Learn everything about Chateau Thieuley Bordeaux Superieur 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 Thieuley History, Overview
While Chateau Thieuley has been an established vineyard for quite a while, the modern era for the large estate begins in 1950, when it was purchased by Andre Courselle. In 1972, his son, Francis Courselle took over managing the estate.
He was followed in turn by his two daughters, Sylvie Courselle and Marie Courselle, who own and are responsible for managing Chateau Thieuley today. The Courselle sisters share responsibilities with Sylvie Courselle running the business side of the estate while Marie Courselle looks after the wine making and vineyard management for the estate.
Chateau Thieuley has certainly changed dramatically since it was first purchased in 1950. At the time, only 6 hectares were under vine. The estate is now a massive 83 hectare vineyard. Today, the produce both red and white wine, but that was not always the case at Chateau Thieuley. In fact, they only began planting red wine grape varieties for the first time to their vineyards in 1972.
Chateau Thieuley Vineyards, Terroir, Grapes, Winemaking
The 83 hectare vineyard is planted for both red wine and white wine grapes. 42 hectares of vines are planted to 70% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot.
For the white wine grape varieties, the vineyard is planted to 45% Sauvignon Blanc, 40% Semillon, 35% Sauvignon Blanc and 15% Sauvignon Gris.
The vineyard of Chateau Thieuley has a terroir of mostly clay, limestone and gravel soils. The vineyard is planted to a vine density of 5,500 vines per hectare, although younger plantings are now taking place at 6,000 vines per hectare. The vineyards are machine harvested.
Vineyard management at Chateau Thieuley is mostly is mostly organic, with self-sustaining, safe environmental practices. They are Terra Vitis certified.
Chateau Thieuley produces different white Bordeaux wines that are either sold as an Entre Deux Mers or Bordeaux AOC Blanc. The standard white wine, Chateau Thieuley Blanc is vinified and aged in stainless vats.
Their top level white wine, Cuvee Francis Courselle Blanc is a blend of 50% Semillon and 50% Sauvignon Blanc. The wine is barrel fermented and then aged in barrel, on its lees for 9 months before bottling. The production averages 3,000 cases per year.
Chateau Thieuley produces several red Bordeaux wines, which are sold as either Bordeaux Superieur or Bordeaux AOC wines. Their top red wine is made from a selection of their their best parcels, Chateau Thieuley Reserve Francis Courselle is produced from 80% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon.
The wine is vinified in stainless steel vats. Malolactic fermentation takes place in tank. The wine is then aged in 50% new, French oak barrels. They also produce Chateau Thieuley Heritage de Thieuley which is made from a blend of 70% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. Their entry level red wine is Chateau Thieuley.
The best vintages of Chateau Thieuley are: 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2012, 2010, 2009 and 2005.
When to Drink Chateau Thieuley, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time
Chateau Thieuley is much better with at least 1-3 years of aging in good vintages. Young vintages can be decanted for up to 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 Thieuley offers its best drinking and should reach peak maturity between 3-8 years of age after the vintage.
Serving Chateau Thieuley with Wine, Food, Pairing Tips
The red wine of Chateau Thieuley is best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift. Young vintages can be decanted for up to 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 Thieuley is best paired with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised and grilled dishes. Chateau Thieuley is also good when matched with Asian dishes, rich fish courses like tuna, mushrooms and pasta.
The white Bordeaux wine of Chateau Thieuley is best paired with all types of fish, seafood, shellfish, sushi and sashimi, as well as with cheese courses.
At Chateau Thieuley they also produce Cremant de Thieulloy, a sparkling white Bordeaux wine from the Cremant de Bordeaux appellation. Additionally, the Courselle family makes two other wines, Clos Sainte Anne, which is a Merlot dominated blend from the Cotes de Bordeaux and a sweet white Bordeaux wine from the Cadillac appellation, which is also called Clos Sainte Anne.
Chateau Thieuley on average, produces close to 45,000 cases of wine per year.
Château Thieuley Wine Tasting Notes
11 Vintages 20,743 Views Sort by Vintage-Rating
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2022
Château Thieuley (Bordeaux)
Medium-bodied, and forward, with soft-textured, bright red berries that will be at its best for early drinking pleasure. Drink from 2025-2028. 87-89 Pts. 2,019 Views Tasted May 8, 2023 |
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2018
Château Thieuley Blanc (Bordeaux)
Light, bright, fresh, mildly tropical yellow fruit and citrus-filled wine that requires consumption in the next year or 2. 1,807 Views Tasted Sep 1, 2021 |
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2017
Château Thieuley (Bordeaux)
A light, fruity, red berry-filled charmer perfect for uncomplicated, early drinking. 1,756 Views Tasted Apr 26, 2018 |
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2016
Château Thieuley (Bordeaux)
Serious crowd pleaser here, with supple fruits, medium body and some minerality to the soft, red fruits on the palate. This will drink well young. 2,700 Views Tasted Apr 29, 2017 |
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2016
Château Thieuley Cuvée Francis Courselle Blanc Sec (Bordeaux)
Easy drinking, light, refreshing character, with a focus on its yellow citrus personality. This will drink best on release and its youth. 1,317 Views Tasted Apr 29, 2017 |
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2015
Château Thieuley Réserve Francis Courselle (Bordeaux Supérieur)
Easy going, Merlot dominated, crowd pleasing drinker. 1,341 Views Tasted Apr 29, 2016 |
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2014
Château Thieuley Cuvée Francis Courselle Blanc Sec (Bordeaux)
Not a wine for holding, but if you're looking for an easy to like, grapefruit and lemon peel, green apple and flowery wine, with a blast of fresh acidity in the finish, that does not require a lot of thought, this is a fine choice. 1,583 Views Tasted Dec 10, 2017 |
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2012
Château Thieuley Réserve Francis Courselle (Bordeaux Supérieur)
Forward, already developed, easy drinking, crowd pleasing styled of wine with a sweet, albeit, slightly simply, dark cherry core of fruit. 2,441 Views Tasted Mar 4, 2017 |
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2012
Château Thieuley Cuvée Francis Courselle Blanc Sec (Bordeaux)
Light, early drinking white with a fresh, lemony, grapefruit character, made for consumption on the young side. 1,848 Views Tasted Oct 19, 2015 |
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2010
Château Thieuley Réserve Francis Courselle (Bordeaux Supérieur)
Once past the oak, and there is a lot of oak to get past, the fruit is ripe, the round textured, chocolate and black cherry character make for a fun, easy to drink, crowd pleasing, Merlot dominated style of wine. This is not a wine to lay down, it's made for early drinking pleasure. 1,605 Views Tasted Oct 19, 2015 |
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2009
Château Thieuley (Bordeaux)
East to like and even easier to drink, this soft, sweet, medium bodied, fruity wine delivers a lot of bang for the buck, with its elegant, soft charm. This is a really solid example of a well made, uncomplicated, Bordeaux value wine. It's not a wine for aging, so if you have a bottle or two, drink up. 2,326 Views Tasted Dec 1, 2015 |
