THE VINEYARDS:

The vineyard is near Narbonne, in the Corbières’ microclimate of Fontfroide and Boutenac. Château d’Aussières has been since the Roman era one of the great estates of the Languedoc, France. Since 1999, Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) have revitalized more than 390 acres of vineyards on the 1,359-acre estate, as well as renovated the cellars of the Château. The AOC vineyards are primarily rock (as Corbieres “Cor” is an old Celtic word meaning rock) and sandstone, slate, gravel, clay and sand.

WINEMAKER : Eric Kohler
APPELLATION : Corbières AOC, France
VARIETAL : Syrah 45%, Grenache 40%, Mourvèdre 15%
ANALYSIS : 14% alc/vol, 3.7 PH, 3.20 TA g/L
FERMENTATION : aged 20% in barrels and 80% in vats for 18 months

WINEMAKING:

A new, entirely renovated winery has been built at the Château d’Aussières in the middle of the Aussières vineyard. All operations, from the harvest itself to bottling, are conducted with the greatest care using state-of-the-art technology. The red grape varieties are vinified in traditional Bordeaux fashion or using the Languedoc technique of carbonic maceration. Tasting sessions for blending operations start right at the beginning of the aging process and grape varieties are rigorously selected for each wine. Fermentation took place in concrete and stainless steel vats.

WINEMAKER'S NOTES:

The winter and spring were very dry but fortunately there was plentiful rainfall at the end of May. The northern Tramontana winds and the sea breezes followed one another at the end of the summer, with regular sunshine and slightly below-average temperatures. Harvest took place in excellent conditions from mid-September to nearly the middle of October. Vinification took place in the traditional Bordeaux method or carbonic maceration depending on the grape varieties.

TASTING NOTES:

“Corbieres is one of southern France's sweetest spots and varieties normally associated with Bordeaux as well as the Rhone Valley excel here. This one is cut from the Rhone cloth, with lots of Syrah and Grenache, giving it blueberry and red raspberry notes and lots of pepper in its fairly mild, gentle, fruity finish.” -- Doug Frost, Master of Wine, Master Sommelier
BRONZE STAR

THE VINEYARDS:

The prestigious Barons de Rothschild family has owned vineyards in Bordeaux, France for generations. In addition to the wines issued from their worldrenowned vineyards, Les Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) has been elaborating a range of wines which are easy and pleasant to drink called "Réserves". Inspired by a grand tradition of quality, the Domaines teams have one priority: selection. Their mastery and perfect knowledge of Bordelais cepages are responsible for the unparalleled quality of their wines.

WINEMAKER : Diane Flamand
APPELLATION : Bordeaux, France
VARIETAL : 55% Sémillon, 45% Sauvignon Blanc
ANALYSIS : 12.0% alc/vol, 3.50 pH, 3.6 TA g/L, 2.1 RS g/L
AGEING : Stainless Steel tanks

WINEMAKING :

2009 met the five conditions necessary for a great vintage: early flowering, an early start to the ripening stage, a warm, dry August and September, completely ripe grapes and perfect weather for the harvests. The Semillon did particularly well in these remarkable conditions, presenting exceptional strength and complexity, and dominating the blend. Harvest took place in excellent conditions from the 4th to the 15th of September. Vinification took place in stainless steel vats after a period of skin contact.

TASTING NOTES:

“A classic white Bordeaux nose of pink grapefruit, orange rind, lemons and freshly cut grass, with notes of melon along with the citrus in the mouth. The finish reveals some complexity alongside the fruit: mineral, citrus rind, limestone and cut grass.” -- Doug Frost, Master of Wine, Master Sommelier
BRONZE STAR

THE VINEYARDS:

The prestigious Barons de Rothschild family has owned vineyards in Bordeaux for generations. In 1868 Baron James de Rothschild purchased Château Lafite; the first-growth wine was classified in 1855. Just three months after the purchase, Baron James passed away, and Lafite became the joint property of his three sons: Alphonse, Gustave and Edmond. In 1946 a new generation of Rothschilds inherited Château Lafite: Barons Guy, Alain, Elie and Edmond. After the difficult decades following the turn of the century, and the painful period of World War II, Baron Elie de Rothschild was entrusted with the recovery of the estate. In addition to the wines issued from their world-renowned vineyards, Les Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) has been elaborating a range of wines called “Réserves.” Their mastery and perfect knowledge of Bordelais cepages are responsible for the unparalleled quality of their wines. The cepages used in Reserve Spéciale Rouge are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc.

WINEMAKER : Diane Flamand
APPELLATION : Bordeaux, France
VARIETAL : 50% Merlot, 50% Cabernet Sauvignon
ANALYSIS : 12% alc/vol, 3.45 pH, 3.62 TA g/L

WINEMAKING:

2008 was the smallest harvest brought into the cellars since the frost of 1991, and was 20 percent less than the already small 2007 harvest. After early budburst, the vines were subject to late frosts, which wiped out part of the crop in many vineyards. Just as in 2007, the 2008 vintage was saved by very favorable dry and sunny weather in September and October. Harvest took place in October. The selected plots were vinified separately in stainless steel vats, after being destemmed and crushed. This was followed by alcoholic fermentation under temperature control and maceration over two weeks. Aging took place in vats. Before bottling, the wine was fined with egg whites and cold stabilization.

TASTING NOTES:

“With a bright and fruity nose, this youthful Bordeaux has aromas of black raspberry, red cherry and dried strawberry. The mouth is fruity as well: black cherry, red plum, and dried strawberries. Indeed, the oak spiciness is hidden under the fruit at present and a few months to a couple of years in the basement will increase the complexity.” -- Doug Frost, Master of Wine, Master Sommelier
BRONZE STAR

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