Libournais Flashcards
Which appellations may append “cotes de bordeaux” to their names?
Blaye (red only),
Blaye cotes de bordeaux (red and white),
Cote de blaye (white only - minimum 60-90% ugni/colombard),
Cadillac (red only),
Castillon (red only),
Francs,
Sainte Foy Bordeaux
Which AOC in Bordeaux sits at the eastern extremity of the region?
Sainte Foy Bordeaux
What are the soil types of Fronsac and Canon-Fronsac?
Molasses du Fronsadais - limestone mixed with sand and clay;
Calcaires a Asteries - limestone mixed with marine fossils
How does a St. Emilion Chateaux become 1er Grand Cru Classe?
Pass a tasting of 15 vintages rather than 10;
less emphasis on winemaking and more on soil/topography analysis,
and higher reputation
In the St. Emilion Classification, how many chateaux in each Grand Cru category are there?
4 1er GC classe A,
14 1er GC classe B,
64 GC classe
Give one example of a CF dominated Pomerol ?
Chateau Lafleur - 53% CF on mainly gravel soils
A CS dominated Pomerol?
Chateau de Sales (Largest Estate in Pomerol - 47ha)
Rank these estates from the one with the lowest percentage of CF to highest:
La Conseillante (Pom), La Fleur (Pom), Vieux Chateau Certan (Pom), Cheval Blanc, Angelus, Ausone, Figeac, Le Pin (Pom)
1) Le Pin - 0%
2) La Conseillante - 20%
3) VCC - 25%
4) Figeac - 35%
5) Angelus - 47%
6) La Fleur - 50%
7) Cheval Blanc - 50%
8) Ausone - 55%
Best vintages in the history of the RB?
16, 10, 09, 05, 90 (98), 82, 75, 61, 59
Worst RB vintages in history?
92, 91, 84, 80, 77
Name one prominent estate in Cotes de Bourg?
Roc de Cambes (Francois Mitjaville)
Cotes de Blaye and Blaye AOP are for which styles of wine?
Blaye for red only,
Cotes de Blaye for dry white only
Which Cotes de Bordeaux geographic designations are for reds only?
Castillon,
Cadillac
Which are for white or red?
Blaye,
Francs,
Sainte-Foy
What are the satellites of Saint-Emilion?
Saint-Georges,
Montagne,
Lussac,
Puisseguin
What is the River tributary that divides Saint Emilion and Pomerol from its satellites and Lalande?
La Barbanne
Name 2 producers of Lalande de Pomerol?
Grand Ormeau,
Tournefeuille
What is the most highly regarded sector of Pomerol?
The eastern sector bordering Saint Emilion - high terrace (Petrus, Trotanoy, VCC, La Conseillante, l’Evangile, Certan de May de Certan, l’Eglise-Clinet, Lafleur, Petit Village, Gazin, Lafleur Petrus, Bon Pasteur, Beau Regard, La Violette, Le Pin, Clinet
What is the name of the predominant soils in Pomerol?
Crasse de Fer - iron-rich clay - higher terraces and the highest Boutonniere de Petrus - with blue smectite, lower terraces have sandier soils = less quality, lighter wines
What are the 4 1er GC Classe A?
Ausone,
Cheval Blanc,
Angelus,
Pavie
What are the 14 1er GC Classe B?
Beausejour, Beausejour-Becot, Belair, Belair Monange (absorbed Magdelaine), Canon, Canon-La Gaffeliere, Figeac, Fourtet, La Gaffeliere, Larcis-Ducasse, La Mondotte, Pavie-Macquin, Troplong-Mondot, Trottevielle, Valandraud
Name 5 Saint Emilion Grand Cru Classe
L’Arrosee, Bellevue, La Dominique, Fonplegade, Tertre Roteboeuf, L’hermitage Lescours
What is the Jurade of Saint Emilion
Annual harvest celebration in October - dates all the way back to 1199 when King John Lackland sealed the rights and freedoms of the Burghers of Saint Emilion - the Jurade promotes the wines and historically repressed fraud
Who are some of the original “garagistes” who launched in the 1990s?
