Vineyards & Viticulture
Grapes grown in Saint-Christoly de Médoc & Couquèques with a planting density of 9,000 to 10,000 vines/ha. Average of 45 years old. Soil is worked by plow and the rows have grass in the middle. Only organic amendments and reasoned phytosanitary treatments. No copper is used.

Soils
29% clay-gravelly, 28% limestone of Couquèques, 25% sand, 13% clay-sand, 5% gravel-sand

Harvest & Vinification
Hand harvest September 29 to October 15. About 1 kg of grapes per vine (6-8 bunches/vine), with a yield of approx. 55 hl /ha. Grapes sorted twice, before and after destemming, on vibrating sorting table and vatting by peristaltic pump (the temperature of each tank is then reduced to 10° for 48 to 72 hours) Traditional vinification by pumping over for concrete vat and punch down for wood and concrete vat (in part). Pressing with vertical press. Malolactic fermentation in barrels and vats. Aged on the fine lees in 60% new French oak barrels for 17 months, 33% 7hl concrete eggs and 13hl Dolia (inverted ovoid concrete tank) for 12 months, 7% 8hl terracotta jars for 6 to 8 months. No fining. No SO2 until CO2 starts to dissipate about three months after malolactic fermentation, then another small dose at bottling.