2019 Clos St. Julien

This is Catherine Papon-Nouvel s rarest wine in her family since 1950. She is also the owner-winemaker at Petit Gravet Aîné. This 1.2-hectare vineyard is situated just west of Château Soutard atop the limestone plateau of Saint-Emilion. Those who know the village of Saint-Emilion and the little roundabout at the top of the town, have driven by this walled vineyard: it is immediately to the left of the roundabout where one might normally turn right to go into town. Planted at 6,000 vines/ha, there is precious little topsoil atop the limestone motherlode, which gives this wine its distinctive minerality. The 55-year old vineyard is planted with 50% Cabernet Franc and 50% Merlot. Catherine farms her Lilliputian vineyard meticulously as though it were an English garden! The vineyard is certified organic by the French organization, Agriculture Biologique. All the fruit was hand-harvested. The Merlot was harvested on 19th September for Merlot and on October 7th for Cabernet Franc. Yields in 2019 were 38 hls/ha. After a cold soak, the juice was fermented in truncated oak tanks with a 21-day cuvaison. Malo and sur lies (for five months) aging were conducted in 100% new barrels from top coopers Taransaud and Ana Sélection and should run 12 months. 100% of the production will be dedicated to the grand vin. The tentative blend reflects the planted acreage: 50% Cabernet Franc and 50% Merlot.14%.