# Chateau Rahoul (2024)

- **Producer:** Chateau Rahoul
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot
- **Region:** Bordeaux, France
- **Style:** Classic
- **When to drink:** Later
- **Serving temperature:** 15–17 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** blackcurrant, cherry, currant, vanilla, cloves

## About this wine

Château Rahoul, situated in the AOC Graves region of Bordeaux, France, carries a history that traces back to the 17th century. The estate's label is adorned with a knight's coat of arms, a nod to its origins. In the 1980s, Château Rahoul was among the first in the Graves appellation to embrace barrel vinification, a technique traditionally more prevalent in Burgundy. Since 2007, the estate has been under the management of the Dourthe group, which continues to uphold and enhance its reputation. The vineyard's diverse terroir, comprising sandy-gravel and clay-gravel soils, is instrumental in producing the distinct character of its wines.

## Interesting facts

- Label features a knight's coat of arms from the 17th century.
- Pioneered barrel vinification in Graves in the 1980s.
- Managed by Dourthe since 2007.
- Certified HVE3 and Terra Vitis for environmental practices.

## Food pairing

The wine's medium body and ripe tannins are well-suited to complement the protein in red meats, while its fruit notes can harmonize with savory sauces. Its structure can cut through richer dishes, offering balance.

## Wine making process

Château Rahoul's red wine is produced through fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. Malolactic fermentation is carried out in a mix of stainless steel vats and French oak barrels. Following fermentation, the wine undergoes 12 months of aging in French oak barrels, with about a quarter being new oak. The estate is committed to high environmental value practices, holding certifications such as HVE3 and Terra Vitis.