Bordeaux Selections

There is no substitute for luxury.
Sometimes you just have to have the very best wines money can buy, that's why Abarbanel is importing an amazing array of small production prestige wines from the world's most famous wine region -- Bordeaux.

Chateau Haut Breton Larigaudiere Margaux

Chateau Haut Breton Larigaudiere Margaux 2002

Since the beginning of the 19th Century world class wines have been made at this very prestigious property near the village of Margaux. Located in Soussans and Arsac in the Margaux appellation of France's Bordeaux region, Larigaudiere’s vineyards comprise 15 hectares (roughly 37 acres) of typical Bordeaux terroir: gravel and sand on a subsoil of sand, gravel and clay which makes for hard-working vines. The vines are 25 years-old on average and the property is planted 10,000 vines to the hectare comprising 85 percent Cabernet Sauvignon vines, 11 percent Merlot and 4 percent Petitee Verdot. The vines are meticulously managed to restrict yields and remove superfluous buds and sprouts. The winery employs traditional Medoc-style methods, using total destemming at the harvest and three to five weeks of maceration followed by 12 to 15 months of aging in French Oak Barrels depending on the qualities of the vintage. A minimum of half the barrels are replaced new every year.

Owned and managed by the De Schepper family since the early 1960s, Larigaudiere is world famous for lush wines which have received consistent high praise from such publications as the Guide Hachette des Vins, Revue du Vin de France and Decanter. The wine itself show its class immediately with its deep and intense brilliant ruby-red hue, elegant nose of red fruit and vanilla and its full bodied mouthfeel coupled with deep cherry and plummy notes -- substantial, supple and silky.

A blend of 70 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 25 percent Merlot and five percent Petite Verdot, this wine can be cellared if stored on its side in a cool, dark place or enjoyed right now if served at room temperature and uncorked (and preferably decanted) for at least 30 minutes prior to consuming. If you are lucky enough to have any of the 1998 or 2000 vintages of this wine, now would be a great time to open, decant and enjoy. We are now shipping the 2002 vintage which will probably reach its peak in 2010 or 2011.

The 2002 vintage will probably retail for more than $80 and is worth every penny. This Margaux comes packed in wood cases of six bottles each and is non-Mevushal and under the supervision of the Badatz of Paris. Margaux is perhaps the most illustrious of the Bordeaux appellations. Thomas Jefferson was a big fan of Margaux wines when serving as U.S. ambassador to France. One taste of this wine and you’ll know why.

When you purchase a Bordeaux wine from Abarbanel you are assured that Howard Abarbanel personally selected this wine because of its delicious taste, outstanding vineyards and winemakers and quality control during every stage of the wine's production. Abarbanel doesn't put its name on any old bottle of Bordeaux -- only the very best of the best get the Abarbanel badge. When investing in super premium wines, look for Abarbanel on the bottle. All these wines are Kosher for Passover and all year long.