The road to Clos Fourtet, Saint Emilion, Bordeaux

Chateau Clos Fourtet, Saint Emilion, Bordeaux, France

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Clos Fourtet, Saint Emilion, Bordeaux, stock photography samples, by Per Karlsson, BKWine.

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Clos Fourtet, one of the few wineries not called 'chateau', is in the commune Saint Emilion on the "right bank" in Bordeaux. It is just on the edge of the village of St Emilion separated from it only by a car park and the 'station' for the tourists' petit train. From the vineyards one has a good view of the church in Saint Emilion. It is today owned by the Cuvelier family (with e.g. Philippe and Matthieu Cuvelier), who made its fortune in office supplies.

Clos Fourtet is in the group of Premier Grand Cru Classé in the St Emilion classification, and is considered as one of the top wineries. They have just under 20 hectares of vines, planted with merlot primarily (85%) with some added cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc. The planting density is moderate (not the today fashionable very high density) and vines are pruned in guyot trellising.

The wine cellar has two parts: the mainly over-ground vat hall where the vinification takes place in stainless steel fermentation tanks, and the underground cellar where the bottles and barrels are kept. the underground cellar is actually an old quarry that used to be one of the sources for the stones to the buildings in and around Saint Emilion. The stone grotto assures a cool and stable temperature to the wine cellar.

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


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Evening sun over a charming country chalet (Chateau Trottevieille, Bordeaux)

at sunset chateau trottevieille saint emilion bordeaux france

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Chateau Trottevieille, Saint Emilion, Bordeaux, stock photography samples, by Per Karlsson, BKWine.

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Chateau Trottevieille (or Trotte Vieille) is an absolutely charming little chateau not far from the medieval Unesco World Heritage village of Saint Emilion in Bordeaux (France). It is a Premier Grand Cru Classé AOC Saint Emilion wine producer. The chateau, winery and vineyards are owned by Emile Castéja who also controls the big Bordeaux négociant Borie Manoux. The name supposedly originates from an old lady who once lived in the chateau and who “trotted” down to the horse carriage stop not far from the chateau.

The vineyards extend over 10 hectares and are planted with 55% merlot, 40% cabernet franc, and 5% cabernet sauvignon vines. They are on the Saint Emilion “plateau” and are composed mainly of calcareous soil. The vinification facilities are traditional with a small vat and fermentation hall and a bigger room for aging the wine in oak barrels. Between 12 and 18 months oak aging in new oak barrels. They also produce a second wine called La Vieille Dame de Trottevieille.

http://www.trottevieille.com

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Chateau Pavie, Saint Emilion, Bordeaux

chateau pavie saint emilion bordeaux france

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Chateau Pavie, Saint Emilion, Bordeaux, stock photography samples, by Per Karlsson, BKWine.

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Chateau Pavie is a wine estate in Saint Emilion on the right bank in Bordeaux. It is classified as Premier Grand Cru Classé and belongs to Gérard Perse since 1998. Over the last decade the wines from Pavie have attracted much controversy when some famous wine critics have considered it to be over extracted, over-powering and unbalanced (e.g. Jancis Robinson), whereas others have judged it to be of outstanding quality (e.g. Robert Parker).

The chateau and vineyards are located on the lower lying land below the village of Saint Emilion, towards the railway station. It is, for Saint Emilion, a big vineyard covering 37 hectares of vines. it is planted with merlot (dominant), cabernet franc, and cabernet sauvignon. The vineyards are mainly on limestone and clay, and also some gravel and sand. At harvest a stringent selection of the grapes is done at reception at the winery.

The vinification is made with the plots vinified separately. After fermentation in tanks the wine is aged for up to 24 months in oak barrels. Much new oak is used. The resulting wine is of course very powerful.

