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RECAP: Union Des Grands Crus de Bordeaux 2025, Chicago

Writer's picture: Elise VauxElise Vaux

Hey there, Wineologists! Pardon my delay on getting this posted, it’s been a busy week! 





I’ve been getting a lot of inquiries regarding my experience in Chicago at Unions Des Grand Crus des Bordeaux and wanted to give you a recap. 


First of all, the event took place at the historic Drake Hotel. This hotel was built in 1919 and the architecture and art is very reminiscent of the 1920’s opulence. It’s a vibe! (Insert photo) While I loved the location of the event, last year, I attended the event in NYC and there were probably twice as many producers in New York than there were in Chicago this year. Unfortunately, for this reason, there were a number of chateaux I wasn’t able to experience. Lesson learned, Wineologists, NYC next year!


Chateau Lafite Rothschild - Saskia Rothschild

Not at Tasting. It should come as no surprise that Saskia’s Chateau Lafite-Rothschild did not make an appearance. The majority of 26,000 cases they produce are sold via the futures market, which are then distributed throughout the supply chain. A chateau with that level of prestige and notoriety doesn’t need the kind of exposure an event like this can provide a lesser known chateau. In fact, the future for the 2022 vintage of Chateau Lafite Rothschild is $740, compared to $1200-$1300/btl of the same wine on the general market. Thanks one heck of a guarantee and they need no help from me with that!


Chateau Chasse-Spleen - Celine Villars, $55~

Chateau Chasse-Spleen was one of my top picks of the day! The 2022 vintage is 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, followed by Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and a touch of Cabernet Franc. This wine was bursting with ripe, red fruits, red cherry, currant, ripe cranberry, with subtle notes of dark chocolate and red floral. It was well structured with medium plus, chalky, youthful tannins. This wine hails from a lesser known appellation in Bordeaux, Moulis-en-Médoc and over performs at its price point in a BIG way. This is a producer that deserves more attention for the high level of value it provides for the category! This chateau is fully equipped with an AWESOME story and is female operated! Can’t get enough of badass female wine producers! 

Chateau Coutet - Aline Baly, $50~


The Blanc from Barsac was not at Tasting ☹️


Chateau La Cabanne, Pomerol, $65~ 

This was another winner from the event! Although the 2022 was NOT 100% Merlot, it was damn near close. 94% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc. This producer is extremely environmentally conscious both in the vineyard and in the winery. They are HEV 3 certified and became certified Organic in 2023. Although the 2022 vintage wasn’t technically certifiably organic, the winery was in transition. I have to say, this producer's commitment to their land and maximizing its natural ability to express its terrier through the grapes has REALLY paid off! This was vibrant with the intensity jumping from the glass. This wine had medium plus, soft, supple tannins and stewed fruits that burst on the palate, boysenberry, dark red cherry, liquorice and chocolate. The fruit quality should be very appealing to American wine drinkers, with rich, chewy fruits and great structure. For all of you that think you hate Merlot, you most definitely won’t after this bottle!


Chateau Ruhaul, Graves, $90~ (Rouge)


Not at the Tasting 


Chateau Trotte Vieille, St. Emilion Grand Cru, $105~

Not at the Tasting…I know! The gal that showed up to the carriage house for that piping hot tea did not make an appearance! I was sad too! 


Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte, Pessac-Leognan, $130~

This wine was lovely and very traditional. This is one of the wines that I currently sell at my day job and have always been grateful for the privilege to place this on wine lists around the state.The varietal breakdown was 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, followed by Merlot, Cabernet Franc and a dash of Petit Verdot. This producer was one of the larger ones at the event that day, however, it showed beautifully. This wine had great structure, with medium plus, youthful tannins, both red and dark fruit flavors, notes of cocoa powder and slight flintiness and minerality. If you are a traditional Bordeaux collector, this is most definitely a producer to add to your cellar!

I did have the pleasure as well of tasting their blanc, 90% Sauvignon Blanc and it was KILLER!


Chateau Figeac, St. Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classe "A", $265~

Not at the Tasting ☹️


Chateau Batailley, Pauillac, $100~ 

This was another traditional, yet sophisticated bottle! You might remember from my last post, this producer has an extremely rich history in the region. The 2022 also has a very striking black and gold label, medium plus tannings, bright acidity, red and black fruits and subtle notes of pencil shavings and mineral. 


The Sleepers!


Chateau Franc Mayne, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru


This little baby was 100% Merlot! Chateau Franc Mayne became certifiably organic in 2019 and it showed! When I tasted this wine, I immediately wrote down “limestone,” as the vines are grown on a limestone plateau. The fruit quality was vibrant and luscious, with rich blackberry, dark plum, boysenberry, notes of cedar, vanilla and violet. This wine EXCITED me. I didn’t spit it out and I didn’t dump it. (When you’re tasting through dozens of wines, a dump bucket is your best friend) This is definitely one of those wines you want to keep an eye on when it’s released to the market! Futures will be hard to come by but buy up in the spring time!


Chateau Brane-Cantenac, Margaux


It’s really hard to call this producer a sleeper. This chateau is world renowned and beloved by Bordeaux collectors everywhere. All of the wines they produce are sourced from different plots within the estate and are categorized based on soil types. The Chateau Brane Cantenac is sourced from grapes grown on Terrace 4. This plot is planted on soils from the Quaternary, a dried up river bed with large gravel and subsoils of clay. The varietal make up is 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Carmenere and Petit Verdot. I thought this wine 

was elegant and beautiful with velvety tannins, black currants, cassis and dark chocolate. 



Alright Wineologist, happy Bordeaux shopping! I’ll circle back to this beautiful region soon in a future blog post!


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