The palate is powerful and complex. A wine of great finesse and an impressive length in the mouth.\n \n Producer Information\n This section of the Rudel Family history took place in an area of western France called Aquitaine. The capital of the area was a seaport fortress city called Blaye, France. This city is located on the Dordogne River, which was a main trading route into central France. This is a wonderful wine region to visit approximately 60 miles northwest of Bordeaux. It is famous for its Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. The wine districts are The Premieres Cotes de Blaye and Cotes de Blaye and can be purchased in the US. The Chateau de Rudel (Chateau means Castle in French) was constructed between 1126 and 1137AD by Vulgria Rudel a descendant of the Count of Angouleme. The Rudels were feudal lords, who ruled the district of Aquitaine for three centuries. They were placed in power by the Queen, Eleanor of Aquitaine. At the end of her reign she controlled all of France, England and most of Spain through marriages and conquests. It was the Rudels who built the Chateau de Rudel, a Hospital in 1257 and an important trading market along with the Saint-Romain Abbey on the SaintJacques de Compostelle road. But their claim to fame comes from Jaufre Rudel, who was a French national hero and troubadour. He wrote and performed many ballads and poems. He also fought in the Crusades representing Eleanor of Aquitaine. It was during this time that he met and fell in love with a latin Princess named Melissinde. According to the legend, he embarked for Tripoli in 1147 and died, on the shore, at the end of his voyage, in the arms of the one who had enchanted him. There is a University and many public buildings and streets named after him that remain today. The existing Citadelle (build in later years) and the ruins of the Chateau have been designated as an UNESCO World Heritage Site. There is a Museum in the Citadelle which is very interesting and has many relics and models of the original Castle.
