Darkness = when they close the door and turn off the light

Oak barrel aging and fermentation cellar. An old quarry. 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.


Bordeaux Saint Emilion Clos Fourtet stock photo samples - Images by Per Karlsson

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An unusual cellar in Bordeaux

Fermentation tanks. 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.


Bordeaux Saint Emilion Chateau Bellefont Belcier stock photo samples - Images by Per Karlsson

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The curious white signs in the vineyards in Pomerol and Saint Emilion

Vineyard. White sign. Chateau Yon-Figeac. Saint Emilion, Bordeaux, France

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

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Chateau Yon Figeac, Saint Emilion Grand Cru Classé, is located in the Saint Emilion appellation, in the Bordeaux wine region, across the Garonne and Dordogne rivers from the city of Bordeaux. It lies between the towns of Saint Emilion and Pomerol. The vineyard is planted with merlot and cabernet franc grapes on primarily sandy soil with clay and limestone. The wines are aged in oak barrels for 16 to 24 months.

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


Bordeaux Saint Emilion Ch Yon Figeac stock photo samples - Images by Per Karlsson

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Harvesting grapes really does look like good fun, doesn't it? Want to join in?

Statue 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.


Bordeaux Pomerol Chateau Petrus stock photo samples - Images by Per Karlsson

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Apparently there will be a royal wedding in Sweden

A bottle of Chateau Bernadotte. On the terrasse of 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.

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


Bordeaux Pauillac Chateau Pichon Lalande stock photo samples - Images by Per Karlsson

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The tower AND the chateau

Vineyard. The tower. Chateau Latour, Pauillac, Medoc, Bordeaux, France

[It is unusual to see both the tower and the chateau in the same photo. This one is from a place in the vineyard where one rarely goes.]

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Chateau Latour, Pauillac, Medoc 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.

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


Bordeaux Pauillac Chateau Latour stock photo samples - Images by Per Karlsson

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Green harvest

Green harvested grapes dumped on the ground. Cabernet Sauvignon. 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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Very hot butt

French oak barrel medium plus toast with butts of strong toast. Oak barrel aging and fermentation cellar. Chateau Saint Christoly, Medoc, Bordeaux, France

(Pardon the pun)

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Chateau Saint Christoly, Medoc stock photography samples, by Per Karlsson, BKWine.

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Chateau Saint Christoly (a Cru Bourgeois according to the now defunct classification) is located in the northern part of the Médoc region, at the far en from the city of Bordeaux itself. Today it is run by the two young daughters of the Héraud family: Sandrine Héraud, in charge of marketing and sales, and Catherine Héraud, winemaker, in charge of the wine production. The vineyards extend over 29 hectares on gravel and clay-limestone. It is planted with vines of two of the classic Bordeaux varieties: merlot and cabernet sauvignon. The wine is fermented in concrete vats (painted in pink at the recent renovation!), and aged for 12 months in oak barrels. The sisters are using mainly French wood but are also experimenting with some other sources.

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


Bordeaux Medoc Ch Saint Christoly stock photo samples - Images by Per Karlsson

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All set, ready to go

Wine tasting. Chateau Phelan-Segur, Saint Estephe, Medoc, Bordeaux, France

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Château Phélan-Ségur, Saint-Estèphe, Médoc, 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 Ch Phelan Segur stock photo samples - Images by Per Karlsson

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One glass of red wine

Wine glass. Chateau Paloumey, Haut Medoc, Bordeaux, France.

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Chateau Palomey, Haut-Medoc 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 Ch Paloumey stock photo samples - Images by Per Karlsson

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The famous cabernet sauvignon

Guyot pruned vines in the vineyard. Bunches of ripe grapes. Cabernet Sauvignon. Chateau Reignac, Bordeaux, France

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Cabernet sauvignon grape variety photography samples, by Per Karlsson, BKWine.

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Cabernet sauvignon is perhaps the world’s best known red grape variety. It is of course a vitis vinifera grape. The classical heartland of cabernet sauvignon is Bordeaux, albeit not the region’s most planted variety. It is the major grape in the Medoc and Graves regions where it is generally blended with merlot and with cabernet franc (a close relative). One of the reasons for its popularity is that it adapts very well to different wine regions and is therefore planted in many countries all over the world, from Bulgaria to New Zealand, often producing good to excellent quality wines.

Cabernet sauvignon ripens relatively late and is typically harvested one to two weeks after merlot. However, it is also a hardy variety that can survive and give quality fruit in both hot and cold climates, provided ripening is not too late.

Cabernet sauvignon gives wines that are often quite deep in colour thanks to its thick skin (which also protects against some diseases), without going to the really dark shades of some other grapes. In their youth the wines typically have a bluish or purple tinge, changing to ruby red and later to brick or even terracotta.

Cabernet sauvignon-based wines can often be recognised by their cassis (black currant) aromas sometimes with the addition of (depending on the region and the vinification) cedar-wood, earthy notes and pronounced tannins. In warmer climates cabernet sauvignon wines become more full-bodied and softer, with ripe fruit and sometimes a certain jamminess.

In many cases cabernet sauvignon is blended with other grape varieties, often to make so-called ‘Bordeaux blends’ (an increasing trend), but it is also very common to find pure “cab” wines.

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


Grape variety cabernet sauvignon - Images by Per Karlsson

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In focus - Margaux

Chateau Margaux, Bordeaux, France

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Chateau Margaux, Medoc 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.


Bordeaux Medoc Ch Margaux stock photo samples - Images by Per Karlsson

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