Tapestry safely stowed at the house, plans for the rest of the day were not quite as firm. We knew that Saint Emillion was a "must see" during the trip, so that's what was decided. But, with the incredible weather we've been having and the non stop going and fun, the girls asked if they could stay "home" with their cousin Idris. My stomach turned ---- how could we possibly leave the girls behind? David and Jacqueline were not so worried....so, the three of us piled into the car and headed out, leaving Morgan, Margaux, and Madeline to spend time with their incredible cousin, Idris.
Weather was iffy as we moved south and inland from the house. David asked for us to indulge him, with a slight (very slight) detour to see if we could visit and score one of his other favorite wines: Chateau Pontesac. We'd tried looking their site up, on line, but had no luck with a specific location nor an actual "Chateau" to call to visit. Just a town. So, we drove through the beautiful Medoc region of Bordeaux - truly exquisite - vineyards everywhere, with nothing but elegant "Chateau" (houses) set back, often behind very grand gates. Very "unflashy" when compared to Napa and Sonoma. Low and behold, we find the town of Ordonnac, where we believe the vineyards to be located. Down one small road and up another until, at last, we discover a sign indicating "Chateau Potensac". We take it upon ourselves to head up the gravel driveway and enter the very understated building sporting a very understated sign with, simply, Chateau Potensac incsribed above the doorway. Once inside we found five bottles of the wine, just sitting there all alone, with a side door open, into the barrel room. I found workers who were "topping off" the barrels and who informed us that they had neither tastings nor retail sales at the site.
I felt bad for David - since he really was hoping to score a taste and a purchase. Once back in the car, David said "I'm so happy....thanks for indulging me.....now I know where it comes from". Smiles all around and off we head, onto Saint Emillion, as the weather turns from cloudy to rain. A perfect weather change, for a perfect day with grown ups, only!!!!
Our very trusty "TomTom" GPS gets us to the outskirts of the town - which are unlike anything we've seen, so far. Tiled roofs, esclusively, top every building in this hillside town. As we wind up the hill, to park, the rain lets up, and it's just incredible shades of blue, white and grey everywhere.... Once parked, we set off, on foot, to explore.
First priority - lunch. Man, I'm lovin' this trip. As we look for a cafe to have some lunch David scoots into a wine shop - he wants to be sure we have a great bottle of red wine for our beef stew dinner. In case I didn't mention it: Man I'm lovin' this trip. The guys in the wine shop suggest a great little place for lunch: Chai Pascal. We each ordered the soup of the day - an incredible puree of vegetable. Jacqueline opts for a butter lettuce salad for her entree. It had large pieces of buttery/tender pork which have been sauteed at a very high heat and deglazed with wine vinegar - tossed, warm, with the lettuce. David has the duck confit, and for myself, I am scoped out something that a guy was eating at the bar, which didn't appear on the menu. It was yesterday's special, according to the waiter. A veal stew. SOLD. And boy, was I happy that I was eating French Cafe "leftovers". An incredible broth studded with tiny mushrooms and carrots with "melt in your mouth" morsels of veal. Perfect.
Happily, we head out on foot to walk up and down the narrow streets of this incredible ancient village. Then, we head home....separation pangs are hitting us all, as we get into the car to head back "home" and to the girls.....each of us assuaging our guilt with "God, this was another perfect day" comments. As we neared the house the weather turned glorious - sunshine, sunshine, and more sunshine. We knew the girls had also had a great day - they have been in the pool everyday....and, we guessed, today was no exception; it was not. But, they had also been busy with some cooking projects headed up by Iris.
Fresh Atlantic Salmon, grilled by David on this rustic chimney-ed BBQ for dinner. I made a chive butter to go with the fish. Plus, we had mini-mini bow-tie pasta and brocolli. Topped off with some great champagne and, for dessert, the fresh apple tart, made by the girls.
I know this is sounding hard to believe - but it is all true. And, it has all happened just as I've described it. Some activities planned way in advance (Chateau Margaux accepts a very, very, very limited number of visitors each week for tours) and others - spur of the moment. Even the cooking (and, of course, the eating and sipping) has been out of this world!!!!!
Time for bed.....
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