Château Larrivet-Haut-Brion

Since 1840 –the year in which the Château was first mentioned among the first growths of Pessac-Léognan – till today, the fame of Château Larrivet Haut-Brion has continued growing.  Called at various times Château de Canolle, La Rivette, and Château Brion-Larrivet, the estate was renamed Château Haut-Brion Larrivet by the owner Ernest Laurent (a Bordeaux négociant) in 1874.

In 1893, the estate was acquired by the Bordeaux ship owners, Les Fils de Théodor Conseil, who enlarged the vineyards to some 50 hectares.

Wine production was almost non-existent during the depression of the 1930s, at which time many vines were uprooted.

The property was given its current name, Château Larrivet Haut-Brion, in 1929 by Jacques Guillemaud (owner since 1941). Devoted and hard-working, he conscientiously managed the estate until 1982.

In 1987, Château Larrivet Haut-Brion was acquired by the Gervoson family, who set about recreating the grandeur of the Chateau. Currently, the Château is comprised of 17 hectares of vineyards, a wooded park of 13 hectares and other notable attributes, giving the Château an undisputed potential. In keeping with their dedication and attention to detail, Philippe and Christine Gervoson have succeeded in reestablishing the unity of the estate.

In just a few years, the area under vine has reached 72.5 hectares (11.5 hectares of white wine grapes and 61 of red) thanks to newly-planted plots and the purchase of neighboring vineyards. Assisted by a motivated and dedicated winemaking team, the owners continue to modernize infrastructures, reorganize the vineyards (based on a detailed soil survey), and make quality wines with a unique personality and characteristic elegance.

Availing the estate of his considerable expertise and ambitions, Bruno Lemoine took over his functions as Managing Director and Winemaker at Larrivet Haut-Brion in 2007. A respect for tradition and the important role played by women are part Château Larrivet Haut-Brion’s identity.

The team grew in 2009 to include Emilie Gervoson, one of the château owner’s three daughters, who represents a new epicurean generation anxious to be as professional as possible in all aspects of winemaking.

Production Area: 75 hectares

Soil: Typical of the Graves de Bordeaux middle terrace. Very gravelly with a sand or clay matrix.  Gravelly rises with excellent sun exposure and perfect drainage.

Grape Varieties: 50% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Cabernet Franc

Average Age of the Vines: 25 years

Average Yield: 45 hectoliters/ha

Vine Density: 7,700 vines/ha​

Harvest: The grapes are handpicked into small crates.

Vinification: One third in new French oak barrels and two thirds in barrels previously used to age one or two vintages for 14 to 18 months, depending on the year.

Aging: 10-11 months with regular bâtonnage (lees stirring with a stick)

Overview: Les Demoiselles de Larrivet Haut-Brion is the second wine of Château Larrivet-Haut-Brion. This wine is produced from an organoleptic selection favoring the roundness and fruitiness of the wine.

Production Area: 61 hectares

Soil: Deep gravel and sand overlying a clay substratum.

Average Age of the Vines: 30 years old

Grape Varieties: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon

Vinification: In small, temperature-controlled concrete vats using gravity-flow for filling. Regular punching down of the cap of skins, and long macerations (4 to 5 weeks).

Aging: Air-conditioned cellar. Aging in second fill French oak barrels, oak casks, and terracotta amphorae for 14 months.

Tasting Notes: Dark garnet color. The nose is fragrant with well-ripened black fruit and a light toasted note. Round and fruity on the palate, this wine is fleshy with a well-balanced woodiness.