Visit Pichon Baron or Margaux? Haut Brion re-opening?

Travel, Wine Tourism, and Restaurants Forum
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Aloha, from Hawaii.

Planning first trip to Bordeaux in July. Have only 2 days because I’m on cruise ship schedule. Day 1 in Saint-Emilion is booked. Day 2 on left bank is down to either Pichon Baron or Margaux in the morning.

Pichon Baron visit is 2 to 2.5 hours with barrel tasting plus Les Tourelles de Longueville 2019, Les Griffons de Pichon Baron 2019, and Chateau Pichon Baron 2019 and 2016. €200 ea. Yikes!. They offer a 90 minute visit for €80 each, tasting essentially the same 4 wines. Probably lunch at Cafe Lavinal then return to port in Bordeaux by 3.

Margaux visit is 60 mins but tasting Pavillon Rouge only. It’s free but no grand vin. (Our driver says they usually pour the grand vin, but I have no such knowledge of such things.) Would have an hour to kill before lunch. Considering Nomade. Then back to the boat.

Any thoughts on Pichon Baron versus Margaux? Cafe Lavinal or Nomade?

I consider myself an enthusiast, a mid-level oenophile. I’m not a professional and don’t have connections. Margaux is the only first growth I could get. Do I go simply because I shouldn’t miss an opportunity to visit a first growth, or is that just chasing labels? I hope to revisit Bordeaux someday, but one never knows.

Also, reportedly Haut Brion is under construction until summer. If I can get in, it probably would be first choice.

Anyone have updates on Haut Brion re-opening?

Thanks for your help.

P.S. This is my first post. Apologies if it’s not in the right place, in the right format, or has other errors.

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I suspect most would automatically assume Margaux given it’s higher classification and name dropping status. But it sounds like your experience would be far more interesting at PB. I’ve done visits to both and truthfully our visit at Margaux - even with the thimble of the grand vin offered (we didn’t pay so who am I to complain and it was lovely), was a disappointment relative to expectations. Generic tour from an uninspired guide/PR rep (whom I can’t even remember if male or female). It felt like a bit of an assembly line process, versus a much more personalized experience we had at Pichon. Both are fabulous opportunities regardless and there’s no real wrong choice, just preference.

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Haut Brion is under construction, as you noted, but they do have tours/tastings available at sister property LMHB. I’m heading there in June and booked a visit.

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Can you get into Ducru. Prettiest place I have been to in the Medoc and great wines

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I would recommend this, too.

As for PB vs. Margaux: I think Margaux is the better visit.

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Thanks, Steve.

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For Medoc, it was a coin toss between PB and Ducru.

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Thanks. Noted.

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Went to both places in 2014 and thought Ducru was the better visit.