Chateau de la Vieille Chapelle
The wines of Bordeaux have enchanted us for many years. A region with a deep history of winemaking, it is also a land of contradiction. Home to extravagant chateaus and humble wineries alike, what was once a touch stone for excellent winemaking has become a region ignored by the trendsetters in the wind world. In part, this is due to a failure of many of the region's vigneron to keep up with the times and simplify their farming and winemaking. Still, there is a niche of small of producers who are dedicated to tending their vineyards organically and Biodynamically and making their wines with minimal to no manipulation. Chateau de la Vieille Chapelle led by husband and wife team Fred and Fabienne Mallier is one of those producers. Located along Right Bank of the Dordogne River, just West of Fronsac, this small estate represents the future of Bordeaux and the possibility to still find great quality and value there.
Purchased by the Mallier family in 2007, Fred and Fabien have worked tirelessly to convert their estate of nearly 9 planted hectares to organic and then Demeter certified Biodynamic farming. This process started in the 2008 vintage, and the estate was certified organic in 2013. From there, they continued to improve their farming and were certified Biodynamic by Demeter in 2017. Planted to Merlot and Cabernet Franc for the reds and Semillon for the whites, the vines grow on alluvial soils that are a mixture of clay, silt, and sand. Of these, vines are aged 30-70 years old along with a 1.5 hectare parcel of young Cabernet Franc vines planted in 2015. Relentless in their dedication to crafting traditional Bordeaux wines, the estate conducted DNA analysis of their oldest, own rooted vines in 2009. These were discovered to be over 100 year old plantings of the long neglected Bouchalès variety that had survived the phylloxera infestation of the 19th century. Today, the estate is building a project to restore these vineyards and make additional own rooted plantings based on vine material from this sector.
Harvest is conducted manually. All wines ferment spontaneously. No additions are made except for low levels of sulfur. These are wines built on freshness and aromatics, not jam and extract. With the region facing raising temperature because of Global Warming, this style is becoming harder to achieve, but Fred credits his consistent quality to his thoughtful farming and winemaking. A leader in organic and Biodynamic farming in the region, Chateau de la Vieille Chapelle represents the very best of Bordelaise terroir.
Website: www.chateau-de-la-vieille-chapelle.com
Purchased by the Mallier family in 2007, Fred and Fabien have worked tirelessly to convert their estate of nearly 9 planted hectares to organic and then Demeter certified Biodynamic farming. This process started in the 2008 vintage, and the estate was certified organic in 2013. From there, they continued to improve their farming and were certified Biodynamic by Demeter in 2017. Planted to Merlot and Cabernet Franc for the reds and Semillon for the whites, the vines grow on alluvial soils that are a mixture of clay, silt, and sand. Of these, vines are aged 30-70 years old along with a 1.5 hectare parcel of young Cabernet Franc vines planted in 2015. Relentless in their dedication to crafting traditional Bordeaux wines, the estate conducted DNA analysis of their oldest, own rooted vines in 2009. These were discovered to be over 100 year old plantings of the long neglected Bouchalès variety that had survived the phylloxera infestation of the 19th century. Today, the estate is building a project to restore these vineyards and make additional own rooted plantings based on vine material from this sector.
Harvest is conducted manually. All wines ferment spontaneously. No additions are made except for low levels of sulfur. These are wines built on freshness and aromatics, not jam and extract. With the region facing raising temperature because of Global Warming, this style is becoming harder to achieve, but Fred credits his consistent quality to his thoughtful farming and winemaking. A leader in organic and Biodynamic farming in the region, Chateau de la Vieille Chapelle represents the very best of Bordelaise terroir.
Website: www.chateau-de-la-vieille-chapelle.com
Cuvee Tradition, Bordeaux Superior AC
A typical Right Bank blend based on 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. 2-4 day cold soaks precedes fermentation in concrete vats without added yeasts. Punchdowns are manual and done daily. The wine ages in the same concrete vats which are unlined allowing for more contact with oxygen to soften the wines. Bottled with minimal added sulfur.
Shelf Talker
A typical Right Bank blend based on 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. 2-4 day cold soaks precedes fermentation in concrete vats without added yeasts. Punchdowns are manual and done daily. The wine ages in the same concrete vats which are unlined allowing for more contact with oxygen to soften the wines. Bottled with minimal added sulfur.
Shelf Talker