The beautiful red brick building, once the property of an officer of Napoleon, displays nothing ostentatious. It is said, however, that the name Commanderie would refer to the Order of the Knights Templar ... And it seems to the visitors that the high windows still hide some secrets. Claude Meffre, the owner, quickly invites the visitor to immerse himself in the unusual history of this Saint-Estèphe, Cru Bourgeois since 1932. He is the son of a nurseryman who bought it in 1956. The man at the head of the chateau since 1996, indebted to his father for his work, claims an artisanal approach of his job. Claude Meffre evokes an atypical career that led him from the editorial offices of La Provence to the benches of ENITA where he completed at the age of 35 a master's degree in viticultural estate management.
The 16.5 hectares of the estate consist of several plots on the banks of the Garonne / Gironde with gravels on limestone. There are two grape varieties, with 55% Merlot and 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, which goes against the habits of the Left Bank where the second grape uses to dominate. The vineyard of Château La Commanderie consists essentially of two plots, in the immediate vicinity of very great Grand Crus: one contiguous to Château Montrose, the other located on a very gravelly slope, between Cos d'Estournel and Lafon-Rochet, opposite the famous Lafite-Rothschild.
Since 1956, the estate's wines have been exclusively distributed by the prestigious Kressmann house, which has been present on the Bordeaux market since 1871. Gentle extraction, devatting and careful aging in new barrels for a third announce structured wines, revealing a quite amazing 2014 with its tannins still present and a palate of a great breadth. Undoubtedly, one of those pearls jealously hidden by the Bordeaux Wine Marketplace.
Henry Clemens
Château La Commanderie 2016, Saint-Estèphe
Dark ruby with purplish shades. Pleasant nose with fruity aromas of ripe cherries, floral, licorice, soot, clove. On the palate, rich and sweet thanks to a beautiful maturity of the harvest which brings richness and volume, quite expressive with vigorous and very young tannins that express a touch of astringency in the finish. A beautiful wine that keeps a rustic character. A good quality-price ratio.
Château La Commanderie 2015, Saint-Estèphe
Dark ruby-red with purplish shades. Simple nose with aromas of wild fruits, licorice, green pepper. A ripe fruitiness with aromas of black cherries, blackcurrant. Rich and powerful attack on the palate, warm mid-palate. A nice powerfulness.
Ageing: 2020-2024.
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