# Grande Réserve (2014)

- **Producer:** Château Troupian
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc
- **Region:** Bordeaux, France
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.0%
- **Average price:** €15
- **Vegan:** No
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** raspberry, cherry, plum, blackcurrant, white pepper, vanilla, toast, cedar, leather, tobacco, forest floor

## About this wine

Château Troupian 'Grande Réserve' is an intriguing Left Bank Bordeaux anomaly, named after the historic hamlet of Troupian located west of Saint-Estèphe. While the Médoc is globally renowned for its gravel beds and Cabernet Sauvignon dominance, Troupian’s micro-terroir is defined by a deep clay-limestone plateau. This unique soil composition enables the estate to grow beautifully ripe Merlot, crafting a more supple, accessible, and rounded style of Haut-Médoc. The estate is managed under the direction of the Société Fermière des Grands Crus de France, sharing the same dedicated winemaking team and technical expertise as its sister estate, the Cru Bourgeois Supérieur property Château Lestage Simon.

## Interesting facts

- The estate's clay-limestone soil is highly unusual for the Left Bank, which is typically dominated by gravel beds.
- The 2014 vintage won a prestigious Gold Medal at the Concours de Bordeaux – Vins d'Aquitaine in 2016.
- Winemaking is overseen by the legendary consulting oenologist Michel Rolland, known for his modern, supple style.
- It shares its winemaking team and state-of-the-art facilities with the Cru Bourgeois Supérieur estate, Château Lestage Simon.

## Food pairing

This classic Haut-Médoc blend, with its firm tannins, medium-plus acidity, and rich oak influence, requires dishes with sufficient protein and fat to soften the structural elements. The high proportion of Merlot provides a plush mid-palate that pairs beautifully with the gamey richness of duck and lamb, while the wine's acidity cuts through the fat of roasted meats. Earthy components like mushrooms or aged cheeses complement the subtle savory undertones of the wine.

## Wine making process

The winemaking process for Château Troupian 'Grande Réserve' is designed to respect the fruit's integrity while building structure. Grapes are sorted immediately upon arrival at the winery. Traditional vinification takes place in thermo-regulated, stainless-steel vats, allowing for precise temperature control during extraction and extended maceration. Following fermentation, the wine is aged for 12 months in French oak barrels. This maturation process is overseen by the renowned consulting oenologist Michel Rolland, ensuring a harmonious integration of wood and fruit structure before bottling at the chateau.