Château Lamothe-Cissac, Cru Bourgeois Haut- Médoc, Bordeaux, France, 2018

Producer Profile

In 1964, Gabriel Fabre purchased the property and took on the task of replanting the entire vineyard site and rebuilding the winery. Vincent Fabre, his son, has since taken over the management of the estate.

The 33 hectare vineyard is located partly on the commune of Cissac adjacent to Pauillac and partly on the plateau of Vertheuil contiguous with Saint-Estèphe. The gravelly subsoil is covered with a clayey limestone topsoil in some areas and a clayey gravel topsoil in other areas.

Viticulture

The vineyard is located party on the commune of Cissac adjacent to Pauillac and partly on the plateau of Vertheuil contiguous with Saint-Estèphe. The gravelly subsoil is covered with a clayey limestone topsoil in some areas and a clayey gravel topsoil in other areas. They have achieved the highest regarded sustainable certification in France, Haute Valeur Environnementale Level 3, which is a holistic programme considering four key areas: biodiversity conservation, plant protection strategy, management of fertiliser use and management of water.

Winemaking

The harvest is 100% destemmed. Modern temperature-controlled vats are used for fermentation which are perfectly suited for the vinification of fine red Bordeaux wines. Two or three times daily the wine is pumped-over to optimise the colour and tannin extraction from the skins. There is then a maceration of 4-6 weeks. Micro-oxygenation is carried out in Vat to improve the tannin structure and colour intensity.

Oak Ageing

Time: 12 months
Type: French
% wine oaked: 100
% new oak: 25

Tasting Note

A traditional style of Bordeaux that has elegance and savoury fruit in abundance. Exhibits a dark ruby colour in the first years. Aerating the wine displays a large spectrum of aromas: notes of red (blackcurrant) and jammy fruits associated with soft spices and subtle vanilla. Well-balanced palate with soft tannins and a very delicate finish. Excellent age worthiness. Cellaring a few years will develop a complex mix of leather, undergrowth and smoky notes.

Food Matching

An excellent companion for grilled meat, rack of lamb or after dinner with hard cheeses.