Not all Bordeaux chateaux are grand (Chateau Reysson, Medoc)

chateau reysson haut medoc bordeaux france

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Chateau Reysson, Haut-Medoc, Bordeaux, stock photography samples, by Per Karlsson, BKWine.

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Chateau Reysson is an estate in the northern Médoc (Bordeaux, France) that is managed, but not owned, by Dourthe since 2001. Dourthe-CVBG is one of the major negociants in Bordeaux, today owned by Champagne Thienot. As in their other properties, Dourthe has invested substantial amounts in developing the vineyards and the wines at Chateau Reysson..

The vineyards lie in the northern part of the Médoc region, but outside any of the famous 'communes', so it goes under the appellation Haut-Medoc. It was classified in the (now defunct, or annulled) Cru Bourgeois classification as a Cru Bourgeois Supérieur in 2003. There are some 40 hectares of vineyards, planted almost exclusively with merlot. Only 8% are cabernet sauvignon. (In the northern parts of Medoc it is not uncommon to have much more merlot than farther south.)

After taking control of the production in 2001 Dourthe rapidly started renewing the vinification facilities at Chateau Reysson. In 2002 a new vat hall with stainless steel temperature controlled fermentation tanks was opened. They are also testing or using other modern vinification techniques: pre-fermentation cold maceration for increased extraction or advanced grape material cleaning and sorting machines to mention a few. After fermentation the wine is aged for 16-18 months in oak barriques.

http://www.dourthe.com/

All images © copyright Per Karlsson, BKWine. Images may not be used without our permission.


Bordeaux Medoc Chateau Reysson - stock photo samples - Images by Per Karlsson

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Ripe stems and unripe stems on merlot grape bunches (Chateau Phelan Segur, Bordeaux)

Just harvested merlot grapes showing red ripe bunch stems and green unripe stems chateau phelan segur saint estephe medoc bordeaux france

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Château Phélan-Ségur, Saint-Estèphe, Médoc, Bordeaux, stock photography samples, by Per Karlsson, BKWine.

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Chateau Phelan-Segur is in the commune St Estephe in northern Medoc in Bordeaux. It is regarded as one of the best of the not classified (in the 1855 classification) properties in the Medoc. It is however classified as a Cru Bourgeois, albeit this classification is currently contested legally. The main chateau building and winery are impressive and beautiful and overlook the Gironde. They have 64 hectares of vineyard planted with vines of cabernet sauvignon, merlot and cabernet grape varieties.

the winery is modern, with stainless steel fermentation tanks and all other equipment that any self-respecting quality chateau in the top echelons in the Medoc today has. It uses a grape sorting table at the grape reception at harvest time, of course, sorting entire bunches, it ages its wines for an extended period in oak barrels.

All images © copyright Per Karlsson, BKWine. Images may not be used without our permission.


Bordeaux Medoc Chateau Phelan Segur - stock photo samples - Images by Per Karlsson

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Time to pick them? (Chateau Paloumey, Bordeaux)

Bunches of ripe grapes. Cabernet Franc. Chateau Paloumey, Haut Medoc, Bordeaux, France.

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Chateau Palomey, Haut-Medoc, Bordeaux, stock photography samples, by Per Karlsson, BKWine.

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Château Paloumey is a small family-owned property in the Haut-Medoc in Bordeaux. Martine Cazeneuve bought the estate in 1989/1990. The vineyards of Paloumey extend over 32 hectares. The chateau was well known before the Second World War and was classified as a cru bourgeois supérieur in 1932. But after the war the wine estate fell into less interested hands and when Martine bought it there was not a single vine left. In 2003 the chateau regained its classification. Martin also owns and runs the two small wine domaines Château La Bessane in Margaux and Château La Garricq in Moulis-en-Médoc. The chateau was a Cru Bourgeois Supérieur before that classification fell into dispute.

The vineyards are mainly on gravely soil planted with cabernet sauvignon, merlot and a little bit cabernet franc. Vinification is typical medocain with fermentation in temperature controlled stainless steel vats, with a quite long post-fermentation maceration. the wine is then aged in oak barrels for 12 months. Approximately 30% of the barrels are renewed each year.

All images © copyright Per Karlsson, BKWine. Images may not be used without our permission.


