Chateau Les Grands Chenes Medoc Bordeaux, Complete Guide

Learn everything about Chateau Les Grands Chenes Medoc with wine tasting notes and wine with food pairing tips. Learn the best vintages, the 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 Les Grands Chenes History, Overview

Chateau Les Grands Chenes, located in the Medoc appellation of Bordeaux has been producing wine since 1880. Prior to its use as a vineyard, Les Grands Chenes was originally used as a fort during the 16th century.

The estate was purchased in 1981 by Jacqueline Gauzy Darricade. Jacqueline Darricade was a dedicated owner who spent much of her time and a lot of money on improving the property before it was sold to Bernard Magrez in 1998.

After purchasing the estate, Bernard Magrez also invested heavily in the property. It is interesting to note that from 1998 until 2002, the estate produced a high-end Cuvee. But that special wine was discontinued in 2002. Those vines were placed back into the Grand Vin, to improve the quality of the main wine.

Chateau Les Grands Chenes Vineyards, Terroir, Grapes, Winemaking

The 38 hectare Les Grands Chenes Left Bank vineyard is planted to 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon. The Cabernet Franc has been removed from the vineyard. Situated in the northern part of the Bordeaux appellation, the vineyard has a terroir of gravel, clay, and limestone in the soil.

This is one of the better terroirs located this far north in the Haut Medoc, as they have elevations and a view of the Gironde, which creates a micro-climate. On average, the vines are kept at 30 years of age. The vineyard is planted to a vine density of 8,000 vines per hectare.

To produce the wine of Chateau Les Grands Chenes, the grapes are whole berry fermented. Vinification takes place in a combination of large wood vats and stainless steel tanks. Malolactic fermentation takes place in vat. The wine of Les Grands Chenes is aged in 50% new, French oak barrels for 18 months before bottling.

The best vintages of Chateau Les Grands Chenes are: 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2010, 2009 and 2005.

On average, 15,000 cases of Les Grands Chenes wine are produced every year. There is a second wine, which was known as Le Chenes Noir. That recently changed names to Temperance de Grands Chenes.

Like all of his properties, Bernard Magrez spared no expense in turning this into one of the top Cru Bourgeois vineyards in the Medoc. The wine is ripe, rich, and modern in style. However, the oak can remain part of its personality.

When to Drink Chateau Les Grands Chenes, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time

Chateau Les Grands Chenes needs some time before it can be enjoyed. Young vintages can be decanted for an average of 1 to 2 hours, 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 Les Grands Chenes is usually better with at least 3-5 years of bottle age. Of course that can vary slightly, depending on the vintage character. Chateau Les Grands Chenes offers its best drinking and should reach peak maturity between 4-15 years of age after the vintage.

Serving Chateau Les Grands Chenes with Wine, Food, Pairing Tips

Chateau Les Grands Chenes is best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift. The wine of Chateau Les Grands Chenes is best served with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised, and grilled dishes.

Chateau Les Grands Chenes is a perfect match with Asian dishes, hearty fish courses like tuna, mushrooms, and pasta as well as cheese.

https://bernard-magrez.com

Château Les Grands Chênes Wine Tasting Notes

16 Vintages 59,213 Views Sort by Vintage-Rating

2022
91
Black and red fruits with nuances of tobacco leaf, and espresso beans open the wine. On the palate, the wine is ripe, sweet, round, and forward, finishing with sweet, cherries, toasty oak, and chalky tannins on the backend. The wine blends 60% Merlot with 40% Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink from 2025-2038. 90-92 Pts.

Black and red fruits with nuances of tobacco leaf, and espresso beans open the wine. On the palate, the wine is ripe, sweet, round, and forward, finishing with sweet, cherries, toasty oak, and chalky tannins on the backend. The wine blends 60% Merlot with 40% Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink from 2025-2038. 90-92 Pts.

2,038 Views   Tasted
2021
88
Initially, you find oak, balsamic, cedar, smoke, licorice and red fruits in the nose. The medium-bodied, palate is soft, round and wants to be fleshy, there is a touch of spice and chocolate that comes in at the end of the finish. Drink from 2024-2034.

