French Friday's: Château Ripeau (Grand Cru Classé) Vineyard in Saint-Émilion
French Friday's with Will Roadhouse: Located just an hour outside of Bordeaux, Saint-Émilion is one of the most beautiful ancient cities I've ever visited! The wines here in Chateau Ripeau (Grand Cru Classé) are one of the best wines I've ever tasted!!!
Chateau Ripeau has a long history in the appellation, with vines being planted in the 1700’s. The vineyard does not begin to gain notice until 1868. However, the modern era for Chateau Ripeau begins in 1917, when it was purchased by the family of a well-known Bordeaux wine negociant, Marcel and Marie Loubat. If the Loubat name sounds familiar to you, the answer is yes, they are from the same Loubat family that owned Petrus. Chateau Ripeau has remained in the same family since that time. Chateau Ripeau takes its name from parcel of land the vineyard and chateau are located on. The vineyard has good neighbors as the vines are not located not far from Chateau Cheval Blanc, Chateau Corbin and Chateau La Dominique and close to the Pomerol border.
The 15.3 hectare, Right Bank vineyard of Chateau Ripeau is planted to 65% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Located not far from La Dominique and Chateau Chauvin, the terroir is sand, gravel, limestone and clay with iron deposits in the soil. The average age of the vines is close to 35 years of age.
To produce the wine of Chateau Ripeau, the wine is vinified in temperature controlled, stainless steel vats. The wine is aged in 33% new, French oak barrels for between 12 and 16 months. On average 5,000 cases of Chateau Ripeau are produced every vintage. There is a second wine, La Garenne de Ripeau.
Read more:
History of St. Emilion: St. Emilion could be the oldest active wine producing appellation in the Bordeaux region with a history that dates back to the times of the ancient Romans. Numerous Roman ruins are scattered all over the St. Emilion appellation. While St. Emilion claims credit for the being the home of the famous Roman poet and wine lover, Decimus Magnus Ausonius, (who served as the inspiration for the name of the now famous, Chateau Ausone) the area takes its name from a Benedictine Monk who was known as Emilian. Emilian lived in the area and is responsible for starting to create the uniquely designed, limestone church that is central the village of St. Emilion. Today, the village of St. Emilion is a protected, Unesco, world heritage site. St. Emilion also lays claim to having the oldest, wine society in France. The Jurade of St Emilion was formed in 1199! St. Emilion was the first region in Bordeaux to export their wines. Due to the ease of shipping taking place in the 14th century, with only a few vines scattered in the Medoc, St. Emilion wine was already being shipped to England at the request of King Edward. This date coincides with the founding of the commercial city of Libourne by the British. The city of Libourne has another connection with England, it was named Sir Roger de Leybourne from England.
Read more:
James Cluer in Bordeaux, France - Château Pavie
James Cluer, Master of Wine visits Château Pavie in the famous wine region in France.
To meet James, book an international wine tour, find a wine course or wine tasting club visit: finevintageltd.com
For more videos about other wine regions visit: FineVintageWineClub.com
Chateau Tertre De Belves, 2009 Vintage, Castillon Cotes De Bordeaux, France.
Cotes De Belves is 10 miles East of Pomerol where the best Merlot's are produced for example Chateau Petrus. This is 100% Merlot and because the regions lack of limestone and clay, the winemakers add lots of oak barrel aging. Reminds me of a California style Merlot!
Thés de Pu'Er et vins de Saint-Emilion - Pomerol - Fronsac - L' art de la dégustation
Si les vins de Saint-Emilion - Pomerol - Fronsac et les thés de Pu'Er partagent de nombreux points communs dans leur histoire et leur élaboration, une autre similarité les rapproche : la dégustation.
Leur longue histoire respective a fait naître des savoir-faire et de véritables rituels.
Château Siaurac Gold Best Of Wine Tourism 2015
Château Siaurac, Best Of Wine Tourism Bordeaux, Architecture & Landscape