by Andrew Chalk
Bordeaux is more than just star wines with global reputations. At its heart it is thousands of family-run wineries producing wines that everyone can afford. This is one such example. Originating from an area at the side of the Dordogne, this wine is a blend of sauvignon blanc (90%) and muscadelle (10%). It is actually an educational example of this blend. It had a ready acidity and earthy flavors from the sauvignon blanc and aromas of melon and white peach from the muscadelle. The weighty mouthfeel carries on the muscadelle influence.
Good value!
TECHNICAL DETAILS
ORIGIN: Bordeaux, France
APPELLATION: Entre-Deux-Mers
VINEYARD: Vines are at average 25 yrs. old and are in limestone-clay soil, with alluvial deposits of Quaternary.
BLEND: 90% Sauvignon, 10% Muscadelle
FARMING: Sorted and destemmed in vineyard
WINEMAKING: Cold Maceration for 4-24 hours. Fermentation in stainless steel temperature controlled vats .
AGING: Age on fine lees for several months with regular stirring .
THE FAMILY
The Buffeteau family has been known for over three generations for winemaking in the Entre-Deux-Mers region. In 1964, Jean-Paul and Huguette Buffeteau established La Grand Métairie estate between the communes of Castelviel and Gornac, in the heart of the region. Today, it is their son, Jean-Luc Buffeteau, who oversees the estate’s 54 acres.
Château La Grande Métairie’s Entre-deux-Mers 23-hectare vineyard is planted on south/southwest-facing hillsides 360 to 460ft high. The Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris, and
Muscadelle vines are planted at the second-highest point of the Gironde in order to have excellent sun exposure so that the vines may flourish. The clay and limestone soils enable a
precise expression of the terroir. Manual selection begins on the parcel 24 hours before the
harvest in order to put aside the grapes that are damaged. Mechanical harvest, with destemming in the vineyard, occurs during the cool hours of the day between 5 and 8 in the
morning. The final wine, brilliant in appearance with an incredible shine of slightly yellow shades, is an ideal balance between freshness, fruit, length and roundness. It reveals aromas of
fresh pineapple, ripe pear, and bright citrus with delicate hints of white flowers.
Sample.
