Château la Dame Blanche

The Château du Taillan is above all a family story. Indeed, the property was acquired in 1896 by Henri Cruse. Then, 4 generations succeeded each other. Today the property is managed by women. The harmonious facades of the Castle date from the 18th century as well as the altarpiece which closes the long terrace. The very particular old cellar with its basement and double vaults was rebuilt in the 15th century. All these architectural elements are classified as historical monuments of France. Château du Taillan has many assets, making it unique within the Haut-Médocain vineyard. The property is at the forefront of the wine tourism offer. But in Taillan, the wine is as exceptional as its environment. Thus, Château du Taillan is a Cru Bourgeois predominantly Merlot vinified and led by a female team. Armelle Cruse (also Vice-President of the Crus Bourgeois Association) produces here a model of Haut Médoc, a subtle balance between modern style and classism of Grands Vins de Bordeaux. Château La Dame Blanche is the second wine of the property, in red and white.

Located at the gates of Bordeaux and Médoc, the vineyard of Château du Taillan is one of the most beautiful properties of the Gironde. The park with century-old trees, among which is unusually nestled a pink marble altarpiece (also listed), will encourage you to walk. The 30-hectare terroir produces a quality Cru Bourgeois and an excellent white wine. The property is conducted according to traditional Médoc methods (double guyot pruning, disbudding, suckering, leaf stripping, harvest in green, control of yields). The clay-limestone soils are planted with 70% Merlot & 30% Cabernets. The winemaking is done in small stainless steel vats of 80 to 160 hectoliters thermoregulated. Small punctures are frequently done to extract the color and tannins smoothly. The aging is 12 months in barrels of which 10% new and 30% of a wine. Neal Martin, Robert Parker’s successor, made no mistake in awarding him the highest score of the 2014 Cru Bourgeois (91 Points), considering it as the best “Bordeaux value wine” of the year 2016, all appellations combined. The same goes for the Jury of the Brussels Competition, which awarded him a gold medal.

At the tasting, Château La Dame Blanche Rouge offers a wine of a dark and intense color. The nose is open with notes of very ripe red fruits. The attack is powerful, warm and full of charm; the wines are silky with a frame supported by a beautiful acidity which gives it a nice freshness.

Their Team 

• Owners :  Famille CRUSE
• Manager : Armelle CRUSE