2007 Chteau Loville las Cases 2eme Cru Class Saint-Julien, Bordeaux, France

ABOUT THIS WINE

The Grand Vin is the product of exceptional terroirs from the former Loville estate.
These terroirs are located mainly in the Clos Loville Las Cases, which you pass as you leave Saint-Julien village for Pauillac. They extend over nearly 60ha producing Cabernet Sauvignons and Cabernet Francs with a complex, polished expression and characteristics which are totally unique to the Grand Vin of Loville du Marquis de Las Cases and have been widely recognized for years. Cabernet Sauvignon 82% Cabernet Franc 10% Merlot 8%.

ABOUT THIS PRODUCER

One of the oldest Medoc estates, Domaine de Loville belonged to some of the wealthiest and most influential noble French families before it was acquired by the Las Cases family. The estate was split up between 1826 and 1840 as a result of the French Revolution. (Expropriation of emigrants property and constitution of egalitarian redistribution). Chteau Loville Las Cases was created, thanks to a kind of birthright, from 3/5 of the original estate and the heart of the domain.

The Grand Vins currentterroirhas therefore been at the historic heart of the originalterroirsince the 17th century. Pierre Jean, Adolphe and Gabriel de Las Cases were successive heirs to the property until 1900, when Thophile Skawinski purchased a share in the estate and became its manager. Loville Las Cases has now been managed by the same family since the late 19th century and is today represented by Jean-Hubert Delon, sole owner of the Chteau and proprietor of Chteau Potensac in the Medoc and Chteau Nnin in Pomerol.

The Clos encases a terroir of very great complexity. It is mainly composed of Quaternary gravel (“graves”) over gravelly sand and gravelly clay subsoils. We also find clays which are variably deep and compact, but which sometimes break through to the surface. The proximity of the Gironde River has created the wide diversity of soils, formed over various geological periods by successive superimpositions.

The river also creates a special microclimate that enables very early ripening of the grapes and protects the vineyards from frost. This cameo of geological combinations influences the growth of the vine and the composition of the grapes: regular but restricted water supply and a very low intake of nutrients bring out the best in the great Cabernet Sauvignons and Cabernet Francs which usually achieve their full potential whatever the vintage. The incomparable terroir gives this great wine its unique personality.