Early December, we hosted the Château Gruaud Larose whose Grand Cru Saint Julien was classified in 1855. Once again, we will be hosting two new wine pairing dinners at the Château next year. This post turns the spotlight on our guests of honor, Pontet-Canet and Troplong-Mondot.
Wine pairing dinners are a chance to gather in a splendid setting, savour culinary delights and discover the grands crus, which have been perfectly paired with each course. The evening usually begins with an aperitif out in the open air under the Château’s century-old tree, followed by a five course meal elaborated by our Chef and served inside the large old dining room. Throughout the evening, the various wines are introduced, poured, tasted, and discussed. At our latest dinner party we hosted the Château Gruaud Larose, a winery in Saint-Julien-Beychevelle in the Gironde department, which received the appellation Saint-Julien in 1855 as a Deuxième Grand Cru of Bordeaux.
January 7, 2017: Château Pontet-Canet
The Château Pontet-Canet winery is at the heart of the Pauillac appellation in Gironde. Classified as a Cinquième Grand Cru in the 1855 Bordeaux classification, the 81 ha estate’s vineyards are partitioned in three plots of Günzian Gravel (up to 30 m high) and limestone clay soil. The main parcel is 50 ha.
The wine, a Bordeaux Red blend of 62% cabernet-sauvignon, 32% merlot, 4% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot, is aged in partly new (60% of the barrels are new) French oak barrels for 16 to 18 months. In the vineyard of the highest density, the average age of the vines is 45 years (the oldest are 75-80 years and the youngest, less than 5.)
Château Pontet-Canet is the only estate among the Grand Crus classés of the Médoc region to be certified organic, using biodynamic farming methods.
March 4, 2017: Château Troplong-Mondot
The Château Troplong-Mondot winery, a large 33 ha estate, sits atop a hill dominating the countryside, overlooking the village of Saint-Emilion in Gironde. The wine, of the appellation Saint-Emilion, is a Premier Grand Cru Classé B in the 2006 Saint-Emilion classification. The limestone clay soil is enhanced with sedimentary fragments of flint and chalk, an alchemy that makes the quality of the terroir.
The grape variety is 90% merlot, 5% cabernet-sauvignon and 5% cabernet franc. The yield does not exceed 50 hl/ha, and the average age of the vines is 35 years.
To know more about our wine pairing dinners at the Château de Bel Ombre or to book a table at our next evening, please contact us. T. 601 5535
