{"id":34813,"date":"2022-11-01T16:12:50","date_gmt":"2022-11-01T15:12:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/francevisiting.com\/?p=34813"},"modified":"2022-11-01T16:14:30","modified_gmt":"2022-11-01T15:14:30","slug":"pessac-leognan-chateau-de-france","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/francevisiting.com\/index.php\/2022\/11\/01\/pessac-leognan-chateau-de-france\/","title":{"rendered":"The doors of Pessac-L\u00e9ognan open to you with the wines from the Ch\u00e2teau de France wine estate"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"\"We propose you to follow our previous Bordeaux wine tour (read our previous article here<\/a>) with a recent appellation, since it dates from 1987. Indeed, the AOC Pessac-L\u00e9ognan, included the more global Graves appellation, pursues the similar old terroir<\/em>, already dating from the Middle Ages. Located on the southwestern edge of Bordeaux, this acclaimed appellation features many famous domains of this Graves area, still luckily laying on these gravel, sandy and clay soil. <\/strong>In fact, those are the perfect conditions to favor the growth of red grape varieties (Cabernet-Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec) and white grape varieties (Sauvignon and of Semillon) to have a typical expression. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Thus, one good ambassador of this appellation would be the Ch\u00e2teau de France wine estate, advised by Michel Rolland<\/span><\/span> since 1996, and run by Arnaud Thomassin. Still belonging to the<\/span><\/span> Thomassin family, it’s one of the oldest owners of the Pessac-L\u00e9ognan appellation, made of the same original terroir<\/em>, composed with Ferbos<\/em> soil, typical of this region of Graves and more confidential plot (50 ares), aptly named Coquillat, whose soil is riddled with fossils dating back from 19 million years and an average annual production of 195,000 bottles (photo credits: Ch\u00e2teau de France). <\/strong>By AP<\/em><\/p>\n

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It seems that in early morning, some lights change…<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Therefore, in this AOC Pessac-L\u00e9ognan<\/strong>, stands the Ch\u00e2teau de France<\/strong><\/a>, retaining the name of the old locality on which it was built, situated 15 kilometers south of Bordeaux<\/strong>, spread over 40 hectares of vineyard<\/strong>, shared between 36 ha of Cabernet Sauvignon<\/strong> and 4 ha of Merlot<\/strong>, Sauvignon<\/strong> and S\u00e9millon<\/strong>. Extending over one of the highest slopes of the L\u00e9ognan<\/strong> terrace, the oldest and highest of the four gravel<\/strong> terraces built over time.<\/p>\n

Adding to this, this domain holds the privilege to seat on outcrops of very deep Pyrenean<\/strong> gravel, sometimes on a clay-limestone<\/strong> subsoil, revealing the presence of the same tawny<\/strong> sands and variegated clays<\/strong> as in Haut-Sauternes<\/strong> plus also in certain sectors of the M\u00e9doc<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Acquired in 1971 by Bernard Thomassin<\/strong>, the Ch\u00e2teau de France<\/strong><\/a> is registered in the Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux<\/strong> since 1981, followed by a HVE<\/strong> certification illustrating a commitment<\/strong> proving the existing practices of the domain regarding the respect versus the precious surrounding environment<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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..fulfilled by these thousands of active bees<\/strong>!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Before being a grape<\/strong>, it was once a green flower<\/strong>..<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In fact, these manners are expressed through a minimal energy<\/strong> consumption, a sorting and recycling of waste<\/strong>, in parallel of a reasoned<\/strong> cultivation and a green<\/strong> harvest, following a Double Guyot<\/strong> pruning viticulture. Regarding the vine <\/strong>working conditions, a deep focus has been given to protect the health protection<\/strong> of employees, along the security of the neighbors and consumers.<\/p>\n

In fact, an approach facilitated by the collective system proposed by the Conseil interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux<\/strong>, while reducing costs and optimizes tools leading to an ISO 14001<\/strong> certification. Adding to this, a couple of beehives<\/strong> were installed around the vineyards<\/strong>, in order to promote a certain biodiversity<\/strong> while respecting the ecosystem<\/strong> of their natural areas and engaging the beauty of the surrounding ecosystem<\/strong>, through their plots and their property.<\/p>\n

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What a majestic alley leading to the Castle<\/strong>!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If we deeply focus into this Ch\u00e2teau de France<\/strong> selection, you would be glad to discover fine and elegant wines<\/strong> that resolutely assert themselves in a long duration, and a certain purity thanks to a vibrating Grape<\/strong> Destemmer <\/strong><\/em>Crusher<\/strong>, enabling the removal of the finest vegetal<\/strong> debris, still in the respect of environment<\/strong>. After this, a second sorting would be operated on a vibrating<\/strong> table, before a maceration<\/strong> phase that occurs between 3 to 4 weeks in vats<\/strong>, featuring a regular temperature<\/strong> control, that could be settled between 28 and 30\u00b0C.<\/p>\n

