Chateau Bernadotte Haut Medoc Bordeaux, Complete Guide

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

Chateau Bernadotte History, Overview

Chateau Bernadotte takes its name from a previous owner, Marshal Bernadotte, who had connections to royalty. Marshal Bernadotte was appointed the Sovereign Prince by Napoleon I. However, the vineyard was not always known as Bernadotte. In fact, that name is quite recent. Prior to 1997, the estate was known as Chateau Fournas.

The name was changed in 1997 when what we know of as Chateau Bernadotte was purchased by Madame de Lencquesaing from Curt Eklund. Curt Eklund acquired the estate in 1973, along with 10 hectares of vines in Pauillac.

This was not the first vineyard that was managed by de Lencquesaing. May Eliane de Lencquesaing was already quite experienced in Bordeaux by that time as she was the owner of Chateau Pichon Lalande in Pauillac.

The following year after taking over the estate, two things took place. The 10 hectares of vines that came with the deal were integrated into Pichon Lalande. Next, May Eliane de Lencquesaing ordered a complete renovation of Chateau Bernadotte.

The entire property was rebuilt from top to bottom. The Chateau, vat rooms, grape reception area, and cellars were all modernized. In the vat rooms, they increased the number of vats to 23. This allowed Chateau Bernadotte to vinify in thermoregulated vats on a parcel by parcel basis for the first time.

The vineyards also received extensive improvements and replanting of several parcels. The amount of Merlot planted in the vineyards was also increased from 36% to 44%, which helped soften and round out the wine.

In 2007, Chateau Pichon Comtesse de Lalande in Pauillac and the two properties in St. Estephe, Chateau de Pez and Haut Beausejour were purchased by the Roederer Champagne house from May Eliane de Lencquesaing. Since the purchase by the Rouzaud family, headed by Frederic Rouzaud, the wines of Chateau Bernadotte began showing a marked improvement in style and quality.

In December 2012, Chateau Bernadotte was sold to the King Power Group. The King Power Group has massive business holdings in a myriad of different industries including; real estate, food, beverages, retail with the Agatha company, and a host of other industries including a massive presence in the duty-free area. In 2015, Hubert de Bouard came on board as consultant.

Chateau Bernadotte, Vineyards, Terroir, Grapes, Winemaking

The 44 hectare Left Bank vineyard of Chateau Bernadotte is planted to 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 48% Merlot, and 1% Petit Verdot. This is a change in the vineyard with much more Merlot being planted and the small amount of Cabernet Franc has been removed.

The terroir is gravel and sand with some clay in the soil on sloping hillsides, which rise to 31 meters at their peak. The vineyard On average, the vines are 25 years of age. The vines are planted to a density of 6,500 vines per hectare with newer plantings taking place at 10,000 vines per hectare. On average, the vines are a respectable 30 years of age. Harvests are done by machine.

To produce the wine of Chateau Bernadotte, vinification takes place in 23, large, temperature-controlled, stainless steel vats. Malolactic fermentation takes place in the tank. The wines of Chateau Bernadotte are then aged in an average of 30% new, French oak barrels for 12 to 18 months, depending on the quality and character of the vintage.

On average, the large Medoc vineyard produces close to 20,000 cases of Chateau Bernadotte per year. The estate also makes a second wine, Le Fournas Bernadotte.

The best vintages of Chateau Bernadotte are: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2010 and 2009 and 2005.

When to Drink Chateau Bernadotte, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time

Chateau Bernadotte needs some time before it can be enjoyed. Young vintages can be decanted for about 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 Bernadotte is usually better with at least 4-6 years of bottle age. Of course, that can vary slightly, depending on the vintage character. Chateau Bernadotte offers its best drinking and should reach peak maturity between 5-15 years of age after the vintage.

Serving and Decanting Chateau Bernadotte with Wine, Food, Pairing Tips

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

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

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