The Story
The 30 hectare estate is set on a mix of gravel, iron and mineral soil with a scattering of sand throughout. Planted to mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with a large portion of Merlot and a small portion of Cabernet Franc, the blend sees all three grapes mixed to create the wine best representing the terroir of the site. Fermentation takes place in cemernt tanks, while the wine is sent for a year to mostly old oak barrels. The resulting wines are savoury, fine, medium-bodied and readily drinkable as a young wine.
Vuosikerta 1959
Bordeaux 1959 was proclaimed wine year of the century by overzealous journalists. Although it was a great year, it just wasn't the best year of the century. The year started with ideal weather conditions. The summer was perfect until the fall, when the rains arrived in mid-September. But the rains gave way to hot and dry weather, preparing a magnificent setting for the start of the harvest. The result was a truly ripe and juicy harvest. Reds are generally full-bodied, with mild acidity and an oily mouthfeel that comes from the high alcohol content. Although the vintage is generally compared to 1961, it has much in common with the 1949. The Sauternes vintage was also a success and the region produced very long-lived wines. Once again, Château Lafite-Rothschild was a complete success, sharing the title of best wine of the vintage with Haut-Brion. Hot on their heels are Pétrus, which must be decanted for at least three hours before drinking, and La-Mission-Haut-Brion.
