Dourthe Vineyards purchased Château La Garde in June 1990, captivated by the exceptional quality of its terroir, which is quite possibly one of the finest gravel outcrops in the Pessac-Léognan appellation.
Motivated by an ambitious project worthy of this magnificent site, considerable time and resources have been invested in the estate. These efforts have been rewarded with the increasingly consistent production of delicate, elegant, and appealing Pessac-Léognan wines.
93 Points — James Suckling
“Violet, dark-berry and stone aromas follow through to a medium to full body. Linear and very fine. Tight and fresh. Precise and beautiful. A serious young red. Drink in 2022.”
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Château La Garde 2015 is an elegant and beautifully structured red Bordeaux from Pessac-Léognan, one of the most distinguished appellations in the Graves region. The estate occupies an exceptional gravel outcrop that Dourthe considers among the finest terroirs in the appellation, producing wines noted for their precision, balance, and refined structure.
Dourthe acquired Château La Garde in 1990 after recognizing the remarkable potential of its vineyard. Significant investment in both the vines and cellar followed, with the goal of producing wines that fully express the estate’s gravel-dominated terroir. The resulting style combines the depth and cassis character of Cabernet Sauvignon with the roundness and generous fruit of Merlot.
The 2015 vintage is composed of approximately 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, and 3% Petit Verdot. Cabernet Sauvignon provides structure, freshness, and dark-fruit intensity, while Merlot contributes suppleness and richness. A small amount of Petit Verdot adds color, spice, and additional complexity.
The bouquet opens with violet, blackberry, black currant, and dark cherry, accompanied by notes of crushed stone, cedar, tobacco, graphite, and subtle spice. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, linear, and precise, with concentrated dark fruit, fresh acidity, and finely integrated tannins. Its mineral character and restrained smoky notes are classic signatures of Pessac-Léognan.
With more than a decade of development, the 2015 is beginning to display attractive maturity while retaining freshness and structure. The fruit remains vibrant, but the tannins have softened and secondary notes of tobacco, earth, cedar, and spice are becoming increasingly expressive.
The vintage also received 91 points from Wine Enthusiast, which praised its firm tannins, fresh acidity, and layered blackberry and black-currant fruit.
Château La Garde 2015 is an excellent match for grilled or roasted beef, rack of lamb, duck breast, braised short ribs, wild mushrooms, and firm aged cheeses. It may be enjoyed now after decanting or cellared for further development.
Appellation: Pessac-Léognan
Region: Bordeaux, France
Vintage: 2015
Grape Varieties: Approximately 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, and 3% Petit Verdot
Soils: Deep gravel with underlying clay and limestone influences
Style: Medium to full-bodied, structured, mineral, and elegant
Critical Acclaim: 93 Points, James Suckling; 91 Points, Wine Enthusiast
Bottle Size: 750ml
Serving Recommendation: Serve at approximately 60–65°F. Decant for 45 to 90 minutes before serving to allow the dark fruit, mineral notes, and mature savory character to fully open.
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