Chateau La Grave Pomerol Bordeaux, Complete Guide

la-grave-pomerol

Learn everything about Chateau La Grave a Pomerol 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 La Grave a Pomerol History, Overview

In 1971, Chateau La Grave a Pomerol was purchased by Christian Moueix. The vineyard is located on the western slope of the plateau of Pomerol. However, while that purchase marks the start of the modern era for Chateau La Grave a Pomerol, that is not where its history lies. For much of its life, the name of the estate varied from La Grave to La Grave a Pomerol and even La Grave Trigant de Boisset.

At this point, the inspiration for what we now know of as the first part of the estate’s name came from the gravel terroir in its vineyards. The second part of the estate’s name came from the Trigant de Boisse family who purchased the vineyard in the mid-1800s.

It took some time, but eventually, they changed the name of their Right Bank vineyard to Domaine de La Grave Trigant de Boisset.

During the late 1940s, the name of the estate was changed to Chateau La Grave a Pomerol Trigant de Boisset. That was not the only change to the vineyard in those days. In 1971 Christian Moueix purchased the vineyard from Raymond Marc. As a nice piece of trivia, this was the first vineyard purchased by Christian Moueix. The name was again altered by the Ets. Moueix to its current moniker, Chateau La Grave a Pomerol.

Interestingly, on the wine label, even though Chateau La Grave is prominently featured, the original name of the chateau also appears in small print as an homage to the estate’s founder. In part, that also reflects one of the names the estate was originally known as, during its earlier years when the wines were sold under the name La Grave.

During the early to mid-1980s, the majority of the original vineyards’ best gravel parcels were placed into another property owned by Ets. Moueix, Chateau La Fleur Petrus.

In exchange, some of the sandier parcels that were once a part of La Fleur Petrus were now placed into La Grave a Pomerol. If you ever see an old bottle La Grave a Pomerol Trigant de Boisset from the 1970s or earlier, it might be worth taking a chance on.

In 1992, the name of the property was officially changed to the much shorter Chateau La Grave a Pomerol and finally to Chateau La Grave.

Chateau La Grave Vineyards, Terroir, Grapes, Winemaking

The 8 hectare Pomerol vineyard of Chateau La Grave is planted to 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc. Located just north of Chateau Latour-a-Pomerol, and not far from the Lalande de Pomerol border, the terroir is gravel with some light clay and sand soil. The high percentage of gravel in the soil is where the property takes its name.

For the production of Chateau La Grave, two laser sorting tables have been in use since 2009. The wine is vinified in a combination of thermoregulated concrete vats and stainless steel tanks.

Malolactic fermentation takes place in tanks. The wine is aged in close to 20% new, French oak barrels, however, the exact amount of new oak can vary, depending on the vintage.

The wine remains in the barrel for between 18 months and 20 months before bottling. There is a second wine, Domaine Trigant de Boisset, In fact, Chateau La Grave is one of only two Pomerol Moueix owned properties that produce a second wine. The other is Chateau Trotanoy.

On average, 3,500 cases of wine are produced each year at Chateau La Grave. This is a lighter, easy-drinking, forward style of Pomerol that drinks best in its youth.

The best vintages of Chateau La Grave are: 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2012, 2010, 2009 and 2005. Starting with the 2015 vintage, the estate stepped up its game. So far, 2018 and 2019 are the finest wines the property has ever produced.

When to Drink Chateau La Grave, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time

Chateau La Grave needs at least a little time before it can be enjoyed. Young vintages can be decanted for an average of 1 hour or more. This allows the wine to soften and open its perfume. Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment.

Chateau La Grave is usually better with at least 2-4 years of bottle age. Of course, that can vary slightly, depending on the vintage character. Chateau La Grave a Pomerol offers its best drinking and should reach peak maturity between 4-12 years of age after the vintage.

Serving Chateau La Grave Wine, Food, Pairing Tips

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

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

www.moueix.com

Château La Grave a Pomerol Trigant de Boisset Wine Tasting Notes

16 Vintages 80,137 Views Sort by Vintage-Rating

2022
92
Medium-bodied, soft, silky, fresh, and forward, with this vintage, the wine quickly focuses on its fresh, sweet, mildly spicy red pit fruits, and black raspberries with a dash of spice, and leafy freshness in the finish. The wine blends 89% Merlot with 11% Cabernet Franc. Drink from 2023-2037. 91-93 Pts.

Medium-bodied, soft, silky, fresh, and forward, with this vintage, the wine quickly focuses on its fresh, sweet, mildly spicy red pit fruits, and black raspberries with a dash of spice, and leafy freshness in the finish. The wine blends 89% Merlot with 11% Cabernet Franc. Drink from 2023-2037. 91-93 Pts.

