Boise Coop Wine Shop

Domaines Baron de Rothschild

• February 7, 2012

On 8 August 1868, Baron James de Rothschild purchased Château Lafite, which was under public sale. Just three months after the purchase, the Baron passed away, and Lafite became the joint property of his three sons: Alphonse, Gustave and Edmond. The estate then included 185 acres of vineyards. In 1946, a new generation of Rothschilds inherited Château Lafite: Barons Guy, Alain, Elie, and Edmond. After the difficult decades following the turn of the century, and the painful period of World War II, Baron Elie de Rothschild was entrusted with the recovery of the Estate. In 1976 Baron Eric, nephew of Baron Elie, took over the management of Lafite. Domaines Baron de Rothschild expanded by purchasing Château Rieussec, a 1st growth Sauternes, in 1984. Four years later the Domaine broke new ground by purchasing Vina Los Vascos (founded around 1736) from a Chilean family. The vineyards were reorganized to produce fine wines, as part of the DBR philosophy: replant gradually, modernize the bodega, and meticulously respect quality practices. The goal was to create an exemplary estate in the Chilean landscape, featuring excellent ground-climate conditions and unfathomed potential for vineyards. Then in 1998, the Bodegas Caro project united DBR and the Catena family, a pioneer in quality Argentine wines. A blend of Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon, the wines are being made from the Catena family’s finest vineyards, the best in the region. These are just a few of the wines that exemplify the portfolio of Domaines Baron de Rothschild.

2010 Los Vascos Sauvignon Blanc, $11.99
The Sauvignon Blanc made at Los Vascos comes from grapes purchased on long term contracts from both the Casablanca and Curicó areas. The vintages all share liveliness on the palate with pure fruit flavour. Remarkable aromatic expression in the bouquet with lemon, grapefruit and exotic fruit enhanced by the of characteristic boxwood aroma of Sauvignon.

2010 Los Vascos Reserve Cabernet, $18.99
Cabernet Sauvignon is the classic production of Los Vascos, and is the grape that made the estate famous. The Grande Réserve is a benchmark for elegance and finesse in Chile. The wine is a blend of mainly Cabernet Sauvignon and is produced using traditional vinification and maturing techniques. The wine is characterized by the complexity and persistence of its bouquet of cherries and blackcurrants (Cabernet Sauvignon), strawberries (Malbec), raspberries (Syrah) and plums, with notes of bay leaves and black pepper (Carmenère). A delicious, exciting wine, with great density and harmony.

2010 Bodegas Caro, Amancaya, $17.99
Amancaya, a blend of Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon) presents a harmonious balance between the Argentine and Bordeaux styles. With its high percentage of Malbec (60 to 40 percent) and shorter aging (just 12 month in oak with only 20% of that new) it’s a fruit forward wine. The word AMANCAYA is the native Indian name of a flower of the Andes that you can find in the Mendoza area.

2009 Bordeaux Red, $14.99
Made from a selection of wines from the best terroirs in Bordeaux, the red is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with a dollop of Cabernet Franc. The 2009 vintage met the five conditions necessary for a great year in Bordeaux: homogeneous, early flowering and setting (early June) with hot, dry, sunny weather; an equally early start to the ripening process (“véraison”), beginning in late July, complete ripeness due a warm, dry August and September, and finally dream harvests starting late in September, in perfect weather conditions! The wines are of excellent quality, very pleasant on the nose and in the mouth, with ripe, silky tannins, good aromatic expression and a freshness in the finish that perfectly balances the sometimes high levels of alcohol.

2010 Bordeaux White, $14.99
A blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon and Muscadelle, on the nose, the wine is aromatic and flattering, dominated by aromas of tropical and citrus fruits (grapefruit, lime) and some notes of box. In the mouth, it is a lively and fresh wine that’s easy to drink. The Sauvignon Blanc brings bright flavors and vivacity while Sémillon gives fullness and balance at the end. This wine can be drunk as an aperitif or accompany a dish of seafood.

2010 Chateau Paradis Casseuil Rouge, $17.99
Château Paradis Casseuil is a former property of Château Rieussec. Taken under Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite)’s wing in 1984, Château Paradis Casseuil is now quickly becoming a reference for the Entre-Deux-Mers region. The vineyard is located in the three counties of Casseuil, Caudrot, and Ste-Foy-La-Longue in the appellation Entre-Deux-Mers. Fifty-eight acrs of vines are planted with Cabernet Sauvignon (50%), Merlot (45%), and Cabernet Franc (5%). It is composed of clay-limestone soil at Caudrot and Ste-Foy, and clay and gravel soil at Casseuil. The average age of the vineyard is 35 years old and the management of the estate is undertaken by the team of Château Rieussec using the traditional methods of Bordeaux