Bordeaux Flashcards
Name the first growths of Bordeaux and their appellation
Château Lafite-Rotschild: Pauillac
Château Mouton Rothschild: Pauillac
Château Latour: Pauillac
Château Margaux: Margaux
Château Haut-Brion: Pessac-Léognan
Name the second growths of St-Estèphe.
Château Cos d’Estournel
Château Montrose
Name the second growths of Pauillac.
Château Pichon Baron
Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande
Name the second growths of St-Julien.
Château Léoville Las Cases
Château Léoville-Poyferré
Château Leoville Barton
Château Gruaud Larose
Château Ducru-Beaucaillou
Name the second growths of Margaux.
Château Rauzan-Ségla
Château Rauzan-Gassies
Château Durfort-Vivens
Château Lascombes
Château Brane-Cantenac
Name the second growths of Pessac-Léognan.
There are none
Name the third growths of St-Estèphe.
Château Calon Ségur
Name the third growths of Pauillac.
There are none
Name the third growths of St-Julien.
Château Lagrange
Château Langoa Barton
Name the third growths of the Haut-Médoc.
Château Lalagune
Name the third growths of Margaux.
Château Kirwan
Château d’Issan
Château Giscours
Château Malescot Saint-Exupéry
Château Boyd-Cantenac
Château Cantenac Brown
Château Palmer
Château Desmirail
Château Ferrière
Château Marquis d’Alesme Becker
Name the third growths of Pessac-Léognan.
There are none
What cru and which appellation is Château Cos d’Estournel part of? What is their second wine?
Second growth of St-Estephe
Les Pagodes de Cos
What cru and which appellation is Château Montrose part of? What is their second label?
Second growth of St-Estephe
La Dame de Montrose
What cru and appellation is Château Pichon Baron part of?
Second growth of Pauillac
What cru and appellation is Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande part of?
Second growth of Pauillac
What cru and appellation is Château Léoville Las Cases part of?
Second growth of St-Julien
What cru and appellation is Château Léoville-Poyferré part of?
Second growth of St-Julien
What cru and appellation is Château Leoville Barton part of?
Second growth of St-Julien
What cru and appellation is Château Gruaud Larose part of?
Second growth of St-Julien
What cru and appellation is Château Ducru-Beaucaillou part of?
Second growth of St-Julien
What cru and appellation is Château Rauzan-Ségla part of?
Second growth of Margaux
What cru and appellation is Château Rauzan-Gassies part of?
Second growth of Margaux
What cru and appellation is Château Durfort-Vivens part of?
Second growth of Margaux
What cru and appellation is Château Lascombes part of?
Second growth of Margaux
What cru and appellation is Château Brane-Cantenac part of?
Second growth of Margaux
What cru and appellation is Château Calon Ségur part of? What is their second label?
Third growth of St-Estephe
Le Marquis de Calon-Ségur (used to be Marquis de Calon before 2013)
What cru and appellation is Château Lagrange part of?
Third growth of St-Julien
What cru and appellation is Château Langoa Barton part of?
Third growth of St-Julien
What cru and appellation is Château Lalagune part of?
Third growth of Haut-Medoc
What cru and appellation is Château Kirwan part of?
Third growth of Margaux
What cru and appellation is Château d’Issan part of?
Third growth of Margaux
What cru and appellation is Château Giscours part of?
Third growth of Margaux
What cru and appellation is Château Malescot Saint-Exupéry part of?
Third growth of Margaux
What cru and appellation is Château Boyd-Cantenac part of?
Third growth of Margaux
What cru and appellation is Château Cantenac Brown part of?
Third growth of Margaux
What cru and appellation is Château Palmer part of?
Third growth of Margaux
What cru and appellation is Château Desmirail part of?
Third growth of Margaux
What cru and appellation is Château Ferrière part of?
Third growth of Margaux
What cru and appellation is Château Marquis d’Alesme Becker part of?
Third growth of Margaux
What were négociants traditionally in Bordeaux?
An intermediary - buying fruit or wine in barrel to age in their own cellar before selling the bottled wine. Faded in influence after WW2 with estate bottling gaining popularity
What were courtiers traditionally in Bordeaux?
