La Maison des Millésimes

La Maison des Millésimes stands at 137 Boulevard Saint-Germain in the 6th arrondissement of Paris, a small cave of about 20 square metres in the centre of Saint-Germain-des-Prés. The house calls itself the specialist of ready-to-drink Bordeaux. Old and sometimes very old vintages are kept for the moment they are opened rather than for years in a cellar. More than 600 references run from 10 to 2000 euros and from 1937 to recent vintages. Everyday bottles fill a selection of the month, while mature Bordeaux such as Las Cases 1985 and Poyferré 1982 are priced for drinking. The stars of the Bordelais are all present, from Ausone and Cheval Blanc to Haut Brion, Lafite, Mouton, Latour, Margaux and Yquem. Old vintages are held for birthdays and anniversaries, with 1966, 1976 and 1986 among the years on the shelf. Wines from Burgundy, the Rhône, the Loire and Champagne are chosen for their price to pleasure ratio. Many rare bottles are sold only in the shop. Thomas tastes at least 3000 wines a year and travels to fairs and vineyards to find the makers of tomorrow. Thomas, Pierre-Yves and Florian advise on serving temperature and decanting, and on food pairing. The house offers gift boxes and bubble wrapping for travel, with delivery in Paris.