Château Larrivet Haut-Brion 2021

A rich and smooth Pessac-Léognan red wine

The estate

Enjoying a beautiful location in the Pessac-Léognan appellation, Château Larrivet Haut-Brion is a prestigious estate that truly beams in the south of Bordeaux. Owned by the Gervoson family since 1987, the estate has earned its reputation. The entire Gervoson family strives, with passion and enthusiasm, to produce elegant wines with a great character.

The vineyard

Château Larrivet Haut-Brion is a Pessac-Léognan wine that stems from a vineyard that has gone from 17 hectares of vines in 1987 to 75 hectares in just a few years, following the acquisition of new vine plots and new plantations.

The 2021 vintage stems from a 61-hectare vineyard. The vines are 35 years old on average and are planted on deep gravel with a clay soil.

The vintage

A mild winter preceded a cold spring marked by an episode of frost (7th and 8th of April) which mainly affected the Merlot variety. The rainfall at the beginning of May was offset by the end of the month when the hot, dry conditions favoured an even flowering period. The stormy and unstable weather from mid-June to mid-August gave way to a dry end of August. The harvest took place from September 27th to October 15th.

Vinification and ageing

The grapes were harvested by hand in small crates and then rigorously sorted on a table before being destemmed. The vinification was adapted to this vintage, with punching of the cap starting at the beginning of the maceration until mid-fermentation, to favour an optimal extraction of colours and tannins. Slight pumping over is carried out during the second part of fermentation. Post-fermentation maceration for 10 to 12 days to refine the tannic structure. The wine is aged in new barrels and second fill barrels.

The blend

Cabernet Sauvignon (81%)

Cabernet Franc (19%).

Château Larrivet Haut-Brion 2021: Characteristics and tasting tips

The tasting

Colour

Bright, intense ruby colour.

Nose

Fresh and precise, the nose elegantly blends black fruit (crushed blackcurrant) and liquorice fragrances with notes of green pepper and menthol.

Palate

Vibrant and well-balanced, this wine seduces the palate with its precision, its velvety tannins and its length.