Sylvain Cathiard is run by Sylvain and his son, Sebastian. Sylvain is a third-generation Burgundian winemaker and his wines are highly regarded. Burgundy expert Clive Coates notes “there is a touch of genius here in the winemaking.”

Nestled in Pomerol, Château Rouget was once owned by the region’s mayor. Today the Labruyère family of Beaujolais owns it and employs celebrated consulting winemaker Michael Rolland to produce what reviewers call “rich and interesting” wines.

The king of Sauternes, Château d’Yquem is the only wine in the appellation to receive a First Growth distinction. According to local lore, it was the proprietors of this estate who first recognized the value of “noble rot.”