Chateau La Riviere Fronsac, Bordeaux Wine

La Riviere 300x183 Chateau La Riviere Fronsac, Bordeaux Wine

La Riviere

Chateau La Riviere Fronsac, Bordeaux wine producer profile, with wine tasting notes, wine ratings, a history of the property, information on wine making and terroir, along with wine tasting reviews. If you want to read about other important, Bordeaux Chateaux: Links to all Bordeaux Wine Producer Profiles

Chateau de La Riviere is one of the older estates in the appellation.  The history of the property can be dated back to 769, when the Emperor Charlemagne constructed a fort on the site which was previously used as by the Romans as a burial mound. The chateau in use today was constructed in 1577.  The estate is owned and managed by James Gregoire.

The large, 59 hectare Bordeaux wine vineyard of Chateau de La Riviere is planted to 82% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Malbec in 53 seperate parcels on clay and limestone soils. Some of the vines are up to 80 years old. The wine is aged in temperature controlled wood vats and aged in 30% new oak for 12 -18 months depending on the vintage.

In addition to Chateau de La Riviere, the estate produces a white wine, Chateau de La Riviere Blanc and a special, luxury cuvee, Aria. Aria is a small production wine. Close to 1,000 cases are produced each vintage. They also make a second wine, Les Source Chateau de La Riviere. Production of La Riviere ranges from 15,000 to 18,000 cases of Bordeaux wine per year.

www.vignobles-gregoire.com

Tasting Notes

Displaying 4 notes Sorted by vintage

  1. 2011 Château de la Rivière Aria ( France, Bordeaux, Fronsac ) Find this wine to buy

    1. 90 points - Tasted

      From 73% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Malbec, with black cherry, licorice, soft textures and an open personality. 89-90 Pts

  2. 2010 Château de la Rivière Aria ( France, Bordeaux, Fronsac ) Find this wine to buy

    1. 90 points - Tasted

      La Riviere Aria was a discovery for me. Thank you to to Bill Blatch from Vintex for introducing me to it. It was the first time I had tasted this wine. Froma blend of 86% merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon, with vines averaging 40 years of age, the wine sported a deep color. Floral, boysenberry aromas, a rich mouth full of ripe, black fruit, chocolate and boysenberry jam makes this a very tasty offering from Fronsac. I'm not sure what this costs yet, but chances are, this will be a good value wine to seek out. 90-92 Pts

  3. 2009 Château de la Rivière Aria ( France, Bordeaux, Fronsac ) Find this wine to buy

    1. 90 points - Tasted

      This delicious, Merlot based wine is filled with ripe, juicy, dark berries, chocoalte, cherry, minerality and vanilla. Supple in texture, concentrated, fleshy and plummy, the wine is already drinking well now. It's hard to find in America at the moment, but if you run across a bottle, it's worth tasting.

  4. 2008 Château de la Rivière ( France, Bordeaux, Fronsac ) Find this wine to buy

    1. 88 points - Tasted

      Jammy black fruit, licorice and coffee aromas, soft textures, medium body with a plum and herb filled finish. I'd drink this on the young side.

 
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