Château du Grand Bos “Graves Rouge” 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot/Petit Verdot/Cab Franc, Bordeaux France
An elegant, beautifully aged Bordeaux with velvety tannins, a medium plus body and notes of dark fruit, black cherry, earth and leather. Drinking very well right now.
From Wine Traditions:
Château du Grand Bos is located in Castres, in a part of the Graves appellation where one finds some of the oldest Bordeaux vineyards dating from 2,000 years ago. The vineyard totals 18.5 hectares with 15 hectares in red grapes and 3.5 hectares in white grapes. Through the purchase of his neighbor’s well established vineyard, M. Vincent achieves an average vine age of 30 years, with certain parcels being between 40 and 50 years old. Yields are controlled through “ébourgeonnage” bud pulling and then if still necessary “vendange en vert” green harvesting. M. Vincent does not use herbicides or pesticides in his vineyard. Since 2020 the vineyards are in conversion to organic certification.
15 hectares are planted to red grapes in the proportions: 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc. Each variety and parcel is vinified separately. Maceration lasts at least a month including a pre-fermentation “cold soak” which occurs before the temperature is raised in the tanks and the yeasts begin working. M. Vincent prefers to use cultivated yeasts for his alcoholic fermentations, a different one for each varietal. By contrast, the malolactic fermentations are carried out with only indigenous yeasts. An initial assemblage is made after the different cuvees have finished their malolactic fermentations. The wine is then aged in oak barrels procured from the Allier which range between 1/2 and 1/3 new, depending on the vintage. The wine matures for 12 to 18 months. A final blend is then made from a selection of barrels.
