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Chateau La Grande Clotte has an interesting history. The vineyard was owned by a family in Paris who really did not care much about the vines, so they hired the well-known consultant Michel Rolland take care of the vineyard and make the wine. This changed in 2015 when when current owners Matthieu and Julie Mercier came looking to purchase a domaine in Bordeaux’s Right Bank. The Merciers had been living and working for several years right here in British Columbia, where they managed the iconic Osoyoos Larose, where Borderlais influence dominates. But they longed to return to Bordeaux as proprietors of an estate. Chateau La Grance Clotte in the Lussac-Sait Emilion appellation fit the bill, and their first vintage was 2016.

The vineyard at Chateau La Grande Clotte is planted to 80% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, some Malbec and a single hectare of white grapes. One plot of Merlot sitting directly in front of the Chateau is a whopping 90 years old!

2019 Chateau La Grande Clotte Blanc

Not too often does one find whites in St Émilion. Matthieu and Julie’s white is a blend of 50% Sauvignon Blanc, 20% Sauvignon Gris, and 10% Muscadet, giving you a wine with some viscosity, balanced by and acid kick from the Gris and lovely aromatic richness from the Muscadet. Great with seafood, I really liked the purity and richness of the wine.

2018 Le Grand Clotte

90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. Aged in concrete tanks which keeps the freshness and fruit. This is a lovely wine, deep and rich yet striking a balance with some good acidity and depth.

2018 L’Envolée

A small production of just 2000 bottles. The grapes come from a single block of Merlot of that is 90 years old. Fermented in new oak barrels, where it ages and additional 16 months before bottling. Excellent depth and structure, delish

2018 L’Essential

No sulphur, no wood, only aged in tank. Drink short term.