Import Selection: Chateau Larroque, 1989. Bordeaux

Unlike many Bordeaux winer­ies, Chateau Larroque is built around a bona fide chateau. A beautiful country mansion (pic­tured on the label), the property was built in the 1600’s and has been in the same family for 150 years; M.C. Ducourt proprietor.

Bordeaux, the wine region is named after Bordeaux, the city. It is on the west coast of France, south of Normandy and north of the Spanish border. Throughout history, it has played host to a montage of vessels from Roman trading ships to Nazi U-boats.

The major feature of the region is the Gironde, a long river estuary that runs 50 miles into the coast of France. The two rivers, Garonne and Dordogne, feed the prominent Gironde. Between the two rivers, Garonne and Dordogne lies the fertile district Entre-deux-Mers, “between two rivers.” Entre-deux­Mers, producing both red and white wine, is surrounded by the famous districts of Graves, known for its white wine, Sauterne, known for its white dessert wine, and St. Emilion, known for its red wine. Tucked away in the Entre­deux-Mers is our featured Chateau Larroque producing 8,000 cases of white wine and 10,000 cases of red wine.

Our selection this month em­ploys the use of three grapes: 70% Sauvignon Blanc, 25% Semillon, and 5% Muscadelle du Bordelaise. What is interesting about this par­ticular wine is that the blend is a result of the vineyard being planted in the same varieties in the same proportions. The whole lot har­vested together is what is known as a “field blend,” a common prac­tice in Bordeaux. This method as­sures consistent vintages from year to year.

Sauvignon Blanc is a native of France and is responsible for the great white wines of Bordeaux. A very versatile grape, it is capable of producing honey-like late har­vest dessert wines to distinctly dry herbaceous dinner wines.

Our selection shows a nice light straw color with bright high­lights. The nose is complex with apples, melon and citrus. The fla­vors follow nicely with light to medium body. The apples and melon come through in the middle and the finish is pleasantly dry with a hint of oak.

Serve chilled with river fishes ie. salmon, trout or perch grilled with fresh herbs. No heavy sauces. Should be served while fresh and light.

Cellaring Notes: Drink now through 1991.

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