Tertre Roteboeuf (SE - F. Mitjaville),
Valandraud (SE - JL Thunevin),
La Mondotte (SE - S. Von Neipperg)
Stefan Von Neipperg other estates?
Canon La Gaffeliere,
Clos de l’Oratoire (1st employer of Derenoncourt)
Derenoncourt Estates
Canon La Gaffelier, Teyssier, Beausejour, La Mondotte, Poujeaux, Talbot, Paveil de Luze
What are the primary soils of the 1er GC Classes?
Ausone - calcaire a astéries;
Cheval - gravels;
Angelus - sands;
Pavie - molasses (clay/sand/soft limestone bedrock)
What tributary separates Canon Fronsac and Fronsac from Pomerol?
L’Isle
Name 2 producers of Fronsac?
La Dauphine, Fontenil, Dalem, La Huste, Les Trois Croix, La Vielle Cure
Name 2 producers of Fronsac?
La Dauphine, Fontenil, Dalem, La Huste, Les Trois Croix, La Vielle Cure
Name 2 producers of Canon-Fronsac?
Gaby (owner- Tom Sullivan from Boston),
Grand Renouil
What is the general encepagement of the right bank vineyards?
70/30 merlot/CF
What is a common way to describe the flavors of merlot blends?
Fruitcake, plummy, jammy, spicey
Flavors of Pomerol?
Empyreumatic - burnt matter
T or F Saint Emilion Grand Cru may not be bottled by negociants
True! Grand Cru must be estate bottled, regular can be blended and bottled by negociant
T or F Saint Emilion Grand Cru is its own AOC?
True! Grand Cru Classes are classified estates within this appellation
What’s the main difference between Saint Emilion and Saint Emilion GC?
lower max yields and longer elevage
How does the Saint Emilion Cru Classe system compare to Michelin Stars?
GC = * (for 10 years); 1er GC B = **; 1er GC A = ***
T or F a classified estate in Saint Emilion may grow or shrink in size as on the Left Bank
False! sometimes only part of the vineyard will meet the classification standards ex. Angelus’ 27 out of 29 hectares
What was the most recent classification of Saint Emilion?
2012
What are the criteria for 1er GC Classe A?
viticulture and winemaking, topography, soil composition, reputation, tasting analysis of a decade
What is the size of Pomerol?
800 ha
Where do grapes ripen earlier between Saint Emilion and Pomerol?
Pomerol - warming effect of gravel
T or F CF used to be more predominant than merlot?
True! this reversed after the frost of 1959 and replanting
Where are the best sites in Fronsac and Canon Fronsac?
Saillans, La Riviere - hillsides with higher limestone content
What is the smallest satellite of Saint Emilion
Saint Georges (can also be labelled Montagne - the largest)
What is the highest satellite and last to ripen?
Puisseguin
All of the Right Bank AOC’s (except SE GC) have a min. abv of _____
11% (SE GC has 11.5%)
West to East : Pomerol, Canon Fronsac, Castillon Cotes de Bordeaux, Saint Georges SE
Canon, Pomerol, Saint Georges, Castillon
Puisseguin is located within what larger appellation?
Castillon Cotes de Bordeaux
Angelus oak
No new oak prior to 1980, now about 50%
Of the Right Bank appellations which maintains the longest elevage?
Saint Emilion GC - May 15 of 2nd year after harvest;
Blaye - March 31, 2nd year after harvest
Hubert de Bouard owns…
Fleur de Bouard (Lalande),
Angelus,
Bellevue
Who makes ‘Trilogy’?
Le Pin - 3 vintages of nonclassified wine (like Overture)
Name Negociant investors who impacted Fronsac and Canon Fronsac?
15% Chinese ownership; Christian Moueix (sold his properties in 2000 to Carrefour owner), Michel Rolland - Ch. Fontenil
White wines from the RB are released as…
Bdx blanc
What is the major soil of Bourg?
Clay and limestone on a bedrock of porous stone
Cotes de Bordeaux Castillon producer?
