To the south of Bordeaux, near Cadillac, Château de Ricaud boasts an exceptionally diverse array of soils. Seduced by its quality potential and the architectural splendour of the château, Alain Thiénot took ownership of the property in 1980. In 2007, he decided to engage the support of Dourthe’s teams, and put in place a remodelling plan intended to transform the estate into a benchmark in Loupiac and to create a Côtes de Bordeaux worthy of the finest wines. Château de Ricaud is a gem set in natural surrounds in the Côtes de Bordeaux appellation.
Grape
73% Merlot – 21% Cabernet Sauvignon – 6% Petit Verdot
Vineyard & Vinification Note
HVE3 and Terra Vitis certified (High environmental value certificates)
Vineyard surface : 66 Ha (10 Ha of which are white)
Soils : Clay silts, calcareous clay and gravel outcrops.
Vine density : 6 500 plant/Ha
Pruning : Guyot mixte
Vine management : plot by plot
Sustainable viticulture
Higher trellising to increase the canopy.
Soils work adapted to the characteristics of each plot.
Multiple tasks in the vineyard: de-budding, removing the secondary shoots, removing the secondary shoots, 2 leaf-thinnings depending on the plot; crop-thinnings if necessary
Manual leaf-thinings; Crop-thinning to eliminate uneven bunches
Harvest: By grape variety and type of soils, when the grapes are perfectly ripe.
Vinification: In temperature-controlled stainless steel vats.
Ageing: 12 months in new oak barrels, on fine lees.
The Vintage: “2019 got off to a mild start resulting in early bud break. The growing season was set back by changeable weather in spring, marked by two episodes of frost on 14th April and 6th May, with thankfully no major damage to our vineyards. Summer was hot and dry and by the end of June had set in for the duration, lasting right through until the harvest. These favourable conditions, together with painstaking work in the vineyard, good water reserves and fluctuating day/night temperatures from late August, promoted balance and concentration in the grapes. Welcome rainfall in mid-September added the finishing touch to ripening in the perfectly healthy red grapes.
We harvested non-stop from 26th September through to 9th October. The wines reveal good structure, fruit, and impressive soft, silky tannic structure.”
Tasting Note
Concentrated in appearance with dark ruby glints. The intense bouquet exudes dark fruit notes of cassis and blackberries, enhanced by an appealing peppery note. The wine is initially full and generous and develops attractive, concentrated, silky tannins. Fresh and lingering on the finish, interweaving fruit-laden notes and gentle spices.
Food Pairing
Red and white meat (entrecôte bordelaise, minute steak, beef tartare, neck of lamb, leg of mutton, duck magret), vegetables and side dishes (gratin dauphinois), cheese (Mimolette, Cheddar, Gruyère, Parmesan).
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