Bordeaux Flashcards
What can be said about the amount of acreage in Bordeaux?
Bordeaux has more acreage under vine than any other region in France, with 117,500 ha under vine in 2011.
What percent does Bordeaux hold to France’s total vineyard area and how much wine does the region produce?
Bordeaux constitutes 14% of France’s total vineyard area and typically produces 5-6 million hectoliters of wine each year.
From the northernmost vineyard in Bordeaux to its southernmost, how many km does it span across?
From its northernmost vineyards around the town of Saint-Vivien-de-Médoc to the southern edge of Graves, the region of Bordeaux spans over 130 km.
1 Mile = 1.609344 Kilometers
At Bordeaux’s widest point, how far does it stretch in km?
75km
1 Mile = 1.609344 Kilometers
What are the two major rivers that flow within Bordeaux?
It includes two major rivers, the Garonne and Dordogne, which converge into the Gironde Estuary before flowing into the Atlantic Ocean.
What are the subregions of Bordeaux?
- Médoc
- Graves
- Entre-Deux-Mers
- The right bank
- Blaye and Bourg
On the western banks of the Gironde Estuary and Garonne River, you have what regions?
The Médoc and Graves make up the “left bank” of Bordeaux
Blaye and Bourg, sometimes considered part of the right bank, are actually on the eastern bank of the Gironde, opposite the Médoc vineyards. True or False?
True
Where is the Entre-Deux-Mers located in Bordeaux
Entre-Deux-Mers is the vast stretch of land between the Garonne and the Dordogne.
What is the climate like in Bordeaux?
Bordeaux’s maritime climate is characterized by warm summers and cool winters, without the spikes of temperature and extreme seasonality that befall regions further inland, like Burgundy.
What is the difference between Southern France’s mediterranean climate regions and Bordeaux’s?
Unlike the Mediterranean climate regions of Southern France, maritime Bordeaux lacks a true dry season, with rainfall somewhat evenly dispersed throughout the year.
*Note: The Médoc actually experiences more annual rainfall—950 mm—than any other major wine region in France.
What are some of the biggest challenges rainfall brings to Bordeaux?
Rainfall decreases slightly further inland in Bordeaux, but it remains a challenge at harvest and in the springtime, when rain can interrupt flowering, reducing yield and inviting rot.
What parallel is Bordeaux on and what influences its mild climate?
The 45th parallel runs just north of Bordeaux, but the balmy Atlantic Gulf Stream current, bringing warm waters up from the Caribbean, keeps its climate mild.
Where would Bordeaux lie on the Winkler Scale?
The region falls into Region II on the Winkler Scale, and average temperatures in August (the hottest month) reach 26° C. (78.8 F)
°C to °F Multiply by 9, then divide by 5, then add 32
For basic Bordeaux AOP wines what are the six authorized red varieties allowed?
Bordeaux AOP wines six red varieties are authorized:
Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec, Carmenère.
*Note: The first three listed make up 99% of the entire red grape vineyard in Bordeaux
For basic Bordeaux AOP wines white varietals include: ?
Authorized white grapes include:
Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc (and Gris), Muscadelle, Ugni Blanc, Merlot Blanc, Colombard
In terms of white varieties vs red varieties planted, what does recent research show in Bordeaux?
Significant reduction in white grape production in favor of reds: by 2011 red grapes accounted for 89% of the total Bordeaux vineyard.
What is the most planted red variety planted in Bordeaux?
Merlot
What is the most planted white variety planted in Bordeaux?
Sémillon
Are wines from Bordeaux typically made from a single grape varietal?
No. Bordeaux, whether white, rosé, or red, is typically a blend of two or more varieties.
Genetic parents for the rare Magdeleine Noire des Charentes
Merlot and Malbec
Which 2 Bordeaux varieties have no genetic link (outliers) to the other varietals found in this region?
Petit Verdot and Muscadelle
Where and when did Malbec first appear in Bordeaux?
Malbec originally appeared in the right bank in the 1730, it navigated to the left bank and became a significant contributor to the wines of the Médoc by the end of that century.
What is Malbec known as in Bordeaux and how did its name come about?
A grower named Malbec brought the grape, then known as Pressac Noir, from the right bank to the left, and gave it its modern name. Today it is a bit player in Bordeaux.
Notes about Sauvignon Gris in Bordeaux.
Sauvignon Gris, a grey-skinned and early-ripening mutation of Sauvignon Blanc, is still listed as a separate grape in Bordeaux’s cahiers des charges, but it is genetically identical. Sauvignon Gris is especially popular in Graves.
How many individual AOPs are there in Bordeaux?
39 individual AOPs in the Bordeaux region
What are the 3 generic Bordeaux appellations?
Bordeaux AOP,
Bordeaux Supérieur AOP,
Crémant de Bordeaux AOP
What types of wine are the Bordeaux Superieur allowed to produce?
Bordeaux Supérieur label is limited to red and medium sweet white wines from the same wide area, produced under slightly stricter conditions.
