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Chateau Rauzan - Gassies
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Location:
Chateau Rauzan-Gassies is in the commune of Margaux.
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Size:
. Chateau Rauzan-Gassies has 30 hectares (74 acres)
under vines producing an average of 12,500 cases.
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Classification:
Second
Growth in the Medoc Classification of 1855.
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Vineyard:
65% Cabernet
Sauvignon, 25% Merlot
and 10 % Cabernet
Franc with an average age of 25 years. The vines
are planted with a density of 10,000 vines per hectare (4,650
vines per acre). The average yield per hectare is about
40 hectoliters. The vineyards are on terraces and are made
of fine, sandy gravel soils. Most of the vineyards surround
the chateau with the remainder being comprised of small
plots spread throughout the Margaux appellation. Most are
to be found bordering Chateau
Lascombes, Chateau Palmer and Chateau
Margaux.
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Vinification:
The grapes are hand picked as required by regulation in
the region. The fermentation and maceration last about 3
weeks depending on the vintage. Temperature controlled stainless
steel tanks are used for the fermentation, maceration and
malolactic fermentation. After fermentation, the wines are
moved to oak barrels for a period of aging. This aging lasts
for 15 to 18 months. One fourth of the barrels are replaced
each year.
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History:
Chateau Rauzan-Gassies was once united with it's neighbor,
Chateau
Rauzan-Segla. The original property was purchased
in 1661 by Pierre des Mesures de Rauza who purchased it
and developed the vineyards. It was only in the latter part
of the 18th century that the two properties were divided.
Both chateaux were accorded the ranking of Second
Growth in the classification of the Medoc in
1855.
The
more recent history of Chateau Rauzan-Gassies begins in
1946 when Paul Quié purchased the property. The Quié
family still retains ownership of the chateau and they continue
to make investments that affect the quality of the wines.
A new vat house was built in 1992 and was fitted with temperature
controlled stainless steel fermenting tanks. The Quié
family has also owned other chateaux in Bordeaux including
Chateau Croizet-Bages in Pauillac and Chateau Bel-Orme-Tronquoy-de-Lalande.
Rauzan-Gassies
has been a regular underachiever through much of the last
cenury. In recent years, the chateau has risen to a level
befitting its second growth ranking.
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Style:
Chateau Rauzan-Gassies has tended to make heavier wines
with less finesse than is common in Margaux. The wines exhibit
more power and concentration of flavors than would be expected
with its location and pedigree. The wines tend to reach
maturity at a relatively early age and are often near their
peak just a decade after the vintage. In the best years,
Chateau Rauzan-Gassies wines can still live for half a century
of more.
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33460
MARGAUX
Telephone:. +33 05.57.88.71.88 Fax:. +33 5.57.88.37.49
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