Craft & Estate Portfolio Book

Château Patache d’Aux

WINERY OVERVIEW

Patache d’Aux is the main property of Domaines Lapalu, a holding company started by Claude Lapalu and now managed by his son Jean-Michel. The estate takes its name from the Chevaliers d’Aux (descendants of The Counts of Armagnac), who were the owners dating back to 1632. Seized by the State during the French Revolution, the property became a stopping point for stagecoaches called pataches, thus the name and illustration on the label. Today, this classic Cru Bourgeois property produces wines of exemplary quality, capable of aging a decade or more while still retaining aromatic freshness and structure.

LOCATION OF VINEYARD

The vineyard covers 106 acres (43 hectares) in the village of Bégadan, with an average vine age of 35 years and a planting density of 3,440 vines/acre (8,500 vines/ha). The plantings consist of four grape varieties: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot. The soil structure is composed of gravel mixed in with clay and limestone.

WINEMAKING PHILOSOPHY

After harvest, fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled cement, wood, and stainless steel vats for 3 to 4 weeks. The wine is aged in French oak for 12 months, with 25% in new oak. Avoiding super-concentration and over-ripeness, the resulting wine is approachable early. Owned by : Jean-Michel Lapalu Winemaker : Olivier Sempé Founded in : 1632 Region : Médoc, Bordeaux Country : France Wine : Château Patache d’Aux, Médoc

44 FRANCE