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Diverse winemaking and an intra-plot approach - Pessac-Léognan
Located in the heart of the Pessac-Léognan appellation, Château Larrivet Haut-Brion stands out for its refined and elegant wines, born from a rich terroir and a fascinating history. This estate, which belongs to the Gervoson family, is one of the jewels of the Bordeaux region, renowned for its respect of traditional viticultural practices combined with modern innovations. Thanks to decades of passion, expertise and a heightened sense of excellence, Château Larrivet Haut-Brion has become a major player among the great crus of Bordeaux.
The history of Château Larrivet Haut-Brion dates back to the 19th century. Originally named "Château de Canolle", then successively "La Rivette" and "Haut-Brion Larrivet", it took its current name in 1949, following a lengthy legal dispute with the prestigious Château Haut-Brion. In 1987, the estate was acquired by the Gervoson family, well known in the food industry, particularly for the Bonne Maman brand. With passion and rigour, the family undertook a complete renovation of the estate to restore its former glory.
The arrival of Bruno Lemoine, oenologist and general manager, in 2007 marked a turning point. This expert, having worked at Château Montrose, carried out an in-depth study of the soils and undertook the restructuring of the vineyard. With the support of consultant oenologist Michel Rolland and later Stéphane Derenoncourt, the estate equipped itself with modern winemaking techniques and committed to environmentally responsible practices.
The 72 hectares of Château Larrivet Haut-Brion extend over gravelly and sandy soils, characteristic of the middle terrace of the Graves de Bordeaux. These perfectly drained and well-exposed soils offer ideal conditions for producing wines of great elegance and fine finesse. The vineyard is divided into blocks, each possessing specific qualities that contribute to the unique expression of the estate's wines.
The estate primarily cultivates Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc grape varieties for the red wines, while Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon dominate the white grape varieties. With an average age of 30 years for the red vines and 25 years for the white vines, these plants benefit from a dense planting density (7,700 vines per hectare), allowing for optimal grape quality.
In order to preserve biodiversity and adapt to climatic challenges, Château Larrivet Haut-Brion has recently adopted agroforestry practices. This innovative concept aims to plant trees between the vine rows to create a protective microclimate and natural ecological corridors. For example, the Paulownia, known for its rapid growth and drought resistance, is used to improve the resilience of the plots in the face of high temperatures.
Winemaking at Château Larrivet Haut-Brion is meticulously orchestrated to respect the identity of each plot while enhancing the aromatic potential of the terroir. The red wines are vinified by plot in temperature-controlled concrete vats, allowing optimal control of fermentation temperatures. Maceration lasts between four and five weeks, with regular punch-downs to extract the finest tannins and aromas. The ageing of the red wines lasts between 14 and 18 months, of which one third takes place in new French oak barrels, bringing structure and complexity to the wines.
For white wines, vinification is carried out 50% in new French oak barrels, 20% in concrete eggs, and 30% in small 25-hectoliter wooden vats. These methods preserve the freshness and aromatic brilliance of the white grape varieties while imparting an elegant texture. The white wines are aged for 10 to 11 months with regular lees stirring to enrich their complexity.
Château Larrivet Haut-Brion offers a range of cuvées combining finesse, character and diversity, expressed fully through every bottle.
Château Larrivet Haut-Brion Rouge
The Fine Wine rouge of Château Larrivet Haut-Brion is distinguished by a deep, intense garnet robe, revealing on the nose an aromatic richness that combines notes of ripe black fruits, roasted nuances, and vanilla, imparted by careful ageing in French oak barrels. On the palate, this wine presents a silky attack and a velvety density that evolves harmoniously, giving way to smooth and elegant tannins. Its powerful structure is perfectly balanced by a beautiful finesse, and its long finish makes it a wine for ageing, promising fine development over the years. This red is an essential choice for those seeking the intensity and depth of the great crus of Pessac-Léognan.
Château Larrivet Haut-Brion Blanc
Château Larrivet Haut-Brion Blanc is distinguished by a luminous pale yellow robe with golden highlights. From the very first nose, it reveals a complex bouquet where aromas of mandarin, lemon and pineapple harmonise with woody and vanilla notes, the result of a carefully balanced vinification between new French oak barrels, concrete eggs, and small wooden vats. The palate is ample, rich and well balanced, expressing both vivacity and roundness. This seductive white wine concludes with an elegant, oaky finish, and is ideal for those seeking a wine that is both refined and generous, perfect to accompany fine cuisine or to be enjoyed on its own.
These two cuvées, Rouge and Blanc, perfectly embody the identity of Château Larrivet Haut-Brion, combining the tradition of the Pessac-Léognan terroir with a subtle modernity.
The vintages of Graves and Pessac-Léognan, two appellations of Bordeaux, are distinguished by their consistent quality. The years 1975, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989 and 1990 are particularly appreciated for their finesse and balance. The vintages 1998, 2000, 2005, 2008, 2009 and 2010 are equally remarkable for their structure and ageing potential. More recently, the vintages 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 confirm the continuity of this excellence, with wines offering both elegance and longevity.
Explore the full range of Grands Crus Classés of Graves, an appellation renowned for the diversity and quality of its wines. At the top of the list, the Premier Grand Cru Classé of 1855, Château Haut-Brion of Pessac-Léognan, is a historic benchmark. For red and white wines, estates such as Château Bouscaut, Château Carbonnieux, Château Malartic-Lagravière, Château Olivier, Château Latour-Martillac and Domaine de Chevalier offer interesting cuvées. On the red side, you can discover the wines of Château Fieuzal, Château Haut-Bailly, Château Latour Haut-Brion, Château La Mission Haut-Brion, Château Pape-Clément and Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte. White wine enthusiasts can turn to the productions of Château Couhins, Château Couhins Lurton and Château Laville Haut-Brion. These estates offer you a wide range of wines to discover at the heart of the Graves region.
Château Larrivet Haut-Brion is far more than a wine estate; it is a human adventure and a pursuit of perfection, where every detail matters. From vine to bottle, the team at Larrivet Haut-Brion is dedicated to producing wines of exceptional quality, bearing witness to ancestral expertise and a deep respect for the terroir. Whether for a grand cru to lay down or a cuvée to enjoy younger, the wines of Château Larrivet Haut-Brion represent the very best of the Pessac-Léognan appellation.
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