Brokers of wine - Supplying the châteaux with financial backing while gaining total control over the actual trade of wine. They are responsible for the current method of en primeur sales
What is the climate of Bordeaux?
Maritime
What influences the climate of Bordeaux?
The Atlantic and the Gironde Estuary moderate
Coastal pine forests protect the Médoc from wind
What are the climate challenges of the Bordeaux
Rain –> grey rot
Wet/damp springs & autumns –> grey rot
Spring frosts –> couloure, millerandage
What is the Bordeaux mixture and what is it used for?
A mix of lime, copper sulfate and water
To avoid fungal disease
Name 9 vintages since 1995 to receive 95 points or higher by Wine Spectator on the Left Bank, ordered from best to least best
2010 (99)
2005 (98)
2009, 2016 (97)
2018 (96)
1995, 2000, 2003, 2022 (95)
Name the 4 best vintages since 2000 for Sauternes & Barsac
2001 (97)
2009 (96)
2011 (97)
2014 (96)
What are the famous recent 2 vintages where Château d’Yquem did not produce their first cuvée?
1992
2012
(also 1910, 1915, 1930, 1951, 1952, 1964, 1972, 1974)
Name 7 vintages since 1995 to receive 95 points or higher by Wine Spectator on the Right Bank, ordered from the best to least best
2010 (98)
2005, 2015 (97)
2009 (96)
1995, 1998, 2022 (95)
What wine may be produced under the Bordeaux AOP?
White, red, rosé, clairet
Describe Bordeaux Clairet
A darker, more aromatic style of rosé that evokes the original claret wines shipped to England in the Middle Ages.
What main grapes are permitted for Bordeaux (Supérieur) AOP red wines?
Cabernet Sauvignon
Merlot
Cabernet Franc
Petit Verdot
Malbec
Carmenère
What “accessory” grapes (for blending) are permitted for Bordeaux (Supérieur) AOP red wines?
Arinarnoa
Castets
Marselan
Touriga Nacional
What soil does Merlot prefer?
Clay
It is early ripening, so the clay delays its natural vigor
What soil does Cabernet Sauvignon prefer?
Well-drained soils like gravel
Water stress adds concentration to the grapes
It has difficulty in limestone and clay
What soil does Cabernet Franc prefer?
Limestone-based soils, which promotes acidity and freshness in the wine
Why do Bordelaise plant and blend together multiple grapes?
Practicality: With all the climate dangers, there is insurance to always have harvest
Complimentary: The grapes are complimentary to each other
What two rivers are in the Bordeaux and into which estuary do they flow?
- Dordogne (north)
- Garonne (south)
Gironde estuary
Name the Médoc AOPs from north to south
(Bas-)Médoc AOP
{{Saint-Estèphe AOP
Pauillac AOP
Saint-Julien AOP
Listrac-Médoc AOP
Moulis AOP
Margaux AOP}} =Haut-Médoc AOP
What wines are permitted within the Médoc AOP?
Red only
What is the difference between the Bordeaux and Burgundy crus?
In Bordeaux the estate holds the cru; in Burgundy the vineyards hold the cru
What special thing happened in Bordeaux in 1973?
Château Mouton-Rothschild got promoted from second growth to first growth.
Influenced by the self-promotion Baron Philippe de Rothschild
What two “additional” designations mark quality châteaux in Bordeaux?
Cru Artisan
Cru Bourgeois
What is the Cru Artisan in Bordeaux?
A cru for exceptional stewards of the land and craft of winemaking, without the financing or apparatus of large-scale operations. The crus artisans work an average of six hectares each.
What is the Cru Bourgeois in Bordeaux?
Divides into three categories:
- Cru Bourgeois Exceptionel
- Cru Bourgeois Supérieur
- Cru Bourgeois
How many times is the Cru Bourgeois & Artisan revised?
Every 5 years
Describe the general Saint-Estèphe AOP style and why
Sturdy and full-bodied.
Higher percentage of Merlot due to the clay to gravel proportion
Describe the general Paulliac AOP style and why
Structured and long-lived.
Deep gravel topsoil, so Cabernet Sauvignon thrives
Describe the general St-Julien AOP style and why
Elegant style.
Produces less wine but more quality. 80% is cru classe
Describe the general Margaux AOP style and why
Often described as feminine: emphasis on floral bouquet, exotic character and finesse.
Thin sandy gravel over limestone, with clay on the outlying areas.
What is the soil of Graves called and what does it consist of?
Boulbenes
Sand, gravel, light clay
Describe the general St-Julien AOP style
Elegant
Describe the general Margaux AOP style and why
Feminine, with floral bouquet, exotic character and finesse.
Thin, sandy gravel deposited over limestone. More clay in the outlying areas.
Describe the soil of Graves
Boulbenes
Similar to the Medoc, but more sandy towards the south. Consists of sand, gravel and light clay.
What used to be the second red and white labels of Château Haut-Brion?
What is it now?
Château La Tour Haut-Brion (red, until 2005)
Château Laville Haut-Brion (white, until 2008)
Now it is Château La Mission Haut-Brion
When was the Pessac-Léognan AOP created?
1987
Under what “big” appellation may sweet wine in Graves be produced?
What smaller appellations are mostly used however?
Graves Supérieur AOP
Cérons AOP
Barsac AOP
Sauternes AOP
What grapes are used for the Sauternes AOP sweet wines?
Sémillon
Sauvignon Blanc
Muscadelle
What are the French & Latin names for noble rot?
Botrytis cinerea
Pourriture noble
What are typical aromas of a noble rot-affected wine?
Honey
Saffron
Dried fruit
Ginger spice
Why is noble rot so present in Sauternes?
It lies at the merging of Ciron and Garonne rivers.
The cool mist of the Ciron meets the warm water of the Garonne, creating humid autumn conditions for noble rot to settle.
When and how were the Sauternes wines classified?
Together with the Médoc 1855 classification. Classified in first and second growths, with one Premier Cru Supérieur.
Which Château is the Premier Cru Supérieur of Sauternes?
Château d’Yquem
What is the dry white wine of Château d’Yquem?
Y (Ygrec)
What villages are part of the Sauternes AOP?
Sauternes
Barsac
Fargues
Preignac
Bommes
What AOP is Fargues part of?
Sauternes AOP
What AOP is Preignac part of?
Sauternes AOP
What AOP is Bommes part of?
Sauternes AOP
What AOP is Barsac part of?
May either be Sauternes AOP or Barsac AOP
What is the prestige cuvée of Château Gilette, part of which AOP?
Crème de Tête
Sauternes AOP
What is so special about Château Gilette’s Crème de Tête?
It ages for decades on concrete vats
Name three notable châteaux in the northern Médoc
Château Potensac
Château La Cardonne
Château Tour Haut-Cassan
What producer is this?
Château Cos d’Estournel, second growth of St-Estèphe
What cru and appellation is Château Lynch-Bages part of?
Fifth-growth of St-Estèphe
What producer is this?
Château Latour, Pauillac
What producer is this?
Château Lafite-Rothschild, Pauillac
What producer is this?
Château Haut-Brion, Pessac-Léognan
What producer is this?
Château Mouton-Rothschild
Describe Château Sociando-Mallet
An unclassified Château just north of the AOP of Saint-Estèphe
Is said to rival first growths in blind tastings sometimes
What producer is this?
Château Margaux in Margaux
What cru and appellation is Château Pontet-Canet part of?
Fifth growth of Pauillac
(biodynamic!)
What is the second label of Château Lafite-Rothschild?
Carruades de Lafite
What is the second label of Château Latour?
Les Forts de Latour
What is the second label of Château Mouton-Rothschild?
Le Petit Mouton
What is the short name of Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande?
Pichon-Lalande
What is the third label of Château Latour?
Pauillac de Château Latour
What producer does this label belong to?
Château Latour
What producer does this label belong to?
Château Lafite-Rothschild
What producer does this label belong to?
Château Mouton-Rothschild
What producer does this label belong to?
Château Margaux
What producer does this label belong to?
Château Haut-Brion
What white wine is produced by Château Talbot?
Caillou Blanc
What white wine is produced by Château Lynch-Bages?
Blanc de Lynch-Bages
What white wine is produced by Château Mouton Rothschild?
Aile d’Argent
What white wine is produced by Château Margaux?
