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CHATEAU WITH 95 AWARDS
One of
the jewels in the crown of the Yvon MAU estates for over
100 years has been Chateau DUCLA. Situated in the heart
of the beautiful Entre-Deux-Mers appellation, the estate
consists of 222 acres of vines, producing Estate Bottled
red, white and rose wines. This vast rolling area has
long held a reputation for producing soft, easy-drinking,
merlot based reds, as well as delicate, full-fruit Sauvignon
Blanc/Semillon based whites. It is here that winemaker
Florence FORGAS, working closely with proprietor Jean-Pierre
MAU, endeavors to improve and perfect the style of the
wines through an intense and exhaustive program of experimentation,
and strict quality control. This diligent focus on quality
has earned the estate the prestigious ISO 9001 certification,
the first ever in the wine industry. This is the highest
certification awarded by the prestigious international
Standards Organization. Selection is also a key ingredient
in the quality story of Chateau DUCLA. Capable of producing
52,000 cases of wine in any given year, the winemaker
and proprietor select only the finest lots of grapes from
their vineyards, to create the wine that will be called
Chateau DUCLA. Current production is 36,000 cases.
Owners
Florence
FORGAS
Florence represents the energetic, new breed of Bordeaux
winemakers. When not completely involved in the progress
of her vineyards and wines, she is an amateur trapeze
artist in a local circus. Florence is clearly a woman
of wide-ranging talents and interests. After completing
her cenological studies at the prestigious Faculte d'O
Enologie de Bordeaux, she maintained a strong working
relationship with Professor Yves GLORIES, Dean of the
faculty through her continued research and experimentation
on the fermentation process. Since arriving at Chateau
DUCLA in 1998, she has been instrumental in this continuing
effort to improve the quality of the wines through experimentation.
Florence feels that research and experimentation lead
to better understanding, and in turn leads to a finer
expression of the terroir of Chateau DUCLA.
Jean-Pierre
MAU
Artist and poet, Jean-Pierre MAU, directs Chateau
DUCLA in the spirit of his family's wine tradition. Through
the creation of the two emblematic cuvees "Experience"
and "Permanence" he has made quality Chateau DUCLA's highest
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Entre-Deux-Mers
The essence of this
region is the production of its charming and elegant white
wines. Chateau DUCLA leads the way in perfecting and enhancing
that style through continued experimentation with clonal
variations, barrel selection, and yeast contact. The Sauvignon
Blanc and Semillon create a fresh herbaceous wine with
soft body. The addition of Muscadelle and Sauvignon Gris
(a mutation of Sauvignon Blanc) enhances the aroma and
adds complexity to the wine on the palate.
Food pairing
Ideal chilled as an aperitif or with fish dishes or seafood
platters.
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Bordeaux Superieur
A supple, easy-drinking
wine, displaying the rich fruit of the Merlot grape that
forms the base of the blend. Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet
Franc add structure, and complexity, yielding a wine of
great character.
Food pairing
Ideal served at 64'F with meal dishes and a wide range
of cheeses.
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