How long are the red wines from Bordeaux Superieur designation required to be in the elevage phase?
Bordeaux Supérieur requires red wines to undergo élevage until mid-June of the year following harvest, while basic Bordeaux reds can be sold by the middle of January.
What styles of wines can be released under the regular Bordeaux AOP designation?
Bordeaux AOP, producers have the freedom to produce red, white (sec, off-dry, and medium sweet), rosé, and clairet wines from the standard complement of Bordeaux red and white grapes.
What varietal typically dominates in red Bordeaux and Bordeaux Superieur wines?
Red Bordeaux and Bordeaux Supérieur wines are likely dominated by Merlot and aged in older barriques.
Discuss the Cremant de Bordeaux AOP
Crémant de Bordeaux AOP is a generic outlet for white and rosé sparkling wines in Bordeaux, made in the traditional method and aged for at least nine months on the lees. Like rosé, it represents only a sliver of overall production—perhaps 200 ha in the entire Gironde département support sparkling wine production.
IGP
Indication Géographique Protégée
Indication Géographique Protégée (IGP)
Formerly referred to as Vins de Pays, IGP wines are produced on land that gives them a certain quality, reputation or other specific characteristic. There are specifications that dictate how they are produced. One or more grape varieties may be mentioned on the labels of these wines.
Wine making regions within the Atlantique IGP
Bordeaux, Cognac and Dordogne
Departments within the Atlantique IGP
Gironde, Charente-Maritime, Charente, Dordogne, Lot-et-Garonne (partial)
What benefits does the IGP bring for producers within Atlantique?
The IGP gives producers from Bergerac to Bordeaux the freedom to produce red, white, and rosé wines from a dizzying array of varieties, from Cabernet Sauvignon to Meunier to Chardonnay.
Will you find majority of vignerons in the Atlantique IGP within Bordeaux?
No. Very few producers are actually within the confines of Bordeaux; more often, Atlantique IGP vignerons are located in the neighboring AOP regions of Bergerac, Duras, or Cognac.
What was the greatest contribution that the Dutch brought to Bordeaux?
The greatest Dutch contribution to Bordeaux, however, was in the technique of land reclamation honed in native Netherlands. In the mid-17th century, Dutch engineers built a system of canals (jalles) to drain the marshy lowlands of the Médoc, reclaiming the gravelly, alluvial lands north of the city of Bordeaux.
What is the climate like in Bordeaux and influence does Atlantic and the Gironde river have on the vines?
The climate of Bordeaux is maritime, with both the Atlantic and the Gironde estuary acting as moderating influences, protecting the vines from winter freezes and spring frost.
clairet
a darker, more aromatic style of rosé that evokes the original claret wines shipped to England in the Middle Ages.
What kind of role does Cabernet Sauvignon have on the Left Bank?
On the Left Bank (Médoc and Graves) Cabernet Sauvignon comprises approximately two-thirds of the blend and Merlot, Cabernet Franc and the other varieties make up the remainder.
size of a barrique
barrique (225-liter capacity barrel)
Where is Medoc AOP located in Bordeaux?
The Médoc AOP covers the entire wine-producing left bank of the Gironde Estuary, a 50-mile stretch northward from the city of Bordeaux.
What encompasses the Haut-Medoc?
The Médoc AOP encompasses the Haut-Médoc AOP and the more prestigious communal appellations.
jalles
drainage channels in Bordeaux
All Medoc AOP wines must be red. True or False?
True
What varietal does well in the Medoc AOP?
Merlot is grown in a higher proportion here than in the Haut-Médoc, as it performs more reliably in the waterlogged, clay-heavy soils of the Bas-Médoc.
Where are the best vineyards located in the Haut-Medoc?
Better châteaux’s are usually located upon deeper banks of gravel, primarily located within the communes of Saint-Estèphe, Pauillac, St. Julien, Listrac-Médoc, Moulis-en-Médoc, and Margaux.
Cru Artisan in Bordeaux
Cru Artisan, a designation that has been in use for nearly a century and a half, was formally recognized in 2002. From the 2005 vintage forward, 44 small producers throughout the Médoc’s appellations have the right to use the designation, denoting their place as exceptional stewards of the land and craft of winemaking, without the financing or apparatus of large-scale operations.
What are the 3 categories for Cru Bourgeois?
Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel
Cru Bourgeois Supérieur
Cru Bourgeois
Speak about the origin of Cru Bourgeois in Bordeaux.
Cru Bourgeois, an embattled classification originally introduced in 1932, divided 444 properties into three categories: Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel, Cru Bourgeois Supérieur, and Cru Bourgeois. The classification was not official until 2003, when only 247 châteaux retained their status. The resulting legal action nullified the entire classification.
Has the Cru Bourgeois classification of Bordeaux changed since its official release in 2003?
Cru Bourgeois has been reinstated for the 2008 vintage, but it is no longer a specific classification; rather, the term acts as a guarantor of quality and châteaux must apply for it regularly, submitting their wines to a blind tasting panel. The higher designations of Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel and Cru Bourgeois Supérieur have been eliminated.
