Chateau Lanessan Haut Medoc Bordeaux, Complete Guide

Learn everything about Chateau Lanessan, 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 Lanessan History, Overview

The birth of Chateau Lanessan dates all the way back to 1793 when it was founded by Jean Delbos. Initially, the vineyard and estate were much smaller, as the property started out with 24 hectares. The impressive, classic chateau, with its Tudor, inspired influences was constructed in 1878.

Eight generations later, Chateau Lanessan remains in the hands of the Bouteiller family, which are direct descendants of the founder. This is quite a feat for a Chateau located in the Medoc, as most vineyards have changed hands several times.

Aside from their obvious passion for wine, equestrian activities have always been a part of the makeup of Chateau Lanessan. They have numerous stables, which were constructed at the same time as the chateau in the shape of a horseshoe. As horses and carriages played an important part in the history of Lanessan, the estate also maintains a museum devoted to historical carriages.

Chateau Lanessan has remained popular with wine lovers for its traditionally styled wine, which has always sold for a very consumer-friendly price. In an effort to increase quality, starting with the 2015 vintage, the owners of Lanessan brought in Hubert de Bouard, the owner of Chateau Angelus as their consultant.

In August 2022, Chateau Lanessan was sold to Treasury Wine Estates which added to its growing portfolio of Bordeaux vineyards as they already own Chateau Cambon La Pelouse and Chateau de Gironville in the Haut-Medoc appellation along with Chateau Bolaire, Bordeaux Superieur. Treasury Estates is clearly intense on growing their vineyard holdings as they have investments in Australia, Napa Valley and other appellations.

Chateau Lanessan Vineyards, Terroir, Grapes, Winemaking

The 80-hectare vineyard of Chateau Lanessan is planted with 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37 Merlot, 8.5% Petit Verdot, and 2.5% Cabernet Franc. Out of its 80 hectares, 45 hectares are cultivated with vines. The vineyard is close to the St. Julien appellation. In fact, it’s just a bit south, as you drive up the D2, the Route de Medoc.

The terroir is mostly gravel-based soil. On average, the vines are 30 years of age. The vineyard is planted to a vine density of 10,000 vines per hectare. As we mentioned close to half of the land owned here is not used for vines. Instead, it’s reserved for natural forests, greenery, parkland, and horse riding trails.

While there are 45 hectares planted to grapevines, the remainder of the property features 20 hectares of parkland. Here you also find beautifully manicured gardens and even a large space for growing vegetables.

To produce the wine of Chateau Lanessan, vinification takes place in traditional, concrete vats. Malolactic fermentation takes place in vat. The wine is aged in a combination of 33% new, French barrels, 33% one-year-old, French oak barrels, and 33% two years old, French oak barrels for an average of 12 months.

The production of Chateau Lanessan is large, making the wine quite easy to find in the marketplace. On average, close to 18,000 cases of wine per vintage are produced by Chateau Lanessan.

There is a second wine, Les Caleches de Lanessan which made its debut in 1999. They also own Chateau de Sainte Gemme, an estate that is also situated in the Haut Medoc appellation.

The best vintages of Chateau Lanessan are: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2010, 2009 and 2005.

Chateau Lanessan remains a popular Left Bank wine with consumers, due to its traditional, Bordeaux-styled wine, low price, and ability to age for decades.

When to Drink Chateau Lanessan, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time

Chateau Lanessan needs some time before it can be enjoyed. Young vintages can be decanted for an average of 90 minutes to 2 hours. This allows the wine to soften and open its perfume. Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment.

Chateau Lanessan is usually better with at least 7-8 years of bottle age. Of course, that can vary slightly, depending on the vintage character. Chateau Lanessan offers its best drinking and should reach peak maturity between 7-20 years of age after the vintage.

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

Chateau Lanessan 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 Lanessan is best served with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised, and grilled dishes.

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

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