Izak Litwar, owner and publisher of www.greatbordeauxwines.com
I have a long history of visiting Bordeaux, dating back to my first trip in 1984. I made subsequent visits in 1985 (during the harvest), 1987, 1988, 1990, and 1993. Since 1995, I have visited Bordeaux every May or June. Starting in 2002, with the 2001 vintage from barrel, I have attended primeur tastings organized by the Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux for invited journalists in March or April each year.
Between 2000 and 2018, I visited Bordeaux twice a year. I attended primeur tastings in March or April and then returned during the harvest in September or October. In 2002 and 2005, it was a primeur tasting only, as I wasn't visiting Bordeaux in the autumn. In 2015 and 2019, I even made three trips to Bordeaux: first for primeur, then in June for Vinexpo, and finally during the harvest in September/October.
Unfortunately, in 2020, I had to cancel my trip to Bordeaux due to the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. Throughout 2021, I tasted and rated hundreds of barrel samples from the 2019 and 2020 vintages and the bottled 2018 vintage, which was sent to me at my home in Copenhagen, Denmark. It was a wonderful experience to taste the wines from the comfort of my home!
Due to COVID-19 restrictions in Denmark, I had to skip the primeur tasting in March and April 2021. However, I was able to visit Bordeaux in November 2021 to taste the 2019 and 2020 vintages. I returned to Bordeaux in April 2023 for the primeur tasting of the 2022 vintage and then again in April 2024 for the primeur tasting of the 2023 vintage.
This website is primarily dedicated to Bordeaux, offering information about harvests and vintages, including profiles of châteaux and detailed tasting notes. There is also a small section devoted to Burgundy and Beaujolais. I regularly share my impressions and tasting notes on the website from each visit to Bordeaux and from vertical and horizontal tastings held in Denmark.
The website is independent, non-profit, and free to use. There are no advertisements or sponsors, and I do not receive payment for my writing from chateau owners, organizations, or private donors. I cover all travel and accommodation expenses myself. Occasionally, chateau owners invite me to lunches and dinners, but this doesn't influence my independent writing.
The primary goal of this website is to share my impressions and tasting notes with fellow wine lovers. Feel free to explore and enjoy!
Left - two magician winemakers, Jacques Guinaudeau and Francois Mitjavile. Right - Joséphine Duffau Lagarrosse is guiding Beausejour on the path to ultimate stardom.
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