Do the higher classifications of Cru Bourgeois, Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel and Cru Bourgeois Superieur, still exist?
The higher designations of Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel and Cru Bourgeois Supérieur have been eliminated.
Brief description of the St-Estephe AOP
St-Estèphe AOP is the northernmost commune appellation in Haut-Médoc. The wines are sturdy and full-bodied reds with a slightly higher percentage of Merlot, due to a higher proportion of clay amongst the gravel. St-Estèphe does not contain any first growths, and it hosts only five classified growths overall. Château Cos d’Estournel, a “super-second” growth, is the most notable, making powerful wines in a polished modern style.
What department is St-Estephe AOP located within?
Département: Gironde
Styles and Encepagement found in St-Estephe AOP?
Styles and Encépagement:
Rouge: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec, Carmenère
Minimum Alcohol for St-Estephe
Minimum Potential Alcohol: 11%
Minimum Must Weight for St-Estephe
Minimum Must Weight: 180 g/l (189 g/l for Merlot)
Minimum Planting Density for St-Estephe
Minimum Planting Density: 7,000 vines per hectare
Maximum yields (Rendement de Base) for St-Estephe AOP
57hl/ha
Second label from Château Cos d’Estournel
Les Pagodes de Cos (St-Estephe)
Who produces the second label “Les Pagodes de Cos”
Chateau Cos d’Estournel (St-Estephe)
Who produces the second label “La Dame du Montrose”
Château Montrose (St-Estephe)
Chateau Montrose’s second label
“La Dame du Montrose” (St-Estephe)
Château Calon-Ségur’s second label
“Le Marquis de Calon-Ségur” (St-Estephe)
Prior to the 2013 vintage, this was labeled simply as Marquis de Calon.
Who produces the second label “Le Marquis de Calon-Ségur”
Chateau Calon-Segur (St-Estephe)
What second label does Château Lafon-Rochet produce?
“Les Pélerins de Lafon-Rochet” (St-Estephe)
Who produces “Les Pélerins de Lafon-Rochet”?
Château Lafon-Rochet (St-Estephe)
What second label does Château Cos Labory produce?
“Le Charme Labory” (St-Estephe)
Who produces “Le Charme Labory”?
Chateau Cos Labory (St-Estephe)
Briefly describe the Pauillac AOP.
Pauillac AOP is considered classic claret and boasts three first growths: Château Lafite Rothschild, Château Mouton-Rothschild, and Château Latour. In Pauillac the gravel topsoil of the Haut-Médoc is at its deepest point, and the Cabernet Sauvignon-based wines are structured and long-lived. Lafite and Latour represent the pinnacle of Pauillac: Latour produces wines of brooding depth and concentration and Lafite emphasizes aromatics and elegance.
List the communes of Pauillac AOP
Communes of Production: Cissac-Médoc, Pauillac, Saint-Estèphe, Saint-Julien-Beychevelle, Saint-Sauveur
Cissac-Médoc, Pauillac, Saint-Estèphe, Saint-Julien-Beychevelle, Saint-Sauveur
The 5 communes of Pauillac
Styles and encepagement of Pauillac AOP
Styles and Encépagement:
Rouge: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec, Carmenère
Minimum potential alcohol for Pauillac AOP
Minimum Potential Alcohol: 11%
Minimum must weight in Pauillac
Minimum Must Weight: 180 g/l (189 g/l for Merlot)
Minimum Must Weight in Pauillac AOP: ___ g/l (___ g/l for Merlot)
Minimum Must Weight: 180 g/l (189 g/l for Merlot)
Maximum residual sugar for Pauillac AOP
Maximum Residual Sugar: 2 g/l
Required elevage for Pauillac AOP
Élevage: Wines may not be released before June 15 of the year following the harvest
Minimum planting density for Pauillac AOP?
Minimum Planting Density: 7,000 vines per hectare
Maximum yields (rendement de base) for Pauillac?
Maximum Yields (Rendement de Base): 57 hl/ha
Primary soil type found in Pauillac?
Primary Soil Type: gravelly soils
Château Lafite-Rothschild’s second label?
“Carruades de Lafite”
Who makes “Carruades de Lafite”?
Lafite-Rothschild (Pauillac)
Château Latour makes what second label?
“Les Forts de Latour” (Pauillac)
Who makes “Les Forts de Latour”?
Chateau Latour (Pauillac)
Château Mouton-Rothschild makes what second label?
“Petit Mouton” (Pauillac)
Château Longueville au Baron de Pichon-Longueville makes what 2nd label?
“Les Griffons de Pichon Baron” (Pauillac)
Who makes “Les Giffons de Pichon Baron”
Château Longueville au Baron de Pichon-Longueville (Pauillac)
What is the name of the 2nd label from Château Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande?
“Réserve de la Comtesse” (Pauillac)
What is the name of the 2nd label from Château Duhart-Milon-Rothschild?
