V i n e y a r d s
Bordeaux is one of the largest wine regions in the world. It produces some of the world’s finest wine. Our wines are reminiscent of the Bordeaux style of harmonious elegance, power, balance and aromatic complexity. We produce outstanding Bordeaux, Graves and Sauternes.
The Appelation Graves
The vineyard region of Graves is the cradle of great Bordeaux wines. The wines of the Graves are unique in France pertaining to the name of their soil: “Gravels of Bordeaux”. This is a reminder of the major role played by the soil in determining the quality of the wine.
Location
The wines AOC Graves come from the area stretching from Labrède to Langon, around the Barsac and Sauternes appellations. The entire area has a temperate and mild climate resulting from the proximity of the ocean, which is favorable to the wine. Protected from winds of the Atlantic by the vast Landes forest in the Gironde department, the vineyards of Graves stretch along a narrow band of land on the left bank of the Garonne river between Bordeaux to the north and Langon to the south. Marie-Laure and Jacques Perromat have several properties in Mazeres near Langon.
The terroir
The Vineyards are primarily located on gravely terraces with a limestone sub-soil. The sub-soil combines with clay, limestone and iron that add to the richness of the soil. These gravely terraces are evidence of the old levels of the Garonne River. The sun’s rays progressively redistribute their warmth over the gravely soil contributing to a better ripening of the grapes.
CHATEAU LAGUPEAU
GRAVES
CHÂTEAU LAGUPEAU
AOC GRAVES, red
Merlot / Cabernet Sauvignon / Cabernet Franc
CHÂTEAU LAGUPEAU
AOC GRAVES, white
Sauvignon / Semillon
CHATEAU LADONE
CHATEAU D’ARMAJAN DES ORMES
The Appellation Sauternes
Location
Sauternes are a tiny appellation, only 2% of the Bordeaux vineyards, located 40 kilometres southeast of Bordeaux.
It is here in Preignac, Guillaume and Jacques Perromat have their properties.
An Astonishing Mushroom
The Sauternes characteritics are due to a microscopic mushroom called “Botrytis Cinerea“ or “noblerot”. A special set of circumstances are required for the Botrytis to grow. There are alternating times of wet periods when the Botrytis proliferates and then dry periods which concentrate the juice by removing the water. These circumstances also add much more aromatic complexity than simply ripening in the sun of the late grape harvest. Profiting from a microclimate characterized by misty mornings and afternoon shone upon, the “Botrytis” finds all the conditions favorable for its development. Benifiting from a microclimate characterized by misty mornings and afternoon sun, the “Botrytis” finds all the conditions favorable for its development.
The soil
Sauternais is bordered in the south by the immense Landaise forest and in north by the valley of the Garonne. Clay, sand and low registers are superimposed there in layers, distinct variable thickness form what is called the soft inclined hills called “croups”.
CHATEAU LADONNE
AOC Sauternes
Semillon / Sauvignon
CHATEAU D’ARMAJAN DES ORMES
AOC Sauternes
Sémillon / Sauvignon / Muscadelle