October 2017 Imported Wine: 2015 Chateau Le Bergey from Chateau L’Escart, Bordeaux, France
Fine Wine Source Wine
October 2017
Chateau L’Escart:
Château L’Escart was built in the 18th century and is located in the little town of Saint Loubes surrounding the Dordogne River. The Laurent family has been sharing their passion for wine for decades, through the cuvées of Château L’Escart, produced from their one piece of 37ha of vineyards in Saint-Loubès. Gérard and his team know that greatness in wine depends essentially on the greatness of the grapes. This is why they take really great care of the vineyards, in order for the vines to naturally resist parasites with as little treatment as possible. They know how important it is to respect the land that doesn’t belong to them. Thus, each harvest keeps the full expression and richness of the terroir. As they say at Chateau L’Escart: “Making great quality wines and respecting the land that we are borrowing from our children”. It is precisely for this reason, and their strong relationship to their terroir, that they decided to convert the vineyards to Biodynamic farming. This philosophy continues in the cellar, where only wild yeasts are used in the fermentation.
About:
Le Bergey is the entry level label of Château L’Escart, a Bordeaux Supérieur winery run by the Laurent family that live on the property. The estate is organically farmed and managed for quality throughout every step necessary to make a fine bottle of wine. Consistently outstanding, this is yet another strong showing from one of L’Escart’s most price-worthy properties. Using only vines that are a minimum 15 years of age adds a measure of concentration usually found only in wines costing considerably more.
Varietals:
60% Cabernet Sauvignon & 40% Merlot
Alcohol:
14%
Tasting Notes:
Dark intense fruit; cooked cherry, licorice, currant, and hints of baking chocolate on the nose. This Bordeaux wine is intense and concentrated on palate with ripe cherry, licorice, blackberry followed dry tannins and a tightly wound fruit on the finish.
Food Pairings:
Pair with beef roast, steak, and meatloaf. Think fall comfort foods or slow roasted meat and vegetable; a great autumn wine to sip and watch the leaves fall from the trees.
Jim Lutfy’s Thoughts:
Big Rich multi-layered flavors of savory leather, pork, and cedar. It lasts in your palate for over 4 to 5 minutes on the finish. A wonderful wine to say the least, best served with rack of lamb or any red meats.