Château Biac, B de Biac 2015

The Story

Château Biac’s unique setting overlooking a meander of the Garonne River and the plain of the Graves, has not only been a timeless witness to the region’s history, but also to the geological movements of the area, now embedded in its unique “terroir”.

Archived by the Feret Editions as a wine producing estate since their second publication in the mid-19th century, its history goes back much further in time to the Roman era, when the Romans brought vines with them to the Aquitaine and planted the first vineyards in the area around Biac.

Story of the Estate: 17th to 20th century

In the 17th century, Biac was spread over 37 hectares of land, more than double the current area of 15 hectares. The architecture of the present day winery suggests that part of it may have been used as a barn to store grain and to house cattle.

“Le Vieux Biac”, today’s guesthouses, was the original “Château” with its agricultural buildings next to it, now offices and entertaining rooms.

The present day Château was built in 1755 by the daughter of the Baron of Langoiran who owned Biac. The stones to build it most probably came from the quarry in our woods as was often the case in those days.

In 1820, Biac was sold to the Mayor of Langoiran, Mr Gregoire Andrieu. His family and their descendants, the Bassal Andrieu, established Biac’s reputation for excellence well into the 20th century: “The vines for the white wine came from Château d’Yquem, whilst those for the red came from the very finest Châteaux in St Emilion” and the wines from the Estate started to be known for “… class, finesse, ranked amongst the very first growths of the commune”, Bordeaux et ses vins , Editions Feret, 1874 and 1893.

Sometime during the 19th century, the family added the imposing square shaped tower to the 18th century body of the house.

Biac and the Garonne River

Although the name “Biac” remains an enigma, it may refer to its proximity to the Garonne River. “Acqua” in Latin. It could also derive from the Latin suffix “ac”, meaning “at”. Any historians out there reading this chapter? Feedback is welcome!

Close to an important intersection of four main Roman roads, it is equally found on the 18th century renowned Cassini family maps of France, commissioned by King Louis XVI prior to the French revolution.

Its eagle nest location not far from the medieval Castle of Langoiran explains the presence of a watch tower now hidden by the overgrowth in our woods.

From ancient times to the early 20th century, the Garonne River was the “Highway” between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, linking Bordeaux and Marseille via the “Canal du Midi” which begins close to Langon. From its vantage point, Biac looked at ships ferrying goods to and from the Bordeaux harbour.

Nowadays, the Garonne is used mainly by sightseeing leisure boats between Bordeaux and the historic town of Cadillac. However, it retains its practical use in the shape of the barge ferrying parts of the A 380 Airbus: wings and parts of the fuselage are ferried from the Bordeaux harbour to Langon, where they are unloaded and then trucked by special convoy to Toulouse for assembly. It is an extraordinary sight to watch them day or night, glide past our terrace on the river…

More recently

Biac was sold in the late 1960s, to Frederic Bonnard, oenologist and a relative of the famous painter Pierre Bonnard. In 1977, it was acquired by Paul and Marie Helene Ducatez.

Following her untimely death, the Schroeder Rossini family bought Château Biac in 1995 and owned it until 2006, when we acquired it.

Who are we?

Having spent many summers in its vicinity, we discovered Château Biac when we rented its guesthouses.

We – Tony, Youmna, Yasmina, Gabriel and Antonia – are a Lebanese family. How we ended up owning a vineyard in Bordeaux is another story, best heard by coming to visit us… However, since we became “accidental” winemakers or viticulturists in 2006, we have made a determined commitment to perpetuate the Biac legacy of excellence. We hope to ensure that Château Biac remains one of the finest properties of the region at the centre of Bordeaux’s history of fine wines.

Our Wines

“The vines produce a wine of character, finesse, elegance, highly enjoyable. It is ranked amongst the first growths of the region.”, Bordeaux et ses vins , Editions Feret, 1874.

Under our watch, we aim to live up to Chateau Biac’s glorious past by producing wines which will perpetuate the same values.

Patrick Leon oversees the making of our three red wines. His rich and varied experience is invaluable and together, we push the post further to reach the best expression of the year’s vintage. Every year, we listen to what the vintage tells us of how our “terroir” has fared that year. This is why we do not have a set blending recipe for our wines. For instance, the 2008 and 2011 vintages have a high proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon; whilst the other vintages are predominantly rich in Merlot. At every stage of the vine growth and of the winemaking, we will try to fine tune the process so that what you will (hopefully) drink, will give you the most pleasurable memory of our wines.

Christine Sourdes is in charge of our sweet wine, not an easy task when you think that this fine nectar comes from, admittedly noble, rotten grapes. Our small production of Secret de Château Biac requires as much attention as its red brother! We like to think it is reminiscent of the soft breeze flowing uphill from the Garonne River, the balmy summer sunshine which bathes our Semillon grapes, and the wild flower meadow lying at their feet.

Bottle notes

Let’s continue our musical journey: as all the instruments (plots) of our vineyard are of equal quality, the wine which makes up the B de Biac blend stems from the same plots as for Château Biac, it is only a different music to be listened to (consumed) on a different occasion.

Musicians of the same orchestra do not perform all together: some will play chamber music rather than a big symphony. B de Biac is our Chamber Orchestra: it is a blend borne from the same plots as Château Biac but with a view to being drunk more readily. Fruity and fresh, it is a good companion for relaxed encounters.

Tasting notes

4th April 2021 (Bertrand Léon)

Nose: Very pure, unctuous , discreet presence of red fruits.

Palate: At first, very smooth and generous on silky and round tannins. This wine is already well balanced: young and harmonious. The finale is perfect smoothness.

Stats

Soil overview

Merlot: Silt and clay with a chalk sub soil and medium density gravel.

Cabernet Sauvignon: High density gravel with sub soil of silt and clay.

Cabernet Franc: Clay and chalk with on a clay chalk sub soil Petit Verdot Clay with silt and sand.

Vine density

9 100 vines / hectare (young vines) 5 200 vines / hectare (old vines)

Pruning

Guyot double

Harvest dates

Merlot: 19th, 25th and 30th September 2015, and 1st October 2015

Cabernet Franc: 1st October 2015

Cabernet Sauvignon: 9th October 2015

Petit Verdot: 9th October 2015

Ageing

16 months

Grape blend

Merlot 68%, Cabernet Sauvignon 23%, Petit Verdot 5%, and Cabernet Franc 4%

Food Pairing

Traditional Lebanese Artichoke Stew with Rice, Spaghetti Bolognese, Cottage Pie, Farmhouse Paté

Roast Duck with Wild Mushrooms, Raspberry Mousse.