The delicate nose of Potensac opens up with a bouquet of red fruit and spices, the palate is smooth and soft, yet with a solid structure where red and dark berries mingle with smokey hints. The finish is full of freshness with finely grained tannins and long lasting aromas of cassis.
CHÂTEAU POTENSAC, Ordonnac
Owned by Jean-Hubert Delon (the proprietor of 2nd Growth Léoville Las Cases and Pomerol’s Château Nenin), the vineyards of Potensac are located in the North of the Medoc appellation.
The terroir has the familiar alluvial gravel of the left bank with some red clay, and the vines cover about 53 hectares. During recent decades the vineyard has been slightly dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon which accounts for about 60% of the vines, with approximately 25% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc . But with the purchase of new Merlot vines there is naturally a swing towards this variety, and it is notable that the 2005 vintage included more Merlot than Cabernet (41% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Cabernet Franc) in the final blend.
Yields are restricted to approximately 35 hl/ha, and once harvested by hand the fruit is fermented at a maximum temperature of 28ºC in stainless steels and concrete vats, with 15 to 18 days maceration and constant pumping over. There is a rigorous selection for the grand vin, with about 40-45% of the crop going to the second wine.
Potensac will see up to 16 months in oak barrels previously used for 1 wine at Leoville Las Cases, before an egg white fining and then bottling without filtration.