Catalog

Mr. Despagne's obsession is to produce the most lively wine in his family estate, planted with old varieties of Merlot and Cabernet. After organic cultivation in the vineyard, any modern input or process is banned in the vat room: no dry ice, yeasts, enzymes, tartaric acid, oak chips... A pure fermented grape juice, aged in barrels for 12 to 18 months and bottled without filtration or fining, promised to keep well and for a long time.

Mr. Despagne's obsession is to produce the most lively wine in his family estate, planted with old varieties of Merlot and Cabernet. After organic cultivation in the vineyard, any modern input or process is banned in the vat room: no dry ice, yeasts, enzymes, tartaric acid, oak chips... A pure fermented grape juice, aged in barrels for 12 to 18 months and bottled without filtration or fining, promised to keep well and for a long time.

Mr. Despagne's obsession is to produce the most lively wine in his family estate, planted with old varieties of Merlot and Cabernet. After organic cultivation in the vineyard, any modern input or process is banned in the vat room: no dry ice, yeasts, enzymes, tartaric acid, oak chips... A pure fermented grape juice, aged in barrels for 12 to 18 months and bottled without filtration or fining, promised to keep well and for a long time.

Mr. Despagne's obsession is to produce the most lively wine in his family estate, planted with old varieties of Merlot and Cabernet. After organic cultivation in the vineyard, any modern input or process is banned in the vat room: no dry ice, yeasts, enzymes, tartaric acid, oak chips... A pure fermented grape juice, aged in barrels for 12 to 18 months and bottled without filtration or fining, promised to keep well and for a long time.

Mr. Despagne's obsession is to produce the most lively wine in his family estate, planted with old varieties of Merlot and Cabernet. After organic cultivation in the vineyard, any modern input or process is banned in the vat room: no dry ice, yeasts, enzymes, tartaric acid, oak chips... A pure fermented grape juice, aged in barrels for 12 to 18 months and bottled without filtration or fining, promised to keep well and for a long time.

A 4 ha plot selection from Château Rigaud, La Mauriane is not yet another luxurious cuvée on the right bank but a wine built on fine grain tannins where the brilliance and precision of the fruit prevail.

A 4 ha plot selection from Château Rigaud, La Mauriane is not yet another luxurious cuvée on the right bank but a wine built on fine grain tannins where the brilliance and precision of the fruit prevail.

Started in 2003, the Clos Louie adventure is a textbook case: a dolly vineyard (2.3 ha) on a beautiful clay-limestone terroir of Castillon, careful biodynamic cultivation, double manual sorting during the harvest, low-intervention vinification, gentle maturation in 500-litre demi-muids.

Louison et Léopoldine is the other Clos Louie wine, a tribute to Cabernet Franc (80%) from 50-year-old vines. Clean, bright fruit and remarkable aromatic freshness: a real nugget!

Started in 2003, the adventure of Clos Louie is a textbook case: doll's vineyard (2.3 ha) on a beautiful clay-limestone terroir of Castillon, very old vines (150 years old!) mostly Merlot and red tail malbec, careful biodynamic cultivation, double manual sorting during the harvest, little interventionist vinification, gentle maturing in 500-litre demi-muids. A true artist's wine, absent from the guides but that informed amateurs know well.

Petit cru de 10 ha (6 ha en blanc, 4 ha en rouge) au cœur des Graves, sur des terrasses alluvionnaires de la Garonne, tenu par un couple investi : viticulture bio, vinifications soignées. Le vin rouge, 60% cabernet-sauvignon et 40% merlot, bénéficie de macération pré-fermentaire à froid pour un fruité plus expressif.

Property awakened in 2011 by the arrival of son Paul Garcin, ex rock musician of the Bordeaux scene. Instant passage to organic farming, artist wines, intuitive, immediately sapid, tasty and with a strong note of pleasure, white as well as red.

Regardless of its production in the Margaux appellation, Mille Roses also produces an Haut-Médoc on 4 parcels, 5.5 ha, around the Château. 50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot giving a dashing, accessible and silky wine, finely wooded (25% new oak). And of course, driven organically since 2010.

Regardless of its production in the Margaux appellation, Mille Roses also produces an Haut-Médoc on 4 parcels, 5.5 ha, around the Château. 50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot giving a dashing, accessible and silky wine, finely wooded (25% new oak). And of course, driven organically since 2010.

Regardless of its production in the Margaux appellation, Mille Roses also produces an Haut-Médoc on 4 parcels, 5.5 ha, around the Château. 50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot giving a dashing, accessible and silky wine, finely wooded (25% new oak). And of course, driven organically since 2010.

The smallest cru bourgeois (3.9 ha) in the Médoc and one of the first certified organic (in 2011), run by Mrs Nadalié, oenologist and daughter of the Nadalié cooperage, which supplies many of the great Bordeaux wines. Located in the south of the Médoc between La Lagune and the Margaux appellation, 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Merlot, it is difficult not to like its Clos La Bohême with its floral nose (very peony) on a sweet, tender, fresh palate and always tasty tannins.

The smallest cru bourgeois (3.9 ha) in the Médoc and one of the first certified organic (in 2011), run by Mrs Nadalié, oenologist and daughter of the Nadalié cooperage, which supplies many of the great Bordeaux wines. Located in the south of the Médoc between La Lagune and the Margaux appellation, 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Merlot, it is difficult not to like its Clos La Bohême with its floral nose (very peony) on a sweet, tender, fresh palate and always tasty tannins.