“Moulin de Duhart” (Pauillac)
“Lacoste Borie” is produced from who?
Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste (Pauillac)
Chateau Grand-Puy-Lacoste produces what 2nd label?
“Lacoste Borie” (Pauillac)
“La Chapelle de Bages” is produced from who?
Château Haut-Bages-Libéral (Pauillac)
Château Lynch-Bages produces what 2nd label?
“Echo de Lynch Bages”
as of 2008 vintage, previously Chateau Haut-Bages Averous
“Echo de Lynch Bages” is produced by who?
Chateau Lynch Badges (Pauillac)
Before 2008, what did Chateau Lynch Badges name, rather than “Echo de Lynch Bages”, their second label?
“Chateau Haut-Bages Averous”
“Les Hauts de Pontet-Canet” is made from who?
Château Pontet-Canet (Pauillac)
What is the name of second label from Chateau Pontet-Canet?
“Les Hauts de Pontet-Canet” (Pauillac)
Name of the title for First Growths in Bordeaux
Premiers Crus
What does “Premiers Crus” mean in Bordeaux?
First Growths
Name of the title for Second Growths in Bordeaux
Deuxièmes Crus
What does “Deuxiemes Crus” mean in Bordeaux?
Second Growths
Name of the title for Third Growths in Bordeaux?
Troisièmes Crus
What does “Troisiemes Crus” mean in Bordeaux?
Third Growths
Name of the title for Fourth Growths in Bordeaux?
Quatrièmes Crus
What does “Quatriemes Crus” mean in Bordeaux?
Fourth Growths
Name of the title for Fifth Growths in Bordeaux?
Cinquièmes Crus
What does “Cinquiemes Crus” mean in Bordeaux?
Fifth Growth
Describe the 2015 vintage in Bordeaux
“Extremely dry season saved by rain at veraison led to an even crop of ripe and lush reds. Later rains hampered some parts of the upper Médoc, but Margaux and Pessac superb” — WS (92-95 pts)
“Will this vintage adhere to Jancis’ rule of five, whereby any vintage divisible by five is of good quality? It seems so, with particularly healthy, uniform fruit at harvest. A generous flowering and hot, dry early summer was followed by a slighty cooler, damper August. Harvest was generally earlier than in 2014. Optimists are already calling it the best vintage since 2010 with early reports favouring the right bank.” — Jancis
Describe the 2014 vintage in Bordeaux
“2014 was an exceptionally cool, damp July and August but the vintage was saved by an unusually dry, warm September and October that (just about) ripened the grapes though autumn concentration has resulted in relatively high-acid wines. Reds have fragrance, medium body and supple tannins but are not for long term cellaring.” — Jancis
“A good spring was followed by a gray, humid summer, but dry weather and a long harvest period through September and October saved the vintage. Best in the upper Médoc with Cabernet Sauvignon and Franc, along with Petit Verdot, relishing the late harvest; less dynamic in Margaux and Passaic” — WS (91-94 pts)
Describe the 2013 vintage in Bordeaux
2013 “A universally poor vintage, beset by uneven ripening and dilution. Rot forced relatively early picking. Even at their best, the wines are pretty light – though perhaps a benefit of this is lower alcohol levels, as compared with some of the 15% bruisers of recent years. The best of a bad lot can be found in Pomerol, St-Julien and St-Estèphe.” — Jancis
2013 “Cool start and very wet finish saved by warm, dry July and August. Disease pressure was very high and harvest on the early side. Reds are light and easy; Margaux least successful of Left Bank AOCs” — WS (84 pts)
Describe the 2012 vintage in Bordeaux
2012 “Tricky across many European wine regions, and none more so than Bordeaux. Generally speaking, it was a wet, late year with a hot mid-summer. Bad weather in October compromised quality at the crucial moment, meaning that the earlier-ripening Merlot-based reds were less adversely affected. Making good Cabernet-based wine was achievable, but only by those who had the resources for micro-management in the vineyard. Top properties made small quantities of outstanding wines but most have a lack of depth and persistence.” — Jancis
2012 “Cool and wet early led to uneven crop set and disease pressure, while dry, hot August resulted in some blocked ripening; September rains helped, but harvest window was short before October rains arrived, leaving some Cabernets marked by taut tannins; Pessac and Margaux favored over upper Médoc; more inconsistent overall than Right Bank” — WS (88 pts)
Describe the 2011 vintage in Bordeaux
2011 “Dry and hot early, then cool and wet late. Yields down due to small berries. Fresh fruit and bright acidity are prominent; tannins are strident but ripe, with lower alcohols” — WS (91 pts)
2011 “Generalisations are difficult in this variable year, but there is agreement that quality is back down to earth after the excitement of 2009 and 2010, with lower alcohol and generally higher tannins too. A forgettable year.” — Jancis
Describe the 2010 vintage in Bordeaux
2010 “Ripe and powerful, with racy tannins and acidity for balance. More structure-driven than the opulent 2009, with better definition of fruit; should be very long-lived” — WP (99 pts)
2010 “Another stellar vintage, with higher tannin and more freshness than 2009 but comparable intensity. More appealing to classical palates.” — Jancis
Describe the 2009 vintage in Bordeaux.