Domaine de l’A - Derenoncourt
Francs Cotes de Bordeaux?
Puygueraud,
Chateau le Puy (Cotes de Bordeaux)
What is the assemblage for Fronsac and Canon Fronsac?
min. 80% combined CF, CS, merlot;
acc. malbec, carmenere, pv
Planting density minimum on the RB
5,500 vines/ha
Which chateau in Fronsac was named after a Royal Personality who visited the Chateau?
La Dauphine (Maria Josepha?)
What is the method for high level micro- oxygenation
clicquage
Synonym for CF in Pomerol
Bouchet
Synonym for Malbec
Pressac
The Right Bank is the bank of which river?
Dordogne
Cabernet Franc prefers what type of soil
Limestone
When was the first Saint Emilion classification published? Last Revised?
1955 (legally enacted in ’58); 2012
Where are the oldest cultivated vineyards in Bordeaux
Bourg
Where is Chateau Roc de Cambes?
Cotes de Bourg (Mitjaville - Tertre Rôteboeuf)
What differentiates the climate of the Medoc and the Right Bank?
Right Bank has more continental influence, less maritime
Name the 2nd wines for the 4 GC Classe A of St Emilion
Le Carillon d’Angelus,
Petit Cheval,
Aromes de Pavie,
La Chappelle d’Ausone
Which 2 chateaux were upgraded to A class in 2012?
Pavie & Angelus
Name 5 B class chateaux of St Emilion
Fourtet, Gaffeliere, Beausejour, Larcis Ducasse*, Beausejour Becot, La Mondotte*, Belair Monange, Canon, Macquin, Canon la Gaffeliere*, Troplong Mondot, Trottevielle, Figeac, Valandraud* *new in 2012
T or F Saint Emilion Grand Cru is an appellation
T - wines must be estate bottled, show +.5% abv. (11.5%),
released after May 15 second year after harvest (bottled after Feb. 1),
lower max yields (46 vs. 53), higher min. must weight (189 vs 183)
Name 2 most prominent garagistes
Valandraud, Le Pin, La Mondotte, Tertre Rôteboeuf
Cotes de Castillon producers
Domaine de l’A (Derenoncourt), l’Hetre (Thienpont), d’Aigulhe (Canon la Gaffeliere), Clos Lunelles (Pavie), Joanin Becot (Beausejour Becot), l’Aurage (Tertre Roteboeuf), Ampelia (Grand Corbin d’Espagne), Montlandrie (Eglise-Clinet), Clos Louie (Old Vines), Clos Puy Arnaud (Thierry Valette), Veyry, Cap de Faugères
Which of the St Emilion GC A class are on the Cotes?
Angelus, Ausone (calcaire a asteries, favorable aspect - frost immunity), Pavie
Which is SE classe A on the Graves?
Cheval Blanc
Advantage of vineyards on the Cotes
Frost protection due to aspect toward sun, and shelter from the North and West from the escarpment
White wine from the right bank can be labelled as?
Bordeaux blanc AOP
When did merlot come to dominate plantings in the RB?
Post-phylloxera,
late-ripening cabernet sauvignon was susceptible to frost and the cooler temperatures,
1956 frost also decimated some vineyards
The highest percentage of Chinese-owned estates are in what appellation?
Fronsac
St. Emilion is located between which 2 rivers?
Dordogne & Barbanne
Pomerol between what 2 rivers?
Isle & Barbanne
Soil type of Fronsac and Canon Fronsac?
Molasses du Fronsadais (soft limestone and clay)
1 producer from each
Fronsac - Ch. la Riviere, Dalem, Dauphine, La Vielle Cure;
Canon - Ch. Gaby, Grand Renouil
Communes of Lalande de Pomerol
Lalande & Neac
What commune of St. Emilion and Pomerol gives its name to the french name for the right bank vineyards?
Libourne
Best RB vintages in last 20 years?
16, ’10, ’05 (potentially also ’19, ’15)
Best RB vintages before the new millennium?
’98, ’90, ’82, ’75, ’61, ‘59
What is the typical training method for the RB?
