Article published in May 2022

Last May (20th) I attended the ceremony in honour of James Suckling, at the Palais de la Bourse (CCI) in Bordeaux. James Suckling, American wine critic was awarded the national medal of merit, awarded by President Emmanuel Macron.

“The National Order of Merit is a French honorary order established on 3 December 1963 by General de Gaulle. It rewards the distinguished military and civilian merits of the French nation. It replaces former ministerial and colonial orders. Wikipedia.

This evening was organized by the Conseil des Grands Crus Classés in 1855 (Médoc & Sauternes), with its Director M. Sylvain Boivert and its President M. Philippe Castéja, but also by the City of Bordeaux and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Mr. Alexander Lipscomb, Consul of the United States in Bordeaux since the summer of 2019 was of course also present.

James Suckling – Alexander Lipscomb (Consul of the United States in Bordeaux)

James Suckling is an American wine and cigar critic and former editor and head of the European Bureau of Wine Spectator as well as European editor of Cigar Aficionado. Wikipedia

James surrounded by representatives of the town hall, the CCI and the Council of Classified Grand Crus (M. Castéja on the right)

James and his wife Marie Kim-Suckling

Nice evening with tasting of the Grands Crus Classés 1855