Chateau Laniote St. Emilion Bordeaux, Complete Guide

Learn everything about Chateau Laniote St. Emilion with wine tasting notes, wine, and food pairing tips, best vintages, a history of the property, information on the vineyards, and winemaking. If you want to read about other important, Bordeaux Chateaux: Links to all Bordeaux Wine Producer Profiles

Chateau Laniote History, Overview

Chateau Laniote has been owned by the same family for the past two centuries. The Saint Emilion property was created by Pierre Lacoste. Pierre Lacoste was a Bordeaux negociant before purchasing the vineyards and creating Laniote.

He spent 3 decades building Chateau Laniote between 1816 and 1844. The chateau has not changed much since it was initially created by Lacoste. In fact, it’s the same size today as it was in 1844. Chateau Laniote has another claim to fame, actually three more claims to fame.

The estate owns three historic sites in the Saint Emilion village. The Trinity Church, created in the 13th century, which is featured on their label, caves are said to have been dug by the Monk Emilion, (whot the village and appellation is named for) and several Catacombs, which are located directly beneath the Church.

Like many Bordeaux chateaux, Chateau Laniote has been handed down through multiple generations. Similar to what takes place at Chateau Corbin, Chateau Laniote continues to be passed down from mother to daughter. The names of the registered owners have shifted from Lacoste, Rouja, Freymond, Schneider, and now, La Filolie.

Arnaud de la Fiolie, the current owner of this Right Bank chateau is a direct descendant of Lacoste. His wife, Florence Ribereau-Gayon is the winemaker.

Chateau Laniote Vineyards, Terroir, Grapes, Winemaking

The 5 hectare-vineyard of Chateau Laniote is planted to 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 55 Cabernet Sauvignon. The terroir is clay and limestone soils. On average, the vines are close to 35 years of age.

The vineyard is in one contiguous parcel, not too far from Chateau Fonroque, Chateau Larmande, and Chateau Cote de Bateau. It’s also located fairly close to Saint Emilion village. The vineyard is planted on sloping hillsides that rise to 60 meters at their peak.

The vinification of Chateau Laniote takes place in a combination of concrete vats and smaller, stainless steel vats. The wines are aged in close to 50% new, French oak barrels for between 12-15 months.

The best vintages of Chateau Laniote are: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2012, 2010, 2009 and 2005. It should be noted that in 2019, Chateau Laniote began producing markedly better wine.

There is a second wine, Chapelle de Laniote. On average, the annual production of Chateau Laniote is between, 2,000 and 2,250 cases of Bordeaux wine per vintage.

When to Drink Chateau Laniote, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time

Chateau Laniote needs an average of 1 hour of decanting. This allows the wine to soften and open its perfume. Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment.

Chateau Laniote is usually better with at least 2-4 years of bottle age. Of course, that can vary slightly, depending on the vintage character. Chateau Laniote offers its best drinking and should reach peak maturity between 3-9 years of age after the vintage.

Serving Chateau Laniote with Wine and Food Pairings

Chateau Laniote is best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift.

Chateau Laniote is best paired with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised, and grilled dishes. Chateau Laniote is also good when matched with Asian dishes, rich fish courses like tuna, mushrooms, and pasta.

www.laniote.com