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Spotlight on France: Bordeaux vs. Burgundy
All eyes will be on France this summer as the country prepares to host the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics.
Viewers will be treated to special moments in France's history, images of its iconic monuments, insights into regional cuisines and, of course, glimpses of the world’s most famous wine regions. France continues to place among the world’s top wine producers despite the challenges from other European heavyweights, emerging new-world regions and global trends. It is important to note that the French have influenced the evolution of wine throughout history and they have shaped the way we perceive the culture of wine today. As far back as the Middle Ages the Benedictine and Cistercian monks of Burgundy pioneered the advancement of wine cultivation. And more recently Professor/Enologist Émile Peynaud, considered by many the most influential enologist ever, is renowned for modernizing Bordeaux wine and improving the quality of wine production worldwide. It is therefore no coincidence that the two regions from which these important references emerge are said to divide wine drinkers into two base camps: those that prefer wines with the elegant, soulful style of Burgundy versus the powerful full-bodied wines of Bordeaux.
This two part article highlights hand selected French wines you can explore this summer from the two historical pillars of France, Bordeaux and Burgundy.
Part 1: Bordeaux, the Cabernet-dominated Left Bank. Château Haut Rigal, Graves/Bordeaux
Château Haut Rigal was created by Pierre-Alexis Domec in 1867 with the construction of the first iteration of their cellar and the established trademark "Cru Rigal". The estate is managed today by Marielle Baissas, 6th generation winemaker within the same family since inception. Located in Pian sur Garonne in Graves, they work the hills overlooking the Garonne river. In order to get the best out of the terroir and its sunshine, they combine modern techniques with the experience of 6 generations to obtain wines that truely reflect the land on which they are grown.
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Brilliant white Bordeaux blend of 70% Sauvignon Blanc and 30% Muscat. Attractive ripe melon and gooseberry with waxy notes and hints of minerality. Round profile, soft textured fruit unfolds over gravelly mineral notes that hold onto a long finish. Ideal with baked fish or steamed shellfish.
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A rare 100% Cabernet Bordeaux cuvee. Initially concentrated candied blackberry fruit followed by earthy, dusty notes. Full-bodied with sappy black fruit fresh herbs framed in youthful, integrated tannins highlighted by fresh herbs notes and a persistent finish. Ideal to crush with a burger or steak frites!
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Château de Lauga, Haut-Médoc/Saint-Julien
The vineyard of Château de Lauga is located in the town of Cussac-Fort-Médoc, famous for its 17th century fort and surrounded by presigious appellations such as Margaux in the south, Saint-Julien Beychevelle and Pauillac in the north, and Moulis Listrac to the west. The Brun family has managed the estate for 7 generations dating back to 1846. "The love for nature and its creations, the knowledge of what gives life, the evolution of the techniques, the know-how passed, on and the respect of the tradition give our wines its quality and its richness in memory of our ancestors and for future generations." Produced for 7 generations under the successive names of Cru de Lauga then Château de Lauga, their wines are made with passion and respect for the soil.
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This traditional Haut-Médoc is manually harvested then vinified in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks for 25 to 30 days then aged for 12 months in French oak barrels (10 % new) with a final blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and 1% Carmenere. The result is a fruity and full-bodied wine in intense ruby red colour with aromas of ripe red fruits, vanilla and roasting spices.
This flagship cuvée shows dark, mysterious notes of iron, dry herbs and smoke notes over concentrated black fruit. Opens intensely on the palate full of energetic blackberry, crushed herbs with a long, zesty, salty finish. Packs tension that calls for rare grilled meat.
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Château Maurac, Haut-Médoc/Saint-EstèpheChateau Maurac has a deep rooted history in the St Estephe region of Bordeaux. It's quality was referenced in 1846 in well known wine directory of that era "Bordeaux and its Wines". The vineyard plots were merged to form the current estate holdings. In 1998, after many years of working the vineyards, Claude Gauden replanted the vines to best suit the mosaic soil types found on the land. With a nod to sustainability and a mindset of minimal intervention, "simplicity and discretion" guide the mantra of production. Today Claude runs the family estate with the help of his son Nicolas. |
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Chateau Maurac is a blend of 65% Merlot and 35% Cabernet Sauvignon. The plum-like fruit notes of Merlot are complemented by Cabernet Sauvignon's structure. Grapes are harvested and each plot is vinified seperately. Blending and the ageing length is determined by the vintage and is carefully carried out to be the best expression and union of the these two grapes. Oak is used sparingly and the resulting wine has good depth and concentration with freshness and integrated tannins.
Concentrated on the palate with ripe blackberries, plum and hints of graphite. The tannins hold firm, they add good structure to the wine with potential for further development. As this wine ages further, notes of tobacco and leather will develop. Decanting the wine is recommended for at least 1 hour to help open the wine up. 2016 was a very good, ageable vintage and this wine is a great example.
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