Château Labastide Orliac : 1780 Royal Héritage 2015

Tasting characteristics and advice for the 2015 1780 Royal Héritage from Château Labastide Orliac

Tasting

Color

The wine displays a deep red hue with garnet highlights, alongside subtle orangey nuances that reflect its evolution. Its velvety appearance and richly intense pigmentation immediately signal the wine’s concentration and quality.

Nose

The nose is complex and fragrant, dominated by intense floral notes accompanied by aromas of red and black fruits, cherry and preserves. With aeration, the bouquet develops toward more sophisticated scents of truffle, tobacco and dried violet, with touches of chocolate, anise, vanilla and leather.

Palate

The palate charms with its silky, velvety texture, offering a medium- to full-bodied frame. Flavors of red fruits in preserves—especially raspberry and blackberry—lead the attack, supported by spicy notes, licorice and well-integrated oak. The tannins, firm yet remarkably silky and powder-fine, shape the whole without aggression. A lovely freshness persists throughout the tasting. The finish stretches out at length with peppery and oaky impressions.

Food and wine pairing

This wine pairs ideally with grilled or roasted red meats, especially beef and game such as venison. It also elegantly accompanies slow-cooked dishes such as beef bourguignon, pigeon, or offal-based recipes. Enthusiasts will also enjoy pairing it with an eggplant curry, a moussaka, or characterful cheeses such as Maroilles, Époisses, Livarot, aged Mimolette or Parmesan. For the more daring, a dark chocolate dessert makes for a surprising match.

Serving and cellaring

The 2015 1780 Royal Héritage is best served at 18°C. Aeration for around thirty minutes to one hour, by decanting or in the glass, allows the wine to fully reveal its aromatic complexity. This vintage can be enjoyed now and through around 2028, or even beyond depending on storage conditions.

A Brulhois wine with a prestigious royal heritage

The estate

Château Labastide Orliac is a South-Western estate, created in 2007 when sisters Catherine and Isabelle Orliac rediscovered an ordinance from Louis XVI attesting that its wines were served at court. The estate covers around 10 hectares on the right bank of the Garonne, between Agen and Moissac. The terroir is based on clay-limestone soils, comparable to Pomerol and Saint-Émilion.

The vineyard

The 1780 Royal Héritage vineyard enjoys an exceptional setting on the right bank of the Garonne, within the Brulhois appellation. This unique location gives the estate clay-limestone soils comparable to those of Pomerol and Saint-Émilion. Limestone brings finesse and minerality, while clay ensures optimal water balance. The region’s continental climate allows the grape varieties, especially tannat, to reach full phenolic ripeness, developing substantial yet elegant tannins.

The vintage

The 2015 vintage ranks among the great years for wine production. Exceptional weather conditions encouraged the development of grapes of remarkable quality, delivering concentration, balance and aromatic complexity.

Winemaking and aging

The 2015 1780 Royal Héritage is crafted using traditional methods that highlight the expression of the terroir. Manual harvesting ensures rigorous berry selection. Vinification follows the principles of controlled extraction, allowing the tannins to develop harmoniously. Aging in oak barrels brings subtle notes of vanilla and toast without masking the character of the fruit and the terroir.

Grape varieties

Tannat, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon