1966 | Château Larrivet Haut-Brion | Pessac-Leognan

Detailed Description

The 1966 vintage stands as a testament to a classic Bordeaux year, renowned for its wines of elegance and well-defined structure. Although these wines required some patience for their maturation, they ultimately surpassed expectations in terms of quality.

Producer Information

Château Larrivet Haut-Brion is a Bordeaux wine estate in the Pessac-Léognan district, 15km (9 miles) south of Bordeaux city center. Its reputation has been on the rise since an excellent 1996 release of the Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant wine. The estate has been called several names over the years, including Château de Canolle, La Rivette, Brion-Larrivet and Haut-Brion Larrivet, taking on its current name in 1929. During the depression of the 1930s, production was almost non-existent and many vines were uprooted. Plantings within the wider property have increased greatly over the last few decades, however. There are now 75 hectares (185 acres) dedicated to red grape varieties, which, unusually for the so-called “left bank”, are Merlot-dominant – made up of 57 percent Merlot to 40 percent Cabernet Sauvignon with a little Petit Verdot. The property also has just over 11 hectares (28 acres) of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. The red grand vin is fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, then aged for 14-18 months in oak barrels. Its white counterpart typically has an 80:20 blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. This is vinified partially in oak barrels, and partially in oak vats and concrete eggs. The Larrivet Haut-Brion range features three tiers for both red and white. As well as the Larrivet de Haut-Brion, the Les Demoiselles de Larrivet Haut-Brion red and white wines are made from specially selected grapes to produce rounder, fruitier wines which require less aging. The estate also bottles red and white wines under the Les Hauts de Larrivet de Haut-Brion.