On the northwest edge of this appellation is the famed Château Cheval Blanc, one of only four Premier Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé – A. They border Pomerol and share the blue clay vein that extends into their property, which produces Merlot of extraordinary quality. As one of the world’s best-known wines, their property reflects the prestige captured in their bottles. Contrasted by traditional buildings, a futuristic structure was designed by Pritzker Architecture Prize winner Christian de Portzamparc with the latest in winemaking technology and customized tanks designed for each and every individual vineyard plot.
Next door is Château La Dominique, open to the public all year with creative ideas in tours and tastings. My favorite is their underground blind tasting experience taken to the extreme. They built an underground tasting room to neutralize all the senses. First, the elevator ride down gets you in a quiet state. Then contrasted by walking on a noisy floor of loose stones. The room is extra dark, with minimal mood lighting. By the time you get to the table and sit down, your senses are heightened and confused at the same time. Now it is time to begin. Bottles of wine, all the exact same shape and size, are covered with black socks. Wine glasses are all black and of the same shape and size. Are you blinded yet? Then they dim the lights even further, and you hear the sound of wine being poured. This is truly blind wine tasting.
They have a gourmet rooftop restaurant La Terrasse Rouge both indoors and outdoors where you will find a large display of red glass stones covering most of the roof beyond the dining area and a view of magnificent vineyard landscapes.
Their menu oozes with temptations, including desserts to die for. You will not be able to go just once! And imagine this: they have all ten Bordeaux first-growths (crus) on the wine list.
Above: Tasting room art created using 8 Bic pens, Chateau de Ferrand; below left, Chateau Soutard; below Chateau la Dominique