Friday, 6 January 2012

CBE 2003


This is not about a gong (medal) for bravery during SARS: this is about the top of the controversial Cru Bourgeois classification of 2003. CBE stands for Cru Bourgeois Exceptionelle and there are nine chateaux which were awarded this distinction. Two were not obtainable for this PWC dinner in 2009. The line-up that night included Siran, Poujeaux, Phelan Segur, Potensac, Ormes de Pez, Chasse-Spleen and Labagorce-Zede. The two that I could not obtain were de Pez and Haut Marbuzet. I got a bottle of the former now, but still cannot get Haut Marbuzet 2003.

There were a lot of recriminations about the whole Cru Bourgeois classification, leading to court battles and its final annulment. (Similar things happened with the St Emilion Grand Cru classification too.) But back to the dinner, it was a pleasant evening, with many participants impressed by the offerings of wineries which some had dubbed "sixth growth".


On a sadder note, Ch Labegorce-Zede was absorbed into Ch Labegorce in 2009 and is hence no more. Even if the CBE 2003 classification were reinstated now, there would only be 8 chateaux left!

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