Another exceptional Sommeliers Rendez-Vous has been successfully presented, with the introduction of the Guinaudeau Vineyards range for the first time ever. Recently arriving on our shores, these prestigious wines of Bordeaux were on full display at the stunning Smith St Bistrot.
For those that bought En Primeur, this was the opportunity to learn about and understand the wines that the Guinaudeau Family have released to us to offer to some of Australia's finest dining establishments.
Jacques & Sylvie Guinaudeau are unparalleled winemakers, and have been continuing the family tradition of creating top quality wines in the Pomerol sub-region. Château Lafleur has remained in the family since the purchase by Jacques great great grandfather Henri Greloud in 1872 of 4.5 hectares at the hamlet of Lafleur on Pomerol’s plateau. Henri rebuilt the house and cellars and baptised his new home and venture Château Lafleur. A brilliant, prophetic-like idea, Henri had doubtlessly imagined the wines that would emerge here one day.
Every single "Cru" produced by the Guinaudeau family originates from exceptional massale selections of Bouchet (Cabernet Franc), Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc (from Sancerre), and Semillon. The very old vines, coupled with chirurgical viticulture, are producing some of the most sought after wines on the planet. From Grand Village, to Champs Libres, Perrières, Pensées and Lafleur, each of these six wines carries an extraordinary pedigree from an immaculate terroir.
As the official ambassador and exclusive importer in Australia, we were delighted to share this rare opportunity with a honoured group of individuals. It is the first time in Australia that the entire range will be distributed by a single importer. The Guinaudeau wines are no longer sold on the "Place de Bordeaux" but exclusively to ambassadors.
Wines on Show
CHATEAU GRAND VILLAGE - BORDEAUX SUPÉRIEUR (RED)
Founded in 1650 by Jacques Verdery, one of Jacques’ direct ancestors, Château Grand Village is the birthplace of this family of vignerons. Château Grand Village is a harmonious and rich wine, centered around a precise tannic spine. Harvested on the clay-limestone soils of Grand Village, this wine became the “Grand Village of Lafleur”. Manual harvest is performed with double sorting at the vineyard and a third sorting in the cellar.
Just as it was from barrel, the 2018 Grand Village is rich and enveloping in feel. Inky red berry fruit, spice, licorice, mocha and dried flowers all meld together in this effortless, juicy Bordeaux Supérieur from the Guinaudeau family. Cabernet Franc signatures are quite prominent in the wine's aromatic profile and structural feel. The 2018 is a jewel of a wine that could very well surprise somewhere down the line. I loved it. 92 points, Antonio Galloni.
CHATEAU GRAND VILLAGE - BORDEAUX BLANC (WHITE)
Founded in 1990 by Sylvie and Jacques Guinaudeau, the white wine of Grand Village originates from clay-rich soils situated on top of the limestone mother rock. This is a wine of great complexity and an exceptional personality. They replanted a number of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon parcels in the early 1990s. Manual harvest performed with double sorting at the vineyard.
The 2018 Grand Village Blanc is bright and airy, with lovely creaminess and light tropical accents that are likely the result of the warm year. Lemon confit, lime, white flowers, mint and a touch of reduction round out this vibrant, wonderfully polished Blanc. 91 points, Antonio Galloni
LES PERRIÈRES - BORDEAUX SUPÉRIEUR (RED)
Founded in 2018 by Julie and Baptiste Guinaudeau, Les Perrières is a novel interpretation of the unique Bouchet de Lafleur, translated through the great limestone terroir of the Fronsac region. Les Perrières derives from four adjacent parcels on the plateau of Meyney. Manual harvest is performed with double sorting at the vineyard and a third sorting at the cellar.
The 2019 Les Perrières, is driven by strong Franc inflections. Mocha, dried flowers, lavender, rose petal and spice lend gorgeous aromatic intensity throughout. Clean veins of saline minerality from these limestone-rich soils give the 2019 a real sense of energy that is absolutely compelling. This is such a gorgeous wine. I would give the 2019 a few years to come together. 93 points, Antonio Galloni.
PENSEES DE LAFLEUR - POMEROL
Founded in 1987 by Sylvie and Jacques Guinaudeau, Les Pensées is situated among the greatest wines of the plateau of Pomerol. It is produced on a distinctive terroir among the different soils that compose Lafleur’s vineyard. Situated along an east-west diagonal, Les Pensées covers bits and pieces of the historically defined parcels of our vineyard. Manual harvest is done with double sorting at the vineyard, then double sorting at the cellar.
The 2019 Les Pensées de Lafleur is a dense, powerful wine that really shows the intensity of the drought in its super-concentrated, dark fruit. This imposing Pomerol is going to need at least a few years in bottle to open. In this tasting, it is incredibly reticent. 93 points, Antonio Galloni.
LES CHAMPS LIBRES - BORDEAUX BLANC (WHITE)
Founded in 2013 by Julie and Baptiste Guinaudeau, Les Champs Libres is a reflection of the Lafleur philosophy through a white wine. Les Champs Libres originates from the clay-limestone soils on the plateau of Louima, a great match with our genetics of Sauvignon Blanc. Manual harvest is performed with double sorting at the vineyard.
The 2018 Les Champs Libres is a powerful, phenolic white of real substance. White flowers, citrus, chamomile, sage and light tropical notes all open in the glass, but it is the tactile feel of Les Champs Libres that leaves the deepest impression. Here, too, there is a touch of reduction, but all the elements are so finely put together. 92 points, Antonio Galloni.
CHATEAU LAFLEUR
Château Lafleur is a smaller house between estates Petrus and La Fleur-Petrus that utilises its unique terroir to create elegance, femininity, and subtlety within their wines.
I am not sure when the 2019 Lafleur is going to be ready to drink, but it is not going to be anytime soon. A huge, powerful wine, the 2019 Lafleur possesses tremendous intensity and energy, but less of the immediate charm of many recent vintages. All of its energy is focused inward. Hints of gravel, crushed rocks, graphite, dried herbs and sweet pipe tobacco gradually emerge over time. The purity of the flavors here is just unreal. The 2019 Lafleur is another magnificent wine from the Guinaudeau family. 98 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous. Drink 2031-2069.