Pavillon Blanc du Château Margaux
What is unique about the Les Arums de Lagrange Blanc?
It is produced including Sauvignon Gris since its start in 1996
What white wine is produced by Château Lagrange?
Les Arums de Lagrange Blanc
What wine is produced under the Premières Cotes de Bordeaux name?
Semi-sweet white wine
What wine is produced under the Cotes de Bordeaux name?
Cross-blends of wine from all the appellations it is an umbrella for
What are the appellations under the Cotes de Bordeaux umbrella?
Cadillac Cotes de Bordeaux (red)
Castillon Cotes de Bordeaux (red)
Blaye Cotes de Bordeaux (red)
Francs Cotes de Bordeaux (white and red)
Ste-Foy Cotes de Bordeaux (white, red, sweet)
Where is Château Pape Clément located?
Pessac-Léognan
Describe Domaine de Chevalier
It is a Graves Grand Cru Classé of a high level, but never had a château.
Where is Château Haut-Bailly located?
It is a Graves Grand Cru Classé
Where is Château Smith Haut Lafitte located?
It is a Graves Grand Cru Classé
Name two very under appreciated and upcoming appellations on the right bank of Bordeaux
Fronsac
Canon-Fronsac
Great value-for-money wines
Describe the Lalande-de-Pomerol appellation
The appellation for the outlying vineyards around the villages of Néac and Lalande-de-Pomerol
Where is Château L’Eglise-Clinet?
Pomerol
Where is Château Angélus?
St-Emilion
Where is Vieux Château Certan (VCC)?
Pomerol
Where is Château Le Pin?
Pomerol
Considered a “cult domaine”
Where is Château Pavie?
Premier Grand Cru Classé (A) in St-Emilion
What are St-Emilion’s satellite villages to the north?
Montagne
Lussac
Pusseguin
St-Georges
They may use St-Emilion appellation
Where is the village of Libourne?
Pomerol
What grapes are used the most in Pomerol?
Merlot first
Then Cabernet Franc (typically 20%)
Describe the classification in Pomerol
There is none
What may be regarded as the best Pomerol château?
Château Petrus
Describe the specific soil of the Château Petrus vineyard?
Distinctive blueish clay over well-drained gravel
Who may be regarded as the promoter of Pomerol and his family which has big influence now?
Jean-Pierre Moueix
The Moueix family, who now also owns Château Petrus
Where is Châteaux La Fleur de Gay and La Voilette?
Pomerol
Where are Châteaux La Conseillante, L’Evangile, Lafleur Trotanoy?
Pomerol
What was the previous name of Château Hosanna?
Château Certain Giraud
What is this château?
Château Petrus
Describe the St-Emilion classification system
Revised around every 10 years
Premier Grand Cru Classé A
Premier Grand Cru Classé B
Grand Cru Classé
What is St-Emilion Grand Cru?
It is not part of the classification, but it is an appellation
Which châteaux withdrew from the St-Emilion 2022 classification?
Château Angélus (former P. Grand Cru Classé A)
Château Ausone (former P. Grand Cru Classé A)
Château Cheval-Blanc (former P. Grand Cru Classé A)
Château La Gaffelière (former P. Grand Cru Classé B)
What are the châteaux classified as Premier Grand Cru Classé A ?
Château Pavie
Château Figeac (promoted in 2022)
What are the châteaux classified as Premier Grand Cru Classé B ?
Château Beau-Séjour Bécot
Château Beauséjour (Heretieres Duffau-Lagarrosse)
Château Bélair-Monange (known simply as Belair until the 2008 vintage)
Château Canon
Château Canon-la-Gaffelière
Clos Fourtet
Château Larcis-Ducasse
La Mondotte
Château Pavie-Macquin
Château Troplong-Mondot
Château Trotte Vieille
Château Valandraud
What is this château?
Château Cheval Blanc
What is this château?
Château Le Pin
What is this château?
Château Pavie
What is this château?
Château Figeac
When was the classification of the Médoc and Sauternes drawn up?
1855
What are the only two adjustments to the 1855 classification?
1856: Château Cantemerle was added as 5th growth for the Haut-Médoc
1973: Mouton-Rothschild was elevated from 2nd to 1st.
