The chateau was bought by a negociant who replaced the tanks with stainless steel and grubbed up the vineyard to plant a majority of cabernet sauvignon, with a smaller percentage of Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc. 1998 Tattinger Blanc de Blanc, Antinori Solaia 06, Cos d'Estournel 2003 -- all incredibly fabulous. MORE >>

To my knowledge, chenin blanc reaches its greatest expressions in France’s long, meandering Loire Valley. When I hear all of this talk of the greatness of the 2007s, I do not so much start salivating about the new vintage, as I do begin to reflect upon the last three purportedly high quality vintages in the Rhône: 2003, 2000 and 1998. MORE >>

Today the French insurance company AXA owns several wineries which produce the world’s most exquisite wine, such as Chateau Pichon Longueville, Chateau Suduiraut, Chateau Petit-Village, Chateau Belles Eaux, and two other properties outside France, Disznoko in Tokai and Quinta do Noval in Portugal. “A French insurance company owns a Chateau?” MORE >>

Julian, one of the friendly AXA staff people, picked myself and another student up from our station in a shimmering black car, and as if to highlight the drama of our destination, swirled the car into the impressive lengthy driveway of Chateau Pichon Longueville, where we would stay during our visit and dine tonight. That was my room). MORE >>

Today the French insurance company AXA owns several wineries which produce the world’s most exquisite wine, such as Chateau Pichon Longueville, Chateau Suduiraut, Chateau Petit-Village, Chateau Belles Eaux, and two other properties outside France, Disznoko in Tokai and Quinta do Noval in Portugal. Sunday: Dinner in a Chateau. The Lunch. MORE >>