Xavier Milhade Wines
Château Montcabrier 2016
Bordeaux Superieur
Château Montcabrier is a selection parcèllaire from the Milhade family’s estate, Château Recougne. This property has produced wine for more than 400 years, and has been recognized for nearly as long for producing outstanding wine – its name is said to have come from King Henri IV in the early 17th century, in “recognition” of the quality of its wine. The Milhade family purchased the property in the early 1950s, and Recougne has become their flagship estate, producing quintessential pure Bordeaux each vintage – classic “claret” in the best sense of the word. Montcabrier is a produced in the same manner as Recougne, but from younger vines and parcels giving more forward, fruity wines.
Vineyard
Merlot is best suited to the gravelly clay terroir and is the majority planting here, comprising about 80% of the vineyard, complemented by equal parts of both Cabernets. The parcels set aside for Moncabrier include those planted on marley clay, with less gravel, and younger vines throughout the estate. The Milhades employ environmentally friendly viticultural techniques, minimal spraying, low yields through green harvesting, and excellent canopy management.
Winemaking
Selection is performed in the vineyard through green-harvesting, and the grapes are mostly destemmed, with up to about 10-15% of whole cluster included for structure. Fermentation takes place in traditional cement vats followed by 12 months aging in large vessels (no oak barrels) before bottling with minimal filtration.
VINTAGE
The 2016 vintage had a difficult spring, but a near-perfect summer and fall, producing wines of immediate charm and perfectly formed structure. The 2016 Montcabrier was lovely right after bottling, and will continue to provide pleasure for many years. Quintessential claret of great charm.
Tasting Note
The 2016 vintage provided perfect raw materials, and Château Montcabrier offers deep aromas of black fruits and toffee, followed by a fruity, silky palate and excellent length. The is a quintessential claret with immediate appeal.
Color
Red
Grape Varieties
Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
Appellation
Bordeaux Superieur
Trade Materials
Other Wines by this Producer
Château des Ormeaux
Lalande-de-Pomerol
Nestled under the stewardship of Julien Richard, a dedicated third-generation winemaker and the husband of Elodie Milhade (also the proprietor of Château Tour Bayard), this estate flourishes with a commitment to sustainability.
Château Recougne
Bordeaux Superieur
Chateau Recougne has produced wine for more than 400 years,and has been recognized for nearly as long for producing outstanding wine - its name is said to have come from King Henri IV in the early 17th century, in “recognition” of the quality of its wine. This wine offers pure Bordeaux unadulterated and pure.
Château Recougne Blanc
The Milhade family has been landowners in Bordeaux for three generations and currently own six properties in the right bank regions of Saint-Émilion, Lussac- Saint-Émilion, Lalande-de-Pomerol, and Bordeaux Supérieur. Their wines represent both amazing value in Bordeaux and the beautiful results that can be achieved by small family estates focused on producing high quality wines. The wines are marked by wonderful, expressive fruit and retain an authenticity and soulfulness.
Château Boutisse
Purchased in 1996, the Milhade family have invested enormously in the vineyards and facilities at Boutisse and, above all, with their energy. Today Boutisse is no longer a surprise - dynamic young winemaker Marc Milhade has transformed this estate into an outstanding Saint-Emilion, with ripe, structured and engaging character.
Château Tour Bayard
Château Tour Bayard is a recent addition to the Milhade portfolio, coming into the family through marriage. This 25 acre property has been run by the Richard family since 1956, and is now regarded as one of the top estates in the appellation.