Le Grand Journey for the Senses

There is an old adage saying, 'traveling is all about connecting with the locals.' This way one can understand its culture on a deeper level. If this is true, my recent trip to Paris and Bordeaux - two cities with the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites in France - was everything one could ask for and more. When you can add sharing local cuisine with its wine in an ideal ambiance, then it becomes the ultimate experience.

Day 1:

I knew my epicurean journey would be special when the first thing I heard when I arrived in Paris was, 'Monsieur Park, you have been upgraded to the top floor with the Eiffel Tower view.' My luxurious accommodation involved such landmarks as Hotel Raphael (where Brando and Hepburn used to stay), Hotel Napoleon (where Hemingway and Dali used to frequent), Les Sources de Caudalie (one of the rare Palace-category hotels in France), and Chateau Branaire Ducru (family-run historical estate that dates back to 1680). Combine that with luxury dining at the tables of such master chefs as Alain Ducasse, Gordon Ramsay, Eric Frechon, and Nicolas Masse, and paired with prestigious wines and select company of business leaders and chateau owners, you have the making of a completely blissful experience. 

Day 2:

The privileged wine adventure at arguably the greatest wine region on earth started with none other than Chateau Haut Brion and Chateau La Mission Haut Brion, to many the Holy Grail of wine. The wine of choice of King Charles II, Thomas Jefferson, and John Locke, it is considered the oldest luxury brand of any kind. Then I continued to the other great wine of the Pessac region and one of the greatest transformations in Bordeaux: Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte. The Cathiards spared no expense to produce one of the best reds and whites of elegance and complexity. It was a great privilege to dine with them in their Chartreuse residence, tasting their monumental Robert Parker 100 pts '09 and 25th anniversary '15 white.

Day 3:

Next stop was at the two greatest St Estephe estates: Chateau Montrose and Chateau Cos d'Estournel. Montrose combines power and finesse with one of the finest vineyard sites in Medoc. A wine of softness and elegance, Chateau Cos d'Estournel has a most unique and stunning architecture of an Asian pagoda. 

Day 4:

When it comes to power and opulence, Chateau Latour holds the reign. Considered by many experts as their desert island wine, it's not just a wine - it's a legend! And recently for the first time, Latour has opened its wine Discovery Room in Four Seasons London. Along with the dining room run by the 'Queen' of French cuisine - Anne-Sophie Pic - the Ten Trinity Square Private Club in Four Seasons London is one of the most exclusive clubs in the world. Adjacent to Latour lies one of the largest, greatest, and oldest properties: Chateau Leoville Las Cases. A deeply colored and highly concentrated elixir, it has been producing a wine of First Growth quality for several decades. 

Day 5: 

When it comes to luxury value wines, Chateau Branaire Ducru is the benchmark. Its rose petal and lavender are its distinct characters that are quintessential St Julien. The Maroteauxs have done remarkable work since taking over and is one of Robert Parker's 15 Future Star prospects of Bordeaux.