Bordeaux

Bordeaux

Bordeaux, located in the Southwest of France, is the largest and the world’s most influential wine region. With its unique Terroir - the combination of great soil and great microclimate, it produces more of the world's finest wine than any other, and they have been a benchmark for others to follow.

The Red wines are made primary of three varieties namely Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot which are blended together to give the final style. Each grape in the Bordeaux blend complements the other, resulting in a balanced and harmonious wine. Blending is an art, which requires both experience and know-how – two qualities that abound in Bordeaux, where a long traditional and cutting edge wine making techniques continually enrich each other.

Although Bordeaux is predominantly a red wine region, it also produces some of the world's finest white wines — like the dry whites from Graves and the sweet wines from Sauternes. The white wines are made predominantly from a blend of two white grape varieties, Sauvignon Blanc, a grape that provides good acidity and sugar. It has a huge aromatic potential ranging from grassy notes to citrus and exotic fruits.

Thanks

Wingcent
wingcent@singnet.com.sg
http://mysignaturewines.blogspot.com
Singapore

The Official Classification of the Wines of Bordeaux

The Official Classification of the Wines of Bordeaux

There are 57 appellations of Bordeaux and all are not classified in a single official ranking. But the Médoc, Sauternes and Barsac, Graves, and Saint-Emilion districts do have their own official internal classification systems. Pomerol, one of Bordeaux's greatest assets, was not included in the 1855 Classification, and remains unclassified to this day. However, Château Pétrus is often included with the First Growths ( Premiers Crus ) of the 1855 Classification.

It was on the occasion of the 1855 Universal Exhibition in Paris that Napoléon III asked each wine producing region to formalize a classification of the wines presented at the exhibition. The Bordeaux Chamber of Commerce and Industry entrusted the Gironde dossier to the Brokers' Syndicate. It only covered the red wines of the Médoc, the sweet whites of Sauternes and Barsac and one red growth from the Graves district.This list was revised by decree in 1973 to raise Château Mouton-Rothschild to the rank of Premier Cru Classé ( first growth ). The 61 classified growths of the Médoc cover an area of just over 3,000 hectares ( 7413 acres ); that is, 20% of the Médoc's total vineyard area. The list of classified red wines incorporates one from the Graves district and sixty from the Médoc. The list of classified sweet white wines incorporates 26 from Sauternes and Barsac.

The 1855 Official Classification

First Growths (Premiers Crus) Commune

Château Lafite-Rothschild (Pauillac)
Château Margaux (Margaux)
Château Latour (Pauillac)
Château Haut-Brion Pessac (Graves)
Château Mouton-Rothschild (Pauillac)

Second Growths (Deuxièmes Crus) Commune

Château Rausan-Ségla (Margaux)
Château Rauzan-Gassies (Margaux)
Château Léoville-Las Cases (Saint-Julien)
Château Léoville-Poyferré (Saint-Julien)
Château Léoville-Barton (Saint-Julien)
Château Durfort-Vivens (Margaux)
Château Gruaud-Larose (Saint-Julien)
Château Lascombes (Margaux)
Château Brane-Cantenac Cantenac (Margaux)
Château Pichon-Longueville-Baron (Pauillac)
Château Pichon-Longueville, Comtesse de Lalande (Pauillac)
Château Ducru-Beaucaillou (Saint-Julien)
Château Cos d'Estournel (Saint-Estèphe)
Château Montrose (Saint-Estèphe)

Third Growths (Troisièmes Crus) Commune

Château Langoa-Barton (Saint-Julien)
Château Langoa-Barton (Saint-Julien)
Château Giscours Labarde (Margaux)
Château Malescot Saint-Exupéry (Margaux)
Château Boyd-Cantenac Cantenac (Margaux)
Château Cantenac-Brown Cantenac (Margaux)
Château Palmer Cantenac (Margaux)
Château La Lagune Ludon (Haut-Médoc)
Château Desmirail (Margaux)
Château Calon-Ségur (Saint-Estèphe)
Château Ferrière (Margaux)
Château Marquis d'Alesme-Becker (Margaux)
Château Kirwan Cantenac (Margaux)
Château D'Issan Cantenac (Margaux)
Château Lagrange (Saint-Julien)

