I’m always taking days to explore more of my favorite AOCs in Bordeaux, in particular Pomerol and Pessac Leognan. They are some of the smaller appellations. Pomerol, just next to Saint Emilion, has some incredible wines and none are classified so you really have to go out there and just try! There is the Maison du Vin in Pomerol who can help guide you as well / 8 r Tropchaud, 33500 Pomerol
This day I went was a beautiful sunny day after months of rain so it was a perfect excuse. Plus, kids weren’t sick and the house was holding it together that day! I couldn’t plan much in advance but was still able to get in to see a few chateaux, Chateau de Sales and Chateau Bellegrave, two family owned estates which really stood out.
Chateau de Sales is the largest estate in Pomerol and owed by the same family for the last 500 years. They have some of the tallest trees I’ve ever seen, likely planted when the first owners came. Today, as ownership is divided among the family, the home is used as a holiday home. The wine made is typical in the use of Merlot, Cabernet and Cab Franc, but unique in that they use a minimal amount of new oak. Before 2014 it was around 8% and now at 20%. This is the choice of the family and changing opinions of what they would like their wine to be.
Simply put, it’s a beautiful location, the scenery and architecture are as wonderful as the wine. Book in advance, private tours start at 25 EURO pp / https://www.chateau-de-sales.com/ 11, Chemin de Sales, 33500 Libourne
Chateau Bellegrave is a third generation viniculture in Pomerol with a huge success in the haute cuisine world. You’ll find their wine on every menu from Akrame to Pierre Gagnaire. The son, Jean-Baptiste, gave me a tour of the property and it was clear the love he has for his work and the passion for this family production. Currently their wine is labelled Organic and they utilise some biodynamic ideas in the farming of the grapes.
A tour will take you, classically, through the production of wine and then into the charming tasting room. A typical stone space with limestone fireplace and family photos. Potentially one of the more charming spaces to taste a local wine. For the most part, wines are 90% merlot and 10% cabernet franc, aged in 30% new oak. They have been experimenting with amphora for their old vines, some nearly 90 years old. It’s really impressive when you know that many vineyards have vines of only around 35-40 years of age. Do be sure to book in advance, tours are in French mainly but potentially can offer in English. Shipping is possible / Château Bellegrave, Pomerol et bio à la fois (bellegrave-pomerol.com) / contact@bellegrave-pomerol.com / Lieu dit René, 33500 POMEROL / +33 (05) 57 51 20 47
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