L'Hetre 2016

There are few families that are in the top echelon of every wine category they own.  When it comes to Bordeaux's Right Bank, the Thienpont family is one to reckon with!  Since their marriage in 1997, Jacques & Fiona (MW in 1994) have been dividing their time among their three estates: Le Pin (Pomerol) , l'IF (St Emilion) and now l'Hêtre, formerly known as Château Goubau (Côtes de Castillon).  The iconic Le Pin retails for thousands of dollars a bottle every vintage.  Fortunately, the winemakers offer the market a delight with Château Goubau.  2015 will be the last year when Château Goubau is known by this name. Given the family's passion for naming their wine after trees, pine (Le Pin), yew (l'If), starting with 2016, this wine will be renamed after beech tree, thus l'Hêtre. With 2015 having proven its "super vintage" status for Bordeaux productions, Château Goubau is a wine for the true connoisseurs who venture outside the pricey classified growths. Treat yourself and friends to a blind tasting of this wine, you won't be able to tell its amazingly advantageous price point. This is a fantastic wine we won't hesitate to recommend to every level of wine drinkers.

 "The first release from the new property bought by Jacques Thienpont and his sister in 2016. It is perched on the end of the limestone plateau and has stunning views. Previously owned by and named after a Belgian family called Goubau. The 10 hectares of organically farmed vines are surrounded by woods and pastures. At 100 m on the St-Philippe d'Aiguilhe plateau, the highest point in Bordeaux. In 2017 they bought the adjoining property, Ch Montagne, with 25 ha, of which 6 ha are planted. Nephew Maxime Thienpont is the winemaker. The vineyards face south-east and are on the limestone plateau or on limestone, clay and chalk slopes. 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc fermented in concrete and oak vats and aged 15 months in French oak barrels, including one-third new." Tasting Note: "Very dark crimson, almost black at the core but bright at the rim. This smells richer, sweeter and more intense than the second wine La Raison d'Hêtre. Rich in blackcurrant fruit with a savoury dark glow to make it more than just fruit. Just a touch of smoky char even though the oak is well in the background, a seductive fruit sweetness. On the palate, this is beautifully balanced, the alcohol perfectly integrated in the tannic structure and fruit core with a fresh tang that runs through the middle. There's a cool fluidity to it even with its depth and length. Fine, dry, lingering and savoury aftertaste. Impressive first vintage with a promising future in the bottle. I opened this on a Sunday evening and it was still tasting fresh and vibrant four days later. This is a very classy wine, and the tannins tell you everything: fine, definite, building in the mouth but in perfect balance with the fruit and freshness. Blue-blooded Castillon. Catch it while you can. (JH)" - Julia Harding , Jancisrobinson.com, Rating: 17+, Drink: 2020-2030