The climate
♦ The property is situated a 100 kilometres due east of Bordeaux.
♦ The climate is more Continental as the oceanic influence stops 20 kms before.
♦ Plus points: dry summers, better for organic agriculture. Less botrytis (grey rot). Ideal for certain varieties: muscadelle, malbec.
♦ Negative points: almost too hot for certain varieties such as merlot, where phenolic ripeness differs from sugar ripeness.
The soil
The property is divided into three areas:
♦ “The plateau” is dominated by hard white limestone with a reddish brown clay sub soil: perfect for the premium reds.
♦ “The slopes” around the plateau with high amount of limestone: ideal for the whites, the various expositions increasing different styles.
♦ ”The bas fond” has grey clay soils called Boulbène, heavier and wetter soils: for later ripening.