Philippe Bascaules — today, the Managing Director of Château Margaux, Bordeaux. The 1855 Premier Grand Cru Classé — alongside Lafite, Latour, Haut-Brion and Mouton Rothschild, one of only five estates at the summit of the wine world.

In the early 2000s, they worked side by side at Inglenook in Napa. Under Bascaules, Hayashi learned the French way — wines of flowing, elegant persistence. Bascaules eventually returned in triumph to Margaux. Hayashi stayed in Napa, pouring those teachings into Hayashi Wines ever since.

More than 20 years on, Hayashi still calls the Managing Director of Château Margaux 'Philippe.' The man at the very top of the wine world — by his first name. And Bascaules, in turn, calls him 'Yasu.' Just as in their Napa days, shoulder to shoulder — a bond beyond titles.