# Le Havre (1998)

- **Producer:** Jean Leon
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc
- **Region:** Catalonia, Spain
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 14.8%
- **Average price:** €64
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** No
- **When to drink:** Passed
- **Serving temperature:** 15–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** black plum, blackcurrant, black cherry, cloves, vanilla, cedar, charred wood, smoke, leather, forest floor, tobacco, earth

## About this wine

The Jean Leon Le Havre 1998 is a red wine from the D.O. Penedès region of Catalonia, Spain, produced by Jean Leon. The wine is named in honor of the French port of Le Havre, a significant location in the life story of the winery's founder, Jean Leon, who transitioned from a life of hardship to becoming a successful restaurateur in Hollywood. Jean Leon is recognized for his pioneering spirit in planting international grape varietals like Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay in Spain. The Le Havre vineyard is a specific 12-hectare plot situated on a south-facing mountainside at an elevation of 280-310 meters, characterized by low-nutrient soils that promote concentrated, high-quality harvests. This wine is considered a Bordeaux blend with influences from Spain, France, and the aspirational spirit of Hollywood.

## Interesting facts

- Named after the French port Jean Leon stowed away from.
- Founder was a Hollywood restaurateur.
- Pioneered Cabernet Sauvignon in Spain.
- Bordeaux blend with a Spanish soul.

## Food pairing

The wine's firm tannins and medium+ body are well-suited to complement the protein and fat in richer meat dishes, while its savory notes and potential for complexity can harmonize with herbs and earthy flavors.

## Wine making process

The Jean Leon Le Havre 1998 is produced from organically grown grapes. Fermentation occurs in small wooden vats under controlled temperatures. Following fermentation, the wine undergoes aging in French and American oak barrels, which contributes toasted and spiced characteristics. The vineyard, known as Le Havre, is a 12-hectare plot located on a south-facing mountainside in Penedès, at an altitude of 280-310 meters. The soils are noted for their low nutrient content, which is considered beneficial for producing a concentrated and high-quality harvest. The winery, now part of the Torres group, continues a philosophy that blends sustainability with modern techniques.