Thereafter, a malolactic<\/strong> fermentation is operated in vats<\/strong> and an aging in barrels<\/strong> (30% in new wood and 70% in single-wine barrels<\/strong>), in a suitable semi-underground cellar<\/strong>, from 12 until 14 months and complemented with a filtration<\/strong> before proceeding to the bottling<\/strong> stage.<\/p>\n

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The Cabernet-Sauvignon<\/strong> grapes usually express aromas of berries<\/strong>, such as blackcurrant<\/strong> or blackberry<\/strong>, enhanced by aging in oak barrels<\/strong>…<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

At this occasion, we are glad to taste the authentic AOP Pessac-L\u00e9ognan<\/strong> elevated by this Chateau de France<\/strong>, within this Millesime<\/em> 2015<\/strong> spread between two handpicked<\/strong> grape varieties, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon<\/strong> and 60% Merlot<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

This nectar<\/strong><\/em> offers a fine tasting, composed of a deep ruby<\/strong> color, illustrated by an intense and ripe nose, full of a floral peony<\/strong>, raspberry<\/strong>, spicy black pepper<\/strong> and blond tobacco<\/strong> fragrances. An explicit perfume<\/strong>, balanced by an harmonious and round palate<\/strong> conveyed by an harmonious between the strength of Merlot<\/strong> and the gourmet notes of Cabernet Sauvignon<\/strong>, melt into a fruity<\/strong> and peppery<\/strong> long final moment. A perfect wine<\/strong> recommendation to match with venison terrine<\/strong>, kefta tajines<\/strong>, wild boar stew <\/strong>and fine cheese<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Recently joined by the 2018-2019-2020<\/strong> trilogy of vintages<\/strong>, the 2018<\/strong> edition of which perfectly represents the spirit of the Pessac L\u00e9ognan<\/strong> appellation with a blend of 59% Merlot<\/strong> and 41% Cabernet Sauvignon<\/strong>. Indeed, this elegant wine<\/strong>, which also offers good aging<\/strong> potential, amazes with its notes of red fruits<\/strong> and gingerbread<\/strong>. Without forgetting its subtle woody<\/strong> notes, revealing some ripe tannins<\/strong>, as well as a beautiful length<\/strong> in mouth.<\/p>\n

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Those 2019<\/strong> millesimes may be matured in your cellar for many years..<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Whereas the 2019<\/strong> version is rather matured in new barrels<\/strong> (30%) during 12 months, completed with a light filtration<\/strong> before bottling. The result is deep red ruby<\/strong> color, sharing intense nose of red berries<\/strong> (black currant, blue berry and cherries) and gingerbread<\/strong>. Its remarkable smoky length<\/strong> refined oak<\/strong> accents is preceded by notable spice<\/strong> and liquorice<\/strong> notes with well-ripened tannins<\/strong>. Ideal to accompany any kind of grilled<\/strong> dishes.<\/p>\n

At last, the 2020<\/strong> item displays simply<\/strong> red<\/strong><\/em> aromas of crushed raspberry <\/strong>and blackberry<\/strong> jams or even elderberry<\/strong> jelly. Under those small silky tannins<\/strong>, those expressive fruity<\/strong> are logically major, before offering a last reminiscent finish of a fresh and slight mint<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Your upcoming delivered Ch\u00e2teau de France<\/strong> bottles are in good hands..<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On another hand, it also exists white<\/strong> versions of Ch\u00e2teau de France<\/strong> wines, annually issued, composed from. Those grapes are cultivated in deep gravelly<\/strong> soil from the Pyrenees<\/strong>, sometimes on a chalky-clay<\/strong> subsoil, before being again manually<\/strong> harvested. Those juices<\/strong> are matured in new barrels<\/strong> (30%) during 10 months, starring a stirring<\/strong> once per week, and at the end every 15 days, leading to the emergence of a shiny and limpid golden<\/strong> robe<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Once in your palate, let’s feel its flavors of bee<\/strong> wax<\/strong>, honey<\/strong>, peach<\/strong> and apricot<\/strong> aromas, adorned with a good balance in terms between fat and acidity. An intense finish concludes the experience with spicy<\/strong> aromas of peppery<\/strong> flavors, which may regarded as rare for a white wine<\/strong>. Here the food pairing<\/strong> is suggested with any grilled fish<\/strong> and dry goat<\/strong> cheeses<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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..a good suggestion of enlightening your own wine glass<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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A noble entrance gate<\/strong> towards the domain of the Ch\u00e2teau de France<\/strong>..<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Thus, you may count on these eponym Ch\u00e2teau de France<\/strong> wines made for a long aging, along the Ch\u00e2teau<\/strong> Coquillas<\/strong> wines which are as well acclaimed by many restaurants. As we have seen earlier, this last one is a true property<\/strong> in its own right, with 40 hectares of vines <\/strong>and has been named regarding the evocation of the many shell fossils<\/strong> that abound in one of the parcels of the property and recalling the Bec-en-Sabot<\/strong> plots.<\/p>\n