Fourth Growths (Quatrièmes Crus) Commune

Château Saint-Pierre (Saint-Julien)
Château Talbot (Saint-Julien)
Château Branaire-Ducru (Saint-Julien)
Château Duhart-Milon-Rothschild (Pauillac)
Château Pouget Cantenac (Margaux)
Château La Tour-Carnet Saint-Laurent (Haut Médoc)
Château Lafon-Rochet (Saint-Estèphe)
Château Beychevelle (Saint-Julien)
Château Prieuré-Lichine Cantenac (Margaux)
Château Marquis-de-Terme (Margaux)

Fifth Growths (Cinquièmes Crus) Commune

Château Pontet-Canet (Pauillac)
Château Batailley (Pauillac)
Château Haut-Batailley (Pauillac)
Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste (Pauillac)
Château Grand-Puy-Ducasse (Pauillac)
Château Lynch-Bages (Pauillac)
Château Lynch-Moussas (Pauillac)
Château Dauzac Labarde (Margaux)
Château Mouton-Baronne-Philippe (Pauillac)
Château du Tertre Arsac (Margaux)
Château Haut-Bages-Libéral (Pauillac)
Château Pédesclaux (Pauillac)
Château Belgrave Saint-Laurent (Haut-Médoc)
Château de Camensac Saint-Laurent (Haut-Médoc)
Château Cos-Labory (Saint-Estèphe)
Château Clerc-Milon (Pauillac)
Château Croizet-Bages (Pauillac)
Château Cantemerle Macau (Haut-Médoc)

The 1855 Official Classification of Sauternes

First Great Growth (Premier Cru Supérieur) Commune

Château d'Yquem (Sauternes)

First Growths (Premiers Crus) Commune

Château La Tour-Blanche (Bommes)
Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey (Bommes)
Château Clos Haut-Peyraguey (Bommes)
Château de Rayne-Vigneau (Bommes)
ChâtChâteau d'Yquem (Sauternes)
Château Suduiraut (Preignac)
Château Coutet (Barsac)
Château Climens (Barsac)
Château Guiraud (Sauternes)
Château Rieussec (Fargues)
Château Rabaud-Promis (Bommes)
Château Sigalas-Rabaud (Bommes)

Second Growths (Deuxièmes Crus) Commune

Château de Myrat (Barsac)
Château Doisy-Daëne (Barsac)
Château Doisy-Dubroca (Barsac)
Château Doisy-Védrines (Barsac)
Château d'Arche (Sauternes)
Château Filhot (Sauternes)
Château Broustet (Barsac)
Château Nairac (Barsac)
Château Caillou (Barsac)
Château Suau (Barsac)
Château de Malle (Preignac)
Château Romer-du-Hayot (Fargues)
Château Lamothe-Despujols (Sauternes)
Château Lamothe-Guignard (Sauternes)

Graves Classification

Further to a request from the "Syndicat de Défense des Vins de Graves", the INAO (French National Institute for Wine Appellations) issued an official classification of the district's wines in 1953, which was revised and added to in 1959.

At present, the Pessac-Léognan appellation incorporates all the Graves Crus Classés – 13 red and 9 dry white wines from 16 châteaux or estates selected for their red and/or white wines. This one-class list makes no hierarchical distinction between the wines, which are all entitled to the name Cru Classé. The 16 Graves Crus Classés cover an area of approximately 500 hectares (1,235 acres).

1959 Classification Of Graves

Classified Red Wines Of Graves Commune

Château Bouscaut (Cadaujac)
Château Haut-Bailly (Léognan)
Château Carbonnieux (Léognan)
Domaine de Chevalier (Léognan)
Château de Fieuzal (Léognan)
Château d'Olivier (Léognan)
Château Malartic-Lagravière (Léognan)
Château La Tour-Martillac (Martillac)
Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte (Martillac)
Château Haut-Brion (Pessac)
Château La Mission-Haut-Brion (Talence)
Château Pape-Clément (Pessac)
Château Latour-Haut-Brion (Talence)

Classified White Wines Of Graves Commune

Château Bouscaut (Cadaujac)
Château Carbonnieux (Léognan)
Château Domaine de Chevalier (Léognan)
Château d'Olivier (Léognan)
Château Malartic Lagravière (Léognan)
Château La Tour-Martillac (Martillac)
Château Laville-Haut-Brion (Talence)
Château Couhins-Lurton (Villenave d'Ornan)
Château Couhins (Villenave d'Ornan)
Château Haut-Brion (Pessac) (added in 1960)