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


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It is not the season, but yet another young bud break (Chateau Moulin du Cadet, Bordeaux)

bud burst on the vine and counter-bud contre-bourgeon chateau moulin du cadet saint emilion bordeaux france

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Chateau Moulin du Cadet, Saint Emilion, Bordeaux, stock photography samples, by Per Karlsson, BKWine.

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Chateau Moulin du Cadet is a small winery in Saint Emilion, on the "right bank" (Rive Droite) of Bordeaux. It's on the plateau just a kilometre above the village itself. It belongs to Isabelle Blois-Moueix and Pierre Blois.

The 5 hectares of vineyards are on mainly limestone soil with some clay, planted with merlot. It is one of the few vineyards in Bordeaux that is run fully with biodynamic farming. This is a step beyond organic farming, based on the principles defined by Rudolf Steiner in the 1920s. "Farming biodynamically means that you really have to be present in the vineyard all the time", says Pierre. "You spend more hours in the field compared to conventional farming. And you also have to have staff that believe in the methods!" He's very happy with the results. His vines are healthier and his wines have become more "lively" and with more minerality, he says.

The wine cellar is relatively recent and is equipped with concrete fermentation tanks neatly painted in red and white. After fermentation the wine is aged in oak barrels for 12 to 18 months depending on the vintage. The total production is between 20 and 25,000 bottles.

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


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Bud burst (chateau grand barrail lamarzelle figeac, bordeaux)

bud burst on the vine and counter-bud contre-bourgeon chateau grand barrail lamarzelle figeac saint emilion bordeaux france

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Chateau Grand Barrail Lamarzelle Figeac, Saint Emilion, Bordeaux, stock photography samples, by Per Karlsson, BKWine.

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Chateau la Chateau Grand Barrail Lamarzelle Figeac is an estate in Saint Emilion on the right bank 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 runs (but does not own) Grand Barrail Lamarzelle Figeac since 2005 and has since invested heavily in the winery and in the vineyards.

The chateau is classified as Saint Emilon Grand Crus. You pass it on the main road when you drive towards the St Emilion village from Libourne. It is neighbour to the Chateau Barrail luxury hotel. It is, as most estates in Saint Emilion, a relatively modest size vineyard of 15 hectares. It is planted with 65% merlot and 35% cabernet franc. The vineyard is all in one plot surrounding the winery, on flat land on the Saint Emilion 'plateau'.

The winery has been completely renovated. A completely renovated, circular barrel cellar was inaugurated a few years back. The winery is equipped with all the latest technology (as always at the Dourthe properties). A latest generation sorting machine is used, the strange-looking Egraineur Socma.

At the winery there is also a wine shop, selling many different Saint Emilion chateaux.

http://www.dourthe.com/

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What a lovely house! And such garden fruit juice! (Chateau Figeac, Bordeaux)

Chateau Figeac the facade from the front and entrance gate

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Chateau Figeac, Saint Emilion, Bordeaux, stock photography samples, by Per Karlsson, BKWine.

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Chateau Figeac is the biggest vineyard and property in Saint Emilion in Bordeaux, France. The vineyards cover some 40 hectares on the plateau of Saint Emilion. It is the property of the Manoncourt family, having been brought to international fame by the charming Thierry Manoncourt. Today it is run by his son-in-law Eric d'Aramon. The property has been classified as Premier Grand Cru Classé B in the St Emilion classification.

The vineyards are unusual in Saint Emilion in that the soil is predominantly gravel. Therefore the grape variety blend is different from what is common in Saint Emilion. Chateau Figeac has approximately a third each of cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, and merlot (a slight preference for the cabernets).

The grapes are picked by hand at Chateau Figeac and vinified traditionally in the winery next to the chateau. Fermentation is in large wooden vats supplemented by stainless steel tanks. The wines spend a substantial amount of time ageing in oak barrels, a large portion of which are renewed every year.

http://www.chateau-figeac.com

All pictures © copyright Per Karlsson, BKWine. Photos may not be used without our permission.


