Château Chantalouette

The world is full of unique and curious corners. Pomerol is one of them. In the Aquitaine region, just an hour’s drive from Bordeaux, lies this village of almost identical narrow streets, with modest houses, and where finding your way around is a challenge. Each of these houses is a château, where velvety smooth red wines are produced. Don’t be fooled by its small size: the wines made here are high quality and very well respected all over the world.

In this village, where the Romans once made wine, Château Chantalouette is made, a red wine produced by Château de Sales, the only large estate in the village. This estate, in the northwest of the AOC Pomerol, has belonged to the same family for five centuries. Of their 90 hectares, only a few of which were lost during the Revolution, 40 of them are planted with Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc on gravel and sandy soils. The vines are traditionally cultivated, with great care taken during the harvest (which is done by hand).

When the grapes reach the winery, they are destemmed and undergo a double selection. After a light crushing, Château Chantalouette ferments in concrete vats, where it macerates for about three weeks. Following malolactic fermentation, Château Chantalouette ages for a year, partly in barrels and partly in vats.

Château Chantalouette is of course not the only wine produced here. This less structured red, aimed at a much younger audience, is the little brother of Château de Sales (the estate’s main production). This does not make it better or worse. It’s just different. This wine is perhaps the best introduction to this unique and special denomination.