Château Larose Perganson, Haut-Médoc 2014
PL Award 1: GOLD - SWA 2016 PL Award 2: SILVER - IWC 2019
Country:France Region: Bordeaux Varietal: Bordeaux blends
Vintage: 2014 Category:Red Wine Colour: Red
Producer: Château Larose Perganson
"Château Larose Perganson lies in Saint-Laurent-Medoc, on the border of Pauillac and Saint-Julien, next to the vineyards of Château Latour. Winemaker Frank Bijon is producing a Cru Bourgeois that rivals many Classed Growths. This is apt, as the property was sold at Classed Growth prices a decade prior to the 1855 Classification. The property dates back to 1719, when it was acquired by Jean-Pierre du Pontet, a King's Council, who also owned Langoa and Canet. After his death, his oldest son, M. Pontet de Canet, inherited his properties in Saint-Julien, while his younger son, M. Pontet-Perganson, inherited the Château in Saint-Laurent. The wines of Perganson were sold by the courtiers Lawton in 1742. Its market price regularly put it at the level of a 5th Growth. The name of Larose first appeared in the 1830's, after Henry Delaroze, co-inheritor of future Gruaud-Larose, became the owner of Perganson in 1815. Pontet-Perganson then became Larose-Perganson. Unfortunately, it fell into disrepair and, by 1855, quality and prices had dropped.
After years of neglect, the property was purchased in 1986 by the same company that owns Ch. Larose Trintaudon. They have nursed it back to health, and the current wines are looking superb. A key part of nursing it back to health came in 1999 when they were certified in the Sustainable Development programme of Vignoble Responsible. In 2010, they were the first European vineyard to be rated 'Exemplary' in Sustainable Development.
Saint-Laurent is situated on the borders of Pauillac and Saint-Julien on well drained gravel soils. Its 35 hectares of vineyard have an average age of 35 years. The plant density is 10,000 vines per hectare, ensuring a very low yield per vine, which in turn ensures more intensity in the wines.
The wine is a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot. A cold soak prior to the start of fermentation ensures the extraction of good colour, while a long maceration (the length varies according to the vintage) results in supple tannins. The wine is aged in barrel, about 30-50% of which are new, for 15 months prior to bottling. The 2007 is classic and elegant, the 2009 ripe, full and ready to drink now while the 2010 the best of the lot. It is surprisingly forward, with lovely intensity and balance and, though ready to drink now will easily go on for another five years."
Winemaker: Frank Bijon
Vineyards:
Château Larose Perganson's 35 hectares of vineyards are located in St Laurent Médoc on Médoc's finest gravelly soils: gunzian gravel from the Quaternary and Pyrenean gravel. It produces consistently award-winning wines at a fraction of the price of its illustrious neighbours (Château Latour).
Vinification:
Grape sorting is carried out twice (post-harvest and after destemming), to ensure only the best grapes are used for fermentation. Alcoholic and malolactic fermentation takes place in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks to retain the primary bright fruit. Gentle punch downs minimise extraction of hard drying tannins. The wine is then blended and aged in French barriques, 50% new, for 12 to 16 months.
Tasting Notes:
A clear, intense colour and a bouquet of black berries with spicier notes coming to the fore. On the palate the wine is full with great structure and freshness, as well as polished, elegant tannins. Plenty of flavour and complexity. A very long lasting finish with great finesse.
Closure: Natural Cork ABV: 14% Classification: AOC
Acidity [g/l]: 4.9
