Most of the world associates the Dassault name with aviation and space technology, and in Arkansas, many of us are familiar with Dassault Falcon Jet. But the Dassault family has another business I admire, or should I dare say adore -- the esteemed Chateau Dassault. I must admit I was smitten and honored to be included alongside Julien Dassault, with Ristorante Capeo hosting, as we welcomed this wine to our state.
Chateau Dassault is prized among the elite of France's grand Cru Classe classification of St. Emilion. Marcel Dassault was a cutting edge aircraft designer and aeronautical entrepreneur when wine became another passion and love for him to pursue. He bought the Chateau Couperie vineyard in 1955, which was planted in 1862 by Victor Beylot. Dassault's years of dedication in renovating and renewing the vineyard were to be rewarded in 1969 with the family's recognition of Chateau Dassault as a grand Cru Classe estate in the Saint-Emilion classification system.
Today Marcel's grandson, Laurent Dassault, continues the family tradition of growing exceptional terroir-driven grapes and producing world class wines. His philosophies are much the same as his grandfather's, linking the pursuit of the highest quality in aircraft manufacturing and winemaking. They have a lot in common, considering the precision necessary for a successful end result in the cockpit and in the goblet.
The average age of the vines is 35 years and the varietals consist of cabernet sauvignon, merlot and cabernet franc. Great care goes into the viticulture, with intense canopy and vine management assuring the healthiest grapes will be used in the winery. The grapes are hand-harvested then additional sorting is done by workers.
Chateau Dassault ferments each of the grape varietals in separate vats to fine-tune the blend to perfection. The winemaking is in small, concrete temperature controlled vats and aging in oak barrels (usually 70 percent new oak and 30 percent 1-year-old barrels) for 14 to 18 months.
It's very exciting to welcome such a respected and sought-after wine to Arkansas restaurants and retail shops.
THE SPLURGE
2008 Chateau Dassault, France (about $87 retail)
Lorri Hambuchen is a member of London's Institute of Wines and Spirits. Contact her at the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, P.O. Box 2221, Little Rock, Ark. 72203, or email:
uncorked@thewinectr.com
Food on 09/24/2014