Jean-Luc Rocha, winner of the prestigious "Meilleur Ouvrier de France"
takes over from Thierry Marx

Created by the Pauillac grand Cru Classé Château Lynch-Bages in 1989, Château Cordeillan-Bages has been part of the Relais & Châteaux chain since 1991. Thierry Marx prepared his last meal on Saturday 10 April, leaving Cordeillan-Bages for a new job in an international hotel and catering group. These days, he is no longer personally present in the kitchen, but the team he trained remains intact, and true to Cordeillan-Bages and to the spirit of the firm.

Château Cordeillan-Bages commends the work achieved under Thierry Marx's direction since 1995, which, in 2000, earned this establishment the accolade of two Michelin stars.

Since 10 April this year, Jean-Luc ROCHA has taken the helm in the restaurant where he has been Executive Chef since 2005.

The quality of his work earned him the coveted title of "Meilleur Ouvrier de France" 2007 and has shot him to the forefront today.


Regarding his cuisine, Jean-Luc Rocha says:

"I'm a pure product of the modern school of French cuisine, always eager to try something new, but also setting very high standards.
My skills combine technique and modernity with tradition. Exuberance in cooking is not an end in itself and can only work if it is underscored by rigorous technique and great technical knowledge of the basics of my profession.
I love sharing and socialising. I produce a delicious, no-nonsense, balanced cuisine, to which I add a touch of fantasy and sophistication to feast the eyes and titillate the taste buds, as I always like to surprise and reassure."

Wine Tourism Prize for Jean-Michel Cazes

On 27 January 2010, Jean-Michel Cazes received from Hervé Novelli and Paul Dubrule the "Pionnier de l’Œnotourisme" prize, awarded to the Cazes family for its longstanding and ongoing initiative fostering the tourist development of French winegrowing regions.

The idea of a national wine-tourism prize launched in 2009 by Paul Dubrule, President of the Conseil Supérieur de l'Œnotourisme, and instigated by Michel Barnier, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, and Hervé Novelli, Secretary of State responsible for Commerce, Small Businesses and Tourism, resulted in a national competition with over 200 candidates taking part.


Primeurs and the 2009 Vintage

"Here comes the sun..."

Things are looking extremely auspicious for the 2009 vintage: good rainfall levels, plenty of sunshine, cool nights alternating with warm days, a superb September, and lovely fine weather during harvest. The maturity and sanitary state of the grapes were perfect, and the wines are rich and concentrated but well balanced. These all point to a vintage at least equal to or even better than that of 2005, perhaps even approaching the great vintages of the 40s...

Tasting Note - Château Lynch-Bages 2009
Very powerful and well-balanced. The colour is deep and the nose reflects the sunny growing season with remarkable ripeness and overtones of blackcurrant and black fruit. The wine starts out unctuous and straightforward on the palate with impressively concentrated, elegant tannin accompanied by plenty of body.
2009 Lynch-Bages has a rich and opulent flavour enhanced by fresh acidity that contributes to perfect balance and an incredibly long aftertaste.
March 2010

Discover over 100 Grands Crus and meet the ambassadors of the great wines
of Bordeaux!

During this exclusive weekend dedicated to lovers of Grands Crus, you will have the opportunity to taste the wines from Bordeaux's greatest appellations (Médoc, Graves, Pessac-Léognan, Sauternes, Barsac, Saint-Emilion and Pomerol), to dine in the presence of the owners in the region's most prestigious properties, and to be welcomed into the chateaux for visits and unique tastings.

Choose your accomodation (a Relais & Châteaux in the heart of the wine-growing area, a charming B&B, or a hotel in the centre of Bordeaux) and discover the vast wealth of the gastronomy and wines of Bordeaux.

Download detailed program...