Larrivet Haut Brion

History of Château Larrivet Haut-Brion

The history of Château Larrivet Haut-Brion dates back to the 19th century. Originally named "Château de Canolle", then successively "La Rivette" and "Haut-Brion Larrivet", it took its current name in 1949, following a long legal dispute with the prestigious Château Haut-Brion. In 1987, the estate was acquired by the Gervoson family, famous in the agri-food sector, particularly for the Bonne Maman brand. With passion and rigour, the family undertook a complete renovation of the estate to restore its letters of nobility.

The arrival of Bruno Lemoine, oenologist and general manager, in 2007 marked a turning point. This expert, who had worked at Château Montrose, conducted an in-depth study of the soils and undertook the restructuring of the vineyard. With the support of the consulting oenologist Michel Rolland and later Stéphane Derenoncourt, the estate equipped itself with modern winemaking techniques and embarked on environmentally friendly practices.

Terroirs and Vineyards of Château Larrivet Haut-Brion

The 72 hectares of Château Larrivet Haut-Brion extend over gravel and sand soils, characteristic of the middle terrace of the Graves region of Bordeaux. These well-drained and exposed soils offer ideal conditions for producing wines of great elegance and finesse. The vineyard is divided into blocks, each with specific qualities that contribute to the unique expression of the estate's wines.

The estate mainly cultivates Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc grape varieties for the red wines, while Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon dominate the white grape varieties. With an average age of 30 years for the red vines and 25 years for the white vines, these vines benefit from a dense planting (7,700 vines per hectare) allowing for optimal grape quality.

To preserve biodiversity and adapt to climate challenges, Château Larrivet Haut-Brion has recently adopted agroforestry practices. This innovative concept aims to plant trees between the rows of vines to create a protective microclimate and natural ecological corridors. For example, Paulownia, known for its rapid growth and drought resistance, is used to improve the resilience of the plots to high temperatures.

Winemaking at Château Larrivet Haut-Brion

Winemaking at Château Larrivet Haut-Brion is meticulously orchestrated to respect the identity of each plot while enhancing the aromatic potential of the terroir. The red wines are vinified by plot in temperature-controlled concrete vats, allowing optimal control of fermentation temperatures. Maceration lasts between four and five weeks, with regular punching down to extract the best tannins and aromas. The ageing of the red wines lasts between 14 and 18 months, with one-third in new French oak barrels, adding structure and complexity to the wines.

For the white wines, the vinification is 50% in new French oak barrels, 20% in concrete eggs, and 30% in small 25-hectolitre wooden vats. These processes help to preserve the freshness and aromatic brilliance of the white grape varieties while adding an elegant texture. The white wines are aged for 10 to 11 months with regular batonnage to enrich their complexity.

The Cuvées of Château Larrivet Haut-Brion

Château Larrivet Haut-Brion offers a range of cuvées that combine finesse, character and diversity, which are fully expressed in each bottle.

Château Larrivet Haut-Brion Red

Château Larrivet Haut-Brion's Grand Vin Red is a deep, intense garnet-red colour, revealing a richly aromatic nose combining notes of ripe black fruit, roasting and vanilla, brought out by careful ageing in French oak barrels. On the palate, this wine has a silky attack and a velvety density that evolves harmoniously, giving way to smooth, elegant tannins. Its powerful structure is perfectly balanced by a fine finesse, and its long finish makes it a wine for laying down, promising to evolve beautifully over the years. This red is an essential choice for those seeking the intensity and depth of the Pessac-Léognan grands crus.

Château Larrivet Haut-Brion White

Château Larrivet Haut-Brion White is a luminous pale yellow colour with golden highlights. From the very first nose, it reveals a complex bouquet where aromas of mandarin orange, lemon and pineapple blend with hints of wood and vanilla, the result of carefully balanced vinification using new French oak barrels, concrete eggs and small wooden vats. The palate is full-bodied, rich and well-balanced, expressing both liveliness and roundness. This seductive white wine has an elegant, woody finish and is ideal for those looking for a wine that is both fine and generous, perfect to accompany refined dishes or to enjoy on its own.

These two cuvées, Red and White, perfectly embody the identity of Château Larrivet Haut-Brion, combining the tradition of the Pessac-Léognan terroir with a subtle modernity.

The vintages of Graves and Pessac-Léognan, two Bordeaux appellations, stand out for their consistent quality. The years 1975, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989 and 1990 are particularly prized for their finesse and balance. The vintages 1998, 2000, 2005, 2008, 2009 and 2010 are equally remarkable for their structure and ageing potential. More recently, the vintages 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 confirm this continuing excellence, with wines offering both elegance and longevity.

Explore all the Grands Crus Classés de Graves, an appellation renowned for the diversity and quality of its wines. At the top of the list, the First Growth of 1855, Château Haut-Brion of Pessac-Léognan, is a historical reference. For red andwhite wines, estates such as Château Bouscaut, Château Carbonnieux, Château Malartic-Lagravière, Château Olivier, Château Latour-Martillac and Domaine de Chevalier offer interesting cuvées. For reds, you can discover the wines of Château Fieuzal, Château Haut-Bailly, Château Latour Haut-Brion, Château La Mission Haut-Brion, Château Pape-Clément and Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte. White wine enthusiasts can turn to the productions of Château Couhins, Château Couhins Lurton and Château Laville Haut-Brion. These estates offer you a wide range of wines to discover in the heart of the Graves region.

Château Larrivet Haut-Brion is much more than a winery; it is a human adventure and a quest for perfection, where every detail counts. From vine to bottle, the Larrivet Haut-Brion team is committed to producing wines of exceptional quality, reflecting the ancestral know-how and values of respect for the terroir. Whether for a great growth for ageing or a cuvée to be enjoyed younger, the wines of Château Larrivet Haut-Brion represent the best of the Pessac-Léognan appellation.