Legendary Bordeaux vintner Jean-Michel Cazes has been awarded one of France's highest honours.
Best known as the owner of Pauillac’s Château Lynch Bages, Cazes was presented with ‘la croix de chevalier de la Légion d’honneur’ at his prestigious fifth growth château.
The medal, similar to a British OBE (Order of the British Empire), recognises an individual’s outstanding achievements.
At the ceremony, which took place among close friends and professionals, Cazes was praised for his lifelong work as a vintner, a negociant and a global ambassador for the region’s grands crus.
Cazes, 66, is also the man responsible for the Pauillac super-second growth Pichon Baron and Château Suduiraut in Sauternes. He retired over a year ago, and Christian Seely of AXA Millèsimes took over the portfolio of properties, which also includes port house Quinta do Noval and Hungary’s Disznókó winery.
Written by Tom Chippendale8 January 2002