When was the first classification of the St. Émilion Grand Cru?
1954
What are the newly allowed red and white grape varieties?
Red: Touriga Nacional, Castets, Marselan, Arinarnoa
White: Lilorillia, Alvarinho
What is the growth, commune and second wine of Prieuré Lichine?
4th growth Margaux
Confidences de Prieuré Lichine
What is the growth, commune and second wine of Ducru Beaucaillou?
2nd growth St Julien
La Croix du Beaucaillou
What is the growth and commune of Filhot?
2nd growth Sauternes
Pineau du Roy
What is the growth, commune and second wine of St Pierre?
4th growth St Julien
None
What is the growth, commune and second wine of Couhins Lurton?
Grand Cru Classé Graves (white)
Acte II
What is the growth, commune and second wine of Cos Labory?
5th growth St. Estèphe
Les Charmes de Cos Labory
What is the growth, commune and second wine of Dauzac?
5th growth Margaux
Aurore Dauzac
What is the Bordeaux mixture?
A spray of copper sulfate, water and lime, was developed by 1885 to prevent outbreaks of downy mildew.
In French: Bouillie Bordelaise, started by Ducru Beaucaillou
What is the size of barrique in Bordeaux?
225L
What is the famous quote of Baron Philippe de Rothschild when Mouton Rothschild was elevated in 1973?
“Premier je suis. Second je fus. Mouton ne change.” (First I am. Second I was. Mouton doesn’t change.)
What is the Sauternes Premier Cru Supérieur?
Château d’Yquem
What are the Sauternes 1855 Premier Crus?
From Bommes:
- La Tour Blanche
- Lafaurie-Peyraguey
- Clos Haut-Peyraguey
- de Rayne-Vigneau
- Rabaud-Promis
- Sigalas-Rabaud
From Preignac:
- Suduiraut
From Barsac:
- Coutet
- Climens
From Sauternes:
- Guiraud
From Fargues:
- Rieussec
What are the Sauternes 2e Crus?
From Barsac:
- De Myrat
- Doisy Daëne
- Doisy-Dubroca
- Doisy-Védrines
- Broustet
- Nairac
- Caillou
- Suau
From Preignac:
- De Malle
From Fargues:
- Romer
- Romer du Hayot
From Sauternes:
- d’Arche
- Filhot
- Lamothe
- Lamothe-Guignard
When were the Graves wines classified?
1959
What are the red wine châteaux of the Graves 1959 classification?
- Bouscaut (Cadaujac)
From Martillac: - Latour-Martillac
- Smith-Haut-Lafitte
From Talence: - La Mission Haut-Brion
- La Tour-Haut-Brion
From Pessac: - Haut-Brion
From Leognan: - Carbonnieux
- de Chevalier
- de Fieuzal
- Haut-Bailly
- Malartic-Lagravière
- Olivier
- Pape-Clément
What are the white wine châteaux of the Graves 1959 classification?
From Villenave d’Ornon:
- Couhins
- Couhins-Lurton
From Talence:
- Laville-Haut-Brion
From Cadaujac:
- Bouscaut
From Leognan:
- Carbonnieux
- de Chevalier
From Martillac:
- Latour-Martillac
- Malartic-Lagravière
- Olivier
What are the 4th growths of St Estèphe?
Lafon-Rochet
What are the 4th growths of Pauillac?
Duhart-Milon-Rothschild
What are the 4th growths of St Julien?
St Pierre
Talbot
Branaire-Ducru
Beychevelle
What are the 4th growths of Margaux?
Marquis de Terme
Pouget
Prieuré-Lichine
What are the 4th growths of Haut-Médoc?
La Tour Carnet
What are the 5th growths of St Estèphe?
Cos Labory
What are the 5th growths of Pauillac?
Pontet-Canet
Batailly
Haut-Batailly
Haut-Bages-Libéral
Grand-Puy-Lacoste
Grand-Puy-Ducasse
Lynch-Bages
Lynch-Moussas
d’Armailhac
Pédesclau
Clerc-Milon
Croizet Bages
What are the 5th growths of Margaux?
Dauzac
Du Tertre
What are the 5th growths of Haut-Médoc?
Belgrave
de Camensac
Cantemerle