Learn everything about Chateau Gazin-Rocquencourt Pessac Leognan with wine tasting notes and wine-with-food pairing tips. Learn the best vintages, a history of the property, and information on the vineyards and winemaking. If you want to read about other important, Bordeaux Chateaux: Links to all Bordeaux Wine Producer Profiles
Chateau Gazin-Rocquencourt History, Overview
The modern era of Chateau Gazin-Rocquencourt begins in 2006 when the popular Bonnie family purchased the estate from the Michotte family. The Michotte family had owned the vineyard since 1966.
During their tenure, the wines being produced at Chateau Gazin-Rocquencourt were fairly undistinguished. That has certainly changed today. But let’s step back for a bit. Chateau Gazin-Rocquencourt does have a long history in the Graves region.
The chateau, which is still in use was built in the 17th century. Until fairly recently, the wines were sold first, under the name of Chateau Gazin et Bourbon. That name was eventually shortened to just Chateau Gazin.
However, the owners of Chateau Gazin in Pomerol insisted the owners change the name, which is how the property came to be known as Chateau Gazin-Rocquencourt. That took place starting with the 1995 vintage.
Once the Bonnie family took over managing the estate, they invested large sums of money to renovate and modernize the estate. The work started in the vineyard with not only replanting complete parcels with the correct grape varieties for their soils. Much of the vineyard had to be replanted as there were several parcels with plantings as high as 90% Cabernet. They also increased the density of the vineyard with the new plantings.
The cellars and chais were completely modernized, redesigned, and rebuilt which gave them the addition of new, temperature-controlled, double-lined, stainless steel tanks for the first time. The cellars were now completely gravity-fed. This allowed for a parcel-by-parcel vinification, which led to a jump in the quality of their wine.
The Bonnie family continued to expand their holdings in the Pessac Leognan appellation when they purchased Chateau Malartic Lagraviere, the following year in 2007.
2017 is the final vintage for Chateau Gazin-Rocquencourt. Starting with the 2020 vintage, the vineyard was annexed into Chateau Malartic Lagraviere as part of their new second wine, Le Comte de Malartic.
Chateau Gazin-Rocquencourt Vineyards, Terroir, Grapes, Winemaking
The 28-hectare estate of Chateau Gazin-Rocquencourt has 19.5 hectares planted to 55% Cabernet Sauvignon and 45% Merlot. 2.5 hectares of the vineyard are reserved for the production of white Bordeaux wine that is made from 100% Sauvignon Blanc.
The Sauvignon Blanc is planted in the cooler terroir, which is where you find the limestone soils. has 22 cultivated hectares of vineyard land. The terroir is gravel, clay, limestone, and sandy soils. The red wine grape vines are young, due to all the replanting, they are on average 15 years of age. The peak elevation is 49 meters.
The best terroir of Chateau Gazin-Rocquencourt is placed close to the chateau, just to the east of the chais. All work in the vineyards is done using only self-sustaining, farming techniques with serious attention to creating a bio-diverse environment. They were HVE certified, (High Environmental Value) in 2015 and maintain portions of the vineyard using organic and biodynamic practices.
For the production of the red wine for Chateau Gazin-Rocquencourt, vinification takes place in stainless steel vats. Malolactic fermentation takes place in tanks. The wine is aged in an average of 40% new, French oak barrels for between 15 to 20 months, depending on the vintage.
Chateau Gazin-Rocquencourt began producing white Bordeaux wine starting with the 2010 vintage. The wine is barrel fermented. There is limited skin contact. The wine is aged on its lees. There is no malolactic fermentation. The wine is aged in 30-50% new French oak barrels for 10 to 12 months.
There is a second wine, Chateau Gazin-Michotte. The annual production of Chateau Gazin-Rocquencourt for the red wine is 10,000 cases. The white is limited to about 700 cases per vintage. Michel Rolland is the consultant.
The best vintages of Chateau Gazin-Rocquencourt are: 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2012, 2010 and 2009. Although it is important to note that there are vintages when the red wine is much better than the white wine, as well as years when the whites are better than the reds.
