Château Bonalgue

France

About the producer

About the producer

The first reference to vines in the ‘Graves de Bonalgue’ area dates back to the French Revolution. A veteran from Napoleon’s army, Captain Rabion, took possession of the land and built a stately residence. The building housed his regimental arms, and the garden was planted with cedar trees.

The property was purchased by Libourne-based négociant Jean-Baptiste Audy in 1926 and the family firm continues to be run by Audy’s great-grandson Jean-Baptiste Bourotte. Merlot accounts for 95% of vines on this early-ripening site, producing a rich and round Pomerol expression that continues to impress critics.

In the vineyard

In the vineyard

The 9.5 hectare Merlot-dominant property sits on gravel and sandy-clay soils with Pomerol’s signature iron-rich vein lying beneath.

Vines are on average 22 year old and are grown in an increasingly green way: Bonalgue’s owners have adopted an eco-friendly integrated farming system: no herbicides are used and organic treatments are used where possible. Hand harvesting is the norm at this estate.

In the winery

In the winery

In addition to selection in the vineyard, a densimetric sorting system allows this estate to carry out another sorting of the berries, based on the state of maturity, measured by density. As a result, each tank is more homogenous; extraction is conducted on a tank by tank basis. The tanks – both cement and stainless steel – are small, allowing for greater precision. Infusion is preferred rather than forced extraction to obtain colour and tannin.

Interview with Nicolas Audebert – Chief Winemaker at Chateau Rauzan Segla, Chateau Canon and Chateau Berliquet

The Rauzan Segla 2018 has been met with rave reviews. At what point did you feel you had made a special wine? It is a long process in a technician's mind as the picture of the vintage is getting clearer and clearer from the picking to the “dégustations d’assemblage” (blending tastings). Each vintage gives me a particular emotion, the ...

BY Gavin Smith,

ON May 24, 2019

Chateau Latour: The 2012 Release

Just prior to the Coronavirus hitting Europe, Château Latour was preparing to release their 2012 vintage direct from the Château for the first time, but following the lock-down across Europe the release was postponed. We had news from the Château this week that the release is now due out on Wednesday. As we await the release, we explore what makes this ...

BY FINE+RARE,

ON March 12, 2020

Chateau Lafite Rothschild Interview

From one of the most prestigious and world-renowned wine estates, Chateau Lafite Rothschild, we spoke with Technical Director Eric Kohler and Commercial Director Jean-Sebastien Philippe of Domaines Barons de Rothschild about Bordeaux’s continued relevance in an ever-expanding and competitive global fine wine market. We discuss the unique elements that define Chateau Lafite as well as their personal insight into the ...

BY Gavin Smith,

ON March 29, 2020

Blending Masterclass at Chateau Pichon Lalande

Blending is an art form and remains rarely understood amongst us normal wine enthusiasts. The more one thinks about the process and the many variables the more difficult it seems to contemplate. The choices seem endless and the more one tastes the more confusing it seems to get! How can you tell that a certain combination is better than another? ...

ON May 11, 2018

Assessing the blend: 2011 Chateau Margaux

Me: “Paul, are you sure that sample is Merlot, it tastes a lot like Cabernet?” Paul Pontallier: “Yes absolutely it’s a Merlot, amazing eh?” Me: “Paul, are you really sure this isn’t a Cabernet?” Paul Pontallier: “Hmmm, no, not any more. Let me check…” It had started as a simple question in late Nov 2011 when I was at Ch ...

BY FINE+RARE,

ON February 28, 2012