2019 Petit Gravet Ainé

This estate is in Catherine Papon s family since 1875! This is a tiny, 2.5-hectare vineyard in the Saint Emilion foothills, situated right next door to (west of) Château Canon-La Gaffelière in deep, sandy/clay soils. Density is 5,500 vines/ha. The very unusual encépagement mixes in 2019 an even higher percentage of Cabernet Franc and reach 95% Cabernet Franc and only 5% Merlot whose average age is 55 years. Owner-winemaker, Catherine Papon-Nouvel, converted to organic farming and as such is using no pesticides, herbicides, or systemic chemical treatments; she is now certified as an organic grower. All the fruit was hand-harvested and carefully table-sorted on October 5th. Yields in 2019 were 40 hls/ha after selection and saignée. After a cold settling at 6°C, the must was fermented in small, stainless steel, tanks with a 21-day cuvaison. The technique of microbullage under the cap was used during fermentation. Malo was carried out in 100% new French oak barrels from Taransaud, Darnajou and Ana Selection. Total aging is estimated to run 12 months. The blend is presently 90% Cabernet Franc and 10% Merlot. 14.6%. 100% of the production will be dedicated to the grand vin.