2,067 Views   Tasted
2021
92
Quite floral in nature, you also find black raspberries, cherries, licorice and plums with just a hint of chocolate. The medium-bodied wine is soft, supple, forward, fresh and frankly, charming, leaving you with loads of sweet, ripe, fresh, minty plums and chocolate. Drink from 2024-2037.

Quite floral in nature, you also find black raspberries, cherries, licorice and plums with just a hint of chocolate. The medium-bodied wine is soft, supple, forward, fresh and frankly, charming, leaving you with loads of sweet, ripe, fresh, minty plums and chocolate. Drink from 2024-2037.

137 Views   Tasted
Soft, supple, forward, medium-bodied, sweet, crisp and fresh, the wine is loaded with ripe plums, cherries and black raspberries with a nice touch of freshness in the finish. Drink from 2023-2036. 91-93

Soft, supple, forward, medium-bodied, sweet, crisp and fresh, the wine is loaded with ripe plums, cherries and black raspberries with a nice touch of freshness in the finish. Drink from 2023-2036. 91-93

1,392 Views   Tasted
2020
93
Floral, fresh, vibrant, lively red plums are found in the perfume. The wine is lush, round, ripe and silky. Medium-bodied with a finish that packs in sensuously textured plums on the mid-palate that carry through to the finish. This is a big step up in quality here. It should age and develop for at least 2 decades. 92-94 Pts

Floral, fresh, vibrant, lively red plums are found in the perfume. The wine is lush, round, ripe and silky. Medium-bodied with a finish that packs in sensuously textured plums on the mid-palate that carry through to the finish. This is a big step up in quality here. It should age and develop for at least 2 decades. 92-94 Pts

1,776 Views   Tasted
2019
93
A nice touch of herbs accompanies the plums, cocoa, licorice, spice and floral notes. Medium-bodied, soft, silky, polished and fresh, with loads of sweetness to the chocolate tinted fruits and refined, elegant textures in the finish. Drink from 2023-2037. This is perhaps the finest vintage of La Grave Pomerol I have ever tasted!

A nice touch of herbs accompanies the plums, cocoa, licorice, spice and floral notes. Medium-bodied, soft, silky, polished and fresh, with loads of sweetness to the chocolate tinted fruits and refined, elegant textures in the finish. Drink from 2023-2037. This is perhaps the finest vintage of La Grave Pomerol I have ever tasted!

1,179 Views   Tasted
Elegant, refined, medium-bodied, soft and silky, with a ripe, sweet, plum, cherry and cocoa core of fruit on the nose and palate. This is perhaps the finest vintage of La Grave a Pomerol I have ever tasted! 90-92 Pts

Elegant, refined, medium-bodied, soft and silky, with a ripe, sweet, plum, cherry and cocoa core of fruit on the nose and palate. This is perhaps the finest vintage of La Grave a Pomerol I have ever tasted! 90-92 Pts

3,335 Views   Tasted
2018
92
Flowers, herbs, smoke, spice, thyme and ripe red fruits create the perfume. From there you find a medium bodied, elegant, fresh expression of Merlot with a refined, delicate, red pit fruit filled, silky finish. This is a solid example of a Pomerol that's not going to break the bank and is clearly the finest example of La Grave Pomerol I've ever tasted.

Flowers, herbs, smoke, spice, thyme and ripe red fruits create the perfume. From there you find a medium bodied, elegant, fresh expression of Merlot with a refined, delicate, red pit fruit filled, silky finish. This is a solid example of a Pomerol that's not going to break the bank and is clearly the finest example of La Grave Pomerol I've ever tasted.

1,254 Views   Tasted
Medium bodied, silky, forward and soft, this wine has refined charm and sophistication packed with earthy, ripe plums and chocolate. This is a solid example of Pomerol that's not going to break the bank. 90-92 Pts

Medium bodied, silky, forward and soft, this wine has refined charm and sophistication packed with earthy, ripe plums and chocolate. This is a solid example of Pomerol that's not going to break the bank. 90-92 Pts

2,292 Views   Tasted
2017
90
A gentle but sleek cherry-centered wine, medium bodied with an earthy complexity that works well on the palate and on the nose, with an easy to like finish. Drink this over its first decade of life.

A gentle but sleek cherry-centered wine, medium bodied with an earthy complexity that works well on the palate and on the nose, with an easy to like finish. Drink this over its first decade of life.

2,685 Views   Tasted
2016
90
Medium-bodied, finesse styled, forward, soft, cherry filled wine with nuances of licorice and tobacco leaf on the nose and palate. Fresh, fruity and spicy, give it an hour in the decanter or a few years in the cellar and it is ready to go.

