Winemaker Notes
The symmetrical 17th century Chateau de Reignac sits atop a gravelly plateau in the peninsular town of St. Loubes, but a stones throw away from the Gironde River. The 200 acre vineyard is planted on rolling hills in clay and gravel soil. Through pruning and green harvesting, yields were limited to just 35 hls/ha (2 ton/acre) The fruit was hand harvested in mid September, the fruit was table sorted twice, before and after destemming to eliminate any less than perfect grapes. The final blend is 75% Merlot, and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
It is remarkable what Yves Vatelot can accomplish at this estate, which is only entitled to an Appellation Bordeaux Superieur designation. A blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, the super-impressive 2006 boasts a dense purple color as well as a bouquet of sweet creme de cassis, spring flowers, toasty oak, and background forest floor.
In most of France, wines are named by their place of origin and not by the type of grape (with the exception of Alsace). Just like a red Burgundy is by law, always made of Pinot noir, a red Bordeaux is a blended wine composed mainly of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Depending on the laws of the village from which the grapes come, the conditions of the vintage and decisions of the winemaker, the blend can be further supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot and in rare cases, Carmenere. So popular and repeated has this mix of grape varieties become worldwide, that the term, Bordeaux Blend, refers to a wine blended in this style, regardless of origin.
LSB116255_2006 Item# 116255