Château Villemaurine 2017

Special Price $54.85 Average US Price $55.00
In Stock   Usually ships in 2-5 days, weather permitting
Only 26 left
SKU
6504-2017
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Other Vintages We Offer:

• Domaine: Château Villemaurine
• Appellation: Saint-Émilion
• Classification: Grand Cru Classé
• Origin: Right Bank, Bordeaux, France

Mere steps away from the medieval village of Saint-Émilion lies the Grand Cru Classé, Château Villemaurine.  Here, a mixture of modernity and tradition govern the winemaking process and ethos at this estate.  The property has had some exciting changes since June 2007, when Château Villemaurine was purchased by Justin Onclin. Because of Justin’s passion and devotion to this property, the wines just keep getting better and better each year.  At under $100.00, the wines from this estate are a spectacular value from Saint-Émilion, making it a producer that should very much be on any oenophile’s radar.   

Château Villemaurine has a history that is epic and century-spanning.  It derives its name from the 8th Century when an army of invaders took up residency and made an encampment right where this Right Bank property exists today.  It was called, “Ville Maure,” which translates to, “Village of the Moors.”  In the 17th Century, it was purchased by Antoine Limouzin, the first Clerk at the port of Libourne.  Right before the French Revolution, Jean Combret de Faurie mounted the enormous task of planting a vineyard at the property because he saw the vast potential of the estate’s limestone terroir.  In the modern era the most influential owner of this property is without a doubt Justin Onclin, who has spared no expense renovating the property to showcase its phenomenal terroir that is comparable to some top-notch estates in the region like Château Trotte Vieille and Château Pavie Macquin.   He invested in the most state of the art technology to improve conditions at the estate and the results speak for themselves.

This tiny 12-hectare estate is planted with 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc.  The vineyard was initially planted with 95% Merlot on the mixture of clay and limestone soils that are perfectly suited for this varietal. The vines at this estate are on average 30 years old.  The best plots are on the peak of the limestone plateau where Château Villemaurine is located, with an elevation of 87 meters.  The estate now hosts a new underground vat room, and they practice parcel by parcel vinification.  The wines are whole berry fermented in new, dual walled 68 hectoliter stainless steel tanks.  Malolactic fermentation takes place in barrel and the wine is aged in 80% new French Oak barrels.  The result is an elegant, terroir driven wine with a distinctive mineral driven quality and a long, lingering finish.

Château Villemaurine had a talented team as well, the impressive Hubert de Bouard of Château Angelus is the consultant at this renowned estate.  Since Hubert took over, the quality of the wine continues to skyrocket and improve with each passing vintage.  As recently as April 2021, the Onclin family sold Château Villemaurine to the Lefevre family who owned several vineyards in Saint Émilion, including Château Sansonnet, Château Moulin du Cadet and Château Soutard Cadet.   We look forward to seeing what the future holds for this property and considering the scores on the most recent vintage it looks very bright.

Tasting Notes

"The 2017 Villemaurine has a refined and focused bouquet with blackberry, tar and cedar aromas, classic in style with impressive focus and control. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, very smooth in texture with blackberry, cedar and light sous-bois notes towards the finish. Excellent." - Neal Martin, vinous.com, (February, 2020), Rating: 92+, Drink: 2022-2040

"The current blend of the 2017 Villemaurine is 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-purple in color, it features wonderfully expressive black plums and warm blackberries notes with hints of truffles, damp soil and wood smoke. The palate is medium-bodied with a great core of ripe, rich fruit supported by rounded tannins and just enough freshness, finishing with lingering truffles and savory notes." - Lisa Perotti-Brown, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (4/27/2018, Issue 236), Ratings: 91-93


More Information
Stock Status In Stock
Appellation Saint-Emilion
Vintage 2017
Brand Château Villemaurine
Shipping Weight 3.000000

Saint-Émilion is one of the most prestigious wine appellations in the Bordeaux region of France, renowned for its exceptional red wines and rich viticultural history. Located on the Right Bank of the Dordogne River, Saint-Émilion is a place of great beauty and a UNESCO World Heritage site, thanks to its remarkable blend of natural and cultural attributes. The Saint-Émilion appellation is characterized by a diverse terroir featuring a mix of limestone, clay, and sandy soils that provide the foundation for its distinctive wines. The unique microclimates and elevations within the appellation contribute to the variety of flavors and styles found in Saint-Émilion wines.

The primary grape varieties used in Saint-Émilion wines are Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon, with Merlot often dominating the blends. These grapes thrive in the region's favorable climate, moderated by the proximity of the Dordogne River and the buffering effects of the limestone plateau.

Saint-Émilion is famous for its unique wine classification system, which divides the vineyards into four tiers: Premier Grand Cru Classé A, Premier Grand Cru Classé B, Grand Cru Classé, and Grand Cru. This classification reflects the quality and prestige of the individual vineyards and châteaux within the appellation, with only a select few achieving the highest ranking of Premier Grand Cru Classé A. Until the re-classification in 2022, Château Cheval Blanc, Château Ausone, Château Angelus, and Château Pavie were the only four members of the Premier Grand Cru Classé A tier. Out of disagreement with the standard-setting governing body, Cheval Blanc and Ausone voluntarily dropped out. Angelus followed suit shortly after. With Pavie remaining the only member, Premier Grand Cru Classé A saw the addition of Château Figeac following a long-expected and well-deserved promotion.

Saint-Émilion wines are known for their finesse, complex aromas, and beautiful balance of fruit, tannins, and acidity. While they share some similarities with wines from the neighboring Pomerol appellation, they often have a slightly more structured and tannic character due to the higher proportion of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon in the blends. With age, these wines develop a velvety texture and reveal an array of flavors, including dark fruits, floral notes, and hints of earthiness.

Footnotes on Futures, Pre-Arrivals, and potential US Tariffs: 

1. As of June 15, 2021, the US and the EU agreed to suspend tariffs resulting from the Boeing-Airbus aircraft trade disputes. Accordingly, such import taxes are now suspended for the next five years.

2. Futures are expected to be available for delivery two years after the sales (e.g., the 2022 vintage, sold in 2023, will be delivered in 2025 mostly, or 2026 if the producer ages the wine longer).

3. Pre-Arrivals are items currently stored in our Bordeaux cellar or in transit from France to the US. It usually takes 1-6 months for Pre-Arrivals to become available for delivery, depending on the stage of the import process.

4. Regarding futures and pre-arrivals, we cannot guarantee specific delivery dates, which factors beyond our control may impact. However, we will notify you once your wine arrives in our cellar.

5. While a buyer of Bordeaux wine futures locks in an allocation of the specified items, the final delivery of the purchased items from France to the US may be impacted by intervening and unforeseeable events. Despite our due diligence, additional costs or delays may be caused by such intervening and unforeseen events and "an irresistible, superhuman cause, or by the act of public enemies of the state of California or the United States."  In such circumstances, if a buyer does not accept unforeseeable costs or delays, the sole and exclusive remedy is a cancellation of the futures order concerned and a refund of the original purchase price. We are NOT liable for any lost profits on a canceled order.

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