Ep 270 - Bordeaux Beyond the First Growths: How to Find Great Value in Fine Wine

In this episode of Eat Sleep Wine Repeat, Janina heads to Bordeaux, one of the world's most famous wine regions, to uncover a side of Bordeaux that many wine lovers overlook. Beyond the First Growths and headline names, where can you find great value today? How do you know if a fine wine has been stored properly? And why does provenance and traceability matter so much when buying mature Bordeaux? Joined by Michael Saunders, Group CEO of Coterie Holdings, this episode explores the world of Bordeaux fine wine, from First Growths and Cru Bourgeois to En Primeur, mature vintages and hidden gems across the Left and Right Bank. Whether you're looking to learn about wine, deepen your wine education, discover one of the world's greatest wine regions, plan Bordeaux wine travel, or understand how to buy fine wine with confidence, this wine podcast episode is packed with expert insights, practical advice and stories from inside the world of Bordeaux. Shownotes 04:18 – Château d'Yquem 1967 — the bottle that inspired Michael's lifelong passion for Bordeaux and fine wine. 06:24 – Wine is meant to be shared — the lesson Michael learned from legendary Bordeaux winemakers about enjoying wine rather than overthinking it. 10:58 – Breaking into the wine industry — why curiosity matters more than qualifications when building a career in wine. 13:16 – Bordeaux wine today — why this iconic wine region offers more value, accessibility and hidden gems than many wine lovers realise.  15:25 – The Cellar Series explained — how Hallgarten's fine wine programme selects mature Bordeaux with impeccable provenance and traceability. 18:07 – Peak drinking windows — how Robert Mathias MW identifies the perfect moment for mature Bordeaux to be enjoyed. 20:24 – Bordeaux classifications explained — understanding First Growths, Right Bank wines and why classifications still matter today. 22:39 – Where the real excitement is in Bordeaux — terroir expression, plot selection and why innovation is reshaping the region. 24:09 – Michael's Bordeaux recommendation for value: The brilliant Denis Durantou's wines on the right bank. 28:00 – Which Bordeaux vintages are drinking well now? — why 2012, 2013, 2016, 2017 and other overlooked vintages deserve another look. 29:38 – En Primeur explained — how Bordeaux's futures system works and why collectors still buy wine before it's bottled. 32:18 – Large-format bottles — why magnums and double magnums transform both wine aging and the experience of sharing great bottles. 35:55 – Bordeaux wine travel — the city's wine bars, restaurants and the best places to explore across the Left and Right Bank. 37:42 – Planning a Bordeaux road trip — from Saint-Émilion and Pauillac to Arcachon, Biarritz and San Sebastián. 40:05 – Château Margaux — one of Bordeaux's most breathtaking estates and a must-see destination for wine lovers. 41:13 – Why provenance matters — how perfect storage and traceability protect the quality of fine wine. 44:42 – Hallgarten The Cellar Series Fine Wine Tastinghttps://www.hnwines.co.uk/the-cellar-series-fine-wine-tasting/— where wine professionals can experience mature Bordeaux with exceptional provenance. Attendance for the 2027 event is by invitation only and exclusive for the wine, retail and hospitality trade. To register your interest, contact [events@hnwines.co.uk](mailto:events@hnwines.co.uk) 45:30 – Where to buy mature Bordeaux — Michael recommends trusted UK merchants including Lay & Wheeler and Tannin & Oak for wines with impeccable provenance and traceability. 48:28 – Cru Bourgeois explained — the fascinating history behind one of Bordeaux's most important quality classifications. 54:40 – Why Cru Bourgeois offers exceptional value — how today's classification helps wine lovers discover outstanding Bordeaux without First Growth prices. 📩 Email: janina@eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk 📸 Instagram: @eatsleep\_winerepeat 🎥 YouTube: Eat Sleep Wine Repeat 🌐 Website: www.eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk Cheers to you 🥂 THE EAT SLEEP WINE REPEAT PODCAST Featured in Decanter Magazine and Radio Times, and ranked among the Top UK Wine Podcasts by Feedspot. And loved by the Hallgarten Wines team! RECOGNITION: - Finalist, 67 Pall Mall Award for Best Global Wine Communicator in Audio (2025) - Shortlisted, IWSC Emerging Talent in Wine Communication (2025 and 2026) - Ranked #18 in 2024 and #22 in 2025 on Drinks Retailing's Most Influential People in Drinks list