Chateau Aney 2015
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Château Aney represents the only estate from the Left Bank of Bordeaux in our portfolio, and it’s no coincidence. In the heart of a landscape dominated by prestigious first growths—many of which are owned by banking groups and other multinational corporations—family-run Aney is an exception to the rule of big houses producing exorbitantly priced wines. Its situation, right in between Saint-Julien and Margaux in the heart of the Médoc, is favorable to making reds that mimic the character of many grands châteaux: the gravelly soils here are ideal for Cabernet Sauvignon, giving firmly structured wines with stony tannins capable of long-term aging. The top-notch terroir and consistent execution by the Raimond family has earned Aney “cru Bourgeois” status, a rank awarded to estates left out of the Classification of 1855 that nonetheless make classic wines of great quality and typicity. When we refer to an old-fashioned claret, this is exactly what we’re talking about.
Château Aney was built in 1850 by the family that gave it its name. The domaine thrived and earned Cru Bourgeois status, but by the mid-twentieth century the land was no longer being farmed and the château had fallen into disrepair. In 1972 Jean Raimond and his son, Pierre, bought the property, rehabilitated the vineyards, and refurbished the winery and cellars. This marked a new era for Château Aney; which fittingly achieved Cru Bourgeois status for a second time in 1978. Today Pierre runs the estate along with his son, David, producing wines of class and elegance. Château Aney’s wines have finesse and balance that make them both approachable now and perfect for longer aging.
One of the world’s most classic and popular styles of red wine, Bordeaux-inspired blends have spread from their homeland in France to nearly every corner of the New World. Typically based on either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the best of these are densely hued, fragrant, full of fruit and boast a structure that begs for cellar time. Somm Secret—Blends from Bordeaux are generally earthier compared to those from the New World, which tend to be fruit-dominant.
While it claims the same basic landscape as the Medoc—only every so slightly elevated above river level—the Haut Medoc is home to all of the magnificent chateaux of the Left Bank of Bordeaux, creating no lack of beautiful sites to see.
These chateaux, residing over the classed-growth cru in the villages of Margaux, Moulis, Listrac, St-Julien, Pauillac and St. Estephe are within the Haut Medoc appellation. Though within the confines of these villages, any classed-growth chateaux will most certainly claim village or cru status on their wine labels.
Interestingly, some classed-growth cru of the Haut Medoc fall outside of these more famous villages and can certainly be a source of some of the best values in Bordeaux. Deep in color, and concentrated in ripe fruit and tannins, these wines (typically Cabernet Sauvignon-based) often prove the same aging potential of the village classed-growths. Among these, the highest ranked chateaux are Chateau La Lagune and Chateau Cantemerle.