Initially, you find oak, balsamic, cedar, smoke, licorice and red fruits in the nose. The medium-bodied, palate is soft, round and wants to be fleshy, there is a touch of spice and chocolate that comes in at the end of the finish. Drink from 2024-2034.

133 Views   Tasted
Espresso, licorice, coffee bean and currants come through easily, making this soft, round, fruity, forward and already quite charming to drink, for all its round-textures, sweet fruits and chocolate on release. Drink from 2023-2035. 89-91

Espresso, licorice, coffee bean and currants come through easily, making this soft, round, fruity, forward and already quite charming to drink, for all its round-textures, sweet fruits and chocolate on release. Drink from 2023-2035. 89-91

1,410 Views   Tasted
2020
92
Deeply colored, the wine opens with dark, red and black fruit, licorice, espresso bean, smoke, flower and herb scents. Lush, round, sweet, and supple on the palate, the wine is packed with sweet, ripe, dark red fruits leaving you with a supple-textured finish. This is one of the finest vintages of Les Grands Chenes. Drink from 2023-2040.

Deeply colored, the wine opens with dark, red and black fruit, licorice, espresso bean, smoke, flower and herb scents. Lush, round, sweet, and supple on the palate, the wine is packed with sweet, ripe, dark red fruits leaving you with a supple-textured finish. This is one of the finest vintages of Les Grands Chenes. Drink from 2023-2040.

985 Views   Tasted
2019
90
Smoky, with a touch of chocolate, licorice, espresso, spice and black cherries on the nose and palate come through quickly. Round, lush and polished with a richly textured, fleshy, dark plum, coffee, dark chocolate covered cherry finish, give it a few years of age to start to show its best. Drink from 2024-2037.

Smoky, with a touch of chocolate, licorice, espresso, spice and black cherries on the nose and palate come through quickly. Round, lush and polished with a richly textured, fleshy, dark plum, coffee, dark chocolate covered cherry finish, give it a few years of age to start to show its best. Drink from 2024-2037.

1,689 Views   Tasted
Full-bodied, rich and a bit oaky, the wine has a lot of smoke, fruit, wood and volume. One can find round textures and a big, sweet, fruity finish along with espresso bean, thyme and cocoa. Give it at least 5 years in the cellar. 89-91 Pts

Full-bodied, rich and a bit oaky, the wine has a lot of smoke, fruit, wood and volume. One can find round textures and a big, sweet, fruity finish along with espresso bean, thyme and cocoa. Give it at least 5 years in the cellar. 89-91 Pts

2,458 Views   Tasted
2018
91
Round, lush, juicy, sweet and fresh, the ripe cherries come through loud and clear. The oak is close to fully integrated, now, you find smoke, flowers, earth and licorice with a touch of espresso to accompany all the ripe, sweet fruits. This is one of the finest vintages of Les Grands Chenes. The wine was made from 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Round, lush, juicy, sweet and fresh, the ripe cherries come through loud and clear. The oak is close to fully integrated, now, you find smoke, flowers, earth and licorice with a touch of espresso to accompany all the ripe, sweet fruits. This is one of the finest vintages of Les Grands Chenes. The wine was made from 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon.

1,529 Views   Tasted
Deep in color, the wine resonates with dark black cherries in the nose and mouth. Full-bodied, round, forward and richly textured, the finishes with dark, red fruits, licorice, espresso and bitter chocolate in the end note. The wine was made from 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon. 90-92 Pts

Deep in color, the wine resonates with dark black cherries in the nose and mouth. Full-bodied, round, forward and richly textured, the finishes with dark, red fruits, licorice, espresso and bitter chocolate in the end note. The wine was made from 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon. 90-92 Pts

2,182 Views   Tasted
2017
89
Smoke and black cherries deliver on the nose as this full-bodied, energetic and vibrant wine unfolds with dusky red fruits on the palette. Come for the sensation and stay for the dark chocolate edge which extends through the fruit and espresso tinged finish. The wine was made with a blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Smoke and black cherries deliver on the nose as this full-bodied, energetic and vibrant wine unfolds with dusky red fruits on the palette. Come for the sensation and stay for the dark chocolate edge which extends through the fruit and espresso tinged finish. The wine was made with a blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon.

