Uncorked: Allan Sichel of Maison Sichel

Allan Sichel is managing director of the Bordeaux-based producer and négociant, Maison Sichel, and vice president of the CIVB.

Allan Sichel

What Vintage are you? 

1962

What bottle sparked your love of wine?

Must have been my first bottle of milk …. I was brought up at Angludet so I’ve never known life without wine.

Ambition or talent – what matters more?

I prefer willpower and determination which is a state of mind. Ambition and talent are important but mostly set in one’s genes.

What would you be as a wine?

Probably a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon in a cool vintage …. Born in Bordeaux,  not always very communicative, sometimes serious and can even appear a little austere. The initiated appreciate its depth, structure, consistency and reliability over time.

Where are you happiest? 

Outside, around an open fire.

What’s your greatest vice?

Chocolate mousse and cheesecake… My mouth is watering just mentioning it.

Best advice you ever got?

Never look for excuses, take responsibility and get on with it.

Your cellar’s underwater, which bottle would you dive in and save?

The most expensive.

What’s the best & worst thing about the wine business?

Best : It’s forever changing, every year is different. Worst :  It’s forever changing, every year is different

Personal satisfaction (Parker points)

94 …. But I‘m working at reaching a 100 point score.

Desert island vine?

I wouldn’t bother. There’s no point if you are going to be drinking it on your own and anyone would soon get bored of the same wine day in day out. It would also take several decades to understand the terroir to make a decent wine and I’d be hoping to be off the desert island before that.

Which wine would you like served at your funeral?

Château Angludet from the best vintage of every decade I’ll have lived. It would bring surprising revelations and spark off many interesting discussions, making it a fun day for those who are there.