Single Guyot, Lower density plantings (5,500 vs 7,000), Higher trellising
Which of these Cotes de Bordeaux appellations produce red wines only: Castillon, Cotes de Blaye, Blaye, Francs, Cotes de Bourg
Castillon, Blaye
Which RB Cotes de Bordeaux appellation white wine is based on Colombard and Ugni Blanc?
Cotes de Blaye (blanc sec only) - history of white wine distillation for cognac
Name of the annual harvest festival in St. Emilion ?
La Jurade
Which wine styles can be made from Blaye? Cote de Blaye? Blaye Cotes de Bordeaux?
reds; dry whites, reds and dry whites
Chateau Figeac not included in classe A in 2006 because…
prices were too low
RB proprietors with wineries in Napa
Christian Moueix - Dominus; Teyssier-World’s End
Largest Pomerol Estate
Chateau de Sales - 47ha
Pomerol vineyards located on/near the buttoniere de Petrus?
La Fleur, VCC, Evangile, Conseillante,
Michel Rolland consults for …
Pavie, Angelus, Ausone … Bon Pasteur (his), La Mondotte, Valandraud, Fontenil
Classifications of St. Emilion
55, 69, 85, 96, ’06 since 2006 INAO, 2012 … next 2022
2 newcomers to classe B
La Mondotte, La Valandraud, Larcis-Ducasse, Canon la Gaffeliere
Only AOP which does not permit carmenere?
Pomerol
Who produces Trilogie 2nd label?
Le Pin
Saint Emilion - 3 communes (9)
Libourne, Saint-Laurent des Combes, Saint Emilion, Saint-Etienne-de-Lis, Vignonet
Chateau Petrus WM - Jean Claude Berrouet consults for whom in Cali?
Twomey
Grand Vidure is synonym for which grape?
Carmenere
Which river flows between Pomerol and Lalande de Pomerol?
Barbanne
Rank the 4 GC A’s by price
Ausone, Cheval Blanc, Angelus, Pavie
GC’s from West to East
Cheval Blanc, Angelus, Ausone, Pavie
Favorable/Unfavorable vintages of 2010s
Fave - 2016, 2010
Bad - 2011, 2013
10 appellations of the Right Bank
Saint Em, SE GC, Lalande, Pom, Frons, Can Frons, Puisseguin, Lussac, St George, Montagne
% of total Bordeaux output of those 10 RB appellations
10%
Saint Emilion GC - petit verdot may not exceed
10%
Largest cabernet sauvignon holdings in Pomerol
Chateau de Sales
How are estates unofficially classified in Pomerol?
Proximity to Petrus
2nd wines VCC, LaFleur
Gravette, Pensees
Saint Emilion producers on the Graves soils
Cheval Blanc, Figeac,
Average size of vineyard holding in Saint Emilion?
7ha
Largest vineyard in Saint Emilion
Ch. Fombrauge, Ch. Laroque = about 60ha
sandy soil Saint Emilions
Monbousquet, Tessier, Canon la Gaffeliere
smallest vineyard holdings in Saint Emilion
Clos Saint Martin (1.3ha) - BIVB
Saint Emilion GCs NOT pursuing classification A or B
Tertre Rôteboeuf, Le Dome
Jean Pierre Moueix
Purchased Petrus from Madame Loubat
Best commune in Lalande de Pomerol
Neac - deeper clay and gravel similar to Pomerol, and better exposures
Lalande Producers
Lafleur Bouard
Saint Emilion satellite producers
Ch. de Saint George,
Teyssier (Puisseguin),
Belair (Puisseguin),
Ch. de Barbe Blanche (Lurton)
Widely exported Fronsac
Richelieu,
de la Riviere,
Vielle Cure
Best village in Fronsac
Saillans (Fontenil & Vielle Cure)
Does Bourg/Cotes de Bourg comply with the Cotes de Bordeaux AOP?
NO - it retains its own cahier des charges (unlike Blaye)
Why did Cheval and Ausone pull out of classification in 2021?
New classification standards included tourism infrastructure, social media presence, and product placement.
