Château de la Grave ‘Caractère', Côtes de Bourg 2020 is no longer available

Ch de la Grave Caractere Cotes de Bourg 2020 view 1

Ch de la Grave Caractere Cotes de Bourg 2020 view 2

Ch de la Grave Caractere Cotes de Bourg 2020 view 3

Ch de la Grave Caractere Cotes de Bourg 2020

Château de la Grave ‘Caractère', Côtes de Bourg 2020

Red Wine from France - Bordeaux

29 Reviews

The 2020 is the best vintage of Château de la Grave Caractère that we`ve tasted. The wine has deep colour and a fragrant bouquet of plums, tar and vanilla, with a layered, juicy texture on the palate. A blend of 80% merlot and 20% cabernet sauvignon the wine was aged for 12 months in two and three-year-old barrels from one of Pauillac`s most famous châteaux. This is concentrated, but well balanced, with grainy, ripe tannins on the finish. A remarkable wine for the price, this is already drinking beautifully, but has ample capacity to age. As winners of our 2024 Climate & Nature fund, de la Grave will use our funds to help diversify and move away from a monoculture. One project involves planting fruit, olive and truffle trees, establishing pre-orchards which will combine fruiting trees with meadows for grazing and breeding their sheep and horses.

is no longer available

Code: CB6941

Wine characteristics

Red Wine
Full-bodied
Merlot
75cl
Now to 2030
14% Alcohol
oak used but not v. noticeable
Cork, agglomerate
400 g (Empty bottle weight)

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Chateau de la Grave

Philippe and Valérie Bassereau took over this splendid property from Philippe’s father in 1982, becoming the fourth generation of the family to run it. It is situated in the commune of Bourg on the right bank of the Gironde River where the well-exposed hillsides benefit from good sunlight. The château itself dates back to the 16^th century although it was later restored in the style of Louis XIII.

The Bassereaus have worked hard to steadily improve the wines at Château de la Grave and have been supplying The Society with good value reds for many years. Their wines seem to be getting finer as each vintage adds polish and finesse to the naturally generous flavour and structure of the wine which gives staying power in bottle.

The cream of each vintage’s crop is made into the top wine, Nectar de la Grave which keeps particularly well with its generous flavours. With a predominance of merlot in the blend all the Château de la Grave reds have plenty of charm and fruit. The white Côte de Bourg labelled as Grains Fins is an unusual blend of semillon and colombard which is gently barrel fermented so as not to mask the fragrant fruit.

For members visiting the area, it is worth knowing that Philippe and Valérie have rooms to let in the château which makes a charming place to stay, overlooking the vineyard slopes.

JancisRobinson.com

Plush blackcurrant fruit with a purple sweetness. Masses of charcoal-textured tannins securing the dark fruit in a gentle grip. Lovely depth and roundness with a cool mineral shaft driving the freshness.

Plush blackcurrant fruit with a purple sweetness. Masses of charcoal-textured tannins securing the dark fruit in a gentle grip. Lovely depth and roundness with a cool mineral shaft driving the freshness. JancisRobinson.com

Read more

Tamlyn Currin

Friday 14th Jul 2023

JancisRobinson.com

Sturdy and bone dry. Classic claret with real life underneath. Lots of tannin, and persistence. Tastes younger than a 2020. If you want a wine to cellar, this is good value. JancisRobinson.com

Jancis Robinson MW

Saturday 12th Apr 2025