The Saint-Emilion Classification

In 1954, upon the request of the "Syndicat de Défense des Vins de Saint-Emilion", the INAO drew up the first classification of Saint-Emilion wines. Saint-Émilion is the only appellation in Bordeaux that regularly revises the classification every 10 years. Only wines from the Saint-Emilion Grand Cru appellation are eligible top become an official Grand Cru Classé or Premier Grand Cru Classé. The wines are judged on their consistency in quality and how well they reflect their “terroir”. The 1969, 1979, 1984, 1996 and 2006 revisions have resulted in a slight modification to the original list.

2006 Classification Of ST Emilion

First Growths (Premiers Crus) Classés — A

Château Ausone
Château Cheval Blanc

First Growths (Premiers Crus) Classés — B

Château L'Angelus
Château Beauséjour (Duffau- Lagarrosse)
Château Beau-Séjour-Bécot
Château Belair
Château Canon
Château Figeac
Château La Gaffelière
Château Magdelaine
Château Pavie
Château Pavie-Macquin (Promoted in 2006)
Château Troplong-Mondot (Promoted in 2006)
Château Trottevieille Clos Fourtet

Grands Crus Classés

Château Balestard la Tonnelle
Château Bellefont-Belcier (New Entrant 2006)
Château Bergat Château Berliquet
Château Cadet Piola
Château Canon la Gaffelière
Château Cap de Mourlin
Château Chauvin
Château Corbin
Château Corbin Michotte
Château Dassault
Château Destieux (New Entrant 2006)
Château Fleur-Cardinale (New Entrant 2006)
Château Fonplégade
Château Fonroque
Château Franc Mayne
Château Grand Corbin (New Entrant 2006)
Château Grand Corbin Despagne (New Entrant 2006)
Château Grand Mayne
Château Grand Pontet
Château Haut Corbin
Château Haut Sarpe
Château L'Arrosée
Château La Clotte
Château La Couspaude
Château La Dominique
Château La Serre
Château La Tour Figeac
Château Laniote
Château Larcis Ducasse
Château Larmande
Château Laroque
Château Laroze
Château Le Prieuré
Château Les Grandes Murailles
Château Matras
Château Monbousquet (New Entrant 2006)
Château Moulin du Cadet
Château Pavie-Decesse
Château Ripeau
Château Saint-Georges-Côte-Pavie
Château Soutard
Clos de l'Oratoire
Clos des Jacobins
Clos Saint-Martin
Couvent des Jacobins

Changes From The 1996 St Emilion Classification

Chateau Curé-Bon-la-Madeleine no longer remain; it has since become part of Château Canon.Château la Clusière no longer remain, it has since become part of Château Pavie. Since the 1997 vintage, Château Clos des Jacobins is renamed Clos des Jacobins.

11 Wines Had Been Withdrawn From The 1996 Classification

Château Bellevue
Château Cadet Bon
Château Faurie de Souchard
Château Guadet Saint-Julien
Château La Marzelle
Château La Tour du Pin Figeac (Giraud-Bélivier)
Château La Tour du Pin Figeac (Moueix)
Château Petit Faurie de Soutard
Château Tertre Daugay
Château Villemaurine
Château Yon Figeac

Pomerol

There has never been an official classification of the Châteaus of Pomerol. Even without an official classification, there are several properties that have distinguished themselves based on the consistent quality they have achieved over many years. The soils of Pomerol range from a gravel and clay mixture found in the eastern part of the commune to a lighter soil with more sand in the west. The plateau of Pomerol is a gravel deposit on the east side of Pomerol where most of the famous and well known Châteaus are located. Within this gravel deposit you will find clay in quantities that range from a mixture with the gravel to actual pockets of almost pure clay.

Pomerol estates tend to be much smaller in size. There are only about 1800 acres of vineyards in Pomerol. These vineyards are spread among the roughly 150 estates that produce an average of 1000 to 4000 cases each. The wines listed below are a personal classification by influential wine critic Robert Parker.

