Philip Amps visits André Lurton to explore the roots and charm of this iconic French region.
At the beginning of July, I visited Bordeaux. I chose to stay in the centre of Bordeaux, rather than at the Château I was visiting. The historic city of Bordeaux boasts stunning properties and fabulous restaurants, so with a City Pass in hand, I embraced the tourist experience. I’ll certainly go back
! After sightseeing, I went to visit Vignobles André Lurton, a producer we’ve begun working with over the past year.
The Lurton family purchased Château Bonnet in 1897, during the height of the phylloxera epidemic that devastated Bordeaux’s vineyards. In 1923, François Lurton married into the family and had four children. André Lurton, the eldest, inherited Château Bonnet. In 1974, André bought Château de Rochemorin in Martilliac, part of the Pessac- Leognan AOC. Then in 2000, the family acquired a 50% share in Château de Barbe Blanche in Lussac St Emilion. In 2019, Jacques Lurton, son of the late André Lurton, became president of the company. Having travelled the world, making wine in over 42 different countries, he has brought a wealth of innovation to the Lurton family estates, significantly enhancing the quality of the wines.
While visiting the various Châteaux of the André Lurton Estate, I tasted a lot of wines – featured here are some of my favourites. They include a mix of classic Bordeaux styles alongside some distinctly modern styles.
Château de Barbe Blanche Lussac St Emilion 2021
£24.50
Jacques introduced amphora here to round out the wine. Ripe concentrated nose, big dark fruit palate, but supple and drinkable with a long classy finish.
80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc
13.5% ABV – ORGANIC
Château Bonnet Blanc 2023
Offer price: £13.95 | Was £15.95
Zippy and lively, great mouth-feel and long finish. More herbaceous than Sauvignon from New Zealand, but more food friendly.
80% Sauvignon Blanc, 14% Colombard, 6% Semillon
12% ABV
Château Bonnet Rouge 2021
Offer price: £13.95 | Was £15.95
Jacques wants this to be a very drinkable and approachable glass of Bordeaux and it is. Lovely dark fruits nose, supple and very drinkable. A very good introduction to Bordeaux.
60% Merlot, 40% Cabernet
13% ABV
Château de Rochemorin Pessac-Leognan 2020
£27.50
Juicy dark fruits follow through onto the palate and into a long dark fruits finish. Drinking superbly now, but will give years of pleasure from cellaring.
65% Merlot, 35% Cabernet
14.5% ABV
You can shop our entire range of wines from Bordeaux here.
