Producer
Château Labégorce Zédé
Château Labégorce Zédé was part of a larger Labégorce estate, owned by the Gorce family, that occupied northern parts of the commune of Margaux probably as long ago as the 14th century. The Gorce family were still active there in the 18th Century. During the revolution, like so many of the estates in Bordeaux, Labégorce was divided the three estates that exist today - Labégorce Zédé, Labégorce, and L'Abbé Gorsse de Gorsse (...Read more
Château Labégorce Zédé was part of a larger Labégorce estate, owned by the Gorce family, that occupied northern parts of the commune of Margaux probably as long ago as the 14th century. The Gorce family were still active there in the 18th Century. During the revolution, like so many of the estates in Bordeaux, Labégorce was divided the three estates that exist today - Labégorce Zédé, Labégorce, and L'Abbé Gorsse de Gorsse (which no longer has any vines).Today's estate takes its origins from the purchase of the land by Barthélémy Benoist in 1795. Benoist's daughter married a merchant called Jean-Emile Zédé and the estate then passed to their son Pierre Zédé who probably renamed the estate. His eldest son, Emile, bought out his other siblings and then passed on to his children, who sold it and it subsequently changed hands six times, before coming to Jean Battesti who undertook too renovate the chateau, vineyards and cellars. Battista then sold the estate in 1979 to Luc Thienpont (of the same family as Pomerol's Vieux Chateau Certan).Continued reinvestment ensured the future of this estate before it was sold to The Perrodo family. The vineyards account for 27 hectares of the Margaux appellation, with a typically deep, coarse, gravelly terroir. The vines are 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot. Of these, one third are of a good age, having been planted more than 40 years ago. One third were planted Jean Battesti between '65 '73, and the remaining third are young vines, having been established during the tenure of Luc Thienpont. The fruit is harvested by hand, with low yields, then rigorously sorted before arriving in the cellar, which was renovated by Battesti. The must is fermented according to parcel of origin, with controlled temperatures. The wine is macerated for up to three weeks, before going into oak barrels, 50% new each vintage, for up to 18 months. The total output is 15000 cases, which principally includes the grand vin, Chateau Labégorce-Zédé, and a second wine named Domaine Zédé, introduced in 1984, and which accounts for up to half of the production of the estate. There has also been, since 1988, a third wine called Z de Zédé, which is made from a 9 hectare plot entitled to the appellation of Bordeaux Supérieur.Read less
