Chateau Croix du Rival Lussac – Saint Emilion

LE RIVAL is a rare wine, the unique expression of an exceptional terroir !
The vineyard is located on the archaeological area of the Gallo-Roman villa Lucciacus which gave its name to the present village of Lussac: the excavations in the area show that vineyards were planted here in antiquity and the land is heir to a long and rich history.
In the RIVAL vineyard, Stephan von Neipperg has identifi ed two exceptional plots : a light clay and gravel surface with limestone rock outcropping in places, the varietals are old Merlot vines (the oldest planted in 1951 and 1962) grafted onto Riparia Gloire rootstock well suited to these limestone soils.
In 2009 these two parcels, hardly four hectares in size, produced grapes of exceptional quality. The resulting wine made confi rmed these grapes’ incredible potential: power and length, great structure and velvety tannins still in their youth, with a complex, aromatic finish.
The wine is composed of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. It is a great wine for aging, with a potential of more than 20 years.
“…one of the finest Lussacs I’ve tasted, the equal of a great Saint-Emilion… dense ruby/purple color, notes of kirsch and cassis, earthy and spicy with a good minerality; the wood is well-incorporated; freshness, precision, power and richness…” (Robert Parker)
The Rival is an exceptional wine, rare and only produced in exceptional vintages; the magnified expression of very old Merlot planted on the its preferred terroir.

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