Grape variety: 70% Sauvignon, 20% Semillon, 10% Muscadelle
Soil: Chalky clay
Situated in the eastern edge of the Bordeaux wine growing area, the Château de Parenchère vineyard, 63 ha, lies on the borders of the Dordogne and the Lot et Garonne departments.
Here they grow in chalky clay with a very high clay content, which is unusual for this area and which goes some way to accounting for the strength of the wines produced from them.
Using old Cabernet Franc vines that were grafted* in March 2005 (See News dated 15 March 2007), this entirely hand harvested white wine is made from the three major Bordeaux white varieties:
This blend contributes directly to the balance of the wine. The Sauvignon produces aromatic strength and freshness, while the Semillon complements this with a certain degree of roundness on the palate. The Muscadelle adds intense white flower notes to the aromatic range of the finished wine.
The wines are made in such a way as to display this fruit while extracting its substance as gently as possible. We achieve this by subjecting the Sauvignon and Muscadelle to skin contact* for 18 to 24 hours. The Semillon is pressed as soon as it arrives in the cellar. The juice is then allowed to ferment at a low temperature (16°C) in order to achieve ideal fruitiness. After ageing on fine lees for 3 months, the vines are then blended.
Characteristics : a white wine with intense white and citrus fruit aromas, which is both fresh and round on the palate. Its balance makes it an ideal accompaniment for fish and seafood.
* Grafting: consists of cutting a notch in an already planted vine, in order to insert a graft of a different grape variety. The following year, the growth of the old host variety is removed and the fruit of the new variety can be harvested.
* Skin contact: when the fruit and especially the grape skins are left to steep in the juice.