1.5 ha in the south of the Médoc on the edge of the Margaux appellation, run by two women: Laurence Alias, an agronomy engineer, to look after the vines and Pascale Choime, an oenologist, to take care of the winemaking. Growing in biodynamics, nothing else in the cellar but the grapes and a bit of sulphur, everything is done to stay as close as possible to the most delicate and crunchy fruit. Their Haut-Médoc and "Baragane" cuvée (150 year old vines!) are of remarkable purity and frankness, proving that Cabernet Sauvignon without artifice can produce wines of great delicacy while remaining superior in elegance. A real nugget like the Bordeaux vineyard knows how to conceal it.

1.5 ha in the south of the Médoc on the edge of the Margaux appellation, run by two women: Laurence Alias, an agronomy engineer, to look after the vines and Pascale Choime, an oenologist, to take care of the winemaking. Growing in biodynamics, nothing else in the cellar but the grapes and a bit of sulphur, everything is done to stay as close as possible to the most delicate and crunchy fruit. Their Haut-Médoc and "Baragane" cuvée (150 year old vines!) are of remarkable purity and frankness, proving that Cabernet Sauvignon without artifice can produce wines of great delicacy while remaining superior in elegance. A real nugget like the Bordeaux vineyard knows how to conceal it.

Not really Margaux even if it is a neighbour, not really Haut-Médoc as it is situated in the extreme south of the Médoc on the outskirts of Bordeaux, La Lagune is a special vintage in the 1855 classification, marvellously combining finesse and sweet smoothness.

Totally surrounded by classified growths, La Gurgue enjoys a privileged terroir, and the attentive care of Mrs Villars (also owner of Ferrière, classified growth of Margaux, and Haut-Bages-Libéral, classified growth of Pauillac), distinguished in the Top 25 of the best producers of the Bettane&Desseauve 2020 guide. Certainly the best quality/price/pleasure ratio in the appellation.

A 4 ha Petit Cru Bourgeois, between Giscours, Monbrison and d'Angludet. Although in the process of being converted to organic farming - since 2010 - and producing only just over 1000 cases per year, Mille-Roses remains one of the cheapest wines in the Margaux appellation.

A 4 ha Petit Cru Bourgeois, between Giscours, Monbrison and d'Angludet. Although in the process of being converted to organic farming - since 2010 - and producing only just over 1000 cases per year, Mille-Roses remains one of the cheapest wines in the Margaux appellation.

Laurence Alias, an agronomy engineer, to look after the vines (biodynamic) and Pascale Choime, an oenologist, to take care of the vinifications also have half a hectare in Margaux, pampered like a vegetable garden. It gathers 6 Bordeaux grape varieties (with petit-verdot, carménère and malbec), some of which are more than a hundred years old. Grown biodynamically, nothing else in the cellar but grapes and a little sulphur, matured in 400-litre barrels, everything is done to stay as close as possible to the most delicate and crunchy fruit. A real gem like the Bordeaux vineyard knows how to conceal it.

With their Haut-Médoc, Laurence Alias and Pascale Choime, respectively engineer and oenologist, also have a half-hectare in Margaux (Cantenac) pampered like a vegetable garden. It gathers 6 Bordeaux grape varieties (with Petit Verdot, Carménère and Malbec), some of which are more than a century old. Biodynamic cultivation, nothing else in the cellar but the grapes and a little sulfur, aging in 400 liter barrels, everything is done to stay as close as possible to the most delicate and crisp fruit. Unlike their other vintages, the 2018 did not receive approval from the Margaux appellation (deemed atypical?) and is labeled as Vin de France.

The smallest classified growth of Margaux (8 ha), Ferrière is a traditional, straightforward and pleasant Margaux, moderately powerful but perfectly balanced. Its ageing capacity is undeniable. Same owner as Haut-Bages-Libéral. In organic conversion since the 2012 vintage, certified from the 2015 vintage, and now in the list of the 25 best French producers for the Bettane&Desseauve 2020 guide. Bravo !

The smallest classified growth of Margaux (8 ha), Ferrière is a traditional, straightforward and pleasant Margaux, moderately powerful but perfectly balanced. Its ageing capacity is undeniable. Same owner as Haut-Bages-Libéral. In organic conversion since the 2012 vintage, certified from the 2015 vintage, and now in the list of the 25 best French producers for the Bettane&Desseauve 2020 guide. Bravo !

The smallest classified growth of Margaux (8 ha), Ferrière is a traditional, straightforward and pleasant Margaux, moderately powerful but perfectly balanced. Its ageing capacity is undeniable. Same owner as Haut-Bages-Libéral. In organic conversion since the 2012 vintage, certified from the 2015 vintage, and now in the list of the 25 best French producers for the Bettane&Desseauve 2020 guide. Bravo !

In organic conversion from 2013, Durfort-Vivens was one of the very first classified growths in the Médoc to claim and display organic certification from 2016. M. Bettane is one of its most fervent defenders: "the quality/price ratio remains absolutely unique at this level of quality of terroir and work.

See the presentation film of the Ch. DURFORT-VIVENS

In organic conversion from 2013, Durfort-Vivens was one of the very first classified growths in the Médoc to claim and display organic certification from 2016. M. Bettane is one of its most fervent defenders: "the quality/price ratio remains absolutely unique at this level of quality of terroir and work.

See the presentation film of the Ch. DURFORT-VIVENS

Contiguous to Mouton-Rothschild, Pontet-Canet is in good vintages the very type of great Pauillac, straight and racy. The first of the Grands Crus Classés to be certified "organic" (in 2010), Pontet-Canet has been at the top of the Médoc since 2000.