Chateau Haut-Vigneau is in Martillac, near the southern border of Pessac-Leognan in Graves. The 20-hectare property is planted predominantly to Cabernet Sauvignon with some Merlot vines also deeply rooted in classic Garronaise (also called “gunzienne”) gravel soils¹. Haut-Vigneau is owned by the Perrin family, with Eric Perrin serving as technical director of the property. Winemaker Denis Dubourdieu² functioned as consultant to the property up until his death in 2016; his philosophy is carried on today through his partner, Christophe Olivier.
The Perrin family also owns Chateau Carbonnieux – one of only 6 chateaux to be classified under the Crus Classes de Graves for both its red and white wines³. Thomas Jefferson famously visited this property in 1787 when he was the American ambassador to France, and there is a pecan tree just outside the chateau said to have been planted in conjunction with his visit some 232 years ago.
Chateau Haut-Vigneau 2016
60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot, environmentally respectful vineyard management and viticulture, 20-day fermentation in stainless steel, aged in barrel for 15-18 months. The wine has a medium+ intensity aromatic, with both ripe red cherry and tart black plums enveloped by a slight floral component. Those fruits pick up a bit of earth and carry through to the palate (very concentrated), which is balanced between medium silky tannins and medium+ acid structure. The stainless fermentation keeps the wine vibrant, while the barrel ageing rounds out the body. This wine has always been a personal favorite for the quality it delivers at the price – it’s still outstanding.
Footnotes
¹ A simple mnemonic device to help navigate this region is to remember that Graves = gravel, and gravel soils are best suited to Cabernet Sauvignon.
² Dubourdieu served as a consultant at various points in his career to high-profile chateaux including d’Yquem, Cheval Blanc and Margaux, and was the winemaker for estates he owned such as Reynon, Doisy-Daene and others.
³ The other chateaux classified for both red and white wines are Bouscaut, Latour-Martillac, Malartic-Lagraviere, Olivier and Domaine de Chevalier.
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