Chateau L'Orangerie, Bordeaux Superieur, France

Château L'Orangerie 2024 Bordeaux Supérieur is a supple, fruit-driven expression from a historic family estate in the heart of Bordeaux's Entre-Deux-Mers. Built around Merlot with Cabernet Sauvignon for structure, this vintage is raised primarily in stainless steel rather than relying on oak, keeping the emphasis on youthful dark fruit, freshness, and an easy, polished texture. It is classic everyday Bordeaux in an especially approachable form, backed by generations of Icard family winegrowing.

Product Details:

• Producer: Château L'Orangerie, Famille Icard
• Winemaker: Jean-Christophe Icard
• Cellar Manager: Stéphanie Donadier
• Grapes: 85% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon
• Soils: Clay-limestone and clay, with compact sandy-clay subsoil
• Farming: Sustainable agriculture
• Vinification & Aging: Raised mainly in stainless steel to preserve fruit and freshness
• Alcohol: 13% ABV
• Closure: Cork

Sensory Description:

A youthful garnet-red Bordeaux with aromas of dark cherry and damson plum accented by a restrained touch of spice. The palate is round, supple, and medium-bodied, with ripe fruit carried by freshness rather than overt oak. Tannins remain soft and unobtrusive, giving the wine a smooth, clean finish and making the 2024 immediately accessible while retaining the composed structure expected of Bordeaux Supérieur.

Producer's Background:

Château de l'Orangerie stands in Saint-Félix-de-Foncaude in the Entre-Deux-Mers, where the property's history reaches back to 1790. Formerly known as Palay, the château took its present name from a family tradition of protecting orange trees from winter frost inside a wing of the residence. Jean-Christophe Icard assumed leadership in 1986, continuing a long family connection to the property, and his son Mathias later joined the business as the next generation. Today Château de l'Orangerie serves as the flagship estate of Famille Icard, with vineyards rooted principally in the area's clay, limestone, and sandy-clay soils.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve at approximately 16–18°C in a Bordeaux or other generously proportioned red wine glass. Its supple Merlot-led fruit and restrained tannins make it particularly versatile with roast chicken, burgers, meatballs in tomato sauce, grilled pork, roast beef, lamb, or moderately aged cheeses. A brief period in the glass after opening will allow the dark fruit and subtle spice to become more expressive.