2009 “Lush, rich and beautifully polished reds. Top Médoc estates made glorious wines; Pessac also excelled” — WS (97 pts)
2009 “Vintage of the decade/century’? This growing season seemed to have it all. A long, fine, warm summer but, crucially, with refreshing nights to help retain acidity. Dramatically ripe, voluptuous wines, especially on the left bank.” — Jancis
Describe the 2008 vintage in Bordeaux.
2008 “Damp, gray growing season led to disease pressure; Indian summer in September saved the vintage. Wines are fresh rather than dense, with sometimes crisp acidity.” — WS (87pts)
2008 “Another ungenerous summer saved by some better weather at the end of the season. Yet again, those properties at the top of the tree managed to field enough good fruit to salvage some pretty impressive grand vin but life was increasingly tough lower down the food chain.” — Jancis
Describe the 2007 vintage in Bordeaux.
2007 “Inconsistent; look to top names for delicacy and balance.” — WS (85pts)
2007 “An extremely difficult year for growers, with rampant mildew, not enough sun, too much rain until September. Thanks to an arsenal of modern techniques, not least rigorous selection, those who could afford it managed to make attractive wines for relatively early drinking but high prices left the primeur market as flat as a pancake.” — Jancis
Describe the 2006 vintage in Bordeaux.
2006 “Best are solid, tannic and racy; others slightly hollow.” — WS (90pts)
2006 “This stop-start vintage suffered inevitably by comparison with 2005, although it produced some well-made wines which looked even better in comparison with the 2007s. Drought and high temperatures were the dominant characteristics until the end of July but August was unusually cool and wet and harvest was interrupted by rain. Pauillac and Pomerol seemed to perform best in a year that can taste pretty crisp.”
Describe the 2005 vintage in Bordeaux
2005 “Fabulous aromas and great length; wines with depth, structure and finesse” — WS (99pts)
2005 “The weather during the 2005 growing season was exceptionally dry, leading almost to drought conditions in certain areas. Temperatures were also frequently above average but not to the heatwave extremes of 2003.” — BBR
Describe the 2004 vintage in Bordeaux
"”2004 is a cool, classic and precise vintage for those properties that monitored the vineyards, green harvested and removed foliage to allow sunshine to ripen the grapes. Some properties that picked the Cabernets during September did not get full maturity from the grapes, however those like Gruaud-Larose who waited to maximize contact with the sun and picked in October produced ripe Cabernets.” — BBR
Describe the 2003 vintage in Bordeaux
“2003 was the hottest vintage ever witnessed in Bordeaux. The best-performing châteaux have surpassed their outstanding 2000s and some claim to have made their greatest wines in living memory.
The extreme heat of the summer presented winemakers with a stiff challenge. Sugar levels rose spectacularly in late summer with some producers jumping the gun and harvesting early in order to preserve acidity. However growers who waited until their grapes were fully ripe have been rewarded with darkly coloured, rich concentrated wines displaying astonishing depth of fruit and much complexity.” — BBR
Describe the 2002 vintage in Bordeaux
“2002 was a small harvest that has yielded some first-rate, well-structured, stylish wines, especially from the Médoc and the Graves, with the best wines requiring considerable cellaring before they reach their peak. After a mild, relatively dry spring there followed a cooler than normal summer culminating in a wet August. A major factor early in the year was the cool spring that upset the flowering, causing coulure and millerandage that distressed the early-developing and more fragile Merlot grape. However, Bordeaux was blessed with a glorious Indian summer through September and October and this, combined with the vastly improved technology available, saved the harvest. 2002 is the smallest crop since 1991, but the quality is far, far better.” — BBR
Speak of the St-Julien AOP
St-Julien AOP produces less wine than the other communes, but the quality is very good: approximately 80% of the AOP is cru classé wine. There are no first growths, but St-Julien has five second growths, including the “super-seconds” of Château Léoville Las Cases and Château Ducru-Beaucaillou. Both can produce wine on par with premier cru estates. St-Julien reds typically demonstrate an elegant style.
Speak of Listrac-Medoc AOP
Listrac-Médoc AOP and Moulis-en-Médoc AOP are lesser appellations without classified growths, but can be the source of good value—especially in better vintages. Château Chasse-Spleen in Moulis is the most famous estate of either commune
Talk about the Margaux AOP
Margaux AOP is the largest communal appellation of the Haut-Médoc and is spread throughout five villages: Soussans, Margaux, Cantenac, Labarde and Arsac. The village of Margaux itself rests on thin, sandy gravel deposited over limestone, although the croupes in this appellation are typically shallow in comparison with those of St-Julien or Pauillac. Overall, the appellation contains a greater diversity of soil types than its northern counterparts, with more clay in the outlying areas. Margaux has a larger number of classified growths than any other commune (21) and includes one first growth, Château Margaux. Although Margaux’s second growths are often underperformers, the third growth Château Palmer is an excellent estate, commanding high prices. The wines of Margaux are often described as feminine, with an emphasis on floral bouquet, exotic character and finesse.