The Bonnie family also own Bodega Diamandes in the Mendoza region of Argentina. Bodega Diamandes makes both red and white wine including a Viognier. Both the red and white wine of Chateau Gazin-Rocquencourt are well-made, fairly priced examples of Bordeaux wine that can be enjoyed young, without breaking the bank.
When to Drink Chateau Gazin-Rocquencourt, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time
Chateau Gazin-Rocquencourt can be enjoyed on the young side with decanting. Young vintages can be decanted for an average of 1 hour, give or take. This allows the wine to soften and open its perfume. Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment.
Chateau Gazin-Rocquencourt is usually better with at least 4-7 years of bottle age. Of course, that can vary slightly, depending on the vintage character. Chateau Gazin-Rocquencourt offers its best drinking and should reach peak maturity between 6-16 years of age after the vintage.
Serving Chateau Gazin-Rocquencourt, with Wine, Food, Pairing Tips
Chateau Gazin-Rocquencourt is best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift. The red wine of Chateau Gazin-Rocquencourt is best served with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted braised, and grilled dishes.
Chateau Gazin-Rocquencourt is a perfect match with Asian dishes, hearty fish courses like tuna, mushrooms, and pasta as well as cheese. The white wine of Chateau Gazin-Rocquencourt is a perfect white wine to serve with shellfish, sashimi, sushi, all types of seafood, chicken, veal, and cheese.
Château Gazin Rocquencourt Wine Tasting Notes
15 Vintages 49,647 Views Sort by Vintage-Rating
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2018
Château Gazin Rocquencourt (Pessac-Léognan)
Dark in color, this wine pops with a blackberry, boysenberry, smoke, licorice and espresso nose. Produced by blending 55% Cabernet Sauvignon and 45% Merlot, the full-bodied, juicy, vibrant finish is long, plush and polished. 90-92 Pts 1,478 Views Tasted Apr 19, 2019 |
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2018
Château Gazin Rocquencourt Blanc (Pessac-Léognan)
Bright, juicy and fresh, the florals, mint, yellow citrus and vanilla stand out. On the palate, the wine refreshes with lemon zest, tangerine, vanilla and a drop of honey. 2,126 Views Tasted Apr 19, 2019 |
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2017
Château Gazin Rocquencourt Blanc (Pessac-Léognan)
A topping of vanilla ice cream over freshly halved grapefruit, green apples with grating of lemon rind. There is ample freshness, vibrancy and lift, giving the wine a racy finish. 1,486 Views Tasted Apr 26, 2018 |
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2017
Château Gazin Rocquencourt (Pessac-Léognan)
Fresh and forward, a few years is all this medium-bodied prom queen is going to need before delivering all the soft, ready elegance expected from an intermingling of red fruits, smoke and a whiff of licorice. 1,875 Views Tasted Apr 26, 2018 |
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2016
Château Gazin Rocquencourt (Pessac-Léognan)
The fruit here is so ripe, lush, juicy, fresh and rich, it is hard not to ask for another glass. Full-bodied and loaded with sweet, earthy, dark plums, tobacco leaf, cocoa and smoke, the wine is round, lush and will be perfect for youthful, or near term drinking, while waiting for its brig brother to mature.The wine was produced from blending 55% Cabernet Sauvignon and 45% Merlot. 3,119 Views Tasted Sep 21, 2019Dark earthy plums compliment the licorice and dark chocolate covered cherries. The wine has a spicy character in the mouth, with ripe tannins and a juicy, dark berry finish. The wine was produced from blending 55% Cabernet Sauvignon and 45% Merlot. 3,347 Views Tasted Apr 29, 2017 |
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2016
Château Gazin Rocquencourt Blanc (Pessac-Léognan)
Fresh, juicy pomelo, vanilla and citrus in a forward, creamy style of found here. 1,919 Views Tasted Sep 21, 2019From 100% Sauvignon Blanc, the mix of just picked grapefruit, lemon and apple is right there. Good freshness, with a nice kick at the end, this will be delicious on release. 1,291 Views Tasted Apr 29, 2017 |
