Chateau Recougne

Legend has it that the name Recougne came in "recognition" of the quality of its wines by King Henri IV in the early 17th century, and while wine has been made on the site for 400 years, the estate is perhaps more relevant today than ever. As Bordeaux recalibrates towards producing wines of freshness and balance, Recougne stands as an example of a pure, fresh style that has remained steadfast for over half a century. The wines have concentration and energy, with pure red and black fruits and a complex earthiness. Amazingly, examples of Recougne from the 1950s and 1960s are still drinking gorgeously Today the wines are made by one of the young stars of the right bank, the fourth generation of his family to make wine at Recougne, Marc Milhade. Marc's philosophy and energy are guided towards more work in the vineyard, and less intervention (in this case, continuing less intervention) in the cellar. The Milhade family has for four generations made wine on the right bank of Bordeaux, always as a family affair. Xavier Milhade, overseeing his family's properties of Chateau Recougne and Chateau Boutisse, has passed his winemaking talent to his son, Marc, now one of the leaders of the younger generation in the Saint-Emilion area. While Chateau Recougne has a historical reputation gong back centuries as an exceptional terroir well beyond its Bordeaux Superieur label, Marc has helped make Boutisse a truly exciting Saint Emilion Grand Cru. Marc's sister Elodie is also taking on increasingly important role running the non-winemaking side of the estates, and her husband's Chateau Tour Bayard, in Montagne-Saint-Emilion, completes the trifecta of estates overseen by the family.

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