We often talk about Pessac-Léognan, one of the youngest Bordeaux appellation as created on September 9th 1987. With Château Haut Brion as its flagship, the appellation Pessac-Léognan has its own classification (Cru Classé de Graves), both in red and white. Only 6 estates enjoy being classified in both colors: Bouscaut, Carbonnieux, Domaine de Chevalier, Malartic Lagravière, Latour-Martillac and Olivier.
Today, we will be focusing on Château Olivier. Indeed we had the opportunity to visit the vineyard and taste what will be the future 2014 vintage (after fermentation but before blending and ageing). From the Petit Verdots to the Cabernets of the Bel Air parcel, or the Sauvignons Blancs, the samples are outstanding and may augur a superb 2014 vintage. Be sure, we will not tell you this vintage 2014 is the vintage of the century. To the owner’s view,the tension and the structure of the samples tasted recall the 2006 (especially for the whites)
First the story of Chateau Olivier really is the story of the Bethmann Family, owner since
1886 ( yes there are still family owned business in Bordeaux!). But the estate as we know it today find its roots in the late 90’s when the Château escaped from the tenant farming of a renowned Bordeaux Negociant. Located on the same alluvial terraces as Smith Haut Lafitte and Haut Bailly, the vineyard covers an area of 60ha (all classsifed) but with a potential of 180ha classified: all in a single block (the property sizes 220 ha in total). Thus, on such a wide surface, the diversity of the soils is amazing and brings all the complexity to the wine. That makes the uniqueness of Ch olivier. Indeed, more than 11 types of soils have been identified by the team, giving an infinite number of combination soil-varietal. Besides they have the choice of the color. Lastly, in 2002, they’ve found out 7.5ha of compact gravels at the extreme West of the Château (named Bel Air) where they’ve planted Cabernets Sauvignon. This exceptionnal parcel today accounts for 25% of the blend in the Grand Vin, despite its young age.
So the Château Olivier you have known in the 90’s is not the same anymore. Besides the change in the vineyard, the owners re designed the vinifcation cellar in 2002 in order to work each single harvested parcels independently These improvements have led to raise the wines of Ch Olivier at the level of its famous neighbours, again.
Wether it is the Grand Vin or the recent 2nd label Le Dauphin d’Olivier ( created in 07 ) , the wines of Ch Olivier remain among the most affordable Cru Classés of the Left Bank.
If you find this bottle on a shelf, do not hesitate to jump on it. If you don’t, contact us immediately by mail sales@bordeaux-tardition.com or by phone +33 556 692 530 so as to receive our offer
Finally, the Château opens its doors to visitors all year long. It is already worth to go for the wine itself. But surely you will also enjoy the medieval castle, a forest park of 110ha or even the cellar buildings, classified as historic monuments.
Posted: