Château Bouscaut 2015

For oenophiles who love a no frills wine that is a great value – Château Bouscaut is the perfect choice.  This Cru Classés de Graves is managed by Sophie Lurton of the legendary Lurton family.  Sophie epitomizes the qualities of a humble vigneron and has a very hands-on approach when it comes to managing the property.  Whether she is crafting wine in the vat room or pouring and showing the wine at trade tastings, her devotion to this charming Graves estate is quite apparent.  Though the estate was relatively obscure throughout the majority of the ‘90s, scores of this humble property have been creeping up and praise continues to trickle in. In spite of the recent positive press, Château Bouscaut still remains relatively affordable, over-delivering in terms of value.

Château Bouscaut  is home to one of the most beautiful properties within the Graves region.  Yet the story of the charming château and tranquil reflecting pool is a triumph in its own right.  Château Bouscaut experienced more than its share of hardships.  In 1960, a fire destroyed the original château, leaving only the cellars intact.  Shortly after, Victor Place, the owner, rebuilt the château to the exact original specifications.  This is no small feat, because during the 1960s Bordeaux was experiencing one of the worst economic crises for the region.  Rebuilding this estate was a true labor of love and a testament to how much he valued the property.   

Château Bouscaut has a long history that dates back to the 16th century.  The property was initially called Haut Truchon, but in the 1920s the estate received the name of Château Bouscaut.  Lucien Lurton  acquired the estate in 1979 and the property has been in possession of the Lurton family ever since.  The Lurton family are giants within the world of Bordeaux, and are proud owners of Château Durfort-Vivens, Château Desmirail, and Château Brane Cantenac to name a few.  The Lurtons are a humble sort and prefer to let the wine and work in the vineyard speak for itself. 

The 52 hectare property is the largest vineyard within the Cadaujac commune of the Graves region.  Château Bouscat produces both red and white wines and is home to a mixture of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon.  The estate has a very high percentage of Malbec, which is unusual for this part of Bordeaux.  Throughout the years, the estate has been increasing its Sauvignon Blanc holdings.  A lot of the vines are a bit on the older side over at Château Bouscat – and some of the Semillon vines are close to 100 years old.  The wine is vinified in cement and stainless steel tanks before being aged in French oak barrels.  Château Bouscaut is a wine that epitomizes the classic style of Bordeaux and is an excellent option for those who favor a more traditional, restrained wine.  The wine is versatile enough to be enjoyed on the younger side yet improves with just the slightest bit of time in bottle.
 

"Medium garnet-purple in color, the 2015 Bouscaut has an earth, tar and charcoal nose with a core of red and black currants and a waft of beef drippings. The medium-bodied palate has good intensity and depth with firm, grainy tannins, a lively backbone and great length." - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (2/21/2018, Interim Issue), Ratings: 92, Drink: 2019-2036