Category Archives: Adventures Around the World

Restaurant Le Tertre

Adventures Around the World

We first saw this restaurant on our own independent visit to Saint Emilion. With shaking knees (the terrain is rocky and steep), I read the menu from the outside and thought it was wonderful. Luckily, Dave remembered that this was going to be one of the restaurants we were going to try in the Bordeaux WIne Experience tour, so we decided to hold off till then.

On the last day of the tour, we did get to eat at this restaurant and it was such a delight! I only ask that you don’t get dissuaded by the perilous trek to this restaurant. It is totally worth the effort.

Snails a la Bordelaise
Mackerel pate with bread crisps and seafood cream sauce
Coq au vin with onions, mushrooms, bacon and spatzle
Fillet of hake with rocket cream sauce
Duck breast from Lande with spicy citrus ginger sauce

Desserts—to die for!

Figs poached in wine with almond mousse and fig sorbet
Apple cake with armagnac and vanilla ice cream
Extra special wine because it came out of a cellar carved out of solid rock

It was perfect meal for our shaky knees!

 

The Bordeaux Wine Experience – Day 4

Adventures Around the World

This is my most awaited day. We were slated to go to Pessac-Leognan and Sauternes (my absolute favorite!). Sauternes is the first wine that I really fell in love with. Maybe because of my inherent fascination of microbes in my line of work. So I am really enthralled over the idea that a fungus (Botrytis) plays a huge role in the making of such a complex and delicious wine.

We started at Haut Brion where we had the privilege of witnessing their very own cooper at work.

I have to say, this is the most beautiful tasting room yet

As usual, Dave could not resist taking pictures with the big “guns”

Second stop is Chateau Haut Bailly. The real treat here is lunch at Chateau Haut Bailly’s private dining room, with Chef Jean Charles Boisson, one of the region’s new breed of top chef (who is not eligible for a Michelin star since he cooks in a chateau, not open to the general public) who prepared an absolutely wonderful meal. But before all that, there was an array of hor d’oeuvres.

All amazing!

Finally — Chateau d’Yquem!!!

Everything in this place is magnificent. The palatial chateau (is that redundant?), the well-manicured grounds, the rich history, and of course, the heavenly Sauternes
An entire wall of d’Yquem in various vintages

This is from their gardens.

Finally, I have been to the mothership!

But the day is not done. We were in for more treats as we proceeded to Le Saint James, a Michelin-starred restaurant for dinner. Click on the link for my review and awesome pics.

Here is the mind-blowing list of wines for the day:

  • Le Clarence de Haut Brion 2011 (Second wine of Château Haut Brion, 1e Grand Cru Classé) AOC Pessac-Léognan
  • La Parde de Haut Bailly 2013 (second wine of Chateau Haut Bailly, Grand Cru Classé), AOC Pessac-Léognan
  • Chateau Haut Bailly 2014, Grand Cru Classé, AOC Pessac-Léognan
  • Champagne Pol Roger, Extra Cuvée de Reserve, AOC Champagne
  • La Parde de Haut Bailly 2011 (second wine of Chateau Haut Bailly, Grand Cru Classé), AOC Pessac-Léognan
  • Chateau Haut Bailly 2011, Grand Cru Classé, AOC Pessac-Léognan
  • Chateau Haut Bailly 2008, Grand Cru Classé, AOC Pessac-Léognan
  • The “Y” of Chateau Yqyem 2016, AOC Bordeaux Blanc Sec
  • Chateau d’Yquem 2015, 1e Grand Cru Classé Supérieur, AOC Sauternes
  • Château Brondelle 2016, AOC Graves blanc
  • Château Dompierre “Les Charmes” 2015, AOC Médoc
  • Castelnau de Suidiraut 2010, AOC Sauternes (Second wine of Chateau Suidiraut, 1er Grand Cru Classé)