Blog posts tagged with 'red wine'

Tasting Note: Vincent Dauvissat Irancy 2010 & 2015 General Impression: When no one on our team has tasted the wine on the tasting table, you know it's something truly niche. The Vincent Dauvissat Irancy 2010 and 2015 vintages exemplify this exclusivity. Origin: Irancy is situated southwest of Chablis and has been recognized as an appellation since 1998. The wines primarily consist of Pinot Noir, with up to 10% César allowed in the blend. Appearance: This wine displays a robust crimson hue, deepening towards dark red, enriched with vibrant highlights. Nose: The bouquet is bursting with a medley of fruit aromas, including blackcurrant, Morello cherry, raspberry, and blackberry. There are also occasional floral (violet), licorice, and pepper notes, which intriguingly draw comparisons to the Oude Kriek from 3 Fonteinen. Palate: On the palate, the tannins melt into a firm yet velvety structure. The wine's acidity is balanced perfectly, ensuring excellent aging potential. Character: Irancy wines often start off reticent, keeping their true character concealed. However, the 2010 and 2015 vintages are exceptions, revealing their noble qualities more readily. Similar to a great Nebbiolo, their initial resistance softens with time, allowing the wine's complexities to unfold. They present a rustic yet clean profile, highlighting a unique array of noble characteristics specific to this terroir. Overall: Patience rewards the drinker with this wine, as its rustic charm and noble complexities develop beautifully over time. The Vincent Dauvissat Irancy 2010 and 2015 are excellent examples of the unique elegance and depth this appellation has to offer.

Richebourg stands as a true legend in the wine world, revered on par with the most outstanding multiple-owner Grand Cru vineyards like Musigny. Nestled within the village of Vosne-Romanée, Richebourg is surrounded by other esteemed Grands Crus, many of which are also celebrated for producing some of the world's top wines. Over time, Richebourg has earned its own status symbol, garnering great respect from Burgundy enthusiasts around the globe. Its top cuvées are hailed as among the finest red wines in existence, captivating the palates of even the most discerning wine connoisseurs. Join us as we delve into the allure of Richebourg, exploring its esteemed reputation and the unparalleled quality of its wines. Discover why this legendary vineyard has become a symbol of prestige and excellence in the world of Burgundy wine, and find your perfect bottle to experience its magic firsthand.

Château Lagrange started humble but is today a successful Third Growths Winehouse. The estate is 182 hectares large and located entirely within the appellation of Saint-Julien. When the property was acquired by the Japanese company Suntory, the French were skeptical, but we can’t deny: the Japanese have made Château Lagrange great again. The Appellation Saint-Julien Saint-Julien is an Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) for red wine in Bordeaux, more specifically the Médoc subregion. The wines of this appellation are mainly produced in Saint-Julien-Beychevelle, located on the left bank between Margaux and Pauillac. The primary grape of Saint-Julien is Cabernet Sauvignon, along with Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot, and traces of Carménère. The southern wines are described as smoother and more feminine, while the northern wines are more robust and powerful. Château Lagrange is located in the north of the Saint-Julien appellation. The History of Château Lagrange The story of Château Lagrange dates back to the Gallo-Roman times when the original estate was called Villa Rustica. During the Middle Ages, the Templars joined two domains and made Lagrange the largest wine producer in the Médoc. Over the centuries, the domain was owned by many different people. In the 18th century, Baron de Brane, a Bordeaux parliament member and owner of Mouton, bought the estate. Subsequently, influential merchant Jean-Valère Cabarrus invested in Lagrange and spread its wines through his sales network. The Italianate tower, depicted on the label, was constructed in 1796 by the next owner Jean Valerie Cabarrus, Napoleon’s Finance Minister in Spain. But it was his successor, Count Duchatel, who was the first to truly improve the domain’s wines: he added a drainage system to the vineyard. This is very common today but back then it was revolutionary. In 1855, the year of the Bordeaux Wine Official Classification, Château Lagrange was ranked as Third Classified Growths. It was truly a golden age for the estate, but everything changed in the 20th century due to the World Wars and Depression. In 1983, the Japanese group Suntory acquired the domain and appointed Marcel Ducasse and Kenji Suzuta to restructure the vineyard and renovate the estate. This was the beginning of the château’s rebirth. Year after year, they put in hard work and investments. Today Château Lagrange is led by Matthieu Bordes and Keiichi Shiina, who keep refining the production. The Exceptional Terroir of Château Lagrange The center of the domain is the highest point in Saint-Julien. The estate covers 182 hectares and has a gravelly soil combined with sand or iron-rich clay, depending on the plot. The soil is perfect for the Cabernet Sauvignon grape and covers 67% of the vineyard. 28% is dedicated to the Merlot grape and 5% to Petit Verdot, which gives the wines of Château Lagrange their unique complexity. Château Lagrange is one of the few properties in Saint-Julien that also produces white wine. The white wine vineyard covers 7.5 hectares, of which 60% is Sauvignon Blanc, 20% Sauvignon Gris, and 20% Sémillon. This wine is sold under the name Les Arums de Lagrange. In 1985, Suntory also started the production of a second wine: Les Fiefs de Lagrange. Tradition and Perfection The vines are maintained with great care and respect for tradition. Production is also as eco-friendly as possible. During harvest, the grapes are hand-picked and sorted both manually and by an optical sorting machine. Only the best remain. Vinification takes place in stainless steel vats with respect to each plot. Each plot has its own vat, which contributes to the quality of the wines. Afterwards, the oenologist of Château Lagrange blends the wines to create a perfect harmony. The wines are aged in oak barrels for at least 20 months. The Wines of Château Lagrange The wines are described as bright and deeply colored with notes of fruits and oak. As the young wines contain many tannins, it’s better to wait at least 8 to 10 years before serving your Château Lagrange wine. An aging period of 10 to 25 years is even better. In the mood for an intense and complex wine? Discover our handpicked selection of Château Lagrange wines in our online shop.