AOC Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux: Château La Brande 2018
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Ever on the lookout for good value 'petit' Bordeaux parcels from satellite appellations in great vintages, this is a cracking little blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot from the Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux AOC (previously known as ‘Côtes de Castillon’, up until 2009).
Château La Brande itself is sited on similar clay-limestone soils to the neighbouring Saint Emilion plateau, in the Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux appellation. Set amongst rolling hills and woodland, the 15 hectares and some 10 plots used for the Château's main cuvée are on south-facing slopes each with varying climatic conditions, that are planted according to grape varietal.
Cépage: 70% Merlot, 20% Cab Franc, 10% Cab Sauv and a dash of Petit Verdot.
| Style | Red Wine, Sec, Full-bodied, Non Sparkling |
|---|---|
| Wine Region | Bordeaux |
| Grape Variety (Cépage) | Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot |
| Food & Wine Matching | Lamb, Pork |
| Viticulture | Non-Organic |
| Vintage | 2018 |
| Cellarage | Will cellar well for 3 to 7 years. |
| Vinification | Plots are harvested and vinified separately using natural yeasts, then fermented under temperature control in stainless steel over 25 to 30 days with repeated pumping over and racking to extract phenolics and tannins. A proportion are destemmed. Minimal Sulphur is added. Matured over 10 to 12 months in 1/3 in concrete tanks, 1/3 in 400-litre barrels and 1/3 in 225-litre barriques (1, 2 and 3-year old barrels). Bottled 16 to 18 months after harvest. |
| Alcohol By Volume (%) | 14 |
Château La Brande (Todeschini Family)
Karl and Yann Todeschini took over the winemaking from their parents in 2008 and have garnered a wealth of experience, having worked for Baron Edmund de Rothschild at Château Clarke in Listrac in the Médoc plus Château Ausone, alongside California and at Tenuta di Arceno in Tuscany.
Just to the east of St Emilion, Château La Brande was historically part of the Mangot estate which had been making wine since the 16th century. Sold off in parts over the years, it was reacquired in 1977, joining sister châteaux 'de Lisse', 'Bardoulet' and in 1985 'Château Mangot' itself. Extensive renovations by Jean-Guy and Anne Marie have breathed new life into what is now known as Château Mandot Todeschini. Sustainable agriculture is being practiced and they are undergoing organic conversion.
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