At Château Cazebonne, our passion for wine extends far beyond our own creations. We are committed to tasting, exploring, and celebrating the wines of other inspiring winegrowers, whether they are our Bordeaux neighbours or from further afield. Every tasting is a sensory journey, an opportunity to hone our palate and enrich our understanding of the wider world of wine. For us, this is an essential approach—an inexhaustible source of inspiration that feeds our thinking on new cuvées, drives us to constantly question ourselves, and pushes us to strive for excellence.

These moments of exchange and discovery are far more than mere sensory pleasures. They are the catalyst for our creativity, enabling us to uncover novel aromatic nuances, appreciate the diversity of terroirs and winemaking philosophies, and refine our own techniques. By stepping out of our comfort zone, we foster an open-mindedness that is directly reflected in the complexity and soul of our wines.

Heritage Revisited: Replanting History at Cazebonne

It is in this spirit of exploration and respect for history that our unique approach in Bordeaux takes root. Informed by our tastings and in-depth research, inspired in particular by the work of Jean-Baptiste Duquesne, author of "Bordeaux, une histoire de cépages" published by Éditions BBD, we have committed to the noble endeavour of replanting forgotten grape varieties. These varieties, once pillars of the Bordeaux vineyard and now vanished from our landscapes, represent an invaluable heritage for us. Ramberts, Mancins, Castets, and other Verdots thus regain their pride of place in our parcels, offering an aromatic palette and resilience to climate change that past generations truly appreciated.

This work of preservation and forward-thinking could not have come to fruition without the unwavering support of enlightened wine lovers. Every bottle of Château Cazebonne you taste is an act of support for this pioneering approach, an encouragement to preserve and enrich Bordeaux's winemaking heritage. We invite you to discover our cuvées shaped by this philosophy, available for purchase in the Cazebonne shop.

To deepen your knowledge of Bordeaux wine history and our forgotten grape varieties, we offer you the opportunity to receive the digital edition of the book "Bordeaux, une histoire de cépages" free of charge. Visit our website to request your digital copy. A fascinating journey into the heart of our terroir’s identity awaits!

Exploring Aromatic Profiles

During our tastings, exploring aromatic profiles is a key stage. We seek to identify wines that express great complexity, revealing primary aromas linked to the fruit, secondary aromas born of fermentation, and tertiary aromas resulting from maturation and ageing. This analysis broadens our understanding of the nuances that a single grape variety or a blend of multiple varieties can offer. We study how different ageing and maturation techniques, such as the use of oak barrels or amphorae, can shape a wine's aromatic bouquet.

The Importance of Vinification

We pay particular attention to vinification, whether for white or red winemaking. Every stage, from alcoholic fermentation to malolactic fermentation, impacts the wine's aromas and texture. Tastings help us understand these subtleties and apply them to our own cuvées, striking the perfect balance between tradition and innovation.

Themed Tastings and Forgotten Grape Varieties

Our sessions often feature themed tastings, where we explore wines made from forgotten Bordeaux grape varieties or varieties from elsewhere that might inspire our projects. This approach has led us, for instance, to rediscover Mancin, Castets, or Petit Verdot—varieties that bring unique depth and identity to our wines.

Discovering Terroirs

Beyond grape varieties, tastings allow us to explore the expression of different wine terroirs. Whether on calcaire à astéries (limestone with starfish fossils) or gravelly soils, each soil imparts its own signature to the wine, influencing its minerality, structure, and ageing potential. This understanding of terroirs is essential for refining our practices in the vineyard and the cellar.

In conclusion, tastings lie at the heart of our quest for excellence and our pioneering approach at Château Cazebonne, where we replant grape varieties that had disappeared from the Bordeaux landscape. This meticulous and passionate work is made possible thanks to the support of wine enthusiasts who have embraced our wines and share our vision. We invite you to learn more about the fascinating history of Bordeaux vineyards by downloading the digital edition of the book "Bordeaux, une histoire de cépages" on our dedicated website. To test your knowledge and sharpen your palate, feel free to explore other wine readings or try our wine quizzes. Finally, discover the expression of our terroirs and the fruits of our labour by visiting our online shop to find your favourite cuvée or explore our favourites.