Chateau Bonalgue Pomerol Bordeaux, Complete Guide

Learn everything about Chateau Bonalgue Pomerol with wine tasting notes, wine and food pairing tips, best vintages, a history of the property, information on the vineyards, and winemaking. If you want to read about other important, Bordeaux Chateaux: Links to all Bordeaux Wine Producer Profiles

Chateau Bonalgue History, Overview

Chateau Bonalgue started out life under the name of Clos Bonalgue. That name changed in 1969 to Chateau Bonalgue. The estate has a long history in the Pomerol appellation. The original chateau was constructed in 1815 when it was owned by the Rabion family.

The vineyard takes its name from the sector the vines are planted in, Graves de Bonalgue. Chateau Bonalgue was purchased by the Bourotte family in 1926. The Bourotte family remains the owners of Chateau Bonalgue today. They also own Clos du Clocher in Pomerol, as well as other Right Bank vineyards. In addition, they also own a successful negociant company.

Chateau Bonalgue Vineyards, Terroir, Grapes, Winemaking

The 9.41-hectare vineyard of Chateau Bonalgue is planted to 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. The vines are located just northeast of Libourne. The vineyard has a terroir of sand, gravel, and clay with bits of iron in the soil.

Previously, the vineyard had a portion of its vines devoted to Cabernet Sauvignon. But those vines have been removed from the vineyard and were replaced with additional Merlot plantings in subsequent years. This took place at some point during the 1980s.

The vineyard, which is divided into 3 large parcels is planted to a vine density that ranges from 6,000 to 8,000 vines per hectare. The higher levels of vine density are found in the newer plantings. The vines are on average, 25 years of age.

To produce the wine of Chateau Bonalgue, vinification takes place in 13, temperature-controlled, stainless steel vats. Malolactic fermentation takes place in a combination of vats and French oak barrels The estate has plans to update their cellars and increase the number of vats to allow for more parcel by parcel vinification.

The best vintages of Chateau Bounalgue are: 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2010, 2009, 2005, 2001 and 2000. However, it should be noted that since 2015, Chateau Bonalgue has really improved its wines with 2018 and 2020 being the best wines I have ever tasted from the property.

The wine is aged in 50% new, French oak barrels for an average of 18 months. Close to 2,500 cases are produced of Chateau Bonalgue each year. There is a second wine, Beausejour de Bonalgue.

When to Drink Chateau Bonalgue, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time

Chateau Bonalgue needs at least 2-4 years of aging in good vintages until it is ready to be enjoyed. Young vintages can be decanted for 1 hour. This allows the wine to soften and open its perfume. Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment.

Chateau Bonalgue offers its best drinking and should reach peak maturity between 4-12 years of age after the vintage.

Serving Chateau Bonalgue with Wine, Food, Pairing Tips

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

Chateau Bonalgue is also good with Asian dishes, hearty fish courses like tuna, mushrooms, and pasta.

The Bourotte family also own three other vineyards in Pomerol, Chateau Clos du Clocher, Chateau Monregard La Croix and Chateau Burgrave, plus two estates in Lalande de Pomerol; Chateau Les Hauts Conseillants and Chateau Les Hauts Tuileries, as well as two vineyards in the Lussac St. Emilion appellation, Chateau du Courlat and Chateau Les Echevins.

They also maintain a thriving business as a negociant, located in the city of Libourne, the business center for the chateaux and wines of the Right Bank.

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