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