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BORDEAUX
– TRAVEL –
Château Tourteau Chollet
CHÂTEAU TOURTEAU CHOLLET:
“THE QUALITY OF A GRAND CRU”
Located South of Bordeaux, Château Tourteau Chollet
boasts a history spanning over 260 years. It began in
1760 when Etienne Tourteau planted the first vineyard
block on deep gravel soils. The years passed and the
vineyards more or less weathered a series of industry
crises. Since the turn of the 21 st century, they are in the
capable hands of Maxime Bontoux.
“In 2003, Maxime realised that climate change was an issue
and planted more suitable varieties such as Petit Verdot and
Malbec”, explains Sébastien Labails who manages Maxime
Bontoux’s vineyards. On the property’s 56 hectares under
vine, the two grape varieties reside comfortably alongside
the more traditional Cabernet-Sauvignon, Merlot,
Sauvignon blanc and Sémillon vines. From these, five
different labels are produced under the AOC Graves
appellation and one as AOC Bordeaux. “Our wines spend
the summer in concrete tanks to preserve their freshness
and for the reds we use pre-fermentation soaking at low
temperatures to develop their primary aromas”.
This sensitive approach to winemaking creates the signature
style of Tourteau Chollet wines where “elegance is always
aimed for”. Work carried out beforehand in the vineyard is
just as essential. After pioneering the use of environmentallyfriendly
techniques, the estate continues to roll out ecological
initiatives and began to switch to organic last April.
This environmental pledge enhances this exquisite
vineyard site, producing wines that “show the quality of
a Grand Cru” and are sold in France, Benelux, the United
States and Hong Kong.
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Arriving at Château Tourteau Chollet surrounded by vineyards
DOMAINE DE LAURANCEAU:
THE ART OF TRADITION
On the high quality clayey soils South of Bordeaux, the
Montagne family has been growing vines since 1890.
“My great-great-grandfather bought a few hectares a long
time ago”, recounts Sébastien Montagne, representing the
5 th generation. “Land was bought over the years and the
vineyards were acquired at Lauranceau in 1976”.
45 hectares are now farmed by Montagne who has “not
used pesticides since 2018” and is entering his third year of
conversion to organic farming. Merlot, Cabernet-Sauvignon,
Sauvignon, Sémillon, Colombard and Muscadelle are now
spared of any chemical inputs, from the vine to the bottle.
50 WINTER 2021 GILBERT & GAILLARD - THE FRENCH EXPERTS ON WINE