When asked by Bruno Borie at Château Ducru-Beaucaillou if he would like the long or the short tour of the property, Marc Bouffard had no hesitation in his reply. Only the long tour would do. To walk the vines, talk with the team, and understand the reasoning and resonance behind every winemaking decision was his greatest wish. Knowing that not everyone will have the time and good fortune to get to know the wines of Saint-Julien’s châteaux in this way, Marc decided to set down what he learned in this book, sharing his experiences of each of the appellation’s 11 Grand Cru Classé châteaux, in the hope that readers will find a deeper understanding of its wines, its people, its vineyards and its vintages.

• In an in-depth exploration of one of Bordeaux’s most highly respected wine appellations, Marc explains Saint-Julien’s claim to fame and fortune…

• Peeling back the polished veneer… the author’s conversations with the owners and winemakers reveal the history and the human stories behind these wines

• A tour of each château delves into the inner workings of each winery and cellar, and the layout of each vineyard

• Detailed maps by Alessandro Masnaghetti clearly outline the main vineyard plots and their relation to the all-important Gironde estuary

• With an eye to the future: Marc highlights the evolving balance between tradition and innovation as the châteaux refine their routes toward sustainability and quality 

• The highs and lows of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc (Bordeaux’s illustrious grape trio) as their fortunes flex with every vintage, each winemaker, and the uncertainties of Climate Change, are outlined for each château

• Marc’s brilliantly evocative tasting notes bring to life a century of wines, from the present day back to 1922, revealing the drinking prospects for each vintage 

• Marc’s descriptions encourage deeper engagement with each château, aiming (successfully!) to bridge the gap between reader and region, for novices and seasoned wine-enthusiasts alike