Château d'Arsac 2023

Characteristics and tasting advice for Château d’Arsac 2023

Tasting

Appearance 
The appearance seduces with its dark garnet hue.

Nose
The nose opens up with intense fragrances of black fruits (blackcurrant), then reveals smoky and ashy notes upon aeration.

Palate
A fresh and crunchy attack precedes a creamy mouthfeel with melted tannins stretching to a lively and persistent finish.

A silky and lively Margaux wine

The property

Classified as Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel, the Château d’Arsac is one of the oldest crus of the Médoc, on the left bank of Bordeaux. Owned by Philippe Raoux since 1986, the property has undergone a bold and original renovation. In a resolutely contemporary spirit, Château d’Arsac stands out with its winery dressed in stainless steel, a glass roof with raw materials and its Klein blue colour. The estate also hosts numerous artistic exhibitions in its Garden of Contemporary Art Sculptures.

The vineyard

With an area of 53.56 hectares, the vineyard of Château d’Arsac gives birth to great Margaux wines. The 30-year-old vines on average are planted on deep gravel soils resting on brown soils and marl-limestone outcrops. The vineyard is worked using sustainable farming methods with the implementation of a zero-residue policy in the wines since 2016. The vine rows are grassed and each vine is monitored at all times.

The wine

This 2023 vintage is adorned with a unique dressing, paying tribute to Philippe Raoux. Deceased in 2023, the owner of Château d'Arsac had throughout his life combined his two passions which were art and wine.

The vintage

The beginning of the year is marked by the bud break of the merlots on March 23 and the cabernet sauvignons on March 30 before a frost episode on April 5, the impact on the vineyard is very low thanks to the preventive actions put in place by the estate. The regular and homogeneous vegetative development in April is slowed down by the low sunshine in May before the return of favourable weather conditions afterwards. The flowering is homogeneous as is the flowering. The warm and rainy climate recorded from mid-June to the end of July leads to active vine growth and high mildew pressure controlled by the rigour of the teams. In mid-August, the appearance of almost heatwave conditions are ideal for ensuring optimal ripening of the grapes combined, through the water stress caused by these dry and hot conditions, with a beautiful concentration and a lively freshness.

Vinification and ageing

Vinification in thermo-regulated stainless steel tanks, with gentle extraction. Separation of the presses at pressing. Maceration of 3 to 4 weeks. The ageing is carried out exclusively 80% in barrels (55% new barrels, 45% one-wine barrels) and 20% in stainless steel tank.

Blend

Cabernet sauvignon (80%)
Merlot (20%).