3,352 Views   Tasted
2016
89
Round and polished with loads of espresso, smoke, ripe fruits and a fleshy finish.

Round and polished with loads of espresso, smoke, ripe fruits and a fleshy finish.

4,310 Views   Tasted
2015
87
Utilizing 74% Merlot and 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine is fleshy, round and has an earthy, red fruit profile. The open and oaky finish combines espresso bean and cherry characteristics. 86 - 88 Pts

Utilizing 74% Merlot and 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine is fleshy, round and has an earthy, red fruit profile. The open and oaky finish combines espresso bean and cherry characteristics. 86 - 88 Pts

4,524 Views   Tasted
2014
88
Lush, soft and polished, this wine is loaded with sweet fruits and a hint of jam with a big slash of espresso and vanilla in the fleshy finish. 87-89 Pts

Lush, soft and polished, this wine is loaded with sweet fruits and a hint of jam with a big slash of espresso and vanilla in the fleshy finish. 87-89 Pts

2,844 Views   Tasted
2013
88
With a nose full of oak, licorice, black cherry and tobacco, this forward wine serves up a user-friendly, oaky blast of licorice and plum. 87-89 Pts

With a nose full of oak, licorice, black cherry and tobacco, this forward wine serves up a user-friendly, oaky blast of licorice and plum. 87-89 Pts

2,859 Views   Tasted
2012
88
Forward and ripe, with sweet red cherries, soft textures and a lot of oak in the finish.

Forward and ripe, with sweet red cherries, soft textures and a lot of oak in the finish.

3,663 Views   Tasted
Oaky with dark red berries and a coffee bean and red berry finish. 87-89 Pts

Oaky with dark red berries and a coffee bean and red berry finish. 87-89 Pts

3,975 Views   Tasted
2011
89
Fleshy, fun and easy to like with coffee, black cherry and round textures. 87-90 Pts

Fleshy, fun and easy to like with coffee, black cherry and round textures. 87-90 Pts

3,407 Views   Tasted
2010
90
Medium/full bodied with licorice, coffee bean, vanilla and dark cherry sensations in the nose. Forward and accessible, this blend of 63% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Cabernet Franc is already open for business.

Medium/full bodied with licorice, coffee bean, vanilla and dark cherry sensations in the nose. Forward and accessible, this blend of 63% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Cabernet Franc is already open for business.

2,890 Views   Tasted
2009
90
Blending 51% Merlot, 43% Cabernet Sauvignon 6% Cabernet Franc, this medium bodied, modern styled, forward wine is filled with coffee, licorice, black cherry, earth and cocoa. Plush, soft and round, this is already delivering pleasure.

Blending 51% Merlot, 43% Cabernet Sauvignon 6% Cabernet Franc, this medium bodied, modern styled, forward wine is filled with coffee, licorice, black cherry, earth and cocoa. Plush, soft and round, this is already delivering pleasure.

3,836 Views   Tasted
2005
87
Easy to drink and like, with its sweet, red cherry and black raspberry and cigar box nose, coupled with its soft textured, red berry character.

Easy to drink and like, with its sweet, red cherry and black raspberry and cigar box nose, coupled with its soft textured, red berry character.

4,158 Views   Tasted
This structured, powerful wine Merlot based wine offers chocolate, ripe, black raspberries, earth and oak. Well made, but not exciting.

This structured, powerful wine Merlot based wine offers chocolate, ripe, black raspberries, earth and oak. Well made, but not exciting.

4,265 Views   Tasted
2004
87
This blend of 50% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc is showing its tobacco, oak, licorice, cocoa and cherry personality. Ready for drinking, I’d consume this over the next few years.

This blend of 50% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc is showing its tobacco, oak, licorice, cocoa and cherry personality. Ready for drinking, I’d consume this over the next few years.

2,706 Views   Tasted