Dunbar Charity Wine Event - Bordeaux First Growths Dinner

For any wine lover, the ultimate wine experience is often to taste one of the First Growth (Premier Grand Cru Classé) wines of Bordeaux.

Out of around 2000 châteaux in Bordeaux, just 66 were given the status of Grand Cru Classé in the famous 1855 classification of the wines of the Médoc. Within this classification (slightly revised in 1973) there are five tiers from Fifth Growth (5éme Grand Cru Classé) to First Growth (1er Grand Cru Classé).

To taste any Grand Cru Classé wine is normally only a very special occasion.

But to taste a First Growth is a unique experience. Only a few wine collectors and the most expensive restaurants will generally have them. On the rare occasions when individual bottles come up for sale, prices are typically in the range £750-£1200 a bottle (depending on the year).

Even so, these wines need time to develop - drink them too young and they are too harsh. Most people would say at least 8-10 years for any Grand Cru Classé wine and at least 15-20 years for a first growth - and in a good year they will keep much longer. Even the top restaurants rarely have wines that old.

But on 21 November 2024, I am delighted to invite you to join us for the ultimate Bordeaux First Growth Dinner - with not one but two First Growth wines, both at 25+ years old! See below for the full menu.

We will have the incredible treats of Château Latour 1999 with the main course and Château Lafite-Rothshild 1993 with the cheese.

We will also have a Champagne Bollinger aperitif, a top white Bordeaux with the starter, two ten year old classed growth wines with the soup (even those would be an incredible event) and another 25-year old classed growth with the main course - the outstanding Château Calon-Ségur 1999. And we will finish with a top Grand Cru Classé Sauternes with the dessert!

This event is a dinner - not just a tasting - and it is only possible because of the support of amazing amateur chef Anne Harvey who is cooking the food (with meat or vegetarian options) and also donating one of the top wines! Unlike other events in this series, the dinner will be hosted at the home of Anne and her husband in Belhaven (on the edge of Dunbar), rather than at my address.

There will be just 10 places at the dinner, and four will be reserved for the two couples arranging the event, leaving just six places to book. So don't delay if you would like to come!

As with all the Dunbar Charity Wine Events, there is no fixed charge to attend, but the event is arranged in support of the Scottish Refugee Council. In view of the incredibly special wines being served we suggest a donation of at least £99/person (but you are free to give more or less according to your circumstances).

Please note that a separate booking is needed for each person attending - so if you are booking two people please go through the booking process for each person. If you are booking for a guest please book with the name of the person attending - but you can give your own email if you would like the confirmation to come to yourself.

Host or Publisher Gareth Morgan DipWSET