Chateau Lestage 2015, Listrac Medoc Cru Bourgeois

Chateau Lestage 2015 is bottled as a Listrac Medoc Cru Bourgeois. It is produced by the Chanfreau family in the Listrac wine-growing region of Bordeaux.

The property has been owned by the Chanfreau family since 1963. It consists of a single block of 42 hectares of vineyards (they also own 9 hectares in Moulis en Medoc where they make sister wine, Chateau Caroline). Chateau Lestage was originally classified as a Cru Bourgeois Superieur way back in 1932 but this classification has been discontinued and, since the Sélection Officielle 2010 Crus Bourgeois du Médoc, it has been classified as a Cru Bourgeois.

The vineyards of Chateau Lestage are located at the highest point in the Medoc, the Puy de Menjon, at an altitude of 43m. The Chateau itself, located amidst the vineyards, was built in 1870. Chateau Lestage shares a remarkable terroir with its neighbour Chateau Fonreaud consisting of gravel soils on the plateau with clay-limestone and marl on the slopes – perfect for Merlot. The vineyards are tended using sustainable methods with the greatest respect for the vines and their environment. During the harvest, different parcels of grapes are selected and vinified separately. After a gentle crushing and de-stemming, the grape must is vinified in small, temperature-controlled vats which allows maximum control over the vinification. The wine is aged for 12 months in oak barrels, a third of which are renewed each vintage. The parcels are finally blended prior to bottling.

The blend for Chateau Lestage 2015 is 62% Merlot, 37% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Petit Verdot.

Approximately 190,000 bottles per vintage are produced.

Where is the Listrac-Medoc Appellation?

The Listrac appellation is located on the Left Bank of the Gironde estuary, south of the Medoc and north of Saint-Emilion. It lies just inland from the coastal town of Arcachon. The soils here are generally sandy, gravelly soils known as calcareous sand. This well-drained soil is ideal for vine growth. As it is closer to the coast, Listrac has a maritime-influenced climate with mild temperatures. The risk of frost is lower than other Médoc regions.