Winemaking on the Château Gazin property dates back to 1772. In 1917 the current owner family, the de Bailliencouts purchased the estate and today it is the 5th generation of the de Bailliencourts, one of the oldest families in France, managing the Château. Château Gazin is quite unique in the Right Bank: the vineyard is a single block of 66 acres – a very large estate for Pomerol standards - on the highest elevation in Pomerol (40.5 meters) which they share with their world-famous neighbor Château Petrus. The Gazin vineyards are planted with 90% Merlot, 6% Cabernet-Sauvignon, and 4% Cabernet-Franc. The clay-gravelly subsoil of the Pomerol plateau is the essence of the terroir of Château Gazin.
Nicolas de Bailliencourt was our host. He took us on a tour of the property, followed by a tour of the winemaking facility. We ended the visit in the elegant tasting room of Château Gazin.
Château Gazin/ wine-searcher
wine-searcher: Château Gazin is located on the right bank of the river Gironde in Pomerol, Bordeaux. The wines are focused on Merlot, which dominates the single vineyard plot that makes up the estate. The vineyard neighbors Pomerol powerhouse Petrus, as well as Château l'Evangile, which is owned by Domaines Baron de Rothschild.
The 26-hectare (64-acre) vineyard is planted on one of the highest plateaus in the region. The vines, which are on average 35 years old, are planted on Gunizan gravel topsoils with blue and green clay subsoils interspersed with iron oxide. Merlot flourishes here and the soils drain well, allowing for a good supply of water for the roots. While more than 85 percent of the vineyards are planted to Merlot there are a few rows of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon grown throughout the vineyard.
The vines at Château Gazin are treated with minimal pesticides and organic fertilizers, and once the grapes are ripe they are harvested by hand. Fermentation occurs in small concrete vats in the winery, which is located next to the vineyards. Each variety is kept separate during fermentation and components are only blended together after the process is complete. The blended wines are then aged for 18 months in 50 percent new French barrels before being released. Interestingly, Gazin does not own its own barrels, and instead leases them on a yearly basis.
Château Gazin was acquired by Louis Soualle, a French wine merchant, in the early 20th century. Soualle's daughter married Edouard de Bailliencourt, who came from a family descended from the Lords of Landas. Today the château is still run by the same Bailliencourt family. It was built on a site that originally housed a hospital that cared for injured pilgrims walking along the Santiago de Compostela route from Spain. The second wine of Gazin, L'Hospitalet de Gazin, is named in homage to this historical hospital, and was created in 1986.
The 5th Generation of Owners
From left to right and from top to bottom: Laure (Madame Michel Dufour), Christophe, Inès and Nicolas de Bailliencourt. The descendants of Louis Soualle represent the 5th generation of vineyard owners both on the paternal and maternal side.
Tasting
Nicolas de Bailliencourt opened the 2017 Grand Vin for us.
The 2017 Gazin has a very classic Pomerol bouquet with black brambly fruit infused with black truffle and subtle raspberry confit notes. Then, as it opens, there are loamy aromas that lend more complexity. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grain tannin and a fine bead of acidity. There is a slightly powdery texture, feeling quite saline. White pepper and fennel notes become more conspicuous towards the finish. Just a classic Gazin from proprietor Nicolas de Bailliencourt and his team. Drink 2022 - 2045.
Score: 91/93 Neal Martin, vinous.com, May 2018
The 2017 Gazin is medium to deep garnet-purple colored and scented of warm red plums and black forest cake with touches of forest floor and crushed rocks. Medium-bodied, soft, rounded and mouth-filling, it gives good expression and depth.
Score: 89/91+ Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate (236), April 2018
A dense and flavorful red already with dark-berry, seaweed and wet-earth undertones. Full body and round and chewy tannins. Green olives on the finish. Serious for the vintage.
Score: 94/95 James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, April 2018
Bye-bye
Many thanks for a great visit.
Total Immersion in Bordeaux: World Class Wines and Exquisite French Gourmet Cuisine - Bordeaux Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours, France (Published and Forthcoming Postings)
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