Bordeaux Presented By Ahlia Slone!

BORDEAUX

• Bordeaux gained its popularity by its location
• Ideal climate
• Ideal soil types
• The ports within the Gironde estuary allows for easy trade all around the world

• Grapes
• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Adapted to gravel soils
• Brings structure, fruitiness, ability for long aging
• Ripens
• Merlot
• Adapted to clay-limestone (cooler soils)
• Brings smoothness to a blend
• Earliest ripening grape variety
• Cabernet Franc
• Adapted to clay-limestone soils
• Adds a rich bouquet to wine
• Late ripening
• Petit Verdot
• Adapted to gravel soils
• Gives wine body and color
• Late ripening
• Malbec

• The Gironde estuary divides the region into two banks:
• LEFT BANK
• Blends tend to be higher in tannins, alcohol, and acidity
• Are said to age better than those from right bank
• The bank that made the region famous
• Laws AF
• RIGHT BANK
• Blends tend to be softer/ smoother and lower tannins, alcohol and acidity
• Merlot is main grape used therefore juicer, and meant to drink at an earlier age than left bank
• Tend to be less $$$

• More on Médoc
• Climate, microclimate & terroir
• Warm and damp climate
• The great vintages result in a dry, hot summer
• Unique natural protection from the Atlantic to the West and Gironde estuary to the East
• Regulates temperature throughout the year
• Sun and sea breezes offer protection from frosts and diseases like mold and mildew
• Two types of soils
• Pyrenean and Garronaise gravels found mostly in the Haut-Medoc region
• Clay and limestone can be found in areas like Moulis, Listerac, and Saint-Estephe
• Soils formed by glaciations over thousands of years

• Laws
• Grands crus classés, 1855
• “An Imperial Classification”
• Crus Bourgeois
• “Accessible Excellence”
• Crus Artisans
• “A Reference of Authenticity”
• Cooperatives Cellars
• “The Médoc’s Winemakers United”
• Others
• “We don't like labels”

Our Wines!!

2015 CHATEAU BELLEGRAVE MÉDOC¿?¿LOL?¿?

2010 CHATEAU CASTERA MÉDOC

Probably more $$$ because:

Cru Bourgeois

• Comes from the merchants and artisans from Bordeaux’s “burg” who were important in political life who had the privilege of not being taxed on wines produced by their vineyards

1. Nature of terroir
2. Grape quality
3. Approach of vineyard
1. Wine making
2. General presentation and management of property
3. Bottling conditions
4. Consistency of quality
5. Wines reputation
4. The organoleptic qualities of the wine

Considered a “good” vintage

Aged for a bit