2022 Château Grand Village Bordeaux Supérieur Rouge

If you've ever wondered just how good modern Bordeaux can be - start here. The antithesis to the dusty tannic claret of old; this is perfumed, vibrant, and immediately appealing - while still carrying plenty of structure to age over medium term. The secret behind the phenomenal value of this wine is the family who makes it: the Guinaudeau family of the legendary Chateau Lafleur in Pomerol. While classified as Bordeaux Supérieur, the family refer to Chateau Grand Village as 'Lafleur's second vineyard'. The estate itself sits in Mouillac, a small commune on the right bank of the Dordogne, near Fronsac. The terroir is excellent - similar to Saint-Émilion - the bedrock is calcaire à astéries (literally meaning 'starfish limestone') referring to ancient fossil-rich strata from the Oligocene. This, combined with Lafleur's uncompromising winemaking, results in a lush, approachable and satisfying bottle of wine.

Tasting Notes

On the nose, it’s lifted and floral, with violet and lavender layered over blackberry, blackcurrant and dark cherry. The palate is lush and ripe with forest berries, strawberry, liquorice, coffee and graphite. The tannins are fine and silky, the finish is long and pleasantly complex.

Winemaking

The Guinaudeau family have introduced of many of the same vineyard techniques as their Château Lafleur in Pomerol. This includes tailoring pruning and de-budding work to each individual vine; along with crop thinning in summer, and de-leafing. Grapes are 100% hand-harvested and then carefully sorted and selected.

The wine is vinified in traditional cement vats and aged for an average of 12 months in French oak barrels, 30% of which are new.

After use, these new barrels are transferred to Château Lafleur for aging their Grand Vin and Pensées de Lafleur.

Varietals: 75% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc

Region: Bordeaux

Reviews:

91 Points Jane Anson

Always a name to look out for, this manages to achieve a nuanced, juicy feel amid the extreme conditions of the year, and you'll find an enjoyable delivery of plump raspberry and red cherry fruits, held in by austere tannins. Density builds through the palate, and this is a value pick. 30% new oak, 40% one year old, 30% two year old barrels. After a number of years of re-plantings, all Cabernet Franc here is massal selection from Lafleur, and half of the Merlot also massal from old Merlots from Lafleur.

92-94 Points Yohan Casting, Wine Advocate.

Baptiste Guinaudeau and his team have produced a beautifully pure, perfumed 2022 Grand Village that bursts with aromas of liquorice, graphite, blackberries, pencil shaving, iris and fresh mint. Medium to full-bodied, seamless and fleshy, this outstanding wine is perfectly balanced on the palate with velvety tannins and a bright, saline finish. This is one of the very best Grand Villages produced to date, and it benefits from the sort of careful winemaking normally reserved for cru classé wines.

92 Points Georgina Hindle, Decanter.

Soft floral aromas on the nose, delicate and gentle with milk chocolate, salty stones and freshness. Sleek and well framed, smooth but direct, the flavours drive from start to finish in one direction and movement. Juicy and plump, but controlled, not shouting. Acidity is well balanced - soft but cool with cola and creamy aspects and tannins that feel well supportive, not lean, sharp or plush. Round and complete, carefully controlled and feels confident. Has a strength but well positioned and finessed with lovely salinity. 

Drinking Window: 2025 - 2030