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Chateau Potensac
Originally in the ownership of the Liquard family, Chateau Potensac came to the current proprietors with the marriage of Paul Delon to the Liquard's daughter. It is perhaps unsurprising that under the direction of the Delon family, responsibility having passed from Paul Delon and his wife to their son Michel Delon in the 1970s, that Potensac should prosper. The name of Delon is of course much better known for the ownership of more illustrious estates especially Léoville-Las Cases, in St Julien, but also Nenin, in Pomerol. Under the Delon family's tenure - today it is Michel's son Jean-Hubert that runs the business following the death of Michel in 2000 - there has been a refurbishment of the chai with new stainless steel fermentation equipment, and there is never any shortage of good quality barrels for the élevage; perhaps up to 30% is new first year oak, but the rest are trucked over from the aforementioned Léoville-Las Cases after seeing out one vintage there.
The vineyards of Potensac are located in Ordonnac, in
the Médoc appellation,
and incorporate the vines of three properties managed as a single entity, these
being Potensac, Gallais-Bellevue and Lassalle. The terroir has the familiar
alluvial gravel of the left bank with some red clay, and the vines cover about 53
hectares in all, located between St-Yzans and St-Germain-d'Esteuil. During
recent decades the vineyard has been slightly dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon which
accounts for about 60% of the vines, with approximately 25% Merlot and 15% Cabernet
Franc in addition, planted at an average 8000 vines/ha. But with the purchase of new Merlot vines there is naturally
a swing towards this variety, and it is notable that the 2005 vintage included more Merlot than
Cabernet (41% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Cabernet Franc) in the final
blend. Yields are restricted to approximately 35 hl/ha, and once
harvested by hand the fruit is fermented at a maximum temperature of 28ºC in stainless steels and concrete vats,
with 15 to 18 days maceration and constant pumping over. There is a rigorous selection for the grand vin Chateau Potensac,
with about 40-45% of the crop going to the second wine, which today is bottled as
La Chapelle de Potensac, although Chateau Lassalle has also been
used as a second label in the past. Potensac will see up to 16 months in those
aforementioned oak barrels, before an egg white fining and then bottling without
filtration. The production typically amounts to 25000
cases per year.
Like Sociando-Mallet, Potensac is yet another chateau which illustrates the defunct nature of the 1855 classification of Bordeaux. Potensac regularly turns out wines of classed growth quality, but has only a Cru Bourgeois designation, although in the Cru Bourgeois classification of in 2003 (which subsequently collapsed following a legal challenge), it was accorded Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel status, a short-lived recognition of the quality to be found here. There are many reasons why Potensac is so successful, but like all great wines the success has its roots in the vineyard, and of course with the expertise of the proprietors; Jean-Hubert Delon is the latest generation in a vinous dynasty that have shown their quality time and time again in Bordeaux, and their wines are frequently worth seeking out. They are not, however, wines produced in the charming, seductive, ripe or fleshy mould. Potensac is certainly a more classic, firmer, structured and perhaps even angular wine at times, and this is despite operations in the cellar being under the directions of Pierre Rolland, brother to the renowned oenologist Michel Rolland whose name is certainly not associated with an austere style of wine. Nevertheless, like many wines of the region, regardless of its 'lowly' status, it cries out for time in the cellar, and when finally opened it demands to be drunk with food, as do so many of the valued wines of Bordeaux. (26/6/02, updated 8/8/07)
Contact details:
Address: Chateau Potensac, 33340 Ordonnac
Telephone: +33 (0) 5 56 73 25 26
Fax +33 (0) 5 56 59 18 33
Internet: www.potensac.com
Chateau Potensac - Tasting Notes
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Chateau Potensac (Médoc) 2007: A
little more perfume here, and dark fruits. Firm character, but a touch sweeter
with a more flattering start than the Chapelle, the second wine. Rounded, a little creamy flesh,
but with tannins ripe and firm showing in the midpalate. Firmly structure. Could
be good with time. From my
2007 Bordeaux
en primeur assessment. 14.5-15.5+/20 (April 2008)
Chapelle de Potensac (Médoc) 2007: The second wine of
Potensac. A little less aromatic than
the grand vin, subtle fruit and new oak here, although there was only 10%
used. It seems quite apparent despite that. A nice entry, midpalate tannins, without the
flesh to cover them. Very overt structure and some unwelcome austerity.
From my
2007 Bordeaux
en primeur assessment. 12-13+/20 (April 2008)
Chateau Potensac (Médoc) 2004: Youthful hue, quite attractive,
although this isn't matched on the nose which is quite closed down, with just a
suggestion of some dark fruits when the wine is worked hard. A cool style, quite
well textured, good tannic grip, but it is in keeping with the rest of the wine.
An admirable style with good potential. 16.5+/20 (December 2006)
Chateau Potensac (Médoc) 2003: A youthful, glossy, cherry-red hue.
Rather earthy, deeply organic nose, not particularly open. Seems a little hot
here, with some baked fruit alongside the notes of undergrowth. A huge amount of
tannin, round and firm structure, quite an attractive flesh though, but the
tannins dominate in a severe fashion. Belies the vintage quite transparently.
