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FRANCE
Domaine de Courteillac
WINERY OVERVIEW
Domaine de Courteillac is situated southeast of Saint-Émilion, close to the Dordogne
River, and enjoys one of the highest elevations in the Entre-Deux-Mers region. Classified as
a Bordeaux Supérieur, Domaine de Courteillac was purchased in 1998 by the well-known
Bordeaux wine merchant Dominique Méneret, a partner in the négociant company Ballande &
Méneret. Dominique takes great pleasure from making the wines at Courteillac with the help
of renowned consultant Stéphane Derenoncourt. Today, Domaine de Courteillac stands high
above the standard of other Bordeaux Supérieur wines and can be compared in quality to
wine from more noble appellations in the region.
LOCATION OF VINEYARD
Courteillac is located in the commune of Ruch, just south of the village of Castillon-la-Bataille.
The soil is a natural extension of the Saint-Émilion plateau: limestone and clay over limestone
subsoil. Of the 124 acres (50 hectares) that make up the estate, approximately 70 acres (28
hectares) are planted with 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Cabernet Franc.
The vines are an average age of 25 years old and are planted at a density of 2,025 vines/acre
(5,000 vines/ha). Throughout the year from pruning to harvest, the Courteillac team tends to
the vines with great care, leaving nothing to chance.
WINEMAKING PHILOSOPHY
After harvesting, under the guidance of winemaker Stéphane Dubesse, the grapes are
transferred into vats of different sizes to allow for various parcels and individual varieties to
be vinified separately. Maceration does not extend beyond three weeks in order to avoid over-
extraction. Depending on the vintage and the progress of the fermentation, there are four to
five pump-overs per day. The wines are aged for approximately 14 to 16 months in 25% new,
50% one-year-old oak barrels, and the balance in concrete vats.
Owned by
:
Dominique Méneret
Winemaker
:
Stéphane Dubesse
Founded in
:
Late 19th to early 20th century
Region
:
Bordeaux Supérieur
Country
:
France
Wine
:
Domaine de Courteillac, Bordeaux Supérieur