Haut-Médoc

The Haut-Médoc AOC is located south of the Médoc appellation – and therefore north-northwest of Bordeaux. It covers 4,800 hectares, crossing six other appellations: Saint-Estèphe , Margaux , Pauillac , Moulis , Listrac , and Saint-Julien . The main grape varieties cultivated are Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, which may be complemented by Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec: thus, only red wine is produced in the Haut-Médoc.
The wines of the Haut-Médoc are very tannic in their youth: it is therefore advisable to wait a few years before tasting them, especially since they have good aging potential. They soften with age and develop aromas of red fruits.

Cantemerle Castle

The Château de Cantemerle has existed since the Middle Ages – the lords of Cantemerle are mentioned as early as the 12th century. Vines have been cultivated there since the 14th century! The Château was purchased at the end of 1980 by the SMABTP Group . This insurance company undertook major renovations: planting 40 hectares of vines, renovating the cellars, building a new vat room and barrel room, and renovating the château itself. Today, Château Cantemerle cultivates 92 hectares of vines, including Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, and of course, Merlot.

The grand vin is called Château Cantemerle and is a Grand Cru Classé from 1855. It is made from vines around thirty years old and then aged for 12 months in French oak barrels. It has a deep garnet color. The nose is subtle, the palate delicate with aromas of hazelnut and raspberry, and very soft tannins. This wine pairs beautifully with tender meats such as veal or blanquette, delicate mushrooms, and fresh pasta.
Les Allées de Cantemerle is the Château's second wine. It is produced from younger Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon vines, but vinified in the same way as its older sibling. You can enjoy it in its early years, especially since its aging potential is less. It too has a dark color. The nose is peppery, and on the palate, it reveals aromas of tobacco, with dark fruit flavors lingering through to the finish.

Camensac Castle

Château de Camensac was purchased from the Cuvelier family in 1964 by Enrique Forner and Jacques Merlaut . Since 2005, the Merlaut family has been the sole owner of the château and cultivates its 75 hectares of vineyards. On a subsoil of gravel (thick layers from the Quaternary period and fine layers from the Tertiary period), the 20-year-old Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot vines flourish.

For the grand vin, a 5th Growth Classified in 1855, vinification takes place in concrete and wooden vats, and aging occurs in French oak barrels. The wine has a brilliant, beautiful garnet color, and the nose evokes red fruits and spices, sometimes with floral notes. The palate is balanced and aromatic, with a crisp attack and fine tannins. Wait at least 5 years before opening your bottle; this wine can age for 20 to 30 years.

The Château de Camensac also produces 2 other wines.
La Closerie de Camensac , also called Second de Camensac , is the second wine of the Château. The nose is elegant, the palate precise and refined, very seductive.
Bailly de Camensac is a powerful wine with a garnet color. On the nose, it evokes fruit, chocolate, and sweet spices. These aromas are echoed on the palate: spices, dark fruit, and cocoa. It pairs beautifully with game and cheese.

Château Sociando-Mallet

Château Sociando-Mallet is located just outside the Saint-Estèphe appellation. It has belonged to Jean Gautreau since 1969, who has continually expanded it, growing from an initial 5 hectares to 85 today! When he bought it, the château was a ruin: he renovated it, built a winery, and improved the vineyards. The grape varieties cultivated here are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc.
In addition to its winemaking activities, Château Sociando-Mallet opened a charming guesthouse in 2012 on the banks of the Gironde, 3km from the estate: Villa Sociando . The Château also offers a walk through the vineyards, discovering the terroir and the restored winegrowers' huts.

The Sociando-Mallet Castle produces 3 wines.
The grand vin, of course, bears the name of the château. It is a wine meant for long aging, capable of remaining in the cellar for up to 30 years. It is a full-bodied, structured, and fresh wine that gains in harmony with age. The bouquet is generally dominated by black fruit, mineral notes, and a touch of oak.
La Demoiselle de Sociando-Mallet comes from the estate's youngest vines. It is composed of 50% Merlot. The wine's name refers to the demoiselle, a local dragonfly species, which shares with this cuvée its elegance and lightness. It pairs beautifully with shellfish and grilled fish.
Each year, the harvest at Sociando-Mallet yields approximately 20 vats, from which 3 barrels are drawn. The Jean Gautreau cuvée is a blend of 15 of these barrels, selected through blind tasting after a year of aging. The grape varieties and aging process are therefore the same as for the grand vin. It is a wine for long aging, which needs time to reveal its full potential.