Notify me
2010 Fronsac
CHÂTEAU HAUT-LARIVEAUGrégoire and Bénédicte Hubau do not come across as typical Bordeaux vignerons: owners of a modestly sized domaine and highly involved in the natural wine movement, the couple would seem more at home in the Loire Valley or Beaujolais. Yet one taste of this Fronsac—a pure Merlot from clay, limestone, and gravel soils—will confirm this is real Bordeaux, the way it ought to taste. The Hubaus work their vines organically, ferment with natural yeasts, and forgo fining and filtration: the opposite of many of today’s technologically produced Bordeaux. You’ll find deep, ripe, luscious Merlot fruit, a chewy texture, and tannins that are powerful yet silky all at once. The Hubaus’ wines suggests that long aging is not a problem: older bottles we’ve tried have been stunning, with a tender mouthfeel and a sublime bouquet hinting at cedar, leather, and black truffle.
—Anthony Lynch
Wine Type: | red |
Vintage: | 2010 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | Merlot |
Appellation: | Fronsac |
Country: | France |
Region: | Bordeaux |
Producer: | Château Haut-Lariveau |
Winemaker: | Bénédicte & Grégoire Hubau |
Vineyard: | 60 years avg., 7.92 ha |
Soil: | Clay, Limestone and Clay, Gravel |
Aging: | 12- to 18-month élevage in barriques, 25% new |
Farming: | Organic (practicing) |
Alcohol: | 13.5% |
More from this Producer or Region
2021 Bordeaux Blanc “Définition”
France | Bordeaux
A simply stunning white that seems to not just elevate the food on your plate, but your entire mood. Your surroundings will melt away as you get lost in your glass.
2022 Sauternes
France | Bordeaux
Cap off your holiday feast with a glass of this heavenly Sauternes to experience pure luxury on the palate…
2022 Sauternes HALF BOTTLE
France | Bordeaux
It is a habit-forming apéritif with or without foie gras.
2020 Sauternes
France | Bordeaux
This is truly artisanal Sauternes—made by hardworking farmers who are willing to sacrifice quantity for excellence.
2022 Graves Blanc
France | Bordeaux
Whatever snacks are on your table or picnic blanket, this blanc will fit the bill with its pretty notes of green apple, citrus, and subtle tropical fruits.
2020 Bordeaux Blanc “Les Joualles”
France | Bordeaux
Ripe and opulent, this cuvée further blossoms with an hour in a decanter.
2016 Canon-Fronsac
France | Bordeaux
Divine with lemon and rosemary roasted lamb.
2016 Lalande-de-Pomerol
France | Bordeaux
A generous wine dominated by ripe black fruit with very supple, approachable tannins
2020 Bordeaux Blanc “Définition”
France | Bordeaux
A simply stunning white that seems to not just elevate the food on your plate, but your entire mood. Your surroundings will melt away as you get lost in your glass.
2016 Fronsac
France | Bordeaux
There is nothing overdone in this chiseled, elegant cuvée made from organically grown and pampered Merlot.
About The Producer
Château Haut-Lariveau
About The Region
Bordeaux
Often considered the wine capital of the world, Bordeaux and its wines have captured the minds, hearts, and wallets of wine drinkers for centuries. For many, the wines provide an inalienable benchmark against which all other wines are measured.
Bordeaux is divided into three winegrowing regions with the city that gives the region its name in the near geographical center. The “right bank,” or the area located east of the Dordogne River, produces wines that are predominantly Merlot with small amounts of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. The “left bank” is located to the west of the Garonne River and produces wines dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, with Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot.
The third region, Entre-Deux-Mers, lies between both rivers and produces white wines from Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, and Muscadelle. Though technically in the left bank, it is worth noting the appellation of Sauternes, which produces arguably the world’s most famous sweet wines from Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, and Muscadelle as well.
Though many top Bordeaux wines are sold en primeur (in advance of their bottling) and often through a middleman known as a negoçiant, Kermit has always preferred to purchase directly from the winemaker. For more than three decades he has sought out small producers, who make classic Bordeaux wines and are willing to play outside the negoçiant system. This ethic has led to longstanding relationships, excellent prices, and perhaps most important—wines of great value and longevity.
More from Bordeaux or France
2009 Vin de France Blanc “Héréthique”
Domaine de l’Alliance France | Bordeaux
2016 Fronsac
Château Haut-Lariveau France | Bordeaux
2022 Sauternes “Esquisse”
Domaine de l'Alliance France | Bordeaux
2019 Pomerol
Château Gombaude-Guillot France | Bordeaux
2016 Canon-Fronsac
Château Moulin Pey-Labrie France | Bordeaux
2014 Pomerol
Château Gombaude-Guillot France | Bordeaux
2020 Sauternes
Domaine de l’Alliance France | Bordeaux
2021 Bordeaux Blanc “Les Joualles”
Domaine de l’Alliance France | Bordeaux
2010 Canon-Fronsac
Château Moulin Pey-Labrie France | Bordeaux
2020 Bordeaux Sec “Les Clous”
Domaine de l’Alliance France | Bordeaux
2016 Lalande-de-Pomerol
Château Belles-Graves France | Bordeaux
2022 Graves Blanc HALF BOTTLE
Château Graville-Lacoste France | Bordeaux
2009 Vin de France Blanc “Héréthique”
Domaine de l’Alliance France | Bordeaux
2016 Fronsac
Château Haut-Lariveau France | Bordeaux
2022 Sauternes “Esquisse”
Domaine de l'Alliance France | Bordeaux
2019 Pomerol
Château Gombaude-Guillot France | Bordeaux
2016 Canon-Fronsac
Château Moulin Pey-Labrie France | Bordeaux
2014 Pomerol
Château Gombaude-Guillot France | Bordeaux
2020 Sauternes
Domaine de l’Alliance France | Bordeaux
2021 Bordeaux Blanc “Les Joualles”
Domaine de l’Alliance France | Bordeaux
2010 Canon-Fronsac
Château Moulin Pey-Labrie France | Bordeaux
2020 Bordeaux Sec “Les Clous”
Domaine de l’Alliance France | Bordeaux
2016 Lalande-de-Pomerol
Château Belles-Graves France | Bordeaux
2022 Graves Blanc HALF BOTTLE
Château Graville-Lacoste France | Bordeaux
Kermit once said...
Kermit once said...
You don’t have to be rich to cellar a great wine.