Château Chantemerle

"This is a 30-hectare property situated close to Lesparre, right at the top end of the Médoc, mainly on gravel with a bit of clay. Its story begins in 1987 when Jean-Pierre Cruchon, from a long-established family of vine growers, acquired various plots around the village of Gaillan, three in a hamlet called Chante-Merle. A fourth was added later and the name Chantemerle registered in 1993. The family owns several other properties in the Médoc, all certified to HVE 3 which indicates care for the environment and sustainability in the vineyard and surrounding eco system and most are also Cru Bourgeois. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot ranging up to fifty years old are the main varieties planted on the predominantly gravelly soil. Green harvesting and leaf thinning are practised, and harvesting is a mixture of machine and manual with fermentation in stainless steel followed by ageing in oak of various ages for one year. The aim is to produce a supple, fruity wine with fine tannins."