4 days ago
Exploring the Bordeaux wine region, one chateau at a time
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Bordeaux is a port city on the Garonne River in southwestern France, where wine is not just produced, but passionately lived.
A land of vines, elegance, and enduring stories, it has long been the beating heart of French viticulture. Split by the Gironde estuary, the Left Bank (which is more Cabernet Sauvignon-driven) is all about structure and longevity, while the Right Bank (Merlot-led) charms with supple textures and aromatic complexity.
Our group of eight wine lovers from Penang set off on a thoughtfully curated journey by Malaysian wine importer and distributor, 3nity Wine (led by June Tui), through Bordeaux's Left and Right Banks. During the tour, we visited 12 remarkable chateaux and tasted vintages that most enthusiasts can only dream of.
On top of that, we arrived just ahead of the 2025 En Primeur campaign – an annual campaign in Bordeaux where people can buy wines from top chateaux before they are bottled – so we had the thrill of being among the first to sample the 2024 vintage straight from barrel.
It was truly an unforgettable start to our adventure.
Wong and his wife, Datin Seri Teh Beng Swan, enjoying the special pour by the Chateau owner Quie (standing, right) at Chateau Rauzan-Gassies.
Grand tasting journey
Each of the 12 estates had its own soul and story to tell. From Saint-Emillion's historic charm to the gravels of Margaux, we wandered through vineyards, stone cellars, and tasting rooms – each designed to reflect the character of the wines and the individuality of each chateau.
We were warmly welcomed as we immersed ourselves in the philosophies, legacies and traditions of the place. We experienced the very heart of Bordeaux through its land, wines, and the passionate people who keep the heritage alive.
One of the most memorable experiences we had was at Chateau Fleur Cardinale. Its owners, Caroline and Ludovic Decoster, offered us a home-style lunch that paired thoughtfully with their Grand Cru Classé wines. It was more than a meal, it was a story told through taste.
Their willingness to share their journey, from porcelain to wine, reflected their creative approach to winemaking. The porcelain pieces on display were drawn from their family's legacy, and were as admirable as their wines.
Ooi surrounded by barrels of wine at Chateau Rauzan-Gassies in Margaux.
Meanwhile, at Chateau Clinet, charismatic owner Ronan Laborde hosted us personally and guided us through a tasting session that included the majestic 2009 vintage – rich, velvety, and unforgettable.
He didn't just pour the 2009 vintage, he shared the soul of Pomerol with us. He embodied the spirit of Clinet: vibrant, romantic, intense, and heartfelt.
His philosophy made it clear, Clinet is more than wine, it's emotion in a bottle. Over at Chateau Lagrange, we had a rare treat – a blind tasting of four 1989 Bordeaux, led by the estate director, Matthieu Bordes.
Tasting without labels was certainly thrilling. It encouraged us to trust our senses, savouring the structure, balance, and ageing character of each glass without preconception. It was a humbling and enriching exercise that deepened our appreciation for the art of winemaking.
The experience flowed seamlessly into a beautifully paired lunch, where Lagrange's 2018 and 2020 Grand Vins showcased the estate's hallmark precision and finesse.
At Chateau Rauzan-Gassies in Margaux, Anne-Francoise Quie was the gracious, down-to-Earth and impeccably elegant owner. We were welcomed into a glamorous chandelier-lit dining room, where we enjoyed six courses paired with more than 10 wines.
As a final flourish, Quie uncorked champagne from her private cellar, adding sparkle to an already vivid sensory journey.
Beyond these highlights, the rest of the journey unfolded with just as much depth and excitement.
Chateau de Pressac offered sweeping hilltop views and bold, structured wines with a sense of history, while Chateau Balestard La Tonnelle, with its historic tower, served graceful, aromatic Merlot with poetic flair.
Chateau Angelus is a Grand Cru Classe A estate.
At Chateau Angelus (a Grand Cru Classe A, the highest level of classification for wine estates), tradition and innovation met in powerful, elegant wines beneath the chime of its iconic bells.
Chateau Haut-Bailly brought elegance grounded in mineral purity, with wines that speak softly yet leave a lasting impression. Nestled in Pessac-Leognan, the estate is known for its gravel-rich terroir, which imparts finesse and structure to its blends.
Chateau Palmer charmed with silk-textured blends from biodynamic vineyards, full of finesse and depth.
Chateau Montrose in Saint-Estephe commanded attention with its bold, structured reds and stately grounds – a true reflection of strength, heritage, and enduring elegance.
Chateau Troplong Mondot stood tall – literally – at the highest point in Saint-Emilion, offering commanding vineyard views and ambitious, full-bodied wines.
And finally, Chateau Monlot, under Chinese actress-entrepreneur Zhao Wei's modern vision, merged boutique precision with cinematic flair, producing expressive wines within a sleek, contemporary estate.
Chateau Palmer
We stayed a night at Petit Monlot, the chateau's intimate guesthouse nestled among the vineyards. It was a peaceful retreat, and marked a fitting finale to our Bordeaux adventure.
For all of us, each cellar echoed with tradition, each vineyard glowed with pride, and each bottle told a tale. The generosity, warmth and willingness of the chateaux owners to share their craft, heritage, and philosophies with us made the trip unforgettable.
Our group came to Bordeaux with excitement, and we left with friendships, knowledge, and stories we'll be telling – with glass in hand – for years to come.
The views expressed are entirely the writer's own.
The Malaysian travellers at Chateau de Pressac with the owner (centre).
