Wine Advisor
Grand Village 2016
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Lisa Perrotti-Brown
Made of 86% Merlot and 14% Cabernet Franc, the medium to deep garnet-purple colored 2016 Grand Village bursts out of the glass with exuberant black cherries, crushed blueberries and boysenberry notes with hints of redcurrants, pencil lead, Sichuan pepper and spearmint. The medium to full-bodied palate explodes with energy, offering layers of blue and black fruits with loads of spicy sparks and a very plush frame, finishing long and vibrant.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 2016 Chateau Grand Village, Mouillac (the second smallest village in Bordeaux—fact!) is a blend of 86% Merlot and 14% Cabernet Franc picked 3 October and on 18 October, respectively. The bouquet is open and expressive with scents of mulberry and black plums, with the oak nicely integrated. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannin, a fine line of acidity, displaying more ripeness than the 2015 last year with a tang of spice on the finish. This represents a more sophisticated Grand Village from the Guinaudeau family.
Reviewed by: Yohan Castaing
Very classic, the 2016 Grand Village offers up a fruity, fresh bouquet with elegant aromas of dark berries, spices, plums and flowers, all framed by menthol hints. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, fleshy and juicy, suave and sappy with structuring tannins and bright acids that bring an ethereal finish.
About the Producer
Founded in 1650 by Jacques Verdery, a direct ancestor of the Guinaudeau family, Château Grand Village is the birthplace of the family of vignerons. Grand Village is located just north of the Fronsac appellation, in the small commune of Mouillac. Grand Village is used as the home base for Jacques and Sylvie Guinaudeau and their family. The vineyards of Chateau Grand Village have remained in the hands of the same family since the 17th century. So, the vineyards for Chateau Grand Village were worked in a classic Bordeaux wine, vine-growing manner. In 2000, the Guinaudeau family, who have been in charge of Chateau Lafleur in Pomerol since 1985 began producing the wines of Grand Village. They switched to managing the vineyards of Chateau Grand Village in the same manner as they do at Chateau Lafleur in Pomerol. The vinification techniques began to mirror what they were doing in Pomerol as well, which improved the quality of wines being produced at Grand Village. Chateau Grand Village Vineyards, Terroir, Grapes, Winemaking The 17 hectare Right Bank vineyard of Grand Village is planted to red and white wine grape varietals. For the red wines, 14 hectares of vines were replanted to 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. The Cabernet Franc comes from clones planted at Chateau Lafleur. For the white Bordeaux wines, 3 hectares of vines are planted to 75% Sauvignon Blanc and 25% Semillon. The terroir is similar to what you can find in St. Emilion with its mix of clay, limestone, and gravel. Chateau Grand Village uses many of the same vineyard farming techniques employed at their more famous estate, Chateau Lafleur in Pomerol. They practice pruning and de-budding adapted to each vine plant, crop thinning in summer, and de-leafing. The grapes are picked by hand. This is followed by very careful sorting and selection. Chateau Grand Village is vinified in traditional cement vats and is aged 30% new, French oak barrels for an average of 12 months before bottling. New oak barrels are sent to Chateau Lafleur, where they are used for the aging of the Grand Vin and Pensees de Lafleur. On average, the production of Chateau Grand Village is close to 5,500 cases of wine per year.
