In family hands since 1819: the Mayne de Lalande in Listrac
Château Lalande is located in Listrac-Médoc, about 30 kilometers north of Bordeaux. The house was built in 1819 in the hamlet of Mayne de Lalande, and this field name gave the estate its name. Since then, the property has belonged to the same family. Today, Xavier Lescoutra runs the business in the tenth generation.
Listrac is one of the six municipal appellations of the Médoc. The estate is located at an altitude of about 43 meters and is therefore one of the highest points on the peninsula. The house is an example of Gironde architecture. About 9 hectares of vines belong to the estate, a manageable family business without a large structure.
Vines at the edge of the forest: craftsmanship instead of recipe
The plots lie partly on hills of Pyrenean gravel, partly on clay-limestone soils. Merlot dominates with about 60 to 65%, supplemented by about 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Petit Verdot. There is no Cabernet Franc on the estate. The vines are on average about 25 years old.
In the vineyard, the team works according to the principle of "culture raisonnée." Weeding is done mechanically under the vine rows, and the alleys are greened. In the spring, the shoots are broken and thinned out; in the summer, the grape zone on the side facing away from the sun is defoliated. If necessary, a green harvest is added. The goal is healthy, ripe grapes. The winery is HVE-certified. The Médoc forest, which reaches to the Atlantic coast, borders the vines, and groups of trees frame the plots. The estate sees this as a contribution to the ripening of the grapes.
Merlot-dominated Listrac with structure
The wine that bears the house's name is a Listrac-Médoc made from Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot. It matures in barrels and is classified as a Cru Bourgeois. In addition, there is a Cuvée Prestige. The Hachette wine guide describes the 2019 vintage with dark fruits, licorice, roasted notes, and a hint of undergrowth. On the palate, it is balanced and supported by firm tannins. An American retailer mentions blackcurrant, ripe cherry, and plum, plus silky tannins and a subtle salty minerality.
The wines are no lightweight. The Merlot gives them fullness, the tannins provide structure. Serve them at 17 to 18 °C. They go well with steak, grilled lamb chops, or game dishes. The estate welcomes guests for tastings by appointment. Once a year, on the second weekend in June, it opens its doors to visitors.
