FR: Right Bank Bordeaux

Question 1

Malbec in BDX

Answer 1

most plantings in St-Emilion
“Pressac”

Question 2

St-Emilion sits between what 2 rivers

Answer 2

Dordogne
Barbanne

Question 3

St-Emilion côtes vs graves

Answer 3

Côtes: Limestone plateau near the town itself. Most classed estates here. Cool clay topsoils.

Graves: NW sector near Pomerol’s gravelly terrace. Topsoils feature more clay than gravel, favors higher % of CF
** Ch Figeac, Cheval Blanc

Question 4

Saint-Emilion AC vs Grand Cru AC
- release date, yields, ABV

Answer 4

• RELEASE: May 15 of 2nd year post harvest (vs April 15 of 1st year)
• 11.5% min ABV (vs 11%)
• MAX YIELD 46 hl/ha (vs 53) from same min. density.. 5500

All classed estates are St Em GC, but not all St Em GC are classed.

Question 5

St-Emilion’s promotional body

Answer 5

The Jurade of Saint-Émilion
* named for the governing body of St-Em when granted autonomy from English rule in 1199
* set harvest date
* reborn in 1948 as the trade/marketing body

Saint-Émilion, Lussac Saint-Émilion, and Puisseguin Saint-Émilion

Question 6

St-Emilion classification timeline
- year of 1st classification
- year of most recent classification

Answer 6

1955 (legally enacted in 1958)
Updates:
- 1969, 1986, 1996
- 2006 (contested, demotions nixed in 2009)
- 2012 (authority shifts to INAO, appeals process established)
- 2022

Question 7

2022 St-Emilion Classification #’s
- PGCC A
- PGCCB
- GCC
- demotions

Answer 7

2 Premier Grand Cru Classe A
12 Premier Cru Classe B
71 Grand Cru Classe
0 demotions in 2022

Question 8

Saint-Emilion classification scoring criteria (4)

Answer 8

1. analyses of soil, topography
2. analsyses of viticultural, and winemaking techniques
3. an examination of the estate’s reputation
4. tasting spanning a decade of vintages (15 for PGCC)

Question 9

What 4 properties left the St-Emilion classification entirely in 2022

Answer 9

1. Cheval Blanc (Classe A)
2. Angelus (Classe A)
3. Ausone (Classe A)
4. Château La Gaffelière (Classe B)

[Chateau Figeac achieved A for 1st time in 2022; Chateau Pavie was elevated in 2012. Figeac’s elevation was the only change in the Premier Grand Cru Classe category aside from these 4 leaving]

Question 10

St-Émilion Premiers Grands Crus Classés A

Answer 10

1. Château Pavie
2. Château Figeac (Promoted in 2022)

Question 11

Name 5 St-Émilion Premiers Grands Crus Classés B (12)

Answer 11

1. Château Beau-Séjour Bécot
2. Château Beauséjour
3. Château Bélair-Monange
4. Château Canon
5. Château Canon-la-Gaffelière
6. Clos Fourtet
7. Château Larcis-Ducasse
8. La Mondotte
9. Château Pavie-Macquin
10. Château Troplong-Mondot
11. Château Trotte Vieille
12. Château Valandraud

Question 12

INAO scoring criteria for Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classe & Premier Cru Classe

Answer 12

14/20 total points
1. (50%) tasting of 10 vintages
2. (20%) analysis of topography/ soil
3. (10%) analysis of viticulture, winemaking
4. (20%) reputation of the estate

PREMIER CRU - 16/20:
all above + tasting of an additional - 5 vintages of the wine (with greater maturity)
(heavier weight on each point across the board rather than 50% for tasting)

[A or B status is further decided by committee based on ageability and reputation]

Question 13

Pomerol major rivers

Answer 13

Isle
Barbanne

Question 14

Smallest “village appellation” in Bordeaux?

Answer 14

Pomerol, 800ha

Question 15

Pomerol communes

Answer 15

Libourne
Pomerol

Question 16

Pomerol soils

Answer 16

Gently rising plateau w 3 terraces of glacial deposits of sand, gravel, clay
* lighter, sandy soils near Libourne
* glacial gravel deposits accumulate as you move east/up
* easternmost/highest point has the purest water-retaining clay with just a little gravel. Emphasis on deep clay.

Crasse de fer = iron rich sand deposits

Question 17

Best commune of Fronsac?

Answer 17

Saillans

Question 18

Fronsac soils

Answer 18

Fronsadais molasse: mix of soft limestone and clay
* found in best hillside sites of Fronsac and in Canon Fronsac

Question 19

2 best Canon-Fronsac estates

Answer 19

Château Grand-Renouil
Château Gaby

Question 20

Name 3 Fronsac estates

Answer 20

Château Dalem
Château de La Dauphine
Chateau Fontenil
Chateau La Vieille Cure

Question 21

Saint-Emilion satellites (4)

Answer 21

1. Lussac-Saint-Émilion AOP
2. Puisseguin-Saint-Émilion AOP
3. Montagne-Saint-Émilion AOP
4. Saint-Georges-Saint-Émilion AOP

Similar soils to St-Em: vaying mix of limestone, gravel, clay. However, generally hillier, cooler and later harvesting.

