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53 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 45 % Merlot, 2 % Cabernet Franc
Gold Medal CWSA
Gold Medal Concours General Agricole Paris
Gold Medal Concours de Bordeaux
Gold Medal Berliner Wein trophy
Gold Medal Challenge International du Vin
94/100 Chris Kissack - The Wine Doctor
93/100 Decanter World Wine Awards
92/100 Falstaff
91/100 Bettane+Desseauve
Best Buy Northern Médoc: Steven Brook, Decanter
Originally built in the 17th century, Château Loudenne is one of the oldest Cru Bourgeois and is one of the first Châteaux to greet visitors as they are entering the Médoc from the Atlantic via the Gironde. Loudenne differentiates itself from the other Medoc Châteaux by the pink colour of its façade and is affectionately known as “The Pink Château.”
The Château prides itself on the quality of its terroir and its 31 hectares of vineyards located on the last major gravel bank of the Haut Médoc with 2 slopes that the lead down to the Gironde river’s edge. While this area is known to be a cooler climate than the rest of the Médoc, the river acts as a mirror and reflects the warm sun onto the vineyards reducing the risk of frost and helping the grapes to ripen. The vines which average 41 years of age are planted on excellent soils comprised of gravely loams over calcareous clay. Sea breezes ensure low humidity. This privileged terroir contributes to the unique complexity and finesse of Château Loudenne.
In 2013 Kweichow Moutai, the Chinese spirits group and the world's most valuable liquor company, (surpassing Diageo as of April 2017) acquired Château Loudenne. Respectful of the estate’s remarkable history and looking to the future, Moutai completely renovated the property.
Production is overseen by oenologist Athanase Fakorellis. Double Guyot system pruning using adapted, specific treatments in the vineyard to protect against diseases in order to use less chemicals; leaf-thinning, green harvesting and grape sorting. The grapes are transferred by gravity for fermentation in thermo-regulated stainless steel and epoxy resin lined cement vats with 3 weeks on skins and regular pumping. Malolactic fermentation in barrels. Aged for 16 months in Medium-toast Bordeauc coopered barrels, 33% new.
2016 weather conditions:
The winter was warm and rainy and consequently the budburst was earlier than usual. Spring was cooler but also rainy. Afterwards from June 23rd until mid-September the summer was hot and dry. Loudenne vines didn’t suffer, thanks to the water reserves that the soil built during winter and spring, but the heat slowed down the growth of vegetation. A rainfall on September 13th revived the ripening of the grapes. From that date until the end of October, the weather was dry and sunny, allowing to harvest all the varietals at their perfect maturity.
Beautiful deep cherry red colour. A nose of dark fruits (ripe blackcurrant and black cherry griotte) and spices with a touch of liquorice and vanilla. The palate shows a very convincing start, broad and immediately textural, with a nice weight through the middle, with a good frame of rich and ripe tannins, fresh acidity and plenty of grip too. Beautiful long and persistent finish.