Exceptional

Château Clinet
Château La Conseillante
Château L’eglise-Clinet
Château L’evangile
Château La Fleur de Gay
Château Lafleur
Château Petrus
Château Le Pin
Château Trotanoy

Excellent

Château Le Bon Pasteur
Château Certan de May
Château Clos L’Eglise
Château La Croix du Casse
Château La Fleur-Petrus
Château Gazin
Château Latour a Pomerol
Château Nenin
Château Petit Village
Vieux Chateau Certan

Thanks

Wingcent
wingcent@singnet.com.sg
http://mysignaturewines.blogspot.com
Singapore

Château Latour

Château Latour

Château Latour is a monument at the image of the tower of the 17th century where it got its name from. In most appraisals of the wine-growing world, the five First Growth Châteaux of the famous 1855 Bordeaux Classification are placed among the very Best in the World. Of those, one of the most highly regarded in terms of consistency of its red wines is Château Latour. It is located at the very southeastern tip of the commune of Pauillac, in the famous Medoc wine region, about 40 kilometers north-west of the city of Bordeaux and only a few hundred meters from the banks of the Garonne estuary.

Château Latour produces virile, firm and tannic wine which must be aged. One of Bordeaux's most concentrated rich and full-bodied. Latour is dark ruby in color and has a unique bouquet of fresh walnuts, leather, and black currents. The wine produced at Château Latour has been an impeccable and classic model of consistent excellence, both in great, mediocre and poor vintages.

The Château makes three principal wines, all red; in addition to its world famous 'Grand Vin de Château Latour', it has produced 'Les Forts de Latour' since 1966, and since 1990 a third simply labeled 'Pauillac'.

Have you get their collection yet ? Here was their Top Vintages of the wines : 1949, 1961, 1982, 1996, 2000, 2003 & 2005.

Thanks

Wingcent

wingcent@singnet.com.sg

http://mysignaturewines.blogspot.com

Singapore

Château d' Yquem

Château d' Yquem

Château d' Yquem is a Premier Cru wine from the Sauternes region in the southern part of the Bordeaux vineyards known as Graves. In the Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855, Château d' Yquem was the only Sauternes given this rating, indicating its perceived superiority and higher prices over all other wines of its type.

Château d' Yquem is world famous for their sweet wine which commands some of the highest prices on the market. Established in 1593, the Chateau is located in the Sauternes region of Bordeaux and is the only property given the highest rating of Premier Cru Supérieur. The wines are created by botrytized fruit that is picked by hand in several passes by up to 150 harvesters. The 'Noble Rot' ( Botrytis Cinera ) on the berries depletes the water content in the berry and thus concentrates the natural sugar levels. The resultant wine tastes very sweet with a matching high level of acidity, allowing it to age for more than 50 years in the best vintages. The opulence of Yquem's youth will turn complex, rich and honeyed as it ages. Château d' Yquem's second wine is called Y, a dry Bordeaux Blanc.

The vineyards are planted mostly to the Semillon grape variety ( Semillon 80%, Sauvignon Blanc 20% ). Wines from Château d' Yquem are characterized by their complexity, concentration and sweetness. A relatively high acidity helps to counteract the sweetness. Another characteristic for which Château d' Yquem wines are known are their longevity. In a good year, a bottle will only begin to show its qualities after a decade or two of cellaring and with proper care, will keep for a century or more, gradually adding layers of taste and hither to undetected fruity overtones.

Have you get their collection yet ? Here was their Top Vintages of the wines : 1967, 1975, 1976, 1983, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1996, 1997, 2001 & 2003.

Thanks

Wingcent

wingcent@singnet.com.sg

http://mysignaturewines.blogspot.com

Singapore

Chateau Cos d' Estournel

Chateau Cos d' Estournel

Chateau Cos d' Estournel ( commonly referred to as Cos ) is a winery in the Saint-Estephe appellation of the Bordeaux region of France. It is also the name of the red wine produced by this property. The Chateau was classified as one of the fifteen Deuxiemes Crus ( Second Growths ) in the Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855 ( today there are only 14 Second Growths, with Chateau Mouton Rithschild being reclassified as a First Growth ). Since 1855, it has generally been regarded as one of the best and consistent Second Growths, often called Super Seconds.