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2015
Château Gazin Rocquencourt (Pessac-Léognan)
With a strong, flinty, minereality, the fruit is ripe, sweet, forward, soft and polished. Medium/full bodied, the palate enjoys dark chocolate coated plums and soft, elegant textures. A few years in the cellar will add a lot more complexity and softness to the wine. 3,081 Views Tasted May 21, 2018Blending 55% Cabernet Sauvignon with 45% Merlot produced a forward, round, smoky, espresso, black cherry and thyme infused wine in an open, easy to like, medium bodied style. 89 - 91 Pts 2,621 Views Tasted Apr 23, 2016 |
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2015
Château Gazin Rocquencourt Blanc (Pessac-Léognan)
Crisp, bright, juicy, sweet and fresh, showing grapefruit, lemon and a bit of honey, with a boatload of acidity, to kick it up in the finish. 2,422 Views Tasted May 21, 2018From 100% Sauvignon Blanc, this wine is bright, crisp and fresh with loads of green apples, lemon peel and pomelo from start to finish. 1,997 Views Tasted Apr 23, 2016 |
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2014
Château Gazin Rocquencourt (Pessac-Léognan)
Medium/full bodied, forward, soft, round, open wine, with sweet, dark, red fruits, hints of licorice, smoke, espresso and cherries. This is already easy to enjoy and should get better over the next few years. The wine was produced from a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Merlot. 2,546 Views Tasted Dec 11, 2017 |
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2012
Château Gazin Rocquencourt Blanc (Pessac-Léognan)
With a distinctive floral note, fresh squeezed lemons, cara cara orange, grapefruit and honey on the nose, the wine is fresh, refreshing and leaves you with the sensation of crisp acidity in the lemony finish. 1,672 Views Tasted May 25, 2016Lively, fresh, inviting citrus fruits, honeysuckle, green apples and lemon peel in the nose and on the palate, end with a nice, crisp, fruity finish. 1,300 Views Tasted Dec 3, 2015 |
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2012
Château Gazin Rocquencourt (Pessac-Léognan)
Blending 55% Cabernet Sauvignon with 45% Merlot produced a forward, round, smoky, espresso, black cherry and thyme infused wine in an open, easy to like, medium bodied style. 3,288 Views Tasted May 26, 2016 |
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2011
Château Gazin Rocquencourt Blanc (Pessac-Léognan)
One of the best values for white Bordeaux wine delivers a blast of ripe citrus fruit, grapefruit peel, honeysuckle and ample freshness that was perfect on a hot summer day with grilled fish. 1,999 Views Tasted Aug 24, 2015 |
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2010
Château Gazin Rocquencourt (Pessac-Léognan)
Medium bodied, elegantly styled, young, fresh, smoky, black raspberries, dark cherries and espresso bean scents are easy to find in the nose. Soft and forward for the vintage, you can drink this now, or age it a few years to develop more earthy complexities. 3,306 Views Tasted Jul 16, 2015 |
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2010
Château Gazin Rocquencourt Blanc (Pessac-Léognan)
Already open with a fresh, honeysuckle, lemon, lime, lemon grass and grapefruit profile. Crisp and lively, with a green apple and citrus finish, this is ready to go. 2,097 Views Tasted Jul 16, 2015 |
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2009
Château Gazin Rocquencourt (Pessac-Léognan)
This is probably fully developed, so drinking it now, is the right thing to do. The wine is soft, open and silky, with ripe red fruits, licorice, and a hint of chocolate. It is a solid wine of pleasure, but not a wine to wait for further development. 2,894 Views Tasted Mar 23, 2018In its prime time drinking window, the wine is soft, round and smoky, with a black cherry, espresso and earthy profile. This is not meant for long term aging, so if you have a bottle, pop a cork. 3,783 Views Tasted Nov 26, 2015 |