Bordeaux Medoc Chateau Paloumey - stock photo samples - Images by Per Karlsson

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One way of doing 'vinification integrale' (Chateau Liversan, Bordeaux)

Fermentation in barrel. Oak barrel aging and fermentation cellar. Chateau Liversan, Domaines Lapalu, Haut Medoc, Bordeaux, France

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Chateau Liversan, Medoc stock photography samples, by Per Karlsson, BKWine.

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Château Liversan is part of the Domaines Lapalu group and is in the Médoc appellation. It is part of the group of wine domains that has the label Cru Bourgeois, a classification that has been annulled for reasons of legal wrangling and disagreement between proprietors.

The Château Liversan was bought in 1995 by the Lapalu family. They also own four or five other châteaux in the Médoc. The château and cellars have been beautifully restored. The Domaines Lapalu now includes, apart from Liversan, the châteaux Patache d'Aux, Lacombe Noaillac, Lieujean, Le Bosq, Fonpiqueyre, Lagrave, Les Rives de Gravelongue, Les Traverses la Franque, Le Borderon, and Larrivaux.

It is located quite far north in the Medoc. It is surrounded by the vineyards. In the wine cellar there has been some experimentation with "vinification integrale", i.e. fermenting the red wine in barrels to increase the complexity and smoothness of the wine. The grape varieties uses are mainly cabernet sauvignon and merlot.

All images © copyright Per Karlsson, BKWine. Images may not be used without our permission.


Bordeaux Medoc Chateau Liversan stock photo samples - Images by Per Karlsson

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Unusually colourful wine cellar (Chateau Belgrave, Bordeaux)

barrel aging cellar chateau belgrave haut medoc bordeaux france

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Chateau Belgrave, Medoc, Bordeaux, stock photography samples, by Per Karlsson, BKWine.

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Chateau Belgrave is an estate in the Haut-Médoc district in Bordeaux, France. It is run by (but not owned by) one of Bordeaux's biggest négociant firms: Vins et Vignobles Dourthe CVBG (now part of the Thiénot Champagne group). It was classified as a 5e Grand Cru Classé (fifth Great Growth) in the old classification of 1855. It is one of the five Classed Growths in the Médoc that is not in a "commune" appellation (Margaux, etc...) but has the broader Haut-Medoc appellation.

Chateau Belgrave has 59 hectares of vines planted with merlot, cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc and petit verdot. The soil has a very noticeable gravel contents similar to what is found in neighbouring Saint Julien (almost Graves-like). The vineyards are tended with great care, partially grassed. Harvest is done manually.

The vinification is done in a brand new winery and vat hall, finished just in time for the harvest in 2003. It is equipped with all the latest technology: temperature and climate control etc. Vinification is mainly done in stainless steel tanks, but some wooden vats are also used. If needed, must concentration with reverse osmosis can be used. After finishing fermentation the wines are stored in the (unusually colourful) barrel cellar in oak barriques, some of which are new, for 12 to 15 months.

http://www.dourthe.com/

All images © copyright Per Karlsson, BKWine. Images may not be used without our permission.


Bordeaux Medoc Chateau Belgrave - stock photo samples - Images by Per Karlsson

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The big rabbit is hiding here somewhere (Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte, Bordeaux)

Vineyard. Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte, Pessac Leognan, Graves, Bordeaux, France

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Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte, Pessac-Leognan, Graves, Bordeaux, stock photography samples, by Per Karlsson, BKWine.

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Château Smith Haut Lafitte is one of the so-called classed growth wineries in Pessac-Leognan in the Graves district of Bordeaux. It is, as you can guess, on gravely soil. In the mid-90s the chateau was bought by the Cathiard family (Daniel and Florence) who still runs it. It is one of the most commercially astute and inventive chateaux in the area. The have built a luxurious hotel and spa in the vineyards, called Les Sources de Caudalie. It has two restaurants and a spa and well-being centre where you can get all sorts of health, skin and beauty treatments using products based on wine making by-products, e.g. skin cream made from grape pips or take a bath in a wine-filled hot-tub.

The vineyard is virtually all in one big square plot around the winery. It covers some 45 hectares planted with merlot, cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc. They also make some white wine made from sauvignon blanc, sauvignon gris and sémillon. There's a second label called Les Hauts de Smith.

http://www.smith-haut-lafitte.com/

All images © copyright Per Karlsson, BKWine. Images may not be used without our permission.


