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Château La Louvière White
Château La Louvière has long been famous for its white wines. In fact, these already highly-prized by Canadian merchants in the 17th century ! A century later, they were to be found on the finest tables in Russia.The very elegant white La Louvière is now among the finest dry white wines in the Graves, and is a fine ambassador for the Pessac-Léognan appellation. Marked by the Sauvignon Blanc varietal character, but not overly so, it can age remarkably well.
Wine style
Elegant and Fruity
Grape blend
15% Sémillon / 85% Sauvignon blanc.
Weather
Winter was harsh (many days with frost) and spring rather chilly. There was a great deal of sunshine in 2010 and a long period of drought from 21 June to late September, which was favourable for ripening.
Tasting Comment
Appareance
Clear and brilliant, with sparkling green highlights.
Nose
Majority Sauvignon, easily identified in the pure, elegant nose of lemon and grapefruit, with tropical fruits and succulent vanilla and brioche notes from the barrel aging.
Mouth
Upfront, the palate is opulent and seductive, increasingly ample and smooth with persistent fruit. A marvellous wine, echoing the aromatic spectrum already found on the nose with some additional mineral notes. Perfect with white meats or saltwater fish, or wait ten years and serve with hard cheeses. (January, 2012)
Ratings and reviews
Strongly, stinkily aromatic. Then quite creamy on the palate. Could only be bordeaux. Very fresh acidity. Should last well. Lots of tension. Drink 2014-2019.
(2010 with a cork stopper - notation : 15.50) Pale colour. Fresh, fruity, ripe nose. Rich, tasty, and subtle on the palate. Delicious, with elegant vanilla nuances on the aftertase. No way you can spit this out! Very beautiful, long finish. 2013-2025.
(2010 with a screwcap - notation : 15.75) Pale colour. Smoky, peppery bouquet. Starts out quite rich and generous, showing considerable power, class, and subtlety on the middle palate. Very tasty and plush from there on, with a long, delicious aftertaste. 2016-2030.
This is a dense and structured white Bordeaux with green apple and mango character throughout. Full body, with lovely fruit and a layered finish of fruit and acidity. This is the best white from here in years. Serious stuff. Impressive now but better in 2015.
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2013 Edition -
Le Guide des vins de France 2013 - This wine obviously has plenty of class, which comes through in its exquisite minerality, very pure fruit, and considerable body. It is straightforward, fresh, and concentrated with an extremely long aftertaste and beautiful balance.
Citronella, verbena, pear, delicate, long, balanced, subtle, classy finish, I love this totally classic style of perfectly ripe Sauvignon.
The only screw cap-finished wine from Pessac-Leognan, it reveals lots of melon, fig, lemon zest and a hint of orange rind. (Robert Parker)
The nose on the La Louviere Blanc demands coaxing from the glass: quite phenolic compared to other Pessac whites with touches of grapefruit, dried pineapple and yeasty aromas all with moderate definition. The palate is quite simple with primal green apple, kiwi fruit and a touch of spice, but just missing a little tension and vibrancy towards the finish compared to others. Tasted April 2011. (Neal Martin)
The Sémillon, left on the sidelines last vintage, makes a comeback with 15% of the blend in the sample tasted. Hence the hint of breadcrust on the nose which adds considerably to its charm. More approachable than its cousin, Couhins-Lurton, it will also be drinkable earlier.
This has a good herb and citrus core, with a lively fleur de sel-tinged finish. Straw and verbena fill in the background. Solid. (James Molesworth)
Full-textured wine, with acidity well integrated into the ripe, open structure. The wine has weight, while preserving its freshness. The lime acidity and spice push through to the final taste. (Roger Voss)
Energy on the nose. Real athleticism in fact. Attractive dry minerality. Tingly and reserved. Very stony. Bone dry and not at all tarted up. Not a heavyweight. Drink 2017-2027. (Jancis Robinson)
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Fine persistence of citrus fruits and natural ripeness, lovely structure and very good length, a fine, classic white Graves, worthy of classification for the white. Drink 2013-20.
Consumption period
2013 - 2020
Our suggestions
Starters
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White meats
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Fish and Shellfish
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Cheese |
Salads |
Ground
Surface
15.00 ha
Soil
Deep gravel with fine limestone over small areas at the foot of the slopes.
Winemaking
Grape harvest
By hand in several passes
Others
Graft stock
41B-Fercal
Plant food
Traditional, limited impact
Plant density
6,500 to 8,500 vines per hectare
Wine average age
25 years old
Grape variety
Sauvignon blanc / Sémillon
Pruning type
Sauvignon Blanc : Double guyot / Sémillon : Côts.
Fermentation
After settling, in oak barrels
Fermentation temperature
18 to 23 °C
Malolactic
No
Wine maturing
For 10 months in oak barrels (30% new) on full lees with bâtonnage
Wine montage
Tartaric precipitation by cold treatment
Maturing potential
Very expressive between 3 and 5 years old, can age 10 to 20 years
Cellar master
Oenologist consultant
Denis DUBOURDIEU (Professor at the Institut d'Œnologie of Bordeaux) and Valérie LAVIGNE.
Recipes
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