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Magali Guyon has been the technical director/ winemaker of Ch\\xe2teau La Cardonne in the M\\xe9doc of Bordeaux for more than 20 years. Having worked in Bordeaux for some of the biggest names \\u2013 she is the former winemaker at Ch\\xe2teau Lynch-Bages \\u2013 she represents the best of the best in Bordeaux. Ch\\xe2teau La Cardonne was recently awarded the prestigious Cru Bourgeois Sup\\xe9rieur title as well.\\xa0

In this show, we take a different look at the M\\xe9doc (the prestigious Left Bank of Bordeaux) and approach it as a proposition of growing and terroir \\u2013 not of pretty chateaux and expensive wines. Magali helps us reframe the discussion of Bordeaux to show us that the true essence of Bordeaux is the vineyard and the land.

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Here are the show notes/discussion topics:

• The location, size, and the major water, soil, climate, and other influences in the M\\xe9doc

Map from Vins du M\\xe9doc

• The soils and the differences between the various types of gravel, the clay-limestone, and the limestone bedrock that could be particularly suited to white wine in the future (yes, we do discuss the possibility of a Blanc appellation for M\\xe9doc)

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• The flat aspect of Bordeaux and how diurnals must make up for what it lacks in altitude or slope

• The grapes of the M\\xe9doc \\u2013 mainly Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. We talk about what type of land is well-suited to each grape and what matters when it comes to good viticulture

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• The many separate areas/AOCs \\u2013Margaux, St. Julien, Pauiilac, Listrac, Moulis, St. Est\\xe8phe, and the wider areas of Haut-M\\xe9doc and M\\xe9doc. We talk about the similarities (the oceanic climate) and the differences (nuances in climate and soil)

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• I ask Magali about why there are no wines that tout \\u201cold vines\\u201d or Vieilles Vignes on their labels in Bordeaux. She explains why that could be.

• Climate change and the challenges of strictly organic or biodynamic viticulture are a big topic. We also talk about the new grape varieties \\u2013 Touriga Nacional, Marselan, Arinarnoa, and Castets \\u2013 and the potential for a few of them. We address the importance of tradition and how keeping wines stylistically true to the region is a priority

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After an in-depth conversation on M\\xe9doc, we discuss Ch\\xe2teau la Cardonne.

• Magali explains why she vinifies each lot separately \\u2013 plot by plot. We discuss how important it is for a vigneron to be in charge of both vineyards and winemaking. We talk about the use of oak and how it is viewed in Bordeaux (as a way to provide controlled oxidation and tannin stabilization, NOT as a \\u201cspice rack\\u201d as it is in the New World) and why many vigneron are trading barrels for amphora
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• Ch\\xe2teau La Cardonne ages the wines before release in their famous \\u201cCathedral\\u201d . It is 2020 at the time of the show and they are just releasing their 2010 wine

Photo credit: Vins du M\\xe9doc

• We discuss the \\u201ccaste system\\u201d of Bordeaux and how frustrating it is that the classification systems suppress the reputation and excellent wines of places not included in these old rankings. On the positive side, we discuss how that translates to value for us as wine lovers (La Cardonne is a mere US$25)

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We wrap with a brief discussion of women in Bordeaux, the benefit of foreign investment in Bordeaux (Ch\\xe2teau La Cardonne is owned by a Hong Kong-based company), and how the future for Bordeaux is exciting and full of possibilities.

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The show is a great new way to look at Bordeaux. Forget chateaux: look at the land!

*Unless specified otherwise all photos from the Instagram feed of Chateau La Cardonne

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