Bordeaux 2024 Primeurs: Pauillac
As is customary, I allowed the little Fiat 500 to coast down the hill below Cos d’Estournel, before crossing the boundary into the Pauillac appellation.
Glancing into the rear view mirror, the sight that met my eyes caused my heart to skip a beat. I knew I had recognised the voice, but I still not dare believe it to be true. But it was! Sitting centrally on the back seat, returning my gaze with a furrowed brow, was Taylor Swift.
Or, at the very least, a physical manifestation in the form of Taylor Swift.
It can’t be the real Taylor Swift, because having finished her Eras Tour in December 2024, a little over a year after being declared the youngest-ever female self-made billionaire (I am certain her cameo on Winedoctor contributed to this achievement), Taylor is currently residing in Nashville, Tennessee. Winding down after a long phase of touring, Taylor is now enjoying being under the radar a little, spending time with friends and family, and updating the displays in the Taylor Swift Education Center at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
At least I think so.
I mean, it’s not like I am a Swiftie Super Fan or anything like that.
No, this was last year’s Embodiment of Primeurs Past, no doubt sent to guide me round Bordeaux once again by the Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux, better known simply as the UGC.
“Colin, pull over, that’s Lafite behind the trees,” she instructed.
I did as I was told (again, as already noted, I always do). Having now found my tongue I put Taylor straight on my name.
“Oh no, I’m sorry, you’re quite wrong. Your name is Colin.” She whipped a notebook from a secret side-pocket in her sparkling blue and silver sequin-studded leotard, and began thumbing through the pages. “No, I have it here, a note from François-Xavier Maroteaux at the UGC – he’s such a darling – that I’m attached to Colin Hay this year. So you must be Colin.” Her eyes, reflected in the mirror, burned with an intensity I don’t think I had ever seen before, before they suddenly softened.
“Having said that, your face does ring a bell. Are you the absolute disaster zone I accompanied last year? Driving the Suzuki Swift?”
Disaster zone? Ouch. Yes, of course, that was me.
“Oh well,” sighed Taylor. “There’s been a mistake, but let’s just roll with it. I can deal with it if you can. Although I don’t know how Colin Hay will get on with the spirit guide intended for you. I hear Celine Dion can be a bit of a firework at times.”
Secretly, inside, I gave praise for Taylor. And for Twingo. With this team on my side, this was going to be a good primeurs trip. All I have to do is weather the incessant nitpicking and criticism. Not to mention the diva behaviour. And I need to find somewhere to put the baby seats and roof rack. It was getting cramped in here.
-o-
I turned the 500 into the gateway of Latour, talked my way past the sentry, and headed down to the parking area. Leaving Twingo and Taylor on their best behaviour I walked back up the hill for a tasting with Latour technical director Hélène Génin, who was forthright, open and sanguine about the nature of the vintage.