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Chateau Bellefont Belcier, Saint Emilion, Bordeaux

Chateau Bellefont Belcier, Saint Emilion, bordeaux, France

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Bordeaux Saint Emilion Chateau Bellefont Belcier, stock photography samples, by Per Karlsson, BKWine.

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Château Bellefont-Belcier is a vineyard located a few kilometres east of the town of St Emilion in the commune of St. Laurent des Combes. It has 13 hectares of appellation land, all located around the chateau building. The grape variety is mainly merlot, with some cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc added. It is owned by the Faure and Labusquiere families, under the control of Jacques Berrebi and Alain Laguillaumie. Dominique Hebrard is responsible for the winemaking together with the assistant technical winemaker Emmanuel de Saint Salvy. The winery is traditional with concrete and stainless steel fermenting vats but uses modern technologies. The wine is matured in oak barrels in the elegant barrique cellar.

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


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A different way of giving someone the finger (Chateau Petrus, Pomerol, Bordeaux)

Statue of Saint Peter at the winery. Chateau Petrus, Pomerol, Bordeaux, France

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Château Petrus, Pomerol, Bordeaux, stock photography samples, by Per Karlsson, BKWine.

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Chateau Petrus is in the commune Pomerol on the "right bank" in Bordeaux. It is a small vineyard but it makes one of Bordeaux' most expensive wines. It is part of the Moueix family wine empire.

The vineyard extends over some 12 hectares planted almost exclusively with merlot grapes. The only other grape variety used is cabernet franc but it only accounts for 5%, and is not always used in the final blend.

The "chateau" itself is really nothing but an admittedly rather grand looking wine cellar. It was recently renovated and fenced in, perhaps understandably considering the number of people who stop outside to look each year. On can from the outside admire the carved stone statue of Petrus, of course, and also a rather more frivolous statue of two naked ladies and a satyr (?) harvesting wine. This latter is somewhat more difficult to access.

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


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Chateau Nenin, Pomerol, Bordeaux, on a chilly autumn day

Chateau Nenin, Pomerol, Bordeaux, France

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Château Nenin, Pomerol, Bordeaux, stock photography samples, by Per Karlsson, BKWine.

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Chateau Nenin is in the commune Pomerol on the "right bank" in Bordeaux. It is situated just on the edge of the small village of Pomerol. The main chateau is very small (as is the norm in Pomerol) but the winery, vat hall and barrel cellar are substantially more impressive. The facilities have recently undergone substantial renovations and it is evident that a lot of money and effort has been invested.

The vat hall has all the latest vinification technology, including conically shaped stainless steel fermentation tanks, to improve extraction, with, of course, complete temperature control. It is shining and impressive in its modernity. The barrel cellar is no less impressive, with its graphic design with "antique" columns and spectacular lighting.

It is one of the bigger vineyards in the Pomerol region with around 30 hectares. The vineyard is planted with 60% merlot and 40% cabernet franc. They also make a second wine called Fugue de Nenin.

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Tasting Chateau Pichon Lalande (Medoc, Bordeaux)

Wine tasting. Wine glasses. Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, pauillac, Medoc, Bordeaux, France

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Chateau Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, Pauillac, Medoc stock photography samples, by Per Karlsson, BKWine.

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Chateau Chateau Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, generally called Pichon-Lalande, is in the commune of Pauillac in northern Medoc, Bordeaux. It is one of the most sought after second growths, sometimes referred to as a 'super second', implying that it would merit to join the first growths (in case you still believe in the validity of the 1855 classification). It was for a long time run by the dynamic grand old lady May-Eliane de Lencquesaing who greatly contributed to (if not created) the chateau's reputation. The vineyards and the winery are just next to Chateau Latour. One has a nice view over the Latour tower from the Pichon Lalande terrace, a terrace that also is the roof of the recently constructed winery and wine cellar. It was recently sold to the Rouzard family of Champagnes Louis Roederer. However, the winery is still managed by Mme de Lencquesaing's nephew Gildas d'Ollone.

