Chateau Labegorce, Margaux, France

Cassis, violet, and graphite define the restored precision of Chateau Labegorce, Margaux, France 2016, while dried blackcurrant, cedar, and tobacco leaf emerge from the evolved frame of Chateau Labegorce, Margaux, France 1975. These two vintages reflect not only different growing seasons but two distinct eras of the estate. The 1975 was produced under Condom family ownership, before the modern reunification and technical investment that reshaped the property. The 2016 stands as a product of the Perrodo family renaissance, guided by named technical direction and contemporary vineyard precision. Together, they illustrate the transformation of Labegorce across four decades of Bordeaux history.

Product Details:

• Ownership: Condom family (1975); Hubert Perrodo (2016)
• Winemaking Leadership: Estate cellar team, no published named winemaker (1975); Marjolaine de Coninck, Technical Director (2016)
• Classification: Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel
• Varietal Composition: Predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot (1975); Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot (2016)
• Alcohol: 13% (1975); 13.5% (2016)
• Color: Red (1975); Deep garnet red (2016)
• Body: Classic intensity (1975); Structured and refined full body (2016)
• Leading Aromas: Black fruit, mature freshness (1975); Cassis, violet, graphite, fresh black fruit (2016)
• Aging Regimen: Traditional Bordeaux barrel aging, details not published (1975); Approximately 12 to 15 months in French oak, about 40% new (2016)

Sensory Description:

The 1975 vintage emerged from a hot, dry Bordeaux growing season that produced structured, tannic wines built for longevity. At the time, Chateau Labegorce operated prior to vineyard reunification and modern cellar investment. The wine today presents tertiary layers of dried blackcurrant, leather, cedar chest, forest floor, and tobacco leaf. Tannins, once firm and commanding, have softened into a resolved but persistent frame, carrying a savory, earthy finish. It speaks to a period when structure and extraction defined the estate’s expression more than polish or aromatic lift.

The 2016 vintage reflects one of Bordeaux’s most celebrated modern growing seasons, marked by a wet spring followed by a long, dry, temperate ripening period that favored Cabernet Sauvignon. The resulting wine shows concentrated cassis, blackberry, and plum layered with violet and graphite. Tannins are abundant yet finely grained, offering clarity and integration rather than austerity. Compared with 1975’s muscular, mature profile, 2016 delivers precision, textural refinement, and aging potential shaped by unified vineyard management and clearly defined technical leadership.

Producer’s Background:

Chateau Labegorce dates back to the 18th century, though much of the 20th century saw the estate divided and quality variable. The 1975 vintage was produced during Condom family ownership, prior to the Perrodo family’s acquisition beginning in 1989 and the eventual reunification of Labegorce and Labegorce-Zede in 2009. Significant vineyard renewal and cellar modernization followed. Under Hubert Perrodo’s ownership and the direction of Marjolaine de Coninck, the estate has reemerged as a leading Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel property. The comparison between 1975 and 2016 captures the arc from traditional, pre-modern Margaux to a fully restored contemporary estate.

Serving Suggestions:

For the 1975 vintage, serve at 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit after careful standing decanting to remove sediment, limiting aeration to preserve fragile tertiary character. Pair with roast lamb, duck, mushroom dishes, or aged cheeses that echo its savory maturity.

For the 2016 vintage, serve at 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit in a Bordeaux stem with one to two hours of decanting to allow tannins to open. Pair with ribeye, venison, braised short ribs, or hard aged cheeses. The structure supports extended cellaring for decades.