Cazebonne 2019 Graves Entre Amis Blanc

Chateau Cazebonne is a reclamation project involving an historic 40 hectare estate in Graves, spread over 7  parcels  of  vines  with different terroirs.  To correct the industrial farming of the past Cazebonne is in conversion and will be certified organic and Biodynamic as of the 2020 vintage. The soils are lightly plowed, fertilized with compost and cover crops, and 26 old Bordeaux  varities are being planted to bring back diversity to the vineyards. The 2019 Graves Blanc "Entre amis" is 50% Sauvignon, 50% Semillon, 20% with 5 days of skin contact. The nose is floral, but with a tone of spicy, herbal zest. Dried apricot, sliced pear, and a wonderful earthy aroma of crushed white stones. The palate has distinct flavors of golden apple, with more nuanced notes of white pepper and cured lemon. There is a richness in structure (no doubt due to the Semillon), framed by wonderfully bright acidity and a dusting of subtle tannin.

Cazebonne 2019 Graves Entre Amis Rouge

70% Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec. The nose shows crisp black cherry and plum, with black pepper and raw birch. On the palate, there is graphite, with a touch of bellpepper upon a foundation of dark stone fruit. Structurally, the wine has a clean edge of minerality, with bright acidity and just a touch of dusty tannin on the tongue and cheeks.

Cazebonne 2019 Graves Galets de Cazebonne Cabernet

"Hand-picked Cabernet Sauvignon from our 'Cazebonne' plots on deep gravel. Aged in terracotta amphorae. Already very fine with an explosive fruit of Cabernet. The amphora brought a light oxygenation to the wine, which allows it to be savored today. Tannins of great finesse. Very nice balance in contrast to the hard and tannic Bordeaux that has to be aged for many years. And the 2019 vintage is a remarkable vintage of fruit and balance."  Aromas pounce from the glass with ripe red plum and red cherry, with additional smells of black pepper and rhubarb. On the palate, the wine has semi-ripe plums, black cherry, with a hint of black pepper. Structurally, this Cabernet has medium acidity, with soft but well placed tannin, and a core of dense fruit. Very delicious!

Cazebonne 2019 Vin de France Feldspath de Peyron Malbec

"100% Malbec harvested and sorted by hand after destemming, on a small plot of 60 ares, on sand and gravel soils with iron-rich clay with vines over 50 years old. This wine fermented in a small vat for 20 days. It was then aged for 9 months on fine lees in TAVA amphorae, without any added sulfur. Very low dose of volcanic sulfur before bottling." On the nose, this Malbec is breezy, with herbal and floral character. The aromatic profile balances out with a touch of baking spice, dried plums, and dark citrus. The palate is earthy, with more red fruit, with deep cherry. Zippy graphite gives the palate a bright mouthfeel. Good acidity and soft tannin give this Malbec a wonderfully plush texture.

Cazebonne 2019 Graves Galets Blanc Maceration

This cuvée is made from 79% Semillon and 21% Sauvignon Gris. The Semillons come from an exceptional outcrop of gravel  on their "Cazebonne" vineyard, to which has been added Sauvignon Gris from the "Medicine" parcel. Half of the manual harvest was destemmed by hand, and the rest was placed in whole clusters in two terracotta amphorae. After pressing, the fermentation finished in old barrels. The wine was then matured for 9 months, without any added sulfur (neither on the harvest nor before bottling).A gastronomic white, the maceration brought bitterness and complexity. But it is closer to a white wine than to an orange wine. On the nose there are zappy aromas of spearmint, white pepper, dried apricot and papaya. The palate is full, with lemon, green tea, in addition to white and yellow stone fruits. Structurally, there is a lovely richness, with just a bit of tannic muscle, and a leveling edge of good acidity. Beautiful wine!