The vineyards extend over 75 hectares, including some vineyards in Saint Julien, grapes from which are curiously still used in the Grand Vin under the Pauillac appellation. They also own Ch Bernadotte, previously Le Fournas Bernadotte. The grape varieties used are cabernet sauvignon and merlot, plus some cabernet franc and petit verdot. Winemaking is of course modern with all the latest technology (as is general in the more luxurious estates in Bordeaux): stainless steel fermentation tanks, extensive barrel aging etc.

The chateau in itself is a very elegant structure, just across the street from 'the other Pichon', Chateau Pichon Baron. It is in a beautiful and well tended park decorated with various sculptures, a Bacchus aptly included.

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Is Chateau Latour a pipe dream?

Statue Pan. On the terrasse. View towards Chateau Latour. Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, pauillac, Medoc, Bordeaux, France

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

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Chateau Latour is one of the four wine chateaux categorised in 1855 as a First Growth (Premier Grand Cru - a fifth was added later). This "1855 classification" is curiously still considered important among wine drinkers and wine merchants. The Chateau Latour is located in the commune of Pauillac in the Medoc in the Bordeaux wine region.

It gets its name from the tower next to the chateau building itself. The main building is a rather humble affair compared to many other exclusive and exuberant chateaux in the region. The tower lies on a small hilltop in the middle of the vineyards. From there you have a view over the river Garonne. The vineyards extend over some 78 hectares, not all in one plot. They make a "grand vin", the Chateau Latour, and a second wine called Les Forts de Latour. The grape varieties grown are cabernet sauvignon (some 80%) and merlot, with a few vines of cabernet franc and petit verdot.

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Every centilitre counts (Chateau Lafite Rothschild, Bordeaux)

topping up wine barrels ch lafite rothschild pauillac medoc bordeaux france

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Château Lafite-Rothschild, Pauillac, Médoc, Bordeaux, stock photography samples, by Per Karlsson, BKWine.

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Chateau Lafite-Rothschild is in the commune Pauillac in northern Medoc in Bordeaux. It is one of the chateaux that was classified as a premier grand cru (first growth) in the antique-ish 1855 classification. It is owned by a different branch of the Rothschild family than the neighbouring Mouton-Rothschild.

The property has just over 100 hectares of vineyards, planted with cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc, and petiti verdot, mainly on gravely soil. The winery building was recently rebuilt. the main barrel storage cellar has a famous circular design and is occasionally also used for concerts.

The chateau is perhaps more modest in size than some of the others (albeit much bigger than Mouton that is not much more than a 'simple' house) but is located beautifully on a small hill overlooking a pond and (unfortunately for the owners, fortunately for passers by) also the main road, La Route des Chateaux.

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This wine cellar looks better dusted than our living room (Clos de Quatre Vents, Margaux)

concrete vats clos des quatre vents margaux medoc bordeaux france

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Clos des Quatre Vents, Margaux, Medoc, Bordeaux stock photography samples, by Per Karlsson, BKWine.

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Clos des Quatre Vents is a very small winery in Margaux, Medoc, Bordeaux, France. It is owned by Luc Thienpont.( Luc is the brother of Jacques Thienpont of Chateau le Pin in Pomerol.) It would be overstating it a bit to call this a chateau. The Clos des Quatre Vents vineyards extend over no more than 1.2 hectares. The vineyard is planted with a majority of cabernet sauvignon, merlot and a little bit of petit verdot.

The winery is certainly what one could call a boutique winery: it is small and immaculately tended. It has modern concrete fermentation vats with temperature control. The wine is then stored in oak barrels, barriques, for between 18 and 20 months.

