Les Amis de Bordeaux: A Millennium Feast

Riga Wine & Champagne’s autumn sessions closing dinner and the founding of a brotherhood of Bordeaux lovers

What treasures from the Bordeaux region have we not enjoyed right here in Riga! Remember the Mouton Rothschild vertical tasting? The 1996 Pauillac battle at the good old Vincent? Michael Schuster’s cellar-gems tastings, culminating in the triumph of 1990 Lafite-Rothschild? The Bordeaux floods during Roald Dahl’s reading of “Taste” at Hanzas perons? In other words, it’s no secret that we love Bordeaux in Riga!

Les Amis de Bordeaux à Riga

To make our relationship with this legendary French region a little more official—and, most importantly, to give us a great reason to meet more often in good Bordeaux company—how would you feel about founding Riga’s first brotherhood of Bordeaux lovers in the Baltics, Les Amis de Bordeaux à Riga?

Don’t get us wrong. This won’t be some formal brotherhood, dragged through senile procedures. No obligations, membership fees, nostalgic initiation rituals, or other unnecessary pomp. Just a group of like-minded people that gives us an excuse to enjoy exceptional Bordeaux together from time to time—with a little pomp!

If you join us on the founding evening, 22 November, you’ll receive a fully official confirmation of your membership in Les Amis de Bordeaux à Riga. That means you’ll be the first to receive invitations to all the wonderful Bordeaux gatherings to come!

The event will be opened by one of the world’s most inspiring wine writers, our friend Andrew Jefford. With his inimitable storytelling talent, Andrew will take us on a journey to Bordeaux and explore the phenomenon of vintages. Why is a vintage in Bordeaux so much more than a number on a label? And what exactly makes the 2000 vintage and its wines so desirable and historic?

A Millennium Feast

The biggest stars of Les Amis de Bordeaux’s “Millennium Feast” will be the red Bordeaux wines of the 2000 vintage, now 26 years old and at their golden peak, as youthful power begins to give way to velvety, autumnal complexity. The chef for the Millennium Feast will be none other than Valters Zirdziņš, together with the wonderful B7 team.

To start:
Domaine de Chevalier Blanc Double Magnum | Pessac-Léognan

Right Bank | Saint-Émilion & Pomerol
Château Clos de l’Oratoire 2000 | Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé
Château Canon-la-Gaffelière 2000 | Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé
Château La Fleur de Gay 2000 | Pomerol

Left Bank | Saint-Julien, Margaux, Pauillac, Saint-Estèphe
Château Lagrange 2000 | Saint-Julien
Château Léoville-Barton 2000 Magnum | Saint-Julien
Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste 2000 | Pauillac
Château Calon-Ségur 2000 | Saint-Estèphe

What else? Bring along a bottle of Bordeaux! Although we’ll be serving plenty of 2000 wines, as the evening goes on you’ll want to taste—and share with others—a gem from your own collection. White, red, or dessert wines from any corner of Bordeaux are welcome!

When?
Sunday, 22 November, B7
13:00 Aperitif and Andrew Jefford’s Bordeaux reading
14:00 Start of the Les Amis de Bordeaux meal.