Chateau Rahoul Graves Bordeaux, Complete, Guide

Learn everything about Chateau Rahoul Graves, with wine tasting notes and wine-with-food pairing tips. Learn the 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 Rahoul History, Overview

Chateau Rahoul has a long history in the Graves region that dates back to the mid-1600s. The estate takes its name from Guillaume de Rahoul, who owned the vineyard from the mid-17th century until the French Revolution.

However, the birth of the modern era for Chateau Rahoul starts in 1971 when the property was purchased by David Robson. At the time, the vineyards were almost nonexistent, having fallen into poor condition. David Robson began the arduous and expensive task of cultivating the vineyard. It was under the direction of David Robson that Chateau Rahoul started bottling and marketing its wine as well.

In 1983, a new owner took over the property, Lothar Dahl. Under his direction, the estate became one of the first properties in the Graves region to begin to vinify the wines in barrel, similar to what had been taking place in Burgundy for centuries.

So, while this was not new to any Burgundians, this was quite surprising for a property in Bordeaux to be doing this. Starting with the 2007 vintage, the popular negociant, CVGB entered into a long-term agreement with the owner, Alain Thienot to produce, market, and sell the wines of Chateau Rahoul through their Dourthe group.

Chateau Rahoul Vineyards, Terroir, Grapes, Winemaking

The 42 hectares vineyard of Chateau Rahoul has 38.5 hectares are planted to 70% Merlot, 27% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Petit Verdot for the red wine grapes. For the white wine grapes, 3.5 hectares of vines are planted to 78% Semillon and 15% Sauvignon Blanc, and 7% Sauvignon Gris.

For the red wine grape varieties, the terroir is gravel, sand, and clay soils. The red wine of Chateau Rahoul is vinified in stainless steel tanks. Malolactic fermentation takes place in a combination of stainless steel vats and French oak barrels. The wine is aged in 25% new, French oak barrels for 12 months before bottling.

For the white wine grapes, the terroir is gravel, sand, and clay soils. The wine is vinified entirely in the barrel. The white wine of Chateau Rahoul is aged on its lees in 20% new, French oak barrels for an average of 8-9 months before bottling.

Even though the estate produced a lot more red wine than white wine, I find Chateau Rahoul Blanc to be the more interesting wine. There are 2 second wines, L’Orangerie de Rahoul Rouge and Chateau La Garance Blanc.

The Best Vintages of Chateau Rahoul are: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2012, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2006 and 2005. Although it is important to note that vintages can vary as to their quality between the white wine and the reds with as in some years, the reds are markedly better and in other vintages the whites are superior.

Aside from Chateau Rahoul, Dourthe owns several other Bordeaux vineyards including: Chateau Belgrave Haut Medoc, Chateau La Garde Pessac Leognan, Chateau Belgrave Haut Medoc, Chateau Reysson Haut-Medoc, and in the Right Bank, Chateau Grand Barrail Lamarzelle Figeac St. Emilion, and Chateau Pey-La-Tour Bordeaux Superieur.

When to Drink Chateau Rahoul, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time

Chateau Rahoul can be enjoyed on the young side with decanting. Young vintages can be decanted for an average of 1 hour, or so. This allows the wine to soften and open its perfume. Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment.

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

Serving Chateau Rahoul, with Wine, Food, Pairing Tips

Chateau Rahoul is best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift. The red wine of Chateau Rahoul is best served with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised, and grilled dishes.

Chateau Rahoul is a perfect match with Asian dishes, hearty fish courses like tuna, mushrooms, and pasta as well as cheese.

The white wine of Chateau Rahoul is a perfect wine to serve with shellfish, sashimi, sushi, all types of seafood, chicken, veal, and cheese.

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