Château Larmande 2010

Characteristics and tasting advice for Château Larmande 2010

Tasting

Color

The wine shows a very dark ruby hue with subtle violet highlights, reflecting the concentration of the berries and a measured extraction during vinification.

Nose

The nose is complex and gradual in its evolution. On opening, it may seem slightly reserved, a typical hallmark of age-worthy wines. With aeration, intense aromas of black fruit (black cherry, blackcurrant, blackberry) emerge, complemented by a touch of marmalade. Nuanced spice notes and a hint of fresh mint add distinction, while the minerality underscores the limestone origin of the terroir. Well-integrated oaky nuances harmoniously enrich the bouquet.

Palate

On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and generous, though tight and dense in its youth. The tannins are present and assertive, providing a structure capable of supporting long aging while maintaining a refined, well-managed feel. Bright acidity brings lovely freshness, perfectly balancing the fruit’s roundness and ripeness. Black fruit defines the flavor profile, complemented by notes of stewed plum and touches of spice and white pepper. The finish is long, with elegance and refinement.

Food and wine pairings

This Château Larmande 2010 is an ideal match for braised lamb shoulder, wild boar stew, or roast beef tenderloin with wild mushrooms. It also pairs perfectly with duck confit, grilled red meats, or a veal roast.

Serving and cellaring

Château Larmande 2010 is best enjoyed at a temperature between 15.5 and 18°C. Decanting for one hour or more is recommended to allow the wine to open up and fully express its aromatic profile. This vintage can be cellared until around 2030.

A Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé with an elegant, structured profile

The estate

Château Larmande, in Saint-Émilion, has been documented since 1585 and today boasts a single, contiguous 20-hectare vineyard, 1 km from the medieval village, on clay-limestone, clay-silica, and sandy soils. Owned by the AG2R La Mondiale group since 1991, the estate is run in the cellar by Véronique Corporandy. A Grand Cru Classé since June 16, 1955, it stands out for its long history, the diversity of its terroirs, and a style of wines that are round, complex, and approachable.

The vineyard

Château Larmande 2010 comes from a 20-hectare vineyard located in the northern part of the Saint-Émilion appellation, in the immediate vicinity of the medieval village. The terroir is mainly composed of clay-limestone soils, which give the wine its hallmark finesse and minerality. This geological makeup is enhanced by the presence of ancient sands and pockets of silica, creating a mosaic of soils that contributes to the wine’s aromatic complexity. Harvesting is carried out by hand, allowing for rigorous selection of grapes at optimal ripeness.

The vintage

The 2010 vintage is among the great years of Bordeaux. A wet winter enabled the vines to continue their growth during the dry summer that followed, one of the driest ever recorded. Cool nights preserved the grapes’ acidity and aromas, giving the vintage its signature freshness. Slightly lower yields and smaller berries contributed to greater concentration. The grapes were able to remain on the vine longer, developing to produce wines with bright acidity, ripe fruit, and creamy tannins.

Vinification and aging

Vinification of Château Larmande 2010 took place in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks, ensuring precise control of fermentation temperatures. Tannin extraction was carefully calibrated to achieve a fine structure and assertive tannins without excess. Aging took place over approximately eighteen months in French oak barrels, with 60% new barrels and 40% barrels used for one wine or more. This proportion allows for a measured integration of oak notes while preserving the freshness and fruit expression of the grapes.

Grape varieties

Merlot (60%), Cabernet Franc (30%), Cabernet Sauvignon (5%)