Château Graville-Lacoste Graves Blanc 2004

BN#167451

Graves is the quintessential white wine of Bordeaux. Only from this deep, gravelly terroir can you find wines of such succulent citrus fruit, bracing minerality and unparalleled complexity. The 2004 is a superb blend of 80% Semillon, 15% Sauvignon Blanc & 5% Muscadelle from very old vines, bottled unfiltered. The fruit is restrained, the mineral/stony notes are here, subtle fruit tones of melon & citrus show nicely, the acidity is proper & the wine drinks nicely now - what's not to like? They can't make this style in CA; the soils & climactic conditions are nothing like those of the Graves district, arguably the world's finest area for this stylish, classic blend.

Château Graville-Lacoste, founded in 1802, is one of three domaines owned by Hervé Dubourdieu, the sixth generation to take over the wine making at his family’s estates.
The wines of Château Graville-Lacoste, Château Ducasse, and Château Roumieu-Lacoste each have vineyards in different appellations, but all the wines are made at Château
Roumieu-Lacoste under Hervé’s direction. Château Graville-Lacoste’s vineyards are located in the Graves appellation, a large region extending 30 miles south east of the city
of Bordeaux, along the left bank of the Garonne River. The property, which consists of 20 acres, is located more toward the town of Sauternes than Leognan. The age of the
vines averages 55 years old, and the soil is predominantly gravel. Graves means gravelly terrain in French, and it is this gravelly soil that produces elegant, clean white wine.

Semillon is a richer, more ample grape than Sauvignon Blanc, and when vinified correctly, can offer flavors more subtle and complex than Sauvignon Blanc, with greater aging potential. Château Graville-Lacoste Blanc, like Sauternes, is harvested by successive passes through the vineyard to obtain perfect ripeness. Each of the varietals is vinified separately in order to allow full expression of each grape type.
The wine is stirred on its lees weekly in order to give the wine additional body and richness. Surprisingly, the wine sees no oak and all fermentation takes place in stainless steel. - www.plumpjack.com