The sauvignon blanc is an expert blend of several vineyards, with some barrel fermented semillon added for texture and a Graves-style richness. Downes Family Vineyards Sanctuary Peak Sauvignon Blanc 2011. This looks like an 18th century English cottage!” First, imagine the vista. Below are three wines you can find in the USA. News S. MORE >>

Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte is a gorgeous estate in Graves, south of Bordeaux and this year they (literally) rolled the red carpet to kick off En Primeur 2011 and welcome fellow Bordelais and the 108 international journalists visiting for En Primeur. Teitgen and learned all about the soils in their various plots. MORE >>

The majority of  Saint-Émilion wines are dominated by Merlot, so Figeac is more similar to the wines of the Medoc and Graves. “Welcome!” says vivacious yet petite Laure d’Aramon, nee Manencourt, who grew up at Chateau Figeac. At 8:00, fellow journalists and I make our way to the “big house” where Laure’s mother Marie-France lives. MORE >>

The Cabernet Sauvignon was perfect with dinner, matching equally well with salmon as it did chicken and pork, and the elegant Sauvignon Blanc was very Graves like (a region in Bordeaux) with incredible richness on the palate. Bernard Portet on left, his son Olivier center, and guest at right. More About Bernard Portet. MORE >>

am in the "blind" tasting group with several other top name journalists and together we will taste the whites and the reds of the Grand Cru Classe De Graves "blind.". Do you see this beautiful chateau in the picture above? During this week, journalists are divided into small groups to taste the wines of various regions each day. MORE >>