Original bottle illustration — Bacchus Global
AOC Côtes de Bourg
CHÂTEAU LA GROLETOrigines 2022
One violent storm on the Gironde's right bank changed how this family estate has farmed ever since — the year after, chemical treatments stopped for good. Origines carries that shift forward as a merlot-led Côtes de Bourg red, its structure built mainly through patient vinification in concrete tanks rather than new oak.
- Wine type
- Red wine
- Grape
- Merlot 70%, Cabernet Sauvignon 15%, Cabernet Franc 10%, Malbec 5%
- Appellation
- AOC Côtes de Bourg
- Origin
- Saint-Ciers-de-Canesse, Bordeaux (Gironde right bank), France
- Drinking window
- Approachable young, with cellaring potential of up to about a decade from the vintage
- Recommended temperature
- 16–18°C
- Alcohol
- 13%
- Bottle size
- 750 ml
About the Wine
Château La Grolet has belonged to the Hubert family since 1997, whose response to a violent storm at the turn of the millennium was to stop all chemical inputs and move the estate fully toward organic and biodynamic farming.
Origines is the estate's core Côtes de Bourg red, a merlot-led blend grown across the property's loam-and-gravel hillsides and vinified with minimal intervention.
Taste profile
In the glass
ORIGINES 2022
Scale1–5
BG wine structure estimate
Comparative profile within the Bacchus Global wine range.
Red and black fruit lead in youth, with hints of blueberry and liquorice (per a retailer's tasting notes).
Delicate yet complex; a retailer also notes fine, refined tannins. With bottle age, the producer describes cocoa, mild tobacco and spice.
Before it reaches the glass
Temperature
16–18°C
Timing
Approachable in its youth, with structure to reward up to about a decade in bottle.
Glassware
A Bordeaux-style glass with a broad bowl, such as a Riedel Bordeaux.
At the table
Origines pairs comfortably across a range of cuisines, following its structure rather than any single tradition.
Its moderate body and fine tannins work best with dishes that share a savoury, umami-driven backbone rather than intense heat or acidity.
Japanese
- Roasted duck breast
- Beef simmered in soy and ginger (shigure-ni)
- Sukiyaki with a light, savoury-sweet broth
Why it worksThe wine's red-fruit core and firm but fine tannins sit comfortably alongside the soy-based sweetness and umami of these dishes without competing for attention.
Thai
- Mild massaman beef curry
- Thai-style grilled beef (neua yang)
- Tomato-based beef stew with a gentle spice level
Why it worksKept away from strong chilli and lime, the wine's moderate body and ripe fruit find balance with the warm spice and tender beef in these milder Thai preparations.
Western
- Grilled beef ribs
- Braised rabbit
- A selection of cheeses
Why it worksClassic Bordeaux pairings: the wine's structure and dark fruit match the richness of grilled and braised meats, while its acidity keeps pace with cheese.
From cellar to bottle
Winemaking
Fermented with native yeasts in temperature-controlled concrete tanks, with no fining and only a limited addition of sulphur (about 40 mg/L total); bottling follows the biodynamic calendar's 'fruit day.'
Product detail
Produced from 38 hectares of vines averaging 50 years old, yielding around 25 hl/ha, with roughly 100,000 bottles made each year.
Origin
Côtes de Bourg lies on the Gironde's right bank, a hillside appellation recognised for red wines since 1936.
Official producer website→Certifications
Organic Agriculture
Demeter Biodynamic · Demeter
Organic, Biodynamic and Vegan
Certified organic and biodynamic (Demeter) since the 2000 vintage, and certified vegan.
Trade information
Contact Bacchus Global for product documentation, availability and trade enquiries.
