Chateau Plaisance, Bordeaux

A fruity and appealing claret, with fresh red berried fruits complemented by a hint of liquorice and dark chocolate through to a slightly earthy finish.

Producer Note

Château Plaisance is a property with 23 hectares of vineyard in the appellations of Bordeaux and Côtes de Bordeaux. The vineyard sits on a plateau surrounding the château with good sun exposure. Winemaker Ludovic Labarrere creates Merlot based wines which are wonderfully fleshy and fruit forward.

Vintage

2015 has been hailed as an excellent vintage in Bordeaux. Generous flowering took place followed by a hot, dry early summer. August was slightly cooler and damper, followed by good weather in September enabling the grapes to reach full maturity. The wines have power and precision, particularly from the right bank appellations and many outstanding wines have been made from lesser appellations.

Vineyard

The vineyard is situated on sandy-clay and sandy-gravel soils which result in smooth and creamy wines. The vines have been trained with a high canopy to maximise the sunlight and optimise the photosynthesis of the plants, encouraging optimum maturity in the berries.

Winemaking

The grapes were carefully sorted. Fermentation took place in thermo-regulated concrete and stainless steel tanks. A long, slow fermentation took place in order to slowly extract the desired levels of colour, flavour and fine tannins. Post fermentation maceration lasted for two to three weeks. The wine was made in an unoaked style and was aged for 14 months in concrete tanks, preserving the purity of the fruit and the nuances of the terroir.

Tasting Note

Fruity and appealing claret, with fresh red berried fruits complemented by a hint of liquorice. The Merlot contributes the ripe, approachable fruit and supple tannins, while the Cabernet Sauvignon adds structure. The result is a beautifully balanced wine with a refreshing finish.

Serving Suggestion

Roast chicken or grilled sausages.

Grape

Merlot 90%, Cabernet Sauvignon 10%