Medium-bodied, finesse styled, forward, soft, cherry filled wine with nuances of licorice and tobacco leaf on the nose and palate. Fresh, fruity and spicy, give it an hour in the decanter or a few years in the cellar and it is ready to go.

4,955 Views   Tasted
A finesse styled, early drinking charmer, fruit forward, soft, polished with a plummy cherry core and a dash of cocoa in the finish.

A finesse styled, early drinking charmer, fruit forward, soft, polished with a plummy cherry core and a dash of cocoa in the finish.

3,536 Views   Tasted
2015
90
Showing a bit of maturity in the color, the wine is ready to go with its red berried, earthy nature. Medium bodied soft, and silky, drink this over the next decade.

Showing a bit of maturity in the color, the wine is ready to go with its red berried, earthy nature. Medium bodied soft, and silky, drink this over the next decade.

4,771 Views   Tasted
A medium-bodied, finesse-styled, elegant wine, infused with red berries and graced with ripe tannins. Its forward personality gives way to a polished finish. 88 - 90 Pts

A medium-bodied, finesse-styled, elegant wine, infused with red berries and graced with ripe tannins. Its forward personality gives way to a polished finish. 88 - 90 Pts

3,791 Views   Tasted
2014
86
Black cherry with a hint of smoke fades into a light red berry character with an easy going, cherry finish. 85-87 Pts

Black cherry with a hint of smoke fades into a light red berry character with an easy going, cherry finish. 85-87 Pts

3,820 Views   Tasted
2013
87
Light and soft, the wine has red fruits with elements of kirsch and spice to create a forward style of Pomerol made for early drinking. 85-88 Pts

Light and soft, the wine has red fruits with elements of kirsch and spice to create a forward style of Pomerol made for early drinking. 85-88 Pts

2,766 Views   Tasted
2012
88
Fresh, crisp, bright red fruits, medium bodied, soft entry with a fresh, red berry finish that is perfect for early drinking.

Fresh, crisp, bright red fruits, medium bodied, soft entry with a fresh, red berry finish that is perfect for early drinking.

2,702 Views   Tasted
Light earth, licorice and fresh red berries can be discerned in the nose. Medium-bodied with a light and sweet cherry-dominated finish. 86-88 Pts

Light earth, licorice and fresh red berries can be discerned in the nose. Medium-bodied with a light and sweet cherry-dominated finish. 86-88 Pts

2,913 Views   Tasted
2011
88
Earth, black cherry and cocoa scents with soft textures and forward style. This wine ends with short, round red cherry. 88-89 Pts

Earth, black cherry and cocoa scents with soft textures and forward style. This wine ends with short, round red cherry. 88-89 Pts

4,426 Views   Tasted
2010
90
Medium bodied, round and focused on dark cherries, cocoa and spice box characteristics, give this a few years and it should elegant drinking.

Medium bodied, round and focused on dark cherries, cocoa and spice box characteristics, give this a few years and it should elegant drinking.

5,243 Views   Tasted
La Grave Trigant de Boisset chocolate, spice, floral and blackberry aromas, medium/full bodied, elegant, supple, cassis and cherry finish. Deeper and more refined than usual, this is the best La Grave Trigant de Boisset I recall tasting 90-91 Pts

La Grave Trigant de Boisset chocolate, spice, floral and blackberry aromas, medium/full bodied, elegant, supple, cassis and cherry finish. Deeper and more refined than usual, this is the best La Grave Trigant de Boisset I recall tasting 90-91 Pts

4,044 Views   Tasted
2009
88
Soft and supple in texture, this medium bodied, plummy, lighter style of Pomerol was built to deliver its charms early in life.

Soft and supple in texture, this medium bodied, plummy, lighter style of Pomerol was built to deliver its charms early in life.

5,909 Views   Tasted
2009 La Grave offers chocolate, earth, and berry aromas. Elegantly made. Dark plum and cocoa flavors are found in this lighter style of Pomerol. 88-90 Pts

2009 La Grave offers chocolate, earth, and berry aromas. Elegantly made. Dark plum and cocoa flavors are found in this lighter style of Pomerol. 88-90 Pts

5,759 Views   Tasted
2008
88
Medium bodied, easy drinking, red and black plums with thyme and earthy scents create the aromas. Pleasant, uncomplicated, fresh, spicy fruits, which are more on the red side of the style range are found in the easy to like finish.

Medium bodied, easy drinking, red and black plums with thyme and earthy scents create the aromas. Pleasant, uncomplicated, fresh, spicy fruits, which are more on the red side of the style range are found in the easy to like finish.

4,928 Views   Tasted
2005
87
Rustic style of Pomerol, with an earthy, cherry, red plum personality that is ready to drink.

Rustic style of Pomerol, with an earthy, cherry, red plum personality that is ready to drink.

4,457 Views   Tasted