The hill of Cos, which is situated on the banks of the Gironde, is an impressive accumulation of Quaternary gravel wrested from the distant omountains of the Massif Central and the Pyrenees and laid on Saint-Estephe's limestone bed when the primeval river receded.

Shaped into well drained slopes by the erosion, these exceptionally deep layers of gravel are a true geological curiosity and also one of the world's most precious Terroir, for it forces the old vines planted on its heights to thrust their roots into the arid soil. These are these extended roots that slow down the flow of sap, concentrating then the juice and giving the wine of Cos such an individual taste. The vinification process at Cos adapts to the characteristics of the harvest, thus favoring the expression of the Terroir.

A meticulous selection of the grapes, a careful pumping-over of the must and a precise control of fermentation temperatures are parameters which help to select the mellowest tannins and to preserve the fruit. Ageing the wine in new oak barrels discreetly brings out the aromas and savors through a perfect balance of woodiness.

Have you get their collection yet ? Here was their Top Vintages of the wines : 1945, 1959, 1961, 1966, 1982, 1989, 1990, 1996, 2002, 2003 & 2004.

Thanks

Wingcent

wingcent@singnet.com.sg

http://mysignaturewines.blogspot.com

Singapore

Chateau Cheval Blanc

Chateau Cheval Blanc

Chateau Cheval Blanc, a Bordeaux property in Saint-Emilion, is one of only two wines to receive the highest rank of Premier Grand Cru Classe ( A ) status in the Classification of Saint-Emilion wine.

One of the rare properties to never have changed hands, the vineyard has been the property of the Fourcaud-Laussac for over 150 years. In 1832, Chateau Figeac sold 15 ha/37 acres to M. Laussac-Fourcaud, including part of the narrow gravel ridge that runs through Figeac and neighboring vineyards and reaches Chateau Petrus just over the border in Pomerol. This became Chateau Cheval Blanc, which in the international London and Paris Exhibitions in 1862 and 1867, won medals still prominent on its labels. The Chateau remained in the family until 1998 when it was sold to Bernard Arnault, Chairman of LVMH, and Belgian businessman, Albert Frere.

Located in the commune of Saint Emilion, close to the boundaries of the Pomerol appellation, the single block of Cheval Blanc's 37 hectares combines a top quality wine-growing soil with an original mix of grape varieties, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. The Cabernet Franc is the main variety, bringing aromatic complexity, elegance, finesse and, on the palate, great freshness in the finish. This exceptional combination gives the wine of Cheval Blanc its uniqueness. The Chateau is planted with 66% Cabernet Franc, 33% Merlot, 1% Malbec. Average of vines is 39 years.

Have you get their collection yet ? Here was their Top Vintages of the wines : 1921, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1953, 1964, 1982, 1983, 1990, 2000, 2001 & 2005.

Thanks

Wingcent

wingcent@singnet.com.sg

http://mysignaturewines.blogspot.com

Singapore

Chateau Palmer

Chateau Palmer

Chateau Palmer is a winery in the Margaux appellation of the Bordeaux region of France. The wine produced here was classified as one of fourteen Troisiemes Crus ( Third Growths ) in the historic Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855. Palmer's terroir dates from the Quaternary period, when gravel slowly accunulated on the Left Bank of the Gironde. This gravel was pushed by the Dordogne and carried along by the Garonne. The two rivers meet a few kilometres downstream from Chateau Palmer to form the Gironde estuary.

In 1814, as the Napoleonic era came to an end, Major General Palmer of the British army acquired the property that was to bear his name from a certain Jeanne de Gasq.

Chateau Palmer's finesse and elegance are legendary, and its aromatic complexity is every bit as remarkable. The subtle balance between powerful, but understated tannins and aromatic richness makes Palmer an incomparably charming wine, even when very young. A large percentage pf Merlot ( 47% ), almost the same amount of Cabernet Sauvignon ( 47% ), and a small proportion of Petit Verdot ( 6% ) give Chateau Palmer an extraordinarily complex bouquet of fruit, flowers, and spice as well as body and structure. Chateau Palmer Second Wine is named Alter Ego.

Have you get their collection yet ? Here was their Top Vintages of the wines : 1996, 1970, 1978, 1983, 1986, 1989, 1995, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004 & 2005.

Thanks

Wingcent

wingcent@singnet.com.sg

http://mysignaturewines.blogspot.com

Singapore