What are the five villages of Margaux AOP?
Soussans Margaux Cantenac Labarde Arsac
How many classified growths are there in Margaux?
21, which Margaux holds largest amount of classified growths than any other commune.
First Growths (Premiers Crus) in Pauillac
Château Lafite Rothschild, Pauillac
Château Latour, Pauillac
Château Mouton Rothschild, Pauillac
First Growths (Premiers Crus) in Margaux
Château Margaux, Margaux
First Growths (Premiers Crus) in Graves
Château Haut-Brion, Graves
Second Growths (Deuxièmes Crus) in Pauillac
- Château Pichon Longueville Baron, Pauillac
- Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, Pauillac
Chateau Pichon Longueville Baron & Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande are located where and what Growth are they classified as?
Pauillac and Deuxiemes Cru (Second Growth)
Second Growths (Deuxiemes Cru) in Saint-Estephe
- Château Cos d’Estournel, Saint-Estèphe
- Château Montrose, Saint-Estèphe
Chateau Cos d’Estournel & Chateau Montrose are located where and what Growth are they listed as?
Saint-Estephe and Deuxiemes Cru (Second Growth)
Second Growths (Deuxiemes Cru) in Saint-Julien
- Château Léoville-Las Cases, Saint-Julien
- Château Léoville-Poyferré, Saint-Julien
- Château Léoville Barton, Saint-Julien
- Château Gruaud-Larose, Saint-Julien
- Château Ducru-Beaucaillou, Saint-Julien
Chateau Leoville-Las Cases, Chateau Leoville-Poyferre, Chateau Leoville Barton, Chateau Gruaud-Larose, and Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou are located where and Growth are they all classified as?
Saint-Julien and Deuxiemes Cru (Second Growth)
List the Second Growths (Deuxiemes Cru) in Margaux
- Château Rauzan-Ségla, Margaux
- Château Rauzan-Gassies, Margaux
- Château Durfort-Vivens, Margaux
- Château Lascombes, Margaux
- Château Brane-Cantenac, Cantenac-Margaux (Margaux)
Chateau Rauzan-Segla, Chateau Rauzan-Gassies, Chateau Durfort-Vivens, Chateau Lascombes, Chateau Brane-Cantenac are classified as what Growth and where are they all?
Deuxiemes Cru (Second Growth) and Margaux
List all the Third Growths (Troisièmes Crus) from Pauillac
There are none
List the Third Growths (Troisiemes Crus) from Saint-Estephe
Château Calon-Ségur, Saint-Estèphe
Chateau Calon-Segur is located where and what Growth is it classified under?
Saint-Estephe and Troisiemes Crus (Third Growth)
List the Third Growths (Troisièmes Crus) from Saint-Julien
Château Lagrange, Saint-Julien
Château Langoa Barton, Saint-Julien
Chateau Lagrange and Chateau Langoa Barton are located where and what Growth are they classified under?
Saint-Julien and Troisiemes Crus (Third Growth)
List the Third Growths (Troisiemes Crus) of Margaux
- Château Desmirail, Margaux
- Château Ferrière, Margaux
- Château Marquis d’Alesme Becker, Margaux
- Château Kirwan, Cantenac-Margaux (Margaux)
- Château d’Issan, Cantenac-Margaux (Margaux)
- Château Boyd-Cantenac, Cantenac-Margaux (Margaux)
- Château Cantenac-Brown, Cantenac-Margaux (Margaux)
- Château Palmer, Cantenac-Margaux (Margaux)
- Château Giscours, Labarde-Margaux (Margaux)
Chateau Desmirail, Chateau Ferriere, Chateau Marquis d’Alesme Becker, Chateau Kirwan, Chateau Chateau d’Issan, Chateau Boyd-Cantenac, Chateau Cantenac-Brown, Chateau Palmer, Chateau Giscours are classified under what Growth and where are they located?
Troisiemes Crus (Third Growth) and Margaux
What Troisiemes Cru (Third Growth) in the Haut-Medoc
Château La Lagune, Ludon (Haut-Medoc)
What Fourth Growths (Quatrièmes Crus) are located in the Saint-Estephe?
Château Lafon-Rochet, Saint-Estèphe
Where is Chateau Lafon-Rochet located and what Growth is it classified as?
Located in Saint-Estephe and it is a Quatriemes Cru (Fourth Growth)
Name the chateau that is a Quatriemes Cru (Fourth Growth) in Pauillac
Château Duhart-Milon-Rothschild, Pauillac
List the Quatriemes Cru (Fourth Growth) in Pauillac.
Château Duhart-Milon-Rothschild, Pauillac
Where is Château Duhart-Milon-Rothschild and what Cru level is it classified as?
