Château BOLAIRE - Double Magnum 2016
Château Bolaire is a property with a unique profile in the Bordeaux landscape, recognized for its bold choice to highlight Petit Verdot, a grape variety long considered secondary but which here expresses a remarkable personality. Located in the south of Médoc, the estate benefits from soils mixing fine gravel, clay, and deep silts, terroirs capable of bringing both slow ripening, aromatic power, and freshness. The vineyard is subject to precise work, favoring low yields and a constant search for optimal ripeness, essential to master this late and demanding grape variety. The 2016 vintage, of exceptional quality throughout Bordeaux, allows the estate to reveal all the floral richness, depth, and tannic density typical of Petit Verdot. Presented here in double magnum, the wine benefits from an ideal format for extended aging and slower evolution, offering increased complexity over the years.
Château Bolaire Double Magnum 2016 is made according to an atypical and distinctive blend, dominated by about 55% Petit Verdot, complemented by 35% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. This high proportion of Petit Verdot gives the wine its deep color, unique aromatic expression, and solid yet elegant structure. The harvest is done manually or by selected plots to pick perfectly ripe berries, an essential condition to enhance such a concentrated grape variety. Vinification in temperature-controlled tanks aims to preserve the brightness of the fruit and aromatic precision, while aging in French oak barrels refines the texture and brings spicy and lightly toasted nuances. The 2016 vintage proves particularly favorable, offering velvety tannins, just acidity, and rare depth. In double magnum, this cuvée gains in aging potential, freshness, and aromatic complexity, the large format ideally preserving the youthfulness of the wine.
On tasting, Château Bolaire Double Magnum 2016 shows a dark, purple, almost opaque robe, revealing the concentration of Petit Verdot. The nose expresses itself intensely with aromas of violet, blackcurrant, wild blackberry, and black cherry, enriched by hints of black pepper, licorice, and finely integrated oak. On the palate, the attack is ample and structured, with a tight yet refined texture confirming the great maturity of the tannins. The fruit remains dominant, juicy and vibrant, supported by remarkable freshness that lengthens the aromatic persistence. The finish is long, precise, marked by notes of sweet spices, cocoa, and graphite, suggesting an evolution potential of several decades. Ideal at the table, this double magnum perfectly accompanies a matured rib steak, duck confit, game stew, roasted lamb, or a hard-ripened cheese.
Grape varieties: 55% Petit Verdot, 35% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon.
