Chateau Haut-Goujon
“Cuvee 500″2011
Lalande de Pomerol

A few kilometres from Libourne, north-east of Bordeaux, Chateau Haut-Goujon has 18 hectares of vines in two appellations: Montagne Saint-Emilion and Lalande de Pomerol.
Today, Michel Garde and his sister Corinne are the fourth generation to manage this vineyard. Their parents passed admirable values on to us such as perseverance, sincerity, generosity, and above all a love and deep respect for the land. These values have guided them in their decisions, and have always led them to be open and curious. Chateau Haut-Goujon’s terroir consists of gravelly-sandy soil on the Lalande de Pomerol’s side, and clay and gravel soil on the Montagne Saint-Emilion’s side. A natural and unusual characteristic in the subsoil, traces of iron oxide, gives to Chateau Haut-Goujon’s wines their unique character. At Chateau Haut-Goujon, Merlot is the King variety, with 75% of the vineyard. Then come Cabernet Sauvignon (15%), Cabernet Franc (5%) and Malbec (5%). Year after year, they are combined in a beautiful blend giving elegance and complexity to the wine.
Smooth, round and complexe, these wines are among the best wines in these appellations (Milllesime 2016 : 94/100 Decanter). In additional, Mickael is the only vineyard in Bordeaux who is making special Cuvee with 80% Malbec. It’s delicicious. Only 1500 bottles are producing every year !

Cuvee 500 is a 2011 creation that has never been released onto the market! In 2011, the Darnajou cooperage, that neighbours the property, produced its first 500 litre barrels. Mickael had just returned from sixmonths in the Napa Valley and decided to vinify and age his best Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon in these new 500 litre oak barrels. 1,500 bottles were
subsequently produced. This wine, that has now been in bottles for 8 years, will delight your palate with its delicacy.

Terroir : clay-gravel-sand
Grape varieties : 20% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon
Average age of vines: 40 to 45 years-old
Growing methods: Ploughing, sowing of green fertilizers. Mechanical weed control.
Harvests: manual with sorting
Vinification: entire vinification in new French oak barrels (500 L).
Ageing: 100% in the French oak vinification barrels (500 L) for twelve months.
Ageing potential : to 20 years
Serving recommendations: Decant 15 minutes beforehand.

Tasting Notes : “Beautiful garnet colour with slightly evolved highlights. The nose is refined with jammy fruit scents of plums and cherries, and a well-integrated oakiness. On aeration, it develops more complexity with some lovely toasted notes, and a hint of liquorice and leather. On the palate, the attack is still powerful, and is accompanied by well-preserved tannins. Delicious roasted notes on the finish”.