Rives de Loudenne Rouge 2010

Producer Information

Originally built in the 17th century, Château Loudenne is one of the oldest Cru Bourgeois properties. The elegant pink château sits on the banks of the Gironde where it is one of the first châteaux to greet visitors entering the Médoc from the Atlantic.

Vineyards

“There is no great vineyard which does not overlook the river…”. The château’s vineyards’ gravelly ridges slope gently down towards the Gironde estuary, acting like mirrors. Château Loudenne benefits from sea breezes which are ideal for ripening the grapes, offering concentration through evaporation and ensuring slight humidity. The soils are predominantly of clay, limestone and Garonne gravel.

Rives de Loudenne is the second wine of the Chateau.

Winemaking

In stainless steel, thermo-regulated vats. Vatting time is about 3 weeks with punching down of the cap and pumping over taking place regularly. Malolactic fermentation occurs in new French oak barrels as the aromas from the wood are much better integrated into the wine. This old technique provides more roundness to the wine as well as silky tannins. 30% of the French oak barrels are renewed every year. Choosing different coopers for each wine enables more aromatic complexity. This wine spend 16 months in French oak barrels, a third of which are replaced every year.

 

Vintage Information

Spring saw a healthy flowering, followed by a good summer, with favourable climatic condiations through to September and October, allowing the team to harvest perfectly ripe grapes. Harvest took place from 28th September to 20th October. A great vintage for Loudenne.

Tasting Note

An intense, deep colour with violet flecks. The nose is complex and powerful with elegant wooded and aromas of cherry and blackberry, lifted with a hint of mint. In the mouth, the wine is structured, powerful with soft ripe tannins. Full bodied with a long finish with fresh fruit, and final hints of coffee and vanilla from the barrel age.

Food Pairing

Ideal with lamb and other red meats, holding up well to rich sauces.

Serving Suggestion

Serve at room temperature

AOC Médoc, Bordeaux
50% Merlot
50% Cabernet Sauvignon

Natural Cork
13%

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