ crus bourgeois being received?
The Complete Bordeaux, Stephen Brook
It is difficult for interested consumers to get an intimate appreciation for particular properties in Bordeaux, where it might be easier in other parts of the world, so someone with Stephen’s reputation and gravitas becomes the conduit through which consumers, and industry, learn.
Crus Bourgeois vintage 2010
For the 2010 vintage 260 Châteaux were awarded the cru bourgeois label. This is up from 246 properties for the 2009 vintage, and 243 properties in the inaugural awarding of the revamped label for the 2008 vintage.
Vineyard joggings
(aka the jog blog – thanks @thewinebird). Having taken up (very slow) jogging again in the summer of 2012, I thought it might be fun to share some microclimatic observations.
French brokerage, or courtier, system
Courtiers – a word to conjure polarised views, especially of the Bordeaux trading system. But in France the courtier system is not a one-size-fits-all, though the broker still puts together a customer with the wine they want, that they’ve sourced through their contacts.
Crus Bourgeois 2009 – tasting notes
The Alliance des Cru bourgeois announced the list of cru bourgeois for the 2009 vintage at the end of September 2011. Here are the tasting notes of the wines I tasted.
Crus Bourgeois 2009 – facts and figures
Facts and figures from the 2009 Crus Bourgeois classification
Cru bourgeois awarded to 246 properties for 2009 vintage
In its second year, the annual awarding of cru bourgeois status has been achieved by 246 left bank Bordeaux properties for their 2009 vintage. This is three up on the 2008 vintage.
The other Bordeaux
Without the luxury brand power that goes with top classed growth and astronomic A-list status, other Bordeaux producers must put in the hard graft to get their wines noticed.