Bordeaux Graves Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte stock photo samples - Images by Per Karlsson

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A bunch of ripe grapes (Chateau Malartic Lagraviere, Bordeaux)

Bunches of ripe grapes. Chateau Malartic Lagraviere, Pessac Leognan, Graves, Bordeaux, France

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Château Malartic Lagravière, Pessac-Léognan, Graves, stock photography samples, by Per Karlsson, BKWine.

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Chateau Malartic-Lagraviere is a big winery in the Pessac-Leognan appellation. Pessac Leognan is just south of Bordeaux city, part of it is actually in the suburbs. A few decades ago it "declared independence" from the greater appellation of Graves of which it was previously a part. It is a bit like the story of someone thinking the club was not good enough for them so they created their own club - all the best known chateaux in Graves are in Pessac Leognan (which is still considered part of Graves too).

Chateau Malartic Lagraviere was acquired in 1997 by the rich Belgian family of Michèle and Alfred-Alexandre Bonnie. They have invested massively in the winery and in the vineyards, as well as in the beautiful chateau itself, located in a small park. Today it is run by the son, Jean-Jacques Bonnie, and his wife Séverine. All the installations have been renewed: new vat-room, new fermentation tanks (stainless steel), now cellar equipment, substantial investment in new oak barrels every year etc etc. They also experiment with various new "technologies", e.g. 'vinification integrale' (fermentation of red wine in the barrel, and oak casks (barriques) of wood other than oak, e.g. acacia.

The vineyard is partially next to the winery, with typical gravely soil. It is planted with vines of the classic Bordeaux varieties: cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc, and petit verdot. they also make a white wine from sauvignon blanc and sémillon grapes.

All images © copyright Per Karlsson, BKWine. Images may not be used without our permission.


Bordeaux Graves Chateau Malartic Lagraviere stock photo samples - Images by Per Karlsson

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A Bordeaux chateau framed (Chateau la Louviere, Graves)

Through the gate. Chateau La Louviere, Pessac Leognan, Graves, Bordeaux, France

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Chateau La Louviere, Pessac-Leognan, Graves stock photography samples, by Per Karlsson, BKWine.

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Chateau La Louviere is located in the Pessac-Léognan appellation, in the Graves wine region, just south of the city of Bordeaux. It belongs to André Lurton, one of the icons of the Bordelais wine scene. The chateau building itself has been beautifully restored by the Lurtons since André acquired the estate in 1965. The vineyards extend over more than 60 hectares, planted with cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc, and petit verdot used to make the red chateau La Louviere wines. For the white wines they use sauvignon blanc and sémillon.

All images © copyright Per Karlsson, BKWine. Images may not be used without our permission.


Bordeaux Graves Chateau La Louviere - stock photo samples - Images by Per Karlsson

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There is beauty in stainless steel tanks and wooden vats (Chateau La Garde, Bordeaux)

stainless steel tanks chateau la garde pessac leognan graves bordeaux france

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Chateau la Garde, Pessac-Léognan, Graves, Bordeaux, stock photography samples, by Per Karlsson, BKWine.

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Chateau la Garde is an estate in the Pessac-Leognan area of the Graves district in Bordeaux, France. It belongs to one of Bordeaux's biggest négociant firms: Vins et Vignobles Dourthe CVBG (now part of the Thiénot Champagne group). Dourthe bought La Garde in 1990 and has since invested heavily in the winery and in the vineyards.

Chateau la Garde has 45 hectares of vineyards planted with both red and white grape varieties. For the red wines they use merlot (64%), cabernet sauvignon (29%), cabernet franc (4.5%) and petit verdot (2.5%); and for the white wines they use sauvignon blanc and sauvignon gris in equal parts. The soil in the vineyards are classic gravel and sand as is often the case in the Graves region. They are making some interesting experiments with very high density plantations (well over 10,000 vines per hectare).

The chai (vat hall) is modern, filled with state-of-the-art stainless steel tanks with temperature control, sorting table etc. After fermentation the wine is aged in wood (oak barriques) underground for a certain time. The consumer can be happy that Chateau la Garde is not in the Pessac-Léognan classification system so can be enjoyed at an affordable price.

http://www.dourthe.com/

All images © copyright Per Karlsson, BKWine. Images may not be used without our permission.


