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Chateau Labégorce

The origins of Labégorce lie in a large estate in the northern parts of the commune of Margaux which belonged to the Gorce (or Gorsse) family, perhaps as long ago as the 14th century. The family were originally merchants, gradually climbing the social ladder in Bordeaux, assuming a more aristocratic standing in the community as they did so. They were still the proprietors here in the 18th century, and documents from that time indicate that there was viticulture on the estate, the vineyards dotted between fields of wheat and pasture where cattle grazed. This was the situation at the time of the French Revolution, when like so many other estates in Bordeaux, Labégorce was divided and sold off, giving rise to three estates that still estate today. The first, that which concerns us here, is Chateau Labégorce and the second is Labégorce-Zédé, named for Pierre Zédé who acquired the estate in 1840. The third is the curiously named L'Abbé Gorsse de Gorsse, an estate long defunct as far as viticulture is concerned, but which is still clearly visible on the currently available maps of the commune. Following the break-up of the original estate the modern-day Labégorce first passed to a gentleman named Capelle, and subsequently changed hands a number of times, most recently coming into the ownership of Hubert Perrodo in 1989.

Perrodo was a wealthy industrialist who made his fortune in the petrochemical industry, having been the founder of Perenco, a company specialising in exploration and the exploitation of fossil fuels. His dream as far as Bordeaux was concerned seems to have been to reunite all three of the above vineyards to recreate the original Labégorce estate, and to this end he subsequently acquired both Labégorce-Zédé and L'Abbé Gorsse de Gorsse. No doubt this would have been a fascinating and very newsworthy project, but it is one that may never now be completed. Perrodo was killed in a skiing accident on holiday in late 2006, and although the estate will now pass to his heirs, its destiny is less certain.

The Labégorce vineyards include three main plots, totalling 70 hectares in all, although only approximately 40 hectares are fully planted up. All three plots lie in the northernmost part of the commune. The largest plot, accounting for about two-thirds, lies just northeast of the fine chateau, which was constructed by the renowned architect Courcelles. There is a second plot around the chateau itself, accounting for about a quarter of all the Labégorce vines, while the smallest plot lies a little further north around the church in Soussans. The vines average 30 years of age, with the oldest vines, of which there are just four hectares, dating from between 1902 and 1950. More date from 1951 to 1985, whereas a quarter date from 1989 when extensive replanting took place. Vineyard practices involve careful use of chemicals, with no herbicide used at all, and yields are typically 50 hl/ha. Harvesting is by hand, and fermentation begins with a short, cold maceration followed by a temperature controlled process. Each parcel of vines, of which there are many, is vinified separately. The blend is 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. Malolactic fermentation takes place in oak, 30% of which is new, where the wine spends up to fifteen months. It is fined using egg whites before bottling. The grand vin is Chateau Labégorce, (12500 cases produced per annum), and the second wine is Chateau Tour de Laroze. There is also a third wine, produced from a 4 hectare plot entitled to the Haut-Médoc appellation, called La Mouline de Labégorce. (8/4/04, updated 11/5/07)

Contact details:
Address: Chateau Labégorce, 33460 Margaux
Telephone: +33 (0) 5 57 88 71 32
Fax +33 (0) 5 57 88 35 01
Internet: www.chateau-labegorce.fr

Chateau Labégorce - Tasting Notes

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Chateau Labégorce (Margaux) 2009: The blend here is Cabernet Sauvignon 50%, Merlot 35%, Petit Verdot 8%, Cabernet Franc 7%. This wine has some nice open fruit on the nose, with a rather plummy character. Sweet and creamy on the palate, well defined fruit, with a massive wall of tannins. Velvety but running into chewiness, good acidity, but there is a bitter streak to the structure. Good. From my 2009 Bordeaux primeur assessment. 15-16+/20 (March 2010)

Chateau Labégorce (Margaux) 2001: Fresh fruit on the nose, dark and exotic, with some sweet oak. Medium bodied, nicely textured wine which again has a good presence on the palate. Still dominated by primary fruit flavours and oak at the moment, but with nicely put together structure. Will improve as these integrate. A better vintage here. 15.5+/20 (November 2003)

Chateau Tour de Laroze (Margaux) 2001: The second wine of Chateau Labégorce. Red fruit on the nose. Medium weight, with red berry fruit flavours and prominent acidity. Little tannin. Pleasant but doesn't make an impact. 14.5/20 (November 2003)

Chateau Labégorce (Margaux) 1999: Restrained, with some appealing exotic notes. This has good sweet fruit, but nicely integrated oak compared to the much younger 2001 that follows. Somewhat lean on the palate, and a little harsh, with prominent acidity and some unintegrated tannins. 14.5/20 (November 2003)

Chateau La Mouline de Labégorce (Haut-Médoc) 1999: The first bottle was corked. A second showed restrained, gravelly fruit, again with a lovely presence on the palate. It is mouth-filling, rich, with a tannic background but good balance. Black fruit flavours. Very lithe and enjoyable. Needs food at present, but will soften over the next one to two years. 14/20 (November 2003)

Chateau La Mouline de Labégorce (Haut-Médoc) 1998: Quite a classic nose here, full of elegantly styled Cabernet fruit with a gravelly edge. Good structure and sweet fruit on the palate. It has a lovely presence. Showing some welcome maturity and ready now. 14.5/20 (November 2003)