Bordeaux, the largest AOC wine growing region of France, offers a diversity of both red and white wines suited to many occasions and palates. The variety of the ‘terroirs’ – their micro-climates, soil types and grape varieties – gives rise to wines of exceptional quality renowned across the world.
Situated along the banks of the great rivers of the Garonne and the Dordogne, Bordeaux produces reds, rosés, and dry and sweet whites. The main red grape varieties are Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc and the majority of whites are made from Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc.
Virtual Wine Tasting – 22nd September 2020
For the first of our September online wine tastings, we chose the following four red wines:
- 2015 Château Beaumont, Haut Medoc
- 2015 Château Lalande Borie, Saint Julien
- 2009 Château Tour du Pin, Saint Emilion
- 2010 Château Petit Bocq, Cru Bourgeois, Saint Estèphe
The vineyards of Château Beaumont date back to the late 18th century and are situated between the communes of Margaux and Saint-Julien. Between 600,000 and 700,000 bottles are produced each year from 53 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot.
Virtual Wine Tasting – 30th September 2020
For the second virtual wine tasting, Château Lalande-Borie, came from a vineyard created by Jean-Eugène Borie in 1970. This twenty-five-hectare vineyard, situated in Saint Julien, cultivates 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. The wines are characterised by rich, red fruit flavours and while Saint Julien takes time to mellow, the fruit of the 2015s makes this wine a pleasure even now.
From the Saint Emilion appellation, we brought our guests Château Tour du Pin. Once part of the famous Figeac estate, it was bought in 2006 by the owners of neighbouring Château Cheval Blanc. We tasted the 2009 vintage, just two years before the last vintage was produced.
The final wine in the tasting was from Château Petit Bocq, which comprises 90 separate parcels of land spread across the Saint-Estèphe appellation. With notes of black fruits, hints of vanilla and softening tannins, this wine has benefitted from nearly 10 years in bottle.
