Chateau Potensac 2005
- Vintage
- 2005
- Country
- France
- Region
- Bordeaux,Medoc
- Size
- 750ml
- Rating
- WA91, WS90
- Grape
- Bordeaux Blend
The 2015 Potensac is a blend of 45% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Sauvignon and 17% Cabernet Franc that was cropped at 50 hl/ha, and raised in one-third new oak. There is a sense of airiness on the nose: small dark cherries, crème de cassis and crushed strawberry, pretty and nicely focused. The palate is medium-bodied with edgy tannin, fresh and citrus in style, just a touch of reduction towards the finish, but they will blow off by the time it is in bottle. I would have just preferred more persistence on the finish, but otherwise this is a decent Potensac. - WA91
Pepper, savory and bay leaf notes lead the way, with a core of medium-weight cassis and cherry flavors. A tobacco hint and chalky minerality extend the finish, which has a pleasant austerity. A touch reticent in style, but will age well. Best from 2020 through 2028.- WS90
Château Potensac is a Bordeaux producer in the Médoc, owned by Jean-Hubert Delon. It was traditionally passed down the female line until current owner Jean-Hubert inherited it from his paternal grandmother, Georgette Liquard.
The château derives its name from the Potensac plateau that it sits on, in the Ordonnac district of the Médoc. The Delon family owns two other Bordeaux estates, Château Nénin in Pomerol and the prestigious second growth Château Leoville-Las Cases in Saint-Julien.
Château Potensac produces two wines, both red and both made of the common Bordeaux red varieties. The 84 hectares (208 acres) of land are planted to 46 percent Merlot, 35 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 16 percent Cabernet Franc, 2 percent Carménère, and 1 percent Petit Verdot. Average vine age is 38 years, with some as old as 80. Historically, Cabernet Sauvignon was the dominant grape, but Merlot has taken over recently as the style of wine moves towards more approachability and earlier drinking.
The vineyards have limestone subsoil with surface clay and a high concentration of gravel. The flagship wine is the eponymous Château Potensac. It is accompanied by the smaller production second wine Chapelle de Potensac, first produced in the 2002 vintage. Château Potensac was one of the nine producers awarded the Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel status in the 2003 reclassification, the highest possible designation. - Information from Wine Searcher