Indeed, this somehow pays here a tribute to these rare birds<\/strong> flying around papyrus<\/strong> in Africa<\/strong>. Indeed, Bernard Thomassin<\/strong>, fond of ornithology<\/strong>, has been admiring for a long time this rare, vigorous, fierce and solitary bird<\/strong>, which can measure up to 1.50 m and usually lives in the swamps<\/strong> of eastern Africa<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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.. a white Coquillas<\/strong> is recommended with a fresh oyster<\/strong> plate.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Made from 80% Sauvignon<\/strong> and 20% S\u00e9millon<\/strong>, harvested here..<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For instance, the white Ch\u00e2teau<\/strong> Coquillas<\/strong> wines embody a real aromatic<\/strong> complexity, since they are aged in barrels<\/strong> for nine months, providing a very discreet woody<\/strong> touch. This cuv\u00e9e<\/strong><\/em> notably stands out with notes of candied apricot<\/strong>, white peach<\/strong>, along a touch of honey<\/strong> and exotic<\/strong> fruits. Without forgetting that there’s a mineral<\/strong> touch as well expressing with a certain freshness<\/strong> and a slightly iodized<\/strong> finish.<\/p>\n

With such assets, there is no shortage of food<\/strong> and wine<\/strong> pairings, especially with fish<\/strong>, seafood<\/strong> and especially dry cheeses<\/strong>, unless you prefer enjoying this Ch\u00e2teau Coquillas<\/strong> as an aperitif<\/strong>, served between 11 and 12\u00b0.<\/p>\n

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..before opening your first red Coquillas<\/strong> bottle of the day.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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What a pleasure to walk through the vineyards<\/strong> at dawn..<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A red version of the red Ch\u00e2teau Coquillas<\/strong> is also available, composed of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon<\/strong> and 40% Merlot<\/strong>. A good occasion to appreciate another style of Pessac L\u00e9ognan<\/strong> with a shimmering garnet<\/strong> color and a fresh, ripe nose, with notes of peony<\/strong>, blackcurrant<\/strong> and cherry<\/strong>, punctuated by a fine note of mint<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

In this pleasant balance between fruity<\/strong> and mineral<\/strong> notes, some velvety and melted tannins<\/strong> get unveiled through its final accents of cocoa<\/strong>. Those assets allow to enjoy this red Ch\u00e2teau Coquillas<\/strong>, the time of an aperitif<\/strong> with a charcuterie<\/strong><\/em> board, or grilled<\/strong> dishes for the main course, or even fine cheeses<\/strong> and chocolate cakes<\/strong> for dessert.<\/p>\n

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..essentially by providing the contents of this exotic<\/strong> bottle.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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This Cabernet Sauvignon <\/strong>vine leaf <\/strong>would soon satisfy you..<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Last but not least from this wine list<\/strong>, we invite you to discover the last 2020<\/strong> millesime<\/em> of Le Bec en Sabot<\/strong><\/em>, which is again a red Pessac L\u00e9ognan <\/strong>wine, composed of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon<\/strong> and 60% Merlot<\/strong>. Baptized from the impressive shoebill<\/strong> bird<\/strong> from the Nile<\/strong> river, logically pictured in the bottle<\/strong>, according to the passion for ornithology<\/strong> of Bernard Thomassin<\/strong>. This real tribute<\/strong> is grown in very deep Graves<\/strong><\/em>, sometimes on a clay-limestone<\/strong> subsoil, for an interesting alloy between 40% Cabernet Sauvignon<\/strong> and 60% Merlot<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Aged in barrels<\/strong> of 3 wines during 6 months, after malolactic<\/strong> fermentation in vats<\/strong>, this juice<\/strong> offers a shimmering ruby<\/strong> \u200b\u200bcolor; unveiling various red fruity<\/strong> notes of currants<\/strong>, cranberries <\/strong>and raspberries<\/strong>, but also tobacco <\/strong>and cloves<\/strong>. A sweet acidity<\/strong> associated with those aromas<\/strong> allows to enjoy this limited edition<\/strong> wine with tradition French cuisine<\/strong> or red fruited pies<\/strong>!<\/p>\n

Ch\u00e2teau de France<\/strong><\/a>, 98 Avenue de Mont de Marsan, 33850 L\u00e9ognan (France) \/ Phone : 00 33 (0)5 56 64 75 39. More information on their official website<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

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 <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  We propose you to follow our previous Bordeaux wine tour (read our previous article here)…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":34833,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[24,926],"tags":[1003,1300,1250,1301,409,1108],"class_list":["post-34813","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-gastronomy","category-nouvelle-aquitaine","tag-bordeaux-wine","tag-chateau-de-france","tag-nouvelle-aquitaine","tag-pessac-leognan","tag-wine","tag-winery"],"post_mailing_queue_ids":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/francevisiting.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34813","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/francevisiting.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/francevisiting.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/francevisiting.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/francevisiting.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=34813"}],"version-history":[{"count":22,"href":"https:\/\/francevisiting.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34813\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":34908,"href":"https:\/\/francevisiting.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34813\/revisions\/34908"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/francevisiting.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/34833"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/francevisiting.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=34813"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/francevisiting.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=34813"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/francevisiting.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=34813"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}