Tour de France: Merlot / Cabernet Blend, Graves, CHÂTEAU CABANNIEUX, Bordeaux, France, 2009

Chateau Cabannieux is a very old family property. Mentioned in 1874 as “Première catégorie” winery and in 1881 classified as “Cru Exceptionnel” establishing a record of continuous improvement.  With almost 50 acres of vineyards, surrounding the Château, Hugo Dudignac, is producing red and white AOC Graves wines with distinction.

• POWERFUL
• Earthy
• Black Cherry
• Vanilla
• Old Wood
• Chocolate
• Structure

The Chateau Cabannieux is on the top of a little hill, all the surrounding vineyard is planted on its slops. It gives the vineyard an ideal sun exposure as well as great natural water drainage.  The soil is mainly graveled with a subsoil made of gravel, from which comes the name of “Graves.”  With vines of: 50% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, not the traditional Cab dominate Graves.  However the winemaking is very traditional in cement vats for 4 to 6 months , and then in barrels of 18 to 24 months.  After bottling, the wines spend a year in the cellar before being sold.  It is delicious tonight, but if we had the patients to wait ten years or more it will become a wonderful wine.