Chateau La Cabanne History, Overview
Chateau La Cabanne takes its name from the tiny sector where the property is located, La Cabane. The estate is one of the older properties in the appellation, as it dates back to the mid-1700s. During the early 1900s, the property was purchased by the Audy family, who were negociants and vineyard owners in Pomerol with Clos du Clocher.
Chateau La Cabanne was sold to the Estager family in 1952. The Estager family was already well known in Bordeaux due to their active business as negociants in Libourne since 1912. Francois Estager manages everything that goes on with the estate today.
Much of Chateau La Cabanne is new. Although, renovations took place sadly because circumstances forced them to. A huge fire destroyed much of their property in 2010. The tragic fire also destroyed the entire 2008 vintage, which was still in the vat at the time.
Chateau La Cabanne Vineyards, Terroir, Grapes, Winemaking
The 8.84-hectare vineyard of Chateau La Cabanne is planted to 94% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc. The terroir is clay with gravel soils. The vineyard of Chateau La Cabanne is in a great location, not far from Chateau Trotanoy and Chateau Clinet.
On average, the vines are 30 years of age. The vineyard can be divided into 9 separate parcels, with their oldest parcel of vines being close to 40 years of age. Their best vines are placed just behind the chateau, where they have blue clay in the soil. The vineyard is planted to a vine density of 6,500 vines per hectare.
The wine of Chateau La Cabanne is vinified in 8 traditional, temperature-controlled, small, conical shaped, stainless steel vats that vary in size from 70 hectoliters to 80 hectoliters.
Malolactic fermentation takes place in barrels. The wine is aged in 60% new, French oak barrels for close to 15 months before bottling. Chateau La Cabanne produces close to 2,500 cases per year.
Chateau La Cabanne produces a second wine, Domaine de Compostelle. Prior to 2010, the second wine was only produced in select vintages, but starting with 2010, Domaine de Compostelle is now produced in every vintage, which has helped improve the quality of the Grand Vin.
The heart of the Chateau La Cabanne vineyard is situated right on the edge Pomerol plateau. Yet, even with that amazing terroir, Chateau La Cabanne continues to produce wines below the level of their terroir.
🏅James Suckling 94 pts (2010)
This is even fresher, more linear and intense. Full body and just a baby right now. Solid and muscular. Long and powerful. Exciting. Still needs time
🏅Vinous 89+ pts (2010)
Deep ruby. Floral blackberry and pepper aromas on the clean nose. Spicy in the mouth, with pure flavors of red fruits and truffle. Very linear, almost austere, on the nicely tannic, long finish. A real surprise: this is the best young La Cabanne I have ever tasted. Well done.
🏅James Suckling 94 pts (2016)
A beautifully floral and fragrant wine that has deep, slate and stony nuances with abundant fresh berries, plums and mulberries. The slate and graphite continue to the finish with a wealth of super fine, plush and concentrated tannins. Try from 2022.
🏅Wine Advocate 91-93 points (2016)
The 2016 La Cabanne is a blend of 94% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc picked from the end of September. François Estager told me that like last year, he did not add any sulphites until after the malolactic fermentation. It has a well-defined bouquet with black cherries, a touch of cassis, a lovely marine influence and crushed violets. It opens beautifully in the glass. The palate is fresh on the entry with crisp, tensile tannin and very well-judged acidity. This Pomerol displays great energy and poise, fanning out on the second half that demonstrates superb mineralité. This is an unmissable follow-up to the 2015 La Cabanne. Tasted twice with consistent notes.
Vintage 2010 (TF1069A) $495/Bottle
