The Bordeaux Wine Tour – 1787

Jefferson arrived in Bordeaux in May 1787, approaching it not just as a consumer but as a methodical observer and recorder. He took notes on wine quality, winemaking practices, prices and soil conditions.

The Vineyards Jefferson Visited

Jefferson’s interest was focused on red Bordeaux wines, particularly from the Left Bank—what we now call the Médoc region. He visited and ranked several châteaux based on their quality, well before the 1855 Bordeaux Classification.

Here’s a breakdown of the vineyards he visited:

1787  Name	Present day name	Notes
Château Lafite	Château Lafite Rothschild	Called it the finest of the Médoc, praised its elegance and longevity
Château Latour	Château Latour	Noted its strength and aging potential; considered it equal to Lafite but different in style.
Château Haut Brion	Château Haut-Brion	Wrote that it was “in a class by itself”
Château Margau	Château Margaux	Described it as “the most delicate and exquisite” of the Bordeaux wines.
Château d’Yquem (Sauternes)	Château d’Yquem	Praised its sweetness and ability to age for decades.