Château Les Graves de Viaud, Terroir, Côtes de Bourg, Bordeaux France, 2019

Producer Profile

The estate of Les Graves de Viaud is located in the heart of the Côtes de Bourg.

15 hectares extending along a hillside with great exposure and underpinned with a terroir of small grit and deep rocky sub-soil. On this landscape the Betschart family farm bio-dynamically intent on creating the best possible expression of natural Bordeaux wines possible, with the bear minimum of additions as part of their ongoing stewardship to ensure the land and vines are as clearly translated to the glass.

Viticulture

The grapes are hand picked from vines grown on the most clay rich soils within Grave.

Winemaking

Destemmed and not crushed before being put into barrel no more than 20 minutes after the harvest. The Merlots are picked 7 to 10 days before the Cabernets, with the Cabernet being added into the Merlot for a co-fermentation. Le Terroir is matured in 500L oak casks of different vintages ( new to 4/5 years) for 14 to 18 months according to the vintage. The 500L barrel allow a sweet maturing, with less oak flavours.

Oak Ageing

Time: 18 Months
Type: French Oak - 500 hl
% wine oaked: 100
% new oak: 5

Tasting Note

This cuvée is a prime example of the potential of their “Terroir” developing maximum varietal character and expresses all the finesse of the gravel and ruby clay soils. Well-integrated tannins, oak and acidity give it a rich texture and a long, elegant finish. It drinks well on release, however this wine will continue to improve with careful cellaring.