Bordeaux Flashcards
First Growth
- Left Bank Bordeaux’s (4 in the Medoc and 1 in Graves)
- Bordeaux classification the Exposition Universelle of 1855
- AKA premier cru classes
- Chateau Lafite Rothschild (Pauillac)
- Chateau Latour (Pauillac)
- Chateau Margaux (Margaux)
- Chateau Haut Brion (Pessac, Graves)
- Chateau Mouton Rothschild (Pauillac) - added in 1973
Chateau Lafite Rothschild Premier Cru Classe
- 1st growth
- Average age of the grapes approx 45 years
- any vines younger than 10 years are not used in the Grand Vin
- Controlled yields, manual harvest and little to no chemical fertilizers
- 80-95% Cab Sauv, 5-20% Merlot, 0-5% Cab Franc and Petit Verdot
- 18-20 Months in 100% new barrels
T.N. - The aromatic potential is revealed over aging. Very long finish. Balance between richness and finesse. Usually an intense red garnet, but can change depending on vintage. Once aged will have aromas of crushed blackberries, black currant, pencil lead, cedar and cigar box with velvety tannins. If drunk young decanting for 2 hours+ is recommended.
Pairing - classic meat dishes, veal, pork, lamb, duck, game, chicken, roasted, braised and grilled dishes. Asian dishes, rich fish courses like tuna, salmon, mushrooms and pasta.
Chateau Latour Le Grand Vin
- 1st growth
- Vines are an average of 60 years old, in the Enclos (best terroir)
- Typically 75% Cab Sauv, 20% merlot, the remainder Petit Verdot and Cab Franc
- Aged in 100% new French oak barrels for approx 18 months
- Need often a decade before they begin to be ready for drinking and now they only release them when they’re ready to drink (2012 was released in 2020)
- In 2013 they slowly started incorporating organic farming and as of 2019 the entire vineyard is now certified organic
T.N. - Full bodied and powered with beautiful fruit. Velvety refined tannins with layers of cassis, earth, truffle, spice and tobacco flavors
Pairing - classic meat dishes, veal, pork, lamb, duck, game, chicken, roasted, braised and grilled dishes. Asian dishes, rich fish courses like tuna, salmon, mushrooms and pasta.
Chateau Margaux
- 1st growth
- Known for its finesse, elegance, complexity, density, intensity, length and freshness (not known for the power of many Bordeaux wines)
- Vines are approx 35 years old with some more than 80 years old
- Sorting is done in the vineyard and they hand sort through the grapes twice to make sure only the best fruit is used
- Final blend contains approx 85% cab sauv in most vintages
- 100% new oak for 18-24 months and they produce many of their own barrels
- Organic farming is practiced and in 2017 everything was farmed 100% organically
T.N. - Rich, full bodied and offers cassis, truffle and scents of violets. Both red and black fruit
*reaches peak maturity at 18 - 60 years (should let age at least 15 years)
Pairing - classic meat dishes, veal, pork, lamb, duck, game, chicken, roasted, braised and grilled dishes. Asian dishes, rich fish courses like tuna, salmon, mushrooms and pasta.
Chateau Haut Brion Premier Grand Cru Classe
- 1st growth (only one not in the Medoc)
- Average vine age is 36 years, however they have vines up to 90 years of age
- Approx 50% merlot, 42%, cab sauv with, 8% cab franc and sometimes traces of petit verdot (~1%) depending on vintage
- Aged in up to 100% new French oak for approx 18-24 months
- Approx 70% of the barrels are produced onsite
- They blend the wines before aging
- They have lowered Gran Vin yields and do massive sorting so they produce less of the grand vin at a higher quality
T.N. - Deep black cheery and cassis aromas. Ripe black current density with succulent tannins. Well balanced and rich finish
*can be drunk younger than most 1st growths, but is suggested to age at least 5 years
Pairing - classic meat dishes, veal, pork, lamb, duck, game, chicken, roasted, braised and grilled dishes
Chateau Mouton Rothschild Premier Cru Classe
- 1st growth (added in 1973)
- Average age of the vines is around 22 years (a lot average 50 and some date back to 130 years ago)
- Depending on vintage pprox 90% cab sauv, 8% merlot and 2% cab franc
- Hand picked. After destemming they are hand-sorted on vibrating tables
- Matured in new oak barrels for approx 20 months (19-22)
- Each wine has unique artwork that celebrates artists. The artists have complete freedom around themes of vine, pleasure of drinking and the ram (their emblem)
- not recommended to be drunk young, but if you do decant 3-6 hours. Usually best with 15 years of aging (can ago up to 60 years)
T.N. - Incredible depth, concentration, balance, length and purity. Mature and crisp tannins, black fruit with aromas of black currant and crushed blueberry. Cigar box, spice, chocolate and vanilla
Pairing - classic meat dishes, veal, pork, lamb, duck, game, chicken, roasted, braised and grilled dishes. Asian dishes, rich fish courses like tuna, salmon, mushrooms and pasta.
Chateau Petrus
- Pomerol appellation
- Small estate of 28 acres
- 100% Merlot
- Average age of the vines exceeds 45 years
- Hand harvested and aged 12-16 months in French oak barrels (1/2 new & washed first to not leave too much of a mark on the wine)
- Racked every three months and length of aging depends on vintage (typically 18-20 months)
T.N. - Intense color, a rich and complex nose of ripe mulberry, black currant, plums, chocolate and spicy vanilla oak
Age potential 25+ years
Pairing - classic meat dishes, veal, pork, lamb, duck, game, chicken, roasted, braised and grilled dishes. Asian dishes, rich fish courses like tuna, salmon, mushrooms and pasta.
Chateau Cheval Blanc
- Translates to white horse
- Rt bank Saint Emillion bordering Pomerol
- Average age of the vines is 45 years (some close to 100)
- Depending on vintage 53% merlot, 45% cab franc and 2% cab sauv
- They blend grapes of different levels of ripeness to add complexity, freshness and decadence
- Aged in 100% new French oak for close to 18 months
- Can be enjoyed young if you decant for 2-4 hours, but can age 15-50 years
T.N. - Incredibly rich, but never heavy. Red fruit raspberry, black currant, floral rose and violet nuances. Peppery and balsamic. Creamy and mouth filling
Pairing - classic meat dishes, veal, pork, lamb, duck, game, chicken, roasted, braised and grilled dishes. Asian dishes, rich fish courses like tuna, salmon, mushrooms and pasta.
Chateau Lafleur
- Rt bank Pomerol wine
- Average age of vines is 40 years old
- Blend is usually equal parts merlot and cab franc
- Use the highest percentage of cab franc in all of Pomerol
- Hand harvested to insure maximum ripeness
- On average aged in 25% new French oak for about 15 months
- Needs time to develop and recommended agin is 15-20 years (up to 50)
T.N. - Plum, chocolate-covered strawberries, blueberry pie, unsmoked cigars and a rough of Indian spices. Rich medium-full bodied with velvety tannins. Long finish
Pairing - classic meat dishes, veal, pork, lamb, duck, game, chicken, roasted, braised and grilled dishes. Asian dishes, rich fish courses like tuna, salmon, mushrooms and pasta.
