Top Bordeaux - Stunning Graves Château

All Seated event

Discover the secrets of a top Bordeaux estate from a Grand Cru Classé Graves, located in the region’s oldest fine wine district.  Château Olivier is arguably THE most distinguished property there.

‘Graves’ is the French word for gravelly; the well-drained soil and pebbles store the sun’s rays and reflect some of the heat back onto the vines at night.  Its wines gave Bordeaux its global reputation.  From 1154 to 1453 the land of Aquitaine, including Graves, was part of the English crown.  Later the district recorded the first ever export from a single estate – Haut-Brion or “Ho Bryan” as Pepys recorded in his Diary in 1663..

Château Oliver is classified as a Grand Cru, a designation first introduced in 1953. It is one of very few to gain such status for both white and red wines, reflecting both its outstanding geology and skilful winemaking.

Marine Le Gall, one of Bordeaux’s leading oenologists, will fly to tutor our tasting.  Marine holds a double degree from L’Institut Agro Montpellier including the National Oenology Diploma.  She has been a winemaker in New Zealand, then at Château Fonroque – a Grand Cru Classé - in St Emilion, and subsequently Director of Production at fabled Château L’Enclos in Pomerol.  She then became a shareholder in three estates on the right bank.

Marine joined Château Olivier just over two years ago as its Commercial Director.  The estate is owned and managed by the De Bethmann family – originally in German banking - who acquired it in 1886.

The vineyards lie around a Medieval Château, complete with its original moat, and forms part of the sub-district of Pessac-Léognan.  “The Château at Olivier must be the most attractive and splendid in the Graves.  Classified as a ‘monument historique’, the oldest parts date from 11^th century, and the latest addition from the 16^th century – ranging from a grim, Medieval fortress to an elegant, Renaissance Château . At one time (1360s) it was a hunting lodge of the Black Prince,” writes David Peppercorn MW in his Guide to the Wines of Bordeaux.

The vineyard is planted 52ha red and 8ha white grapes.  The three red varieties are 54% Merlot, 43% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Petit Verdot.  The latter grape is late-ripening, producing highly coloured wines which adds complexity for long ageing.

The crisp dry whites are made from 87% Sauvignon Blanc and 13% Sémillon.  Marine will explain the respective differences between the estate’s varieties.

Small conical stainless steel tanks are the preferred choice for the red fermentation followed by one year oak ageing.  Oz Clarke in his Bordeaux describes the reds as “fine, ripe and balanced” and the whites as “precise, fresh and aromatic” – praise indeed.

No less than eight wines will be shown.  The three whites will be 2022 and 2012 Château Olivier and then for contrast, 2024 Dauphin d’Olivier (the estate’s second label).  About one-third of the white grapes are given skin contact before pressing.  The must is settled and selected yeasts added with fermentation in barriques, 30% new, in which the wine is aged for eight months, with lees-stirring.

The tasting will be a great opportunity to see the ageing of a top Claret as we progress from youthful 2019 back to 2017 and then 2015.

Two older vintages will also be shipped: 2005 (described by Stephen Brook in The Complete Bordeaux as “lush, generous, oaky aromas, a stylish, medium-bodied palate, fine tannins, and a long tangy finish”) and finally the 1998 (with “poise and charm”, says Brook).

Our venue is the Crypt of St Mary Moorfields, 4-5 Eldon Street EC2M 7LS, five minutes from Liverpool Street station.  It was built in 1903.  The architect, George Sherrin, also designed Spitalfields markets, the dome of the London Oratory and the art deco entrance to South Kensington Underground station.

Doors open at 6.30pm; please do NOT arrive earlier (as the Committee needs time to set up).  If you arrive before, there are many wine bars / coffee shops in the vicinity.  The tasting ends at 8.30pm

Dress code:  Jacket and tie for men - please advise your guests.

Seating:  Seating is available for all attendees.

For admission, please first check availability (info below) - please do not contact the Membership Secretary for avaiability.  Once confirmed and paid, either print off the numbered ticket or have it available on a mobile telephone.

EVENT SUMMARY

Date:      Tuesday 17^th March 2026

Time:      6:30pm

Venue:    St Mary Moorfields,  4-5 Eldon Street,  London,  EC2M 7LS

Dress:     Jacket and tie for men

TASTING COSTS

Tasting Application

HOW TO BOOK

Essential first step: Please check availability by either

• Via the on-line form above  (preferred method)

​           or

• E-mail your tasting application to tastings@redherringwineclub.co.uk

Please do not reply to the Membership Secretary or pay until confirmation of a place is received.

Second stage: Once confirmation has been received, please pay online to The Red Herring Wine Club at Barclays Bank plc:

The payment reference to use is:

Enquiries can be made by telephone on 020 8947 5082 or by e-mail to tastings@redherringwineclub.co.uk  (NB: NOT please to membership@redherringwineclub.co.uk)

Your booking is secure once payment has been received at which point your numbered ticket will be issued as confirmation.

Unfortunately the Club is only able to reimburse if advised at least seven days before an event.  If you are likely to be late, please ring or text 07754 108662.

Tastings take place approximately monthly and can usually be booked the day after a tasting has taken place.  Payments outside this schedule are discouraged and do not guarantee a place.

Please remember to notify any home or email address changes by emailing details to membership@redherringwineclub.co.uk.

Diary Dates: