Château BOLAIRE 2016
Château Bolaire holds a unique place in the Bordeaux landscape thanks to a rare identity: that of an estate that has chosen to highlight a forgotten grape variety, Petit Verdot, making it the signature of its wine. Located south of Médoc, a few kilometers from Macau and Ludon, the vineyard thrives on fine gravel and deep clay soils that provide freshness, drainage, and slow ripening. For several decades, the château has been committed to crafting wines that combine concentration, elegance, and character through meticulous vineyard work and a measured winemaking approach. The 2016 vintage, among the most accomplished of the decade, benefits from exceptional weather conditions offering complete ripeness and very fine tannins. Château Bolaire 2016 thus stands out for its aromatic depth, balanced structure, and the unique personality conferred by its blend with a very high proportion of Petit Verdot.
Château Bolaire 2016 comes from an atypical blend for Bordeaux, dominated by about 55% Petit Verdot, complemented by 35% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, proportions that vary slightly according to the cuvées but remain faithful to the spirit of the estate. The harvest, carried out with precision, allows for picking perfectly ripe grapes, essential to enhance a naturally late and demanding grape variety like Petit Verdot. Vinification in temperature-controlled tanks aims to preserve the aromatic freshness and deep color of the wine, while aging in oak barrels adds structure, spices, and complexity without ever overpowering the fruit. The 2016 vintage proves particularly favorable to Petit Verdot, which here expresses all its floral richness, tannic intensity, and controlled power. The whole gives birth to a distinctive, elegant wine perfectly built for aging.
On tasting, Château Bolaire 2016 reveals a deep purple robe with violet reflections. The nose is charming with an expressive bouquet of violet, wild blackberry, blackcurrant, and black cherry, enriched with notes of sweet spices, black pepper, and a slight melted oak. On the palate, the attack is ample, structured, supported by fine but present tannins, characteristic of ripe Petit Verdot. The mid-palate opens onto dense fruit, a salivating tension, and a beautiful length sustained by fresh acidity. The finish, long and precise, reveals touches of licorice, graphite, and cocoa, a sign of the vintage’s depth. This 2016 pairs ideally with roasted duck breast, grilled ribeye steak, wild boar stew, prune tagine, or a well-aged hard cheese.
Grape varieties: 55% Petit Verdot, 35% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon.
