Château Pontête Bellegrave

Saint-Germain du Puch | Bordeaux

Located on the left bank of the Dordogne, the appellation of Graves de Vayres is historically renowned for its silky, full-flavored wines. The region’s unique, sandy terroir is what gives wines their fine-grained texture, a characteristic that is expressed fully in Pontête Bellgrave’s elegant, silky blend.

This garrison and chateau in Saint-Germain du Puch has since the sixteenth century been involved with vines and winemaking. In 2004, the de la Rivière family purchased the estate and went about renovating the cellar and improving work in the fields.

A native of Bordeaux, winemaker Bruno de la Riviere’s enthusiasm for the land and for Grave de Vayres’ rich history is catching. You can’t help but be captivated by the wine’s profound flavors and delicate ruby color while sipping wine from barrel, stored in the estate’s ancient stone cellars.

FARMING & WINEMAKING

The appellation of Graves de Vayres was often compared in the nineteenth century to the fine wines of Pomerol. The region, located on the left bank of the Dordogne (Fronsac is directly across the river), is characterized by a series of gravelly terraces that also have a high sand content. Sub-soils are almost exclusively gravel.

Vineyards are cared for sustainably, following organic practices as much as weather conditions permit. Vines are on average 30 years old, and are planted 80% to Merlot and 20% to Cabernet Sauvignon.

Grapes are harvested by hand, destemmed and lightly crushed, then fermented on indigenous yeasts in temperature-controlled, stainless steel tanks. Wines are aged in a mix of new (25%) and older French oak barrels for 12 months in the estate’s sixteenth-century cellar.

RED WINES

Graves de Vayres

The appellation’s unique terroir combination of sand and gravel contribute to the wine’s fine-grained tannins and silky texture. A blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon.