Chateau Thenac Cotes de Bergerac Southwest France, Complete Guide

Chateau Thenac

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

Chateau Thenac History, Overview

Chateau Thenac has a long history in the Cotes de Bergerac appellation. In fact, the estate was created on the ruins of an ancient, dilapidated, Benedictine Priory built by monks at the start of the 12th century.

The estate takes its name from the local commune where it’s situated, Thenac. However, the modern era for Chateau Thenac begins when the property was purchased by Eugene Shvidler in 2001. Eugene Shvidler made his fortune in the oil industry in his native Russia.

Chateau Thenac is located just east of Bordeaux in the Bergerac area of Southwest France. If you’re a fan of truffles, you’re in luck as Chateau Thenac is placed in the center of the Perigord region, which is famous for French, black truffles.

Chateau Thenac is a beautiful estate. Not only is the chateau stunning, but the perfectly manicured grounds, rolling, verdant hills, lakes and wildlife are something to see.

Chateau Thenac Vineyards, Terroir, Grapes, Winemaking

The massive 200-hectare estate of Chateau Thenac has 45 hectares under vine. For the red wine, 33 hectares of the vineyards are planted to 65% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and 10% Malbec.

12 hectares of vines are reserved for the white wine grape varietals, which are planted to 70% Sauvignon Blanc, 20% Semillon, and 10% Muscadelle.

The vineyard is planted to a vine density of 5,000 vines per hectare. The vines are on average, 25 years of age. The vineyard has a terroir of clay and limestone soils. The vineyards are planted for the production of both red and white wine.

To produce the red wine of Chateau Thenac, vinification takes place in stainless steel vats. Malolactic fermentation takes place in the tank. The wine is aged in 60% new, French oak barrels for 12 months. The average annual production is close to 3,800 cases of wine per year.

To produce the white wine of Chateau Thenac, vinification takes place in 100% New, French oak barrels. There is no malolactic fermentation. The wine is aged in 100% new, French oak barrels for 8 months. On average, the production is close to 1,000 cases of wine per vintage.

The wine-making and vineyard management was consulted by Denis Durantou, the owner of Chateau LEglise Clinet in Pomerol. He was replaced by Hubert de Bouard starting with the 2017 vintage.

Chateau Thenac also produces sweet, white wine and there is a second wine, Fleur de Thenac. The total production of Chateau Thenac is 16,000 cases of wine per year.

The best vintages of Chateau Thenac are: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2012, 2010 and 2009.

When to Drink Chateau Thenac, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time

Chateau Thenac is much better with at least 2-3 years of aging in good vintages. Young vintages can be decanted for 1 hour, allowing the wine to soften and open its perfume.

Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment. Chateau Thenac offers its best drinking and should reach peak maturity between 3-8 years of age after the vintage.

Serving Chateau Thenac with Wine, Food, Pairing Tips

The red wine of Chateau Thenac is best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift.

Chateau Thenac is best paired with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted braised, and grilled dishes. Chateau Thenac is also good when matched with Asian dishes, rich fish courses like tuna, mushrooms, and pasta.

The white wine of Chateau Thenac is best served with all types of fresh, seafood, shellfish, chicken, and veal.

www.chateau-thenac.com

Château Thenac Wine Tasting Notes

14 Vintages 22,513 Views Sort by Vintage-Rating

2020
88
Bright lemons, crisp green apples, honeysuckle and pears are found on the nose and on the sweet, fresh, creamy palate. You can enjoy this over the next few years. 88 Pts

Bright lemons, crisp green apples, honeysuckle and pears are found on the nose and on the sweet, fresh, creamy palate. You can enjoy this over the next few years. 88 Pts

1,701 Views   Tasted
2020
87
Forward, fruity, medium-bodied and chewy, with a nice core of sweet, ripe, crisp red fruits and savory accents. 86-88 Pts

Forward, fruity, medium-bodied and chewy, with a nice core of sweet, ripe, crisp red fruits and savory accents. 86-88 Pts

1,828 Views   Tasted
2019
85
Smoky, with licorice, underbrush, green olive and red fruit on the nose and medium-bodied, earthy palate in this classically styled wine. 84-86 Pts

Smoky, with licorice, underbrush, green olive and red fruit on the nose and medium-bodied, earthy palate in this classically styled wine. 84-86 Pts

2,063 Views   Tasted
2019
85
Light, fresh, yellow fruited, citrus oriented wine with a tangy grapefruit finish. 85 Pts

Light, fresh, yellow fruited, citrus oriented wine with a tangy grapefruit finish. 85 Pts

1,909 Views   Tasted
2018
85
Medium-bodied, earthy, mineral-driven, red pit fruit-filled wine with a lean, stony character that will please some people more than others. 84-86 Pts

Medium-bodied, earthy, mineral-driven, red pit fruit-filled wine with a lean, stony character that will please some people more than others. 84-86 Pts

1,415 Views   Tasted
2017
85
Medium bodied, bright, crisp red fruits with an edge of dark chocolate, herbs and underbrush, this is the debut vintage for Hubert de Bouard as the consultant for Thenac.

Medium bodied, bright, crisp red fruits with an edge of dark chocolate, herbs and underbrush, this is the debut vintage for Hubert de Bouard as the consultant for Thenac.

1,687 Views   Tasted
2014
87
The wine is fresh, bright, crisp and offers red fruits, a medium body and an open, earthy, spicy personality. 86-88 Pts

The wine is fresh, bright, crisp and offers red fruits, a medium body and an open, earthy, spicy personality. 86-88 Pts

1,436 Views   Tasted
2014
83
Fresh citrus on the nose, with a sharp, crisp, tangy, medium bodied, grapefruit finish.

Fresh citrus on the nose, with a sharp, crisp, tangy, medium bodied, grapefruit finish.

1,304 Views   Tasted
2013
86
A new project consulted by Denis Durantou of L’Eglise Clinet, the aromas pop with vanilla, black raspberry and forest floor scents. There is good fruit here, with some depth, but the peppery, red berry finish feels dry in the end notes. 86-87 Pts

A new project consulted by Denis Durantou of L’Eglise Clinet, the aromas pop with vanilla, black raspberry and forest floor scents. There is good fruit here, with some depth, but the peppery, red berry finish feels dry in the end notes. 86-87 Pts

1,387 Views   Tasted
2013
85
Floral, honeydew, white peach and orange rind on the nose. With a light, honeydew and sharp, tart, crisp, lemon finish.

Floral, honeydew, white peach and orange rind on the nose. With a light, honeydew and sharp, tart, crisp, lemon finish.

1,422 Views   Tasted
2012
85
Earth, fresh ground coffee bean and cherry girotte in the nose. Medium bodied and just starting to soften on the palate, with a spicy, fresh, red berry finish.

Earth, fresh ground coffee bean and cherry girotte in the nose. Medium bodied and just starting to soften on the palate, with a spicy, fresh, red berry finish.

1,472 Views   Tasted
2009
86
Mushroom and black raspberry on the nose, with roundness to the tannins and a medium bodied, dusty, black cherry finish.

Mushroom and black raspberry on the nose, with roundness to the tannins and a medium bodied, dusty, black cherry finish.

2,189 Views   Tasted
2008
84
Herbs, mushroom, red fruits and musty, forest floor scents on the nose, with a bright, crisp, medium bodied, dusty, cherry finish.

Herbs, mushroom, red fruits and musty, forest floor scents on the nose, with a bright, crisp, medium bodied, dusty, cherry finish.

1,300 Views   Tasted
2005
84
Already fully mature, the nose is all about the earthy, red fruits. Medium bodied, with a tangy, bright, fresh, red berry finish.

Already fully mature, the nose is all about the earthy, red fruits. Medium bodied, with a tangy, bright, fresh, red berry finish.

1,400 Views   Tasted