Bordeaux Graves Chateau la Garde - stock photo samples - Images by Per Karlsson

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This is not what we had for dinner last night (Chateau Haut Brion, Bordeaux)

1988 soiled label chateau haut brion pessac leognan graves bordeaux france

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Chateau Haut Brion, Pessac-Léognan, Graves, Bordeaux, stock photography samples, by Per Karlsson, BKWine.

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Château Haut Brion is an estate located in the Pessac-Leognan area of the Graves in Bordeaux, France. It is one of four (later five) chateaux to be classified Premier Cru Classé, First Growth, in the (now outdated) classification of 1885. The property belongs to Les Domaines Clarence Dillon since 1935. The winery is located in the suburbs of the city of Bordeaux and is today entirely surrounded by suburban housing.

The vineyards of Chateau Haut Brion cover just under 50 hectares. They are planted with classic Bordeaux grape varieties: merlot, cabernet sauvignon (each accounting for between 40% and 45% of the total), cabernet franc, and petit verdot. There are also some white vines split almost 50/50 between sauvignon blanc and semillon.

The winery is of course equipped with all modern winemaking and vinification technology. Stainless steel tanks are used for fermentation. After fermentation the wines are aged in wood for around 18 months in the barrel cellar before being bottled and sold to claret investors on the international market.

http://www.haut-brion.com

All images © copyright Per Karlsson, BKWine. Images may not be used without our permission.


Bordeaux Graves Chateau Haut Brion - stock photo samples - Images by Per Karlsson

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This is graves in Graves (Chateau Fieuzal, Bordeaux)

The gravelly soil chateau fieuzal pessac leognan graves bordeaux france

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Chateau de Fieuzal, Graves, Bordeaux, stock photography samples, by Per Karlsson, BKWine.

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Chateau de Fieuzal is a winery in the Pessac-Léognan region in Bordeaux, France. Pessac-Léognan is a sub region (or a break-out district, if you prefer) of Graves, just south of the city of Bordeaux. Fieuzal makes both red and white wines. The reds are made from cabernet sauvignon (dominant), cabernet franc, merlot, and petit verdot. For the white wines they use sauvignon blanc and sémillon grapes. Since the early 2000s Chateau de Fieuzal is owned by a rich Irish banker, Lochlann Quinn and his family.

They have 48 ha of vineyards: 39 ha planted with red grape varieties and 9 ha of white. The vineyards are managed by lutte raisonnée ("sustainable winegrowing"), with as little chemical spraying as possible. The soil is mainly the typical gravely-sandy soil of the Graves region. The winery itself is newly renovated and very impressive. It has a barrel room for aging of the red wines and another hall for the whites. For the whites they are doing some experimentation with the egg-shaped "biodynamic" (as some call it) fermentation tanks.

The winery is managed by the French winemaker Stephen Carrier.

http://www.fieuzal.com/

All images © copyright Per Karlsson, BKWine. Images may not be used without our permission.


Bordeaux Graves Chateau de Fieuzal - stock photo samples - Images by Per Karlsson

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Most likely merlot (Chateau Richelieu, Bordeaux)

Bunches of ripe grapes. Chateau Richelieu, Fronsac, Bordeaux, France

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Chateau de Richelieu, Fronsac, Bordeaux, stock photography samples, by Per Karlsson, BKWine.

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The Chateau Richelieu estate is located in Fronsac, in the Libournais in Bordeaux. It was bought some years ago by a group of Dutch and French investors but has recently been sold to a Chinese company. The winery and chateau needed renovation and investment when it was acquired and with constant efforts it has been transformed into a beautiful property. The wines are designed and packaged to attract an international market, rather than the more traditional and conservative French consumers. Fronsac is one of the lesser known appellations in the Bordeaux region, but a wine country where one can find some very interesting and affordable wines. The vineyards are mainly planted with the merlot grape variety and with some cabernet franc and malbec. Winemaking in the winery is relatively modern with e.g. thermo-regulated tanks.

The chateau and winery was acquired by a Chinese company a few years back. The wine will apparently only be distributed in china.

All images © copyright Per Karlsson, BKWine. Images may not be used without our permission.


Bordeaux Fronsac Chateau Richelieu stock photo samples - Images by Per Karlsson

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