Viniou Reviews
Château Hourbanon 2012, hailing from the renowned Médoc appellation in Bordeaux, is a classic red blend predominantly consisting of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, with possible touches of Petit Verdot or Cabernet Franc as is tradition in the region. The 2012 vintage experienced a challenging growing season, resulting in wines displaying both finesse and freshness, typically showing moderate alcohol and finely etched tannins. The terroir of Château Hourbanon is characterised by gravelly soils over limestone and clay subsoils, allowing for deep root penetration and optimal ripening of the grapes. In terms of vinification, Médoc producers like Château Hourbanon favour traditional methods with controlled fermentations and ageing in French oak barrels, which confers structure and allows the wine to develop subtle oak nuances alongside its fruit profile.
The Médoc itself lies on the left bank of the Gironde estuary, enjoying a temperate maritime climate. The proximity to the Atlantic Ocean provides both humidity and moderating temperatures, mitigating harsh winter frosts and summer heat spikes. Gravel soils dominate, forcing the vines to struggle and thus produce grapes with concentration and complexity. Bordeaux has a storied history dating back to Roman times, but it was in the seventeenth century, following Dutch draining of the marshlands, that Médoc gained its reputation for exceptional red wines.
With its structured tannins, moderate acidity, and layered notes of blackcurrant, plum, sweet spice, cedar, and a touch of earthy minerality, Château Hourbanon 2012 marries superbly with traditional Bordeaux fare. Consider pairing it with entrecôte à la bordelaise (rib steak in a red wine sauce), roast lamb with herbs, or duck confit. Hard cheeses like Comté or aged Cantal will also complement its robust structure and subtle savouriness.
To fully appreciate the evolution and complexity of this Médoc, serve at a temperature of 16-18°C. Allow the wine some time to breathe, ideally decanting for at least an hour, to soften the tannins and enable the bouquet to open up in the glass. This will highlight both its youthful vigour and the more nuanced secondary aromas starting to emerge with bottle age.
