Learn everything about Chateau La Grave a Pomerol 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 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.
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 estates name came from the Trigan de Boisse family who purchased the vineyard in the mid 1800’s.
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 1940’s the name of 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. 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 La Grave a Pomerol name is prominently featured, the original name of the chateau also appears in small print as a hommage to the estates 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 1980’s, 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 1970’s or earlier, it might be worth taking a chance on.
Chateau La Grave a Pomerol Vineyards, Terroir, Grapes, Winemaking
The 8 hectare Pomerol vineyard of Chateau La Grave a Pomerol 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 a Pomerol, 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 tank. 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 barrel for between 18 months and 20 months before bottling. There is a second wine, Domaine Trigant de Boisset, In fact, Chateau La Grave a Pomerol is one of only two Pomerol Moueix owned properties that produces a second wine. The other is Chateau Trotanoy.
On average, 3,000 cases of Bordeaux wine are produced each year at Chateau La Grave a Pomerol. This is a lighter, easy drinking, forward style of Pomerol that drinks best in its youth.
When to Drink Chateau La Grave a Pomerol, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time
Chateau La Grave a Pomerol 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 a Pomerol 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 a Pomerol Wine, Food, Pairing Tips
Chateau La Grave a Pomerol 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 a Pomerol 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 a Pomerol is also good with Asian dishes, hearty fish courses like tuna, mushrooms and pasta.
Château La Grave a Pomerol Trigant de Boisset Wine Tasting Notes
12 Vintages 50,750 Views Sort by Vintage-Rating
2018 | Château La Grave a Trigant de Boisset (Pomerol) | |
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 1,322 Views Tasted Apr 19, 2019 | ||
2017 | Château La Grave a Trigant de Boisset (Pomerol) | |
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. 1,637 Views Tasted Apr 26, 2018 | ||
2016 | Château La Grave a Trigant de Boisset (Pomerol) | |
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. 933 Views Tasted Sep 21, 2019A finesse styled, early drinking charmer, fruit forward, soft, polished with a plummy cherry core and a dash of cocoa in the finish. 1,795 Views Tasted Apr 29, 2017 | ||
2015 | Château La Grave a Trigant de Boisset (Pomerol) | |
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. 2,139 Views Tasted May 21, 2018A 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 1,818 Views Tasted Apr 27, 2016 | ||
2014 | Château La Grave a Trigant de Boisset (Pomerol) | |
Black cherry with a hint of smoke fades into a light red berry character with an easy going, cherry finish. 85-87 Pts 2,748 Views Tasted Apr 24, 2015 | ||
2013 | Château La Grave a Trigant de Boisset (Pomerol) | |
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 1,982 Views Tasted Apr 25, 2014 | ||
2012 | Château La Grave a Trigant de Boisset (Pomerol) | |
Fresh, crisp, bright red fruits, medium bodied, soft entry with a fresh, red berry finish that is perfect for early drinking. 2,294 Views Tasted May 15, 2015Light 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 2,534 Views Tasted Apr 26, 2013 | ||
2011 | Château La Grave a Trigant de Boisset (Pomerol) | |
Earth, black cherry and cocoa scents with soft textures and forward style. This wine ends with short, round red cherry. 88-89 Pts 3,872 Views Tasted Apr 21, 2012 | ||
2010 | Château La Grave a Trigant de Boisset (Pomerol) | |
Medium bodied, round and focused on dark cherries, cocoa and spice box characteristics, give this a few years and it should elegant drinking. 4,559 Views Tasted Aug 8, 2013La 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 3,368 Views Tasted Apr 21, 2011 | ||
2009 | Château La Grave a Trigant de Boisset (Pomerol) | |
Soft and supple in texture, this medium bodied, plummy, lighter style of Pomerol was built to deliver its charms early in life. 5,628 Views Tasted Aug 12, 20132009 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 5,486 Views Tasted Aug 27, 2010 | ||
2008 | Château La Grave a Trigant de Boisset (Pomerol) | |
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. 4,464 Views Tasted Dec 29, 2015 | ||
2005 | Château La Grave a Trigant de Boisset (Pomerol) | |
Rustic style of Pomerol, with an earthy, cherry, red plum personality that is ready to drink. 4,171 Views Tasted Dec 5, 2013 |