Château Olivier

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The Château Olivier is a 220 hectare Bordeaux winery in the French commune of Léognan in the Gironde department in France . The red and white wine is classified as AOC Pessac-Léognan in Graves . The winery is owned by the Bethmann family from Bordelais and is managed by Jean-Jacques de Bethmann.

history

The history of this magnificent château goes back to the Middle Ages . In the late 15th century it was owned by a local nobleman named Rostand d'Olivey. The Black Prince is said to have been a guest at the castle as well as Bertrand du Guesclin . After numerous changes of ownership, at the beginning of the 20th century it belonged to the de Bethmann family, who had entrusted their winery to Laurent Lebrun's management over the past few years. The wine from Château Olivier was classified in 1953, both red and white.

Vineyards

Over the past few years, the Château Olivier winery has made significant investments. A very specific geological survey has identified new potential on the site; and new plantings have allowed the winery to regain its 18th century reputation after removing the poorest quality plots. The estate also includes grain fields and forest and livestock farming.

The 55 hectare vineyard (45 hectares red, 10 hectares white) consists of compact gravel soil, heavy marl , marl and limestone from the Miocene . The grape varieties grown for the red wines are 45% Merlot , 45% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Cabernet Franc . The whites are 55% Semillon , 40% Sauvignon Blanc and 5% Muscadelle . The average age of the vines is 20 years for reds and 30 years for whites. They are planted at high densities in the range of 7,000 to 10,000 plants / ha.

In 2008, in addition to Château Olivier, 16 wineries in Bordeaux, including such well-known as Château d'Yquem , Château Suduiraut and Château La Tour Blanche, joined forces in a joint project with the aim of growing their own clones of the Sémillon grape variety when the vineyards were becoming scarcer.

Wine

The vineyard produces 75% red wine and 25% white wine. The Château produces a second wine , the Seigneurie d'Olivier is called.

literature

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Jane Anson: Bordeaux: Semillon shortage threatens future vintages. on: Decanter.com , April 8, 2008.

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