When the first « Châteaux Bordeaux » comic book came out I was quivering with impatience to read about the further adventures of Alexandra Baudricourt. With the same sober, careful graphics, the next issue promised to be equally breathtaking; plus it is set against the same background of the complex world of wine – always a favourite topic!

My hunger aroused in March 2011, it had reached its peak by the time volume 2 came out a year later. Easter Sunday saw me devouring the thing whole. But, alas, I found it much less to my taste! The wine world remains fascinating and you can learn a lot by reading this book, even if it’s only the advice given by Michel Rolland. Nonetheless, the graphics have taken pride of place over the plot. What’s more, as opposed to the first volume, it’s more about wines than about the adventures of our heroine. Certainly, the saga of Alexandra is pursued for about 60 pages, but it’s done in a way that’s more about wine and oenology than about her thrills and spills. The plot hardly advances at all. I fear at this rate we’re going to need 25 volumes, so 25 years, before we finally learn what happens to her in this story which was so promising to start with.     

My critique should nonetheless be taken in moderation, as in drinking a fine wine. It is in fact a good book which gives you a titillating look into the world of wine. All the same I preferred the 2011 vintage of « Châteaux Bordeaux ». The 2012 vintage is très correct, but it lacks body. At Wine Tour Booking (http://winetourbooking.com/ ) we’ll keep you up to date with vintage 2013.