Pauillac and Quatriemes Cru (Fourth Growth)
What are the Quatriemes Cru (Fourth Growth) in Saint-Julien
- Château Saint-Pierre, Saint-Julien
- Château Talbot, Saint-Julien
- Château Branaire-Ducru, Saint-Julien
- Château Beychevelle, Saint-Julien
Château Saint-Pierre, Château Talbot, Château Branaire-Ducru, and Château Beychevelle are located where and Growth are they classified as?
Saint-Julien and Quatriemes Cru (Fourth Growth)
What are the Quatriemes Cru (Fourth Growth) in Margaux?
- Château Marquis de Terme, Margaux
- Château Pouget, Cantenac-Margaux (Margaux)
- Château Prieuré-Lichine, Cantenac-Margaux (Margaux)
Château Marquis de Terme, Château Pouget, and Château Prieuré-Lichine are located where and what Growth are they classified as?
Margaux and Quatriemes Cru (Fourth Growth)
What are the Quatriemes Cru (Fourth Growth) of Haut Medoc
Château La Tour Carnet, Saint-Laurent (Haut-Médoc)
What is Château La Tour Carnet classified as and where is it located?
Quatriemes Cru (Fourth Growth) and Haut-Medoc
What Fifth Growths (Cinquièmes Crus) are located in Saint-Estephe
Château Cos Labory, Saint-Estèphe
Where is Chateau Cos Labory located and what Growth is it classified as?
Saint-Estephe and Cinquiemes Cru (Fifth Growth)
What are the Cinquiemes Cru (Fifth Growth) of Pauillac?
- Château Pontet-Canet, Pauillac
- Château Batailley, Pauillac
- Château Haut-Batailley, Pauillac
- Château Haut-Bages-Libéral, Pauillac
- Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste, Pauillac
- Château Grand-Puy-Ducasse, Pauillac
- Château Lynch-Bages, Pauillac
- Château Lynch-Moussas, Pauillac
-Château d’Armailhac, Pauillac: This estate was known as
Mouton-Baronne-Philippe from 1933-1988.
- Château Pédesclaux, Pauillac
- Château Clerc-Milon, Pauillac
- Château Croizet Bages, Pauillac
Château Pontet-Canet, Château Batailley, Château Haut-Batailley, Château Haut-Bages-Libéral, Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste, and Château Grand-Puy-Ducasse are located where and what Growth are they classified as?
Pauillac and Cinquiemes
What is to be said about Chateau d’Armailhac?
Château d’Armailhac, Pauillac: This estate was known as
Mouton-Baronne-Philippe from 1933-1988.
Fifth Growth
How many Fifth Growths are in Pauillac?
12
What Cinquiemes Cru (Fifth Growth) are located in Margaux?
- Château Dauzac, Labarde (Margaux)
- Château du Tertre, Arsac (Margaux)
Château Dauzac; Château du Tertre are located where and what Growth are they classified as?
Cinquiemes Cru (Fifth Growth)
What Fifth Growths (Cinquiemes Cru) are in located in the Haut-Medoc?
Château Belgrave, Saint-Laurent (Haut-Médoc)
Château de Camensac, Saint-Laurent (Haut-Médoc)
Château Cantemerle, Macau (Haut-Médoc)
Château Belgrave, Château de Camensac, and Château Cantemerle are classified as what Growth and where they located?
Cinquiemes Cru (Fifth Grow) and Haut Medoc
Year Chateau Margaux was established?
16th century
Summary of Chateau Margaux
Summary: One of five Premier Grand Cru Classé of the Médoc, Château Margaux is the top property in the Margaux appellation. (It is unclear if the original château, a 12th-century castle, preceded the Margaux village.) Its destiny as producer of one of the world’s most coveted red wines began with 16th-century owner Pierre de Lestonnac, who managed a transformation of the property’s farms by planting vineyards in place of cereal grains. By the end of the 17th century Château Margaux occupied a 265-hectare estate, with one-third of the domain planted to vines. Nearly a century later, the 1771 Château Margaux was advertised in the pages of Christie’s catalog—it was the first vintage Bordeaux claret to appear in its pages.
Chateau Margaux’s vineyard holdings
Bordeaux AOP: 12 ha (Sauvignon Blanc)
Margaux AOP: 80 ha
75% Cabernet Sauvignon
20% Merlot
5% Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot
The grand vin of Chateau Margaux accounts for how much of their total red wine production
The grand vin represents 1/3 of the total red wine production.
List all the wines from Chateau Margaux.
