Learn everything about Chateau La Graviere Lalande de 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 La Graviere History, Overview
Chateau La Graviere in the Lalande de Pomerol appellation has been owned by the Pere Verge family since 1985 when the property was bought by Catherine Pere Verge.
At the original time of the purchase, the vineyard was closer to only 2 hectares of vines. Subsequent purchases increased the estate to its current 7-hectare size.
The Pere Verge family also count among their chateau holdings, three well-known estates in Pomerol, Chateau Le Gay, Chateau La Violette, and Chateau Montviel. The family also owns Monteviejo, which is situated in Mendoza Argentina.
The vineyards of Monteviejo are located in Clos de Los Siete, in the Mendoza appellation. All the estates are now ably managed and controlled by the son of Catherine Pere Verge, Henri Parent.
Chateau La Graviere Vineyards, Terroir, Grapes, Winemaking
The 7.5 hectare Right Bank vineyard of Chateau La Graviere is planted to 92% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon. The terroir is mostly gravel and clay soils.
As I mentioned, the vines are old. On average, much of the vineyard is close to 50 years of age. The vineyard is situated in Neac, not far from the border of Pomerol and close to Chateau Rouget.
To produce the wine of Chateau La Graviere, the wine is vinified using micro vinification techniques. The wine is then aged in 50% new, French oak barrels for 12 to 15 months before bottling. There is a second wine, Moulin de La Graviere.
Interestingly, the majority of the production at the estate is actually placed in the second wine, Moulin de La Graviere. Now, that is what I call a serious commitment to producing the best, quality wine possible, as that takes place in every vintage.
On average, the total production at Chateau La Graviere is close to 4,000 cases of wine per year. Michel Rolland acts as the consultant.
The best vintages of Chateau La Graviere are: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2012, 2010, 2009 and 2005.
When to Drink Chateau La Graviere, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time
Chateau La Graviere is better with at least 1-3 years of aging in good vintages. Young vintages can be decanted for up to 1 hour, helping the wine soften to help develop the aromatic character.
Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment. Chateau La Graviere offers its best drinking and should reach peak maturity between 2-8 years of age after the vintage.
Serving Chateau La Graviere with Wine, Food, Pairing Tips
Chateau La Graviere 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 Graviere is best paired with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised, and grilled dishes. Chateau La Graviere is also good when matched with Asian dishes, rich fish courses like tuna, mushrooms, and pasta.
Château La Gravière Wine Tasting Notes
12 Vintages 23,419 Views Sort by Vintage-Rating
2022
Château La Gravière (Lalande de Pomerol)
Medium-bodied, forward, fresh, and floral with a core of supple-textured cherries with cocoa on the backend of the finish. You can enjoy this with pleasure on release. The wine blends 92% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink from 2025-2030. 90-92 Pts. 1,569 Views Tasted May 8, 2023 |
2021
Château La Gravière (Lalande de Pomerol)
Flowers, with red plum accents for the nose. The wine is soft, medium-bodied, bright, fresh and juicy and will be best in its youth. Drink from 2023-2029. 87-89 1,195 Views Tasted May 20, 2022 |
2019
Château La Gravière (Lalande de Pomerol)
Produced from 100% Merlot, the wine is soft, silky, fresh, sweet, and polished, elegant in style, there is plenty of cocoa-infused plums here from start to finish. You can enjoy this on release. Drink from 2022-2030. 1,042 Views Tasted Mar 29, 2022 |
2018
Château La Gravière (Lalande de Pomerol)
Medium bodied, forward, soft and with a core of chocolate covered plums, the wine is round, sweet, polished and perfect for early drinking pleasure. 87-89 Pts 1,315 Views Tasted Apr 19, 2019 |
2016
Château La Gravière (Lalande de Pomerol)
Medium bodied with sweet, wet, dark red fruits, licorice and espresso, the wine is forward, soft and perfect for early drinking pleasure. 1,586 Views Tasted Apr 29, 2017 |
2015
Château La Gravière (Lalande de Pomerol)
With 92% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine is soft, fruity, medium bodied and forward with a light, sweet, fresh, cultured cherry finish. 86 - 88 Pts 1,886 Views Tasted Apr 29, 2016 |
2014
Château La Gravière (Lalande de Pomerol)
Round, lush, open, soft and with loads of licorice coated black cherries, a hint of espresso and a plush, medium-bodied, plummy finish. This is fully ready to go. 1,508 Views Tasted Sep 11, 2020 |
2013
Château La Gravière (Lalande de Pomerol)
Light in color, the 100% Merlot cuvee is medium bodied and light in style, finishing with sweet and tart cherries. 84-86 Pts 3,029 Views Tasted Apr 26, 2014 |
2012
Château La Gravière (Lalande de Pomerol)
From a small 2 hectare parcel in Lalande de Pomerol, the 100% Merlot wine comes from old vines that are close to 40 years of age. Medium-bodied, kirsch and licorice aromas open to a sensation of sweet, ripe, polished and fresh cherries. 86-88 Pts 2,310 Views Tasted Apr 26, 2013 |
2010
Château La Gravière (Lalande de Pomerol)
La Graviere Easy to understand, medium bodied, berry and cherry flavored wine that should drink well on release. 85-87 Pts 2,885 Views Tasted Apr 21, 2011 |
2009
Château La Gravière (Lalande de Pomerol)
Medium bodied, forward, soft and supple, this sweet cherry and plum filled wine is ready to drink. 2,474 Views Tasted May 7, 2014 |
2005
Château La Gravière (Lalande de Pomerol)
Medium bodied, fully mature, this soft, elegant charmer, requires drinking before the fresh, sweet, cocoa covered dark cherries and dusty, earthy notes begin fading. 2,620 Views Tasted Nov 5, 2016 |