Chateau Lespault-Martillac 2020

The smoothness and freshness of a red wine from Pessac-Leognan by Chateau Lespault-Martillac

The estate

An irresistibly charming and historic property located in the Pessac-Leognan appellation, Chateau Lespault-Martillac has experienced a real quality renaissance. Since 2009, the operation of Château Lespault-Martillac has been entrusted to the Grand Cru Classe de Graves Domaine de Chevalier and Olivier Bernard. With great passion and determination, Olivier Bernard has elevated this estate to its very best through wines that exude terroir in the glass.

The vineyard

Situated in the Pessac-Léognan appellation, the Chateau Lespault-Martillac vineyard is planted in deep gravel soils upon clayey-gravelly subsoils. 8 hectares of the vineyard are dedicated to the production of red wines and 1.5 hectares to the white wines. The vines are 40 years old on average.

The vintage

The heavy rainfall as well as a lovely, warm spring season favored early flowering. The dry and scorching summer conditions impacted the young vines. The rest of the vineyard was resistant to water stress thanks to the reserves accumulated in spring. The month of August, warmer and punctuated by rainy periods, preserves the vigor of the vines and the freshness of the fruit, ensuring both a good vigor of the vines and the optimal ripening of the fruit. The month of September, sunny and with good thermal amplitudes, refined the maturities. The grapes, harvested at full maturity, were concentrated, rich, elegant and very fresh.

The vinification and aging

Harvested manually, the grapes are sorted during the harvest as well as in the cellar via two sortings on the table, before and after destemming. The berries are transferred by gravity to temperature-controlled tanks of 50 to 80 hl. Favoring moderate extraction, the vinification is accompanied by pump-overs and manual punc-downs. Malolactic fermentation takes place in barrels, as does the 14-month aging process (1/3 in new oak barrels), the first four months of which are on lees.

The blend

The 2020 Château Lespault-Martillac red is made from a blend of Merlot (65%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (35%).

The tasting

Color

This is a bright wine displaying a deep, dark red color tending towards black.

Nose

Beautifully complex, the nose blends fragrances of black cherry, blackberry and slightly peaty and spicy blackcurrant.

Palate

Full and structured, the palate seduces with its aromatic richness, marked by aromas of fresh and concentrated ripe fruit. Tight tannins retaining a delicate suppleness blend deliciously with fruity notes and forest floor. Power mingles with a smooth touch as well as a nice freshness.