Question 22

River between St-Emilion and satellites - significance of this boundary?

Answer 22

Barbanne River
* linguistic boundary - makes separation of langue d’oc vs langue d’oil of the north

Question 23

Which appellations may append “cotes de bordeaux” to their names?

Answer 23

1. Blaye (red only),
2. Blaye cotes de bordeaux (red and white),
3. Cote de blaye (white only - minimum 60-90% ugni/colombard)
4. Cadillac (red only),
5. Castillon (red only),
6. Francs,
7. Sainte Foy Bordeaux

Question 24

Easternmost Bordeaux AC?

Answer 24

Sainte Foy Bordeaux
* Dry red, whites
* ~20 producers, 2 coops
* close to Bergerac
* clay, gravel, limestone

Question 25

Soil types of Fronsac and Canon-Fronsac?

Answer 25

Molasses du Fronsadais - limestone mixed with sand and clay; Calcaires a Asteries - limestone mixed with marine fossils

Question 26

How does a St. Emilion Chateaux become 1er Grand Cru Classe?

Answer 26

Pass a tasting of 15 vintages rather than 10; less emphasis on winemaking and more on soil/topography analysis, and higher reputation

Question 27

A CF dominated Pomerol ?

Answer 27

Chateau Lafleur - 53% CF on mainly gravel soils

Question 28

A CS dominated Pomerol?

Answer 28

Chateau de Sales (Largest Estate in Pomerol - 47ha)

Question 29

What is the most highly regarded sector of Pomerol?

Answer 29

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)

Question 30

What is the name of the predominant soils in Pomerol?

Answer 30

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

Question 31

Who are some of the original “garagistes” who launched in the 1990s?

Answer 31

Tertre Roteboeuf (SE - F. Mitjaville), Valandraud (SE - JL Thunevin), La Mondotte (SE - S. Von Neipperg)

Question 32

Stefan Von Neipperg other estates?

Answer 32

Canon La Gaffeliere, | Clos de l’Oratoire (1st employer of Derenoncourt)

Question 33

Derenoncourt Estates

Answer 33

``` Canon La Gaffelier, Teyssier, Beausejour, La Mondotte, Poujeaux, Talbot, Paveil de Luze ```

Question 34

What are the primary soils of the 1er GC Classes?

Answer 34

Ausone - calcaire a astéries; Cheval - gravels; Angelus - sands; Pavie - molasses (clay/sand/soft limestone bedrock)

Question 35

What tributary separates Canon Fronsac and Fronsac from Pomerol?

Answer 35

L’Isle

Question 36

Name 2 producers of Fronsac?

Answer 36

``` La Dauphine, Fontenil, Dalem, La Huste, Les Trois Croix, La Vielle Cure ```

Question 37

T or F a classified estate in Saint Emilion may grow or shrink in size as on the Left Bank

Answer 37

False! sometimes only part of the vineyard will meet the classification standards ex. Angelus’ 27 out of 29 hectares

Question 38

Where do grapes ripen earlier between Saint Emilion and Pomerol?

Answer 38

Pomerol - warming effect of gravel

Question 39

Where are the best sites in Fronsac and Canon Fronsac?

Answer 39

Saillans, La Riviere - hillsides with higher limestone content

Question 40

What is the smallest satellite of Saint Emilion

Answer 40

Saint Georges (can also be labelled Montagne - the largest)

Question 41

What is the highest satellite and last to ripen?

Answer 41

Puisseguin

Question 42

All of the Right Bank AOC’s (except SE GC) have a min. abv of _____

Answer 42

11% (SE GC has 11.5%)

Question 43

Of the Right Bank appellations which maintains the longest elevage?

Answer 43

Saint Emilion GC - May 15 of 2nd year after harvest; Blaye - March 31, 2nd year after harvest

Question 44

Who makes ‘Trilogy’?

Answer 44

Le Pin - 3 vintages of nonclassified wine (like Overture)

Question 45

White wines from the RB are released as…

Answer 45

Bdx blanc

Question 46

Cotes de Bordeaux Castillon producer?

Answer 46

Domaine de l’A - Derenoncourt

Question 47

Planting density minimum on the RB

Answer 47

5,500 vines/ha (Sauternes is 6500, left bank is 7000)

Question 48

Synonym for CF in Pomerol

Answer 48

Bouchet

Question 49

The Right Bank is the bank of which river?

Answer 49

Dordogne

Question 50

Cabernet Franc prefers what type of soil

Answer 50

Limestone

Question 51

Where are the oldest cultivated vineyards in Bordeaux

Answer 51

Bourg

Question 52

What differentiates the climate of the Medoc and the Right Bank?

Answer 52

Right Bank has more continental influence, less maritime

Question 53

Which 2 chateaux were upgraded to A class in 2012?

