By Chateau de Ribebon
2019 'Reserve' Bordeaux Superieur

Technical Details
Grape Blend: 50% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc
Origin: Bordeaux, France
Appellation: AOC Bordeaux Superieur
Farming: Sustainable farming practices
Winemaking: Four to five days fermentation, 20 to 25-day maceration
Aging: Oak-aged for approximately 18 months
Alcohol: 13.50%

Producer Notes
The Alain Aubert family comes from the winemaking tradition of Bordeaux's Right Bank. For several decades, Alain, his wife, Bernadette, and their three daughters have fine-tuned and perfected their craft. To celebrate their achievements, their US importer and close friend, Serge Dore, collaborated to create this special and exclusive set of new labels and wines, all proudly bearing the "Famille Alain Aubert" banner across the top to honor the family's work.

Vintage
The climate in 2019 was not all that classic. Still, a combination of hot weather during the summer with a few key rainstorms and cool nights in August and September helped the grapes ripen to excellent maturity levels and maintain acidity. The mild and wet winter was a good start for the vines. Spring was normal, with some frost and hail in certain areas. The bud break and flowering went well enough, although some grape growers reported shot berries and uneven berry set. Hot weather kicked in during June and kept going the whole summer. The hottest day of the growing season was July 23rd, with a temperature of 40 degrees C (100 Fahrenheit). Some heavy rains arrived a few days later, reviving the vines.

The Vineyard
On Bordeaux's Right Bank, overlooking the Dordogne River and the village of Pessac-sur-Dordogne, the clay-limestone soils of the Ribebon hamlet plateau form the basis of Chateau de Ribebon 'Reserve' Bordeaux Superieur. The vines have full southern sun exposure, allowing the ideal sun to bring the fruit to full ripeness. The plateau's clay and limestone soils offer nutritional balance and allow the vines to adapt to climatic variation.

Vineyard Details
Latitude: 44.826247
Longitude: 0.101245
Altitude: 69.98 meters
Average Vine Age: 60 years, with some over 100 years
Terroir: Limestone and clay soil

Tasting Notes
Chateau de Ribebon's 2019 Reserve embodies harmony, balance, and freshness. Aromas of red and black fruits with infusions of tobacco, spices, and mineral undertones make this medium to full-bodied wine sophisticated with polished tannins. Chateau de Ribebon Reserve is richly structured while retaining its wonderful freshness and brightness. Enjoy with grilled meats such as beef, duck, venison, etc.
[Information provided by Serge Dore Selections]

CHATEAU DE RIBEBON Bordeaux Superieur 'Reserve' 2019
Rating: 92
Value: $55
Drink: 2023-2030
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Appellation: Bordeaux Superieur
Editor: J. D'Angelo
Issue: June, 2022
Importer: Serge Dore Selections
The 2019 Chateau Ribebon 'Reserve' is a wonderful showing in this vintage. It opens to inviting aromas of dark cherries and blackberries which are joined by tobacco, spices, toast and mineral undertones. On the palate this possesses a medium-plus body with polished tannins that wrap the flavors of dark cherries, tobacco and spices. This should go on to evolve nicely over the course of the next decade.