Les Perrières: Tasting & Drinking
It is too easy to overlook the wines of the less famous vineyards of the right bank. Few of us search beyond St Emilion and Pomerol to discover the delights that can be found hidden in the likes of Fronsac, Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux or the various satellites.
Les Perrières could of course be a fabulous ambassador for a downtrodden appellation such as Fronsac, and given that the vineyards are closely approximated to those of Château de la Rivière and Château Plain Point this is perhaps the appellation you expect to find on the label. Unfortunately (for the Fronsac appellation) the vines lie just beyond its borders, and the cellars of Château Grand Village lie well beyond the permitted zone for vinification and élevage. Of course this is how the Guinaudeau family have been able to buy these parcels, as nearby proprietors in Fronsac are simply not interested in them.
This is why the wines of Les Perrières have the ‘basic’ Bordeaux – or rather, Bordeaux Supérieur – appellation. Having said that, I suspect the Guinaudeau family are happy to trade on the quality of the wines they make rather than on any appellation. It is this quality, first established during the Acte era, not to mention the association with Lafleur, which results in the wines of Les Perrières wearing price tags more readily associated with grander appellations.
Please log in to continue reading: