Connoisseur Week 2024: Behind the Scenes

“I honestly can’t believe all this just happened… thank you… thank you… and thank you!”

The third edition of the legendary Connoisseur Week took place from June 4 to 9, 2024. It was another magical trip to Bordeaux with our guests staying at the completely privatised Château Beychevelle in St Julien, and the gorgeous private accommodations of Château Troplong Mondot in St Emilion. There is already a waiting list for the next edition, due to take place from June 3 to 8, 2025, but there’s still time to add your name…

“Wonderful, marvellous, and the experience of a life-time… thank you for sharing your experience and knowledge in a genuine and authentic way”

Visits included a private tour and lunch at Château Latour with estate director Hélène Genin, barrel tasting and vineyard walk with director Thomas Duroux before dinner with ex-Sketch and Le Balzac chef Jean Denis Le Bras at Château Palmer, a private vineyard walk and tasting of Château Lafleur with Ralitsa Todorieva, supper in the Médoc’s most welcoming kitchen with Jean-Guillaume Prats and rare vintages of Léoville Las Cases including the blockbuster 1996, a dinner under the stars at L’Evangile with Saskia de Rothschild, lunch with iconic winemaker Peter Sisseck, where he shared his Rocheyron wines and new Xerès project Vina Corrales Fino, and a warm and intimate evening at Château Valandraud with Jean-Luc and Murielle Thunevin, after a visit to the original garage in the centre of St Emilion that saw the birth of a wine revolution. The final day saw a visit to the 12th century Chapelle de Condat, one of Aquitaine’s oldest buildings that dates back to the time of Eleonor of Aquitaine before lunch with François Janoueix and a host of rare vintages dating back to 1947, followed by a music-filled evening by the pool at Château Troplong Mondot, with the barbecue manned by Michelin-starred chef David Charrier.

“Thank you for the experience of a lifetime”

The wines highlights this year tasted included 1947 Bouscaut, 1955 Pichon Baron, 1960 La Fleur-Pétrus, 1963 Haut-Brion, 1988 Latour, 1989 Palmer, 1970 Léoville Las Cases, 1961 L’Evangile and the extremely rare Blanc de Château Palmer 2018. All tasted ex château, all with the owners or winemakers themselves – and a couple of incredible value 2nd wines, including the superb Mondot 2018. A stunning collection from what was an unforgettable week – with full tasting notes for these wines and more here (subscriber content).

“We were immediately welcomed with kindness and enveloped with warmth… with life changing experiences we could not have imagined”

Next year’s Connoisseur Week will take place from June 3 to 8, 2025, and once again will offer incredible access and experiences in Bordeaux’s top estates, with hosts Sarah Kemp and Jane Anson. Waiting list now open (just email hello@janeanson.com) if you would like to be among the ten guests, with the ten seats to be released next week.