Originally built in the 17th century, Château Loudenne is one of the oldest Cru Bourgeois properties. The humble pink chateau sits on the banks of the Gironde where it is one of the first Châteaux to greet visitors who enter the Médoc from the Atlantic via the Gironde. The southernmost Chateau in the Medoc, Loudenne stretches over a superb estate of 132 hectares, with 48 hectares. The grand vin, Château Loudenne, a Médoc Cru Bourgeois Supérieur is a blend of 48% Merlot, 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc and 1% Malbec.

Michel Rolland is the consultant oenologist. Beautiful deep color with shades of violet. A nice nose of fresh red fruits: raspberry and blackcurrant. The attack in mouth is plain, rich of very ripe fruit tannins dominated by blackcurrant jam. Good balance between acidity and tannins. This wine has fine woody scents well mixed with the fruit aromas which last in the finish leaving a liquorice flavor.

Delivers blackberry and pretty, toasty oak, with flowers. Full-bodied, with silky tannins and a long, long finish of ripe fruit, espresso and a hint of licorice. Balanced and refined. Best after 2011. 16,665 cases made. –James Suckling, 90 Points; The Wine Spectator