Luc Thienpont makes three more wines: Villa des Quatres Soeurs, which is also a Margaux, made from a 1.5 ha vineyard with a majority of merlot; “Z”, which is a Bordeaux AOC wine from an 8.5 hectare vineyard; and Chateau Tayac-Plaisance, which is made from vineyards in three parcels adding up to 3.1 ha, all in Margaux.

http://www.luc-thienpont.com

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These days it is probably more correct to call this a vault rather than a wine cellar (Chateau Margaux, Bordeaux)

barrel cellar chateau margaux medoc bordeaux france

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

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Chateau Margaux is located in the Margaux appellation, in the Medoc wine region, just north of the city of Bordeaux. It is one of the five Grands Crus Classés 1855. It is also well known for its beautiful chateau, of harmonious proportions, built by the architect Louis Combes, in a style similar to, and inspired by, the Grand Theatre in the city.

The vineyard is mainly around the chateau itself. It is planted with classic Medoc grape varieties: cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, merlot. The 'grand vin' is Chateau Margaux, the second wine is Pavillon Rouge and there is even a white wine called Pavillon Blanc.

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


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Some ripe cabernet sauvignon (Chateau Kirwan, Bordeaux)

Bunches of ripe grapes. Cabernet Sauvignon. Chateau Kirwan, Margaux, Medoc, Bordeaux, France

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Château Kirwan, Margaux, Médoc, Bordeaux, stock photography samples, by Per Karlsson, BKWine.

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Chateau Kirwan is a classed growth (cru classé) property in the commune of Margaux (and appellation controlee) in the Medoc wine district in Bordeaux. It is owned by the Schyler family (today headed by Yann) of the négociant Schroder et Schyler. The vineyards are planted with cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc and petit verdot vines. The winery has much of the latest equipment, much like all the major chateau in the Medoc: sorting table, cuverie stainless steel fermentation tanks, pneumatic press, etc. And they age their red wine in oak barrique barrels of course.

They make a Grand Vain, the Chateau Kirwan, a second wine called Les Charmes de Kirwan, and even a rosé wine, Bordeaux Clairet.

The chateau building has harmonious proportions and is situated in a beautiful park. It is famous for its rose flower plantation.

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


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Grapes (merlot?), soil, chateau (Chateau Cantenac Brown, Bordeaux)

Soil detail. Stony. Sand. Bunches of ripe grapes. Chateau Cantenac Brown, Margaux, Medoc, Bordeaux, France

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Chateau Cantenac Brown, Margaux, Medoc, Bordeaux, stock photography samples, by Per Karlsson, BKWine.

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Chateau Cantenac Brown is in the commune of Margaux in the Medoc region in Bordeaux. It is one of the "classified growths", classified as a troisième cru (third growth) in the ancient classification of 1855. The vineyards extend over some 54 hectares, mostly around the chateau in the Cantenac area. It is planted with cabernet sauvignon, merlot and cabernet franc. The chateau itself is one of the more unusual of the grand Medoc chateau, built in brick (or at least it looks as if it were) and more looking like a British mansion rather than a bordelais wine chateau.

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


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Some Bordeaux chateau are grand without being big (Chateau Brane Cantenac, Margaux)

Chateau Brane Cantenac, Margaux, Medoc, bordeaux, France

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Chateau Brane Cantenac, Margaux, Medoc, Bordeaux, stock photography samples, by Per Karlsson, BKWine.

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Chateau Brane Cantenac is in the commune of Margaux in the Medoc region in Bordeaux (not to be confused with the neighbour Cantenac Brown!). It is one of the "classified growths", classified as a deuxième cru (second growth) in the ancient classification of 1855. The vineyards extend over some 90 hectares. It is planted with cabernet sauvignon, merlot and cabernet franc. Today it belongs to the Lurton family, who is one of the great land and property owners in Bordeaux. It is run by the charming Henri Lurton since 1992, the oldest son of Lucien Lurton. The soil is gravel, sand and clay. The winery (chai) has recently been renovated and has an impressive range of new wooden fermentation vats. Wine is aged in French oak barrels, with some racking. It is bottled and labelled with a gold-and-black label of not the most modern design.

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


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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.


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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.


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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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