October 31 St-Estephe

IMG 3757 the pool that we didn't but could've used IMG 3758 patio decor IMG 3759 IMG 3753 We were served breakfast...
IMG 3754 in the dining room of the restaurant IMG 3756 coming back with our second coffee. IMG 3760 like the North Coast IMG 3761 Sylvie, our delightful host in Margaux
IMG 3762 We explored the village before taking a train to Pauillac IMG 3763 Wine in a box even in Margaux IMG 3764 IMG 3765 nearing Chateau Margaux
IMG 3766 production IMG 3768 IMG 3769 sycamores IMG 3770 line the road to the chateau
IMG 3771 IMG 3773 through the gate IMG 3776 an unencumbered view - rather grand IMG 3778 lovely lined lanes
IMG 3780 very old vine (glove for scale) IMG 3782 just another chateau in the distance IMG 3784 barrel store IMG 3785 apparently many bottles to recycle here
IMG 3787 back at our hotel to pick up our bags IMG 3788 a free exchange bookrack at the Margaux train station contained a book (not this one) by David Cronin's grandfather. IMG 3789 from Pauillac we walked with our backpacks toward St-Estephe. First stop, another biodynamic wineyard 20171031 121029 courtyard
IMG 3791 and lots of barrels IMG 3792 the adjacent chateau IMG 3793 next stop, Ch. Mouton Rothschild with its gardens IMG 3794 and its chais
20171031 130640 then a long stretch through pretty grim ag worker villages before we reached Ch. Lafite Rothschild IMG 3795 beyond that, we entered the domain of St-Estephe, with its different terroirs symbolized by stones 20171031 131730 a chateau unlike the others IMG 3796 old vines!
IMG 3798 IMG 3799 getting closer IMG 3802 Cos d'Estournel IMG 3801
20171031 132127 hints of South Asia IMG 3800 why the American flag? IMG 3803 roses IMG 3804 production!
IMG 3806 IMG 3807 no dedicated footpaths, luckily not too many cars 20171031 134545 hiker art 20171031 141720 taking a break
20171031 141737 at a winery. We tried to ask permission but finding no one we settled for forgiveness IMG 3808 on the outskirts on St-Estephe, the source of some of our wine on Oct 8 IMG 3810 the village is not far 20171031 143729
20171031 144021 Sequoias IMG 3811 begonias amidst immense lawn 20171031 144559 begonias and sequoias IMG 3812 the Chateau
IMG 3813 the Chateau boxes 20171031 151815 butcher shop as spectacle 20171031 155907 know your meat! 20171031 160724 the alter at St-Mildew
20171031 161017 the old showing through IMG 3814 the start of some kir royale at our house in St-Estephe IMG 3815 step two IMG 3817 step three
IMG 3816 fruit art 20171031 173755 well-appointed kitchen suits Christine 20171031 173810 the salon IMG 3819 comparing two bottles
IMG 3820 lentil stew for dinner