Grapes in the vineyards of Château Lafite-Rothschild as of 19th August 2011. If these end up in the Grand Vin then each grape is probably worth 3.50€...

Small venetians or rubis

World renowned for the quality of its wines, Pauillac also produces some equally fine tomatoes – something known only to a few. Driving past town houses in central Pauillac one wouldn't guess that behind the firmly bolted doors, many have splendid, secluded gardens. Home not only to flowers but also a place where a variety of vegetables thrive none more so than the tomato – perfectly adapted to le terroir.

Green tomato (Thessalonki) with some droplets of water

Black cherry tomatoes

The daily hibiscus flower

Peppers

Ripening tomatoes

Chasselas Rose

Chasselas and flowers

The sweet 'n' sour château

Yesterday in Pauillac it was searingly hot, especially in the afternoon and early evening. – heading towards 40˚C in sheltered parts. Fortunately around 6am this morning there was a short thundery storm, which has cleared the air a bit. Here are a few scenes from a short drive around this morning. The grapes look healthy at the moment, although there is still a while to go yet before the harvest starts. Can anybody afford another very good Bordeaux vintage at the top end? 

Grapes near Château Lafite (above and below)

Cos d'Estournel

Gateway

Château Montrose

Montrose: prepared for rain

Montrose: flag, crane etc.

Montrose: grapes 2010

Château Phelan-Ségur

Sign: Château Meyney

Château Meyney (above and below)

Wild flowers and fishing hut by Gironde near to Château Meyney

On the Pauillac waterfront

It is nearly a month since the climactic time trial stage of 2010 Le Tour de France finished along the waterfront at Pauillac on Saturday 24th August. There still remain some vestiges of its passage in the town mainly in shop displays. On the waterfront there is a still a trailer with a rider taking a reviving swig of red along with a barrel, a lamb and a grape picker plus a château that has echoes of Pichon-Longueville. Perhaps if Andy Schleck had grabbed a bottle of red on his way into Pauillac that Saturday he would have found the strength to overtake Alberto Contador.

Red dope - the key to victory?

Pauillac shop display

 

A few bunches of Chasselas enjoying the evening sunshine 

Given the rather meagre prices certain Pauillacs achieve these days I suppose the INAO might be prepared to consider extending the range of grape varieties permitted in the appellation to help the producers in their hour of need. Possibly you might even see a new appellation – Pauillac-sur-Garonne – with 100% Chasselas permitted ...

Large format bottle on the Quai Antoine Ferchaud, Pauillac

A time trial in cycling is often called the race of truth – pitting one rider against another without the support of a team. At 52 km, today's trial is quite a long test for the riders. It is widely expected that Alberto Contador will increase his slender eight second lead over Andy Schleck today on the virtually dead flat route from Bordeaux to Pauillac past some of the world's most famous wine châteaux. The only First Growth riders might catch a glimpse of will be Latour.

Part of Latour from Pichon-Lalande

The time trial has already started. Last rider – Contador will be off around 4pm French time. So far Tony Martin, who nearly won the Prologue back in Rotterdam, has set the fastest time and at the first intermediate check Fabian Cancellara was nine seconds slower than Martin. Still a long way to go, however.

PS The second time check has just come up with Cancellara now nine seconds up on Martin.

Barbier's Restaurant Le Lion d'Or

23 August 2009

Château Pichon-Longueville

Leaving Pauillac this morning and heading up to Alençon before returning to London. Had splendid dinner cooked by Hugo Naon, who used to be at Cordeillan-Bages and Café Lavinal. Hugo is now planning to open a restaurant in central Bordeaux. Details of the dinner and wines to be added later.

Sunlight on the Gironde as we waited for the ferry from Lamarque to Blaye

Bunch@Château Pichon-Longueville 23rd August 2009

August has been hot and dry down in Pauillac as well. The grapes have changed colour – the véraison looks even with the grapes changing colour at the same time, unlike 2007 when there were very marked differences in maturity within the same bunch. Unlike the equivalent weekend last year, the vineyards are dry and dusty – in 2008 they were saturated with water. If the weather keeps up then 2009 could be a good vintage. There is a risk of storms at the beginning of next week as there is in the Loire but clearing up from Wednesday. Obviously there is a while to go and September could turn out to be poor but things at this stage are certainly looking more promising than they were this time last year and in 2007.

Château Pichon-Longueville grapes: 23rd August 2009

Pichon-Longueville: one vine (left) with esca; one vine healthy

As in other vineyards in France, esca is a problem disease here – it is no respecter of grands crus!

First World War memorial in vineyards of Pichon-Longueville

Château Lynch-Bages well spaced out bunches - 23rd August 2009

Should the vintage be good, I suspect we will see hefty price rises for 2009 Bordeaux en primeur, particularly at the top end.

In contrast: bunches of grapes from the same period in 2008 and 2007

21st August 2008: Pichon-Longueville – still signs of green grapes and some just turning colour

21st August 2008: Pichon-Longueville - still many green grapes here. Ground was also very wet.

19th August 2007: Château Lynch-Bages: very variable ripening

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Other photos of Pauillac

Sign for Château Fonbadet

Château Fonbadet

Sign on a house for workers at Château Latour presumably

As well as grand châteaux and plenty of bling there are also many modest houses in Pauillac