• Baron Edmond de Rothschild - FRANCIA Medoc, Saint Emilion, Moulis-en-Médoc

Baron Edmond de Rothschild - FRANCIA Medoc, Saint Emilion, Moulis-en-Médoc

The wine culture of the "French branch" of the Rothschild family dates back to 1868, when James de Rothschild bought the infamous Château Lafite. After more than a century of family history connected to the world of wine, Baron Edmond de Rothschild (James's great-grandson) strengthened ties with family wine in 1973, acquiring two "Crus Bourgeois" in Listrac and Moulis en Médoc: Chateau Clarke and Chateau Malmaison. Immediately after he founded the "Baron Wine Company Edmond de Rothschild". The properties were lovingly restored and the vines were replanted. The company was modernized and grew but still maintaining a family dimension. Since then, La Compagnie Vinicole Baron Edmond de Rothschild has opened up new opportunities all over the world, beginning its adventure with the Rupert family in South Africa. Thus, from a common passion for wine, the Rupert & Rothschild Vignerons winery was born at the foot of the magnificent Simonsberg Mountain. More recently, the Baron Edmond de Rothschild Wine Company has purchased a hundred hectares of land at the foot of the Andes to produce the Flechas de Los Andes wine and participate in the "Clos de los Siete" project. Baron Benjamin Rothschild and his wife Ariane Rothschild have continued the production of quality wines with the highest standards in terms of selection of terroirs and winemaking systems. Following in the footsteps of his father, Benjamin Rothschild then acquired the splendid Château des Laurets estate in 2003 with the aim of fully exploiting the potential of the 86 hectares located between the two dominations of Puissegain Sant Emilion and the Montagne Saint-Emilion. The complete renovation of the estate has been undertaken so that it now boasts modern high-performance equipment. Château Clarke In the early 1970s, Edmond de Rothschild, who already held a stake in Château Lafite-Rothschild, decided he wanted to purchase another estate in the Médoc. The Baron was game for the challenge posed by an atypical property: Château Clarke. The estate has a rich history. Purchased in the 18th century by its namesake Irish family, Château Clarke became quite famous in the early 20th century before it was gradually forgotten. The chateau was once widely admired for the quality of its red wines, as well as for its white wines, which is rare in the region. Production of the cleverly named "Merle Blanc de Château Clarke" began around 1890. Intrigued by these details and eager to restore luster to the estate's legacy and wines, Edmond de Rothschild purchased Château Clarke in 1973. Edmond de Rothschild chose to redesign the vineyard: the existing vines were completely uprooted and replanted. This time-consuming effort, which further delayed wine production, was a big risk. The process began in 1974 and was not completed until 1979. The acquisition of the estate was accompanied by a bold show of independence: the Baron decided to market Château Clarke wines outside the Bordeaux wine selling system. In 1998, Benjamin de Rothschild took the reins of Château Clarke from his father. He launched a new series of investments which included renovating the fermentation room and calling on the expertise of oenologist Michel Rolland. PRODUCTS: Château Clarke Baron Edmond de Rothschild Listrac-Médoc 2008 The top-tier wine from Château Clarke is rich, concentrated and ripe, which is why it is now a gold standard in the southern Médoc district. Its grapes are manually harvested from low-yield plots, then sorted in the storehouse and channeled into the tanks by gravity. The wines are aged mostly in new barrels, where they mature for 14 to 18 months. Château des Laurets Until 2003, Château des Laurets was an underachieving winery. Its wine – mostly sold in bulk to Bordeaux wine sellers – did not leverage the possibilities of this exceptional terroir atop the extension of the Saint- Émilion limestone plateaus. This was the situation when Benjamin de Rothschild bought the property. A firm believer in the potential of the site and its 95 hectares, he knew that Château des Laurets could produce great wines. The Baron was also won over by the estate's visual treasures. From the magnificent 19th-century chateau with its unusual architecture and octagonal central tower to the old stables, sheep house, lake and slopes with full southern exposure that stretch out in a single band around the grounds, the Baron had plans to showcase it all. Major work began as soon as the Compagnie Vinicole acquired the property. While conditions throughout much of the vineyard made it possible to operate without changes, significant investments were made in the wine storehouses to fit the estate with modern, high-performance equipment. The fermentation room was overhauled in 2004. Smaller wood and stainless steel tanks enable vinification by plot for a quality-driven approach that has transformed the estate's wines. Yields were also reduced to improve the quality of the grapes harvested. Benjamin de Rothschild's policy was clear: the goal was no longer to sell in bulk, but to give the vineyard the means to produce great wines bottled at the estate under the winery's label. His gamble paid off: the output from Château des Laurets now ranks among the most promising young wines of Saint-Émilion. PRODUCTS: Château des Laurets Puisseguin Saint-Émilion 2013 Grapes varieties: 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc The wines made at the estate are representative of Saint-Émilion. Their blend prominently features merlot, a vine variety that makes the most of the region's clay-limestone soil. Château des Laurets, the flagship brand, dominates production but is complemented by a merlot micro-cuvée that is the quintessence of the estate: Les Laurets Baron Edmond de Rothschild. Les Laurets Baron Edmond de Rothschild Puisseguin Saint-Émilion 2011 Grapes varieties: 100% Merlot The wines made at the estate are representative of Saint-Émilion. Their blend prominently features merlot, a vine variety that makes the most of the region's clay-limestone soil. Château des Laurets, the flagship brand, dominates production but is complemented by a merlot micro-cuvée that is the quintessence of the estate: Les Laurets Baron Edmond de Rothschild. Château Malmaison Chateau Malmaison, in the Moulis-en-Médoc appellation, is one of the oldest estates in the Medoc. Grapes have been grown here, thanks to a handful of different owners and a sizeable religious community, since the Middle Ages. This property, which adjoins Chateau Clarke, was purchased by Baron de Rothschild in 1978. Thanks to his impetus, the vineyard was restored to its former glory. He named the wine after his spouse, the elegant Baroness Nadine de Rothschild, who is also passionate about gardening. The vineyard now covers 33 hectares (81.54 acres) of clay limestone soil, which is ideal for Merlot, the predominant grape variety. Chateau Malmaison allies delicacy, suppleness and elegance with a rich and fruity bouquet. PRODUCTS: Château Malmaison Moulis-en-Médoc 2012/2015 Grapes varieties: 80% Merlot; 20% Cabernet Sauvignon The grapes are put into vats via gravity flow, followed by cold soaking and fermentation in both oak and stainless steel tanks. Moderate extraction adapted to each vat by pumping over and delestage (rack and return). Aging 16 months, 30% in new barrels, 70% in second fill barrels. Deep crimson color. The nose is expressive and intense, with fresh fruit (black currant and plum) aromas, a touch of menthol, and delicate hints of oak. The wine starts out rich and full-bodied, going on to show considerable elegance and a fine balance between well-focused, velvety tannin and acidity that contributes freshness and length. Delivery in 7/10 days (subject to availability of the requested products). For requests and estimates send an email to: info@vinisoave.it