Answer 53

Pavie & Angelus

Question 54

Name 2 most prominent garagistes

Answer 54

Valandraud, Le Pin, La Mondotte, Tertre Rôteboeuf

Question 55

Advantage of vineyards on St-Emilion's Cotes

Answer 55

Frost protection due to aspect toward sun, and shelter from the North and West from the escarpment

Question 56

Communes of Lalande de Pomerol

Answer 56

Lalande & Neac

Question 57

Chateau Figeac not included in classe A in 2006 because…

Answer 57

prices were too low

Question 58

RB proprietors with wineries in Napa

Answer 58

Christian Moueix - Dominus; Teyssier-World’s End

Question 59

Only AOP which does not permit carmenere?

Answer 59

Pomerol

Question 60

Who produces Trilogie 2nd label?

Answer 60

Le Pin

Question 61

Saint Emilion producers on the Graves soils

Answer 61

Cheval Blanc, Figeac more gravel = more CF

Question 62

sandy soil Saint Emilions

Answer 62

Monbousquet, Tessier, Canon la Gaffeliere

Question 63

Saint Emilion GCs NOT pursuing classification A or B

Answer 63

Tertre Rôteboeuf, Le Dome

Question 64

Why did Cheval and Ausone pull out of classification in 2021?

Answer 64

New classification standards included tourism infrastructure, social media presence, and product placement.

Question 65

Le Pin

Answer 65

Pomerol * 2.7ha, est 1979 by the Thienpont family (VCC) * 92% Merlot, 8% CF. Vineyard on the plateau. Typically 100% Merlot * 1st vintage 1979

Question 66

La Conseillante

Answer 66

Pomerol Duo de Conseillante * 80% Merlot, 20% CF 16, 19, 20 = recent outstanding vintages

Question 67

Vieux Chateau Certan - location - 2nd wine

Answer 67

Pomerol La Gravette de Certan * 65% Merlot, 30% CF, 5% CS (2020 blend - 85M/15CF) Neighbors Petrus, La Conseillante, L'Evangile. Highest point of the plateau is where VCC's vines meet Petrus'

Question 68

Chateau Figeac

Answer 68

Saint-Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classe A (only A promotion in 2022) * 2nd: Petit-Figeac 35% CF, 35% CS, 30% Merlot

Question 69

Chateau Angelus

Answer 69

Saint-Emilion * no classification - formerly Grand Cru Classe A * 2nd: Carillon d’Angélus * 53% Merlot, 46% CF 1% PV (2020 - 60M/40CF)

Question 70

Chateau Cheval Blanc

Answer 70

Saint-Emilion * 2nd: Le Petit Cheval 49% CF, 47% Merlot, 4% CS (always 100% new oak) Once part of Figeac LVMH

Question 71

Chateau Ausone

Answer 71

Saint-Emilion - left the classification in 2021 * 55% CF, 45% Merlot * 2nd: Chapelle de Ausone

Question 72

Tertre Roteboeuf

Answer 72

Saint-Emilion No classification, no 2nd wine SE sector of St-Em

Question 73

Clos Fourtet

Answer 73

St-Émilion Premiers Grands Crus Classés B * 2nd: La Closerie de Fourtet * 80% Merlot, 10% CF, 10% CS

Question 74

Chateau Valandraud

Answer 74

St-Émilion Premiers Grands Crus Classés B Jean-Luc Thunevin * 90% Merlot, 10% CF * 2nd: Virginie de Valandraud * the OG garagiste

Question 75

La Mondotte

Answer 75

St-Émilion Premiers Grands Crus Classés B * 75% Merlot, 25% CF

Question 76

Chateau Clinet

Answer 76

Pomerol * Fleur de Clinet * 90% Merlot, 9% CS, 1% CF (vyd in both plateau and sandy gravel near the Church)

Question 77

Chateau Petrus

Answer 77

Pomerol 97% Merlot, 3% CF (rarely in blend) * the "buttonhole": rich blueish clay over a subsoil of gravel which itself is over a layer of crass de fer ** only 1h of 11.5 are on gravel

Question 78

number of classifieds in 2022 St Em

Answer 78

- Premier Grand Cru Classe A: 2 - Premier Grands Crus Classés (B): 12 - Grands Crus Classés: 71

Question 79

Hillside communes of Saint-Emilion

Answer 79

1. St-Emilion/Libourne 2. St-Etienne-de-Lise 3. St-Christopher des Bardes 4. St-Hippolyte 5. St-Laurent-des-Combes [St-Sulipce-de-Faleyrens, Vignonet, St-Pey-d'Armens are on the plains]

Question 80

Saint-Emilion name for Cab Franc

Answer 80

bouchet

Question 81

Saint-Emilion plateau soils

Answer 81

loam and clay over weathered limestone * not porous or fissured - roots cannot penetrate this limestone

Question 82

Saint-Emilion cotes soils, producers

Answer 82

Similar to plateau - loam and clay over limestone * Pavie, Larcis-Ducasse

Question 83

Original 2 Premiers Cru Classe A in the 1955 St-Em?

Answer 83

Cheval Blanc Ausone

Question 84

Chateau Pavie

Answer 84

Saint-Emilion 1GCCA since '12 * 2nd: Arômes de Pavie * 65% Merlot, 25% CF, 10% CS

Question 85

What is Bouchet?

Answer 85

Pomerol name for Cab Franc