Just as parts of Hong Kong are separated by the harbour, so the Bordeaux wine-making region of France is split into the Left Bank and Right Bank. Both sides are home to some of the world's most expensive wines, but the Right Bank garners attention for only a handful of brands: Cheval Blanc, Petrus, Angelus, Ausone and Le Pin. Perhaps that's because Right Bank vineyards are smaller, the chateaux more modest and budgets for travel to Asia necessarily tighter. One of the two key Right Bank districts is Saint-Emilion, a medieval village crafted from limestone, with steep cobblestone streets, and almost certainly the most handsome in Bordeaux.
Saint-Emilion has a classification system that is reviewed every decade or so, and not without controversy. Keep in mind there are more than 200 wines designated as grand cru here, making that a basic designation in Saint-Emilion. The more lofty designations are grand cru class?s (53 wines) and the coveted premiers grand cru class?s (13). Two of these are further honoured as premiers grand cru class?A: the famed Chateau Cheval Blanc and Chateau Ausone.
In the Middle Ages, a group known as the Jurade was granted a charter to govern Saint-Emilion by England's King John - England then having regency over Bordeaux as part of its Aquitaine holdings. The Jurade's duties included exercising quality control over the region's red wine. The order still exists in the form of a ceremonial fraternity, which promotes the wines of Saint-Emilion.
Ch?teau Canon la Gaffeli?re 2000, Saint-?milion Grand Cru Class?
Traditional and classic. Pretty restrained fruit with earthy notes but penetrating palate fruit. Well structured and classic with an impressive finish. Superb.