Château Teyssier

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Château Teyssier is a Bordeaux wine from the appellation Saint-Émilion, ranked Grand cru in the Classification of Saint-Émilion wine. The winery is located in the Right Bank of France’s Bordeaux wine region in the commune of Vignonet, in the department Gironde.

In addition to its Grand vin Château Teyssier, the winery produces the "super-cuvées" Le Dôme, Les Astéries, Le Carré, Clos Nardian as single vineyard wines and the estate wines Château Laforge and Château Grand Destieu, as well as the generic Bordeaux appellation line Pezat.

Contents

[edit] History

The estate was predominantly a farm in the 18th century until it was acquired by the historian Jules Roy in 1869, who constructed chateau and structured the vineyards.[1] Château Teyssier was reduced to a neglected 5 hectare estate when Jonathan and Lyn Maltus arrived in 1994. The new owners modernised the winery and cellar, constructed a second winery and acquired additional plots in Vignonet, Saint-Sulpice-de-Faleyrens and Saint-Émilion.[1]

Jonathan Maltus, frequently termed a "Garagiste" and "Cult winemaker"[2][3] collaborates with the oenologist Neil Whyte and consultant oenologist Gilles Pauquet. Among Maltus' other winemaking projects is The Colonial Estate in Barossa Valley and Eden Valley incorporating some vines previously used for Penfolds Grange, producing labels such as Exile, and Émigré.[4][3] A 2008 venture in Napa Valley is scheduled under the label Clos III,[5] at a property named World's End.[6]

In February 2008, Maltus acquired the remainder of Vieux Château Mazerat, neighbouring estate of Château Angélus, adding 6 hectares to the plot bought in 1996 which produces the fruit for Le Dôme.[6]

[edit] Production

The Teyssier expanded vineyard area extends 20.5 hectares, with the grape varieties of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc. Of the Grand vin Château Teyssier there is typically produced 10,000 to 12,000 cases.

The estate also has a production of generic Bordeaux appellation wine. The Bordeaux supérieur red Pezat, produced since 2005 from a Saint-Sulpice-de-Faleyrens vineyard of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc has an annual production of 2,500 cases. Pezat White made with fruit sourced under the fermage system since 2006, consists of 60% Sémillon, 30% Sauvignon Blanc and 10% Muscadelle, and has an annual production of 1,000 cases. A Pezat Rosé is also produced since 2006 from estate fruit consisting of 100% Merlot, with a production of 1,500 cases.

[edit] Le Dôme

From parcels located near Château Canon, Château Beau-Séjour Bécot and Château Angélus which were previously part of Vieux Chateau Mazerat, an unclassified vineyard though rated by David Peppercorn,[5][7] production began in 1996 by "garagiste" principles.

Composed of 75% Cabernet Franc and 25% Merlot, the vineyard area totals 2.85 hectares, though a 2008 acquisition has added the remainder of the available Vieux Chateau Mazerat property,[5] and a new winery is scheduled for construction.[6]

There is an annual production of 750 to 1,000 cases of Le Dôme.

[edit] Les Astéries

The micro-cuvée Les Astéries produced since the 2004 vintage is made with fruit from a 1.1 hectare plot acquired from Château Fonroque located next to Clos Fourtet. The vineyard is composed of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc, with some vines survivors of the 1956 frost.

There is an annual production of 350 cases of Les Astéries.

[edit] Le Carré

The micro-cuvée Le Carré produced since the 2005 vintage hails from a 1.05 hectare plot acquired from Château Canon, also adjecent to Clos Fourtet. The vineyard is composed of 88% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc.

There is annually made 350 cases of Le Carré.

[edit] Clos Nardian

Since 2000 vintage there has been produced a micro-cuvée of dry white wine, unusually for the district, from a plot in the commune of Saint-Aubin-de-Branne. The vineyard extends 0.8 hectares and consists of 38% Sauvignon Blanc, 38% Sémillon and 24% Muscadelle.

There is annually produced 300 cases of Clos Nardian.

[edit] Château Laforge

Though not a single vineyard wine, the estate wine Château Laforge is produced since 1998 in a similar style of the super-cuvées.[1] The vineyard area, some of which acquired from Château Canon, extends 5.7 hectares, with the grape varieties of 91% Merlot and 9% Cabernet Franc.

The annual production of Château Laforge is between 1,500 to 2,000 cases.

[edit] Château Grand Destieu

Acquired in 2004, the estate Château Grand Destieu is located next to Château Monbousquet, producing another estate wine. The vineyard area extends 5.95 hectares, consisting of 74% Merlot and 26% Cabernet Franc 26%.

There is annually produced 3,000 cases of Château Grand Destieu.

[edit] References

Footnotes
  1. ^ a b c Kissack, Chris, thewinedoctor.com. Chateau Teyssier.
  2. ^ Robinson, Jancis, jancisrobinson.com (June 4, 2002). Vicky Bishop reports from Bordeaux.
  3. ^ a b Lachmere, Adam, Decanter.com (April 8, 2003). Maltus sells entire Barossa production.
  4. ^ Lachmere, Adam, Decanter.com (April 18, 2002). 'Garagiste' sets up in Barossa.
  5. ^ a b c Anson, Jane, Decanter.com (February 7, 2008). Maltus expands into Napa Valley.
  6. ^ a b c Cooke, Jo, Wine Spectator (April 23, 2008). St.-Emilion Vintner Buys Neighbor of Château Angélus.
  7. ^ Peppercorn, David (2003). Bordeaux. London: Mitchell Beazley, p.471. ISBN 1-84000-927-6. 

[edit] External links