Château Margaux: 130,000 bottles Pavillon Rouge: 120,000 bottles Pavillon Blanc: 12,000 bottles Margaux du Château Margaux: 30,000 bottles Bulk Wine
Inaugural vintage for Pavillon Rouge
Pavillon Rouge: 1978
Inaugural vintage for Pavillon Blanc
Pavillon Blanc: 1920
Inaugural vintage for “Margaux du Chateau Margaux”
Margaux du Château Margaux: 2009
Style/Vinification Techniques used for Chateau Margaux
Style/Vinification Techniques: Highly regarded for its opulence and perfume rather than power, the grand vin of Château Margaux is nonetheless often a “varietal” composition of Cabernet Sauvignon: the blend is typically 85-90% Cabernet Sauvignon, supported by Merlot, small amounts of Cabernet Franc and, occasionally, Petit Verdot. The fruit is hand-harvested by a team of over 250 pickers, sorted in the vineyard and in the winery by hand and eye alone, and fermented in stainless steel and large, old wood casks. Macerations typically last up to three weeks. Cap management is by remontage alone, and after pressing the free-run juice undergoes malolactic fermentation in tank. A 20-24 month élevage occurs in 100% new oak for the top wine. Tronçais is the preferred forest; while the château relies on several coopers 20% of the barrels are made by Margaux’s in-house tonnelier. The final blend is assembled in February of the year after harvest, before the en primeur tastings. Collage (with 5-6 beaten egg whites) occurs before bottling, but the wines are never filtered.
What is the style/vinification technique is used for “Pavillon Rouge”?
The “Pavillon Rouge” is typically only 60-70% Cabernet Sauvignon, with Merlot stepping in to fill out the wine. The élevage is reduced to a maximum of 20 months in 50% new oak. It is essentially a vineyard selection.
Winery location for Chateau Palmer
Winery Location: The château is in Margaux, but the vineyards are mostly in Cantenac.
Chateau Palmer was established in what year?
Year Established: 1814
Summary of Chateau Palmer
Summary: With uneven performances by Margaux’s second growths, Château Palmer is universally considered to be the appellation’s second-best property, behind Château Margaux. It is a third growth, yet in popular imagination and in the modern Liv-Ex classifications, it is chief among the “Super Seconds” of the Left Bank.
How did Chateau Palmer develop its name?
Château Palmer began its winemaking life as Château de Gasq. Purchased and renamed in 1814 by the English general Charles Palmer, Château Palmer amassed 80 ha of vineyards, but the London-based general swam in financial ruin and sold his namesake estate in 1843. In 1853 the Pereire family of Paris purchased the property, but they could not raise the status of a château better known for clairet than claret in time for the release of the 1855 classification. The family did however raise the quality of its vineyards and its wines throughout its 85-year tenure as owners. In 1938, amid worldwide depression and the threat of war, a consortium of Bordeaux négociants purchased Château Palmer; today, two négociant families represent the majority of shares: Sichel and Mähler-Besse. Thomas Duroux, a former Ornellaia winemaker, has been running the estate since 2004.
Vineyards holdings of Chateau Palmer
Vineyard Holdings: 55 ha
47% Merlot
47% Cabernet Sauvignon
6% Petit Verdot
What labels do Chateau Palmer produce?
- Château Palmer
- Alter Ego
- Historical XIX Century Wine: A Vin de France bottling that includes a small percentage of Hermitage Syrah.
Inaugural vintage of “Historical XIX Century Wine” from Chateau Palmer?
Inaugural Vintage:
Historical XIX Century Wine: 2004 (This wine was not labeled with a vintage.)
When did Chateau Palmer produce “Alter Ego”?
Alter Ego: 1998 (Previously, the second wine was called Réserve du Général.)
Total production of Chateau Palmer
Average Total Production: 250,000 bottles (40-50% is the grand vin.)
Style/Vinification technique used for Chateau Palmer
Style / Vinification Techniques: The Château Palmer grand vin blend typically mirrors the estate’s encépagement, with nearly equal proportions of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot and a small addition of Petit Verdot. In comparison with Château Margaux, the wine here is more supple and slightly more approachable in youth, yet it still has the capacity for long aging. With the higher proportion of Merlot in the blend, Château Palmer rarely exceeds 60% new oak. The élevage lasts up to 20 months. Alter Ego includes an even greater percentage of Merlot and is typically aged in one-third new oak.
Chateau Leoville-Las-Cases was established when?
Year Established: 1638
Vineyard holdings for Chateau Leoville-Las-Cases?
Vineyard Holdings: 97 ha
65% Cabernet Sauvignon
24% Merlot
10% Cabernet Franc
1% Petit Verdot
What labels does Chateau Leoville-Las-Cases?
- Château Léoville-Las-Cases
- Clos du Marquis
- Le Petit Lion du Marquis de Las-Cases
“Clos du Marquis”
“Clos du Marquis” produced by Chateau Leoville-Las-Cases: This wine originated as a single-vineyard bottling from the Petit Clos, but over time it has grown to include other plots not appropriate for the grand vin. The estate does not consider it a “second wine,” but essentially it is.
“Le Petit Lion du Marquis de Las-Cases”
“Le Petit Lion du Marquis de Las-Cases” produced by Chateau Leoville-Las-Cases: A true second wine, this bottling consists of a greater percentage of Merlot sourced from younger vine plots.
What was the inaugural vintage for “Clos du Marquis”?
Clos du Marquis: 1902
What was the inaugural vintage for “Le Petit Lion”?
Le Petit Lion: 2007
