Château Loudenne Médoc Cru Bourgeois 2015 (France)

Description

"A 50/50 blend of cabernet sauvignon and merlot. Elegant, complex wine with an array of berry, cedar, spice and new leather flavours together with a generous influence of oak. Stylish, youthful and accessible wine with obvious cellaring potential. A seamless, fine-grained Bordeaux" Bob Campbell, Master of Wine, Real Review, Dec 2019

Originally built in the 17th century, Château Loudenne is one of the oldest Cru Bourgeois and is one of the first Châteaux to greet visitors as they are entering the Médoc from the Atlantic via the Gironde. Loudenne differentiates itself from the other Medoc Châteaux by the pink colour of its façade and is affectionately known as "The Pink Château". The Château prides itself on the quality of its terroir and its 60 hectares of vineyards located on the last major gravel bank of the Haut Médoc with slopes that the lead down to the river’s edge. While this area is known to be a cooler climate than the rest of the Médoc, the river acts as a mirror and reflects the warm sun onto the vineyards. The vines which average 35 years of age are planted on excellent soils comprised of gravely loams over calcareous clay. Sea breezes ensure low humidity. In 2013 Kweichow Moutai, the Chinese spirits group and the world's most valuable liquor company, (surpassing Diageo as of April 2017) acquired Château Loudenne. Respectful of the estate’s remarkable history and looking to the future, Moutai completely renovated the property. Double Guyot system pruning using adapted, specific treatments in the vineyard to protect against diseases in order to use less chemicals; leaf-thinning, green harvesting and grape sorting. Fermentation in thermo-regulated stainless steel and epoxy resin lined cement vats with 3 weeks on skins and regular pumping. Malolactic fermentation in barrels.  Aged for 16 months in French oak, 33% new.