15.5/20 (December 2006)
Chateau Potensac (Médoc) 2002: Quite a dense hue here, deep red-black
out to the rim. The nose is restrained rather than exuberant but does give
aromas of black cherries with a very slight, subtle, meaty, feral, organic,
iron-tinged, high-toned edge. A midweight palate in keeping with the vintage,
very borderline in terms of midpalate concentration at first but with a little
air it seemed to flesh out somewhat. What surprised most was although it has a
austere and very dry character, perhaps part 2002 and part Potensac, it seems
ripe and the tannins are nicely covered although they certainly give a bit of
grip underneath it all, and overall it was quite approachable. It lacks texture
and stuffing, so not for those that desire that style of wine, and it is a
little hot and bitter at the finish, although there is plenty of flavour here
too. Nicer than I had hoped in view of the vintage's reputation. 15.5-16+/20 (August 2007)
Chateau Potensac
(Médoc) 1996: A dark, claretty hue, with a cherry red rim. The nose is dark,
smoky, with crisply bright yet deep, meaty fruit. More of the same on the palate, where
the fruit has a precise, admirable presence with a warm, roasted yet fresh
style. This has a very well defined structure, very upright, classic in nature, with a fine
grip beneath. There is some bitterness to the fruit, which adds a delightful
complexity. This is really very good indeed. I have a few more in the cellar,
and I think these would benefit from being left a few years yet. From a
1996 Cru Bourgeois tasting.
17+/20 (April 2007)
Chateau Potensac
(Médoc) 1996: A small slug of dark sediment. Decanted for one hour. Nice
glossy hue, showing little in the way of significant age. Classic left bank
Cabernet nose; mineral and gravelly, although still with a hint of the
smoky-sweet blackcurrant fruit of youth. Lovely presence on the palate; refined,
structured, quite upright, but not austere. The firm tannins that are present
are countered by a trace of extract, the end result being a finely balanced,
gentle cotton-like texture laid over the structure. Fairly short finish. Very
good indeed. Will improve over the next 5-8 years. 17+/20 (June 2005)
Chateau Potensac (Médoc) 1996: A good and deep colour
when poured, and although initially quite mute and ungiving, this wine quickly
opens out to display some real class and breed. The nose carries aromas of cedar,
fresh and crunchy blackcurrant fruit, minerals and stones, cloves and star anise,
and a twist of liquorice. The palate has a
firm, hard texture, backed up by plenty of ripe tannins, with a pile of
restrained fruit, and more spice and clove character. There's a delightful
weight, although this needs a little time in the glass to develop, and correct
acidity. A delicious wine, with plenty of potential. 17+/20 (June 2002)
Label
Chateau Potensac
(Médoc) 1995: Plentiful sediment; predominantly stained potassium tartrate
crystals. Decanted for one hour - it really needed longer. Deeply coloured core,
fading to a pink-red rim, but not showing much sign of age. Very closed at
first, in contrast to how it was three years ago. It opens up to offer aromas of
warm blackcurrant fruit, stones baked by a hot sun, with a gentle twist of
liquorice. Showing a little texture on entry, with medium body, with plenty of
spicy grip pervading the midpalate and finish. Nicely balanced, although very
firm, in fact somewhat austere. Grippy finish. Still on the way up. Leave for
2-3 years. 16.5+/20 (June 2005)
Chateau Potensac
(Médoc) 1995: A promising red-black hue in the glass. Great interest on the
nose, with red and dark black fruits, and cedary oriental spices. Just moderate
weight on the palate, although there is a pleasing texture, not quite creamy,
but also a fairly hard, tannic edge on the endpalate. This is matched by a good
quantity of fruit, and good acidity. Drinking well now with food, although still
a little fierce alone. Within a few hours this wine really closed down, so it is
not a wine to leave too long in the glass! Will drink well for 7-10 years. From
a Cru Bourgeois tasting.
16.5+/20 (April 2002)
Chateau Potensac
(Médoc) 1994: No sediment of note; just a few lurking tartrate crystals.
Mature, claretty nose. Showing iron filings, gravelly style. A touch of elegance
here. Moderate weight at best. Still some grippy tannin lurking in the
background, but with some air this wine developed an harmonious integration,
with lovely balance, and a nice, seamless, delicate texture. Very good
development since last tasted, but still room for improvement here. Needs
another 3-4 years. 16+/20 (June 2005)
Chateau otensac (Médoc) 1994: A moderately
deep red-purple hue. The nose holds great promise - smoky
bacon-fat mixed with lean blackcurrant fruit, cedary
hints and unobtrusive oak. Develops slightly sweaty,
pencil-lead notes with aeration. Light to medium bodied,
with soft tannins and moderate acidity. Smoky, with good
fruit. The finish is unremarkable, and there is little
length. The tannins become more evident with the
end-palate. Good claret for drinking now or short-term
keeping. A bargain from a 20%-off promotion. 16+/20 (July 2000)
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