| Grape varieties |
99% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc |
| Origin |
Saint-Christophe-des-Bardes (France) |
| Soil composition |
Plateau made up of chestnut-coloured and red clays over asteria limestone with east-facing terraces and west-facing slopes of very chalky, fine blueish clays. |
| Harvest |
Manual harvesting on a plot-by-plot basis according to terroir and ripeness. The Merlot was picked on 25, 26, 27, 29 and 30 September and then on 3 and 4 October. The Cabernet Franc on 4 October. |
| Vinification |
Vat-filling using gravity flow and whole uncrushed berries. Plot by plot vinification in small capacity concrete vats. Gentle extraction via a mix of punching down of cap and pump-overs. Protective macerations aiming for more flesh and salinity. |
| Ageing |
On fine lees partially in barriques and partially in large French and Austrian oak casks (50% of new wood). 1st racking after 4 to 6 months ageing (before the summer); the 2nd one year later, before the bottling. |